Читать книгу Michigan Motivations. A Year of Inspiration with the University of Michigan Wolverines онлайн

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But Michigan’s Wheatley was the true hero of the game.

He turned in an amazing performance for the Maize and Blue as he rushed for three touchdowns and piled up 235 yards on the ground. His first score was an all-out 56-yard rumble that boosted his Wolverines to a 10–7 lead. Wheatley’s next run was an 88-yard dash that showed why he was an All-American and Big Ten Conference track-and-field sprinter. Next on the agenda was his 24-yard dart in the third quarter. This run was incredible, as he later admitted he had been injured in the second quarter and had numbness in his legs. He played hurt and did not let anyone know; victory meant too much to him.

Wheatley was described as a beast on the football field. He was a tough guy. But he also knew he was not solely responsible for the win. He gave credit to Michigan quarterback Elvis Grbac for leading the team throughout the game.

Washington had beaten Michigan in the Rose Bowl the previous year, and both Grbac and Wheatley were determined it was not going to happen again. For an entire season, the loss in the 1992 Rose Bowl stung and lingered in the back of Wheatley’s mind. He drew inspiration and motivation from the loss. The only way to win was to be exceptional.