1950 Michigan Wolverines football team
Encyclopedia
The 1950 Michigan Wolverines football team, coached by Bennie Oosterbaan
, won the Big Ten Conference
championship with a record of 6–3–1 (4–1–1 in conference) and defeated the California Bears
in the 1951 Rose Bowl
, 14–6. The team had two All-Big 10 backs in Don Dufek
and Chuck Ortmann
and All-American tackle R. Allen "Brick" Wahl
. Despite losing three times and tying once, Michigan was ranked #9 in the AP Poll
and #6 in the UPI Poll at season's end. The Wolverines played a regular season game at Yankee Stadium against Army
on October 14, 1950, losing 27–6.
in the famous Snow Bowl game played on November 25. The game was played at Ohio Stadium
in Columbus
in a blizzard, at 10 degrees above zero, on an icy field, and with winds gusting over 30 miles per hour. U-M did not get a first down or complete a pass in the blizzard, punted 24 times, and rushed for only 27 yards, but won 9–7 on a touchdown and a safety, both off blocked punts. Michigan back Don Dufek recalled: "It was very cold. We kept our hands under our armpits in the huddle. Our center (Carl Kreager) didn't wear any gloves. You couldn't get up a head of steam for anything. It was bad news, period."
Both Michigan scores came off blocked punts, one resulting in a safety and the other in a touchdown. All-American "Brick" Wahl
was responsible for the safety, blocking a punt by OSU's Heisman Trophy
winner Vic Janowicz
. The Michigan Daily reported the next day on Wahl's block: "In tallying the safety it was Michigan's captain Al Wahl, who crashed in Janowicz' well-exercised kicking leg. The ball bounced erratically to the right of the onrushing Maize and Blue lineman and was floundering less than a foot outside the end zone border when speedy Al Jackson caught up with it. Six inches closer and the Wolverines could have added six more points."
Bennie Oosterbaan
Benjamin Gaylord "Bennie" Oosterbaan was a three-time first team All-American football end for the Michigan Wolverines football team, two-time All-American basketball player for the basketball team and an All-Big Ten Conference baseball player for the baseball team...
, won the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championship with a record of 6–3–1 (4–1–1 in conference) and defeated the California Bears
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
in the 1951 Rose Bowl
1951 Rose Bowl
The 1951 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1951. It was the 37th Rose Bowl Game. The Michigan Wolverines, champions of the Big Ten Conference, defeated the California Golden Bears, champions of the Pacific Coast Conference, 14–6. Michigan fullback Don Dufek was...
, 14–6. The team had two All-Big 10 backs in Don Dufek
Don Dufek, Sr.
Don Dufek, Sr. is a former American football player and athletic director at Grand Valley State University and Kent State University. He is the father of All-American football players Don, and Bill as well as Joe who all played in the National Football League....
and Chuck Ortmann
Chuck Ortmann
Charles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952....
and All-American tackle R. Allen "Brick" Wahl
Robert Wahl
Robert Allen "Al" Wahl , nicknamed "Brick" Wahl, is a former football player who was a two-time All-American for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1949 and 1950. Wahl is also a former U.S...
. Despite losing three times and tying once, Michigan was ranked #9 in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and #6 in the UPI Poll at season's end. The Wolverines played a regular season game at Yankee Stadium against Army
1950 Army Cadets football team
The 1950 Army Black Knights football team represented the United States Military Academy. Led by head coach Red Blaik, the team finished with an 8-1 record. The Black Knights offense scored 267 points, while the defense allowed 40 points. Bob Blaik was the starting quarterback. Tom Lombardo, the...
on October 14, 1950, losing 27–6.
Snow Bowl
The 1950 team is probably most remembered for its 9–3 victory over Ohio State1950 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1950 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1950-1951. The Buckeyes compiled a 6–3 record. The end of season matchup against Michigan was the infamous game later known as the Snow Bowl as the total of punts for both teams...
in the famous Snow Bowl game played on November 25. The game was played at Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team and is located on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service on March 22, 1974...
in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
in a blizzard, at 10 degrees above zero, on an icy field, and with winds gusting over 30 miles per hour. U-M did not get a first down or complete a pass in the blizzard, punted 24 times, and rushed for only 27 yards, but won 9–7 on a touchdown and a safety, both off blocked punts. Michigan back Don Dufek recalled: "It was very cold. We kept our hands under our armpits in the huddle. Our center (Carl Kreager) didn't wear any gloves. You couldn't get up a head of steam for anything. It was bad news, period."
