A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| 1986 Michigan Wolverines football | |
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Big Ten co-champion | |
Rose Bowl, L 15–22 vs. Arizona State | |
| Conference | Big Ten Conference |
| Ranking | |
| Coaches | No. 7 |
| AP | No. 8 |
| Record | 11–2 (7–1 Big Ten) |
| Head coach |
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| Defensive coordinator | Gary Moeller (9th season) |
| MVP | Jim Harbaugh |
| Captains | |
| Home stadium | Michigan Stadium |
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 8 Michigan + | 7 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 7 Ohio State + | 7 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 16 Iowa | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan State | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwestern | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purdue | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wisconsin | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1986 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its 18th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the team compiled an 11–2 record (7–1 against conference opponents), tied for the Big Ten championship, outscored opponents by a total of 379 to 203, and was ranked No. 8 and No. 7, respectively, in the final AP and UPI polls.[1][2] Late in the season, Schembechler passed Fielding H. Yost as the winningest coach in Michigan football history.
Michigan was ranked No. 2 after winning its first nine games, including victories over Notre Dame and Florida State. The Wolverines were then upset by an unranked Minnesota team led by Rickey Foggie.[3] After quarterback Jim Harbaugh guaranteed a victory over Ohio State, the Wolverines defeated the Buckeyes but lost to Arizona State in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
During the 1986 season, quarterback Jim Harbaugh set Michigan school records for most passing yardage in a game (310 yards vs. Wisconsin), season (2,729 yards), and career (5,449 yards). He finished third in voting for the 1986 Heisman Trophy and was selected as both Michigan's most valuable player and the winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference.
The team's other statistical leaders included tailback Jamie Morris with 1,086 rushing yards, split end Ken Higgins with 621 receiving yards, and placekicker Mike Gillette with 59 points scored.[4] Three Michigan players received first-team honors on the 1986 All-America college football team: Garland Rivers at defensive back (consensus), Harbaugh at quarterback (Football News), and offensive tackle Jumbo Elliott (AFCA). Seven Michigan players received first-team honors on the 1986 All-Big Ten Conference football team.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 13 | 3:30 p.m. | at Notre Dame* | No. 3 | ABC | W 24–23 | 59,075 | |
| September 20 | 1:00 p.m. | Oregon State* | No. 3 | PASS | W 31–12 | 104,748 | |
| September 27 | 12:30 p.m. | No. 20 Florida State* | No. 5 |
| WTBS | W 20–18 | 105,507 |
| October 4 | 7:00 p.m. | at Wisconsin | No. 4 | WTBS | W 34–17 | 75,898 | |
| October 11 | 2:30 p.m. | Michigan State | No. 4 |
| CBS | W 27–6 | 106,141 |
| October 18 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 8 Iowa | No. 4 |
| CBS | W 20–17 | 105,879 |
| October 25 | 2:00 p.m. | at Indiana | No. 4 | W 38–14 | 36,964 | ||
| November 1 | 1:00 p.m. | Illinois | No. 3 |
| PASS | W 69–13 | 104,122 |
| November 8 | 1:30 p.m. | at Purdue | No. 3 | W 31–7 | 61,323 | ||
| November 15 | 1:00 p.m. | Minnesota | No. 2 |
| PASS | L 17–20 | 104,864 |
| November 22 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 7 Ohio State | No. 6 | CBS | W 26–24 | 90,674 | |
| December 6 | 8:00 p.m. | at Hawaii* | No. 4 | ESPN | W 27–10 | 42,735 | |
| January 1, 1987 | 5:00 p.m. | vs. No. 7 Arizona State* | No. 4 | NBC | L 15–22 | 103,168 | |
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Season summary
Preseason
The 1985 Michigan Wolverines football team compiled a 10–1–1 record and was ranked No. 2 in the final AP and UPI polls.[5] Sixteen starters returned from the 1985 team, including quarterback Jim Harbaugh, running backs Jamie Morris and Gerald White, offensive guard Mark Hammerstein, left tackle Jumbo Elliott, defensive tackle Mark Messner, linebacker Andy Moeller, and cornerback Garland Rivers.[6] Starters who did not return to the team in 1986 included most valuable player Mike Hammerstein, defensive back Brad Cochran, and linebacker Mike Mallory.
