1969 Michigan vs. Ohio State football game
Encyclopedia
The 1969 edition of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry
is considered one of the best-known games of the series, as well as one of the biggest upsets in college football
history. The Buckeyes
of Ohio State University
went into the game as the top-ranked team in the country, with a 22-game winning streak under the direction of head coach
Woody Hayes
. They were also defending national champions. The Wolverines
of the University of Michigan
went into the game under a new coach, Bo Schembechler
, who was trying to redefine a college football power that had fallen on hard times. Ohio State was playing for its second straight national title, while Michigan was playing for the Rose Bowl
, and the championship of the Big Ten Conference
was on the line. The game was witnessed by a (then) stadium-record crowd of 103,588 at Michigan Stadium
in Ann Arbor
.
team was dubbed by the media as the "greatest college football team of all time", with a handful of proven All-Big Ten players and All-America
ns, such as quarterback Rex Kern
, running backs Larry Zelina, Jim Otis
and John Brockington
, wide receivers Jan White and Bruce Jankowski, middle guard Jim Stillwagon
and defensive star Jack Tatum
. Leading up to the Buckeyes' meeting with Michigan, Ohio State had never trailed in a game during the 1969 season, and no team had scored more than 21 points on them all season (Michigan State in a 54-21 loss). In addition, Ohio State had not scored less than 34 points in any game and their closest margin of victory was 27 points in a 34-7 win over Minnesota.
Michigan was in the process of rebuilding after a period of mediocrity that saw them only go to one Rose Bowl between 1951 and 1968; the program, known for the winning traditions under Fielding H. Yost and Fritz Crisler
, seemed to had lost its way. Schembechler was hired before the 1969 season, after six successful seasons as head coach of his alma mater, Miami University of Ohio
, where he'd won two MAC
titles. But the team began the season with an unassuming 3-2 record, including a loss to in-state rival Michigan State
. But they did get a key 30-21 win vs. #9 Purdue on Oct. 11 that was crucial; had they lost that game, Purdue would have gone to the Rose Bowl (Ohio State could not go due to the Big Ten's "no repeat" rule) regardless of the outcome of the Ohio State game. They would go on to win their next four straight, with a team including quarterback Don Moorhead
, fullback Garvie Craw
, wingback John Gabler, tailbacks Glenn Doughty
and Billy Taylor
, offensive lineman Dan Dierdorf
and defensive stars Barry Pierson, Thom Darden
, Cecil Pryor and Henry Hill.
When Schembechler was hired, he set the team goal — beat Ohio State. One advantage Schembechler had was that he had played for Woody Hayes at Miami (Ohio), then coached with him at Ohio State, so he patterned his team after Hayes' 1969 behemoth. There was also a revenge factor from the 1968 game when Ohio State trounced Michigan, 50-14, including going for two after their last touchdown in the game's final moments. After the game, when reporters asked Ohio State coach Woody Hayes
why he went for two, Hayes replied "because I couldn't go for three!"
Ohio State was favored by 17 points going into Michigan Stadium
on November 22. Due to the Big Ten's "no repeat" rule in effect at the time, the Buckeyes knew a victory would give them their second consecutive national championship because they could not go to a Bowl Game. Michigan was playing for a share of the conference championship. To motivate his team, Schembechler had the number 50 displayed everywhere in the Michigan locker room, and taped to every player's practice uniform.
Glenn Doughty would return the kickoff to the Michigan 44, and Don Moorhead would lead a drive downfield, primarily getting the ball to tight end and captain Jim Mandich
. Once Michigan got the ball to the Ohio State 3, Schembechler called a basic off-tackle play, and Garvie Craw would score to tie it up. The Frank Titus extra-point put Michigan ahead (and Ohio State behind for the first time this season) 7-6.
Ohio State shook the score off and began a drive that carried over into the second quarter. Kern would lead the Buckeyes downfield again, hitting Larry Zelina and Jan White, who would score and put Ohio State up 12-7. The extra-point was kicked, but Michigan was called for offsides, and Hayes tried for a two-point conversion, which failed.
Michigan started the next possession at their own 33. Once they reached the Ohio State 33, Michigan ran a tailback draw, and Billy Taylor gained 28 yards to the Buckeye 5. Two plays later, Craw punched into the end zone to put Michigan ahead 14-12.
After Ohio State went three-and-out on their next possession, punter Mike Sensibaugh
kicked to Michigan's Barry Pierson, who began his career game by returning the punt all the way to the Buckeye 3-yard line, sending Michigan Stadium into delirium. Morehead scored two plays later on an option play, and it was 21-12 in favor of the maize-and-blue.
