The 1981 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium.
Schedule
| Date |
Time |
Opponent# |
Rank# |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
|---|
| September 12, 1981 |
2:30 PM |
at Wisconsin |
#1/1 |
Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI |
|
L 14–21 |
68,733 |
| September 19, 1981 |
1:30 PM |
#1/1 Notre Dame* |
#11/12 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
ABC |
W 25–7 |
105,888 |
| September 26, 1981 |
1:00 PM |
Navy* |
#7/6 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
W 21–16 |
105,213 |
| October 3, 1981 |
1:30 PM |
at Indiana |
#8/8 |
Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, IN |
|
W 31–17 |
50,612 |
| October 10, 1981 |
1:00 PM |
at Michigan State |
#6/6 |
Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI |
ONTV |
W 38–20 |
77,923 |
| October 17, 1981 |
1:00 PM |
Iowa |
#5/5 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
L 7–9 |
105,915 |
| October 24, 1981 |
1:00 PM |
Northwestern |
#18/19 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
|
W 38–0 |
104,361 |
| October 31, 1981 |
2:00 PM |
at Minnesota |
#15/14 |
Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN |
|
W 34–13 |
52,875 |
| November 7, 1981 |
1:00 PM |
Illinois |
#12/10 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
ONTV |
W 70–21 |
105,570 |
| November 14, 1981 |
1:30 PM |
at Purdue |
#11/8 |
Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN |
|
W 28–10 |
69,736 |
| November 21, 1981 |
12:00 PM |
Ohio State |
#7/6 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI (The Game) |
ABC |
L 9–14 |
106,043 |
| December 31, 1981 |
8:00 PM |
vs. #19/16 UCLA* |
#16/13 |
Astrodome • Houston, TX (Bluebonnet Bowl) |
MTN |
W 33–14 |
50,107 |
| *Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll / Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |
Game notes
at Wisconsin
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Michigan |
0 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
14 |
| • Wisconsin |
0 |
14 | 7 | 0 |
21 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q2 |
| MICH | Steve Smith 4-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 7–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| WIS | Neal 17-yard pass from Cole (Doran kick) | TIE 7–7 |
|
| Q2 |
| WIS | Davis 1-yard run (Doran kick) | WIS 14–7 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Woolfolk 89-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | TIE 14–14 |
|
| Q3 |
| WIS | Williams 71-yard pass from Cole | WIS 21–14 |
|
Michigan was ranked #1 in the pre-season poll. On September 12, 1981, Michigan opened its season losing to unranked Wisconsin by a 21–14 score in front of a crowd of 68,733 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. It was the first loss in a season opener under Bo Schembechler and Michigan's first loss to Wisconsin since 1962. Quarterback Steve Smith scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give Michigan the lead, but Wisconsin scored twice in the second quarter. Butch Woolfolk rushed for 119 yards on 14 carries, including an 89-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Woolfolk's touchdown tied the game at 14–14, but Wisconsin retook the lead on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Jess Cole to John Williams. Wisconsin's All-Big Ten safety Matt Vanden Boom intercepted three of Steve Smith's passes. After the game, Schembechler told reporters: "Our offense wasn't any good; our defense wasn't any good; our kicking game wasn't any good, and our coaching was poor. It's a miracle we only lost by 7 points."[1]
Notre Dame
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Notre Dame |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
7 |
| • Michigan |
0 |
7 | 12 | 6 |
25 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q2 |
| MICH | Anthony Carter 71-yard pass from Steve Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 7–0 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Carter 15-yard pass from Smith (kick failed) | MICH 13–0 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Lawrence Ricks 1-yard run (run failed) | MICH 19–0 |
|
| Q4 |
