That was a 'tongue in cheek' response Woody made up years later. His ACTUAL response was "My long snapper and kicker were pretty banged up and I need them healthy for the upcoming Rose Bowl. No sense taking any chances.'
That was a great game for my school because it fueled Michigan for 1969 and they upset Ohio State and allowed my Longhorns to claim the national title. I've always liked Michigan because of that game and people never believe me when I say I like Ohio State as well. Rex Kern was one of my first football heroes along with Jim Stillwagon
I'm a big Michigan guy too and OSU collections are fascinating too. Our two schools are the KINGS of the Big Ten and the Midwest in College Football! Penn State? Good but not consistently so once they joined the Big Ten. Wisconsin? They have their moments but zero National Titles. Michigan state? Decent at times but again not consistent. Nebraska? Please, after joining the conference they were crying 'uncle' in 4 years. The four from the west? We shall see but I have a feeling they'll be more like Penn State once they face Michigan and OSU a few times.
When Bo got to Ann Arbor he put up the number 50 all over the locker room and all the practice facilities. There was NO WAY Michigan wasn't gonna be starving for revenge! Then Woody followed suit with 24-12 all over the place to get his team ready in 1970. This 50-burger here was the prelude to the Ten Year War.
