Error processing SSI fileMichigan: Notebook
Rivas makes up for miss, kicks winner in overtime
After failing to convert with 40 seconds left in fourth, he wanted another chance.
Michigan's Dave Harris, left, and Tim Jamison tackle Michigan State running back Javon Ringer for a 4-yard loss.
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MSU's Domata Peko hugs U-M linebacker LaMarr Woodley after the game. Peko scored on a 74-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter.
EAST LANSING -- Garrett Rivas got another chance.
It was all he needed.
Rivas missed a potential winning 27-yard field goal with 40 seconds left in regulation but redeemed himself in overtime.
He made his third career winner with a 35-yard kick in overtime to give Michigan its 34-31 victory over Michigan State on Saturday.
"The first kick probably wasn't clutch enough for him," Michigan offensive lineman Matt Lentz said, laughing.
The turnaround from miss-to-make was quick. Rivas said he simply stayed focused and did not dwell on the wide-right miss.
"I tried to keep my head down for a good amount of time, then I looked up and I was kind of shocked, because I felt like I had hit it well," Rivas said of the miss. "I learned a long time ago in high school that you have to have a short memory."
He got his second chance after Michigan State missed a 37-yard field goal following its first overtime possession.
On third down at the MSU 18, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr decided to go for the field goal.
"I hadn't pre-determined what I would do there, but on second down, we ran the football a little left center, and I had great confidence in Garrett Rivas," Carr said. "If you run the football in there and somebody jumps offside or somebody misses a block or something slips off and you turn the ball over. I just felt like it was the thing to do. I'm just glad it worked."
Carr later could laugh at the advice he gave Rivas after the missed field goal.
"He said (he) just pushed it," Carr said. "I said, 'Well, make one in overtime.' Like a good Michigan player, he did what his coach told him to do."
Coaching change
Offensive coordinator Terry Malone decided his place Saturday was on the sideline with the players, not in the coaches in the press box.
Fred Jackson, Michigan's running backs coach, replaced Malone in the box.
"Terry came in Friday and said he felt like because we had so many young guys it might be better for him to come down," Carr said. "He asked me what I thought, and I told him, 'That's your decision. If you feel you can be more effective...' We talked about the positives and the negatives. Looking back on this game, I thought it was good he was down there."
Quarterback Chad Henne, who was 26-of-35 for 256 yards and three touchdowns in his best performance of the season, said he liked having Malone on the sideline.
"I thought it was a big impact," Henne said. "Just to have an offensive coordinator sit there and talk to you between plays. Even though I talked on the phone with Coach (Scot) Loeffler, it's just not the same. Somebody on the sideline really helps you out and tries to depict what the defense is doing."
Quotable
Lentz on Michigan's mind-set at 2-2 heading into the MSU game: "We were sitting on our butts up against the wall. We definitely got our feet back under us for this game."
Unhappy with call
On third-and-10 at the MSU 25, Henne was hit by Clifton Ryan, who forced him to lose the football. Domata Peko picked it up and ran 74 yards for the touchdown that made it 31-31 with 6:43 left in the game.
Michigan coaches and players did not think it was a fumble, but an incompletion because it appeared Henne's throwing arm was moving forward.
"I was stepping up in the pocket, and I was looking off the receivers, and they were covering them," Henne said. "So I tried to get to my check-down and by that time (Ryan) was on my arm. I felt that it was moving forward."
Henne thought it was an incompletion, as did Carr.
"There's going to be a major discussion there," Carr said.
"My understanding in college football, the arm is forward. We don't have the tuck rule, we don't have all those issues unless that's something that's been done ... what I saw from the replay, and I didn't get a great look, but it looked to me as though it was an incompletion."
Extra points
Michigan has won four straight against Michigan State, the longest winning streak since U-M won five straight from 1979-1983.
... Michigan has won all four overtime games in which it has been involved.
... Carr is 8-3 against MSU and is now 3-3 at Spartan Stadium.
... Henne has thrown a touchdown pass in a school-record 17 straight games.
... Senior receiver Jason Avant had a career-high 10 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
... Steve Breaston did not dress for the game because of a shoulder injury. Rondell Biggs left the game with an apparent knee injury.
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