Wikipedia

1978 Michigan Wolverines football team

The 1978 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1978 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 10th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 10–2 record (7–1 against conference opponents), tied for the Big Ten championship, outscored opponents by a total of 372 to 105, and were ranked No. 5 in the final AP and UPI polls.[1][2] The defense allowed only 94.6 passing yards per game and ranked second in the country in scoring defense, allowing an average of only 8.75 points per game.[3]

1978 Michigan Wolverines football
Big Ten co-champion
Rose Bowl, L 10–17 vs. USC
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 5
APNo. 5
Record10–2 (7–1 Big Ten)
Head coach
MVPRick Leach
CaptainRussell Davis, Jerry Meter
Home stadiumMichigan Stadium
Seasons
← 1977
1979 →
1978 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 5 Michigan + 7 – 1 – 0 10 – 2 – 0
No. 12 Michigan State + 7 – 1 – 0 8 – 3 – 0
No. 13 Purdue 6 – 1 – 1 9 – 2 – 1
Ohio State 6 – 2 – 0 7 – 4 – 1
Minnesota 4 – 4 – 0 5 – 6 – 0
Wisconsin 3 – 4 – 2 5 – 4 – 2
Indiana 3 – 5 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Iowa 2 – 6 – 0 2 – 9 – 0
Illinois 0 – 6 – 2 1 – 8 – 2
Northwestern 0 – 8 – 1 0 – 10 – 1
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The Wolverines sustained their only regular season defeat against in-state rival Michigan State, but defeated rivals Notre Dame (the first game in the Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry since 1943) and Ohio State (the last game in The Ten Year War between coaches Schembechler and Woody Hayes). The Wolverines then lost to No. 3 USC in the 1979 Rose Bowl, following Charles White's famed "phantom touchdown".

The team's statistical leaders included senior quarterback Rick Leach with 1,283 passing yards and 72 points scored, tailback Harlan Huckleby with 741 rushing yards, and wing back Ralph Clayton with 546 receiving yards.[3] Leach won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference, finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, and was selected by the American Football Coaches Association as a first-team All-American in a tie with Chuck Fusina.

Eight Michigan players received first-team honors on the 1978 All-Big Ten Conference football team, including Leach, fullback Russell Davis, offensive tackle Jon Giesler, defensive tackle Curtis Greer, linebacker Ron Simpkins, and defensive backs Mike Jolly and Mike Harden.[1]

Schedule

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DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 16IllinoisNo. 4
W 31–0104,102
September 23at No. 14 Notre Dame*No. 5
ABCW 28–1459,075
September 30Duke*No. 4
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 52–0104,832
October 7Arizona*No. 3
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 21–17104,913
October 14Michigan StateNo. 5
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)
L 15–24105,132
October 21at WisconsinNo. 9
W 42–080,024
October 28Minnesota No. 8
W 42–10105,308
November 4at IowaNo. 8
W 34–049,120
November 11at NorthwesternNo. 7
W 59–1427,013
November 18No. 15 PurdueNo. 7
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 24–6105,410
November 25at No. 16 Ohio StateNo. 6
ABCW 14–388,358
January 1, 1979vs. No. 3 USC*No. 5
NBCL 10–17105,629
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Season summary

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Preseason

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The 1977 Michigan Wolverines football team compiled a 10–2 record and was a Big Ten co-champion. Key players returning from the 1977 team included quarterback Rick Leach, running backs Russell Davis and Harlan Huckleby, and linebacker Ron Simpkins. Others not returning included offensive linemen Mark Donahue, Walt Downing, and Mike Kenn, linebacker/punter John Anderson, and defensive back Dwight Hicks.

The 1978 recruiting class included tailback Butch Woolfolk, offensive tackles Bubba Paris and Ed Muransky, and defensive back Brian Carpenter.

Illinois

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Week 1: Illinois at Michigan
1 234Total
Illinois 0 000 0
• Michigan 0 10021 31
  • Date: September 16
  • Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Game attendance: 104,102
Scoring summary
2MICHGregg Willner 46-yard field goalMICH 3-0
2MICHRick Leach 8-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 10-0
4MICHRoosevelt Smith 3-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 17-0
4MICHLeach 2-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 24-0
4MICHB. J. Dickey 1-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 31-0

On September 16, Michigan, ranked No. 4 in the pre-season polls, opened its season with a 31–0 victory over an Illinois team led by Michigan's former defensive coordinator, Gary Moeller. The game was played before a crowd of 104,102 at Michigan Stadium and gave coach Schembechler a 10–0 record against the Illini.[4]

Quarterback Rick Leach led Michigan's option offense, passing for 75 yards and rushing for another 125 yards (96 net yards after accounting for sacks) and two touchdowns. The offense was stymied in the first quarter, but an interception by Mel Owen gave Michigan good field position and led to a Gregg Willner field goal early in the second quarter. Leach also scored on an eight-yard touchdown run, and Michigan led 10–0 at halftime. The Wolverines scored another 21 points in the fourth quarter. Roosevelt Smith scored on a three-yard run, and Leach's second touchdown followed a fumble recovery by walk-on middle guard Jim Humphries at Illinois' 31-yard line. Backup quarterback B. J. Dickey scored the final touchdown with 34 seconds remaining in the game.[4][5]

