Michigan Football: Ranking the Wolverines top 10 bowl victories

3. Bo gets first Rose Bowl win back in 1981

Michigan football has had some great defenses over years. The 1997 group that led the Wolverines to the national championship was one of the best, but it’s hard to overlook what UM did on defense during the 1980 season and the 1981 Rose Bowl.

After losing non-conference games to Notre Dame and South Carolina, the Wolverines won nine straight games to close the season a run that included a perfect 8-0 record in the Big Ten.

More impressive than that, was the fact that Michigan didn’t allow a point during a three-game stretch late in the season. The Wolverines also didn’t allow a single touchdown in their final five games, which included a 23-6 win over Washington in the Rose Bowl.

Butch Woolfolk was the star of the team offensively, with more than 1,000 yards rushing and receiving that season. In the Rose Bowl, he racked up 185 yards rushing in Michigan’s first bowl win since 1965.