Michigan's Bowl Game History
1951 Rose Bowl

191 ROse Bowl program 191 Rose Parade proram

Michigan vs California
Pasadena, California
Jan. 1, 1951
Attendance: 98,939

Scoring by Quarter
Michigan 0 0 0 1414
California 0 6 0 06

 

In 1950, the Wolverines struggled through the regular season, but won the final game at Ohio State to earn the right to travel to Pasadena. Michigan's 5-3-1 squad was slated to face the California Golden Bears, a 9-0-1 club rated fourth in the nation and making its third consecutive Rose Bowl appearance. The Bears were favored to win, and many of the 98,393 fans who filled the stadium had hopes of watching the Pacific Conference end its four-game losing streak.

191 Michigan footbll team photo

On the second play of the game, California's Pete Schabarum ran around left end 73 yards into the end zone, only to see it nullified on an illegal motion penalty. The Bears pounded on the Wolverines defense until early in the second quarter when QB Jim Marinos threw a 39-yard scoring strike to Bob Cummings. Les Richter missed the extra point, and California led 6-0. Late in the half, the Bears had moved to the Michigan 11-yard line and appeared ready to bring one more score into the locker room, but the Wolverines had other plans, stopping Schabarum three yards short of the goal on fourth down.

At half-time, California held a 192-65 advantage in offensive yardage and a 10-2 edge in first downs, but the Wolverines instigated a new defensive for-nation during the intermission. Head coach Benny Oosterbaan told his troops that "victory is still ours," renewing the team's faith in Michigan tradition and spirit, and the Wolverines returned to the field primed for victory.

Michigan was held scoreless until the fourth quarter when team MVP Don Dufek ran four identical plays from the four-yard line, finally scoring on fourth-and-one. The Wolverines extended their lead later in the quarter as Dufek again scored, this time from seven yards out. Michigan completely reversed Cal's first half domination by out-distancing the Bears 15-2 in first downs and 226-52 in total yardage during the half as the Wolverines won their third Rose Bowl in as many tries, 14-6.

SCORING
Second Quarter
C Cummings, 39-yard pass from Marinos (Richter kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
M Dufek, 1-yard run (Allis kick)
M Dufek, 7-yard run (Allis kick)
Game Statistics
Wolverines Golden Bears
17 First Downs 12
145 Net Yards Rushing 175
146 Net Yards Passing 69
60 Total Plays 59
291 Total Yards 244
21/15/2 PA/PC/Int 8/4/0
2/32.5 Punts/Avg. 4/35.7
21 Return Yards 17
2/2 Fumbles/Lost 2/2
2/20 Penalties/Yards 6/50
Rushing-- (M): Dufek 23-113; Koceski 7-19; Ortmann 5-6; (C): Olszewski 16-58; Schabarum 15-57; Monachino 12-47.
Passing-- (M): Ortmann 15-19-146; (C): Marinos 4-7-69.