1989 Michigan Wolverines football team

Schedule

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Game summaries

Notre Dame

;First quarter

• No scoring ;Second quarter
• ND – Anthony Johnson 6-yard pass from Tony Rice (Craig Hentrich kick), 5:05. ''Notre Dame 7–0. '''Drive: 24 yards.'''''
• MICH – Chris Calloway 9-yard pass from Michael Taylor (kick failed), 0:25. ''Notre Dame 7–6. '''Drive: 50 yards.''''' ;Third quarter
• ND – Raghib Ismail 89-yard kickoff return (Craig Hentrich kick), 14:49. Notre Dame 14–6.
• ND – Craig Hentrich 30-yard field goal, 4:28. Notre Dame 17–6. ;Fourth quarter
• MICH – Derrick Walker 5-yard pass from Elvis Grbac (pass failed), 12:58. ''Notre Dame 17–12. '''Drive: 12 plays.'''''
• ND – Raghib Ismail 92-yard kickoff return (Craig Hentrich kick), 12:46. Notre Dame 24–13.
• MICH – Greg McMurtry 4-yard pass from Elvis Grbac (J.D. Carlson kick), 4:08. ''Notre Dame 24–19. '''Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards.''''' ;Top passers
• ND – Tony Rice – 1/2, 6 yards, TD
• MICH – Elvis Grbac – 17/21, 134 yards, 2 TD ;Top rushers
• ND – Anthony Johnson – 20 rushes, 80 yards
• MICH – Leroy Hoard – 15 rushes, 56 yards ;Top receivers
• ND – Anthony Johnson – 1 reception, 6 yards, TD
• MICH – Greg McMurtry – 4 receptions, 51 yards, TD

At UCLA

On September 23, Michigan defeated UCLA, 24–23, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

UCLA took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter. Michigan scored in the second quarter on a 46-yard field goal by J.D. Carlson at the end of a 52-yard drive. UCLA then drove 70 yards and scored on a six-yard pass from Bret Johnson to S. Miller. Carlson kicked a 38-yard field goal later in the quarter, and UCLA led, 14–6, at halftime.

In the third quarter, Carlson kicked his third field goal, a 43-yarder. Later in the third quarter, Michigan took a 15–14 lead on a one-yard touchdown run by Leroy Hoard. Michigan's attempt at a two-point conversion failed. At the end of the third quarter, UCLA retook the lead on a 45-yard field goal by Alfredo Velasco. UCLA extended its lead with 5:42 remaining on a touchdown pass from Bret Johnson to Corwin Anthony. Michigan was forced to punt with 4:29 remaining, but Michigan cornerback David Key forced a fumble by UCLA tailback Shawn Wills. Michigan linebacker J.J. Grant recovered at UCLA's 43-yard line. Elvis Grbac completed passes of 11 yards to Derrick Walker and 12 yards to Tony Boles. The Wolverines scored on a three-yard pass from Grbac to Walker with 1:35 remaining. A two-point conversion failed, and Michigan trailed by two points. On the ensuing kickoff, J.D. Carlson converted an onside kick as the ball hopped over UCLA's front line where it was recovered by Vada Murray. Grbac completed a nine-yard pass to Chris Calloway, a 10-yard pass to Tony Boles, and a screen pass to Boles that was good for 17 yards. Carlson kicked the game-winning 24-yard field goal with one second remaining in the game.

Boles rushed for 82 yards, and Grbac completed 13 of 23 passes for 130 yards.

Maryland

On September 30, Michigan defeated Maryland, 41–21, before a crowd of 104,872 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Wolverines scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions. They tallied 279 rushing yards led by Tony Boles who gained 89 yards and scored two touchdowns on 10 carries, including a 64-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Leroy Hoard added 72 yards and scored on a 72-yard run. In what the Detroit Free Press described as an "air show" by the normally ground-based Michigan offense, quarterback Elvis Grbac completed 10 of 20 passes for 187 yards and threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter, covering 23 yards to Chris Calloway and 11 yards Craig McMurtry. McMurtry caught five passes for 126 yards.

On defense, Michigan held Maryland to 63 rushing yards. Maryland's two quarterbacks (Neil O'Donnell and Scott Zolak) combined to complete 26 of 41 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns.

Wisconsin

On October 7, Michigan defeated Wisconsin, 24–0, before 104,097 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Wolverines outgained the Badgers, 325 to 97, and dominated time of possession by 34:08 to 25:52. It was Michigan's first shutout since its 49–0 victory over Wisconsin in 1987.

