Michigan Wolverines ©	Wisconsin Badgers
Played September 12, 1981 at Camp Randall Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Michigan ©	2	10	4	0	.714	5	1	0	.833	4	1	0	.800	1	2	0	.333
Wisconsin	0	0	1	0	.000					0	1	0	.000

 

                         Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

Top-ranked Michigan came into the 1981 season with a cavalcade of star players – All-American OG Kurt Becker, All-American WR Anthony Carter, All-American OT Ed Muransky, All-Big Ten OT Bubba Paris, & RB Butch Woolfolk.  They had won their last 9 games of the 1980 season & seemed primed for a dominating Belt reign, Wisconsin had other ideas.  In spite of losing the past 4 games to Michigan by a combined score of 176-0, coach Dave McClain had his Wisconsin team ready to surprise the nation as All-American NT Tim Krumrie, All-Big Ten DT Darryl Sims, & All-Big Ten DB Matt VandenBoom anchored the Badger defense that hoped to contain the Wolverine offense.  Wisconsin QB Jess Cole threw for 182 yards with 2 touchdowns & the Badgers’ defense held Michigan to just 39 yards passing leading Wisconsin to a 21-14 upset of the Wolverines.  Michigan took a 7-0 lead in the 2^nd quarter when QB Steve Smith carried 4 yards for a touchdown.  The Badgers scored twice in the last 3:47 of the 1^st half to take the lead.  Cole connected with WR Marvin Neal on a 17-yard touchdown pass & RB Chucky Davis scored on a 1-yard touchdown run for the 14-7 halftime lead.  The Wolverines tied the score early in the 3^rd quarter when Woolfolk broke loose for an 89-yard touchdown run making the score 14-14.  Wisconsin got the lead back when Cole hit RB John Williams on a screen pass that he took 71 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.  The Badgers held on in the 4^th quarter constantly putting the Wolverines in poor field position.  Michigan’s last chance ended when VandenBoom, who picked off 3 passes, intercepted Smith at the Wisconsin 17-yard line with just 0:02 to play.  Woolfolk rushed for 119 yards & a touchdown but Smith’s 3 of 18 passing with 3 interceptions spelled doom for the Wolverines.  The win gave the Badgers their first Belt reign.  Michigan finished the season 9-3 ranked 12^th nationally while the Badgers finished 7-5.  Michigan would play for The Belt again in 5 weeks.

 

 

 

UCLA Bruins	Wisconsin Badgers ©
Played September 19, 1981 at Camp Randall Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
UCLA	3	13	5	2	.700	6	4	0	.600	6	1	2	.778	1	0	0	1.000
Wisconsin ©	1	1	1	0	.500	1	0	0	1.000	0	1	0	.000

 

                         Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

Off their upset of top-ranked Michigan, the 20^th ranked, 1-0 Wisconsin Badgers welcomed another top-10 opponent to Madison – the 9^th ranked, 1-0 UCLA Bruins of coach Terry Donahue.  Bruins All-American TE Tim Wrightman caught 2 touchdown passes as UCLA took The Belt back to the Pac 10 conference with a 31-13 win over the Badgers.  After stopping the Badgers’ opening drive, the Bruins drove 66 yard in 9 plays with QB Tom Ramsey finding Wrightman on a 27-yard touchdown pass.  Another short punt by the Badgers gave the Bruins the ball at the Wisconsin 48-yard line & 9 plays later they were in the end zone again with Ramsey carrying the final yard for the touchdown.  On UCLA’s next drive, Wisconsin LB Guy Boliaux intercepted Ramsey & returned it to the Bruins’ 19-yard line.  Badgers’ QB Jess Cole hit All-Big Ten RB Dave Mohapp for a 16-yard gain then WR Marvin Neal got the last 3 yards as Wisconsin trailed 14-7 at the end of the quarter.  Early in the 2^nd quarter, the Badgers pinned the Bruins at their own 4-yard line with a downed punt.  UCLA drove the 96 yards in 10 plays with RB Frank Bruno scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run for the 21-7 lead.  The Bruins appeared to be driving for another score when Wisconsin CB Von Mansfield intercepted Ramsey at the Badgers’ 2-yard line.  The Badgers drove 98 yards in 7 plays highlighted by a 46-yard pass from Cole to WR Michael Jones.  Cole hit Jones for the final 2 yards but a failed 2-point conversion left the score 21-13 at the half.  After UCLA punted to open the 2^nd half, Cole threw a quick pass to WR Thad McFadden but the ball was overthrown.  The officials ruled the pass was a lateral & UCLA S Tom Sullivan recovered the ball giving the Bruins great field position at the Wisconsin 22-yard line.  Five plays later Ramsey found Wrightman on a 3-yard touchdown pass giving UCLA a 28-13 advantage.  In the 4^th quarter, UCLA PK Norm Johnson hit a 40-yard field goal with 9:39 to play in the game as the Bruins took a 31-13 lead.  When Cole got hurt on the next Wisconsin drive, the Badgers didn’t threaten to score again.  Ramsey finished with 172 yards passing with 2 touchdowns but 3 interceptions while Cole finished with 137 yards passing with a touchdown & an interception.  Wisconsin finished the season 7-5 while the Bruins finished 7-4-1.  Wisconsin would play for The Belt again in 2003.

