1969 Michigan Wolverines football team
Encyclopedia
The 1969 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan
in the 1969 college football season
. The team was head coached by Bo Schembechler
in his first year at Michigan. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium
.
, Ohio State coach Woody Hayes
led his top-ranked Buckeyes
into Michigan Stadium against Bo Schembechler
, who had once been an assistant coach under Hayes at Ohio State and had played for Hayes at Miami University
. The Buckeyes brought a 22-game winning streak into Ann Arbor
, but behind an inspiring 60-yard punt return by Barry Pierson that set up a Wolverine touchdown in the second quarter, and a defense that intercepted Ohio State six times (three by Pierson), the Wolverines won a defensive battle; both teams were scoreless in the second half for a 24–12 upset.
The contest was the first in the famous "Ten-Year War" between Hayes and Schembechler, which pitted some of Michigan's and Ohio State's strongest teams against one another. Four times between 1970 and 1975, Ohio State and Michigan were both ranked in the top five of the AP Poll
before their matchup. The Wolverines entered every game during those years undefeated and won only once, a 10–7 victory in Ann Arbor on November 20, 1971. The Michigan graduating class of 1975 shared or won the Big Ten championship every season, yet went to the Rose Bowl
only once, in 1972. They only lost to or tied with Ohio State each of those four seasons.
.
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...
in the 1969 college football season
1969 college football season
The 1969 college football season was celebrated as the 100th anniversary of college football. During the 20th Century, the NCAA had no playoff for the college football teams that would later be described as "Division I-A"...
. The team was head coached by 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...
in his first year at Michigan. The Wolverines played their home games 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...
.
Season
The Wolverines finished the regular season with an 8–2 record. The Michigan–Ohio State rivalry took on a new meaning in 1969. On November 22, 19691969 Michigan vs. Ohio State football game
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...
, 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...
led his top-ranked Buckeyes
1969 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1969 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1969-1970. The Buckeyes compiled a 8–1 record.-Schedule:-1970 NFL draftees:-References:Win/Loss statistics*...
into Michigan Stadium against 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 had once been an assistant coach under Hayes at Ohio State and had played for Hayes at Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
. The Buckeyes brought a 22-game winning streak into 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...
, but behind an inspiring 60-yard punt return by Barry Pierson that set up a Wolverine touchdown in the second quarter, and a defense that intercepted Ohio State six times (three by Pierson), the Wolverines won a defensive battle; both teams were scoreless in the second half for a 24–12 upset.
The contest was the first in the famous "Ten-Year War" between Hayes and Schembechler, which pitted some of Michigan's and Ohio State's strongest teams against one another. Four times between 1970 and 1975, Ohio State and Michigan were both ranked in the top five of 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...
before their matchup. The Wolverines entered every game during those years undefeated and won only once, a 10–7 victory in Ann Arbor on November 20, 1971. The Michigan graduating class of 1975 shared or won the Big Ten championship every season, yet went to 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...
only once, in 1972. They only lost to or tied with Ohio State each of those four seasons.
Schedule
Rushing
| Player | Attempts | Net yards | Yards per attempt | Touchdowns |
| 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... |
141 | 864 | 6.1 | 7 |
| 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... |
150 | 732 | 4.9 | 4 |
| 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... |
170 | 625 | 3.7 | 9 |
Passing
| Player | Attempts | Completions | Interceptions | Comp % | Yards | Yds/Comp | TD | Long |
| 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... |
210 | 99 | 7 | 47.1 | 1261 | 12.7 | 6 | 22 |
| Jim Betts | 33 | 16 | 0 | 48.5 | 293 | 18.3 | 2 | 59 |
Receiving
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Yds/Recp | TD | Long |
| 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... |
51 | 676 | 13.3 | 3 | 32 |
| Bill Harris | 15 | 302 | 20.1 | 0 | 59 |
| Mike Hankwitz | 13 | 165 | 12.7 | 0 | 26 |
Kickoff returns
| Player | Returns | Yards | Yds/Return | TD | Long |
| 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... |
10 | 199 | 19.9 | 0 | 31 |
| 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... |
5 | 109 | 21.8 | 0 | 44 |
| Preston Henry | 6 | 83 | 13.8 | 0 | 23 |
Punt returns
| Player | Returns | Yards | Yds/Return | TD | Long |
| Barry Pierson | 19 | 300 | 15.8 | 1 | 60 |
| Marty Huff Marty Huff Ralph Martin Huff is a former American football linebacker. He played for the University of Michigan from 1968 to 1970. As a senior, he was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association... |
1 | 31 | 31.0 | 1 | 31 |
| Tom Curtis Tom Curtis (American football) Thomas Newton Curtis is a former American football safety. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1967 to 1969. He was selected as a consensus All-American in 1969. He also broke Michigan's records for interceptions in a game, season, and career -- none of which have been... |
11 | 21 | 1.9 | 0 | 12 |
1969 team players in the NFL
The following players were claimed in the 1970 NFL Draft1970 NFL Draft
The 1970 National Football League Draft was held on January 27–28, 1970.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
.
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL Club |
| 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... |
Tight End | 2 | 29 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Cecil Pryor | Defensive End | 5 | 120 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
| Barry Pierson | Defensive Back | 5 | 127 | St. Louis Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
Coaching staff
- Head coach: Bo SchembechlerBo SchembechlerGlenn 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...
- Assistant coaches: Jerry HanlonJerry HanlonJerry Hanlon is a former American football player, coach, and radio broadcaster. He was a halfback on the 1953–1955 Miami University teams that won two Mid-American Conference championships under Ara Parseghian...
, Dick HunterDick HunterDick Hunter is a former American football player and coach. He played quarterback for Miami University from 1952 to 1954 under coach Ara Parseghian and later coached under Bo Schembechler at both Miami and the University of Michigan...
, Louie Lee, Frank Maloney, George MansGeorge MansGeorge W. Mans is a former American football player and coach and politician. He was the captain of the 1961 Michigan Wolverines football team, an assistant football coach at the University of Michigan from 1966 to 1973, and the head coach of the Eastern Michigan Eagles football team from 1974 to...
, Gary MoellerGary MoellerGary O. Moeller is an American football coach best known for being head coach at the University of Michigan from 1990 to 1994. During his five seasons at Michigan, he won 44 games, lost 13 and tied 3 for a winning percentage of .758...
, Larry Smith, Chuck StobartChuck Stobart-External links:...
, Jim YoungJim Young (American football coach)-External links:... - Trainer: Lindsy McLeanLindsy McLeanJ. Lindsy McLean was an athletic trainer for college and professional American football teams for nearly 50 years.McLean began his career as a student athletic trainer at Vanderbilt University in 1956. In 1963, he was the head athletic trainer and director of physical therapy at the University of...
- Manager: Robert Kohn