The Buckeyes got the ball going again, but their next possession ended on the Wolverine 36. Michigan drove down the field again and Schembechler went for it on a fourth-and-three on the Ohio State 3. Morehead tossed to Mandich for a touchdown, but it was called back on an illegal procedure penalty. Ted Killian kicked the field goal to put Michigan up at the half 24-12.
As the fourth quarter got underway, Hayes realized that his offense needed to play more liberally and not punt the ball back to Michigan after each possession. Kern was tackled for a loss on the Buckeyes' first drive of the quarter, on fourth down. Michigan got the ball back at the Ohio State 40, and Michigan continued to churn out the yards, getting the ball to the Buckeye 10. Craw went for it on fourth-and-one and failed, keeping Ohio State in the game. Ohio State's offense went three-and-out, then Michigan drove the ball again to the Buckeye red zone. Craw tried to get a first down again and was once again rebuffed.
Hayes pulled Kern out of the game and went with his backup at quarterback, Ron Maciejowski. Maciejowski was able to get a first down, but then threw a pass intercepted again by Pierson, his third of the game. Yet another Wolverine possession was stopped, and Killian missed another field goal try.
The Buckeyes tried one last-ditch effort to pull within Michigan with 3:12 left in the game, with Maciejowski finding Dick Kuhn. Hayes called a fake punt with Sensibaugh throwing to Zelina to get the first down at their own 38. Kuhn then took another pass in Michigan territory, then Maciejowski threw to Ray Gillian at the Michigan 22. The drive was squashed on the next play when Maciejowski threw an interception to Thom Darden.
The Michigan Stadium crowd, sensing a major upset, began screaming and chanting. Michigan tried to run down the clock, but Ohio State stalled with timeouts and got the ball back after a Wolverine punt. With 29 seconds left, Maciejowski fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Cecil Pryor. The Buckeyes had committed an unheard-of seven turnovers on the day, six interceptions and a fumble. Moorhead took a knee as the crowd counted down the final seconds, then rushed the field in ecstasy. ABC-TV
play-by-play announcer Bill Flemming
exclaimed, "There it is! What has to be the upset of the century!" Schembechler was carried off on players' shoulders (he was accidentally dropped, but Bo noted "it was the only thing [they] fumbled all day."), and Jim Mandich was seen being carried, with tears of joy streaming down his cheeks.
Michigan-Ohio State rivalry
The Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry, also known as The Game, is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Wolverines of the University of Michigan and the Buckeyes of The Ohio State University...
is considered one of the best-known games of the series, as well as one of the biggest upsets in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
history. The Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
of Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
went into the game as the top-ranked team in the country, with a 22-game winning streak under the direction of head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
. They were also defending national champions. The Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
of the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
went into the game under a new coach, Bo Schembechler
Bo Schembechler
Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
, who was trying to redefine a college football power that had fallen on hard times. Ohio State was playing for its second straight national title, while Michigan was playing for the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
, and the championship of 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...
was on the line. The game was witnessed by a (then) stadium-record crowd of 103,588 at Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and had an original capacity of 72,000. Before playing football at the stadium, the Wolverines played on Ferry Field...
in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
.
Background
Ohio State's 1969 footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team was dubbed by the media as the "greatest college football team of all time", with a handful of proven All-Big Ten players and All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
ns, such as quarterback Rex Kern
Rex Kern
Rex William Kern is a former American football player. He played quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1968 to 1970, and played professional football in the National Football League at defensive back for the Baltimore Colts and Buffalo Bills...
, running backs Larry Zelina, Jim Otis
Jim Otis
James Lloyd "Jim" Otis is a former college and professional American football running back.-College career:Otis was a fullback for the Ohio State University Buckeyes from 1967-69. He led the team in rushing every year of his college career...
and John Brockington
John Brockington
John Stanley Brockington is a former American football running back. He was the National Football League's Green Bay Packers' 1st round draft choice out of the Ohio State University, and was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1971.-College career:Brockington played halfback and fullback for...
, wide receivers Jan White and Bruce Jankowski, middle guard Jim Stillwagon
Jim Stillwagon
Jim Stillwagon is a former all star American college football player and Canadian Football League player.Stillwagon was a three-year starter with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was a consensus All-America selection as a junior and senior, and won the Outland Trophy and was the first-ever winner of...
and defensive star Jack Tatum
Jack Tatum
John David Tatum was an American football defensive back who played ten seasons from 1971 through 1980 for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers in the National Football League...