 

 

 

UCLA Bruins ©	Iowa Hawkeyes
Played September 26, 1981 at Kinnick Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
UCLA ©	4	14	5	2	.714	6	4	0	.600	7	1	2	.800	1	0	0	1.000
Iowa	0	0	2	0	.000	0	1	0	.000	0	1	0	.000

 

                         Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

UCLA traveled to Iowa City ranked 6^th with a 2-0 record to meet their 2^nd consecutive Big Ten opponent.  The Iowa Hawkeyes of coach Hayden Fry brought a 1-1 record to the game having defeated 7^th ranked Nebraska but losing to cross-state rival Iowa State.  All-American DE Andre Tippett anchored the Iowa defense that held the Bruins to just 35 yards rushing & 86 yards passing in a 20-7 Hawkeye win to claim The Belt for the first time.  Iowa QB Pete Gales finished an 8-play, 45-yard scoring drive with a 16-yard touchdown run late in the 1^st quarter.  UCLA got a break in the 2^nd quarter when RB Norm Granger fumbled & Bruin DT Martin Moss recovered at the Iowa 20-yard line.  UCLA QB Tom Ramsey scrambled for a 19-yard gain to the Iowa 1-yard line then scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 with 10:47 left in the half.  Iowa PK Tom Nichol hit a 35-yard field goal for the only points of the 3^rd quarter.  Early in the 4^th quarter, Tippett & DE Brad Webb hit Ramsey in the end zone causing the quarterback to fumble.  Iowa’s All-Big Ten DT Mark Bortz recovered the fumble for the touchdown as the Hawkeyes pushed the lead to 17-7 with 13:37 to play.  Nichol’s 43-yard field goal with 6:24 left finished the scoring.  Iowa RB Phil Blatcher finished with 113 yards rushing.  Ramsey finished with just 66 yards passing with 2 interceptions in the loss.  UCLA finished the season 7-4-1 while the Hawkeyes finished 8-4, Big Ten Co-Champs & ranked 18^th nationally.  UCLA would play for The Belt again in 1984.

 

 

 

Iowa Hawkeyes ©	Northwestern Wildcats
Played October 3, 1981 at Dyche Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Iowa ©	1	1	2	0	.333	1	1	0	.500	0	1	0	.000
Northwestern	0	0	1	0	.000	0	1	0	.000

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

First-year coach Dennis Green prepared his 0-3 Northwestern Wildcats to host the 2-1 Iowa Hawkeyes of coach Hayden Fry.  The Wildcats had lost 23 straight games & this game would not be the breakout for them.  Iowa scored 30 points in the 1^st quarter & the Hawkeyes’ defense held the Wildcats to just 78 total yards on their way to a 64-0 win to extend the Northwestern losing streak that would eventually reach 34 games.  Iowa RB Eddie Phillips opened the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run & RB Norm Granger followed with a 6-yard touchdown run as the Hawkeyes broke to a 14-0 lead.  CB Lou King blocked a Northwestern punt out of the end zone to get credit for a safety, Phillips scored on a 15-yard touchdown run & CB Ivory Webb returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown as Iowa took a 30-0 just 8 minutes into the game.  The Wildcats had no answers in the 2^nd half either for the Hawkeyes offensive onslaught.  Iowa WR Jeff Brown caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from QB Gordy Bohannon & Bohannon connected with WR Dave Moritz on a 26-yard touchdown pass as the lead was pushed to 43-0.  RB Owen Gill scored on a 20-yard run as Iowa took the 50-0 lead into the 4^th quarter.  A 2-yard touchdown run by RB Glenn Buggs & a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown by Brown finished the scoring.  The Hawkeyes’ defense recorded 7 sacks while holding Northwestern to just 6 yards rushing & 72 yards passing.  Iowa finished the season 8-4; Big Ten Co-Champs & ranked 18^th nationally while the Wildcats finished 0-11.  Northwestern would play for The Belt again in 2003.

