• Party Time In Front, Business in Back (1965 Rose Bowl Trip)

    On the brink of one of the biggest games in a generation, here's a look back at the trip out to California for the 1965 Rose Bowl. The trip to the was conducted in two distinct phases – party time and business time.   The first portion started off with the usual tours, some time to hang out, and a bit of partying. OK, maybe a lot of partying. Here's the story - you'll enjoy it.

  • Captain Conley and the 1964 Wolverines | Starting From Nothing (Part I)

    “You’ve got to remember, we were a bunch of losers.” That’s how 1964 Michigan team captain Jim Conley labeled his team before summer training camp.  But somehow this group of losers, who won just 5 games in 1962 and 1963 combined, captured Michigan’s first Big Ten title since 1950 then pummeled Oregon State 34-7 in the Rose Bowl.   Bump Elliott’s team transformed into a powerhouse that put away four top-10 squads, including powerful rivals Michigan State and Ohio State on the road.  They crushed teams led by a returning Heisman-winning quarterback in Roger Staubach (Navy), and a squad (Illinois) that featured Dick Butkus, arguably the greatest linebacker in football history.

  • Jim Harbaugh’s Top 5 Games at Michigan

    A guest post by Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis #5: 1984 Miami (FL) – Jim Harbaugh’s first start as a Michigan Wolverine would come against the #1-ranked, defending National Champion Miami Hurricanes and he didn’t disappoint. Wolverine fans, myself included, had long felt that the maize and blue lacked one thing on offense for a few years – a tall, pocket-passing QB, ideally from California. That finally happened with the Palo Alto, CA 6-3, 202 pound Harbaugh. Having heard that he had attended a high school passing camp with John Elway as his instructor, sealed the deal for me – Harbs was going to be the next starting QB in my opinion and his first start was highly anticipated by many. His first two passes against Miami – an out pattern to Vince Bean for 11 yards and another to Steve Johnson for 16 yards – showed off his strong arm, much to the delight of the Michigan Stadium crowd, as Michigan went on to win, 22-14. It was an impressive victory for the Wolverines and a great start for the new QB from California. #4: 1985 Notre Dame – Remembering how Michigan finished the 1984 season at 6-6, not many gave U-M a chance in the season opener against Notre Dame in 1985. It was a statement game for both…

  • Bo Gets Cut! (1976)

    To demonstrate that Coach Harbaugh isn’t the first U-M head coach to peel and flash the washboard and the guns, here’s a look back at when his mentor Bo Schembechler did the same.  Sure, it was under different circumstances, but still: Just in time for the polar vortex of death, here’s what the doctor ordered.  How about a look at a shirtless General Bo out for a run in the summer of 1976, as featured in the Sunday Magazine? Thanks to the keen eye of Dr. Sap for spotting that on eBay, up for bid right now.   I assume this was a product of the Detroit News. Bo’s in tip-top shape after having open heart surgery in late spring of ‘76.   Go Bo!

  • Jim Harbaugh and the Pro Pigskin | Storytime with Dr. Sap

    [Ed. Dr. Sap is back and offers up some Bo-era flavor that comes from the treasure trove that is the Sap archives. –G] Guest Post by Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis When Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh scored on a quarterback draw against Notre Dame in 1985, little did he know that a photo of the classic TD would spark an interesting discussion in the national media.   As Harbaugh crossed the goal line that afternoon, Ara Parseghian exclaimed on the CBS broadcast, “A quarterback draw – great call!” The next week, Sports Illustrated captured Harbaugh’s scoring play under the title, “A Cure For Bo’s Blues”: A couple of SI readers took notice of the NFL football Harbaugh was cradling in the photo.  They were inspired to write the editor and ask why a collegiate athlete was using a professional pigskin:As noted by SI’s ED/Sir, this question was addressed by the NCAA and the next year they decided to modify their college footballs that were used by Division I schools. So when Michigan played at Notre Dame in 1986 Harbaugh was throwing around the new AFCRT Wilson 1001: It was the same model, size and shape as the NFL Wilson – it now just had a different, less professional-looking, stamp on it.  Of course everyone then was asking, “What the heck does AFCRT…