1973 Michigan Wolverines football team

1973 Michigan Wolverines football
Big Ten co-champion
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 6
AP	No. 6
1973 record	10–0–1 (7–0–1 Big Ten)
Head coach	Bo Schembechler (5th year)
Defensive coordinator	Gary Moeller (1st year)
MVP	Paul Seal
Captain	Dave Gallagher
Captain	Paul Seal
Home stadium	Michigan Stadium
Seasons ← 1972 1974 →

1973 Big Ten football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
#2 Ohio State +	7	–	0	–	1			10	–	0	–	1
#6 Michigan +	7	–	0	–	1			10	–	0	–	1
Minnesota	6	–	2	–	0			7	–	4	–	0
Illinois	4	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Michigan State	4	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Purdue	4	–	4	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Northwestern	4	–	4	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Wisconsin	3	–	5	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Indiana	0	–	8	–	0			2	–	9	–	0
Iowa	0	–	8	–	0			0	–	11	–	0
+ – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

1 2 3 4 Total • Michigan 10 7 7 7 31 Iowa 0 7 0 0 7 Date: September 15 Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City Game attendance: 52,105

Scoring summary 1 Michigan Lantry 39-yard field goal Michigan 3–0 1 Michigan Heater 1-yard run (Lantry kick) Michigan 10–0 2 Iowa Douthitt 47-yard interception return (Kokolus kick) Michigan 10–7 2 Michigan Thornbladh 3-yard run (Lantry kick) Michigan 17–7 3 Michigan Chapman 12-yard run (Lantry kick) Michigan 24–7 4 Michigan Franklin 11-yard run (Lantry kick) Michigan 31–7

Scoring summary
1		Michigan	Lantry 39-yard field goal	Michigan 3–0
1		Michigan	Heater 1-yard run (Lantry kick)	Michigan 10–0
2		Iowa	Douthitt 47-yard interception return (Kokolus kick)	Michigan 10–7
2		Michigan	Thornbladh 3-yard run (Lantry kick)	Michigan 17–7
3		Michigan	Chapman 12-yard run (Lantry kick)	Michigan 24–7
4		Michigan	Franklin 11-yard run (Lantry kick)	Michigan 31–7

1 2 3 4 Total Stanford 0 0 3 7 10 • Michigan 21 13 7 6 47 Date: September 22 Location: Michigan Stadium

Scoring summary 1 MICH Heater 8 yard run (Lantry kick) MICH 7–0 1 MICH Shuttlesworth 1 yard run (Lantry kick) MICH 14–0 1 MICH Chapman 1 yard run (Lantry kick) MICH 21–0 2 MICH Lantry 50 yard field goal MICH 24–0 2 MICH Gustafson 4 yard pass from Franklin (Lantry kick) MICH 31–0 2 MICH Lantry 51 yard field goal MICH 34–0 3 STAN Garcia 37 yard field goal MICH 34–3 3 MICH Shuttlesworth 1 yard run (Lantry kick) MICH 41–3 4 STAN Ishman 19 yard pass from Boryla (Garcia kick) MICH 41–10 4 MICH Chapman 5 yard run (kick failed) MICH 47–10

Scoring summary
1		MICH	Heater 8 yard run (Lantry kick)	MICH 7–0
1		MICH	Shuttlesworth 1 yard run (Lantry kick)	MICH 14–0
1		MICH	Chapman 1 yard run (Lantry kick)	MICH 21–0
2		MICH	Lantry 50 yard field goal	MICH 24–0
2		MICH	Gustafson 4 yard pass from Franklin (Lantry kick)	MICH 31–0
2		MICH	Lantry 51 yard field goal	MICH 34–0
3		STAN	Garcia 37 yard field goal	MICH 34–3
3		MICH	Shuttlesworth 1 yard run (Lantry kick)	MICH 41–3
4		STAN	Ishman 19 yard pass from Boryla (Garcia kick)	MICH 41–10
4		MICH	Chapman 5 yard run (kick failed)	MICH 47–10

1 2 3 4 Total Navy 0 0 0 0 0 • Michigan 7 0 7 0 14 Date: September 29 Location: Michigan Stadium

Scoring summary 1 MICH Heater 8-yard run (Lantry kick) MICH 7–0 3 MICH Shuttlesworth 1-yard run (Lantry kick) MICH 14–0

Scoring summary
1		MICH	Heater 8-yard run (Lantry kick)	MICH 7–0
3		MICH	Shuttlesworth 1-yard run (Lantry kick)	MICH 14–0

1 2 3 4 Total Oregon 0 0 0 0 0 • Michigan 0 14 0 10 24 Date: October 6 Location: Michigan Stadium

Scoring summary 2 Michigan Bob Thornbladh 2-yard run (Mike Lantry kick) Michigan 7–0 2 Michigan Paul Seal 4-yard pass from Larry Cipa (Mike Lantry kick) Michigan 14–0 4 Michigan Gil Chapman 83-yard punt return (Mike Lantry kick) Michigan 21–0 4 Michigan Mike Lantry 39-yard field goal Michigan 24–0

Scoring summary
2		Michigan	Bob Thornbladh 2-yard run (Mike Lantry kick)	Michigan 7–0
2		Michigan	Paul Seal 4-yard pass from Larry Cipa (Mike Lantry kick)	Michigan 14–0
4		Michigan	Gil Chapman 83-yard punt return (Mike Lantry kick)	Michigan 21–0
4		Michigan	Mike Lantry 39-yard field goal	Michigan 24–0

The 1973 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. In his fifth year as Michigan's head coach, Bo Schembechler led the team to a 10–0–1 record. It was Michigan's first undefeated season since 1948. The Wolverines outscored their opponents 330 to 68. Michigan was ranked No. 6 in both of the major post-season polls. Two other selectors, the National Championship Foundation and the Poling System, recognize Michigan as a co-national champion for the 1973 season.

The season ended with a 10–10 tie against Ohio State. Both teams were undefeated, with the winner to play the Rose Bowl. When the game ended in a tie, the Big Ten Conference athletic directors voted to send Ohio State to the Rose Bowl. Michigan athletic officials and fans were outraged, with even the Vice President of the United States speaking out against the decision.

On offense, the team was led by quarterback Dennis Franklin who completed 36 of 67 passes for 534 yards and rushed 101 times for 425 yards. Four Michigan running backs, Ed Shuttlesworth, Chuck Heater, Gil Chapman, and Gordon Bell, combined for 2,417 rushing yards. Shuttlesworth, Franklin, wing back Clint Haslerig, and offensive guard Mike Hoban were all selected as All-Big Ten Conference players. Tight end Paul Seal was selected for the team's Most Valuable Player award.

On defense, the Wolverines held opponents to 68 points, an average of 6.2 points per game. Defensive tackle Dave Gallagher and defensive back Dave Brown were both selected as consensus first-team All-Americans. Middle linebacker Steve Strinko led the team with 77 solo tackles and 108 total tackles.

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