 

 

 

Indiana Hoosiers	Iowa Hawkeyes ©
Played October 10, 1981 at Kinnick Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Indiana	0	0	2	0	.000	0	2	0	.000
Iowa ©	1	2	2	0	.500	1	1	0	.500	1	1	0	.500

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

Coach Lee Corso’s 1-3 Indiana Hoosiers traveled to Iowa City to meet coach Hayden Fry’s 15^th ranked, 3-1 Iowa Hawkeyes.  Iowa QB Gordy Bohannon threw 3 touchdown passes & the Hawkeyes scored 3 touchdowns in less than 4:30 minutes of the 2^nd quarter to help secure a 42-28 victory over the Hoosiers.  Indiana took a 7-0 lead in the 1^st quarter when QB Babe Laufenberg threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to WR Duane Gunn.  The Hawkeyes responded with a 2-yard touchdown run by RB Norm Granger & a 51-yard touchdown pass from Bohannon to WR Charles Jones for a 14-7 Iowa lead at the end of the 1^st quarter.  The Hoosiers tied the game at 14-14 when RB John Roggeman scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.  On the ensuing kick-off, Granger returned the kick 99 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 10:24 left in the 2^nd quarter.  Less than one minute later, Iowa CB Tracy Crocker recovered an Indiana fumble at the Hoosiers’ 24-yard line.  Three plays later, Bohannon connected with TE Mike Hufford on a 21-yard touchdown pass giving the Hawkeyes a 28-14 lead.  Three snaps after that, Iowa CB Jimmy Frazier intercepted Laufenberg & returned it 47 yards to the Indiana 13-yard line.  RB Phil Blatcher finished the Iowa scoring run with a 1-yard touchdown run for a 35-14 Hawkeye lead with 6:04 left in the 2^nd quarter.  In the 3^rd quarter, Laufenberg & Gunn hooked up for a 71-yard touchdown pass but Bohannon & Hufford connected on an 11-yard touchdown pass to keep the margin at 21 points with a 42-21 Iowa lead.  The final points came in the 4^th quarter when Indiana RB Tim Hines scored on a 2-yard touchdown run.  Bohannon finished with 185 yards passing with his 3 touchdowns while RB Eddie Phillips rushed for 101 yards.  Laufenberg threw for 297 yards with 2 touchdowns but 4 interceptions while Gunn had 6 catches for 197 yards with his 2 scores.  Iowa finished the season 8-4; Big Ten Co-Champs & ranked 18^th nationally while the Hoosiers finished 3-8.  Indiana would play for The Belt again in 2006.

 

 

 

Iowa Hawkeyes ©	Michigan Wolverines
Played October 17, 1981 at Michigan Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Iowa ©	1	3	2	0	.600	2	1	0	.667	1	1	0	.500
Michigan	2	10	5	0	.667	5	1	0	.833	4	2	0	.667	1	2	0	.333

 

 

