Road to the Victors: The Story of the 1997 Michigan Wolverines

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. Tune in for engaging conversations and unique perspectives on your Michigan Wolverines. Tony, the U-M sports beat writer, and Rainer, the Big Ten insider, get a chance to talk to the main characters in Ann Arbor weekly and...

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. Lastly, former Free Press sports writer Keith Gave joins us one more time to help explain how Michigan's Rose Bowl performance encapsulated their entire 1997 season. 

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' dominate defense and Charles Woodson's signature moment that sent U-M to the Rose Bowl. 

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 the schedule may have been the biggest hurdle for the Wolverines, especially once Charles Woodson and Brian Griese got on the field.

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 Wolverines were able to roll over Joe Pa's Nittany Lions and become a clear-cut national title favorite. 

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 in this one is what people mostly remember this historic team for: Charles Woodson and that U-M defense. 

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 look back at the amazing Charles Woodson interception that put his Heisman Trophy candidacy in hyperdrive. 

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 big halftime deficit against Tim Dwight and Iowa, the heroics of QB Brian Griese led U-M to a dramatic victory at Michigan Stadium. 

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 back at the development of QB Brian Griese and TE Jerame Tuman, who had a few big plays against the Wildcats.

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 the guys dig into a couple of elements of the matchup, including the sterling play of wide receiver Amani Toomer. 

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 adversity and a halftime deficit? We look back at the first major win in that championship season.

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 Heisman Trophy candidate began to stake his clam. Michigan dominates Baylor to improve to 2-0.  

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 football takes on a familiar foe in Colorado in the season opener.

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 Wolverines program. To do that, we get the insights of NHL.com columnist Nick Cotsonika, a former Free Press sports writer and editor who covered that '97 team for the Michigan Daily. 

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 assistant sports editor Andrew Hammond hosts this limited series coming soon.