Prior to the 1986, there was also turnover in Michigan's coaching staff. Linebacker coach Milan Vooletich took an assistant coaching position at Rice, and receiver coach Bob Thornbladh left for a private business job in Florida.[6] Former NC State head coach Tom Reed replaced Vooletich as linebacker coach.[7] Cam Cameron and Bill Harris were hired to coach tight ends and wide receivers.[8]
Michigan's 1986 recruiting class included running backs Tony Boles, Jarrod Bunch, Leroy Hoard, and David Key (later converted to defensive back), wide receivers Greg McMurtry and Chris Calloway, tight end Tom Dohring (later converted to offensive tackle), fullback Mike Teeter (later converted to linebacker), defensive tackle Warde Manuel, and free safety Vada Murray.[9]
Notre Dame
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On September 13, 1986, Michigan, ranked No. 3 in the preseason AP and UPI polls, defeated unranked Notre Dame, 24–23, before a crowd of 59,075 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The game was the first for Lou Holtz as Notre Dame's head coach.
On the game's opening possession, Michigan mounted a six-and-a-half-minute drive to the Notre Dame 25-yard line, but Pat Moons missed a 42-yard field goal. After Michigan's touchdown, Notre Dame drove 75 yards on 13 plays, capped by a three-yard touchdown run by flanker Tim Brown. On its second possession, Michigan followed with an 80-yard, eight-play drive, fueled by a 34-yard catch by John Kolesar, and capped by an eight-yard touchdown run by Jamie Morris.[10][11]
On Notre Dame's second possession, the Irish again drove downfield, but Reggie Ward fumbled at Michigan's six-yard line, and Michigan recovered the loose ball. Notre Dame's defense held, and Michigan was forced to punt from its own end zone. Monte Robbins' punt was good for only 23 yards, and Notre Dame took over at Michigan's 26-yard line. Eight plays later, Mark Green scored on a one-yard run. After Green's touchdown, Jim Harbaugh led the Wolverines on a seven-minute, 75-yard, 13-play drive, and Pat Moons kicked a 23-yard field goal. Notre Dame led, 14–10, at halftime.[10][11]
Michigan moved ahead in the third quarter. On the opening drive of the second half, Harbaugh led the Wolverines on a 78-yard, 12-play drive ending with a one-yard touchdown run by Morris. On the kickoff following the touchdown, the kick hit a Notre Dame player and bounced loose with free safety Doug Mallory recovering the ball at the Notre Dame 27-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Harbaugh threw a touchdown pass to Morris, and Michigan led 24-14.[10][11]
On its next possession, Steve Beuerlein led the Irish on a 66-yard, 12-play touchdown drive ending with a two-yard pass from Beuerlein to Joel Williams. John Carney's extra point kick failed, and Michigan led, 24-20, at the end of the third quarter.[10][11]
In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame drove 62 yards in 10 plays, and a 25-yard field goal by John Carney brought the Irish within one point with 4:26 remaining in the game. Then, with 1:33 remaining in the game, Michigan fullback Bob Perryman fumbled at the Notre Dame 26-yard line, and Notre Dame linebacker Wesley Pritchett recovered the loose ball. Beuerlein quickly led the Irish to Michigan's 28-yard line. With 13 seconds remaining, Carney's 45-yard field goal attempt went wide to the left.[10][11]
Notre Dame out-gained Michigan, 455 yards to 393 yards. For the Irish, Steve Beuerlein completed 21 of 33 passes for 263 yards, at touchdown, and an interception, and Tim Brown rushed for 65 yards on 12 carries. For the Wolverines, Harbaugh completed 15 of 23 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown, Kolesar caught four passes for 93 yards, and Morris rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Michigan forced four turnovers, including two fumble recoveries by Doug Mallory and a fourth-quarter interception by David Arnold in the end zone. Andy Moeller led the Michigan defense with seven solo tackles and six assists.[10][11]
Oregon State
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On September 20, 1986, Michigan defeated Oregon State, 31–12, before a crowd of 104,748 at Michigan Stadium.
