1972 Rose Bowl
Encyclopedia
The 1972 Rose Bowl was a college football
bowl game
played on January 1, 1972. It was the 58th Rose Bowl Game
. The Stanford Indians
defeated the Michigan Wolverines
, 13–12. The MVP was Stanford quarterback Don Bunce
.
following a 10–7 victory over archrival Ohio State
.
behind the heroics of Heisman Trophy
winner Jim Plunkett
, who had graduated. Plunkett's backup Don Bunce
, running back Jackie Brown, and the "Thunderchickens" defense, had led Indians to an 8–3 record and a return appearance in the Rose Bowl. Stanford's key wins came against Dan Fouts
and Oregon (38–17), at USC (33–18), and at 11th-ranked Washington (17–6). They ended the regular season with a 14–0 shutout over archrival California.
, in which Michigan crushed Stanford, 49–0. In the 1972 rematch, Michigan was favored by 10½. The game got off to a slow start, as rain the previous week had made the turf soggy. In the first quarter, Stanford placekicker Rod Garcia attempted field goals from 52 and 55 yards, but missed both. Michigan kicker Dana Coin made a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter for the only first half scoring. In the first series of the second half, Stanford held the Wolverines at their goal line, then marched down to tie the game on Garcia's 42-yard field goal.
As the fourth quarter began, Michigan's Fritz Seyferth scored on a one-yard dive to put Michigan up 10–3. After Stanford got the ball back, they faced fourth and ten from their own 33. Coach Ralston called for a fake punt, with Jim Kehl receiving the snap and handing the ball forward to Jackie Brown through Brown's legs. Brown ran 33 yards for a first down, and followed up a minute later with a 24-yard touchdown run to tie the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, Michigan recovered a Stanford fumble near midfield. Facing fourth down with time running down, the Wolverines attempted a 42-yard field goal. The kick was short, and Stanford safety Jim Ferguson caught the ball and attempted to run it out of the end zone. Instead, he was knocked back into the end zone by Ed Shuttlesworth
for a Michigan safety, making the score 12–10 with just over three minutes to play.
Following the free kick, Stanford held Michigan to a three-and-out and got the ball back on their own 22-yard line with 1:48 to go. Bunce then threw five consecutive completions to take Stanford to the Michigan 17 with 22 seconds left. The Indians ran two more running plays to get to the Michigan 14 with 12 seconds left, and Garcia successfully kicked a 31-yard field goal to give Stanford a 13–12 upset.
before leaving football to become a successful orthopedic surgeon, eventually serving as team doctor for Stanford's football team from 1982 to 1992. The game was the last football game Stanford played as the "Indians," becoming the "Cardinals" the following year before eventually becoming the singular "Cardinal" (the color) by 1981. Stanford would not return to the Rose Bowl until 2000
.
Michigan fell to 6th in the AP poll. Schembechler's Wolverines returned to three consecutive Rose Bowls from 1977 to 1979, but lost all three. In 1981
, the Wolverines finally won their first bowl game under the legendary coach.
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...
bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
played on January 1, 1972. It was the 58th Rose Bowl Game
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...
. The Stanford Indians
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
defeated the Michigan Wolverines
1971 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1971 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
, 13–12. The MVP was Stanford quarterback Don Bunce
Don Bunce
Don Bunce was an American football quarterback and orthopedic surgeon.-Collegiate career:Bunce was a graduate of Woodside High School, then attended Stanford University, where he played behind Jim Plunkett...
.
Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines had their first undefeated regular season since 1948, a #3 ranking, and were making their second appearance in the Rose Bowl under third-year coach Bo SchembechlerBo 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...
following a 10–7 victory over archrival Ohio State
1971 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1971 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1971-1972. The Buckeyes compiled a 6–4 record.-Schedule:-1972 NFL draftees:-References:Win/Loss statistics*...
.
Stanford Indians
The Indians had won the previous year's Rose Bowl1971 Rose Bowl
The 1971 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1971. It was the 57th Rose Bowl Game. The Stanford Indians defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 27-17. The MVP was Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett.-Ohio State:...
behind the heroics of 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 Jim Plunkett
Jim Plunkett
James William "Jim" Plunkett is a former American football quarterback who played college football for Stanford University, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and professionally for three National Football League teams: the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. ...