| MICH | Smith 6-yard run (pass failed) | MICH 25–0 |
|
| Q4 |
| ND | Masztak 8-yard pass from Koegel (Oliver kick) | MICH 25–7 |
|
On September 19, 1981, Michigan defeated #1 Notre Dame by a 25–7 score in front of a crowd of 105,888 at Michigan Stadium. The only points scored in the first half came on a 71-yard pass and run from Steve Smith to Anthony Carter. Michigan scored three touchdowns in the second half and led 25–0 in the fourth quarter before Notre Dame scored. After the game, Michigan coach Schembechler said: "This was a great win for us, because we came back from our poorest performance I can ever remember. We're not there yet -- we've got a ways to go -- but that looked a whole lot better than a week ago."[2] Michigan's 18-point margin of victory over top-ranked Notre Dame was one of the largest margins of victory over a #1 ranked team to that point in history.[3]
Navy
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Navy |
0 |
6 | 7 | 3 |
16 |
| • Michigan |
7 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
21 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| MICH | Woolfolk 4 yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 7–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| MICH | Smith 2 yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 14–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| NAVY | Fehr 46 yard field goal | MICH 14–3 |
|
| Q2 |
| NAVY | Fehr 31 yard field goal | MICH 14–6 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Bean 8 yard pass from Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 21–6 |
|
| Q3 |
| NAVY | Pagnanelli 22 yard run (Fehr kick) | MICH 21–13 |
|
| Q4 |
| NAVY | Fehr 45 yard field goal | MICH 21–16 |
|
[4]
at Michigan State
Iowa
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Iowa |
6 |
0 | 3 | 0 |
9 |
| Michigan |
0 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| IOWA | Tom Nichol 20-yard field goal | IOWA 3–0 |
|
| Q1 |
| Iowa | Nichol 36-yard field goal | IOWA 6–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| MICH | Anthony Carter 17-yard pass from Steve Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 7–6 |
|
| Q3 |
| IOWA | Nichol 30-yard field goal | IOWA 9–7 |
|
On October 17, 1981, Michigan lost to Iowa by a 9–7 score before a crowd of 105,915 at Michigan Stadium. Iowa's freshman place-kicker Tom Nichol accounted for all nine of Iowa's points, kicking two field goals in the first quarter and the game-winner in the third quarter. Nichol's first field goal was set up when Michigan's Evan Cooper fumbled a punt early in the first quarter, with Dave Stroebel recovering the ball for Iowa. Michigan scored in the second quarter on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Steve Smith to Anthony Carter.[6]
Northwestern
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Northwestern |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
| • Michigan |
14 |
10 | 7 | 7 |
38 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| MICH | Carter, 24-yard pass from Smith (Bergeron kick) | MICH 7–0 |
|
| Q1 |
| MICH | Betts, 52-yard pass from Smith (Bergeron kick) | MICH 14–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| MICH | Ricks, 51-yard run (Bergeron kick) | MICH 21–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| MICH | Bergeron, 24-yard field goal | MICH 24–0 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Smith, 13-yard run (Bergeron kick) | MICH 31–0 |
|
| Q4 |
| MICH | Ricks, 60-yard run (Bergeron kick) | MICH 38–0 |
|
On October 24, 1981, Michigan defeated Northwestern by a 38–0 score before a crowd of 104,361 at Michigan Stadium. Quarterback Steve Smith threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third touchdown. Lawrence Ricks rushed for 126 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns, including a 60-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Butch Woolfolk rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries to break Rob Lytle's Michigan career record of 3,317 rushing yards.[7]
Illinois
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Illinois |
21 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
21 |
| • Michigan |
