Related Links: Game summary Michigan survives close one in Orange Bowl Alexander's big numbers not enough to carry Alabama Complete Orange Bowl coverage Complete bowl coverage Bowl schedule and results Audio: Alabama coach Mike DuBose says the Tide made too many mistakes Real | Windows Media Audio: DuBose says the missed extra point was a good effort Real | Windows Media Forum: Does Brady have what it takes to make the pros?
	T O P   N E W S

Always treated as the proverbial red-headed stepchild in Ann Arbor, Brady finally got some vindication in the Wolverine's 35-34 overtime victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 66th annual Orange Bowl.

Brady's four TD passes and 369 yards etched his name in the Orange Bowl record books. It also exorcised demons of seasons past and put a nice little bow on his legacy in the maize and blue.

Hounded by talk of not being able to win the big game as a starter, Brady shut the mouths of his critics and the door on a Michigan career that's seen more ups and down than a coaster at Coney Island.

In the first-ever overtime at the Orange Bowl, Michigan put its fate in the hands of the senior quarterback on the first play. Brady found tight end Shawn Thompson for a 25-yard touchdown and while Alabama was able to answer with a touchdown of its own, the Crimson Tide missed an extra-point to give Michigan the victory and allow Brady to run his bowl record to 2-0 as a starter.

"It feels good to end it on a note like this," Brady said. "I've enjoyed my time here at Michigan as well as the teammates I've had. I'll never forget my experiences here.

"We didn't come into the game planning to throw the ball as much as we did. Give Alabama credit, they took away our running game early and made it difficult to move the ball. But give our guys credit, too, we were able to make adjustments and put points up when we needed to."

In the final game of his career, Brady turned in the performance of his life. All across the board, his numbers were career highs -- the 34 completions, despite numerous drops by his receivers, 46 attempts, 369 yards passing and four TD passes. More important, Brady did it all without an interception.

Said Michigan wideout David Terrell, the game's MVP and recipient of three of Brady's TD passes: "Tom did a good job of delivering the ball. He played his best game in his last game, that's the way to go out. He's a good quarterback. When we got behind by 14 late, we didn't get discouraged. Our offense is confident we can put up points against anybody."

To truly develop an appreciation for Brady's performance, you'll have to understand what he's had to endure during a rocky college career.

A hotshot prep quarterback, Brady never developed into the kind of big-armed signal caller that he was projected to be at Michigan. Instead, he was the cerebral type of quarterback, who'd do just enough to win games.

At times, that wasn't good enough for the Michigan faithful.

In his first season as a starter last year, Brady led Michigan to a 10-3 record and share of the Big Ten title. Problem was, the Wolverines won the national title a year earlier -- when Brady was a mere backup to Brian Griese.

Despite the Big Ten title and bowl victory a year ago, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr had to publicly defend his decision to start Brady for his senior season over big-armed sophomore Drew Henson. Never before had a quarterback come under so much scrutiny for winning a conference title.

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr congratulates quarterback Tom Brady, who threw for 369 yards and four TDs.(AP)

But through it all, Brady persevered en route to winning 10 games in each of his two seasons as a Big Ten starter -- none more special, and a performance not greater, than the Orange Bowl.

"Tom Brady, he's everything you want in a quarterback," Carr said. "He's tough-minded, tough physically and very smart and makes good decisions. The guys believe in him. And if you knew him, you'd believe him, too. Twenty wins at Michigan, with the schedule that we've had, that speaks volumes about what he is."

He is a winner in the biggest game of his career.

In the end, Brady hoisted the Orange Bowl trophy high above his head as Michigan teammates and coaches joined him in celebration.

But no matter how heavy that bowl of fruit was, it had nothing on the monkey that was raised off his back right along with it.