On defense, Michigan limited Illinois to 177 yards and came up with two turnovers, both leading to Michigan scores. The defense was led by linebackers Ron Simpkins with 12 tackles (eight solo, four assists), Jerry Meter with 10 (nine solo, one assist), and Tom Seabron (six solo tackles).[4]

Notre Dame

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Week 2: Michigan at Notre Dame
1 234Total
• Michigan 0 7714 28
Notre Dame 7 700 14
Scoring summary
113:07NDDennis Grindinger 6-yard pass from Joe Montana (Joe Unis kick)ND 7-0
29:39MICHRick Leach 4-yard run (Gregg Willner kick)TIE 7-7
25:21NDVagas Ferguson 4-yard run (Unis kick)ND 14-7
3MICHDoug Marsh 5-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)TIE 14-14
414:55MICHMarsh 17-yard pass from Leach (kick failed)MICH 20-14
49:18MICHRalph Clayton 40-yard pass from Leach (Leach sacked, attempting to pass)MICH 26-14
4MICHSafety, Joe Montana tackled by Curtis Greer in end zoneMICH 28-14

On September 23, Michigan defeated Notre Dame, 28–14, before a crowd of 59,075 at Notre Dame Stadium. The first meeting in the Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry since 1943, the game matched the schools' "duelling quarterbacks" Joe Montana and Rick Leach. Montana had led the 1977 Notre Dame team to a national championship.[6]

Russell Davis fumbled on Michigan's first play from scrimmage, and Notre Dame recovered the ball at Michigan's 17-yard line. With only a minute and 53 seconds off the clock, Notre Dame took an early lead on a six-yard touchdown pass from Montana to Dennis Gridinger.

In the middle of the second quarter, Leach led the Wolverines on a 70-yard drive ending with a four-yard touchdown run by Leach.

After Michigan's touchdown, Montana led a 59-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown run by Vagas Ferguson. The first half ended with Notre Dame leading, 14–7.

In the third quarter, Leach led a 72-yard drive ending with a five-yard touchdown pass from Leach to Doug Marsh who was wide open in the end zone.

Near the end of the third quarter, Jerry Meter then intercepted a Joe Montana pass near midfield and returned it to the Notre Dame 34-yard line. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Michigan then capitalized on the turnover when Leach threw a second touchdown pass to Marsh, this one covering 17 yards. Gregg Willner missed the extra point kick, and Michigan led, 20–14.

A short time later, Mike Harden intercepted a Joe Montana pass near the Michigan's 42-yard line. Michigan again capitalized on the turnover as Leach threw a 40-yard pass to Ralph Clayton. Clayton was knocked unconscious by a hard tackle in the end zone but held onto the ball for the touchdown. After the touchdown, Leach was sacked on an attempt to pass for a two-point conversion.[7][8]

Near the end of the game, Curtis Greer sacked Montana in the end zone for a safety to extend Michigan's lead to 28–14.[7]

The ABC broadcast crew named Rick Leach and Jerry Meter as the Chevrolet Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game. Michigan tailback Harlan Huckleby also rushed effectively in the second half, finishing the game with 107 yards on 22 carries. In addition to the two interceptions, Michigan also blocked a punt and a field goal and recovered three Notre Dame fumbles for a total of five turnovers. Notre Dame linebacker Bob Golic played a great game, setting a school record with 26 tackles in the game.[7][8]

Duke

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Week 3: Duke at Michigan
1 234Total
Duke 0 000 0
• Michigan 7 171414 52
  • Date: September 30
  • Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Game attendance: 104,832
Scoring summary
1MICHRussell Davis 1-yard run (Gregg Willner kick)Michigan 7-0
2MICHRick Leach 12-yard run (Willner kick)Michigan 14-0
2MICHHarlan Huckleby 1-yard run (Willner kick)Michigan 21-0
2MICHWillner 35-yard field goalMichigan 24-0
3MICHHuckleby 1-yard run (Willner kick)Michigan 31-0
3MICHLawrence Reid 2-yard run (Willner kick)Michigan 38-0
4MICHSmith 6-yard run (Willner kick)Michigan 45-0
4MICHRalph Clayton 8-yard pass from B. J. Dickey (Willner kick)Michigan 52-0

On September 30, Michigan defeated Duke, 52–0, before a crowd of 104,832 at a rainy Michigan Stadium. It was Duke's worst defeat since 1966.[9]

Michigan's offense gained 478 yards of total offense, including 390 rushing yards. Michigan played its second-string backfield in the second half, and its rushing yardage was spread among several backs, including Harlan Huckleby (84 yards and two touchdowns), Rick Leach (72 yards and a touchdown), Roosevelt Smith (66 yards and a touchdown), Russell Davis (64 yards and a touchdown), and Lawrence Reid (58 yards and a touchdown). Backup quarterback B. J. Dickey threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Clayton in the fourth quarter.[10]

