Michigan Defensive Line

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE LINE

Lou Esposito replaced Mike Elston/Shaun Nua replaced Greg Mattison; Mike Elston replaced Shaun Nua. Other Defensive Line Coaches in Michigan Football History include: Mark Smith, Jerry Montgomery, Bruce Tall, Steve Stripling, Bill Sheridan, Brady Hoke, Tom Reed, Jerry Meter, Tim Davis, Milan Vooletich, Bill McCartney (DE), Frank Maloney, Dennis Fitzgerald, Bob Hollway, Jocko Nelson, J.T. White, Jack Blott, Butch Jordan, Biggie Munn, Hunk Anderson, Frank Cappon, Cliff Keen, Harvey Emery, Ernie Vick, Elton "Tad" Wieman, Ernie Allmendinger, Prentiss Douglass, Miller Pontius, Germany Schulz, William "King" Cole, Curtis Redden, Roy Beechler, Forrest Hall, Clayton Teetzel, Leigh Turner, Dan McGugin, Bennie Owen, Fred Henninger, Harry Hadden, William Malley, etc.

Year	Sacks
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004	31 39 37 34 9 34 34 42 45 32 30 25 22 30 18 21 29 32 42 24 21
2003	29
2002	42
2001	50
2000	21
1999	29
1998 1997	37 42

Over the last 64 years since 1960, the Michigan football program has had a tremendous reputation for offensive linemen; the opposite is true on the other side of the football. Our defensive linemen have been traditionally linebackers who have been "beefed up" from 220-230 lbs. when they arrive to 260 to 280 lbs. after Mike Gittelson, Mike Barwis, Aaron Wellman, Kevin Tolbert and Ben Herbert help their appetites in an effort increase their body size. There are many examples, but recent ones include Ben Mason, Carlo Kemp, Craig Roh, Brennan Beyer, and Chase Winovich. We have used an "angle" scheme with our lineman which smart offensive lines learn how to defeat. It is no mistake that some of our best teams in the modern era (since Bo in 1969) had great defensive linemen; for example, in 1997, Glenn Steele, in 1986, Mark Messner, late 1970s, Curtis Greer, 1971-74, Dave Gallagher, Greg Morton, etc. Here are some facts about our defensive line and its history:

History of Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle/Middle Guard position on the Michigan Football team

All-American Defensive Tackles at Michigan (13): Bill Yearby, Henry Hill, Dave Gallagher, Curtis Greer, Mike Hammerstein, Mark Messner, Chris Hutchinson, Jason Horn, Will Carr, Glen Steele, Bob Renes, Alan Branch and Maurice Hurst

Academic All-American: Bob Renes
2nd Team: Chris Hutchinson

Outland Trophy: Aidan Hutchinson (2021), Olu Oluwatimi (2022)

Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award: Lamarr Woodley (2006) and Aidan Hutchinson (2021)
Finalist: Mark Messner
Semi-Finalist: Bob Renes

Big Ten Linemen of the Year: Mike Hammerstein (1985), Mark Messner (1988), Chris Hutchinson (1992), Lamarr Woodley (2006), Aidan Hutchinson (2021) and Mike Morris (2022)

All Big Ten (41): Tom Keating, Joe O'Donnell, Bill Yearby, Tom Cecchini, Tom Mack, Don Bailey, Tom Goss, Pete Newell, Henry Hill, Fred Grambeau, Dave Gallagher, Jeff Perlinger, Tim Davis, Greg Morton, Curtis Greer, Mike Trgovac, Kevin Brooks, Al Sincich, Mark Messner, Mike Evans, Chris Hutchinson, Buster Stanley, Jason Horn, Will Carr, Glen Steele, Bob Renes, Gabe Watson, Lamarr Woodley, Brandon Graham, Alan Branch, Mike Martin, Chris Wormley, Taco Charlton, Maurice Hurst, Rashan Gary, Chase Winovich, David Ojabo, Aidan Hutchinson, Mazi Smith and Mike Morris

Academic All-Big Ten (12): John Anderson, Joe Dayton, Juaquin Feazell, Jake Frysinger, Dave Gallagher, Chris Hutchinson, Bill Keating, Dale Keitz, John Marcum, Joe O'Donnell, Bob Renes and Phil Seymour

