Carr Chooses Wisely (1999) | This Week In Michigan Football History

This Week In Michigan Football History, as played during the WTKA 1050AM ‘Countdown to Kickoff’ held September 4, 2021 prior to the season opener against Western Michigan. Topics include the 2010 stadium renovation (11 years ago this day) and Lloyd Carr, Tom Brady battling Notre Dame in 1999 (22 years ago this day). Go Blue!

/script:

GOOD MORNING!  It’s a pleasure to bring to you SEASON 12 of THIS WEEK IN MICHIGAN FOOTBALL HISTORY to the maize and blue fedora-wearing faithful.   September 4 is a BIG day in MEECHIGAN lore as it was exactly 11 years ago today that the newly renovated Big House was officially in the opener against UConn.

The MASSIVE project added towers along the East and West sides, along with stunning concourses, suites, coaching boxes, and a vintage-looking facade that matched the style of the athletic buildings Fielding H. Yost, the Godfather of MEECHIGAN athletics, built in the 1920s. 

It was also on this day in 1999 when Lloyd Carr’s 7^th-ranked Wolverines faced Notre Dame in a pre-renovated Michigan Stadium in the season opener in front of 111,000 fans.    In the first half the Irish jumped to a 14-9 as Super-Drew Henson and Tom Brady swapped quarterback duties.   At halftime, Lloyd Carr had a decision to make and handed the pigskin, and the fate of this game, to Brady.  

Carr chose…..wisely.  

TB10 rallied the Wolverines back to a 19-14 lead late in the fourth.    But with 4 minutes left and facing fourth and 1, Notre Dame’s Jarius Jackson tossed a short TD pass for the go-ahead score.   The Irish converted a two-pointer to go up by three– but Notre Dame’s Bobby Brown was flagged for taunting Wolverine fans on the play — forcing the Irish to kick-off from the 20.

Michigan’s Anthony Thomas took advantage and returned it to the Michigan 42 – and that set the stage for Brady.   Cool as ever, Tommy led the Blue deep into Irish territory.  On third and goal, the A TRAIN pounded over left tackle and into the end zone to put Michigan up 26-22.  Notre Dame’s late rally was stifled deep, and The Victors was sung from coast-to-coast – Especially from the Coast of Lake Michigan to the Coast of Lake Erie.

Carr, Brady and crew completed the season 10-2, and rang in the new Millenial with a thrilling overtime victory over Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl.   Brady went on to a modest pro football career.