On the opening drive of the game, Oregon State mounted a 66-yard, 11-play drive, mostly on passing, and took the lead on a 34-yard field goal. On Michigan's first possession, Michigan started at the 41-yard line after a 29-yard kick return by Jamie Morris. Jim Harbaugh led a 59-yard, six-play touchdown drive capped by a 10-yard pass from Harbaugh to Gerald White. Breen kicked a 47-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter to narrow Michigan's lead to 7-6.
In the second quarter, Michigan extended the lead to 14-6 on a 72-yard, 13-play drive capped by Gerald White's one-yard touchdown run. Oregon State then narrowed the lead to 14-12 with eight second left in the half on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Erik Wilhelm to Damon Medlock.[12][13]
Michigan scored twice in the fourth quarter, first on a 22-yard touchdown run by Harbaugh and then on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Harbaugh to John Kolesar.[12][13]
Michigan out-gained Oregon State by 360 yards to 320 yards. For the Wolverines, Harbaugh completed 14 of 18 passes for 171 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, Morris rushed for 140 yards on 20 carries, and Ken Higgins caught four passes for 72 yards. For Oregon State, Wilhelm completed 39 of 64 passes for 339 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and Dave Montagne caught 10 passes for 117 yards. Oregon State's offense was all in the air, as Michigan's defense held the Beavers to minus 19 rushing yards on 16 attempts.[12][13]
Florida State
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On September 27, 1986, Michigan defeated Florida State, 20–18, before a homecoming crowd of 105,507 at Michigan Stadium. It was the first game ever played between Michigan and Florida State football programs.
Michigan out-gained Florida State by 332 yards to 285 yards. For the Wolverines, Jim Harbaugh completed nine of 16 passes for 122 yards, and Jamie Morris rushed for 99 yards on 19 carries. For the Seminoles, Chip Ferguson completed six of 19 passes for 73 yards, and Sammie Smith rushed for 75 yards on 13 carries. Michigan's defense recovered a fumble and intercepted three passes, including three by Ivan Hicks.[14][15]
Wisconsin
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On October 4, 1986, Michigan defeated Wisconsin, 34–17, before a crowd of 75,898 spectators at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. It was the first night game ever played at Camp Randall. The victory was the 200th victory for Bo Schembechler as a head coach.
Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh broke Michigan's single-game passing yardage record with 310 passing yards, exceeding the record of 283 yards that he set against Indiana in 1985. Split end Ken Higgins caught eight passes for 165 yards. Michigan's defense held the Badgers to 49 rushing yards and came up with four turnovers, including three interceptions by Andy Moeller and a fumble recovery by J.J. Grant.[16][17]
Michigan State
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On October 11, 1986, Michigan defeated Michigan State, 27–6, at Michigan Stadium. The crowd of 106,141 was the second largest up to that date in college football history – only 14 spectators shy of the all-time record set at the 1979 Michigan–Ohio State game.[18]
Michigan out-gained Michigan State by 380 yards to 193 yards. For the Wolverines, Jim Harbaugh completed 14 of 22 passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, and Thomas Wilcher rushed for 74 yards on 16 carries. For the Spartans, Dave Yarema completed 13 of 22 passes for 139 yards, and Craig Johnson rushed for 81 yards on 20 carries. The defense sacked Yarema six times and held the Spartans to 54 rushing yards. Andy Moeller led Michigan with nine solo tackles and four assists.[18][19]
Iowa
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On October 18, 1986, Michigan defeated Iowa, 20–17, before a crowd of 105,879 at Michigan Stadium. One year earlier, Iowa placekicker Rob Houghtlin kicked a field goal as time expired to beat the Wolverines. In the 1986 match, the tables were turned as Michigan placekicker Mike Gillette kicked a game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired. Jim Harbaugh completed 17 of 28 passes for 225 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Jamie Morris rushed for 68 yards on 16 carries and also caught six passes for 57 yards.[20][21]