50 years ago today
The greatest game by a RB in Michigan history.
347 yards, 5 touchdowns. 50 years later, still Michigan single game records.
He passed away last Saturday. I wrote a piece on that game if you want to read more about it and about his life: http://theblueprintmichigan.com/50-years-ago-today-the-greatest-game-by-a-michigan-rb-ever/
Really sad he never got his day at Michigan Stadium to be honored. Hopefully they will have something for him tomorrow.
Here's video of his 5 TD runs
Because Bo came the following season and that was our dark period before 2007-2014, Ron Johnson was known of but not as celebrated as he should've been IMO. He was a bright light during a dark time. Think Denard but in 1968.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:09 PM ^
What a performance that still stands today! Must have been dark times for UM football the stadium looks empty
November 16th, 2018 at 12:20 PM ^
I posted separately to express my admiration for Ron Johnson, but I also want to discuss which game was the best ever by a Michigan RB. I would have to go with Tim Biakabutuka's 313 yards against undefeated OSU. In my view, that was more impressive than yards against an 0-8 Wisconsin team.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:35 PM ^
It was around 45 degrees and rainy. Those of us in the stands froze. BTW, 1968 wasn't all darkness. Bump's last team went 8-2. The second of the two was the famous 50-14 shellacking by OSU in which Woody went for two late in the game.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:46 PM ^
1968 was largely overshadowed by that game you just mentioned, though.
November 16th, 2018 at 3:09 PM ^
And the reason the OSU game was so ugly was because both of our QBs got hurt. It was tied 14-14 before then.
November 17th, 2018 at 7:57 AM ^
He used to live in South Quad.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:51 PM ^
Most of the 50s and 60s were not the best years for Michigan football. Even after Oosterbaan won his national championship in '48, he finish sub .500 many times during the 50s. Bump almost went undefeated in '64, lost the Purdue game by 1 point and also won the Rose Bowl that season. Even in '68 Bump won 8 games though, but getting blown out by OSU was probably all Canham could stomach. At least our recent dark years have ended since Harbaugh has arrived!
November 16th, 2018 at 1:00 PM ^
If Bump knew how to fill the seats, Canham would have loved him.
November 16th, 2018 at 3:16 PM ^
I was there, that is the emptiest looking place with 60k in it.
I think the attendance was 62k or 63k that day, when capacity was still 101,701.
Lost home opener to Cal, won 8 in a row before trip to national champs OSU.
The infamous 48 to 21, Woodsy goes for 2 to make it 50.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:13 PM ^
Great post WD!
November 16th, 2018 at 12:14 PM ^
Rest in Peace, Mr. Johnson. Thank you for all you did for the team and your community.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:19 PM ^
thanks WD. lots of long TD runs in that one.
the end zones were striped, one maize and blue, and the other red and white. wild.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:43 PM ^
Yeah, the fact that we had one of our endzones painted the color of the other team blew me away. Was that a rule back in those days?
November 16th, 2018 at 12:28 PM ^
Thanks, WD.
Great post. I remember well watching that amaizing performance on TV that day.
Wisconsin barely got their hands on Ron Johnson on many of his runs that game, he was so elusive and slippery, both in spite of and because of the weather the game was played in.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
Records that may never be broken. Except I'm kinda hoping that one of our fullbacks has a 5 yards/5 TDs game at some point.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:40 PM ^
Would that be a super-inverted-rutger?
November 16th, 2018 at 12:47 PM ^
5 yards and 5 TDs? I think that would be a Mason
November 16th, 2018 at 12:39 PM ^
Looking forward to Higdon getting 400 yards against the Buckeyes.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^
To go along with the 300 yards passing that Patterson garners. Yes, please.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:56 PM ^
The blue disc in the middle of the field with the block M is really cool--I hope we can bring that back at some point.
RIP Ron Johnson.
November 16th, 2018 at 11:39 PM ^
I agree. And the end zones. It would be fun to have a field paint throwback day.
Also, amazing running. He hurdles his own guy at the end of that last run. Poor other team. They looked exhausted chasing him around by the end.
November 16th, 2018 at 12:58 PM ^
We need to see the field painted like that again just for the social media meltdown that would follow.
November 16th, 2018 at 1:01 PM ^
My Dad was there.
November 16th, 2018 at 5:02 PM ^
I'm not your dad but probably about the same age if he was there. I was there too during the first half, before Johnson got hot. The cold, rainy weather was so lousy that I left at halftime for the first and only time during the last 55 years, and watched Johnson set the record on TV. I wasn't disappointed that I wasn't there for the whole game though I certainly didn't expect his record would still be intact 50 years later. Johnson was certainly a prime example of an alum who brought credit to himself and the University of Michigan, "the greatest University in the world."
November 16th, 2018 at 9:11 PM ^
We stayed for the entire game, simply because there was no way to get our bus back early.
November 16th, 2018 at 1:07 PM ^
One other thing to consider when evaluating RJ's performance is that he was taken out of the game early in the fourth quarter. Indeed, if memory serves, he left with 14 minutes to go.
November 16th, 2018 at 1:22 PM ^
I'm sure they'll mention Ron Johnson at the game tomorrow. I would be shocked if they didn't.
That was the last game on natural grass at the big house until it came back in 1991. When Bo arrived, he wanted astroturf because he figured the players would be faster on it.
And look at the design of the north end zone! A little block M in the center with stripes. Were they going for the winged helmet look?
November 16th, 2018 at 1:40 PM ^
i noted the end zones, above. but as i'm looking at them again, it would be so cool-retro to duplicate that michigan endzone (in both ends of the stadium) in today's technology.
November 16th, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^
Ron's brother, Alex Johnson, won the 1970 American League batting title with the California Angels. Alex Johnson played for the Tigers in 1976 before retiring. He died in 2015.
November 16th, 2018 at 10:22 PM ^
Wow... I can remember Alex Johnson! I never knew! So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a whale of an MLB player. Thanks for posting that. It adds so much depth to the story of the Johnson family.
November 16th, 2018 at 4:51 PM ^
Great post.
Johnson was also the first NY Giants player to gain over 1000 yards in a season.
A physical runner who set records for number of carries he also lived in assisted living after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 10 years ago. Very sad.
November 16th, 2018 at 5:24 PM ^
Thanks for posting, and a good check on our 'tradition.'
It was a performance like this that shows the splendor of college football.
Go Blue!
November 16th, 2018 at 5:52 PM ^
Love the grass field -- the way football is meant to be played. Just like those old black and white photos of the Lions at Tiger Stadium or the Giants at Yankee Stadium where there wasn't a blade of grass on the field, just mud.
November 16th, 2018 at 10:32 PM ^
I can certainly appreciate the trip back to the days of muddy and torn up grass fields but the truth is the new turf technologies help to prevent ankle and knee injuries.
November 16th, 2018 at 9:17 PM ^
Those holes were enormous!
He mostly lumbered through them, then lumbered another 70 yards untouched.
November 16th, 2018 at 10:19 PM ^
50 years ago... wow. I was 13 years old and playing rocket football. Just becoming aware af M football because from time to time ABC would cover M football on Saturday afternoons. The glory days. Bo to come soon. The kindling of a long and fruitful love of M football. Go Blue - always.
November 16th, 2018 at 10:23 PM ^
Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play.