Tuesday, March 04, 2008

'70s Flashback: 1977 Game 4- #3 Michigan 41 #5 Texas A&M 3

October 1, 1977: After an uninspiring win in week three, the undefeated Wolverines tumbled from #1 to number three in the national rankings. Michigan hosted undefeated and fifth-ranked Texas A&M in week 4 and the Wolverines got back on track with a 41-3 victory over the Aggies. [October 10, 1977 Sports Illustrated: In The Second Half It Was Pure Aggie-ny]. In front of a packed home crowd of 104,802 (third largest in Michigan Stadium history), the Wolverines played their best game of the season. Rick Leach passed for 106 yards, including a 35-yard TD pass to Curt Stephenson, and Russell Davis rushed for 110 yards and scored two touchdowns. Not to be outdone, Michigan's defense also shone on this day as it limited the high-powered Aggies' offense to a paltry 211 yards of total offense. Ron Simpkins was voted Defensive Champion of the Game as he tallied 14 tackles and blocked a punt that resulted in a TD. Mike Jolly returned an intercepted pass 50 yards for another TD. All-American guard Mark Donahue was voted Offensive Champion of the Game. Russell Davis and Ron Simpkins were ABC-TV's Players of the Game and Simpkins was also named the AP's Big Ten Player of the Week. Go Blue!

Scoring
First Quarter
T-Franklin, 24-yd. FG

Second Quarter
M-R. Davis, 4-yd. run (Willner)

Third Quarter
M-R. Davis, 1-yd. run
M-Stephenson, 35-yd. pass from Leach (Willner)

Fourth Quarter
M-Huckleby, 8-yd. run (Willner)
M-Pickens, recovered blocked punt in endzone (Willner)
M-Jolly, 50-yd. pass interception return (Willner)

Top Individuals
Rushing: Woodard (T) 39-153; R. Davis (M) 19-110; Huckleby (M) 15-73; Dickey (T) 15-45
Passing: Leach (M) 6-18-106; Walker (T) 1-9-3
Receiving: Clayton (M) 2-28; Huckleby (M) 2-21

Labels: ,

1 Comments:

At 5:17 PM, Blogger Dan said...

I remember that game well. I always refered to that game as the day the yellow Rose of Texas was tainted with Maize & Blue.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home