Michigan vs Alabama – Looking Back – 1988

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

The first installment of the series looking back at football games between Michigan and Alabama takes us back to the Hall of Fame Bowl on January 2, 1988. The 1987 season was a disappointment for Michigan, featuring losses to Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Indiana. Bo Schembechler was in the twillight of his coaching career at Michigan, and he underwent cardiac bypass surgery after the regular season ended. Gary Moeller took over the reins as Michigan’s head coach for the game, providing a a preview of what was in store for the next few years.

The game began like so many Michigan games had started under Schembechler. Jamie Morris scored three touchdowns to vault Michigan to a 21-3 lead, but Alabama wasn’t done. First, quarterback Jeff Dunn connected with tight end Howard Cross for Alabama’s first touchdown. Bobby Humphrery then tacked on a couple of touchdown runs to give the Crimson Tide a 3-point lead in the fourth quarter.

With 3:42 remaining in the game, Michigan started its final drive of the game with three timeouts in hand. Demetrius Brown led the offense to the line of scrimmage, and for one final offensive series, the Wolverines showcased all their talents. Morris probed the Alabama defensive line for a short gain, then Brown connected with receiver Greg McMurtry, who weaved his way between defenders for a 31-yard gain to the Alabama 27-yard line. Brown was stopped short of the first down marker on an option play, leaving the Wolverines with a critical fourth down.

Moeller gave the Wolverine faithful a glimps of what was to come under his leadership when he instructed Brown to throw the ball on fourth down. Facing a heavy pass rush, Brown threw a desperate pass into the corner of the end zone, where John Kolesar outmaneuvered a cornerback to come down with the ball for the decisive touchdown. David Arnold then capped a marvelous performance by the Michigan defense when he intercepted a pass on the final play to seal a 28-24 victory for the Wolverines.

The 1987 season will be remembered for many fits and starts by the Wolverines, but for one glorious afternoon, Morris, Brown, Kolesar, McMurtry, Arnold, Jumbo Elliott and the rest of the Michigan team put it all together and showed the college football world their true capabilities.

Many thanks to NBC Sports, YouTube, and YouTube poster College Football Historian for the broadcast of this game. As always, we own nothing and this blog post is intended strictly for the enjoyment of readers.

Michigan Wolverine Football Podcast — Game 12 Michigan 13 Ohio State 10 Commentary

Support the Podcast, Get Gear

Michigan’s stunning 13-10 victory over Ohio State defied all odds, silencing doubters and reigniting the spirit of Wolverines fans everywhere. In this episode of the UM Go Blue podcast, @pcallihan and @Clint_Derringer break down the incredible performance that saw Michigan, a 19.5-point underdog, shut out the nation’s top-ranked Buckeyes in the second half. With a gritty defensive stand, clutch plays from Kalel Mullings and Dominic Zvada, and unwavering composure under pressure, the Wolverines proved their mettle. Coach Sherrone Moore’s leadership shines as the team celebrates a season-defining win, reminding us all of the power of resilience and unity.
Listen, share, and revel in this unforgettable chapter of Michigan football history!

Listen, share, and join the conversation.

Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | Stitcher | Email | RSS |
Podcast Archive

Michigan 13 Ohio State 10 – Game 12 Recap

GAME 12 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS

Final Score: 13-10, Michigan by 3 over Ohio State
SP+ Projection: Ohio State by 20.5 (+23.5)
CD Projection: Ohio State by 11 (+14)

FIVE FACTORS

GAME 12 RECAP @ Ohio State

See?! I am not crazy! Michigan’s best version in 2024 is a ball control, time of possession, field position strategy! They just saved it for The Game and sacrificed at least 2-3 losses in the regular season to trap Ryan Day!

In all seriousness, this had to be the plan all along, especially once Michigan learned Colston Loveland was unavailable. Kalel Mullings carried the Wolverines on his back again, rushing 32 times for 116 yards and Michigan’s only touchdown. His greatest moment, however, came on a 3rd & 6 in the 4th quarter. Mullings broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and bounced outside for a 27-yard gallup that ensured Michigan was in field goal range in a tied game.

For the fourth consecutive year, it’s a struggle to determine how much of Michigan’s defensive success is a maize-and-blue masterpiece, and how much is a scarlet-and-grey conundrum. Somehow, Wink Martindale was able to remove Jeremiah Smith from the menu in the 2nd half. Ryan Day was determined to prove the Buckeyes were tougher on the ground this year. Turns out he was wrong…again. Ohio State only mustered 77 rushing yards on 26 attempts, a pitiful 3.0 yard per rush.

After an atrocious 33-yard punt by Tommy Doman to start the day for special teams, Dominic Zvada cashed in a 54-yard field goal, and cooly nailed the 21-yard nail in the coffin with under a minute on the clock. Just like all the Wolverines, Doman had to show some toughness and bounce back. He uncorked a critical 68-yard punt and roll in the 2nd quarter, and finished with a respectable 47.3 yard average.

What a month for Sherrone Moore and the Michigan Wolverines. There seems to be some major changes related to personnel management and recruiting within the program. But other things remain constant. This Michigan team didn’t flinch in the moment, even when it was infuriatingly bleak. When all the chips were on the table, Ryan Day and his “National Title or Bust” Buckeyes were not tough enough to make the critical plays in November. Both programs now find themselves at very different crossroads, with Michigan riding the wave of four straight victories over Ohio State into 2025. SMASH!

THE GAME – Michigan vs Ohio State Football – Looking Back – 2021

Looking Back is a Special Feature by Jeff Cummins Highlighting Key Rivalry Games

The fifth installment in this year’s series looking back at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry takes us to 1998. this year’s series looking back at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us back to 2021. The first six years of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure as head football coach at Michigan had been less than satisfying, and some Michigan supporters wanted him replaced after the Covid-shortened 2020 season.

After careful consideration, Harbaugh was retained as Michigan’s head coach, and he displayed a renewed vigor as the 2021 season began. Michigan rumbled through the regular season schedule, with only a controversial loss to Michigan State preventing the Wolverines from entering the game against Ohio State with a perfect record.

Still, Ohio State had dominated Michigan for much of the previous two decades. Michigan fans and alumni could be forgiven for harboring some doubts about the Wolverines’ ability to beat the Buckeyes.

Once the game began, a common thread emerged: Michigan appeared to be more aggressive and confident than Ohio State, something that had been missing for many years. The Wolverines had the Buckeyes back on their heels, and it appeared that momentum had put on a blue jersey. Critics pointed out that Michigan didn’t score points in droves; the Wolverines responded by going back to basics, controlling the ball with a power running game. Michigan’s coaching staff had suspected all year that Ohio State was not physically tough, and this strategy reinforced that point. Michigan’s offensive line opened gaping holes in the Ohio State defense all game long; enabling Wolverine running backs to gash the Buckeye defense for significant gains. Treveyon Henderson scored for Ohio State to close the margin to 28-20 with more than 14 minutes remaining, but then Michigan slowy clamped down on the Buckeyes. A sack late in the game by David Ojabo put an exclamation point on a 42-27 Michigan victory that turned the tide in the rivalry. Michigan went on defeat Iowa to capture the Big Ten Conference championship. The Wolverines eventually lost to Georgia in the College Football Playoff, but that took nothing away from Michigan’s victory over Ohio State. Michigan reestablished itself as a national power–and just as important, a serious threat to Ohio State.

Thanks to YouTube and the Big Ten Network for the highlight video of this game. As always, we own nothing and we not profit from this content, which is provided strictly for the enjoyment of readers.