By
1971, Bo had the foundation in place for a Big Ten dynasty.
After stopping the Buckeyes, 10-7, in the regular season
finale Michigan completed its first undefeated and untied
season since 1948 and prepared to meet Stanford in Pasadena.
Stanford entered the contest with an impressive 8-3 record
despite the loss of Heisman Trophy winner JimPlunkett
to graduation the previous spring. John Ralston’s
Indians thrived on the talents of quarterback Don Bunce
and running back JackieBrown.
Dana Coin made a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter
to produce the only points scored by either team in the
first half. Whenthe gun sounded after 30 minutes, Michigan
held a 3-0 edge as they left the soggy Rose Bowl turf
for the locker room.
Stanford egressed from the locker room to start the third
period and held the Wolverines inches short of the game’s
first touchdown with a dramatic goal line stand. The Indians
gained control of the ball and marched down the field
where soccer-style kicker Rod Garcia added a field goal
of his own, this one from 42 yards away. Early in the
fourth quarter, Michigan fullback Fritz Seyferth plunged
across from the one-yard line, and the Wolverines regained
the lead, 10-3.
Facing fourth down on its own 33-yard line, Stanford used
a fake punt to spring Brown for a 31-yard gain. Several
plays later, Brown again broke free, this time for 24
yards and the score that tied the contest at 10 apiece.
Minutes later, when Coin’s 42-yard field goal attempt
fell short, Indian Jim Ferguson caught and intended to
return the ball, but Ed Shuttlesworth dropped him in the
end zone to giveMichigan two points on the safety and
a 12-10 advantage. Following a Michigan punt, the Indians
took over on their 22-yard line, and Bunce proceeded to
complete five of his next six passes to move his squad
down the field. With 16 seconds remaining in the game,
Ralston sent Garcia in for one final play. The kick sailed
31 yards straight over the crossbar, and Stanford claimed
a narrow victory, 13-12, on the 70th anniversary of their
stunning loss to U-M in the first Rose Bowl game. |
 |
Second Quarter
M Coin, 30-yard field goal
Third Quarter
S Garcia, 42-yard field goal
Fourth Quarter
M Seyferth, 1-yard run (Coin kick)
S Brown, 24-yard run (Garcia kick)
M Safety-Ferguson tackled
in end zone by Shuttlesworth
S Garcia, 31-yard field goal
Team Stats UM SU
First Downs 16 22
Net Yards Rushing 264 93
Net Yards Passing 26 290
Total Plays 85 67
Total Yards 290 383
PA/PC/Int 11/3/1 44/24/0
Punts/Avg. 7/38.9 4/41.5
Return Yards 122 65
Fumbles/Lost 2/1 4/4
Penalties/Yards 2/23 3/14
Rushing— (M): W. Taylor 32-82; Shuttlesworth 13-62;
Slade 13-41; Doughty 1-56;
(S): Brown 6-60; Winesberry 4-15; Sanderson 5-16.
Passing— (M): Slade 3-10-26;
Cipa 0-1-0; (S):Bunce 24-44-290
Receiving— (M): Doughty 2-13; Seymour 1-13;
(S):Winesberry 8-112; Scott 5-
55; Brown 5-30; Moore 3-52; Sanderson 3-45 |
