Fritz Howell

Miami News/November 26, 1950

Columbus, O., Nov. 25.—Michigan’s Wily Wolverines wrapped up the Western Conference championship and a probable Rose Bowl bid today, blocking two attempted punts to defeat Ohio’s favored Buckeyes, 9-3, on a snow-covered, storm-swept gridiron.

Michigan failed to make a first down but turned a pair of breaks into the nine points needed to give it the title.

Playing on a field on which several inches of snow hid the yard lines and made ball-handling treacherous, Michigan was able to gain only 27 yards by rushing. Ohio’s vaunted offense was held to 16 yards on the ground and a total of 41 as the Bucks picked up 25 yards on three successful passes in 18 attempts.

A 28-mile wind swept across the Buckeye stadium and the athletes played like they were wearing boxing gloves as Michigan took advantage of a weird set of circumstances to annex the title and take the favored role for the Rose Bowl invitation.

Michigan had to couple a victory over Ohio State with a Northwestern win over Illinois today, and both came to pass.

Chuck Ortmann, Michigan’s brilliant halfback, was the difference in today’s climactic contest. Known mostly for his fine passing, Ortmann’s nine aerial attempts today failed to find a mark but his unerring kicking kept the Buckeyes deep in their own territory.

Eleven times in 24 attempts, Ortlmann punted out of bounds inside the Ohio 15-yard line, and the Buckeyes failed to fight their way out of the hole at any time.

Ohio drew first blood in the opening five minutes when Vic Janowicz booted a field goal through the swirling snow flakes from 22 yards out.

The break on that one came the first time Michigan had the ball. Joe Campanella, Ohio tackle, blocked Ortmann’s attempted quick kick from the six-yard line, and Bob Momsen fell on it there.

Janowicz was thrown for a loss and an intentional grounding penalty moved the ball back to the 35, but Janowicz hit Tom Watson with a pass to the 22. From that point the Ohio halfback booted his three-pointer.

Late in the same period, Ortmann booted out of bounds on Ohio’s three, from which point Michigan’s captain, Allen Wahl, broke through to block Janowicz’ kick, the ball rolling out of the end zone for an automatic safety.

A bit of quick thinking and another blocked kick gave Michigan its winning touchdown in the second period. Ortmann had punted out on Ohio’s eight, with less than a minute to go and Ohio attempted to run line plays to use up the time rather than kick from its own end zone.

After each play, however, Michigan called time out. Ohio was forced to kick with 20 seconds to play. Tony Momsen, brother of Ohio’s Bob, rushed through the line, blocked Janowicz’ kick in the slippery footing and fell on the ball in the end zone for the score. Harry Allis booted the extra point.

The last half was a scoreless duel, with Janowicz and Ortmann continuing their punting exchanges. Ortmann booted 24 times for a 30-yard average and Janowicz kicked 21 times for a 32-yard average.

Both were phenomenal marks in view of the slippery going and the heavy wind. So heave was the snow that at times it was impossible to see the players from the pressbox, and when measurements for first downs were necessary, brooms were used to sweep off the gridiron to find the yard markers.

Although $2,300 tickets—third largest amount ever sold for an Ohio game—were disposed of before the contest, only 50,503 braved the elements to see the game.

Wolverines Win Without Making a First Down

Columbus, O., Nov. 25—Michigan’s football Coach Bennie Osterbann won himself another distinction today besides capturing the Big Ten title and arranging to spend New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl.

He became perhaps the first big-time coach in history to win a game—much less a championship—without his team making a first down.

The score was Michigan 9, Ohio State 3; the first downs were Michigan none, Ohio State three.

Michigan made its points by a safety, which accounted for two, a blocked punt which rolled into the Ohio State end zone, when a Michigan man fell on the ball; and a conversion.

Oosterban appeared dazed when he skidded into the Michigan dressing room out of the whistling blizzard in which his boys and their losing competitors had to battle both a 10-degree temperature and a 28-mile wind.

He said:

“I just feel happy.”

Then he added:

“It was a hell of a day to play football.”

Over in the Ohio State dressing room, Coach Wesley Felser’s eyes were read. From the cold or tears—it was anybody’s guess.