Big Ten Medal of Honor: Dave Gallagher and Bob Renes

Elected Captains (20): Bob Brown, Joe O'Donnell, Tom Cecchini, Henry Hill, Dave Gallagher, Mark Messner, Chris Hutchinson, Juaquin Feazell, Bob Renes, Eric Wilson, Grant Bowman, Pat Massey, Lamarr Woodley, Brandon Graham, Mike Martin, Chris Wormley, Carlo Kemp, Aidan Hutchinson, Mazi Smith (Chase Winovich-1 game), and Kris Jenkins

Most Starts: Craig Roh 51 (not all on DL, some at LB), Mark Messner 49, Bob Renes, Glen Steele, Mike Martin, and Al Sincich 37, Billy Harris 35, Greg Morton and Josh Williams 34, Buster Stanley, Chris Hutchinson, Curtis Greer and Dale Keitz 33, Pat Massey 32

Michigan Linemen drafted by the Pros (seriously) and/or played in the NFL (30): Tom Keating, Arnie Simkus, Joe O'Donnell, Tom Mack, Bill Yearby, Dave Porter, Cecil Pryor, Tom Beckman, Fred Grambeau, Dave Gallagher, Doug Troszak, Walt Williamson, Greg Morton, John Hennessy, Curtis Greer, Kevin Brooks, Mike Hammerstein, Mark Messner, Brent White, Mike Evans, Will Carr, Ben Huff, Glen Steele, Josh Williams, Bob Renes (even Mark Messner was converted to a linebacker in the pros by the Los Angeles Rams), Alan Branch, Mike Martin, Willie Henry, Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley, and Rashan Gary Mark Messner Tribute

The only 1st round draft picks were Bill Yearby in 1966, Dave Gallagher in 1974, Curtis Greer in 1980 and Kevin Brooks in 1985-Will Senior Bowl MVP Brandon Graham become a 1st Rounder in May, 2010

All Pro Defensive Lineman: Tom Keating 1964-75; All Pro-1966-67

Leading Single Game Tackles at Michigan

M Player	Tackles	Opponent	Year
O'Neal, Calvin	24	Purdue	1976
Stincic, Tom	23	Ohio State	1968
Morrison, Steve	23	Illinois	1992
Morgan, Dennis	21	North Carolina	1966
O'Neal, Calvin	21	Baylor	1975
Nunley, Frank	20	Northwestern	1966
Simpkins, Ron	20	Ohio State	1977
Girgash, Paul	19	Illinois	1982
Moeller, Andy	19	Illinois	1985
Mallory, Mike	19	Purdue	1984
Taylor, Mike	18	Ohio State	1970
Boren, Mike	18	Navy	1981
Boren, Mike	18	UCLA	1982
Anderson, Tim	18	Purdue	1984
Rivers, Garland	18	BYU	1984
Bishop, Al	18	Alabama	1987
Seymour, Phil	17	California	1968
Simpkins, Ron	17	Ohio State	1979
Boren, Mike	17	Illinois	1982
Boren, Mike	17	Michigan State	1982
Mallory, Mike	17	Iowa	1985
Bishop, Al	17	Minnesota	1987
Anderson, Erick	17	Ohio State	1991
Simpkins, Ron	16	Washington	1977
Simpkins, Ron	16	Arizona	1978
Simpkins, Ron	16	Michigan State	1978
Cannavino, Andy	16	Ohio State	1979
Irons, Jarrett	16	Colorado	1994
Irons, Jarrett	16	Ohio State	1996

2024 Defensive Statistics

Defensive Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	3rd	2nd
Passing	65th	11th
Total	15th	6th
Scoring	25th	8th
Pass Efficiency	48th	9th
Sacks	31st	5th
Tackles for Loss	45th	6th
Turnover Margin	90th	14th
Turnovers Gained	82nd	12th
First Downs	25th	8th
3rd Down Conversions	93rd	13th
Red Zone	28th	4th

