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3 unusual facts about 1969 Ohio State vs. Michigan football game


1969 Ohio State vs. Michigan football game

Ohio State's 1969 football team was dubbed by the media as the "greatest college football team of all time", with a handful of proven All-Big Ten players and All-Americans, such as quarterback Rex Kern, running backs Larry Zelina, Jim Otis and John Brockington, wide receivers Jan White and Bruce Jankowski, middle guard Jim Stillwagon and defensive star Jack Tatum.

Michigan was in the process of rebuilding after a period of mediocrity that saw them only go to one Rose Bowl between 1951 and 1968; the program, known for the winning traditions under Fielding H. Yost and Fritz Crisler, had seemingly lost its way.

They would go on to win their next four games, with a team including quarterback Don Moorhead, fullback Garvie Craw, wingback John Gabler, tailbacks Glenn Doughty and Billy Taylor, offensive lineman Dan Dierdorf and defensive stars Barry Pierson, Thom Darden, Cecil Pryor and Henry Hill.


1973 Ohio State vs. Michigan football game

Gil Chapman, Michigan's punt returner returned OSU's ensuing kick-off all the way to the OSU 27-yard line.

It is unknown whether then Big Ten commissioner Wayne Duke had influenced the vote in Ohio State's favor or not.

A then-NCAA record crowd of 105,233 watched the game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

Michigan engineered an 11 play drive, using the rushing ability of fullback Ed Shuttlesworth.

Bonham, Texas

Jerry Moore - head coach of the Appalachian State Mountaineers football team, who most famously beat then ranked #5 Michigan, 34-32, on September 1, 2007, in what is widely referred to as "one of the greatest upsets in college football history."


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