After finishing no higher than fifth in the Big Ten during the previous seven years, all the pieces finally fell into place for the 1964 Wolverines. Air Force and Navy were forced to the air in the first two games, throwing a combined total of 75 passes. Michigan then ran off six victories in seven Big Ten games, dropping a one-point contest to Purdue, and shutting out Northwestern and Ohio State. The Wolverines’ 8-1 record earned them the conference championship, and the team headed to Pasadena, breaking a drought of 14 years.

After USC upset top-ranked Notre Dame in the regular-season
finale, it appeared that the Trojans would be Michigan’s New Year’s Day opponent. However, the Pac Eight Conference instead ruled in favor of the Oregon State Beavers, who had tied Southern Cal for the conference lead. The fourth-ranked
Wolverines were installed as 11-point favorites over the eighth ranked Beavers as Oregon State brought an 8-2 mark into the game.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Beavers broke open the scoring with a five-yard pass from Paul Brothers to Doug McDougal early in the second period. Steve Clark kicked the extra point for Oregon State’s 7-0 start on its upset bid. Three possessions
later, Wolverine tailback Mel Anthony broke free virtually
untouched for 84 yards and the score. On the Wolverines’ next possession, Carl Ward rambled 43 yards around the right end to put Michigan in the lead for good. Bob Timberlake’s pass to Ben Farabee was broken up in the end zone, but the Wolverines still held a 12-7 advantage going into the locker room.

Anthony paced the Michigan third quarter attack after recovering
a blocked Beaver punt, and extending the Wolverine lead with one and seven-yard scores. Timberlake added a 24-yard TD run down the sideline in the fourth quarter to close the scoring and give Michigan a 34-7 triumph.

Anthony earned Player of the Game kudos for his efforts that day,
and the Wolverines raised their postseason record to four victories
against no losses.