2023 Defensive Statistics

Defensive Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	5th	2nd
Passing	2nd	2nd
Total	2nd	2nd
Scoring	1st	1st
Pass Efficiency	6th	3rd
Sacks	38th	5th
Tackles for Loss	65th	6th
Turnover Margin	2nd	2nd
Turnovers Gained	7th	1st
First Downs	2nd	2nd
3rd Down Conversions	15th	3rd
Red Zone	4th	1st

2022 Defensive Statistics

Defensive Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	3rd	1st
Passing	11th	4th
Total	2nd	1st
Scoring	3rd	2nd
Pass Efficiency	3rd	3rd
Sacks	28th	2nd
Tackles for Loss	85th	8th
Turnover Margin	28th	2nd
Turnovers Gained	105th	13th
First Downs	4th	1st
3rd Down Conversions	12th	3rd
Red Zone	28th	5th

2021 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	22nd	6th
Passing	23rd	4th
Total	14th	4th
Scoring	8th	3rd
Pass Efficiency	17th	5th
Sacks	33rd	3rd
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	70th 28th 73rd	6th 4th 10th
First Downs	15th	3rd
3rd Down Conversions	20th	3rd
Red Zone	81st	12th

2020 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	77th	9th
Passing	78th	13th
Total	78th	10th
Scoring	92nd	13th
Pass Efficiency	71st	9th
Sacks	98th	11th
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	113th 78th 100th	13th 9th 10th
First Downs	50th	13th
3rd Down Conversions	107th	12th
Red Zone	114th	13th

2019 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	23rd	5th
Passing	5th	2nd
Total	8th	3rd
Scoring	21st	5th
Pass Efficiency	30th	5th
Sacks	14th	4th
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	55th 49th 28th	8th 7th 5th
First Downs	19th	4th
3rd Down Conversions	18th	3rd
Red Zone	28th	4th

2018 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	23rd	3rd
Passing	2nd	1st
Total	3rd	1st
Scoring	16th	3rd
Pass Efficiency	7th	1st
Sacks	34th	4th
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	33rd 34th 89th	3rd 6th 12th
First Downs	6th	1st
3rd Down Conversions	22nd	4th
Red Zone	128th	14th

2017 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	18th	6th
Passing	1st	1st
Total	3rd	2nd
Scoring	13th	3rd
Pass Efficiency	4th	2nd
Sacks	7th	1st
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	3rd 81st 90th	1st 10th 10th
First Downs	3rd	1st
3rd Down Conversions	1st	1st
Red Zone	64th	7th

2016 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	15th	3rd
Passing	1st	1st
Total	2nd	1st
Scoring	2nd	3rd
Pass Efficiency	2nd	2nd
Sacks	4th	1st
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	2nd 24th 67th	1st 5th 8th
First Downs	1st	1st
3rd Down Conversions	1st	1st
Red Zone	3rd	1st

Our defensive line in 2015 has been outstanding, and had three shutouts in a row for the first time since 1980. Chris Wormley, Maurice Hurst and Ryan Glasgow all really had good years, and the unfortunate injuries to Ojemudia and Glasgow really hurt.

2015 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank Nationally	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	16th	5th
Passing	3rd	1st
Total	4th	2nd
Scoring	6th	3rd
Pass Efficiency	1st	1st
Sacks	35th	5th
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	42nd 92nd 117th	4th 12th 14th
First Downs	12th	3rd
3rd Down Conversions	4th	1st
Red Zone	37th	9th

In 2011-2014, we improved from the 2008-2010 teams under the leadership and coaching of Greg Mattison. One thought that the addition of Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison would improve the defensive line, but it has not. We are not a "tough" football team defensively, and it shows in the red zone and when we need a big stop. Greg Mattison's own words about a great defense said that they are measured in 3rd down conversions, red zone, and turnovers gained, and we came up short in all 3 categories in 2014. As a result, we had 7 losses as a team.

