[GJEM]

Chris Johnson TD catch | Jon Johnson after being burned for second time | Steve Fenner's wicked shot on Sullivan

HB Garrett Odom TD | Game saving knock down | Robert Burnette TD

DEFENSE > OFFENSE

Michigan’s D renders ‘Cats offense powerless in 7-point loss.

New Orleans, LA- Up 10-0 at the end of the first-quarter it looked as though this would be the year Coach Mitchell and the Kentucky Wildcats would bring home their first Sugar Bowl trophy since 1951 when they defeated Oklahoma 13-7.

That was not to be, Michigan (11-2) went on a 21-3 run in the second-quarter courtesy of two Brian Sullivan touchdown passes and one Garrett Odom 25-yard touchdown run.

Kentucky (11-3) dominated the ball in the second half, controlling it for over 9 minutes out of the 14 possible.

Fullback Paul Wilcher’s 1-yard touchdown run in the third-quarter capped off a 15 play, 69-yard drive that took 4:21 off the game clock. A Adam Lambert encroachment penalty on Kentucky’s 2-point try put the ball at the 1-yard line allowing Coach Mitchell to run a Morgan Newton QB sneak, tying the game up a 21 a piece.

Free safety Jon Johnson and right guard Toby Williams had a night to forget as both looked over matched by a stout Michigan Offense.

Junior Jon Johnson gave up both Michigan touchdowns in the first half and was one of the players who missed a tackle on Michigan’s game winning touchdown by Ken Johnson in the fourth-quarter, who shed 3 tackles on his way to the house.

Red-shirt junior Toby Williams, 6’4”, 316 pounds, was schooled all night long by 6’1”, 325 pound defense tackle Will Sutton, who continuously beat Williams off the line and found himself in on 8 tackles to go along with his 3 tackles for a loss and Michigan’s one and only sack of Newton in the third-quarter.

“Considering how our defense was playing previously – tonight was a step up,” said Coach Mitchell. “But it wasn’t good enough, we had a great week of practice and they looked sound but tonight it fell apart. We would get 2 or 3 good plays out of our defense on every one of their drives but then we’d blow an assignment or miss a tackle and their drives would continue, it was extremely frustrating looking on from the side line. Our tackling was horrible – that’s what lost us the game – not our lack of skill.”

Brandon Powell was shut down and contained by Michigan’s 11th ranked rush defense, rushing for only 3.8 yards per carry and zero touchdowns.

The biggest threat for Kentucky was Heisman winner Chris Johnson, who caught 12 passes for 147 yards and 1 touchdown. Johnson surpassed the 60 catch mark on the year with his 11th and 12th catch of the game giving him 62 on the year.

The loss drops Kentucky to 3-2 in bowl games since winning three-straight after failing to make a bowl game in 2008.

Michigan’s 28-21 victory over Kentucky gives them their second-straight BCS bowl win and second-straight over an SEC opponent.

It was over when… SS Troy Kittrell knocked down Morgan Newton’s pass which was intended for Chris Johnson on fourth and goal from the 6-yard line with 7 seconds left to play to seal Michigan’s 7-point victory.

Stat of the game…21. Michigan held Kentucky’s high powered offensive attack to only 21 points after they had been averaging over 43 points per game prior to tonight.

2013 Schedule and Results

AUG. 24 : LOUISVILLE (Won 70-28)
2012 Record: 1-11, 0-7
Series Record: Kentucky Leads 5-1 (2013)

AUG. 31 : AT #18 MIAMI (Won 52-48)
2012 Record: 10-4, 7-2
Series Record: Kentucky Leads 1-0 (2013)

SEPT. 2 : OLE MISS (Won 31-27)
2012 Record: 5-7, 2-6
Series Record: Kentucky Leads 2-0 (2013)

SEPT. 14 : KANSAS STATE (Won 38-22)
2012 Record: 9-5, 6-3
Series Record: Kentucky Leads 1-0 (2013)

SEPT. 21 : AT GEORGIA (Won 38-16)
2012 Record: 6-7, 4-4
Series Record: Kentucky Leads 4-2 (2013)

SEPT. 28 : AT SOUTH CAROLINA (Won 51-49)
2012 Record: 9-4, 5-3
Series Record: South Carolina Leads 4-2 (2013)

OCT. 5 : AT #12 LSU (Lost 45-21)
2012 Record: 11-2, 6-2
Series Record: LSU Leads 2-0 (2013)

OCT. 12 : AT MISSISSIPPI STATE (Won 51-34)
2012 Record: 4-8, 2-6
Series Record: Kentucky Leads 5-1 (2013)

OCT. 19 : #23 FLORIDA (Won 48-35)
2012 Record: 10-3, 6-2
Series Record: Kentucky Leads 4-2 (2013)

NOV. 2 : AT VANDERBILT (Won 41-7)
2012 Record: 4-8, 1-7
Series Record: Kentucky Leads 6-0 (2013)

NOV. 9 : #10 TENNESSEE (Won 47-43)
2012 Record: 7-6, 3-5
Series Record: Series Tied 3-3 (2013)

NOV. 16 : AT #20 FLORIDA STATE (Lost 38-31)
2012 Record: 8-5, 5-3
Series Record: Florida State Leads 1-0 (2013)

NOV. 30 : #10 LSU (Won 49-47 3OT)
2012 Record: 11-2, 6-2
Series Record: LSU Leads 2-1 (2013)

JAN. 1 : AT #7 MICHIGAN (Lost 28-21)
2012 Record: 12-1, 8-0
Series Record: Michigan Leads 1-0 (2013)

** Series win / loss records starting in 2008