The defense held Duke to 76 yards of total offense (including six yards in the second quarter). The Blue Devils crossed midfield only once, and even that drive was pushed back into Duke territory by the defense. Quarterback Mike Dunn, the third leading rusher in Duke history, was held to minus 18 rushing yards, and four of his passes were intercepted (two by Mike Jolly). Dale Keitz also recovered a fumble at Duke's one-yard line to set up Huckleby's touchdown run.[9][10]

Arizona

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Week 4: Arizona at Michigan
1 234Total
Arizona 7 1000 17
• Michigan 7 707 21
Scoring summary
1MICHHarlan Huckleby 2-yard run (Gregg Willner kick)MICH 7-0
1ARIZLarry Heater, 1-yard run (Bill Zivic kick)TIE 7-7
2ARIZZivic 24-yard field goalARIZ 10-7
2ARIZHubie Oliver 10-yard run (Zivic kick)ARIZ 17-7
2MICHDoug Marsh 30-yard pass from Rick Leach (Willner kick)ARIZ 17-14
45:25MICHRussell Davis 1-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 21-17

On October 7, Michigan, ranked No. 3 by the AP and UPI, had to come from behind to defeat Arizona, 21–17, before a crowd of 104,913 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan took the lead on a two-yard touchdown run by Harlan Huckleby in the first quarter, a score set up by Tom Seabron's recovery of a fumble at the Arizona two-yard line. Arizona then scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 17–7 lead. Arizona's touchdowns were set up by Michigan turnovers – a fumbled punt return by Mike Harden recovered at the Michigan 19-yard line and then a fumble by Rick Leach on a pitch-out at Michigan's 21-yard line. The Wildcats out-gained the Wolverines in the first half by 206 yards to 123.[11][12]

Arizona fullback Hubie Oliver gained 80 yards in the first half but was held to 19 yards in the second half. Michigan scored on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Leach to Doug Marsh late in the second quarter. The winning score was a one-yard touchdown run by Russell Davis with 5:25 remaining in the game. An earlier attempt by Michigan to take the lead was thwarted when Leach's pass from the one-yard line was intercepted in the end zone.[11][12]

Huckleby had 104 rushing yards on 18 carries, and Davis had 76 yards on 19 carries. The defense was led by linebacker Ron Simpkins with 13 solo tackles and three assists.[11]

Michigan State

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Week 5: Michigan State at Michigan
1 234Total
• Michigan State 3 1470 24
Michigan 0 078 15
Scoring summary
1MSUMorten Anderson 38-yard field goalMSU 3-0
2MSULonnie Middleton 10-yard pass from Eddie Smith (Anderson kick)MSU 10-0
2MSUMiddleton 1-yard run (Anderson kick)MSU 17-0
3MICHRick Leach 3-yard run (Greg Willer kick)MSU 17-7
3MSUMark Brammer 11-yard pass from Smith (Anderson kick)MSU 24-7
4MICHRussell Davis 4-yard run (Harlan Huckleby pass from Leach)MSU 24-15

On October 14, Michigan, ranked No. 5, lost to Darryl Rogers' unranked Michigan State Spartans by a score of 24–15. The crowd of 105,132 at Michigan Stadium was the largest crowd to watch a Michigan–Michigan State game up to that point.[13] The Spartans were on NCAA probation that prevented them from playing in a bowl game.[14]

Freshman placekicker Morten Anderson, later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, opened the scoring with a 38-yard field goal in the first quarter, and fullback Lonnie Middleton scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to give the Spartans a 17–0 lead at halftime. Michigan State quarterback Eddie Smith completed 20 of 36 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns, and the Spartan backs rushed for an identical 248 yards on 43 carries. Flanker Kirk Gibson caught five passes for 82 yards. Michigan State's total of 496 yards (307 in the first half) was the most allowed by a Michigan team since 1961.[13]

Michigan quarterback Rick Leach, who had only one interception in Michigan's first four games, threw three in the first half. Tailback Harlan Huckleby rushed for 98 yards to lead the Michigan offense, while linebacker Ron Simpkins led the defense with 15 solo tackles and an assist.[13][14]

Wisconsin

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Week 6: Michigan at Wisconsin
1 234Total
• Michigan 14 7147 42
Wisconsin 0 000 0
  • Date: October 21
  • Location: Madison, WI
  • Game attendance: 80,024
Scoring summary
1MICHRick Leach 1-yard run (Gregg Willner kick)MICH 7-0
1MICHRalph Clayton 27-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 14-0
2MICHHarlan Huckleby 17-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 21-0
3MICHLeach 6-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 28-0
3MICHClayton 65-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)MICH 35-0
4MICHB. J. Dickey 3-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 42-0

On October 21, Michigan defeated the previously unbeaten Wisconsin Badgers, 42–0, before a record-setting crowd of 80,024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Quarterback Rick Leach ran for 82 yards and two rushing touchdowns and completed four of seven passes for 101 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown bomb to wingback Ralph Clayton in the third quarter. Clayton also scored in the first quarter on a 27-yard wingback reverse with Leach holding the ball behind his back for the exchange with Clayton. Harlan Huckleby rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. In his first game, freshman Butch Woolfolk played the second half in place of Huckleby and gained 32 yards on six carries. Michigan out-gained Wisconsin by 477 yards to 227. The victory was the 12th in a row for Michigan against Wisconsin and the 600th overall in Michigan football history.[15][16]