2014 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	15th	4th
Passing	22nd	5th
Total	10th	4th
Scoring	28th	4th
Pass Efficiency	63rd	11th
Sacks	40th	7th
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	26th 120th 123rd	9th 14th 14th
First Downs	14th	5th
3rd Down Conversions	46th	8th
Red Zone	66th	7th

2013 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	31st	5th
Passing	63rd	8th
Total	42nd	6th
Scoring	66th	8th
Pass Efficiency	52nd	6th
Sacks	67th	7th
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	91st 22nd n/a	9th 2nd n/a
First Downs	48th	7th
3rd Down Conversions	53rd	8th
Red Zone	93rd	10th

2012 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	56th	6th
Passing	2nd	2nd
Total	12th	3rd
Scoring	20th	3rd
Pass Efficiency	35th	8th
Sacks	87th	10th
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	52nd 100th 83rd	3rd 10th 9th
First Downs	25th	4th
3rd Down Conversions	36th	6th
Red Zone	70th	9th

2011 Defensive Statistics

Category	Defensive Rank	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	35th	3rd
Passing	17th	6th
Total	17th	5th
Scoring	7th	3rd
Pass Efficiency	35th	6th
Sacks	26th	4th
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	73rd 26th 26th	6th 3rd 1st
First Downs	16th	4th
3rd Down Conversions	30th	3rd
Red Zone	4th	1st

In 2010, we ranked 109th in total defense with only 18 sacks. In the Big Ten, we ranked 10th in rushing and scoring defense and 11th in total and pass defense plus first downs allowed. Our red zone defense was ranked 6th in the Big Ten.

Category	Defensive Rank	Big Ten Rank
Rushing	94th	10th
Passing	110th	11th
Total	109th	11th
Scoring	102nd	10th
Pass Efficiency	97th	9th
Sacks	94th	7th
Tackles for Loss Turnover Margin Turnovers Gained	75th 110th 75th	5th 11th n/a
First Downs	104th	11th
3rd Down Conversions	84th	8th
Red Zone	70th	6th

Michigan Football Position Greats

Michigan Football Sack Masters

2008 versus 2009: Lack of Michigan Defense

2008	Big Ten Rank	NCAA Category	2009	Big Ten Rank
51st	6th	Rushing	91st	10th
87th	9th	Passing	67th	7th
66th	9th	Total	82nd	9th
90th	10th	Scoring	81st	9th
81st	10th	Pass Efficiency	74th	7th
107th	11th	Turnover Margin	112th	11th
35th	6th	Sacks	72nd	10th

2007 Season: Our defense was ranked #27 in scoring defense, #58 in rushing defense, #10 in pass defense, #17 in pass efficiency defense and #26 in total defense. We are ranked #30 nationally in sacks with 31, #28 in turnover margin and #24 in tackles for loss. Defense did a horrible job against the run this year especially against Wisconsin, Ohio State, Oregon and Appalachian State, our four losses. We obviously can't stop spread offenses because we don't practice against spread offenses, and we don't recruit the personnel who can simulate spread offenses in practice. Our defense had zero sacks against Wisconsin and Ohio State to close the season, and the defense only created one turnover in each game. They couldn't stop teams in the second half when we needed them to do so; however, they did come up with strong closing efforts against Penn State, Illinois and Michigan State in the end. Our pass defense really improved when Donovan Warren became the starter, and Johnny Sears left the team. If we can recruit some strong safeties to go along with the strong linebacking core that we recruited, and four returning starters on our defensive line, that will help give us a strong nucleus for next season. I'd give the defense an overall grade of B- for 2007; they did a good job and our losses were more attributable to a lack of offense than a strong defense. The offense left them out on the field way too long in the Wisconsin and Ohio State games, and offensive failure to convert early opportunities contributed to the Oregon fiasco. Pin the Appalachian State loss on the defense, but had Engelmon started the season instead of Stevie Brown, we would probably not have been in that position.