As the 1981 season opened, it appeared that this game would be a Belt match-up but with preseason No. 1 Michigan as defending champion.  An opening day loss to Wisconsin changed that.  Now 5^th ranked at 4-1, the Michigan Wolverines of coach Bo Schembechler hosted the 12^th ranked, 4-1 Iowa Hawkeyes of coach Hayden Fry who were defending The Belt.  The Hawkeyes used 3 field goals from freshman PK Tom Nichol to claim a 9-7 win over the powerful Wolverines to retain The Belt.  Nichol connected on field goals of 20 & 36 yards in the 1^st quarter as the Hawkeyes took a 6-0 lead.  Midway through the 2^nd quarter, the Wolverines faced a 3^rd & 15 situation from the Iowa 17-yard line when QB Steve Smith found All-American WR Anthony Carter open in the corner of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown pass giving Michigan a 7-6 lead they held through halftime.  Iowa tried to establish momentum on their first drive of the 3^rd quarter as they tried to converted a 4^th & 2 play from the Michigan 45-yard line but Iowa RB Phil Blatcher was hit by Michigan LB Ben Needham & a fumble followed.  Neither team recovered the ball before it rolled out of bounds at the Iowa 40-yard line but Michigan took over possession on downs.  Two plays later, Smith hit Carter for a 29-yard gain to the Iowa 10-yard line.  Three plays after that, Smith tried to connect with TE Dave Betts but Betts was hit trying to make the catch & the ball deflected into the hands of Iowa LB Mel Cole for the interception.  The Hawkeyes took the turnover & drove to field goal position before Nichol converted the 30-yard attempt giving Iowa a 9-7 lead.  Michigan got into Iowa territory once more in the game but that drive was stopped when All-American DE Andre Tippett & All-Big Ten DT Mark Bortz tackled Carter short of the marker on a 4^th down reverse.  Iowa QB Gordy Bohannon threw for 127 yards while Smith threw for 108 yards with a touchdown but also an interception.  Michigan RB Butch Woolfolk, who entered the game as the nation’s 4^th leading rusher, was held to just 56 yards rushing as the Hawkeyes defeated the Wolverines for the first time since 1962.  Iowa finished the season 8-4; Big Ten Co-Champs & ranked 18^th nationally while the Wolverines finished 9-3 & ranked 12^th nationally.  Michigan would play for The Belt again in 2 weeks.

 

 

 

Minnesota Golden Gophers	Iowa Hawkeyes ©
Played October 24, 1981 at Kinnick Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Minnesota	0	0	4	0	.000	0	1	0	.000	0	3	0	.000
Iowa ©	1	4	2	0	.667	2	1	0	.667	2	1	0	.667

 

                          Previous Belt Meetings:       None

 

 

Coach Joe Salem brought his 4-2 Minnesota Golden Gophers to Iowa City on a mission.  First to battle the 6^th ranked, 5-1 Iowa Hawkeyes on the Kinnick Stadium field & then to take Floyd of Rosedale, the bronze pig that is awarded to the winner of this annual match-up.  Minnesota delivered on both & took home The Belt as well with PK Jim Gallery kicking 4 field goals in a 12-10 Golden Gopher win.  Gallery hit 3 field goals in the 2^nd quarter giving the Golden Gophers a 9-0 halftime lead.  After missing a 45-yard field goal attempt in the 1^st quarter, Gallery hit kicks of 52, 31, & 32 yards with the last kick coming with just 0:13 left in the half.  Meanwhile, the Minnesota defense held the Hawkeyes to just 45 yards total offense in the 1^st half.  Iowa got on the board early in the 3^rd quarter when PK Tom Nichol hit a 34-yard field goal & the Hawkeyes took the lead midway through the period when RB Phil Blatcher scored on a 2-yard touchdown run giving Iowa a 10-9 lead heading into the 4^th quarter.  Minnesota took the lead for good with 2:22 left in the game when Gallery hit a 27-yard field goal.  Minnesota QB Mike Hohensee threw for 171 yards with an interception while Iowa QB Gordy Bohannon threw for 88 yards with an interception.  Iowa finished the season 8-4; Big Ten Co-Champs & ranked 18^th nationally while the Golden Gophers finished 6-5.  Iowa would play for The Belt again in 1996.

 

 

 

Michigan Wolverines	Minnesota Golden Gophers ©
Played October 31, 1981 at Memorial Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Michigan	2	10	6	0	.625	5	2	0	.714	4	2	0	.667	1	2	0	.333
Minnesota ©	1	1	4	0	.200	0	1	0	.000	1	3	0	.250

 

