Since Desmond Howard became the first Michigan player to receive a Legends Patch, there has been much debate surrounding which players deserve the award as well. In an effort to settle some of the debate, we will be breaking down a former Michigan football player that we believe should be analyzed as a nominee for a Legends Patch. This does not mean our writers believe they should be formally nominated in some way, but only that their credentials should be reviewed. If you have an opinion please comment or contact our writers via Twitter.
Nominee: Rob Lytle
"Consensus All-American and named Chicago Tribune's Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player in 1976. He gained 1,469 yards as a senior to set a Michigan record and broke the Wolverine career rushing mark with 3,317 yards. His honors include the John F. Maulbetsch Award (top freshman) and the Louis B. Hyde Award (team's MVP). He finished third in Heisman Trophy balloting. He set a conference record by rushing for 180 yards in just 10 carries against Michigan State, an unprecedented 18-yard per carry average. Lytle became an outstanding player with the Denver Broncos of the NFL." - Bentley Historical Library
The 1977 game did not carry as much importance as some of its predecessors like the 1969 and 1976 games, but it still had some important qualities that shaped this rivalry long-term. It still featured two teams ranked in the top 5 (something that had almost become commonplace in this rivalry) and was decided by just one score, but it definitely did little to change the tide of the rivalry and change its legacy long-term. This is one of those games that just added to what was already a great series. One interesting thing to note about this game was that it was the last game to be held in Ann Arbor between Bo and Woody.
Background:
Michigan's 1977 team, much like Ohio State's 1976 squad had the challenge of replacing one of its best offensive players. Rob Lytle had graduated and Michigan had to find somebody else to run the ball. They still had Rick Leach and Glenn Davis, but losing Lytle was a major obstacle. Roosevelt Smith and Harlan Huckleby did a nice job at replacing Lytle. This is one of the major things that allowed the 1977 Wolverines to be so successful.
The Wolverines started their 1977 run much like their 1976 run. They dominated early, winning their first 6 games by a combined score of 193-42. That's pretty impressive considering that those games included two ranked teams, two road games, and a rivalry game against MSU. Michigan did fall the next week in a road game against Minnesota, but followed it up with three dominant wins against Purdue, Northwestern, and Iowa. Michigan spent 4 weeks during the season ranked #1 and entered the OSU game ranked #5. This would be the 8th consecutive time Michigan entered the OSU game ranked #5 or higher.
Every game in the Ten Year War set the table for future games, but there are a couple games that truly impacted the Ten Year War and the legacy that followed. The 1969 and 1973 games were undoubtedly these types of games and the 1976 was as well. If Woody Hayes had retired after the 1975 season, his legacy would have been unquestioned. He would have just ended an undefeated season and would have left with a 4-2-1 record against Bo Schembechler. Of course, he did no such thing and the tide would once against shift in the 1976 edition of "The Game" back towards Michigan.
Background:
Michigan's 1976 team was something to behold. Not only did they storm through their first 8 games with a score of 352-58, but they also were ranked #1 through 8 games. The 1976 defense was impeccable, holding 8 opponents to one score or less and really only allowing three teams to score anything significant. Even in Michigan's only regular season loss on the road against Purdue, the Boilermakers only scored 16 points. This loss was pretty important, as it truly removed Michigan from the national championship discussion. Granted, the Wolverines lost the Rose Bowl to USC, but they probably would have entered that game ranked #1 instead of #2.
What also adds to this performance wass the fact that the 1976 version of "The Game" was the 7th straight time that Michigan entered the game against Ohio State ranked in the top 5. That much consistency is simply astounding. Compare it to some of the more modern dynasties. Bob Stoops and Oklahoma were ranked #6 or higher for 5 straight years, Alabama has been ranked #10 or higher for 4 straight years, Florida was #13 or higher for 5 straight years, Jim Tressel had OSU ranked #9 or higher for 6 straight years. In fact, the only recent dynasty that can really match Michigan's performance from 1970-1976 was USC. Pete Carroll had the Trojans ranked #4 or higher for 7 straight years. However, we all know about the sanctions that removed some of those records so in reality, not even USC could match Michigan's performance during the 1970-1976 period.
The Ten Year War is viewed as the most iconic time period in Michigan football history by most fans and analysts because of how it changed "The Game" and the path of both Michigan and Ohio State. The face of those ten years is obviously Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes, but there a large number of impactful players who had their say in "The Game" through this time. So we are counting down the top ten Wolverine players to strap on the winged helmet during the Ten Year War.
10. Marty Huff (LB)
Marty Huff played at LB for three years for the Michigan Wolverines, two of which during the Ten Year War (1969 and 1970). Huff was honored as an All-American in 1970 after one of the best single-year performances from a Michigan LB in school history. He recorded 124 tackles (one for loss) and five INTs for a total of 85 yards in his All-American season.
Through his two years competing in the Ten Year War, Huff recorded 250 tackles, along with 8 INTs. He was very well capable of defending both the run and the pass, called the signals for the defense, and won the John Maulbetsch Trophy a the top freshman in the country. Huff scored a TD as a sophomore, intercepting a pass and returning it 44-yards.
With no argument, Marty Huff had his best game against the Buckeyes during his All-American season of 1970. He racked up an incredible 13 total tackled, 10 of which were solo. He was a dominant force for the Wolverines in "The Game."
Since Desmond Howard became the first Michigan player to receive a Legends Patch, there has been much debate surrounding which players deserve the award as well. In an effort to settle some of the debate, we will be breaking down a former Michigan football player that we believe should be analyzed as a nominee for a Legends Patch. This does not mean our writers believe they should be formally nominated in some way, but only that their credentials should be reviewed. If you have an opinion please comment or contact our writers via Twitter.