On offense, Michigan tallied 158 rushing yards, led by Tony Boles with 95 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Quarterback Elvis Grbac completed 16 of 23 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown. The offense sputtered in the first half, with Michigan's only points of the half scored when cornerback Lance Dottin intercepted a Wisconsin pass at the 22-yard line and returned it untouched for a touchdown. After the game, Schembechler was critical of his team's performance: "It was like a painting that you put up against nine other dogs. Somebody says yours is the best of the ten, but, hell, your painting isn't any damn good. That was what this game was like."

On defense, the Wolverines held the Badgers to 70 rushing yards and 27 passing yards. Wisconsin running back Jimmy Henderson tallied 62 yards on 16 carries. Redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Wilson completed only four of eleven passes.

At Michigan State

On October 14, Michigan defeated Michigan State, 10–7, before a crowd of 76,913 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.

Michigan took a 7–0 lead in the first quarter on a 61-yard, 13 play drive, culminating in a fourth-down, one-yard touchdown run by tailback Tony Boles. J. D. Carlson kicked a 35-yard field goal in the second quarter, and Michigan led, 10–0, at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, Michigan State drove 78 yards early in the fourth quarter to the one-yard line. On fourth down from the one-yard line, Blake Ezor was stopped by Tripp Welborne. On their next possession, the Spartans drove 62 yards, including a 36-yard pass from Dan Enos to James Bradley at the 11-yard line and endng with a four-yard touchdown pass from Enos to Courtney Hawkins.

The Wolverines gained 169 rushing yards and 76 passing yards. Tony Boles gained 100 yards on 22 carries, and Leroy Hoard tallied 62 yards on 15 carries.

On defense, the Wolverines held the Spartans to 85 rushing yards led by Ezor with 77 yards on 27 carries (2.9 per carry). Enos completed 21 of 31 passes for 214 yards, but he was intercepted twice. Vada Murray blocked a Michigan State field goal in the first quarter. J. J. Grant led the team with 14 tackles and stopped a Michigan State drive in the second quarter by "leaping, tipping and then intercepting" a pass. Outside linebacker Alex Marshall had two sacks and a fumble recovery.

At Iowa

On October 21, Michigan defeated Iowa, 26–12, before a crowd of 67,700 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. It was Michigan's first road win against Iowa since 1982.

In the first quarter, the Hawkeyes drove to Michigan's 20-yard line, but Iowa quarterback Matt Rodgers was hit in the backfield and fumbled; Brian Townsend recovered the loose ball and returned it to the Iowa 30-yard line. Michigan was unable to capitalize on the turnover, but later in the first quarter, Vada Murray intercepted a Rodgers pass, and Michigan took over at the Iowa 39-yard line. Michigan then scored on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Michael Taylor to Greg McMurtry. J. D. Carlson kicked a 22-yard field goal with 3:12 remaining in the first half, and Iowa then drove 56 yards in 2:51 and scored on a four-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Travis Watkins with 26 seconds remaining in the half. Michigan led, 9–6, at halftime.

Michigan extended its lead to 23–6 in the third quarter on a two-yard touchdown run by Taylor and a 45-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to Tony Boles. Late in the third quarter, Iowa scored on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Peter Marciano. In the fourth quarter, Michigan extended its lead to 26–12 on a 22-yard field goal by J.D. Carlson.

Michigan gained 185 rushing yards and 179 passing yards. Iowa tallied 44 rushing yards and 287 passing yards. Tony Boles led Michigan's rushing attack with 93 yards on 24 carries, and Taylor completed 11 of 15 passes for 179 yards. For Iowa, Rodgers completed 29 of 41 passes for 287 yards.

Indiana

On October 28, Michigan defeated Indiana, 38–10, before a crowd of 105,989 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Michigan outgained Indiana, 550–229. The Wolverines tallied 347 rushing yards, led by Tony Boles (156 yards and three touchdowns, 11.2 yards per carry) and Allen Jefferson (96 yards, 12.0 yards per carry). Quarterback Michael Taylor completed 11 of 18 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman wide receiver Desmond Howard caught three passes for 62 yards. Highlights included a 91-yard touchdown run by Boles at the 6:44 mark of the second quarter and a 43-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to Derrick Alexander at the 10:26 mark of the fourth quarter.

On defense, the Wolverines held the Hoosiers to 89 rushing yards and 140 passing yards. Anthony Thompson, who was the leading rusher in the Big Ten and finished second in the 1989 Heisman Trophy voting, was limited to 90 yards on 30 carries, an average of 3.0 yards per carry.

