1984 Michigan Wolverines football team

1984 Michigan Wolverines football
Holiday Bowl, L 17–24 vs. BYU
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record6–6 (5–4 Big Ten)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorGary Moeller (7th season)
MVPMike Mallory
Captains
Home stadiumMichigan Stadium
(Capacity: 101,701)
Seasons
← 1983
1985 →
1984 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 13 Ohio State $ 7 2 0 9 3 0
Illinois 6 3 0 7 4 0
Purdue 6 3 0 7 5 0
No. 16 Iowa 5 3 1 8 4 1
Wisconsin 5 3 1 7 4 1
Michigan State 5 4 0 6 6 0
Michigan 5 4 0 6 6 0
Minnesota 3 6 0 4 7 0
Northwestern 2 7 0 2 9 0
Indiana 0 9 0 0 11 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1984 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1984 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 16th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 6–6 record (5–4 against conference opponents) and outscored opponents by a total of 214 to 200.[1][2] It was the only team in Michigan's 21 seasons under coach Schembechler that did not finish its season with a winning record.

Michigan began the season under quarterback Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines went 3–1 in their first four games under Harbaugh, but Harbaugh's season ended with a broken arm in a loss to Michigan State. Michigan next turned to Russ Rein who started two games, including a 26–0 loss to Iowa, the worst loss for a Michigan team since Schembechler took over as head coach. Chris Zurbrugg took over as quarterback for the remaining five games in which the Wolverines won two and lost three. In the 1984 Holiday Bowl, Michigan lost to national champion BYU. BYU quarterback Robbie Bosco led a fourth-quarter comeback with two touchdown passes, including the game winner with 83 seconds remaining in the game.

Linebacker Mike Mallory was selected as the most valuable player on the Michigan team. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jim Harbaugh with 718 passing yards, tailback Jamie Morris with 573 rushing yards, tight end Sim Nelson with 459 receiving yards, and placekicker Bob Bergeron with 60 points scored.[3]

  1. ^ "1984 Football Team". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "1984 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  3. ^ "1984 Michigan Wolverines Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 13, 2020.