The Michigan Wolverines of Bo Schembechler came back for their third Belt game of the season.  Having lost the title on the opening weekend to Wisconsin & failing to reclaim it from Iowa just two weeks earlier, the 15^th ranked, 5-2 Wolverines were ready to claim both the Little Brown Jug & The Belt.  The 5-2 Minnesota Golden Gophers of coach Joe Salem were in their first title reign but Michigan was determined to make it a short one.  Wolverine QB Steve Smith threw for 3 touchdowns & All-American WR Anthony Carter had 154 yards receiving with a touchdown as Michigan reclaimed The Belt with a 34-13 victory over the Golden Gophers.  The Wolverines took a 10-0 lead in the 1^st quarter on a 31-yard field goal by PK Ali Haji-Sheikh & a 10-yard touchdown pass from Smith to RB Stanley Edwards.  Minnesota got back within 3 points in the 2^nd quarter when QB Mike Hohensee carried in from 4 yards but another touchdown pass from Smith to Stanley, this one from 1 yard, had Michigan ahead 17-7 at the half.  Haji-Sheikh’s 33-yard field goal accounted for the only points of the 3^rd quarter & the Wolverines put the game out of reach when Smith found Carter on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 10:36 left in the game for a 27-7 advantage.  Hohensee threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to WR Nick Davidson for the Golden Gophers final points & Michigan got a late touchdown on a 1-yard run by RB Lawrence Ricks for the final tally.  Smith finished with 237 yards passing with his 3 touchdowns as well as rushing for 59 yards while Hohensee threw for 213 yards with a touchdown but 2 interceptions while rushing for 66 yards.  Minnesota finished the season 6-5 while the Wolverines finished 9-3, ranked 12^th nationally.  Minnesota would play for The Belt again in 2006.

 

 

 

Illinois Fighting Illini	Michigan Wolverines ©
Played November 7, 1981 at Michigan Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Illinois	0	0	2	0	.000	0	2	0	.000
Michigan ©	3	11	6	0	.647	5	2	0	.714	5	2	0	.714	1	2	0	.333

 

 

Illinois with coach Mike White came to Ann Arbor with a 5-3 record & high hopes as they battled the 12^th ranked, 6-2 Michigan Wolverines of coach Bo Schembechler.  Michigan dominated the game as QB Steve Smith rushed for 116 yards with 3 touchdowns while throwing for 224 yards with 3 touchdowns & the Wolverines’ defense made 4 interceptions to control a 70-21 win.  The Illini took a 21-7 1^st quarter lead before the Wolverines erupted for 63 unanswered points.  Illinois scored the first 3 times they had the ball with All-Big Ten QB Tony Eason scoring on a 3-yard run & throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to RB Darrell Smith sandwiched around a 5-yard touchdown run by RB Joe Curtis.  Michigan’s only points of the 1^st quarter came on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Smith to All-American WR Anthony Carter.  Early in the 2^nd quarter, Illinois moved to the Michigan 15-yard line on their fourth possession.  Michigan S Jerry Burgei intercepted Eason at the goal line & returned it to the Michigan 16-yard line.  The Wolverines drove 84 yards in just 6 plays with Smith scoring on a 1-yard run & Illinois never had a chance from there.  Smith found TE Craig Dunaway open for a 9-yard touchdown to tie the game at 21-21 before he broke loose on a 42-yard touchdown run as Michigan led 28-21 at the half.  In the 3^rd quarter, Smith connected with Carter on a 12-yard touchdown pass & scored on a 14-yard touchdown run for a 42-21 Michigan lead to start the 4^th quarter.  In the final quarter, the Wolverines got touchdowns on a 1-yard run by RB Lawrence Ricks, a 7-yard run by RB Stanley Edwards, a 4-yard run by RB Rick Rogers, & a 6-yard pass from QB B.J. Dickey to RB Tom Hassel.  Carter finished with 6 catches for 154 yards with his 2 touchdowns for Michigan while Eason threw for 386 yards with a touchdown but the 4 interceptions in the loss.  Michigan finished the season 9-3; ranked 12^th nationally while the Illini finished 7-4.  Illinois would play for The Belt again in 1990.