Minnesota

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Week 7: Minnesota at Michigan
1 234Total
Minnesota 0 307 10
• Michigan 7 7217 42
Scoring summary
1MICHRalph Clayton 26-yard pass from Rick Leach (Gregg Willner kick)MICH 7-0
2MICHLeach 8-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 14-0
2MINNPaul Rogind 20-yard field goalMICH 14-3
3MICHDoug Marsh 3-yard pass from Leach (Willer kick)MICH 21-3
3MICHLeach 3-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 28-3
3MICHClayton 1-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)MICH 35-3
4MINNKent Kitzmann 2-yard run (Rogind kick)MICH 35-10
4MICHButch Woolfolk 49-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 42-10

On October 28, Michigan defeated Minnesota, 42–10, before a homecoming crowd of 105,308 at a sunny Michigan Stadium. One year earlier, Minnesota had upset Michigan, then ranked No. 1 in the AP and UPI polls. The Wolverines reclaimed the Little Brown Jug trophy in 1978.

In three quarters of play, Michigan quarterback Rick Leach completed nine of 13 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns (two to Ralph Clayton, one to Doug Marsh). He also rushed for 62 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. With his performance in the game, Leach set a new Big Ten record with 39 touchdown passes and a new Michigan record with 209 pass completions. Freshman tailback Butch Woolfolk, in his second game and first start for Michigan, gained 131 rushing yards on 23 carries, including a 49-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Woolfolk also turned the ball over on a run play from the Minnesota four-yard line. Michigan out-gained Minnesota by 455 yards to 211.[17][18]

Iowa

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Week 8: Michigan at Iowa
1 234Total
• Michigan 10 1437 34
Iowa 0 000 0
Scoring summary
1MICHRoosevelt Smith 6-yard run (Gregg Willner kick)MICH 7-0
1MICHWillner 30-yard field goalMICH 10-0
2MICHAlan Mitchell 36-yard pass from Rick Leach (Willner kick)MICH 17-0
2MICHSmith 14-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)MICH 24-0
3MICHWillner 24-yard field goalMICH 27-0
4MICHDoug Marsh 11-yard pass from B. J. Dickey (Willner kick)MICH 34-0

On November 4, Michigan defeated Iowa, 34–0, before a crowd of 49,120 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Rick Leach completed nine of 17 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns (a 36-yarder to Alan Mitchell in the second quarter and an 11-yarder to Doug Marsh in the fourth quarter). Michigan also ran a fake punt with Russell Davis taking the snap and running for a 24-yard gain in the first quarter. Michigan's defense held Iowa to minus four rushing yards and 65 passing yards. After the game, Iowa Coach Bob Commings said: "I really thought our pass coverage was adequate but he had all day to throw the ball . . . that's the best offensive line we've faced all year. In fact, Michigan is the best team we've faced all year."[19][20]

Northwestern

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Week 9: Michigan at Northwestern
1 234Total
• Michigan 14 211014 59
Northwestern 0 1400 14
  • Date: November 11
  • Location: Evanston, IL
  • Game attendance: 27,013
Scoring summary
15:14MICHRick Leach 1-yard run (Gregg Willner kick)MICH 7-0
13:01MICHRalph Clayton 9-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)MICH 14-0
2NWSteve Bogan 2-yard pass from Kevin Strasser (Sam Poulos kick)MICH 14-7
2MICHClayton 41-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)MICH 21-7
2MICHLeach 12-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 28-7
2NWMike Cammon 1-yard run (Poulos kick)MICH 28-14
2MICHHarlan Huckleby 2-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 42-14
3MICHLeach 5-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 35-14
3MICHWillner 24-yard field goalMICH 38-14
4MICHB. J. Dickey 40-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 45-14
44:09MICHButch Woolfolk 1-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 52-0

On November 11, Michigan defeated Northwestern, 59–14, before a homecoming crowd of 27,013 at Dyche Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan quarterback Rick Leach ran for 44 yards and three touchdowns and completed six of six passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Michigan gained 626 yards in the game, including 470 rushing yards. Harlan Huckleby and Roosevelt Smith led the ground attack with 138 and 84 yards, respectively. Ralph Clayton was the leading receiver, catching five passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns, including a 41-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. After the game, coach Schembechler said: "We didn't even run the option that much. Basically, all we did was hand off the ball and block."[21][22]

With his performance against Northwestern, Leach set an NCAA career record with 75 regular-season touchdowns, surpassing the record set by Danny White. He also set a Michigan single-season record with 34 rushing touchdowns, surpassing the mark previously set by Tom Harmon. Finally, he set a new Big Ten Conference career record with 5,968 yards of total offense, breaking the record previously set by Mike Phipps.[21][22]

