The 1977 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium.
Schedule
| Date |
Time |
Opponent# |
Rank# |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
| September 10, 1977 |
|
at Illinois |
#2/NA |
Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Il |
|
W 37–9 |
60,477 |
| September 17, 1977 |
|
Duke* |
#1/1 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
W 21–9 |
104,072 |
| September 24, 1977 |
|
Navy* |
#1/1 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
W 14–7 |
101,800 |
| October 1, 1977 |
|
#5/5 Texas A&M* |
#3/3 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
W 41–3 |
104,802 |
| October 8, 1977 |
|
at Michigan State |
#3/2 |
Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI |
|
W 24–14 |
78,183 |
| October 15, 1977 |
|
#14/15 Wisconsin |
#1/1 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
W 56–0 |
104,892 |
| October 22, 1977 |
|
at Minnesota |
#1/1 |
Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN |
|
L 0–16 |
44,165 |
| October 29, 1977 |
|
Iowa |
#6/6 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
W 23–6 |
104,617 |
| November 5, 1977 |
|
Northwestern |
#6/6 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
W 63–20 |
103,211 |
| November 12, 1977 |
|
at Purdue |
#6/6 |
Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN |
|
W 40–7 |
68,003 |
| November 19, 1977 |
|
#4/4 Ohio State |
#5/5 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
W 14–6 |
106,024 |
| January 1, 1978 |
|
vs. #13/14 Washington* |
#4/4 |
Rose Bowl • Pasadena, CA (Rose Bowl) |
NBC |
L 20–27 |
105,312 |
| *Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll / Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |
Players
Offense
- John Arbeznik, offensive guard, junior, University Heights, Ohio - started 1 game at right offensive guard
- Greg Bartnick, offensive guard, junior, Detroit, Michigan - started 2 games at right offensive guard
- Kurt Becker, offensive tackle, freshman, Aurora, Illinois
- Roger Bettis, quarterback, senior, Minerva, Ohio
- Jim Breaugh, quarterback, freshman, West Bloomfield, Michigan
- Ralph Clayton, wing back, sophomore, Detroit, Michigan - started 8 games at wing back
- Russell Davis, fullback, junior, Woodbridge, Virginia - started all 12 games at fullback
- Brian J. Dickey, quarterback, freshman, Ottawa, Ohio
- Gerald Diggs, tailback, sophomore, Chicago, Illinois
- Mark Donahue, offensive guard, senior, Oak Lawn, Illinois - started all 12 games at left offensive guard
- Walt Downing, center, senior, Coatesville, Pennsylvania - started all 12 games at center
- Bill Dufek, offensive tackle, senior, East Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Stanley Edwards,tailback, freshman, Detroit, Michigan
- Jon Giesler, offensive tackle, junior, Woodville, Ohio - started 1 game at left offensive tackle, 1 game at right offensive tackle
- Harlan Huckleby, tailback, junior, Detroit, Michigan - started all 12 games at tailback
- Gene Johnson, tight end, junior, Flint, Michigan - started 9 games at tight end
- Stacy Johnson, quarterback, junior, Camden, New Jersey
- Dave Kadela, offensive tackle, junior, Dearborn, Michigan
- Mike Kenn, offensive tackle, senior, Evanston, Illinois - started 11 games at left offensive tackle
- Kevin King, fullback, senior, Oak Lawn, Illinois
- Rick Leach, quarterback, junior, Flint, Michigan - started all 12 games at quarterback
- George Lilja, center, sophomore, Palos Park, Illinois
- Doug Marsh, tight end, junior, Akron, Ohio
- Alan Mitchell, wide receiver, freshman, Detroit, Michigan
- John J. Powers, offensive tackle, sophomore, Oak Park, Illinois - started 10 games at right offensive tackle
- Lawrence P. Reid, fullback, sophomore, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Max Richardson, wing back, senior, Fort Wayne, Indiana - started 4 games at wing back
- Mark Schmerge, tight end, junior, Cincinnati, Ohio - started 1 game at tight end
- Mike Smith, tailback, senior, Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Roosevelt Smith, tailback, sophomore, Detroit, Michigan
- Curt Stephenson, wide receiver, senior, La Jolla, California
- Gerry Szara, offensive guard, senior, Oak Lawn, Illinois - started 9 games at right offensive guard
- John Wangler, quarterback, sophomore, Royal Oak, Michigan
- Richard A. White, wide receive, senior, Cincinnati, Ohio - started all 12 games at wide receiver
Defense
- John Anderson, defensive end, senior, Waukesha, Wisconsin - started all 12 games at outside linebacker
- Gene Bell, wolf, sophomore, East Liverpool, Ohio
- Mark Braman, defensive halfback, junior, Midland, Michigan
- Woody Brown, safety, senior, East Detroit, Michigan
