1991 Michigan Wolverines football team

The 1991 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team's head coach was Gary Moeller. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium. The team was undefeated in the Big Ten Conference and was led by Heisman Trophy-winner Desmond Howard, Butkus Award-winner Erick Anderson and national statistical champion Elvis Grbac. The team won the fourth of five consecutive Big Ten championships.[1] The team lost to national champion Washington Huskies in the 1992 Rose Bowl.[2]

1991 Michigan Wolverines football
Big Ten champion
Rose Bowl, L 14–34 vs. Washington
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 6
AP	No. 6
1991 record	10–2 (8–0 Big Ten)
Head coach	Gary Moeller (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Lloyd Carr (5th season)
MVP	Desmond Howard
Captains	Erick Anderson Greg Skrepenak
Home stadium	Michigan Stadium (Capacity: 101,701)

1991 Big Ten Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 6 Michigan $	8	–	0	–	0			10	–	2	–	0
No. 10 Iowa	7	–	1	–	0			10	–	1	–	1
Ohio State	5	–	3	–	0			8	–	4	–	0
Indiana	5	–	3	–	0			7	–	4	–	1
Illinois	4	–	4	–	0			6	–	6	–	0
Purdue	3	–	5	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Michigan State	3	–	5	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
Wisconsin	2	–	6	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Northwestern	2	–	6	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
Minnesota	1	–	7	–	0			2	–	9	–	0
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 7	3:30 p.m.	at Boston College*	No. 2	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA	ABC	W 35–13	32,071
September 14	3:30 p.m.	No. 7 Notre Dame*	No. 3	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)	ABC	W 24–14	106,138
September 28	12:00 p.m.	No. 1 Florida State*	No. 3	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI	ABC	L 31–51	106,145
October 5	3:30 p.m.	at No. 9 Iowa	No. 7	Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA	ABC	W 43–24	70,220
October 12	3:30 p.m.	at Michigan State	No. 5	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI (Paul Bunyan Trophy)	ABC	W 45–28	80,157
October 19	12:30 p.m.	Indiana	No. 4	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI	ESPN	W 24–16	106,097
October 25	8:00 p.m.	at Minnesota	No. 4	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN (Little Brown Jug)		W 52–6	32,577
November 2	12:30 p.m.	Purdue	No. 4	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI	ESPN	W 42–0	105,401
November 9	1:00 p.m.	Northwestern	No. 4	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI		W 59–14	102,087
November 16	3:30 p.m.	at No. 25 Illinois	No. 4	Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL	ABC	W 20–0	66,757
November 23	12:00 p.m.	No. 18 Ohio State	No. 4	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)	ABC	W 31–3	106,156
January 1, 1992	4:30 p.m.	vs. No. 2 Washington*	No. 4	Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA (Rose Bowl)	ABC	L 14–34	103,566
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Roster

1991 Michigan Wolverines football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 1 Derrick Alexander  Jr WR 18 Matt Brady Jr G 68 Joe Cocozzo Jr QB 10 Todd Collins Fr G 69 Matt Elliott Sr C 51 Steve Everitt Sr QB 15 Elvis Grbac Sr WR 21 Desmond Howard Sr TE 88 Tony McGee Jr RB 12 Ricky Powers So T 75 Greg Skrepenak Sr RB 6 Tyrone Wheatley Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class LB 31 Erick Anderson Sr DT 97 Chris Hutchinson Sr S 20 Corwin Brown Sr LB 36 Steve Morrison So OLB 99 Randy Stark Sr OLB 51 William Steuk Jr OLB 85 Charlie Stumb So	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 38 J. D. Carlson Sr	Head coach Gary Moeller Coordinators/assistant coaches Lloyd Carr – Defensive coordinator Cam Cameron – Quarterbacks/Wide receivers Les Miles – Offensive line Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Coaching staff

• Head coach: Gary Moeller
• Assistant coaches: Tirrel Burton, Cam Cameron, Lloyd Carr, Jerry Hanlon, Bill Harris, Jim Herrmann, Les Miles, Bobby Morrison, Tom Reed
• Trainer: Paul Schmidt
• Managers: Brian Bickner, Scott Hanel, David Henderson, Marc Jacobson, Andy Riegler, Dave Schueler, Lance Satterthwaite, Mark Vainisi, Michael Weiskopf

Rankings

Further information: 1991 NCAA Division I-A football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	2 (5)	2 (1)	3 (1)	3 (1)	3 (1)	7	5	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	6
Coaches	3 (6)	3 (6)	4 (3)	3 (4)	3 (4)	9	6	4	4	4	4	4	3	3	3	6

Statistical achievements

Desmond Howard surpassed Anthony Carter's 11-year-old conference single-season record of 14 touchdown receptions by totaling 19, which continues to be the conference record.[3] During the season, he extended his consecutive games with a touchdown reception streak to 13 games, surpassing Carter's 9, set in 1980, a record that still stands.[4] J. D. Carlson established the current Big Ten record for consecutive successful point after touchdown conversions at 126.[5]