Purdue

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Week 10: Purdue at Michigan
1 234Total
Purdue 0 006 6
• Michigan 10 770 24
  • Date: November 18
  • Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Game attendance: 105,410
Scoring summary
1MICHRalph Clayton 11-yard pass from Rick Leach (Gregg Willner kick)MICH 7-0
1MICHWillner 32-yard field goalMICH 10-0
2MICHDoug Marsh 10-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)MICH 17-0
3MICHLawrence Reid, 5-yard run (Willner kick)MICH 24-0
49:32PURMark Adamle 10-yard blocked punt return (run failed)MICH 24-6

On November 18, Michigan defeated Purdue, 24–6, before a crowd of 105,410 at Michigan Stadium. Purdue came into the game undefeated in conference games, and a win against Michigan would have secured the conference championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. The crowd was the third largest in Michigan Stadium history to that point.[23]

On Michigan's first possession, the Wolverines drove 68 yards, capped by a 11-yard touchdown pass from Rick Leach to Ralph Clayton. On the next possession, Michigan intercepted a pass from Purdue quarterback Mark Herrmann and kicked a field goal for a 10–0 lead. On the next possession, Curtis Greer knocked Hermann to the ground, resulting in a concussion and pinched nerve and preventing Hermann from returning to the game. In the second quarter, Leach threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Doug Marsh, and in the third quarter, Lawrence Reid ran five yards for Michigan's final touchdown. Purdue did not score against the Michigan defense. However, in the fourth quarter, Purdue's Tom Kingsbury blocked Gregg Willner's punt, and Mark Adamle returned it for a Purdue touchdown with 9:32 left in the game.[23][24]

Michigan rushed for 343 yards against a defense ranked tenth in the nation in run defense that had allowed an average of only 117.9 rushing yards per game. Overall, the Wolverines out-gained the Boilermakers by 397 yards to 123. Russell Davis led Michigan's backs with 134 yards on 25 carries. The defense held the Boilermakers to only 11 yards in the second quarter and minus four yards in the third quarter.[23][24]

Ohio State

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Week 11: Michigan at Ohio State
1 234Total
• Michigan 7 070 14
Ohio State 3 000 3
Scoring summary
11:13MICHBob Atha 29-yard field goal, 1:13OHIO 3-0
10:09MICHRodney Feaster 30-yard pass from Rick Leach (Gregg Willner kick)MICH 7-3
34:09MICHRoosevelt Smith 11-yard pass from Leach (Willner kick)MICH 14-3

On November 25, Michigan defeated Ohio State, 14–3, before a record crowd of 88,358 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State's Bob Atha kicked a field goal late in the first quarter for the Buckeyes' only score in the game. Michigan responded with a four-play, 70-yard drive that took only 59 seconds off the clock and ended with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Rick Leach to Rodney Feaster.[25]

Late in the second quarter, Ohio State drove to Michigan's 24-yard line when Jerry Meter knocked the ball out of Art Schlichter's hand, and Andy Cannavino recovered for Michigan. After the turnover, the Wolverines drove deep into Ohio State territory, and with seconds remaining in the first half, Leach completed a pass to Gene Johnson at the one-yard line, but Johnson was hit by Vince Skillings and fumbled and Skillings recovered the ball. The first half ended with Michigan leading, 7–3.[25]

Michigan's defense tightened in the second half, limiting the Buckeyes (ranked fifth nationally in scoring offense prior to the game) to only one first down. In the third quarter, Michigan drove 69 yards on 13 plays, capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass from Leach to Roosevelt Smith. With 3:15 remaining in the game, Mike Jolly intercepted Schlichter's pass near midfield as the Buckeyes tried to mount a comeback. Michigan's players carried coach Schembechler off the field after the game.[25]

Leach was selected by the ABC broadcast crew as the Chevrolet Offensive Player of the Game. Leach sustained a hamstring injury in the second quarter, but completed 11 of 21 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. The Wolverines out-gained the Buckeyes by 364 yards to 216. Roosevelt Smith led Michigan's backs with 67 rushing yards on 10 carries. Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter completed only four of nine passes for 43 yards. Ron Springs led the Buckeyes' ground attack with 63 yards on 12 carries.[25]

In a post-game press conference, coach Schembechler called it "the greatest game we've ever won" and declared Leach to be "the best football player in the United States of America" and "the greatest football player I have ever been associated with."[25] Woody Hayes, in his post-game press conference, became enraged when a columnist from the Chicago Tribune asked if he was aware that his teams had not scored a touchdown against Michigan in the last three games. Hayes approached the columnist in a menacing manner, screamed that he had "no respect" for the columnist, and stormed out of the briefing room.[26]

Rose Bowl

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Main article: 1979 Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. USC
1 234Total
Michigan 0 370 10
• USC 7 1000 17
Scoring summary
Q110:47USCHoby Brenner 9-yard pass from Paul McDonald (Frank Jordan kick)USC 7–0
Q2MICHGregg Willner 36-yard field goalUSC 7–3
Q2USCCharles White 3-yard run (Jordan kick).USC 14–3
Q20:00USCJordan 35-yard field goalUW 17–3
Q3MICHR. Smith 44-yard pass from Rick Leach (Willner kick)UW 17–10

On January 1, 1979, No. 5 Michigan lost by a 17–10 score to No. 3 USC before a crowd of 105,629 in the 1979 Rose Bowl at Pasadena, California.