7 |
21 | 14 | 28 |
70 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| ILL | Eason, 3-yard run (Bass kick) | ILL 7–0 |
|
| Q1 |
| MICH | Carter, 60-yard pass from Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick) | TIE 7–7 |
|
| Q1 |
| ILL | Curtis, 5-yard run (Bass kick) | ILL 14–7 |
|
| Q1 |
| ILL | D. Smith, 7-yard pass from Eason (Bass kick) | ILL 21–7 |
|
| Q2 |
| MICH | Smith, 1-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | ILL 21–14 |
|
| Q2 |
| MICH | Dunaway, 9-yard pass from Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick) | TIE 21–21 |
|
| Q2 |
| MICH | Smith, 42-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 28–21 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Carter, 12-yard pass from Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 35–21 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Smith, 14-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 42–21 |
|
| Q4 |
| MICH | Ricks, 1-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 49–21 |
|
| Q4 |
| MICH | Edwards, 7-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 56–21 |
|
| Q4 |
| MICH | Rogers, 4-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 63–21 |
|
| Q4 |
| MICH | Hassel, 6-yard pass from Dickey (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 70–21 |
|
On November 7, 1981, Michigan defeated Illinois by a 70–21 score before a crowd of 105,570 at Michigan Stadium. Illinois took a 21-7 lead in the first quarter, but Michigan scored nine unanswered touchdowns in the remainder of the game. Anthony Carter caught six passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Steve Smith rushed 15 times for 116 yards and also completed 9 of 15 passes for 224 yards.[8][9]
at Purdue
#11 Michigan at Purdue
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Michigan |
7 |
0 | 0 | 21 |
28 |
| Purdue |
3 |
0 | 7 | 0 |
10 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| 1 |
| PUR | Clark 26-yard field goal | Purdue 3-0 |
|
| 1 |
| MICH | Dunaway 27-yard pass from Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick) | Michigan 7-3 |
|
| 3 |
| PUR | Feulner 5-yard run (Clark kick) | Purdue 10-7 |
|
| 4 |
| MICH | Smith 26-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | Michigan 14-10 |
|
| 4 |
| MICH | Woolfolk 1-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | Michigan 21-10 |
|
| 4 |
| MICH | Ricks 5-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | Michigan 28-10 |
|
[10]
Ohio State
|
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| MICH | Ali Haji-Sheikh, 19-yard field goal) | MICH 3–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| OSU | Art Schlichter, 1-yard run (Atha kick) | OSU 7–3 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Haji-Sheikh, 26-yard field goal | OSU 7–6 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Haji-Sheikh, 23-yard field goal | MICH 9–7 |
|
| Q4 |
| OSU | Schlichter 6-yard run (Atha kick) | MICH 14–9 |
|
On November 21, 1981, Michigan lost to Ohio State by a 14–9 in front of a crowd of 106,043 persons, the second largest crowd up to that point in the history of Michigan Stadium. Michigan was limited to three field goals by Ali Haji-Sheikh, while Ohio State scored on two touchdown runs by quarterback Art Schlichter.[11]
Bluebonnet Bowl
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Michigan |
10 |
0 | 3 | 20 |
33 |
| UCLA |
0 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
14 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| MICH | Ali Haji-Sheikh, 24-yard field goal | MICH 3–0 |
|
| Q1 |
| Iowa | Anthony Carter, 50-yard pass from Steve Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 10–0 |
|
| Q3 |
| UCLA | Jojo Townsell, 17-yard pass from Tom Ramsey (Norm Johnson converts kick) | MICH 10–7 |
|
| Q3 |
| MICH | Haji-Sheikh, 47-yard field goal | MICH 13–7 |
|
| Q4 |
| MICH | Butch Woolfolk, 1-yard run (run failed) | MICH 19–7 |
|
| Q4 |
| UCLA | Tim Wrightman, 9-yard pass from Ramsey (Johnson kick) | MICH 19–14 |
|
| Q4 |
| MICH | Smith, 9-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 26–14 |
|
| Q4 |
| MICH | B. J. Dickey, 5-yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) | MICH 33–14 |