Both Michigan scores came off blocked punts, one resulting in a safety and the other in a touchdown. All-American "Brick" Wahl
Robert Wahl
Robert Allen "Al" Wahl , nicknamed "Brick" Wahl, is a former football player who was a two-time All-American for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1949 and 1950. Wahl is also a former U.S...
was responsible for the safety, blocking a punt by OSU's Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Vic Janowicz
Vic Janowicz
Victor Felix "Vic" Janowicz was an American football halfback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Ohio State University and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1952 NFL Draft...
. The Michigan Daily reported the next day on Wahl's block: "In tallying the safety it was Michigan's captain Al Wahl, who crashed in Janowicz' well-exercised kicking leg. The ball bounced erratically to the right of the onrushing Maize and Blue lineman and was floundering less than a foot outside the end zone border when speedy Al Jackson caught up with it. Six inches closer and the Wolverines could have added six more points."
Rose Bowl
The Wolverines then advanced to the Rose Bowl where they beat the previously undefeated California Bears (9–0–1) by a score of 14–6. Michigan was held scoreless and trailed 6–0 after three quarters, but Dufek took over in the fourth quarter. He ran for 113 yards in the game and scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes of the game. Dufek was named MVP of the game.Schedule
Rushing
| Player | Attempts | Net yards | Yards per attempt | Touchdowns |
| Don Dufek Don Dufek, Sr. Don Dufek, Sr. is a former American football player and athletic director at Grand Valley State University and Kent State University. He is the father of All-American football players Don, and Bill as well as Joe who all played in the National Football League.... |
174 | 702 | 4.0 | 8 |
| Wes Bradford | 26 | 132 | 5.1 | 1 |
| Ralph Straffon | 34 | 127 | 3.7 | 2 |
Passing
| Player | Attempts | Completions | Interceptions | Comp % | Yards | Yds/Comp | TD | Long |
| Chuck Ortmann Chuck Ortmann Charles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952.... |
120 | 56 | 8 | 46.7 | 736 | 13.1 | 1 | 29 |
| Bill Putich Bill Putich Bill Putich was an American football player who played quarterback and halfback for the University of Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1949 to 1951.-Playing career:... |
55 | 21 | 8 | |38.2 | 233 | 11.1 | 1 | 47 |
| Don Peterson Don Peterson (American football) Donald W. "Jiggs" Peterson is a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1948 to 1951 and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the 1951 Michigan Wolverines football team... |
23 | 8 | 0 | 34.8 | 114 | 14.3 | 2 | 48 |
Receiving
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Yds/Recp | TD | Long |
| Lowell Perry | 24 | 374 | 15.6 | 1 | 47 |
| Don Dufek Don Dufek, Sr. Don Dufek, Sr. is a former American football player and athletic director at Grand Valley State University and Kent State University. He is the father of All-American football players Don, and Bill as well as Joe who all played in the National Football League.... |
13 | 201 | 15.5 | 0 | 24 |
| Frederick Pickard | 15 | 179 | 11.9 | 1 | 15 |
Kickoff returns
| Player | Returns | Yards | Yds/Return | TD | Long |
| Don Dufek Don Dufek, Sr. Don Dufek, Sr. is a former American football player and athletic director at Grand Valley State University and Kent State University. He is the father of All-American football players Don, and Bill as well as Joe who all played in the National Football League.... |
4 | 73 | 18.3 | 0 | 34 |
| Chuck Ortmann Chuck Ortmann Charles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952.... |
2 | 63 | 31.5 | 0 | 35 |
| Leo Koceski Leo Koceski Leo Robert "Bugsy" Koceski, Jr. , also known as the "Canonsburg Comet," is a former American football halfback. He played for Michigan's undefeated national championship team in 1948 and the 1950 Big Ten championship team that defeated the California in the 1951 Rose Bowl.-Early years:Koceski was... |
