1999 Florida Citrus Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1999 Florida Citrus Bowl
featured the Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC
against the Michigan Wolverines
of the Big Ten
. Both teams were surprised to be playing in the game. The defending National Champion Wolverines, with their two early season losses and the Razorbacks playing under first year coach Houston Nutt
caused very different expectations.
Anthony Thomas
led the Wolverines with three rushing touchdown
s and 139 yards. Thomas was named Citrus Bowl Most Valuable Player
and linebacker Sam Sword
was named Michigan Defensive MVP by the media after recording 11-tackles.
The Wolverines scored first with 6:29 left in the first quarter as Jay Feely
kicked a 43-yard field goal
. However, Arkansas responded on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Clint Stoerner
to Michael Williams in the second quarter to take a 7-3 lead. Michigan then scored with a two-yard touchdown run from Thomas, and a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown by linebacker
Ian Gold
. After Arkansas’ Todd Latourette completed a 42-yard field goal cut the lead to 17-10,
Michigan drove 69 yards with a five-yard touchdown run by Thomas taking a 24-10 lead into halftime. However the Razorbacks would score three consecutive second half touchdowns to take a 31-24 lead.
Thomas tied the on a one-yard run. Tom Brady
found DiAllo Johnson in the endzone from 21 yards out for the eventual gamewinning score with 2:25 remaining. Michigan Cornerback
James Whitley
sealed the victory with 1:47 remaining by intercepting a Stoerner pass, returning it 26 yards for a touchdown
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
featured the Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
against the Michigan Wolverines
1998 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1998 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1998 college football season. The team's head coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The 1998 Wolverines finished the season with a 10–3 record and defeated the...
of the Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
. Both teams were surprised to be playing in the game. The defending National Champion Wolverines, with their two early season losses and the Razorbacks playing under first year coach Houston Nutt
Houston Nutt
Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
caused very different expectations.
Game summary
Trailing 31-24 with just 5:49 left in the game, the Wolverines rallied by scoring 21 points in four minutes to win their 15th bowl game all-time. Running backRunning back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Anthony Thomas
Anthony Thomas (American football)
Anthony Jermaine Thomas is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the running backs coach at at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Thomas was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
led the Wolverines with three rushing touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s and 139 yards. Thomas was named Citrus Bowl Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
and linebacker Sam Sword
Sam Sword
Sam Lee-Arthur Sword is a former American football linebacker who played for the Oakland Raiders and the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. He played college football at the University of Michigan...
was named Michigan Defensive MVP by the media after recording 11-tackles.
The Wolverines scored first with 6:29 left in the first quarter as Jay Feely
Jay Feely
Thomas James "Jay" Feely is an American football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Jay played for the Temple Terrace Spirit Soccer team that won the National Championships when he was 16....
kicked a 43-yard field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
. However, Arkansas responded on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Clint Stoerner
Clint Stoerner
Clinton Jacob Stoerner is an American football quarterback. He is currently a free agent.-High school years:...
to Michael Williams in the second quarter to take a 7-3 lead. Michigan then scored with a two-yard touchdown run from Thomas, and a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown by linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Ian Gold
Ian Gold
Ian Maurice Gold is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
. After Arkansas’ Todd Latourette completed a 42-yard field goal cut the lead to 17-10,
Michigan drove 69 yards with a five-yard touchdown run by Thomas taking a 24-10 lead into halftime. However the Razorbacks would score three consecutive second half touchdowns to take a 31-24 lead.
Thomas tied the on a one-yard run. Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
found DiAllo Johnson in the endzone from 21 yards out for the eventual gamewinning score with 2:25 remaining. Michigan Cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
James Whitley
James L. Whitley
James Lucius Whitley was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.Whitley was born in Rochester, New York. He graduated from the law department of Union College in 1898. He served as a sergeant in the Spanish-American War...
sealed the victory with 1:47 remaining by intercepting a Stoerner pass, returning it 26 yards for a touchdown