Fixing Michigan Football

2006 Season: Our defense was #2 in rushing defense. We were #6 in total and #12 in scoring defense. We led the Big Ten in sacks, and were #4 nationally; we are #2 in the Big Ten in total defense. We are #11 nationally in tackles for loss (#1 in the Big Ten) and #4 in turnover margin (#2 in the Big Ten). Kudos to Ron English, Steve Stripling, new defensive backs coach, Ron Lee, and new linebacker coach, Steve Szabo. This is one mighty fine defense led by Captain and Lombardi Finalist Woodley and All-Americans Hall, Harris and Woodley. Hall and Woodley were quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy. Hall was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. We have held our opponents to only 33 rushing first downs and 5 rushing touchdowns (two for Ohio State, two for MSU and one for Ball State). Michigan has limited their opponents to only 9 red zone touchdowns (tops in the Big Ten), and have the second least opponent 1st downs and best 3rd down conversion percentage in the Big Ten. 2005 Season: 5 losses (by a total of 21 points, 4 of the 5 losses were come from behind wins due, in part, to a lack of defensive stops), unranked, 161.6 net rushing yards allowed per game, 20.33 opponent scoring average per game, 23 sacks (less than 2 per game, 12 by defensive line-1 per game average), shredded for over 200 rushing yards by Minnesota and Northern Illinois and over 400 yards in total offense by Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota, Penn State and Northern Illinois. We recruit Greg Banks, John Ferrara, Brandon Graham (originally for linebacker), Jason Kates and Adam Patterson for our defensive line, and lose out on potential recruits: Dexter Latimore, Jason Adjepong, Jermaine Cunningham, Micah Johnson, Corey Peters and Kenrick Ellis. Our defensive line starters were Pat Massey, Alan Branch, Rondell Biggs and Lamarr Woodley with backups Will Johnson, Jeremy Van Alstyne. Pierre Woods moves from linebacker to start for Woodley in the last five games.

