Wolverines notebook: UM sparks, stalls, sparkles

UM tailback Chris Perry scores on a 57-yard run in the first quarter. Perry carried 23 times for 120 yards and three TDs.

ANN ARBOR - It all happened so quickly, Michigan scoring on the second play of the game yesterday, a 57-yard touchdown run by tailback Chris Perry.

It all stopped so quickly after the Wolverines went up 14-0 before a crowd of 111,491 in Michigan Stadium.

That's when the Washington Huskies scored 20 unanswered points to lead 20-14 midway through the third quarter.

After Perry's dramatic run, Michigan's offense went into its 2001 mode, with little running success and not enough plays from quarterback John Navarre to make up the difference.

The Huskies controlled the ball for 21:08 of the first half to UM's 8:52, but things changed dramatically in the second half for Michigan. Navarre completed 14 of 23 passes for 157 yards. Perry finished with a career-high 120 yards rushing in 23 carries and scored three touchdowns, including two in the second half.

“I won't have to defend John Navarre anymore,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. “He played a tremendous game today.”

Perry's 57-yard run was the longest Michigan rush since Anthony Thomas produced a 61-yard run at Purdue in 2000. The Wolverines' longest gain by a running back last season was a 30-yard gain by B.J. Askew.

OVER CAPACITY: How could the Huskies have had too many men on the field following a timeout with six seconds remaining?

“We switched substitution groups, which we'll be kicking ourselves for for hundreds of years,” Washington coach Rick Neuheisel said.

It gave Michigan a first down at Washington's 27, leading to a 44-yard field goal by Philip Brabbs as time expired for the win.

OPENING FIREWORKS: The last-second triumph was Michigan coach Lloyd Carr's second in a home opener. The Wolverines defeated Virginia 18-17 in Carr's debut as head coach in the Pigskin Classic on Aug. 26, 1995. The Wolverines scored all of their points in the final quarter. ... Navarre set a career high with 271 yards passing, which was the 10th 200-yard passing game of his career. ... Askew had a career-best seven receptions for 50 yards, topping his previous best of six receptions for 30 yards, set last season against Purdue. ... Yesterday's announced attendance of 111,491 fans was the fifth-largest crowd in the history of Michigan Stadium. It was also the largest crowd to see Washington. ... Five of the top six crowds ever to watch the Huskies play football have been in contests against Michigan, including four Rose Bowls. ... Junior Tyrece Butler recorded a career-high six receptions for 85 yards. His previous high was one reception, which he achieved four times last season.