On Michigan's second play from scrimmage, USC defensive back Ronnie Lott intercepted a Rick Leach pass near midfield and returned it to Michigan's 16-yard line. USC took advantage of the turnover, scoring on a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Paul McDonald to Hoby Brenner.[27][28]

Near the end of the first quarter, Michigan linebacker Tom Seabron hit from McDonald's blind side, causing a fumble that was recovered by Michigan's Dale Keitz at USC's 23-yard line. Michigan was unable to convert a touchdown and settled for a 36-yard field goal by Gregg Willner.[27][28]

Michigan's defense held USC to less than 10 yards in the first quarter. USC finally mounted a 50-yard drive late in the second quarter. The drive ended with one of the most controversial plays in Rose Bowl history. On a run from Michigan's three-yard line, Michigan linebacker Ron Simpkins stripped the ball from the arms of USC running back Charles White before he crossed the goal line, and Michigan fell on the loose ball at the one-yard line. The umpire ruled that White had fumbled and that it was Michigan's ball. However, the line judge ruled that White had crossed the goal line before fumbling, and the touchdown was counted. Television replays clearly showed that White had fumbled at the one-yard line and had crossed the goal line without the ball. White's empty-handed touchdown became known as the "phantom touchdown".[27][28]

With less than 20 second remaining in the first half, Leach threw a pass downfield that was intercepted by Dennis Smith and returned to the Michigan 31-yard line. USC kicked a 35-yard field goal as the half ran out to extend its lead to 17–3.[27][28]

Midway through the third quarter, Leach scrambled to avoid a sack and threw a 44-yard touchdown to Roosevelt Smith. Neither team was able to score in the remaining 25 minutes.[27][28]

In a game marked by strong defensive play by both teams, Michigan held USC to 23 passing yards, 134 rushing yards (including 99 by Charles White), and 14 first downs. In his final game for Michigan, Leach completed 10 of 21 passes for 137 yards, though his two interceptions led to 10 points for USC.[29] After its victory in the Rose Bowl, USC was declared the national champion in the UPI Poll.

Award season

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After the 1978 season, quarterback Rick Leach received multiple awards and honors, including the following:

In addition to Leach, seven other Michigan players received first-team honors on the 1978 All-Big Ten Conference football team. They were: fullback Russell Davis (AP-1, UPI-1), guard John Arbeznik (AP-2, UPI-1), offensive tackle Jon Giesler (AP-1, UPI-1), defensive tackle Curtis Greer (AP-1, UPI-1), linebacker Ron Simpkins (AP-1, UPI_2), and defensive backs Mike Jolly (AP-1, UPI-1) and Mike Harden (UPI-1).[1]

Team awards were presented as follows:[1]

  • Most Valuable Player: Rick Leach
  • Meyer Morton Award: Gene Johnson
  • John Maulbetsch Award: Mike Trgovac
  • Frederick Matthei Award: Mike Jolly
  • Arthur Robinson Scholarship Award: Mark DeSantis

Personnel

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Full roster

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1978 Michigan Wolverines football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
G 64 John Arbeznik Sr
WB 22 Ralph Clayton Jr
FB 33 Russell Davis (C) Sr
WR 18 Rodney Feaster So
OT 68 Jon Giesler Sr
RB 25 Harlan Huckleby Sr
QB 7 Rick Leach Sr
TE 80 Doug Marsh Jr
RB 26 Roosevelt Smith Jr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DT 95 Curtis Greer
OLB 46 Jerry Meter (C)
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K, P 1 Gregg Willner
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Offensive letter winners