Year	Starting Defensive Tackles, Nose Tackles, Middle Guards	Opponent's Rushing Average per game	Opponent's Scoring Average per game	Total Losses	End of Season Rank	Notes
2004	Gabe Watson/Larry Harrison/Alex Ofili/Rondell Biggs/Pat Massey/Alan Branch	133.3 (21 sacks)	23.2	3	14	Texas quarterback, Young, shreds us for 5 TDs with 192 of 264 net rushing yards and 4 TDs. Ohio State gains 205 net rushing yards with Troy Smith netting 145. Michigan State nets 368 yards in rushing with DeAndra Cobb netting 205 yards and 2 TDs. Notre Dame's true frosh, Derrick Walker, nets 115 yards and 2 TDs. Northwestern's Noah Herron burns us for 156 net yards. Recruits: Marques Walton, Alan Branch, Tim Jamison, Will Johnson, etc. (Terry Taylor, Marques Slocum, Eugene Germany and James McKinney for 2005) Lost out on: Dewayne Hendricks, Vernon Gholston, etc.
2003	Grant Bowman/Norm Heuer	116.6 (27 sacks)	16.8	3	6	Minnesota runs for a record 424 yards; recruits lost: Carnell Stewart (LSU), Kevin Brown (UCLA), Doug Van Dyke (Purdue), Kirston Pittman (LSU), David Patterson (OSU), Quinn Pitcock (OSU), Mo Dampeer (OK), Tim Washington (LSU), Calvin Thibodeaux (OK), Turk McBride (Tenn.), Conrad Bolston (MD), Victor Abiamiri (ND)
2002	Grant Bowman/Norm Heuer	123.2 (42 sacks)	20.4	3	9	Outback Bowl win over Florida; opponents score a record 34 touchdowns; recruits lost: Travis Johnson (Miami-FL), Ian Scott (FL), Kalen Thorton (Texas), Chris Frome (ND), Haloti Ngata (Oregon), Brian Pickryl (Texas), Julian Jenkins (Stanford), Travis Leitko (ND), Greg Jones (Tenn.), Brandon Greeson (Nebraska)
2001	Shawn Lazarus/Norm Heuer	89.1 (50 sacks)	19.8	4	20	MSU's T.J. Duckett runs for 211 yards as Spartans win 24-26; Jonathan Wells runs for 3 TDs for a 20-26 Buckeye win; Florida Citrus Bowl humiliation to Tennessee 17-45; we block 7 punts tying a record from 1950; we get Woods, Massey, David Spytek and Ofili, recruits lost include: Marquise Hill (LSU), Simon Fraser (OSU), Anttaj Hawthorne (Wisc.), Orien Harris (Miami-FL) and Sean Cody (USC)
2000	Shawn Lazarus/Eric Wilson/Dave Petruziello/Norm Heuer	147.1 (21 sacks)	19.1	3	11	Northwestern's Damien Anderson runs for 244 yards and Wilcats net 332 on the ground and 654 in total offense en rout to scoring 54 points (31 in 2nd half) with 31 first downs; Florida Citrus Bowl winner, Big Ten Co-Champs; we get Kashama, recruits lost include Will Smith (OSU), Darrell Lee (FL), Greg Pauley (ND), Kalen Thornton (Texas and Vince Wilfork (Miami-FL)
1999	Bob Renes/Eric Wilson/Josh Williams	120.8 (29 sacks)	20.6	2	5	Orange Bowl win; losses to MSU 31-34 with Bill Burke connecting for 400 yards, 255 to Plaxico Burress/Illinois 29-35;we recruited Boebert/Heuer and Bowman, recruits lost include Bernard Riley (USC), Jeff Womble (Fla.St.), Cedric Hilliard (ND)
1998	Bob Renes/Eric Wilson/Josh Williams	121.8 (37 sacks)	18.1	3	12	Losses to Notre Dame, Syracuse 28-38 (after being behind 7-38) and Ohio State 16-31 (only 2 first downs); Big Ten Co-Champs, Florida Citrus Bowl winner
1997	Bob Renes/Eric Wilson/Juaquin Feazell/Glenn Steele	89.0	9.5	0	1	Started calling MG=NT; Big Ten and National Champs 12-0
1996	Will Carr/Ben Huff	114.6	15.3	4	20	Outback Bowl loss
1995	Will Carr/Jason Horn/Juaquin Feazell	93.2	17.2	4	17	Lloyd Carr takes over in 1995 season; move from a 5-2 to 4-3 scheme; MG to NT
1994	Trent Zenkewicz/Tony Henderson/Jason Horn	124.2	22.3	4	12	Holiday Bowl Champs; Biakabutuka runs for 313 yards in win over Bucks
1993	Jason Horn/Ninef Aghakhan/Tony Henderson/Buster Stanley/Damon Denson/Steve Rekowski	108	13.3	4	21	Outback Bowl Champs
1992	Chris Hutchinson/Tony Henderson/Ninef Aghakhan/Gannon Dudlar	90.8	14.3	0	5	Big Ten & Rose Bowl Champs (3 ties, no losses)
1991	Chris Hutchinson/Tony Henderson/Ninef Aghakhan/Mike Evans	105.4	16.9	2	6	Big Ten Champs, Rose Bowl humiliation to Washington 14-34; Florida State wins 31-51
1990	T.J.Osman/Chris Hutchinson/Steve Rekowski/Alex Marshall	104.7	16.5	3	7	Gary Moeller takes over in 1990 season; Big Ten Co-Champs, win in Gator Bowl