Purdue

At Illinois

On November 11, No. 3 Michigan defeated No. 8 Illinois, 24–10, before a crowd of 73,069 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

On the opening drive of the game, Tony Boles ran 73 yards to the Illinois one-yard line, and Jarrod Bunch scored on a one-yard run with 14:01 remaining in the first quarter. Illinois responded with an 85-yard, 10-play drive ending with a three-yard touchdown run by fullback Howard Griffith. Michigan then drove 63 yards on 16 plays, ending with a 47-yard field goal by J.D. Carlson (a Michigan record at the time) with 2:02 remaining in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Illinois drove 61 yards on eight plays, and Doug Higgins kicked a 25-yard field goal to tie the game at 10-10. Later in the second quarter, Michigan drove 80 yards on 11 plays, scoring on a two-yard run by quarterback Michael Taylor. Michigan led, 17-10, at halftime.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. Late in the fourth quarter, Michigan drove 80 yards in 11 plays, led by Taylor's runs of 12, 12, and 15 yards, and ending with a 13-yard touchdown run by Boles with 2:31 remaining.

Michigan tallied 266 rushing yards and 123 passing yards. Boles led the Wolverines' rushing attack with 115 yards on nine carries. Taylor completed nine of 18 passes for 123 yards. Illinois was limited to 92 rushing yards, but quarterback Jeff George completed 22 of 38 passes for 253 yards. Michigan dominated time of possession with 34:52 to 25:08 for Illinois.

At Minnesota

Ohio State

;First quarter

• MICH – Leroy Hoard 1-yard run (J.D. Carlson kick), 3:13. ''Michigan 7–0. '''Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 3:04.''''' ;Second quarter
• MICH – Allen Jefferson 2-yard run (J.D. Carlson kick), 2:23. ''Michigan 14–0. '''Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 6:28.'''''
• OSU – Pat O'Morrow 20-yard field goal, 0:25. ''Michigan 14–3. '''Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 1:58.''''' ;Third quarter
• OSU – Pat O'Morrow 22-yard field goal, 10:45. ''Michigan 14–6. '''Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 2:24.'''''
• OSU – Scottie Graham 3-yard run (run failed), 4:03. ''Michigan 14–12. '''Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 5:11.''''' ;Fourth quarter
• MICH – Jarrod Bunch 5-yard pass from Michael Taylor (J.D. Carlson kick), 12:22. ''Michigan 21–12. '''Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 2:32.'''''
• OSU – Scottie Graham 4-yard run (kick blocked), 7:04. ''Michigan 21–18. '''Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:18.'''''
• MICH – Jarrod Bunch 23-yard run (J.D. Carlson kick), 1:20. ''Michigan 28–18. '''Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 1:28.''''' ;Top passers
• OSU – Greg Frey – 14/25, 220 yards, 2 INT
• MICH – Michael Taylor – 8/16, 100 yards, TD ;Top rushers
• OSU – Scottie Graham – 28 rushes, 133 yards, 2 TD
• MICH – Leroy Hoard – 21 rushes, 152 yards, TD ;Top receivers
• OSU – Jim Palmer – 5 receptions, 61 yards
• MICH – Greg McMurtry – 3 receptions, 39 yards

Todd Plate's second interception of the day with 2:48 left in the game sealed the game and the Big Ten title for the Wolverines.

Rose Bowl (vs USC)

Main article: 1990 Rose Bowl

The 1990 Rose Bowl was a rematch of the previous Rose Bowl in which Michigan won 22–14. Prior to the contest, Bo Schembechler had announced he would retire. USC scored the first points in the second quarter with a one-yard run by Todd Marinovich. Michigan got a field goal to make it 7–3 but the Trojans added another field goal before the half to take a 10–3 lead at halftime. Although Michigan tied the score, Ricky Ervins had a 14-yard touchdown run which clinched the Rose Bowl for the Trojans.

Roster

• Cam Cameron
• Lloyd Carr
• Jerry Hanlon
• Bill Harris
• Jim Herrmann
• Les Miles
• Gary Moeller
• Bobby Morrison
• Tom Reed

Player statistics

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Awards and honors

Safety Tripp Welborne received consensus first-team honors on the 1989 All-America team. He received first-team honors from, among others, the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), American Football Coaches Association, and Football Writers Association of America.

Tailback Tony Boles gained 839 rushing yards in 1989 (1,359 in 1988) and was selected as the team's most valuable player.

The following 13 players received first- or second-team honors from the AP or UPI on the 1989 All-Big Ten Conference football team: :* Tony Boles at running back (AP-1, UPI-1) :* J.D. Carlson at kicker (AP-1, UPI-1) :* Dean Dingman at guard (AP-1, UPI-1) :* Derrick Walker at tight end (AP-1, UPI-1) :* Tripp Welborne at defensive back (AP-1, UPI-1) :* Greg McMurtry at receiver (AP-2, UPI-1) :* Greg Skrepenak at tackle (AP-2, UPI-2) :* Erick Anderson at linebacker (AP-2, UPI-2) :* J. J. Grant at linebacker (AP-2, UPI-2) :* Vada Murray at defensive back (AP-2, UPI-2) :* Michael Taylor at quarterback (AP-2) :* Bobby Abrams at outside linebacker (AP-2) :* Mike Teeter at defensive line (UPI-2)

Other team awards included:

• Meyer Morton Award: Chris Calloway
• John Maulbetsch Award: Steve Everitt
• Frederick Matthei Award: Dean Dingman
• Arthur Robinson Scholarship Award: Tim Williams
• Dick Katcher Award: Mike Teeter
• Hugh Rader Jr. Award: Derrick Walker
• Robert P. Ufer Award: Chris Calloway

Professional football

The following players were selected in the 1990 NFL draft.

