The 1962 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1962 Big Ten Conference football season. In its fourth year under head coach Bump Elliott, Michigan compiled a 2âÂÂ7 record (1âÂÂ6 against conference opponents), finished in last place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by opponents by a combined total of 214 to 70.
The highlight of the season was a 17âÂÂ7 victory over No. 10 Army, as Michigan took advantage of five Army turnovers (four interceptions and a fumble) in the second game of the season. Lowlights included (i) fewest points scored (70) since the 1937 team tallied 54, (ii) the worst record for a Michigan team since the 1936 team went 1âÂÂ7, and (iii) three consecutive shutouts on offense, for the first time since 1935.
Senior end Bob Brown was the team captain, and senior halfback Dave Raimey was selected for the team's most valuable player award. The team's statistical leaders included junior quarterback Bob Chandler with 401 passing yards, Raimey with 385 rushing yards, and junior halfback Harvey Chapman with 223 receiving yards.
On September 29, Michigan opened its 1962 season with a 25âÂÂ13 loss to Nebraska before a crowd of 70,287 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was Bob Devaney's second game as head coach at Nebraska. It was also Michigan's first non-conference loss since 1959.
Neither team scored in the first quarter, as Bill Dodd of Michigan missed a field goal from the 10-yard line and then failed to convert on fourth down and a yard from the Nebraska 33-yard line. Nebraska took a 7âÂÂ0 lead in the second quarter on a 70-yard drive ending in an 11-yard touchdown run by Stuewe. Michigan responded with a 61-yard touchdown drive with Dave Glinka scoring on an eight-yard run on fourth down. Michigan went ffor a two-point conversion, but Glinka's pass was incomplete. Nebraska led, 7âÂÂ6, at halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, Michigan gained only one yard and was forced to punt. After the punt, Nebraska drove 81 yards and scored on a two-yard run by Bill "Thunder" Thornton (kick blocked by Jim Conley). After a fumble by Dave Raimey, the Cornhuskers drove 28 yard, scoring on a five-yard touchdown run by quarterback Dennis Claridge (pass for two-point conversion failed). In the fourth quarter, Michigan narrowed Nebraska's lead to six points on a 65-yard drive ending with a four-yard touchdown run by Dick Rindfuss (extra point by Bob Timberlake). Nebraska responded with a 75-yard drive ending with a 16-yard touchdown run by Thornton (two-point conversion failed).
Dennis Claridge led Nebraska with 131 rushing yards.
Michigan used four quarterbacks (Dave Glinka, Bob Chandler, Frosty Evashevski, and Bob Timberlake) who combined to completed eight passes.
On October 6, Michigan defeated No. 10 Army by a 17âÂÂ7 before a crowd of 70,749 at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines intercepted four Army passes and gave up only four Army completions. Jack Strobel scored Michigan's first touchdown on a one-yard run in the first quarter. Dave Raimey scored the Wolverines' second touchdown in the third quarter. Bob Timberlake added a 25-yard field goal and two extra points. Carl Stichweh scored for Army on 73-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. Michigan totaled 276 rushing yards in the game while holding Army to 92 rushing yards.
On October 13, Michigan lost to Michigan State, 28âÂÂ0, before a crowd of 77,501 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. It was the Spartans' fourth consecutive victory over the Wolverines. Sherman Lewis scored three touchdowns and a two-point conversion, but the Spartans' point tally might have been far greater had they not turned the ball over seven times (five fumbles and two interceptions). The Spartans tallied 459 yards of total offense while allowing only 112 yards by the Wolverines.
On October 20, Michigan lost to Purdue, 37âÂÂ0, at RossâÂÂAde Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. It was the worst defeat suffered by a Michigan football team in 27 years, since losing, 40âÂÂ0, to Minnesota in 1935. Purdue tallied 200 rushing yards and 212 passing yards. Michigan tallied only 43 rushing yards and 54 passing yards.
On October 27, Michigan lost to Minnesota, 17âÂÂ0, before a homecoming crowd of 65,484 in Ann Arbor. It was the third consecutive game in which the Wolverines were shut out by a Big Ten opponent. It was the first time the program had been shut out in three consecutive games since 1935. The Wolverines gained only 50 yards (96 passing yards and negative 46 rushing yards) on 66 plays against Minnesota.
On November 3, Michigan lost to Wisconsin, 34âÂÂ12, before a crowd of 53,789 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. After the Wolverines had been shut out for 13 straight quarters, Michigan's Dave Raimey scored two touchdowns in the first quarter. The Wolverines led, 13âÂÂ7, at the end of the first quarter, but the Wolverines were outscored, 27âÂÂ0, in the remainder of the game. Wisconsin quarterback Ron Vander Kelen, who was selected as the 1962 Chicago Tribune Silver Football winner, completed 17 of 25 passes for 202 yards and rushed for 59 yards. Pat Richter caught seven passes for 104 yards. Michigan gained only nine yards in the second half.
On November 10, Michigan defeated Illinois by a 14âÂÂ10 before a crowd of 49,756 at Michigan Stadium. The Illini scored 10 points in the second quarter to take a 10âÂÂ0 lead at halftime. Michigan converted only three first downs in the first half. In the third quarter, Dave Raimey led the Wolverines down the field on a drive capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Bob Chandler to Bob Timberlake. Michigan attempted a two-point conversion but Chandler was tackled while trying to pass. On the next Illinois drive, Michigan end Ben Farabee intercepted an Illinois pass and returned it to the one-yard line. Chandler ran one yard for the go-ahead touchdown. The Wolverines completed the scoring with a two-point conversion on a pass from Chandler to Harvey Champman. Illinois' final two drives also ended in turnovers: a Tom Keating interception and a Jim Green fumble recovery.
On November 17, Michigan lost, 28âÂÂ14, to Iowa before a crowd of 52,880 at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. It was the first time a Michigan team lost at Iowa Stadium.
Michigan led, 14âÂÂ7 in the second quarter on two short touchdown runs by Dave Raimey. With a minute and a half remaining in the first half, Paul Krause returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown.
The score remained tied at 14âÂÂ14 with three minutes remaining in the game. At the 2:51 mark, Iowa quarterback Matt Szykowny connected with Sammie Harris for a 47-yard touchdown pass to put Iowa ahead. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Michigan quarterback Bob Chandler threw a pass that was intercepted by Earl McQuiston at Michigan's 25-yard line and returned to the 13. Iowa scored four plays later on a pass from Bob Wallace to Dick Turici with 45 seconds remaining.
Iowa out-gained Michigan by 278 rushing yards to 153. Iowa's Larry Ferguson led the way 153 yards on 20 carries. Iowa's defense intercepted three Michigan passes.
On November 24, Michigan lost, 28âÂÂ0, to Ohio State on national television and before a crowd of 82,349 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State coach Woody Hayes ran his traditional "three yards and a cloud of dust" offense, as the Buckeyes racked up 330 rushing yards and only seven passing yards. The mainstay of the Buckeyes' offense was senior fullback Dave Francis, who carried the ball 30 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Michigan's offense was held to 74 rushing yards and 68 passing yards. Joe Falls in the Detroit Free Press described Ohio State's offense as "awfully dull . . . but awfully deadly", "tromping on people for years â with pure, simple, bone-shattering, teeth-jarring power."
The Wolverines concluded the season with a 2âÂÂ7 record, the worst for a Michigan team since the 1936 team went 1âÂÂ7.
Michigan's individual statistical leaders for the 1962 season include those listed below.
The following players won varsity letters for their participation on the 1962 football team. Players who started at least four games are shown with their names in bold.