This was what Matt Lentz had envisioned when he became a part of the Michigan football program two years ago.
Lentz, a 2001 graduate of Brandon High School, is the starting right guard for the Big Ten champion Wolverines, who clinched a trip to the Rose Bowl with a win against the archrival Ohio State Buckeyes Nov. 22.
As of press time, the Wolverines (10-2), ranked fourth in the Bowl Championship Series standings, do not know who they will be playing in Pasadena, CA on New Year’s Day 2004, but Lentz, a redshirt sophomore, said ‘it will be a good game? regardless of whom Michigan plays.
‘It really hasn’t sunk in yet,? Lentz said of the Wolverines earning a trip to the Rose Bowl. ‘I don’t think it will until we take off (to Pasadena) for the flight (on Dec. 21).?
He said he was ‘nervous and excited? before the showdown with Ohio State at Michigan Stadium, and also said the media coverage added to what was already a big contest.
On Oct. 10, the Wolverines were in serious danger of missing out on a Big Ten championship. Michigan, which was 4-2 at the time, was trailing host Minnesota 14-0 at the half, and could not afford a second loss in the conference, having lost 30-27 to Iowa Oct. 4.
Lentz said at halftime, the entire team became determined to make a comeback and stay in the Big Ten race.
‘We came together inside that locker room,? he said. ‘We said to ourselves that we can’t let this season get away from us.?
The Wolverines then came back from a 28-7 deficit in the third quarter to defeat the Golden Gophers, marking the biggest comeback in school history. Michigan then ran the table on the way to the Big Ten title.
Lentz was part of a prolific offensive unit which earned several league honors. Tailback Chris Perry was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and four other Wolverines ? senior quarterback John Navarre, junior wide receiver Braylon Edwards, senior left guard David Baas and senior right tackle Tony Pape ? were named to the first-team offense.
In addition, sophomore wide receiver Jason Avant and senior center Dave Pearson made the second-team offensive unit, and wide receiver Steve Breaston shared Freshman of the Year honors.
Lentz said he was happy three of his fellow linemen (Baas, Pape and Pearson) earned all-league honors. ‘This was their last year, their last hurrah,? he said. ‘The line is a team effort. You can’t have four guys out there doing well and one slacking.?
He said Navarre and Perry are ‘great team leaders,? and further said Navarre demonstrated a great deal of toughness in the face of fan and media criticism when Michigan was facing challenges earlier in the season.
‘I think the main thing for John was we all believed in him 100 percent,? Lentz said. ‘He gave it his all every play. We knew what kind of character he had.?
Lentz said each Michigan player is allotted six tickets for the Rose Bowl, so his parents Fred and Julie, sister Roxanne, brother-in-law Dale Carr and uncle Tom Budzinski will be making the trip to Pasadena to see the Wolverines in action.
The New Year’s Day spectacle will be the culmination of a historic season for Michigan, one which Lentz will not soon forget.
‘It was an up-and-down roller coaster ride,? Lentz said. ‘We came together as a team should.?