, who had graduated. Plunkett's backup Don Bunce
Don Bunce
Don Bunce was an American football quarterback and orthopedic surgeon.-Collegiate career:Bunce was a graduate of Woodside High School, then attended Stanford University, where he played behind Jim Plunkett...
, running back Jackie Brown, and the "Thunderchickens" defense, had led Indians to an 8–3 record and a return appearance in the Rose Bowl. Stanford's key wins came against Dan Fouts
Dan Fouts
Daniel Francis Fouts is a retired Hall of Fame American football quarterback in the National Football League. Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987...
and Oregon (38–17), at USC (33–18), and at 11th-ranked Washington (17–6). They ended the regular season with a 14–0 shutout over archrival California.
Game summary
The game was the first Rose Bowl meeting between the two schools since the inaugural Rose Bowl in 19021902 Rose Bowl
Originally titled the "Tournament East-West football game," what is now known as the Rose Bowl Game was first played on January 1, 1902 in Pasadena, California, starting the tradition of New Year's Day bowl games.The inaugural game featured Fielding H...
, in which Michigan crushed Stanford, 49–0. In the 1972 rematch, Michigan was favored by 10½. The game got off to a slow start, as rain the previous week had made the turf soggy. In the first quarter, Stanford placekicker Rod Garcia attempted field goals from 52 and 55 yards, but missed both. Michigan kicker Dana Coin made a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter for the only first half scoring. In the first series of the second half, Stanford held the Wolverines at their goal line, then marched down to tie the game on Garcia's 42-yard field goal.
As the fourth quarter began, Michigan's Fritz Seyferth scored on a one-yard dive to put Michigan up 10–3. After Stanford got the ball back, they faced fourth and ten from their own 33. Coach Ralston called for a fake punt, with Jim Kehl receiving the snap and handing the ball forward to Jackie Brown through Brown's legs. Brown ran 33 yards for a first down, and followed up a minute later with a 24-yard touchdown run to tie the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, Michigan recovered a Stanford fumble near midfield. Facing fourth down with time running down, the Wolverines attempted a 42-yard field goal. The kick was short, and Stanford safety Jim Ferguson caught the ball and attempted to run it out of the end zone. Instead, he was knocked back into the end zone by Ed Shuttlesworth
Ed Shuttlesworth
Ed Shuttlesworth is a former American football fullback.He played for the University of Michigan from 1971 to 1973. He was the leading rusher for Michigan's 1972 and 1973 teams that compiled a combined record of 30–1–1...
for a Michigan safety, making the score 12–10 with just over three minutes to play.
Following the free kick, Stanford held Michigan to a three-and-out and got the ball back on their own 22-yard line with 1:48 to go. Bunce then threw five consecutive completions to take Stanford to the Michigan 17 with 22 seconds left. The Indians ran two more running plays to get to the Michigan 14 with 12 seconds left, and Garcia successfully kicked a 31-yard field goal to give Stanford a 13–12 upset.
Fourth quarter
- Michigan - Fritz Seyferth 1 yard run (Coin kick), 13:01
- Stanford - Jackie Brown 24 yard run (Garcia kick), 6:29
- Michigan - Safety: Ed Shuttlesworth tackled Jim Ferguson, 3:18
- Stanford - Garcia 31-yard field goal, 0:12
Aftermath
Bunce finished 24 of 44 for 290 yards and was named the game's MVP. He played one year of professional football in the Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
before leaving football to become a successful orthopedic surgeon, eventually serving as team doctor for Stanford's football team from 1982 to 1992. The game was the last football game Stanford played as the "Indians," becoming the "Cardinals" the following year before eventually becoming the singular "Cardinal" (the color) by 1981. Stanford would not return to the Rose Bowl until 2000
2000 Rose Bowl
The 2000 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 2000. It was the 86th Rose Bowl game and was played on January 1, 2000 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. The game featured the Wisconsin Badgers defeating the Stanford Cardinal by a score of 17-9...
.
Michigan fell to 6th in the AP poll. Schembechler's Wolverines returned to three consecutive Rose Bowls from 1977 to 1979, but lost all three. In 1981
1981 Rose Bowl
The 1981 Rose Bowl was the 67th Rose Bowl game and was played on January 1, 1981 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. The game featured the Michigan Wolverines beating Washington Huskies by a score of 23–6...
, the Wolverines finally won their first bowl game under the legendary coach.