- Andy Cannavino, inside linebacker, freshman, Cleveland, Ohio
- Mark DeSantis, outside linebacker, junior, Harper Woods, Michigan
- Chris Godfrey, defensive tackle, sophomore, Detroit, Michigan - started 5 games at defensive tackle
- Steve Graves, middle guard, senior, Cleveland, Ohio - started all 12 games at middle guard
- Curtis Greer, defensive tackle, junior, Detroit, Michigan - started 9 games at defensive tackle
- Mike Harden, defensive halfback, sophomore, Detroit, Michigan - started 1 game at weak-side cornerback, 1 game at safety
- Dave Harding, ILS, senior, Northville, Michigan
- Dwight Hicks, wolf, senior, Pennsauken, New Jersey - started 11 games at wolfman
- Robert K. Holloway, outside linebacker, junior, West Bloomfield, Michigan
- Derek Howard, wolf, senior, Hamilton, Ohio - started all 12 games (10 at strong-side cornerback, 1 at wolfman, 1 at safety)
- William Jackson, defensive tackle, junior, Richmond, Virginia - started 1 game at defensive tackle
- Raymond J. Johnson, defensive halfback, senior, Gary, Indiana
- Mike Jolly, defensive halfback, sophomore, Melvindale, Michigan - started 11 games at weak-side cornerback
- Dave Keitz, defensive tackle, junior, Columbus, Ohio - started 9 games at defensive tackle
- Thomas A. Melita, middle guard, junior, Penns Grove, New Jersey
- Jerry Meter, inside linebacker, junior, Birmingham, Michigan - started all 12 games at inside linebacker
- Mel Owens, inside linebacker, sophomore, DeKalb, Illinois - started 1 game at inside linebacker
- Robert M. Patek, wolf, junior, Farmington Hills, Michigan
- Jim Pickens, defensive halfback, senior, Sylvania, Ohio - started all 12 games (10 at safety, 2 at strong-side cornerback)
- Tom Seabron, outside linebacker, junior, Detroit, Michigan
- Ron Simpkins, inside linebacker, sophomore, Detroit, Michigan - started 11 games at inside linebacker
- Dominic Tedesco, outside linebacker, senior, Riverside, Illinois - started all 12 games at outside linebacker
- Mike Trgovac, middle guard, freshman, Austintown, Ohio
Kickers
- Nick Labun, place-kicker, senior, Rockford, Illinois
- Bryan Virgil, place-kicker, sophomore, Buchanan, Michigan
- Greg Willner, place-kicker, junior, Miami Beach, Florida
Awards
Coaching staff
Game notes
Illinois
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Duke
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Navy
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Texas A&M
Texas A&M at Michigan
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Texas A&M |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| • Michigan |
0 |
7 |
13 |
21 |
41 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|
| 1 |
|
A&M |
Tony Franklin 24-yard field goal |
A&M 3-0 |
|
| 2 |
|
MICH |
Russell Davis 4-yard run (Gregg Willner kick) |
MICH 7-3 |
|
| 3 |
|
MICH |
Russell Davis 1-yard run (run failed) |
MICH 13-3 |
|
| 3 |
|
MICH |
Curt Stephenson 35-yard pass from Rick Leach (Gregg Willner kick) |
MICH 20-3 |
|
| 4 |
|
MICH |
Harlan Huckleby 8-yard run (Gregg Willner kick) |
MICH 27-3 |
|
| 4 |
|
MICH |
Jim Pickens recovered blocked punt in end zone (Gregg Willner kick) |
MICH 34-3 |
|
| 4 |
|
MICH |
Mike Jolly 50-yard interception return (Gregg Willner kick) |
MICH 41-3 |
|
This contest marked the 50th anniversary game of Michigan Stadium. [1]
Michigan State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| • Michigan |
0 |
10 |
14 |
0 |
24 |
| Michigan St |
0 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
14 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|
| Q2 |
|
MSU |
Gibson 19 yard pass from Smith (Nielsen kick) |
MSU 7–0 |
|
| Q2 |
|
MICH |
White 12 yard pass from Leach (Willner kick) |
Tie 7–7 |
|
| Q2 |
|
MICH |
Willner 50 yard field goal |
MICH 10–7 |
|
| Q3 |
|
MICH |
R. Davis 3 yard run (Willner kick) |
MICH 17–7 |
|
| Q3 |
|
MICH |
Leach 3 yard run (Willner kick) |
MICH 24–7 |
|
| Q4 |
|
MSU |
Earley 11 yard run (Nielsen kick) |
MICH 24–14 |
|
[2]
Wisconsin
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Minnesota
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Michigan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| • Minnesota |
10 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
16 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|
| 1 |
|
Minn |
Paul Rogind 41-yard field goal |
Minnesota 3-0 |
|
| 1 |
|
Minn |
Marion Barber, Jr 3-yard run (Rogind kick) |
Minnesota 10-0 |
|
| 2 |
|
Minn |
Rogind 37-yard field goal |
Minnesota 13-0 |
|
| 4 |
|
Minn |
Rogind 32-yard field goal |
Minnesota 16-0 |
|
[3]
A major upset, Michigan came into this game ranked #1 in the country. All Minnesota points scored by Paul Rogind and Marion Barber, Jr. Both athletes were from the state of Michigan.