. Leading up to the Buckeyes' meeting with Michigan, Ohio State had never trailed in a game during the 1969 season, and no team had scored more than 21 points on them all season (Michigan State in a 54-21 loss). In addition, Ohio State had not scored less than 34 points in any game and their closest margin of victory was 27 points in a 34-7 win over Minnesota.
Michigan was in the process of rebuilding after a period of mediocrity that saw them only go to one Rose Bowl between 1951 and 1968; the program, known for the winning traditions under Fielding H. Yost and Fritz Crisler
Fritz Crisler
Herbert Orin "Fritz" Crisler was an American football coach who is best known as "the father of two-platoon football," an innovation in which separate units of players were used for offense and defense. Crisler developed two-platoon football while serving as head coach at the University of...
, seemed to had lost its way. Schembechler was hired before the 1969 season, after six successful seasons as head coach of his alma mater, Miami University of Ohio
Miami RedHawks football
The Miami University RedHawks, known as the Miami Redskins before 1996, are a NCAA Division I FBS college football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference...
, where he'd won two MAC
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
titles. But the team began the season with an unassuming 3-2 record, including a loss to in-state rival Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
. But they did get a key 30-21 win vs. #9 Purdue on Oct. 11 that was crucial; had they lost that game, Purdue would have gone to the Rose Bowl (Ohio State could not go due to the Big Ten's "no repeat" rule) regardless of the outcome of the Ohio State game. They would go on to win their next four straight, with a team including quarterback Don Moorhead
Don Moorhead
Don Moorhead is a retired American football player. He was the starting quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines football team in 1969 and 1970 and for the BC Lions from 1971 to 1975...
, fullback Garvie Craw
Garvie Craw
Garvie Craw was an American football player.Craw played college football for the University of Michigan from 1967 to 1969. In October 1969, he scored four touchdowns in a 57-0 victory over Illinois...
, wingback John Gabler, tailbacks Glenn Doughty
Glenn Doughty
Glenn Martin "Shake & Bake" Doughty is a former American football player. He played professional football as a wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts from 1972 to 1979 and college football as a tailback and wingback for the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1971. He later developed the Shake...
and Billy Taylor
Billy Taylor (American football)
William "Billy" Taylor, Ed. D. is a former professional American and Canadian football running back who played for Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League after starring for the University of Michigan Wolverines...
, offensive lineman Dan Dierdorf
Dan Dierdorf
Daniel Lee "Dan" Dierdorf is a former American football player and current television sportscaster. He played 13 NFL seasons and has worked for ABC's Monday Night Football and CBS as a color commentator since retiring from football....
and defensive stars Barry Pierson, Thom Darden
Thom Darden
Thomas Vincent Darden is a former American football cornerback, safety, and punt returner who played for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League . In the NFL, he was a three-time All-Pro free safety. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1978. He holds most Cleveland Browns franchise...
, Cecil Pryor and Henry Hill.
When Schembechler was hired, he set the team goal — beat Ohio State. One advantage Schembechler had was that he had played for Woody Hayes at Miami (Ohio), then coached with him at Ohio State, so he patterned his team after Hayes' 1969 behemoth. There was also a revenge factor from the 1968 game when Ohio State trounced Michigan, 50-14, including going for two after their last touchdown in the game's final moments. After the game, when reporters asked Ohio State coach Woody Hayes
Woody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
why he went for two, Hayes replied "because I couldn't go for three!"
Ohio State was favored by 17 points going into Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and had an original capacity of 72,000. Before playing football at the stadium, the Wolverines played on Ferry Field...
on November 22. Due to the Big Ten's "no repeat" rule in effect at the time, the Buckeyes knew a victory would give them their second consecutive national championship because they could not go to a Bowl Game. Michigan was playing for a share of the conference championship. To motivate his team, Schembechler had the number 50 displayed everywhere in the Michigan locker room, and taped to every player's practice uniform.
First half
Ohio State appeared to take control of the game right from the opening kickoff, when Rex Kern kept the ball and ran for 25 yards on the first play from scrimmage. Jim Otis would carry the next three plays for another first down. The Buckeyes got the ball to the Michigan 11, when the Wolverine defense ended the drive on a fourth down-and-two to take over. Michigan failed to get a first down, and the Buckeyes would get the ball back and get on the scoreboard first, on a 1-yard touchdown run by Otis. A missed extra-point left the score 6-0 in favor of the scarlet-and-gray.Glenn Doughty would return the kickoff to the Michigan 44, and Don Moorhead would lead a drive downfield, primarily getting the ball to tight end and captain Jim Mandich
Jim Mandich
James Michael "Mad Dog" Mandich was a professional American football tight end with the Miami Dolphins. Mandich was an All-American at the University of Michigan. In 2004 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. As color commentator for the Miami Dolphins , he was teamed with Jimmy...
