Michigan suffers 2nd loss its worst since 1968
9/8/2007ANN ARBOR Michigan got embarrassed again, just in a different way.
A week after being upset by Appalachian State, the Wolverines were handed their most-lopsided loss in 39 years as Dennis Dixon and the Ducks cruised 39-7 on Saturday. Dixon accounted for 368 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.
Michigan (0-2) has opened a season with two straight losses at home for the first time since 1959 and has dropped four straight, dating to last season, for the first time in four decades.
Unlike the stunning loss to the second-tier Mountaineers, the Wolverines didn't even keep it close against Oregon. The 32-point setback was Michigan's worst since losing 50-14 at Ohio State in 1968, the season before Bo Schembechler's debut in Ann Arbor.
"We have good kids and they're hurting," Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr said. "If losing doesn't make you hurt, you shouldn't be at Michigan."
The Wolverines haven't won a game since Schembechler died the day before the Ohio State game last year.
The Ducks (2-0) beat Houston handily in its opener, then were even more dominant against a once-proud program that boasts the most wins and best winning percentage in college football.
"It's a good win because I think there were some questions about how Michigan was going to bounce back, and whether we would be competitive," said Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, who had his picture taken at midfield with a scoreboard behind him. "I think our players took that to heart."
Dixon led the way with his arm and feet, throwing for 292 yards and tying a career high with three passing TDs to three receivers and running for 76 yards and a score. Jonathan Stewart ran for 111 yards and a TD.
"It's kind of funny. I was looking at one of their D-lineman and was like, 'He's about to quit,'" Stewart said.
Michigan's Chad Henne sailed an ill-advised pass into double coverage that was intercepted with the ease of a punt return and a lower-leg injury knocked him out of the game for the second half and will probably keep him sidelined against Notre Dame.
"I think he's very doubtful for next week," Carr said.
The Wolverines led 7-3 late in the first quarter on Henne's touchdown pass and stopped the Ducks on a fourth-and-goal at the 1 early in the fourth.
Between those two plays, Oregon seemed to do whatever it wanted against Michigan.
The Ducks led 32-7 at halftime and coasted to the victory against little resistance.
Michigan Stadium's aisles filled with fans that had seen enough after Oregon made it 39-7 in the third quarter and the Big House was so quiet that a small pocket of Oregon supporters could be heard chanting: "Let's Go Ducks! Let's Go Ducks!"
Dixon and the Ducks' spread offense, which is similar to what Appalachian State runs, had its way. Oregon racked up 624 yards, the second-highest total by a Michigan opponent in its 128 years of football.
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