Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games
9-3. The mere mention of that score brings smiles to the faces of Wolverines everywhere, as they remember the legendary “Snow Bowl” in 1950.
But no, this isn’t about that game.
The fourth installment of this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us back 1980, thirty years after the Snow Bowl. By this time, Ronald Reagan was the president of the United States, the automobile industry that fueled the midwest for decades had changed significantly, and American society was undergoing massive changes. Some new things were occurring, and in some instances, old things were being revived.
One thing that never needed revival was the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State. In 1980, both teams entered “The Game” with perfect records in the Big Ten and the conference title on the line, as it has been on many occasions. With both teams playing stingy defense, every possession would be critical. Michigan coach Bo Schembechler was acutely aware of this fact, and he designed a game plan that featured a lot of running, with backs Lawrence Ricks, Stan Edwards and Butch Woolfolk repeatedly probing the Ohio State forward wall, secure in the knowledge that if the Buckeyes overcommitted to stopping the run, Michigan receiver Anthony Carter had the speed to make them regret that choice.
Nonetheless, Ohio State grabbed the early lead when Vlade Janakievski kicked a 33-yard field goal to put the Buekeyes up, 3-0. The Wolverines didn’t take long to respond, though. With their backs repeatedly pounding the Ohio State defensive line, the Wolverines drove into Ohio State territory, where Ali Haji-Sheikh kicked a 43-yard field goal to send the teams to their lockers at halftime with the score tied, 3-3.
Michigan used the same game plan in the second half, and when the Wolverines drove to the Ohio State 13-yard line, John Wangler connected with Carter in the end zone to give Michigan a 9-3 lead.
With a one score lead, Michigan appeared poised to take firm control of the game when Stan Edwwards threw an option pass into the Ohio State end zone. However, the Bucheyes were ready, and they intercepted the pass, thwarting Michigan’s threat.
Ohio State had one final chance, on a 4th down and 25 yards to go from the Michigan 47-yard line. Buckeye QB Art Schlichter faded back to pass, but he never saw Robert Thompson, who hit Schlichter right in the chest and drove him to the ground, securing Michigan’s win.
The victory sent the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl, where they routed Washington, 23-6. The 1980 team was marked by a dominant defense, which produced one of the best efforts by a Michigan defense at Ohio Stadium in the last 60 years.
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