Snow Bowl (1950) - Game Summary

Game Summary

The game was played at Ohio Stadium, in Columbus, Ohio under severe winter conditions, including snow and wind, that altered the normal playing of the game dramatically. Michigan won the game 9–3, despite never getting a first down and failing on all nine pass attempts. The teams punted 45 times, sometimes on first down, which is highly unusual in football. The strategy was based on the weather in that both teams felt it better to have the ball in the hands of their opponents near the end zone and hope for a fumble of the slippery ball. The game became famous because of the weather and the difficulty of playing football when the players can't see the lines on the field; film of the game is often shown during television coverage of their annual meeting or when histories of either team are compiled. During the game, two brothers, Robert Momsen from Ohio State and Tony Momsen from Michigan, faced off in college football for the first time.

The Buckeyes' first and only score was Vic Janowicz kicking a field goal, after Robert Momsen recovered a blocked Wolverine kick. Michigan scored on a blocked kick that rolled out of the end zone for a safety. With 47 seconds remaining in the first half, Tony Momsen of Michigan blocked a Buckeye punt and fell on it in the end zone for a touchdown and the final score of 9–3.