Grbac won the first of his back-to-back passing efficiency NCAA Division I FBS championships.[6] He also won his second of three consecutive Big Ten passing statistical championships (177.8 passing efficiency in conference games and 161.7 in all games).[7] Desmond Howard was the repeat Big Ten receiving yardage champion for all games with 82.1 yards per game and he won his only conference games yardage championship with a 90.1 average.[8] Howard was also the scoring champion with an 11.3 points per game average in conference games and an 11.5 average overall.[9]

The team led the Big Ten in rushing offense both in conference games (264.6 yards per game) and all games (231.9 yards per game).[10] They also led in passing efficiency for both conference games (166.5) and all games (154.7).[10] They were the conference leader in total offense both for conference games (453.6 yards per game) and all games (419.8 yards per game).[11] They were also the Big Ten scoring statistical champions for conference games (39.5 points per game) and all games (35.0 points per game).[11]

The team earned the second of four consecutive and six 1990s Big Ten rushing defense statistical championships for all games by holding opponents to 105.4 yards per game.[11] The team also earned the first of five consecutive and six 1990s Big Ten rushing defense statistical championships for conference games by holding opponents to 102.0 yards per game.[11] The team led the Big Ten Conference in scoring defense for conference games (11.4 points per game), while Iowa led for all games.[12] They led the conference in turnover margin (+1.13) in conference games and (+0.92) in all games.[12] They led the conference in punt return average in conference games (16.3 yards per return) and all games (14.7).[13]

Grbac posted his second (a school record that he would later extend) and the school's fifth 4-touchdown performance against Florida State on August 28. His season total of 25 touchdown passes surpassed his own school record of 21 set the prior year. His junior year total of 54 touchdown passes set a new school record, eclipsing Rick Leach's total of 48 set in 1978. He also tied Jim Harbaugh's 1986 single-season completion percentage record of 65.0, which was surpassed the following year by Todd Collins. On September 14, his 20–22 performance against Notre Dame established the current single-game completion percentage, eclipsing his own September 16, 1989 17–21 performance against Notre Dame.[14] On September 7, Howard became the third Michigan receiver to post a 3-touchdown reception performance and on October 19, he became the first two do so twice (a feat later matched by David Terrell and Braylon Edwards). The following season Derrick Alexander would become the only Wolverine to post a 4-touchdown reception performance. Howard also tied Carter's record of three consecutive 100-yard receiving games, a record tied by Marcus Knight in 1999 and eclipsed by Edwards in 2003 who posted four.[4]

Game summaries

Boston College

See also: 1991 Boston College Eagles football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
First meeting

Derrick Alexander tears ACL on a punt return and is lost for the season.

Notre Dame

1 2 3 4 Total No. 7 Fighting Irish 0 7 7 0 14 • No. 3 Wolverines 3 14 0 7 24 Date: September 14 Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI

Scoring summary 1 MICH Carlson 23 yard field goal MICH 3–0 2 MICH Howard 29 yard run (Carlson kick) MICH 10–0 2 MICH Powers 16 yard run (Carlson kick) MICH 17–0 2 ND Bettis 3 yard pass from Mirer (Hentrich kick) MICH 17–7 3 ND T. Smith 35 yard pass from Mirer (Hentrich kick) MICH 17–14 4 MICH Howard 25 yard pass from Grbac (Carlson kick) MICH 24–14

See also: 1991 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
13–9	1990	L 24–28

• Desmond Howard - "The Catch"[15]

Florida State

Florida State at Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total • No. 1 Seminoles 19 12 6 14 51 No. 3 Wolverines 10 13 0 8 31 Date: September 28 Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI Game attendance: 106,145 Television network: ABC

See also: 1991 Florida State Seminoles football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
1–0	1986	W 20–18

Iowa

Michigan at Iowa

1 2 3 4 Total • No. 7 Wolverines 7 12 7 17 43 No. 9 Hawkeyes 0 18 0 6 24 Date: October 5 Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA Game start: 2:30PM CDT Game attendance: 70,220

Scoring summary 1 8:26 Mich 21-yard blocked punt return (Carlson kick) Michigan 7–0 2 14:31 Iowa Montgomery 1-yard run (Skillett kick failed) Michigan 7–6 2 12:35 Iowa Matt Rodgers 8-yard run (Pass failed) Iowa 12–7 2 6:16 Iowa Danan Hughes 17-yard pass from Matt Rodgers (Run failed) Iowa 18–7 2 3:21 Mich Powers 2-yard run (Pass failed) Iowa 18–13 2 0:31 Mich J. Johnson 28-yard pass from E. Grbac (Pass failed) Michigan 19–18 3 8:25 Mich D. Howard 20-yard pass from E. Grbac (Carlson kick) Michigan 26–18 4 13:47 Mich D. Howard 2-yard pass from E. Grbac (Carlson kick) Michigan 33–18 4 9:39 Mich Carlson 25-yard field goal Michigan 36–18 4 6:52 Iowa Matt Rodgers 8-yard run (Pass failed) Michigan 36–24 4 0:34 Mich J. Johnson 17-yard run (Carlson kick) Michigan 43–24