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  • John Arbeznik, offensive guard, senior, University Heights, Ohio – started 9 games at left offensive guard
  • Greg Bartnick, offensive guard, senior, Detroit – started all 12 games at right offensive guard
  • Kurt Becker, offensive guard, sophomore, Aurora, Illinois
  • Jim Breaugh, quarterback, sophomore, West Bloomfield, Michigan
  • David Brewster, fullback, freshman, Grafton, Wisconsin
  • Ralph Clayton, wing back, junior, Detroit - started 10 games at wingback
  • Russell Davis, fullback, senior, Woodbridge, Virginia - started all 12 games at fullback
  • Michael Davis, fullback, junior, Woodbridge, Virginia
  • B. J. Dickey, quarterback, sophomore, Ottawa, Ohio
  • Bill Dufek, offensive tackle, senior, East Grand Rapids, Michigan – started 3 games at right offensive tackle
  • Stanley Edwards, tailback, sophomore, Detroit
  • Rodney Feaster, wide receiver, sophomore, Flint, Michigan - started 7 games at wide receiver
  • Jon Giesler, offensive tackle, senior, Woodville, Ohio – started all 12 games at left offensive tackle
  • Harlan Huckleby, tailback, senior, Detroit - started 9 games at tailback
  • Jim Humphries, middle guard, junior, Detroit
  • Gene Johnson, tight end, senior, Flint, Michigan – started 7 games at tight end, 1 game at wide receiver
  • Ed Kasparek, wide receiver, senior, Dearborn, Michigan – started 1 game at wide receiver
  • Rick Leach, quarterback, senior, Flint, Michigan - started all 12 games at quarterback
  • Gary Lee, quarterback, freshman, Flint, Michigan
  • Mike Leoni, offensive tackle, junior, Flint, Michigan – started 5 games at right offensive tackle
  • Tony Leoni, tailback, junior, Flint, Michigan
  • George Lilja, center, junior, Palos Park, Illinois
  • Rock Lindsay, offensive guard, senior, Lapeer, Michigan
  • Doug Marsh, tight end, junior, Akron, Ohio – started 5 games at tight end
  • Jerry Meter, outside linebacker, senior, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan - started all 12 games at outside linebacker
  • Alan Mitchell, wide receiver, sophomore, Detroit – started 3 games at wide receiver, 1 game at wing back
  • Steve Nauta, center, senior, Norristown, Pennsylvania – started all 12 games at center
  • Craig Page, tailback, senior, Saginaw, Michigan
  • Bubba Paris, offensive tackle, freshman, Louisville, Kentucky – started 1 game at right offensive tackle
  • Bernhardt "Chip" Pederson, tight end, senior, Bay City, Michigan
  • John J. Powers, offensive guard, junior, Oak Park, Illinois – started 3 games at left offensive guard, 3 games at right offensive tackle
  • Lawrence P. Reid, fullback, junior, Philadelphia
  • Mark Schmerge, tight end, senior, Cincinnati
  • Kevin Smith, quarterback – free safety, freshman, Dallas
  • Roosevelt Smith, tailback, junior, Detroit, Michigan – started 1 game at wing back, 1 game at tailback
  • John Wangler, quarterback, junior, Royal Oak, Michigan
  • Butch Woolfolk, tailback, freshman, Westfield, New Jersey – started 2 games at tailback

Defensive letter winners

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  • Gene Bell, safety, junior, East Liverpool, Ohio
  • Norm Betts, outside linebacker – tight end, freshman, Midland, Michigan
  • Mark Braman, defensive back, senior, Midland, Michigan – started 10 games at strong-side cornerback
  • Gasper Calandrino, defensive back, senior, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Andy Cannavino, inside linebacker, sophomore, Cleveland, Ohio – started 6 games at inside linebacker
  • Mark DeSantis, outside linebacker, senior, Harper Woods, Michigan – started 4 games at inside linebacker
  • Gerald Diggs, defensive back, junior, Chicago – started 1 game at strong-side cornerback
  • Chris Godfrey, defensive tackle, junior, Detroit – started 6 games at defensive tackle
  • Curtis Greer, defensive tackle, senior, Detroit - started all 12 games at defensive tackle
  • Mike Harden, defensive back, junior, Detroit, Michigan – started 10 games at safety
  • Stuart Harris, defensive back, sophomore, Chagrin Falls, Ohio – started 2 games at safety
  • Robert K. Holloway, outside linebacker, senior, West Bloomfield, Michigan
  • James N. Humphries, middle guard, junior, Detroit
  • Tony Jackson, defensive back, freshman, Cleveland, Ohio
  • William Jackson, defensive tackle, senior, Richmond, Virginia
  • Mike Jolly, defensive back, junior, Melvindale, Michigan - started all 12 games at weak side cornerback
  • Dale Keitz, middle guard – defensive tackle, senior, Columbus, Ohio – started all 12 games (6 at middle guard, 6 at defensive tackle)
  • Tom Keller, outside linebacker, junior, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Timothy Malinak, inside linebacker, senior, Flemington, Pennsylvania
  • Thomas A. Melita, middle guard, senior, Penns Grove, New Jersey
  • Dan Murray, wolf, junior, Ann Arbor, Michigan – started 1 game at strong-side cornerback
  • Ben Needham, outside linebacker, sophomore, Groveport, Ohio – started 2 games at outside linebacker
  • Mel Owens, inside linebacker, junior, DeKalb, Illinois – started 2 games at inside linebacker
  • Tom Seabron, outside linebacker, senior, Detroit – started 10 games at outside linebacker
  • Ron Simpkins, inside linebacker, junior, Detroit – started 11 games at inside linebacker
  • Mike Trgovac, middle guard, sophomore, Austintown, Ohio – started 6 games at middle guard
  • Gary Weber, defensive tackle, junior, Matawan, New Jersey

Kickers

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  • Bryan Virgil, place-kicker, sophomore, Buchanan, Michigan
  • Gregg Willner, punter/place-kicker, senior, Miami Beach, Florida

Coaching staff

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Statistics

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Offensive statistics

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Rushing

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Player Att Net Yards Yds/Att TD
Harlan Huckleby 154 741 4.8 5
Russell Davis 153 683 4.5 3
Rick Leach 145 611 4.2 12
Roosevelt Smith 98 410 4.2 3
Butch Woolfolk 78 370 4.7 2
Lawrence Reid 50 209 4.2 2

