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Michigan Football: 5 Memorable season-opening wins for Wolverines

By Chris Peterson

26 Aug 1995: Offensive lineman Damon Denson of the Michigan Wolverines waves during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won 18-17.. Mandatory Credit: Julian Gonzales /Allsport
26 Aug 1995: Offensive lineman Damon Denson of the Michigan Wolverines waves during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won 18-17.. Mandatory Credit: Julian Gonzales /Allsport /
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13 Sep 1997: Fullback Chris Floyd of the Michigan Wolverines (top) is aided by teammate and center Steve Frazier in scoring a touchdown as linebacker Brandon Southward of the Colorado Buffaloes tries to stop him during a game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
13 Sep 1997: Fullback Chris Floyd of the Michigan Wolverines (top) is aided by teammate and center Steve Frazier in scoring a touchdown as linebacker Brandon Southward of the Colorado Buffaloes tries to stop him during a game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

The win that sparked a national title run

Entering the 1997 season, Michigan football fans didn’t really know what to expect. The Wolverines had put together a couple of solid seasons under Lloyd Carr but started 1997 ranked 14th and opened the season against No. 8 Colorado.

The Buffalos had been to Michigan Stadium in 1994 and won on the Kordell Stewart Hail Mary, which still, for the record, haunts me to this day. I was eight years old and didn’t realize that sort of thing could happen.

At any rate, Colorado was loaded in 1997 or was supposed to be and was fresh off a win over a ranked Colorado State team. However, the Buffs had no idea what was in store for them.

On a nationally televised game, Michigan football embarrassed Colorado and there’s no other word for it. John Hessler, the QB for Colorado was 15-of-39 for 141 yards passing.

He was also intercepted by the great Charles Woodson in the first quarter, which eventually led to a Chris Floyd touchdown. Woodson, who was just starting his unlikely campaign to win the Heisman, also caught a 29-yard pass to set up a field goal.

Brian Griese threw a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter and the normally high-powered offense for Colorado was held to 224 yards. For Michigan, it would be a sign of things to come as the Wolverines wouldn’t lose on their way to a national championship.

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