Road to the Victors: The Story of the 1997 Michigan Wolverines
by Detroit Free Press · 15 episodes
SportsFootball
Twenty-five years ago, the Michigan Wolverines surprised and then dominated the college football world with a season for the ages. Led by Charles Woodson, Brian Griese and Lloyd Carr, U-M answered every challenge on their way to the 1997 national championship. Relive that unforgettable season, game-by-game, with interviews and insights from the people who witnessed every play first-hand.
Latest episodes
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39 sec
COMING SOON: Hail Yes! A Detroit Free Press Podcast About University of Michigan Sports
Hosted by Free Press sports writers Tony Garcia and Rainer Sabin, “Hail, Yes!” can be found a couple of times a week, including every Thursday, wherever you listen to podcasts. Tun…
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34 min
End of the Road: The Heisman Trophy, Rose Bowl and split national championship
In this final episode, Andrew Hammond breaks down how competing bowl organizations led to a split championship. Later, we revisit Charles Woodson's unprecedented Heisman Trophy win…
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28 min
Mitch Albom remembers 1997 Michigan vs. Ohio State, Charles Woodson's Heisman moments
Mitch Albom, who was one of the 100,000-plus in attendance for the 1997 Michigan-Ohio State game at the Big House, joins Andrew Hammond this week. Albom remembers the Wolverines' d…
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24 min
Week 10: How 1997 Michigan team avoided trap game vs. Wisconsin
This week, Andrew Hammond is joined by former Free Press sports writer Keith Gave, who covered the 1997 Michigan football team in their game at Wisconsin. The setting and spot on t…
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31 min
Week 9: 1997 Michigan's huge win at Penn State tells the world they're for real
Andrew Hammond and former Free Press sports editor Gene Myers look back at the Michigan-Penn State game from 1997, a highly anticipated matchup at Happy Valley. We look at how the…
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29 min
Week 8: Charles Woodson, 1997 Michigan defense continue to stake claims for history
This week, Andrew Hammond is joined by former Free Press sports editor Gene Myers to look back at the game for the Little Brown Jug, Michigan vs. Minnesota in 1997. The difference…
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24 min
Week 7: Charles Woodson gets THAT interception vs. Nick Saban, Michigan State
This week, Andrew Hammond is joined by Terry Foster, longtime Detroit sports media fixture, as they reflect on the top-15 matchup with Michigan State in East Lansing. They also loo…
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28 min
Week 6: Brian Griese carries Michigan in comeback victory over Iowa
This week, Andrew Hammond is joined by former Free Press sports editor Gene Myers to look back at perhaps the biggest crossroads in the 1997 Wolverines' season. Michigan faced a bi…
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18 min
Week 5: Michigan gets revenge vs. Northwestern led by ... the offense?
This week, Andrew Hammond is joined by former Free Press sports writer Keith Gave, who covered the 1997 Michigan football team, including the game against Northwestern. Gave looks…
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15 min
Week 4: Michigan steps right over trap game, aces first road test at Indiana
This week, former Free Press sports editor Gene Myers joins Andrew Hammond to break down the beatdown in Bloomington, Indiana. The Wolverines had no problem with the Hoosiers, and…
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22 min
Week 3: Michigan passes first big test with comeback victory over Notre Dame
Former Free Press sports editor Gene Myers joins Andrew Hammond to break down the first major test for the 1997 Michigan Wolverines, a visit by Notre Dame. How did U-M handle adver…
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27 min
Week 2 vs. Baylor: Michigan rolls; Heisman Trophy, national title pictures begin to take shape
Former Free Press sports editor Gene Myers joins Andrew Hammond to describe the first wild weekend of the 1997 season, including how one national title contender fell and another H…
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25 min
Week 1 vs. Colorado: Michigan's defense makes the first of a lasting impression
Former longtime U-M broadcaster Jim Brandstatter joins Andrew Hammond to discuss just how dominating the Wolverines' defense is to start this 1997 championship season. Michigan foo…
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24 min
Before the championship run: How Lloyd Carr, Michigan football entered 1997 season
In the first episode of this limited series, Free Press assistant sports editor Andrew Hammond sets the stage for the 1997 Michigan football team, going deep on the state of the Wo…
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2 min
Introducing ‘Road to the Victors: The Story of the 1997 Michigan Wolverines’
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 1997 Michigan football team’s national championship, one of the most memorable title runs in the state’s history. Detroit Free Press ass…