Rivalry Week: Playing for the Paul Bunyan Trophy

Last week the Wolverines were able to retain the Little Brown Jug by defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers. It is well known that Coach Carr loves telling the tale of the Little Brown Jug. Apparently, Coach Carr is not as enamored with the history of the trophy associated with the Michigan State game. Coach Carr stated, "Actually, I don't even know why we play for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. I've never researched it, and I don't think I'll bother." It's no bother Coach. Just read on. Or not.

Presented for the first time in the 1953 meeting between the Wolverines and the Spartans, the Paul Bunyan Trophy is the lesser-known of Michigan's two annual trophy games, shadowed by the nationally recognized Little Brown Jug Game between Michigan and Minnesota.
The Bunyan Trophy was put into circulation by then Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams. The prize consists of a four-foot wooden statue of the legendary Paul Bunyan astride an axe with feet planted on a map of the state of Michigan. Two flags -- one with the Michigan "M" and the other with the Michigan State "S" -- are planted on either side of Bunyan. A five-foot stand supports the statue.

Paul Bunyan Governor of Michigan Trophy, Year-by-Year:
1953 MSU 14, U-M 6
1954 U-M 33, MSU 7
1955 U-M 14, MSU 7
1956 MSU 9, U-M 0
1957 MSU 35, U-M 6
1958 MSU 12, U-M 12
1959 MSU 34, U-M 8
1960 MSU 24, U-M 17
1961 MSU 28, U-M 0
1962 MSU 28, U-M 0
1963 MSU 7, U-M 7
1964 U-M 17, MSU 10
1965 MSU 24, U-M 7
1966 MSU 20, U-M 7
1967 MSU 34, U-M 0
1968 U-M 28, MSU 14
1969 MSU 23, U-M 12
1970 U-M 34, MSU 20
1971 U-M 24, MSU 13
1972 U-M 10, MSU 0
1973 U-M 31, MSU 0
1974 U-M 21, MSU 7
1975 U-M 16, MSU 6
1976 U-M 42, MSU 10
1977 U-M 24, MSU 14
1978 MSU 24, U-M 15
1979 U-M 21, MSU 7
1980 U-M 27, MSU 23
1981 U-M 38, MSU 20
1982 U-M 31, MSU 17
1983 U-M 42, MSU 0
1984 MSU 19, U-M 7
1985 U-M 31, MSU 0
1986 U-M 27, MSU 6
1987 MSU 17, U-M 11
1988 U-M 17, MSU 3
1989 U-M 10, MSU 7
1990 MSU 28, U-M 27
1991 U-M 45, MSU 28
1992 U-M 35, MSU 10
1993 MSU 17, U-M 7
1994 U-M 40, MSU 20
1995 MSU 28, U-M 25
1996 U-M 45, MSU 29
1997 U-M 23, MSU 7
1998 U-M 29, MSU 17
1999 MSU 34, U-M 31
2000 U-M 14, MSU 0
2001 MSU 26, U-M 24
2002 U-M 49, MSU 3
2003 U-M 27, MSU 20
2004 U-M 45, MSU 37 (3OT)
2005 U-M 34, MSU 31 (OT)
2006 U-M 31, MSU 13

Go Blue!