|
On December 31, 1981, #16 Michigan defeated #19 UCLA by a 33–14 score in the 1981 Bluebonnet Bowl, played before a crowd of 40,309 at the Houston Astrodome. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Anthony Carter (50-yard reception in the first quarter), Butch Woolfolk (1-yard run in the fourth quarter), Steve Smith (9-yard run in fourth quarter), and B. J. Dickey (five-yard run in fourth quarter). Ali Haji-Sheikh also kicked two field goals for Michigan. Woolfolk rushed for 186 yards on 27 carries and was selected as the game's Most Valuable Player.[12]
Players
Offense
- Art Balourdos, offensive line, freshman, Chicago, Illinois
- Vincent Bean, wide receiver, sophomore, Southfield, Michigan - started all 12 games at split end
- Kurt Becker, offensive guard, senior, Aurora, Illinois - started all 12 games at left offensive guard
- Norm Betts, tight end, senior, Midland, Michigan - started all 12 games at tight end
- Fred Brockington, wide receiver, senior, Detroit, Michigan
- Anthony Carter, wide receiver, junior, Riviera Beach, Florida - started all 12 games at flanker
- Milt Carthens, tight end, sophomore, Pontiac, Michigan
- B. J. Dickey, quarterback, senior, Ottawa, Ohio
- Jerry Diorio, offensive guard, sophomore, Youngstown, Ohio - started 4 games at right offensive guard
- Tom Dixon, center, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Indiana - started all 12 games at center
- Craig Dunaway, tight end, senior, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Stanley Edwards, tailback, senior, Detroit, Michigan - started 11 games at fullback
- Jeff Felten, center, senior, Centerville, Michigan
- Brad Fischer, quarterback, senior, Ortonville, Michigan
- Tom Garrity, center, Grafton, Wisconsin
- Thomas J. Hassel, fullback, sophomore, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Rich Hewlett, quarterback, junior, Plymouth, Michigan
- Stefan Humphries, offensive guard, sophomore, Broward, Florida - started 8 games at right offensive guard
- Jerald Ingram, fullback, junior, Beaver, Pennsylvania - started 1 game at fullback
- Eric Kattus, tight end, freshman, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Ed Muransky, offensive tackle, senior, Youngstown, Ohio - started all 12 games at right offensive tackle
- Tom Neal, offensive tackle, senior, Orlando, Florida
- Bubba Paris, offensive tackle, senior, Louisville, Kentucky - started all 12 games at left offensive tackle
- Lawrence Ricks, tailback, junior, Barberton, Ohio
- Rick Rogers, running back, freshman, Inkster, Michigan
- Steve Smith, quarterback, sophomore, Grand Blanc, Michigan - started all 12 games at quarterback
- Rich Strenger, offensive tackle, senior, Grafton, Wisconsin
- Larry Sweeney, center, sophomore, Alma, Michigan
- Butch Woolfolk, tailback, senior, Westfield, New Jersey - started all 12 games at tailback
Defense
- Marion Body, defensive back, senior, Detroit, Michigan - started 4 games at short cornerback, 2 games at wide cornerback
- Mike Boren, linebacker, sophomore, Columbus, Ohio - started all 12 games at inside linebacker
- Keith Bostic, defensive back, junior, Ann Arbor, Michigan - started 11 games at strong safety
- Jerry Burgei, defensive back, junior, Ottawa, Ohio - started 6 games at short cornerback
- Brian Carpenter, defensive back, senior, Flint, Michigan - started 8 games at wide cornerback
- Winfred Carraway, middle guard, senior, Detroit, Michigan - started 5 games at defensive tackle, 1 game at middle guard
- Brad Cochran, defensive back, freshman, Royal Oak, Michigan
- Cedric Coles, defensive tackle, senior, Detroit, Michigan - started 6 games at defensive tackle
- Evan Cooper, defensive back, sophomore, Miami, Florida - started 2 games at wide cornerback, 2 games at short cornerback
- Mike Czarnota, inside linebacker, senior, Detroit, Michigan
- Paul Girgash, linebacker, junior, Lakewood, Ohio - started all 12 games at inside linebacker
- Stuart Harris, defensive back, senior, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
- Mike Hammerstein, line, freshman, Wapakoneta, Ohio - started 1 game at middle guard