 

 

 

Michigan Wolverines ©	Purdue Boilermakers
Played November 14, 1981 at Ross-Ade Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Michigan ©	3	12	6	0	.667	6	2	0	.750	5	2	0	.714	1	2	0	.333
Purdue	1	1	3	0	.250	0	1	0	.000	1	2	0	.000

 

The 11^th ranked, 7-2 Michigan Wolverines of Bo Schembechler traveled to West Lafayette to battle Jim Young’s 5-4 Purdue Boilermakers.  The Wolverines used a balanced attack to control the game, rushing for 235 yards with 3 touchdowns while throwing for 196 yards as Michigan scored 3 touchdowns in the 4^th quarter to secured a 28-10 win.  Purdue took the lead in the 1^st quarter when PK Tim Clark hit a 26-yard field goal but the Wolverines respond with a 27-yard touchdown pass from QB Steve Smith to TE Craig Dunaway for a 7-3 lead.  The lead held for the Wolverines until Purdue RB Jeff Feulner scored on a 5-yard touchdown run midway through the 3^rd quarter giving the Boilermakers a 10-7 lead.  In the 4^th quarter, Michigan drove 76 yards in 7 plays with Smith scoring on a 26-yard run giving the Wolverines a 14-10 lead.  On their next drive, the Wolverines drove 63 yards in 13 plays with RB Butch Woolfolk getting the touchdown on a 1-yard run as Michigan pushed the lead to 21-10.  Three plays later, Michigan LB Keith Bostic intercepted Purdue QB Scott Campbell at the Boilermakers’ 20-yard line.  Wolverine RB Lawrence Ricks finished the short scoring drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to complete the scoring.  Smith finished with 196 yards passing with a touchdown as well as 66 yards rushing while All-American WR Anthony Carter had 7 catches for 103 yards.  Campbell threw for 125 yards & Feulner added 106 yards rushing to his touchdown.  Michigan finished the season 9-3; ranked 12^th nationally while the Boilermakers finished 5-6 in Young’s final season.  Purdue would play for The Belt again in 2003.

 

 

 

Ohio State Buckeyes	Michigan Wolverines ©
Played November 21, 1981 at Michigan Stadium

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Ohio State	2	9	4	1	.679	5	0	1	.917	4	0	0	1.000	0	4	0	.000
Michigan ©	3	13	6	0	.684	6	2	0	.750	6	2	0	.750	1	2	0	.333

 

 

Coach Earle Bruce led his 7-3 Ohio State Buckeyes to Ann Arbor to meet the 7^th ranked, 8-2 Michigan Wolverines of coach Bo Schembechler.  This was the first time since 1975 that Ohio State & Michigan had met for The Belt – the Buckeyes won that meeting 21-14.  It also marked the first time in since 1968 that one of these teams would not be traveling to Pasadena as the Big Ten representative in the Rose Bowl as Iowa had clinched that berth.  This Buckeye team was talented with All-Big Ten QB Art Schlichter, All-Big Ten OG Joe Lukens, All-Big Ten RB Tim Spencer, & All-Big Ten LB Marcus Marek but under-achieving.  Four times Michigan moved inside the Ohio State 10-yard line but could not get into the end zone & the Ohio State defense intercepted Michigan QB Steve Smith 3 times in a 14-9 Buckeye victory.  Michigan opened the scoring with a 19-yard field goal from PK Ali Haji-Sheikh.  The Buckeyes got on the board in the 2^nd quarter when Schlichter scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a 7-3 Ohio State halftime edge.  The 3^rd quarter saw Haji-Sheikh hit on field goals of 26 & 23 yards for a 9-7 Michigan lead as the 4^th quarter started.  Ohio State CB Kelvin Bell intercepted Smith in the end zone & the Buckeyes took the ball at their own 20-yard line with 8:32 to play.  Schlichter led a 9-play, 80-yard drive late in the game with the Buckeyes still trailing 9-7.  With 3^rd & goal from the Michigan 6-yard line, Schlichter rolled right &, with a block from RB Vaughn Broadnax, ran in for the touchdown to give Ohio State the win.  Spencer finished with 110 yards rushing for the Buckeyes & All-American WR Anthony Carter was held to 52 receiving on 4 catches for the Wolverines.  The Wolverines finished the season 9-3; ranked 12^th nationally while the Buckeyes finished 9-3, Big Ten Co-Champs & ranked 15^th nationally.  Michigan would play for The Belt again in 1983.

 

 

 

Ohio State Buckeyes ©	Navy Midshipmen
The Liberty Bowl Played December 30, 1981 at the Liberty Bowl

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Ohio State ©	3	10	4	1	.700	5	0	1	.917	5	0	0	1.000	0	4	0	.000
Navy	0	0	2	0	.000					0	2	0	.000

 

                         Previous Belt Meetings:       None