50 Years Ago Today: Rivals OSU and Michigan Make History

It was 50 years ago today -- November 22, 1969 -- when Ohio State Buckeye football fans departed Michigan Stadium with a stinging sensation in their collective soul. Their arch-rival-and-neighbor-to-the-north was now headed to the Rose Bowl. 

An Associated Press article (*) the following day provided the details: 

 “The Michigan Wolverines [under Coach Bo Schembechler] pulled one of the upsets of the decade, stunning No. 1-ranked Ohio State by taking a 12-point half-time lead and holding on to beat the Buckeyes [under Coach Woody Hayes] 24-12 Saturday and clinch a Rose Bowl trip...”  

“A crowd of 103,588, the largest ever to watch a football game in Michigan, saw the Wolverines take a surprising 7-6 first-quarter lead on a three-yard touchdown... It was the first time this season the Buckeyes had ever trailed...”  

The Wolverines would not enjoy a victory at the January 1, 1970, Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California. They were defeated by the USC Trojans 10 to 3. (From Wikipedia).  

(*)AP article by Larry Paladino, “Record Crowd Sees Michigan Stun Buckeyes,” Middletown Journal November 23, 1969. Available for viewing on microfilm at MidPointe Library Middletown or online via: 

www.midpointelibrary.org > eLibrary > Research Databases > Newspapers and Magazines.  

Love football? You’ll find loads of on-shelf and online items to check out (including the three books pictured with this blog)! All you need is a free MidPointe Library card available at any MidPointe location, including the “Library On Wheels” bookmobile!