Bluebonnet Bowl
1981
Michigan 33
UCLA 14
Michigan
was all but eliminated from the Rose Bowl race early in the 1981 season
after mid-season losses to Wisconsin and Iowa. Late season losses by the
Badgers and Hawkeyes thrust them back into the race, but they had to win
against Ohio State to head to Pasadena. They did not.
The loss sent Iowa to the Rose Bowl and left the Wolverines to accept a bid to the Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston. There they would meet another perennial Rose Bowl team, the UCLA Bruins. Ohio State would meet Navy in the Liberty Bowl and Pac-Ten Champ Washington pitted against Iowa in the Rose Bowl.
Comedian, Bob Hope, commented that “Iowa” is old Indian word meaning "what in the hell happened to Michigan and Ohio State" Against this backdrop, the 23rd became a very interesting game in the ’81 bowl season. It ruffled a few feathers, as well. The Big 10 and Pac 10 had an understanding that such a game would not be played under this type of circumstance because it might take away some of the interest in the Rose Bowl. Nevertheless, Michigan and UCLA committed and the game was play on New Year’s Eve, 1981. The game was billed as a "mini-Rose Bowl."
Michigan moved quickly to assume the lead with Butch Woolfolk racing 52 yard to the UCLA 25. Ali Haji-Shelkh kicked a 24-yard field goal and Michigan led 3-0. When the Bruin defense left Anthony Carter man-for-man against cornerback Mike Durden, Quarterback Steve Smith caught their mistake and lofted a perfect pass to the speedy Carter for the 50 yard touchdown (video). The extra point set the score at 10-0 one minute before the half. Michigan had dominated the first half. Woolfolk tallied 101 yards rushing yards ten minutes before halftime. UCLA’s offense managed only 58 total yards to Michigan's 212 by late in the second quarter. The only thing that kept the game within reach of UCLA was the fact that Michigan had 12 penalties for 118 yards at the half (a Bluebonnet Bowl record).
Early in the third quarter, Tom Ramsey, senior quarterback for UCLA found a hole in Michigan's dominant defensive line and connected with JoJo Townsell for the Bruin's first touchdown. The score was 10-7, but the Wolverines responded immediately, marching 52 yards in eight plays before Haji-Sheikh kicked a 47 yard field goal, the longest of his career. More penalties plagued the second half as UCLA tried to make its comeback. With Michigan on the UCLA 13, on the first play of the fourth quarter, an 8-yard pass to Carter made it first-and-goal at the five. Woolfolk capped the possession with a plunge into the endzone from the one, leaving the score 19-7 with 13 minutes left.
UCLA again drove into Michigan territory, but two penalties and Winfred Carraway's sack of Bruin quarterback Tom Ramsey ended the march, and the Pacific 10 runners-up never again had a chance to take the lead. The Wolverines moved 74 yards ending in Woolfolk's one yard TD run. All-American tight end Tim Wrightman scored UCLA's second touchdown on a 9 yard pass from Ramsey. But, Michigan again responded with an 80 yards drive in seven plays. Smith scored on a 9-yard run to put the game out of reach. Reserve quarterback B.J. Dickey scored Michigan’s last touchdown, scampering five yards with eight seconds remaining in the contest. Final score: Michigan 33, UCLA 14.
Woolfolk closed his brilliant career at Michigan by gaining 186 yards rushing, bringing his four-year total to 3,861 and earning game MVP honors. Smith's 152 passing yards gave him Michigan's single season record with 1,661 yards, and added to his total offense mark. Anthony Carter grabbed six receptions for 127 yards.
Michigan's Butch Woolfolk ran for 186 yards
Anthony Carter
UCLA's Tim Wrightman scores in the fourth quarter
Michigan's Steve Smith
The UCLA defense stuffs a Michigan runner
Defensive MVP Bill Needham sacks UCLA's Tom Ramsey
Attendance: 50,107
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
UM- FG Haji Sheikh 24
UM- Carter 50 yard pass from Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick)
Third Quarter
UCLA- Townsell 17 yard pass from Ramsey (Johnson kick)
UM- FG Haji-Shelkh 47
Fourth Quarter
UM- Woolfolk 1 run (run failed)
UCLA- Wrightman 9 yard pass from Ramsey (Johnson kick)
UM- Smith 9 run (Haji-Sheikh kick)
UM- Dickey 5 run (Haji-Sheikh kick)
Individual Statistics
Rushing
UM- Woolfolk 27-186, Smith 10-64, Ricks 8-20
UCLA- Nelson 18-33
Passing
UM- Smith 9-15-152, Dickey 1-1-16
UCLA- Ramsey 12-25-162
Receiving
UM- Carter 6-127, Bean 2-33, Woolfolk 2-8
UCLA- Carney 5-89, Townsell 3-37, Wrightman 2-14