2 | 55 | 27.5 | 0 | 30 |
Punt returns
| Player | Returns | Yards | Yds/Return | TD | Long |
| Lowell Perry | 11 | 75 | 6.8 | 0 | 18 |
| Chuck Ortmann Chuck Ortmann Charles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952.... |
10 | 73 | 7.3 | 0 | 23 |
| Leo Koceski Leo Koceski Leo Robert "Bugsy" Koceski, Jr. , also known as the "Canonsburg Comet," is a former American football halfback. He played for Michigan's undefeated national championship team in 1948 and the 1950 Big Ten championship team that defeated the California in the 1951 Rose Bowl.-Early years:Koceski was... |
9 | 47 | 5.2 | 0 | 28 |
Offense
- Left end: Lowell Perry (6 games); Oswald Clark (4 games)
- Left tackle: Thomas Johnson (6 games); John Hess (4 games)
- Left guard: Peter Kinyon (9 games)
- Center: Carl Kreager (5 games); Jon Padjen (5 games)
- Right guard: Thomas Kelsey (5 games); Jim Wolter (4 games)
- Right tackle: Robert Allen "Brick" WahlRobert WahlRobert Allen "Al" Wahl , nicknamed "Brick" Wahl, is a former football player who was a two-time All-American for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1949 and 1950. Wahl is also a former U.S...
(6 games); Ralph Stribe (3 games) - Right end: Harry AllisHarry AllisHarry Dean Allis was an American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1948 to 1950. He was the leading scorer in the Big Ten Conference during the 1948 season and helped lead the 1948 Michigan Wolverines football team to an undefeated 10-0 record...
(9 games) - Quarterback: Bill PutichBill PutichBill Putich was an American football player who played quarterback and halfback for the University of Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1949 to 1951.-Playing career:...
(10 games) - Fullback: Don DufekDon Dufek, Sr.Don Dufek, Sr. is a former American football player and athletic director at Grand Valley State University and Kent State University. He is the father of All-American football players Don, and Bill as well as Joe who all played in the National Football League....
(10 games) - Left halfback: Chuck OrtmannChuck OrtmannCharles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952....
(9 games) - Right halfback: Leo KoceskiLeo KoceskiLeo Robert "Bugsy" Koceski, Jr. , also known as the "Canonsburg Comet," is a former American football halfback. He played for Michigan's undefeated national championship team in 1948 and the 1950 Big Ten championship team that defeated the California in the 1951 Rose Bowl.-Early years:Koceski was...
(4 games); Don PetersonDon Peterson (American football)Donald W. "Jiggs" Peterson is a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1948 to 1951 and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the 1951 Michigan Wolverines football team...
(2 games); Frank Howll (2 games)
Defense
- Left end: Harry AllisHarry AllisHarry Dean Allis was an American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1948 to 1950. He was the leading scorer in the Big Ten Conference during the 1948 season and helped lead the 1948 Michigan Wolverines football team to an undefeated 10-0 record...
(6 games); Merritt Green (4 games) - Left tackle: Thomas Johnson (10 games)
- Left guard: Dick McWilliams (5 games); Robert Timm (2 games); Thomas Kelsey (1 game); John Powers (1 game); Allen Jackson (1 game)
- Right guard: Allen Jackson (9 games); Dick McWilliams (1 game)
- Right tackle: Robert Allen "Brick" WahlRobert WahlRobert Allen "Al" Wahl , nicknamed "Brick" Wahl, is a former football player who was a two-time All-American for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1949 and 1950. Wahl is also a former U.S...
(10 games) - Right end: Oswald Clark (9 games); Fred Pickard (1 game)
- Linebacker: Roger ZatkoffRoger ZatkoffRoger Zatkoff is a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1950 to 1952. He later played professional football for the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions ....
(9 games); Ted Topor (1 game) - Linebacker: Tony MomsenTony MomsenAnton Henry "Tony" Momsen, Jr. was an American football center in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Redskins...