- Jim Herrmann, inside linebacker, junior, Dearborn Heights, Michigan
- Tony Jackson, defensive back, senior, Cleveland, Ohio - started all 12 games at free safety
- Doug James, defensive tackle, sophomore, Louisville, Kentucky - started 5 games at middle guard
- Louis Kovacs, defensive back, junior, Toledo, Ohio (father of 2012 team co-captain Jordan Kovacs)
- Mike Lemirande, outside linebacker, senior, Grafton, Wisconsin - started 2 games at outside linebacker
- John Lott, defensive back, junior, Masury, Ohio
- Mike Mallory, linebacker, freshman, DeKalb, Illinois
- Clay Miller, defensive tackle, freshman, Norman, Oklahoma - started 3 games at defensive tackle
- Ben Needham, inside linebacker, senior, Groveport, Ohio - started 10 games at outside linebacker
- Tony Osbun, defensive tackle, senior, Kenton, Ohio - started 10 games at defensive tackle
- Jeff Reeves, defensive back, senior, Columbus, Ohio - started 1 game at strong safety
- Carlton Rose, linebacker, sophomore, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - started 4 games at outside linebacker
- Alan Sincich, middle guard - linebacker, freshman, Cleveland, Ohio - started 5 games at middle guard
- Kevin Smith, defensive back, senior, Dallas, Texas
- Robert Thompson, outside linebacker, senior, Blue Island, Illinois - started 8 games at outside linebacker
- Sanford Washington, inside linebacker, senior, Youngstown, Ohio
Kickers
- Don Bracken, punter, sophomore, Thermopolis, Wyoming
- Ali Haji-Sheikh, place-kicker, junior, Arlington, Texas
- Karl Tech, place-kicker, punter, senior, Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan
Awards
Professional football
The following players were claimed in the 1982 NFL Draft.
[14]
A total of twenty-three (23) members of the 1980 Michigan football team went on to play professional football. They are: Kurt Becker (Chicago Bears, 1982–88, 1990, Los Angeles Rams, 1989), Marion Body (Michigan Panthers, 1983), Keith Bostic (Houston Oilers, 1983–88), Cleveland Browns, 1990), Don Bracken (Green Bay Packers, 1985–90, Los Angeles Rams, 1992-93), Anthony Carter (Michigan Panthers, 1983–84, Oakland Invaders, 1985, Minnesota Vikings, 1985–93, Detroit Lions, 1994-95), Milt Carthens (Indianapolis Colts, 1987), Evan Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles, 1984–87, Atlanta Falcons, 1988-89), Jerry Diorio (Detroit Lions, 1987), Tom Dixon (Michigan Panthers, 1984), Craig Dunaway (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1983), Stanley Edwards (Houston Oilers, 1982–86, Detroit Lions, 1987), Paul Girgash (Michigan Panthers, 1984), Ali Haji-Sheikh (New York Giants, 1983–85, Atlanta Falcons, 1986, Washington Redskins, 1987), Mike Hammerstein (Cincinnati Bengals, 1986–90), Stefan Humphries (Chicago Bears, 1984–86, Denver Broncos, 1987-88), Eric Kattus (Cincinnati Bengals, 1986–91, New York Jets, 1992), Ed Muransky (Los Angeles Raiders, 1982–84, Orlando Renegades, 1985), Bubba Paris (San Francisco 49ers, 1983–90, Indianapolis Colts, 1991, Detroit Lions 1991), Lawrence Ricks (Kansas City Chiefs, 1983–84), Carlton Rose (Washington Redskins, 1987), Rich Strenger (Detroit Lions, 1983–87), Robert Thompson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1983–84, Detroit Lions, 1987), and Butch Woolfolk (New York Giants, 1982–84, Houston Oilers, 1985-86, Detroit Lions, 1987–88).
Coaching staff
- Head coach: Bo Schembechler
- Assistant coaches: Tirrel Burton, Lloyd Carr, Jerry Hanlon, Bill McCartney, Jerry Meter, Les Miles, Gary Moeller, Paul Schudel, Bob Thornbladh, Milan Vooletich
- Trainer: Russ Miller
- Managers: John D. Carr, Charles Fromm, Thomas Luxton, Greg Pearlman, Fred Spademan, Randall Tharp
References
External links
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| | Venues | |
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| | Bowls & rivalries | |
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| | Culture & lore | |
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| | People | |
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| | Seasons | |
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| National championship seasons in bold |
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