1951 Rose Bowl Recap

January 1, 1951

Site: Pasadena, Calif. (Rose Bowl Stadium)
Score: #9 Michigan 14, #5 California 6
Attendance: 98,939

1951 Rose Bowl Recap

In 1950, the Wolverines struggled through the regular season, but won the final game at Ohio State to earn the right to travel to Pasadena. Michigan's 5-3-1 squad was slated to face the California Golden Bears, a 9-0-1 club rated fourth in the nation and making its third consecutive Rose Bowl appearance. The Bears were favored to win, and many of the 98,393 fans who filled the stadium had hopes of watching the Pacific Conference end its four-game losing streak.

On the second play of the game, California's Pete Schabarum ran around the left end 73 yards into the end zone, only to see it nullified on an illegal motion penalty. Cal pounded on the Michigan defense until early in the second quarter when QB Jim Marinos threw a 39-yard scoring strike to Bob Cummings. Les Richter missed the extra point, and California led 6-0. Late in the half, the Bears had moved to the Michigan 11-yard line and appeared ready to bring one more score into the lockerroom, but the Wolverines had other plans, stopping Schabarum three yards short of the goal on fourth down.

At halftime, California held a 192-65 advantage in offensive yardage and a 10-2 edge in first downs, but the Wolverines instigated a new defensive formation during the intermission. Head coach Bennie Oosterbaan told his troops that "victory is still ours," renewing the teams faith in Michigan tradition and spirit, and the Wolverines returned to the field primed for victory.

Michigan was held scoreless until the fourth quarter when team MVP Don Dufek ran four identical plays starting from the four-yard line, finally scoring on fourth-and-one. The Wolverines extended their lead later in the quarter as Dufek again scored, this time from seven yards out. Michigan completely reversed Cal's first half domination by out-distancing the Bears 15-2 in first downs and 226-52 in total yardage during the half as the Wolverines won their third Rose Bowl in as many tries, 14-6.

Game Summary

Michigan	0	0	0	14	--	14
California	0	6	0	0	--	6

Second Quarter
C -- Cummings, 39-yard pass from Marinos (Richter kick failed)

Fourth Quarter
U-M -- Dufek, 1-yard run (Allis kick)
U-M -- Dufek, 7-yard run (Allis kick)

Team Stats	UM	UC
First Downs	17	12
Net Yards Rushing	145	175
Net Yards Passing	146	69
Total Plays	60	59
Total Yards	291	244
PA/PC/Int	21/15/2	8/4/0
Punts/Avg.	2/32.5	4/35.7
Return Yards	21	17
Fumbles/Lost	2/2	2/2
Penalties/Yards	2/20	6/50

Rushing-- (M): Dufek 23-113; Koceski 7-19; Ortmann 5-6; Putich 3-4; Bradford 1-2. (C): Olszewski 16-58; Schabarum 15-57; Monachino 12-47; Marinos 3-(-6); Robison 2-10; Pappa 2-13; Ogden 1-(-4).

Passing -- (M): Ortmann 15-19-146; Putich 0-1-0; Dufek 0-1-0. (C): Marinos 4-7-69; Scharbarum 0-1-0.

Receiving -- (M): Dufek5-61; Perry 3-29; Koceski 3-18; Pickard 2-24; Allis 1-11; Putich 1-3.

University of Michigan Athletics

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