[3]

Passing

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Player Att Comp Int Comp % Yds Yds/Comp TD
Rick Leach 158 78 6 49.4 1,283 16.4 17
B. J. Dickey 19 8 0 42.1 115 14.4 2

[3]

Receiving

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Player Recp Yds Yds/Recp TD
Ralph Clayton 25 546 21.8 8
Doug Marsh 19 283 14.9 6
Roosevelt Smith 9 115 12.8 3
Alan Mitchell 5 101 20.2 1

[3]

Special teams statistics

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Kicking

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Player PATA PATM Percent FGA FGM Percent Punts Punt Yds Avg Points
Gregg Willner 48 47 97.9 13 7 53.8 54 2,139 39.6 68

[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "1978 Football Team". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  2. ^ "1978 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "1978 Michigan Wolverines Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Tom Henderson (September 17, 1978). "Leach drives U-M past Illinois, 31-0". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 8E – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Henry Engelhardt (September 17, 1978). "Michigan rolls past bumbling Illini, 31-0". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 12 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  6. ^ "Dueling Quarterbacks (pre-game profile by ABC)". ABC-TV. September 23, 1978. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Tom Henderson (September 24, 1978). "Leach tosses 3 TDs in second half as U-M hammers Notre Dame, 28-14". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 4E – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b Henry Engelhardt (September 24, 1978). "Blue aerials rip Irish, 28-14". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 10 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  9. ^ a b Rick Maddock (October 1, 1978). "Michigan decimates Duke, 52-0". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 10 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  10. ^ a b Tom Henderson (October 1, 1978). "What letdown? U-M rolls, 52-0". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 4E – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b c Tom Henderson (October 8, 1978). "U-M beats Arizona on Davis' TD, 21-17". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 12E – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b Ernie Dunbar (October 8, 1978). "Blue survives Arizona ambush". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 10 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  13. ^ a b c Tom Henderson (October 15, 1978). "MSU turns the tables, ends 9-year drought; Michigan tumbles, 24-15". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1F, 7F.
  14. ^ a b Paul Campbell (October 15, 1978). "State win turns Blue green". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 12 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  15. ^ Tom Henderson (October 22, 1978). "U-M clubs Badgers, 42-0; Leach is back in groove". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 8E – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Bob Miller (October 22, 1978). "Michigan bounces back, 42-0". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 8 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  17. ^ Tom Henderson (October 29, 1978). "Leach bring Brown Jug back, 42-10". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 9E – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Paul Campbell (October 29, 1978). "Homecoming Victory, 42-10: Wolverines dig Gophers' hole; 'Brown Jug' returns". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 9 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  19. ^ Curt Sylvester (November 5, 1978). "U-M puts the squeeze on Iowa, 34-0: Rick Leach passes for 191 yards, 2 touchdowns". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 6E – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Bob Miller (November 5, 1978). "Michigan mutilates Iowa to stay in race". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 12 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  21. ^ a b Joe Lapointe (November 12, 1978). "Leach leads Wolverines' romp, 59-14". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 9E – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b Paul Campbell (November 12, 1978). "No surprise -- Wolverines roll, 59-14". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 10 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  23. ^ a b c Tom Henderson (November 19, 1978). "U-M stays on Rose Bowl path, 24-6: Wolverines cut Purdue down to size". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 8E – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b Rick Maddock (November 19, 1978). "Bring on the Bucks! Wolverines crush Purdue hopes, 24-6". The Michigan Daily. pp. 1, 8 – via Bentley Historical Library.
  25. ^ a b c d e Tom Henderson (November 26, 1978). "Leach's 2 TD passes, iron defense send Michigan to Rose Bowl, 14-3". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1E, 6E – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Tom Henderson (November 26, 1978). "Woody explodes at writer: 'I have no respect for you'". Detroit Free Press. p. 6E – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ a b c d e Tom Henderson (January 2, 1979). "Phantom TD helps Southern Cal -- Michigan's Roses wilt again, 17-10". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1D, 5D – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ a b c d e Mal Florence (January 2, 1979). "USC Wins Rose Bowl but the Replay's a Tie: White Scores (or Did He?) as Trojans Beat Michigan, 17-10". Los Angeles Times. pp. III-1, III-10 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Michigan's Bowl Game History: 1979 Rose Bowl". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  30. ^ "Past Silver Football winners". Detroit Free Press. April 26, 2014.
  31. ^ "Leach, Fusina are both All-Americans". Detroit Free Press. November 30, 1978. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "MSU, U-M dominate All-Big Ten". Detroit Free Press. December 7, 1978. p. 10D.
  33. ^ "Michigan, Michigan State Dominate All-Big Ten Team". The Hour, Norwalk, Connecticut. November 29, 1978. p. 27.
  34. ^ "Sims wins Heisman, Leach 3d". Detroit Free Press. November 29, 1978. p. D1.
  35. ^ "Sad farewell for U-M's potent backfield". Detroit Free Press. January 3, 1979. p. 2D.
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