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Michigan Football: 5 Memorable season-opening wins for Wolverines

By Chris Peterson

26 Aug 1995: Offensive lineman Damon Denson of the Michigan Wolverines waves during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won 18-17.. Mandatory Credit: Julian Gonzales /Allsport
26 Aug 1995: Offensive lineman Damon Denson of the Michigan Wolverines waves during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won 18-17.. Mandatory Credit: Julian Gonzales /Allsport /
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(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

5. Harbaugh, Michigan take down top-ranked Miami

People might poke fun at Jim Harbaugh’s record against ranked teams as Michigan football coach, but the Wolverines head man certainly didn’t have any issue as a player.

In fact, in his first-ever start at quarterback, he led the Wolverines to a win over No. 1 Miami in the Big House back on Sept. 8, 1984.

The Hurricanes had Jimmy Johnson as their head coach and Bernie Kosar was their quarterback. They were the No. 1 team after just being crowned national champions. Miami also entered the opening game that year with a nation-best 13-game winning steak.

Well, in Harbaugh’s first start, the 14th-ranked Wolverines toppled Miami 22-14. Running back Bob Perryman did most of the heavy lifting, with three touchdown runs, while the defense picked off Kosar six times and sacked him five others.

Harbaugh was efficient, completing 11-of-21 passes for 163 yards and no turnovers. Rodney Lyles notched three interceptions. The excitement was short lived though as the Wolverines lost the next week to Washington and finished 6-6 after a loss in the Holiday Bowl to BYU.

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