The 1995 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first season under head coach Lloyd Carr, the Wolverines compiled a 9–4 record (5–3 in conference games), outscored opponents by a total of 318 to 201, tied for third place in the Big Ten, and were ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll.
Running back Tim Biakabutuka set Michigan's single-season rushing record with 1,818 rushing yards, including 313 yards in an upset victory over No. 2 Ohio State. The team's other statistical leaders included quarterback Brian Griese with 1,395 passing yards, wide receiver Mercury Hayes with 46 receptions for 888 yards, and placekicker Remy Hamilton with 83 points scored (32 extra points, 17 field goals).
Defensive tackle Jason Horn was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. Five Michigan players received first-team honors on the 1995 All-Big Ten Conference football team: center Rod Payne (Coaches); offensive tackle Jon Runyan (Coaches; Media); Horn (Coaches; Media); linebacker Jarrett Irons (Coaches; Media); and defensive backs Clarence Thompson (Coaches; Media) and Charles Woodson (Coaches).
The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium.
Schedule
Game summaries Virginia
On August 26, Michigan defeated Virginia, 18–17, in the Pigskin Classic before a crowd of 101,444 spectators at Michigan Stadium. It was Lloyd Carr's first game as Michigan's head coach.
On the opening drive of the game, redshirt freshman quarterback Scott Dreisbach led Michigan to Virginia's 26-yard line, but Remy Hamilton's attempt at a 43-yard field goal was unsuccessful. Neither team scored in the first quarter. Virginia missed a 39-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The Cavaliers also missed a 28-yard field goal later in the second quarter. The game remained scoreless until the final minute of the first half. Ronde Barber intercepted a Dreisbach pass and returned it 18 yards to Michigan's 29-yard line. Virginia scored four plays later with a one-yard option run by quarterback Mike Groh. Virginia led, 7-0, at halftime.
On the opening drive of the second half, Virginia faced a third-and-eleven when Tiki Barber broke the game open with an 81-yard touchdown run down the left sideline. It was the second-longest scoring run from scrimmage against Michigan in modern history (trailing only a 98-yard run by Darrell Thompson of Minnesota in 1987). Late in the third quarter, Michigan drove to Virginia's six-yard line, but Dreisbach was intercepted in the end zone by Percy Ellsworth.
After the interception, Virginia drove 67 yards to Michigan's 13-yard line. With 12:55 remaining in the game, Virginia kicked a 30-yard field goal to extend its lead to 17-0. After the kickoff, Michigan drove 76 yards on five plays, including passes of 41 and 43 yards from Dreisbach to Mercury Hayes. Ed Davis then scored on a two-yard touchdown run with 11:36 remaining in the game. Remy Hamilton's kick for extra point failed. After holding Virginia to a three-and-out, Michigan drove 75 yards on six plays, scoring on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Dreisbach to Hayes with 7:47 remaining. Dreisbach's pass to Jay Riemersma for a two-point conversion was incomplete, and Michigan trailed, 17-12. Virginia then drove to Michigan's 28-yard line, running more than five minutes off the clock. Virginia tried to pin the Wolverines with a short punt, but the ball bounced into the end zone for a touchback. Taking over with 2:35 remaining, Dreisbach led the Wolverines on an 80-yard drive. From the 15-yard line, Dreisbah threw three incomplete passes. On fourth down, four seconds remained on the clock. As time expired, Dreisbach connected with Hayes in the far right edge of the end zone, Hayes barely touching his left foot inbounds for the game-winning touchdown. It was Michigan's biggest comeback victory ever up to that date.
Dreisbach completed 27 of 52 passes for 372 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He went 12 of 23 for 236 yards in the fourth quarter and set Michigan single-game records for both pass attempts (52) and passing yards (372). Hayes had seven receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Michigan's rushing offense struggled, tallying only 52 yards on 27 carries. Tiki Barber led the Cavaliers with 113 rushing yards on 12 carries, an average of 9.4 yards per carry.
At Illinois
On September 2, Michigan defeated No. 25 Illinois, 38–14, before a crowd of 70,193 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
Late in the first quarter, Michigan recovered a fumbled punt return at the Illinois 11-yard line. Scott Dreisbach then threw a touchdown pass to a wide-open Chris Howard in the end zone with 4:33 remaining in the quarter. In the second quarter, Clint Copenhaver intercepted a Johnny Johnson pass. Michigan converted on the turnover with a 49-yard field goal by Remy Hamilton. Michigan led, 10-0, at halftime.
The Wolverines scored 21 points in the third quarter, starting with a 46-yard pass from Dreisbach to Mercury Hayes. After Charles Woodson recovered an Illinois fumble, Tim Biakabutuka scored on an eleven-yard run 30 seconds after Hayes' touchdown. Three-and-a-half minutes later, Illinois fumbled again, Rasheed Simmons recovering for Michigan near midfield. Biakabutu then scored on a 35-yard run.
Early in the fourth quarter, Anthony Williams blocked an Illinois punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Michigan led, 38-0, with 13 minutes remaining in the game. Illinois scored two touchdowns in final seven minutes.
Tim Biakabutuka gained 97 rushing yards on 10 carries (9.7 yards per carry) and scored three touchdowns. After setting a Michigan record with 52 pass attempts the prior week, Dreisbach threw only 12 times, completing seven passes for 139 yards and one touchdown. Hayes caught three passes for 66 yards. On defense, Michigan held the Illini to 66 rushing yards, but gave up 285 passing yards.