A total of 25 players from the 1989 team went on to play professional football: Bobby Abrams; Derrick Alexander; Erick Anderson; Tony Boles; Jarrod Bunch; Corwin Brown; Chris Calloway; Joe Cocozzo; Tom Dohring; Matt Elliott; Steve Everitt; Elvis Grbac; Leroy Hoard; Desmond Howard; Burnie Legette; Tony McGee; Greg McMurtry; Doug Skene; Greg Skrepenak; Buster Stanley; Mike Teeter; Brian Townsend; Jon Vaughn; Derrick Walker; and Tripp Welborne.

References

References

1. "1989 Football Team". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
2. "1989 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results". Sports Reference LLC.
3. "1989 Michigan Wolverines Stats". Sports Reference LLC.
4. (September 17, 1989). "Call him Ismail, and call Notre Dame best in the land". Star Tribune.
5. (September 24, 1989). "Late FG powers Wolverines past UCLA". The Kalamazoo Gazette.
6. (October 1, 1989). "Michigan air show blitzes Maryland". Detroit Free Press.
7. (October 8, 1989). "Bo knows disgust". The Duluth News Tribune.
8. (October 15, 1989). "U-M defense stymies MSU". The Saginaw News.
9. (October 22, 1989). "Taylor leads Michigan past Hawks, 26–12". The Des Moines Register.
10. (October 29, 1989). "59 for Thompson, but 'W' for Michigan". The Houston Post.
11. (November 5, 1989). "U-M rips Purdue, 42–27". Lansing State Journal.
12. (November 12, 1989). "Victory puts Michigan in driver's seat". Wisconsin State Journal.
13. (November 19, 1989). "Wolves' aerials bury Gophers". The Austin Daily Herald.
14. (November 26, 1989). "A return to Roses". Jackson Citizen Patriot.
15. (January 2, 1990). "Southern Cal spoils Bo's last Rose 17–10". The Atlanta Journal & Constitution.
16. Steve Kornacki. (October 1, 1989). "Amazing Elvis leads U-M air show, 41-21". Detroit Free Press.
17. Chris McCosky. (October 1, 1989). "U-M trounces Terps: Wolverines throw Maryland for 41-21 loss". The Ann Arbor News.
18. Chris McCosky. (October 8, 1989). "U-M sputters, Bo mutters: Inspired Badgers fall, 24-0". The Ann Arbor News.
19. Perry A. Farrell. (October 15, 1989). "U-M better by inches: Michigan defense putsd down MSU's fourt-quarter rally". Detroit Free Press.
20. Steve Grinczel. (October 15, 1989). "U-M reigns over State: Defense frustrates MSU 10-7". The Ann Arbor News.
21. Steve Kornacki. (October 22, 1989). "U-M flying; Taylor and Wolverines silence Iowa, fans, 26-12". Detroit Free Press.
22. Chris McCosky. (October 22, 1989). "U-M scrambles past Iowa". The Ann Arbor News.
23. Chris McCosky. (October 29, 1989). "Michigan rushes past Indiana: Hoosiers stall and fall, 38-10". The Ann Arbor News.
24. Gainesville Sun. 1989 Nov 5.
25. Steve Kornacki. (November 12, 1989). "U-M kills Champaign dreams". Detroit Free Press.
26. Chris McCosky. (November 12, 1989). "U-M can smell roses: Wolverines bowl over Illini, 24-10". The Ann Arbor News.
27. "Michigan hoards the spotlight." Eugene Register-Guard. 1989 Nov 26.
28. Jenkins, Sally. (December 14, 1989). "Schembechler Announces Retirement". The Washington Post.
29. "Rose Bowl 1990".
30. (2016). "Football Award Winners". [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA).
31. Steve Kornacki. (November 28, 1989). "Boles will miss Rose Bowl: U-M tailback faces major knee surgery". Detroit Free Press.
32. (November 30, 1989). "Indiana's Thompson heads All-Big Ten team". The Daily Reporter (AP story).
33. (November 30, 1989). "UPI All-Big Ten team". Detroit Free Press.
34. "1990 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com".