The rain and slush and miserable cold was a fitting end to a chilly season in Ann Arbor.

The 21-14 loss to Northwestern on Senior Day officially makes this the worst season in the history of Michigan football. For the first time in 129 years, Michigan has lost eight football games in a season. Following next week's trip to Ohio State, that total will more than likely be nine.

Michigan went just 2-5 at home this year, and any hope of improvement following the win at Minnesota disintegrated into the typical problems this season -- special teams, inept quarterback play and a defense that continues to give up big plays.

"You come to Michigan to win games," senior defensive back Brandon Harrison said. "You don't lose at home. It's just real hard to take."

Coming off a strong performance at Minnesota, Nick Sheridan got the start again at quarterback, but the offense sputtered. He was replaced in the fourth quarter by Steven Threet, who promptly threw an interception into the end zone, squelching what could have been the game-tying score.

The same problems Michigan was dealing with at quarterback in August are problems coach Rich Rodriguez is still seeing. Sheridan and Threet were a combined 12 of 36 for 83 yards.

Michigan had a punt partially blocked and the defense surrendered a 53-yard touchdown to a Northwestern team that won for just the sixth time in Michigan Stadium history and the first time since 1995.

"Every loss is tough," Rodriguez said. "When you lose as much as we've lost this year, it makes it extremely difficult."

SEASON RECAP

Utah 25, Michigan 23 -- The Wolverines were blown out in the first half but rallied to get within a failed two-point conversion of tying with 6:26 remaining. The defense and special teams brought Michigan back, thanks to a blocked punt and a fumble recovery. But the offense managed only 203 yards, the running game was a disappointment and the Wolverines dropped their season opener for the second straight year.

Michigan 16, Miami (Ohio) 6 -- The defense shut down the RedHawks twice inside the 10-yard line, the offense churned out 178 yards on the ground and Michigan notched its first win of the Rich Rodriguez era. The Wolverines still can't settle on a quarterback, but freshman Sam McGuffie carried 12 times for 74 yards and added three catches for 32 yards in the victory.

Notre Dame 35, Michigan 17 - - The Wolverines ruined their own chances with six turnovers that led to three Irish touchdowns. Sam McGuffie registered his first 100-yard rushing day and Steven Threet threw for 175 yards and a touchdown, but the Wolverines could never recover from all the points they gave away.

Michigan 27, Wisconsin 25 -- The offense strung together three drives of 70 yards or more in the second half, LB John Thompson returned an interception for a touchdown and Michigan rallied from a 19-0 deficit for the greatest comeback win in Michigan Stadium history. The Wolverines turned the ball over five times in the first half, but scored 27 points in 13 minutes after halftime. They won the game when Wisconsin failed to convert a two-point conversion in the game's final minute.

Illinois 45, Michigan 20 -- The Wolverines couldn't corral Juice Williams, the Illini QB who put up a new Big House record of 431 yards total offense.

Toledo 13, Michigan 10 -- The Wolverines suffered another stunning home loss, this time falling to a Mid-American Conference also-ran. K.C. Lopata missed a 26-yard field goal that could have sent the game to overtime. Steven Threet had an interception returned 100 yards by Tyrrell Herbert for a Toledo touchdown.

Penn State 46, Michigan 17 -- The Wolverines held a 17-14 lead at the half, but the No. 3 team in the country roared back by scoring on its last seven possessions to make it a blowout. In a rare start, Brandon Minor impressed with 117 rushing yards, but QB Steven Threet was lost again to an elbow injury and Michigan's offense sputtered. Michigan had 209 yards of offense on its first three drives, and 82 yards the rest of the day.

Michigan State 35, Michigan 21 -- The Wolverines were dominated in total yards, 473-252, but kept the game close by forcing three turnovers, four sacks and three missed field goals. Brandon Minor rushed for 55 yards and scored twice (one rushing, one receiving), but Michigan lost its fourth straight. The victory was the Spartans' first in Michigan Stadium since 1990, and the 14-point margin of victory was the largest over the Wolverines since 1967.

Purdue 48, Michigan 42 -- Purdue redshirt freshman QB Justin Siller, in his first career start, completed a short pass to Greg Orton, who pitched to Desmond Tardy in a perfectly executed hook-and-lateral in the final minute as Purdue extended Michigan's losing streak to five games. The Wolverines got big plays out of their special teams and another huge day from TB Brandon Minor (155 yards, three TDs), but the defense surrendered more than 500 yards to the Boilermakers.

Michigan 29, Minnesota 6 -- Nick Sheridan started in place of an injured Steven Threet and directed Michigan to a season-high 435 yards in a surprisingly easy victory over the Gophers. Sheridan completed 18 of 30 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown in his first start since the season opener against Utah. Michigan's defense held an opponent without a touchdown for the third time this season.

Northwestern 21, Michigan 14 -- The defense held Northwestern to less than 260 total yards, but the offense managed just one score and Michigan capped its worst season in school history. The eight losses are the most in the 129-year history of Michigan football. QBs Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet combined to complete just 33f their passes for 83 yards.

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