See also: 1991 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
30–8–4	1990	L 23–24

Ohio State

See also: 1991 Ohio State Buckeyes football team and The Game (Michigan–Ohio State)

vs. Washington (Rose Bowl)

Washington vs. Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total • No. 2 Huskies 0 13 8 13 34 No. 4 Wolverines 0 7 0 7 14 Date: January 1 Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California Game start: 1:45 pm PDT Game attendance: 103,566 Referee: Jimmy Harper (SEC) TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson and Bob Griese

Scoring summary Q2 14:57 UW Billy Joe Hobert 2 yard run (Travis Hanson kick) UW 7–0 Q2 13:09 UM Walter Smith 9 yard pass from Elvis Grbac (J.D. Carlson kick) 7–7 Q2 6:52 UW Travis Hanson 24 yard field goal UW 10-7 Q2 3:29 UW Travis Hanson 23 yard field goal UW 13-7 Q3 5:27 UW Mark Bruener 5 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (Aaron Pierce 3 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert) UW 21–7 Q4 14:21 UW Aaron Pierce 2 yard pass from Billy Joe Hobert (kick failed) UW 27–7 Q4 13:12 UW Mario Bailey 38 pass from Mark Brunell (Travis Hanson kick) UW 34–7 Q4 10:34 UM Tyrone Wheatley 53 yard run (J.D. Carlson kick) UW 34-14

Main article: 1992 Rose Bowl

See also: 1991 Washington Huskies football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
5–3	1984	L 11–20

Players in the NFL

The following players were claimed in the 1992 NFL Draft.

Player	Position	Round	Pick	NFL Team
Desmond Howard	Wide Receiver	1	4	Washington Redskins
Greg Skrepenak	Tackle	2	32	Los Angeles Raiders
Mike Evans	DT	4	101	Kansas City Chiefs
Erick Anderson	Linebacker	7	186	Kansas City Chiefs
Brian Townsend	Linebacker	11	181	Los Angeles Rams
Matt Elliott	Center	12	336	Washington Redskins

[16]

Awards and honors

The individuals in the sections below earned recognition for meritorious performances.[17][18]

National

• All-Americans: Erick Anderson, Desmond Howard, Matt Elliott, Greg Skrepenak
• Butkus Award: Erick Anderson
• Jack Lambert Trophy: Anderson
• Heisman Trophy: Desmond Howard
• Walter Camp Award: Desmond Howard
• Maxwell Award: Desmond Howard
• Sporting News College Football Player of the Year: Howard
• UPI College Football Player of the Year: Howard
• Chic Harley Award: Howard
• Paul Warfield Trophy: Howard
• Jim Parker Trophy: Skrepenak

Conference

• Big Ten Football MVP: Desmond Howard
• Big Ten Athlete of the Year (all sports): Howard
• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year: Howard
• Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year: Skrepenak
• Big Ten Dave McClain Coach of the Year: Gary Moeller (media)
• All-Conference: J.D. Carlson, Dean Dingman, Tripp Welborne, Jon Vaughn, Greg Skrepenak, Desmond Howard, Erick Anderson, Matt Elliott, Mike Evans, Ricky Powers, Elvis Grbac, Chris Hutchinson

Team

• Captain: Erick Anderson, Greg Skrepenak
• Most Valuable Player: Desmond Howard
• Meyer Morton Award: Desmond Howard
• John Maulbetsch Award: Steve Morrison
• Frederick Matthei Award: Steve Morrison
• Arthur Robinson Scholarship Award: David Ritter
• Dick Katcher Award: Mike Evans
• Hugh Rader Jr. Award: Greg Skrepenak
• Robert P. Ufer Award: Matt Elliot
• Roger Zatkoff Award: Erick Anderson

References

1. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2009. p. 68. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
2. "2009 Division I Football Records Book: Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Records" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. p. 84. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
3. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2010. p. 39. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
4. "Record Book" (PDF). CBS Interactive. January 5, 2009. pp. 124–125. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
5. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2010. p. 40. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
6. "2009 Division I Football Records Book: Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Records" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. p. 43. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
7. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2010. pp. 51–2. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
8. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2010. p. 53. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
9. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2010. pp. 53–4. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
10. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2010. p. 55. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
11. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2010. p. 56. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
12. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2010. p. 58. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
13. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. January 5, 2010. p. 59. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
14. "Record Book" (PDF). CBS Interactive. January 5, 2009. pp. 120–123. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
15. Gainesville Sunday November 15, 1991
16. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1992.htm
17. "1991 Football Team". The Regents of the University of Michigan. April 9, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
18. "Big Ten Conference Football Full Media Guide". CBS Interactive/Big Ten Conference. July 5, 2010. pp. 70–82. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

External links

• 1991 Football Team -- Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan Athletics History