Tag: Bo Schembechler

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.

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

The first installment of this year’s series looking at the football rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State takes us back to 1973. For Michigan, the 1973 season was akin to the Charles Dickens novel, “A Tale of Two Cities.” “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” could easily be applied to the 1973 campaign. In the eyes of Michigan fans, it was the worst of times because a group of athletic directors denied Michigan a trip to the Rose Bowl, and a chance at the National Championship. That was obvious to anyone who followed Michigan football, whether fan or alum.

Maybe more importantly, it was the best of times for several reasons. First, Michigan finished the season without a loss. Second, the college football world agreed with Michigan fans that the maize and blue weren’t treated fairly, and got the short end of the stick. It’s not often most college football observers sympathize with Michigan.

As for the game itself, it occurred during a volatile time in U.S. history. The Paris Peace Accords has just ended the nation’s involvement in the Vietnam War. In May, televised hearings on the Watergate scandal began in the United States Senate. In March, 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐺𝑜𝑑𝑓𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and Skylab, the United States’ first space station, was launched in May. The year began with CBS selling the New York Yankees to George Stainbrenner, a noted supporter of Ohio State.

In Big Ten college football, Michigan and Ohio State were right in the middle of “The Ten-Year War,” a 10-year period when Michigan was coached by Bo Schembechler, and Ohio State was coached by Woody Hayes. Tensions have always been high in this rivalry, and 1973 might just be one of the most significant moments in the series. Prior to the game, Hayes led Ohio State on to the field, and his players promptly tried to tear down the M GO BLUE banner, setting the tone for the day.

The game itself was the opposite of what modern football is. It was very exciting, but very old school. Both teams relied heavily on the run, and few strategic risks were taken. MIchigan’s defense initially seemed to grab the upper hand, and the Wolverines appeared to be in great shape when Gil Chapman returned a kickoff 72 yards to the Ohio State 28-yard line. Unfortunately, a clipping penalty negated the lengthy return and set the ball deep in Michigan territory, changing the complexion of the game. Now, Michigan was forced to climb out of a hole.

The first half ended with Ohio State leading, 10-0. But there were few routes in the Ten-Year War, and the 1973 Michigan team wasn’t about to go quietly. The score remained the same until the fourth quarter, when Michigan finally woke up. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Mike Lantry kicked a 30-yard field goal to trim Michigan’s deficit to seven points, and the drama had just begun. The fired-up Michigan defense forced Ohio State to go three plays and out, and Michigan received the ball in good field position. Ed Shuttlesworth pounded the Buckeye defense on several runs, and quarterback Dennis Franklin connected with tight end Paul Seal for a 21-yard gain. With a first down and goal at the 10-yard line, Franklin faked to Shuttlesworth and kept the ball, sprinting between shocked defenders into the end zone. Just like that, the score was tied, 10-10, and Michigan had all the momentum.

By now, we all know how it ended. Michigan dominated play for the remainder of the game, but Lantry missed a pair of field goals, and the game ended in a 10-10 tie. The next day, the athletic directors of the Big Ten Conference voted to send Ohio State to the Rose Bowl. Not only had Michigan controlled play for much of the game, but the 1973 Michigan team was actually built to beat USC, for once. Michigan ended the season with a record of 10 wins, 0 losses, and a tie. The Wolverines did not win the official National Championship, but both the National Championship Foundation and the Poling System recognized Michigan as a co-National Champion for the 1973 season.

Thanks to YouTube, the Big Ten Network, and YouTube poster Rxwolverine for the broadcast of this game. As always, we own nothing, and this blog post was intended strictly for the entertainment of readers.