Before we get Rich, let's take the Carr for one more spin

It's almost ironic that the one player who carried Michigan throughout the season, almost cost them their bowl game.

But at the end of the day, it was senior Chad Henne's career-high 373 yards passing that offset the two Mike Hart fumbles inside the one-yard line to lead the unranked Michigan Wolverines (9-4) to a 41-35 victory over the No. 9 Florida Gators (9-4).

Henne came out on fire to start the game, completing his first six passes, and even though he threw two interceptions, he still connected on 25 of 39 passes for three touchdowns. His favorite target was Adrian Arrington who caught nine passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

"Adrian's been making so many plays this years. I couldn't ask for a better performance from him," Henne said.

Michigan got out to an early 7-0 lead after an impressive 93-yard opening drive, but lost a total of 15 yards on the next two possessions. Florida meanwhile missed a field goal on their opening drive, but scored touchdowns on their next two possessions to take a 14-7 lead.

But the Wolverines responded as Hart ran for the first of his two touchdowns on the day.

Florida struggled on their next few possessions, as did Michigan.

First Hart, a senior, fumbled the ball inside the one-yard line after a 72-yard drive, his first fumble in 1,005 touches. Then Henne threw an interception in the inside the one-yard line the next time Michigan had the ball.

The third time was a charm though, as Michigan took a 21-14 lead into halftime thanks in part to a long hook-up between Henne and Arrington that put Michigan inside the one-yard line.

The Wolverines opened up the second half with another Hart touchdown, extending their lead to 28-14. Florida responded with a 56-yard drive of their own resulting in a touchdown and 28-21 deficit.

After another Hart fumble inside the one-yard line, the third Michigan turnover with less than one-yard to the end zone and only Hart's second fumble since his freshman year (both in this game), the Gators drove 80 yards to punch in another touchdown and even the score at 28-28.

Michigan answered with a field goal, but Florida took a 35-31 lead half-way through the fourth quarter.

But behind Henne's leadership, the Wolverines took a 38-35 lead, then extended the lead to 41-35 after a field goal.

Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow threw four-straight incomplete passes that gave Michigan the ball back to run out the clock, as Michigan's head coach Lloyd Carr got an ice bath in his final game at the helm and carried off the field (left).

"I'm proud of players to deal with things we've had happen," Carr said. "This team could have folded but never did. We stuck together and I give the seniors a lot of credit."

Hart carried the ball 32 times for 129 yards and two touchdowns in his final game. In addition to Hart and Carr, it was also the final game for Henne, All-America offensive lineman Jake Long, Arrington, safety Jamar Adams, and many other Michigan players.

But in the players' minds, the day was about Carr.

"It was an amazing feeling to send Coach Carr out in the right way," Henne said. "He deserves so much."