1989	Chris Hutchinson/Mike Teeter/Mike Evans/Brent White	109.9	15.3	2	7	Big Ten Champs, Rose Bowl loss to USC; Rocket Ismail returns 2 kickoffs for TDs as Irish win
1988	Mark Messner/T.J. Osman/Brent White/John Herrmann/Mike Evans	129.7	13.9	2	4	Big Ten & Rose Bowl Champs
1987	Mark Messner/John Herrmann/Billy Harris/T.J. Osman	133.5	14.3	4	19	Hall of Fame Bowl Champs; Darrell Thompson nets 201 yards in Gopher win; Spartans win on 7 picks off Demetrius Brown and Lorenzo White's 185 yards rushing
1986	Mark Messner/Dave Folkertsma/Billy Harris	118.5	15.6	2	8	Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl
1985	Mark Messner/Mike Hammerstein/Billy Harris	119.1	8.1	1	2	Fiesta Bowl Champs over Nebraska; Bob Golic has 26 tackles in Irish win
1984	Mike Hammerstein/Kevin Brooks/Al Sincich/Joe Gray/Nate Rogers/Dave Meredith	145.1	16.6	6	n/a	Holiday Bowl loss to BYU; Iowa shuts us out 0-26; opponents combine for a record 45% 3rd down conversion percentage record
1983	Kevin Brooks/Al Sincich/Vince DeFelice/Mike Hammerstein	112.7	13.3	3	8	Sugar Bowl loss to Auburn
1982	Winfred Carraway/Al Sincich/Kevin Brooks/Dave Meredith/Mike Hammerstein	112.0	17.0	4	15	Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl
1981	Tony Osbun/Cedric Coles/Winfred Carraway/Clay Miller/Doug James/Mike Hammerstein	128.1	13.5	3	12	Bluebonnet Bowl Champs
1980	Mike Trgovac/Jeff Shaw/Winfred Carraway/Cedric Coles/Dave Nicolau/Tony Kelsie	116.6	10.8	2	4	Big Ten & Rose Bowl Champs
1979	Curtis Greer/Dale Keitz/Mike Trgovac/Chris Godfrey	105.1	12.6	4	18	Gator Bowl loss
1978	Curtis Greer/Dale Keitz/Mike Trgovac/Chris Godfrey	114.5	8.8	2	5	Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl
1977	Curtis Greer/Dale Keitz/Steve Graves/Chris Godfrey/William Jackson	120.9	10.3	2	9	Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl; Michigan was shut out 0-16 by Gophers
1976	Greg Morton/John Hennessy/Bob Lang/Steve Graves	121.2	7.9	2	3	Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl to USC; upset by Purdue after being ranked #1 all year
1975	Greg Morton/Jeff Perlinger/John Hennessy/Tim Davis/Rich Koschalk/Steve King	133.8	10.8	2	8	Orange Bowl loss to Oklahoma
1974	Greg Morton/Jeff Perlinger/John Hennessy/Tim Davis/Rich Koschalk	105.7	5.9	1	3	Big Ten Co-Champions
1973	Dave Gallagher/Doug Troszak/Jeff Perlinger/Tim Davis/Don Warner	97.7	6.2	0	6	Big Ten Co-Champions, vote to no bowl
1972	Dave Gallagher/Fred Grambeau/Greg Ellis/Walt Sexton/Tony Smith	130.9	5.2	1	6	Big Ten Co-Champions
1971	Fred Grambeau/Greg Ellis/Tom Kee/Tom Beckman/Curtis Tucker/Walt Sexton	65.8	6.9	1	6	Big Ten Champs, Loss in Rose Bowl
1970	Henry Hill/Pete Newell/Tom Beckman/Tony Smith/Ed Moore	105.1	9	1	9
1969	Henry Hill/Fred Grambeau/Pete Newell	168.3	13.5	3	9	Bo Schembechler takes over in 1969 season; upset of #1 Ohio State 24-12 (6 picks); highest turnover in UM history +29
1968	Henry Hill/Tom Goss/Dan Parks/Jerry Miklos	199.3	15.5	2	12	Final Days of linemen starting on both offense and defense; Michigan loses to Buckeyes 14-50, 421 yards rushing including Jim Otis' 4 TDs and Woody goes for "2"
1967	Dave Porter/Tom Goss/Dennis Morgan/Dennis Monthei/Dick Williamson	180.8	17.9	6	n/a
1966	Dave Porter/Tom Goss/Bob Mielke/Dick Williamson/William Hardy	159.6	13.8	4	n/a	Final Days of 6 man front: LT/RT/LG/RG/LE/RE
1965	Bill Yearby/Bob Mielke/Ken Wright/Paul Johnson/Charles Ruzicka/Barry Dehlin	143.6	16.1	6	n/a
1964	Tom Mack/Charles Kines/David Butler/Tom Cecchini/Frank Nunley/John Marcum/Bill Yearby/Bill Keating/Bob Mielke/John Yanz/Arnold Simkus	78.1	7.6	1	4	Big Ten and Rose Bowl Champs
1963	Bill Yearby/Tom Keating/Joe O'Donnell/Brian Patchen/Tom Cecchini/Richard Hahn/John Marcum/John Houtman	139	14.1	4	n/a
1962	Tom Keating/Joe O'Donnell/John Minko/Bill Muir/Dave Kurtz/John Houtman/John Marcum/Bill Laskey/Jim Green	204.3	23.8	7	n/a	Michigan only scores 70 points all season (10 TDs); losses to MSU 0-28, Purdue 0-37, Minnesota 0-17, Ohio State 0-28; David Francis gains 186 yards for the Bucks
1961		136.1	18.1	3	n/a	Robert Ferguson scores 4 TDs for the Bucks
1960		137.6	9.3	4	n/a	Bump Elliott takes over in 1959 season