. Once Michigan got the ball to the Ohio State 3, Schembechler called a basic off-tackle play, and Garvie Craw would score to tie it up. The Frank Titus extra-point put Michigan ahead (and Ohio State behind for the first time this season) 7-6.
Ohio State shook the score off and began a drive that carried over into the second quarter. Kern would lead the Buckeyes downfield again, hitting Larry Zelina and Jan White, who would score and put Ohio State up 12-7. The extra-point was kicked, but Michigan was called for offsides, and Hayes tried for a two-point conversion, which failed.
Michigan started the next possession at their own 33. Once they reached the Ohio State 33, Michigan ran a tailback draw, and Billy Taylor gained 28 yards to the Buckeye 5. Two plays later, Craw punched into the end zone to put Michigan ahead 14-12.
After Ohio State went three-and-out on their next possession, punter Mike Sensibaugh
Mike Sensibaugh
James Michael "Mike" Sensibaugh is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals...
kicked to Michigan's Barry Pierson, who began his career game by returning the punt all the way to the Buckeye 3-yard line, sending Michigan Stadium into delirium. Morehead scored two plays later on an option play, and it was 21-12 in favor of the maize-and-blue.
The Buckeyes got the ball going again, but their next possession ended on the Wolverine 36. Michigan drove down the field again and Schembechler went for it on a fourth-and-three on the Ohio State 3. Morehead tossed to Mandich for a touchdown, but it was called back on an illegal procedure penalty. Ted Killian kicked the field goal to put Michigan up at the half 24-12.
Second half
The Wolverines got the ball to start the third quarter and began racking up more first downs, only to have the drive end on the Ohio State 30. Killian missed a 47-yard field goal and Ohio State took over, only to have a Kern pass picked off by Pierson. Michigan would go three-and-out and miss another field goal. In what would become a refrain throughout the second half, another Ohio State pass would be picked off, with a third-down pass intercepted again by Pierson, who would this time return it to the Buckeye 35. Killian would miss another field goal try.As the fourth quarter got underway, Hayes realized that his offense needed to play more liberally and not punt the ball back to Michigan after each possession. Kern was tackled for a loss on the Buckeyes' first drive of the quarter, on fourth down. Michigan got the ball back at the Ohio State 40, and Michigan continued to churn out the yards, getting the ball to the Buckeye 10. Craw went for it on fourth-and-one and failed, keeping Ohio State in the game. Ohio State's offense went three-and-out, then Michigan drove the ball again to the Buckeye red zone. Craw tried to get a first down again and was once again rebuffed.
Hayes pulled Kern out of the game and went with his backup at quarterback, Ron Maciejowski. Maciejowski was able to get a first down, but then threw a pass intercepted again by Pierson, his third of the game. Yet another Wolverine possession was stopped, and Killian missed another field goal try.
The Buckeyes tried one last-ditch effort to pull within Michigan with 3:12 left in the game, with Maciejowski finding Dick Kuhn. Hayes called a fake punt with Sensibaugh throwing to Zelina to get the first down at their own 38. Kuhn then took another pass in Michigan territory, then Maciejowski threw to Ray Gillian at the Michigan 22. The drive was squashed on the next play when Maciejowski threw an interception to Thom Darden.
The Michigan Stadium crowd, sensing a major upset, began screaming and chanting. Michigan tried to run down the clock, but Ohio State stalled with timeouts and got the ball back after a Wolverine punt. With 29 seconds left, Maciejowski fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Cecil Pryor. The Buckeyes had committed an unheard-of seven turnovers on the day, six interceptions and a fumble. Moorhead took a knee as the crowd counted down the final seconds, then rushed the field in ecstasy. ABC-TV
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
play-by-play announcer Bill Flemming
Bill Flemming
William Norman "Bill" Flemming was an American television sports journalist who was one of the original announcers for the ABC Sports show Wide World of Sports.-Early life:...
exclaimed, "There it is! What has to be the upset of the century!" Schembechler was carried off on players' shoulders (he was accidentally dropped, but Bo noted "it was the only thing [they] fumbled all day."), and Jim Mandich was seen being carried, with tears of joy streaming down his cheeks.