Iowa
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Iowa |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
| • Michigan |
7 |
7 |
7 |
2 |
23 |
- Date: October 29
- Location: Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Game attendance: 104,617
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|
| 1 |
|
MICH |
R. Davis 63-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick) |
Michigan 7-0 |
|
| 2 |
|
MICH |
G. Johnson 6-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick) |
Michigan 14-0 |
|
| 3 |
|
MICH |
White 32-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick) |
Michigan 21-0 |
|
| 4 |
|
IOWA |
McLaughlin 1-yard run (run failed) |
Michigan 21-6 |
|
| 4 |
|
MICH |
Safety, McLaughlin tackled in end zone |
Michigan 23-6 |
|
Rick Leach set the school career record for touchdown passes (25). [4]
Northwestern
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Northwestern |
7 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
20 |
| • Michigan |
0 |
14 |
28 |
21 |
63 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|
| 1 |
|
NW |
Stranski 1 yard run (Poulos kick) |
Northwestern 7–0 |
|
| 2 |
|
MICH |
Huckleby 4 yard run (Willner kick) |
Tie 7–7 |
|
| 2 |
|
MICH |
G. Johnson recovered fumble in end zone (Willner kick) |
Michigan 14–7 |
|
| 3 |
|
MICH |
Leach 21 yard run (Willner kick) |
Michigan 21–7 |
|
| 3 |
|
MICH |
Leach 4 yard run (Willner kick) |
Michigan 28–7 |
|
| 3 |
|
MICH |
Edwards 26 yard pass from Leach (Willner kick) |
Michigan 35–7 |
|
| 3 |
|
MICH |
Clayton 41 yard pass from Leach (Willner kick) |
Michigan 42–7 |
|
| 4 |
|
MICH |
Reid 19 yard run (Willner kick) |
Michigan 49–7 |
|
| 4 |
|
NW |
Sheets 28 yard pass from Stranski (Poulos kick) |
Michigan 49–14 |
|
| 4 |
|
MICH |
M. Smith 15 yard run (Willner kick) |
Michigan 56–14 |
|
| 4 |
|
MICH |
Mitchell 34 yard pass from Wangler (Willner kick) |
Michigan 63–14 |
|
| 4 |
|
NW |
Bailey 7 yard pass from Stranski (pass failed) |
Michigan 63–20 |
|
[5]
Purdue
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| • Michigan |
3 |
14 |
21 |
2 |
40 |
| Purdue |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|
| 1 |
|
Purdue |
Dave Young 6-yard pass from Mark Herrmann (Scott Sovereen kick) |
Purdue 7-0 |
|
| 1 |
|
Michigan |
Gregg Willner 28-yard field goal |
Purdue 7-3 |
|
| 2 |
|
Michigan |
Mark Schmerge 8-yard pass from Rick Leach (Gregg Willner kick) |
Michigan 10-7 |
|
| 2 |
|
Michigan |
Roosevelt Smith 2-yard run (Gregg Willner kick) |
Michigan 17-7 |
|
| 3 |
|
Michigan |
Russell Davis 2-yard run (Gregg Willner kick) |
Michigan 24-7 |
|
| 3 |
|
Michigan |
Dominic Tedesco 30-yard interception return (Gregg Willner kick) |
Michigan 31-7 |
|
| 3 |
|
Michigan |
Mark Schmerge 6-yard pass from Rick Leach (Gregg Willner kick) |
Michigan 38-7 |
|
| 4 |
|
Michigan |
Safety, Mark Herrmann tackled in end zone |
Michigan 40-7 |
|
Bo Schembechler's 100th game at Michigan [6]
Ohio State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Ohio St |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
| • Michigan |
0 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
14 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|
| 1 |
|
OHST |
Janakievski 29 yard field goal |
OHST 3–0 |
|
| 2 |
|
MICH |
R. Smith 1 yard run (Willner kick) |
MICH 7–3 |
|
| 3 |
|
MICH |
Leach 2 yard run (Willner kick) |
MICH 14–3 |
|
| 3 |
|
OHST |
Janakievski 44 yard field goal |
MICH 14–6 |
|
[7]
Rose Bowl
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References
- ↑ "Michigan Routs 5th-Ranked A&M." Palm Beach Post. 1977 Oct 2.
- ↑ "Michigan Remains Unbeaten." Palm Beach Post. 1977 Oct 9.
- ↑ "No. 1 Michigan Shut Out by Gophers." Palm Beach Post. 1977 Oct 23.
- ↑ "Wolverines turn to pass and Leach gets record." Eugene Register-Guard. 1977 Oct 30.
- ↑ "Michigan gets revenge started." Eugene Register-Guard. 1977 Nov 6.
- ↑ "Michigan gets revenge and ready, 40-7." Eugene Register-Guard. 1977 Nov 13.
- ↑ Palm Beach Post. 1977 Nov 20.
External links
|
|
| Venues |
|
| Bowls & rivalries |
|
| Culture & lore |
|
| People |
|
| Seasons |
|
|
National championship seasons in bold
|