(10 games) - Left halfback: Don DufekDon Dufek, Sr.Don Dufek, Sr. is a former American football player and athletic director at Grand Valley State University and Kent State University. He is the father of All-American football players Don, and Bill as well as Joe who all played in the National Football League....
(9 games); Leo Koceski (1 game) - Right halfback: Don PetersonDon Peterson (American football)Donald W. "Jiggs" Peterson is a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1948 to 1951 and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the 1951 Michigan Wolverines football team...
(3 games); Don Oldham (2 games); Frank Howell (2 games); Thomas Witherspoon (1); Leo Koceski (2 games) - Safety: Chuck OrtmannChuck OrtmannCharles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952....
(7 games); Leo Koceski (3 games); Lowell Perry (1 game)
Awards and honors
- Captain: Robert Allen "Brick" WahlRobert WahlRobert Allen "Al" Wahl , nicknamed "Brick" Wahl, is a former football player who was a two-time All-American for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1949 and 1950. Wahl is also a former U.S...
- All-Americans1950 College Football All-America TeamThe 1950 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams for the 1950 college football season...
: Robert Allen "Brick" WahlRobert WahlRobert Allen "Al" Wahl , nicknamed "Brick" Wahl, is a former football player who was a two-time All-American for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1949 and 1950. Wahl is also a former U.S... - All-Conference: Robert Allen "Brick" WahlRobert WahlRobert Allen "Al" Wahl , nicknamed "Brick" Wahl, is a former football player who was a two-time All-American for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1949 and 1950. Wahl is also a former U.S...
, Chuck OrtmannChuck OrtmannCharles H. Ortmann is a former American football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1948 to 1950 and in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952....
, Don DufekDon Dufek, Sr.Don Dufek, Sr. is a former American football player and athletic director at Grand Valley State University and Kent State University. He is the father of All-American football players Don, and Bill as well as Joe who all played in the National Football League.... - Most Valuable Player: Don DufekDon Dufek, Sr.Don Dufek, Sr. is a former American football player and athletic director at Grand Valley State University and Kent State University. He is the father of All-American football players Don, and Bill as well as Joe who all played in the National Football League....
- Meyer Morton Award: Roger ZatkoffRoger ZatkoffRoger Zatkoff is a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1950 to 1952. He later played professional football for the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions ....
Coaching staff
- Head coach: Bennie OosterbaanBennie OosterbaanBenjamin Gaylord "Bennie" Oosterbaan was a three-time first team All-American football end for the Michigan Wolverines football team, two-time All-American basketball player for the basketball team and an All-Big Ten Conference baseball player for the baseball team...
- Assistant coaches: Jack BlottJack BlottJack Leonard Blott was an All-American football center and place kicker for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1922–1923. He was also a baseball catcher for the Wolverines from 1922–1924. After a two-game Major League Baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1924, he worked as...
, George CeithamlGeorge CeithamlGeorge F. Ceithaml is a former American football quarterback and coach. He was the starting quarterback for Fritz Crisler's University of Michigan football teams in 1941 and 1942...
, Forrest Jordan, Cliff KeenCliff KeenClifford Patrick Keen was an American coach who served as the head coach of the University of Michigan collegiate wrestling team from 1925 to 1970. He led the Michigan Wolverines to 13 Big Ten Conference championships, and coached 68 All-American wrestlers...
, Ernest McCoy, Bill OrwigBill OrwigJames Wilfred "Bill" Orwig was a basketball and American football player at the University of Michigan. He later served as the athletic director at the University of Toledo, University of Nebraska, and Indiana University....
, Don Robinson, Walter WeberWally WeberWalter J. Weber was an American football player and coach at the University of Michigan. He played halfback and fullback for the Wolverines in 1925 and 1926 on the same teams as Benny Friedman and Bennie Oosterbaan. He later became an assistant football coach at Michigan for 28 years from 1931 to...
, J. T. WhiteJ. T. WhiteJohn T. "J.T." White was a college football assistant coach, and a second-team 1947 College Football All-American center who played for national championship teams at both the University of Michigan and Ohio State University. White also played basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes men's... - Trainer: Jim Hunt
- Manager: William Searle