RUSH OFFENSE vs. OKLAHOMA RUSH DEFENSE Michigan got a breakout game from Alabama transfer RB Justice Haynes last week (16 carries, 159 yards, 3 touchdowns), all of which were also career highs for him. It was a bright spot, but it was really the only bright spot of the runners as #2 running back Jordan Marshall (11 carries, 29 yards) struggled to find space and QB Bryce Underwood didn’t run at all. The offensive line played fairly well overall, helped out by tight ends Marlin Klein and Max Bredeson in the run game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Michigan work in a couple designed runs for Underwood this week. Oklahoma allowed 83 yards on 13 carries in the first half against Illinois State last week before shoring things up in the second half, allowing 13 carries for just 34 yards after intermission. Was it because Oklahoma made adjustments, or did the Redbirds just run out of gas? The defensive line is supposedly one of the better ones in the SEC and they’re all seniors, including DE Marvin Jones, Jr. (6’5″, 262), who’s the son of former FSU and NFL linebacker Marvin Jones, and TCU transfer DT Damonic Williams (6’1″, 323), who played against Michigan back in 2022 as a Horned Frog. DE R Mason Thomas (6’2″, 249) led the team last year with 12.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. As strong as the defensive line is, the top four tacklers last week were linebackers, led by junior Sammy Omosigho (6’1″, 235). Advantage: Michigan
Bo Schembechler and Barry Switzer (image via Dr. Sap on X)
Michigan and Oklahoma have only played football against each other one time, and it was a 14-6 loss to the Sooners in the Orange Bowl at the end of the 1975 season (technically January 1, 1976).
On January 1, 1976, Michigan lost to Oklahoma, 14–6, before a crowd of 80,307 in the 1976 Orange Bowl game at the Miami Orange Bowl. It was Michigan’s first appearance in a bowl game since the 1972 Rose Bowl.
Oklahoma went ahead 7–0 in the second quarter on a 39-yard end around by Billy Brooks. The Sooners extended their lead to 14–0 in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard touchdown run by Steve Davis. Later in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma fumbled, and Michigan linebacker Dave Devich recovered the loose ball at Oklahoma’s two-yard line. From there, Gordon Bell then ran for a touchdown, but Michigan’s attempt at a two-point conversion failed.
Oklahoma out-gained Michigan by 345 yards to 202 yards. Michigan had difficulty moving the ball against an Oklahoma defense led by Lee Roy Selmon, Dewey Selmon, and Jimbo Elrod. In the second quarter, Rick Leach took a shot to the head from Oklahoma defensive back Jerry Anderson. Leach was “knocked dizzy” and did not return to the game until the fourth quarter. Coach Schembechler argued for a penalty, but none was called, and Anderson defended the hit: “I just clotheslined him real good. . . . I didn’t think it was no cheap shot. It was what you call a kayo.”
Leach ended up with 62 rushing yards on 13 carries, but completed only two of 16 passes for 33 yards and threw two interceptions. Michigan did not complete a pass until the final minute of the game. Gordon Bell was held to 53 yards on 18 carries, and Rob Lytle gained only 32 yards on 10 carries.
For Oklahoma, quarterback Steve Davis completed three of five passes for 63 yards, Joe Washington rushed for 73 yards on 17 carries, and Tinker Owens caught three passes for 63 yards.
Michigan’s lone score came on a 2-yard run by Gordie Bell after the Wolverines recovered a fumble. There’s not much to go on from 50 years ago, but here’s a look the “biggest” plays from that game for Michigan:
Rob Lytle 25-yard kickoff return (1975)
Gordie Bell 20-yard kickoff return (1975)
Rick Leach 17-yard pass to Gordie Bell (1975)
Rick Leach 16-yard run (1975)
Rick Leach 16-yard pass to Keith Johnson (1975)
Jim Smith 14-yard run (1975)
Gordie Bell 11-yard run (1975)
Rob Lytle 7-yard run (1975)
If you’re so inclined, you can watch the full game here:
