When the 2000 season started, the Wolverines were loaded. Offensively, Michigan could boast having an all-world wide receiver in David Terrell, an exceptional quarterback in Drew Henson, Anthony Thomas, who would become Michigan”s all-time leading rusher in the Wolverines” Citrus Bowl victory and an offensive line that would graduate four members to the NFL.
- Paul Wong
- Michigan”s Drew Henson lamenting last year”s Northwestern loss, a loss that cost the Wolverines a Rose Bowl bid.<br><br>FILE PHOTO
But in the end, the Big Ten Championship that the Wolverines claimed despite a 6-2 conference record (9-3 overall) was not enough to quiet the critics who expected more.
Losses to UCLA, Purdue and Northwestern by a combined total of seven points spoke louder than the 58-0 drubbing of Indiana, the 14-0 shutout against Michigan State and the now annual wins over Wisconsin and Ohio State.
And the Wolverines proved that any errors can turn a season on its head. Be it a late-game interception throw by Henson”s backup John Navarre at UCLA, poor clock-management and even poorer field-goal kicking at Purdue or an Anthony Thomas fumble on what would have been an insurance touchdown against Northwestern, mistakes killed the 2000 Wolverines.
The team continued its recent bowl success with the 31-28 squeaker over Auburn in the Citrus Bowl, but had to watch Purdue fall to Washington in the Rose Bowl, a game that many expected Michigan to play in.
The Citrus Bowl also marked the last time that Terrell, Henson, Thomas and the stars of the offensive line would suit up in maize and blue.