Memphis
Tim Biakabutuka had another big day as he rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns as the No. 11 Wolverines struggled to a 24–7 victory over the Tigers. Ed Davis added a touchdown run and Scott Dreisbach was efficient completing 13 of 21 passes for 162 yards. The Michigan defense held Memphis to 96 yards of total offense. Charles Woodson and Rob Sweet had interceptions for the Wolverines.
At Boston College
The Wolverine defense held Boston College to 188 yards of total offense and intercepted 4 passes as they grabbed an early lead and held on for a 23–13 victory over the Eagles. Chuck Winters, Scott King, Rob Sweet and Clarence Thompson each had one interception. Remy Hamilton kicked three field goals while Tim Biakabutuka and Ed Davis scored touchdowns for Michigan.
Miami (OH)
Michigan raced to a 31–0 halftime lead and despite giving up 19 third quarter points, they held on for a 38–19 victory over the Redhawks. Remy Hamilton kicked three field goals, Tim Biakabutuka ran for a touchdown and Brian Griese threw two touchdowns. Griese completed 14 of 24 passes for 192 yards. Mercury Hayes and Amani Toomer were on the receiving end of Griese's TD passes.
Northwestern
Despite Tim Biakabutuka rushing for 205 yards, #7 Michigan fell to No. 25 Northwestern 19–13 at Michigan Stadium. Darnell Autry rushed for 100 yards for the Wildcats and a Steve Schnurr 2-yard pass to Matt Hartl tied the game at 13–13. Sam Velanzisi kicked two field goals to give Northwestern the win and spur them on to winning the Big Ten title. Remy Hamilton kicked two field goals and Brian Griese ran for a touchdown to account for Michigan's points.
At Indiana
Michigan raced to a 24–3 halftime lead on the way to a 34–17 victory over the Hoosiers in Bloomington, Indiana. Tim Biakabutuka rushed for 111 yards and Brian Griese completed 14 of 21 passes for 127 yards. Griese threw two touchdown passes, one each to Amani Toomer and Jerame Tuman. The Wolverine defense held the Hoosiers to 40 yards rushing and had interceptions by Chuck Winters and Clarence Thompson. Remy Hamilton added two field goals.
Minnesota
Tim Biakabutuka ran for 196 yards and two touchdowns as the No. 9 ranked Wolverines routed the Golden Gophers 52–17 at the "Big House". Brian Griese completed 14 of 19 passes for 271 yards and 4 touchdown passes. Amani Toomer caught 5 passes for 177 yards and two TD receptions. Michigan finished with 623 yards of total offense.
At Michigan State
The Spartans led 14–3 at halftime thanks to a 70-yard Derrick Mason punt return TD. The Wolverines rallied behind Brian Griese and led 25–21 with 3:38 left. Tony Banks guided the Spartans 88 yards over the next 2:24, with a fourth and 11 pass to Mason keeping the drive alive and a juggling catch later in the drive. Banks found Nigea Carter for a 25-yard TD with 1:14 left, finishing 26 for 34 with 318 yards in the 28–25 win for Michigan State. Tim Biakabutuka rushed for 191 yards and a touchdown for the Wolverines.
Purdue
A muddy field, freezing temperatures and wind gusting to made Michigan's offense ineffective Saturday. The #13 Wolverines rode Remy Hamilton's field goal and Clarence Thompson's safety to a 5–0 victory over Purdue. It was the lowest-scoring game at Michigan Stadium since the Wolverines defeated Northwestern 7–0 in 1972. Michigan held Purdue to just four first downs, one in the first half. Both teams floundered while Michigan controlled the ball 37 minutes, 22 seconds, but the Wolverines gained only 283 yards on 79 plays.
At Penn State
The Nittany Lions jumped out to a 10–0 lead in the second quarter following a 49-yard field goal from Brett Conway and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Wally Richardson to Mike Archie. Michigan answered on a Brian Griese touchdown pass to Amani Toomer, but Conway added a 51-yard field goal to make it a 13–7 game at halftime. Remy Hamilton kicked a field goal to set the score at 13-10 heading into the fourth quarter. Richardson and Bobby Engram connected on a 12-yard scoring play in the fourth quarter to make it a 20–10 game. Michigan pulled to within three on an 18-yard touchdown run from Tim Biakabutuka. Then the Nittany Lions used a fake field goal attempt to seal a 27–17 victory over the Wolverines. With 2:40 to play and the Lions leading 20–17, kicker Brett Conway lined up for a 19-yard field goal attempt. The snap went to holder Joe Nastasi, who breezed into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown to help clinch the win over the 12th ranked Wolverines.
Ohio State
Tim Biakabutuka rushed for 313 yards and a touchdown, and led #18 Michigan to a 31–23 upset over the No. 2 Buckeyes in front of 106,288 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan ran up 381 yards rushing while holding the Buckeyes to just 106. Overall, Michigan had 484 yards total offense to Ohio State's 392. Brian Griese hit Clarence Williams for a 2-yard touchdown for a 7–3 lead. The teams traded field goals, a 38-yarder by Michigan's Remy Hamilton, and a 37-yarder by Josh Jackson with six seconds left in the half, and the Wolverines were up 10–9 at halftime. Trailing 17–9, Ohio State got a one-yard touchdown dive by George, but did not convert on the two-point play. Williams scored from 8 yards to increase the Michigan lead to 24–15. A two-yard touchdown run by Biakabutuka with 7:55 left in the game would give the Wolverines all the cushion they would need at 31–15. Ohio State got to within eight points on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Hoying to Buster Tillman, and a two-point conversion, with 6:33 left in the game, but that was as close as the Buckeyes would get.
Alamo Bowl