1964 Big Ten Conference football season explained

1964 Big Ten Conference football season
Sport:American football
No Of Teams:10
Top Pick:Dick Butkus
Season Champs:Michigan
Season Champ Name:Champion
Second Place:Ohio State
Mvp:Bob Timberlake
Prevseason Year:1963
Nextseason Year:1965

The 1964 Big Ten Conference football season was the 69th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1964 NCAA University Division football season.

The 1964 Michigan Wolverines football team, under head coach Bump Elliott, won the Big Ten football championship, compiled a 9–1 record, led the conference in both scoring offense (23.5 points per game) and scoring defense (8.3 points allowed per game), was ranked No. 4 in the final AP and UPI polls, and defeated Oregon State, 34–7, in the 1965 Rose Bowl. Quarterback Bob Timberlake received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the Big Ten's most valuable player.[1]

The 1964 Ohio State Buckeyes football team, under head coach Woody Hayes, finished in second place with a 7–2 record and was ranked No. 9 in the final AP and UPI polls. Four Ohio State defensive players (Jim Davidson, Ed Orazen, Ike Kelley and Arnie Chonko) received first-team All-American honors.

The Big Ten's individual statistical leaders included Iowa's Gary Snook with 2,062 passing yards, Illinois' Jim Grabowski with 1,004 rushing yards, and Iowa's Karl Noonan with 933 receiving yards. Illinois' center/linebacker Dick Butkus was the Big Ten's only consensus first-team All-American, finished third in voting for the 1964 Heisman Trophy, and was the first Big Ten player selected in the 1965 NFL draft with the third overall pick.

Season overview

Results and team statistics

Conf. RankTeamHead coachAP finalAP highOverall recordConf. recordPPGPAGMVP
1MichiganBump Elliott
  1. 4
  1. 4
9–16–123.58.3Bob Timberlake
2Ohio StateWoody Hayes
  1. 9
  1. 1
7–25–116.28.4Ed Orazen
3PurdueJack MollenkopfNR
  1. 17
6–35–218.716.2Bob Hadrick
4 (tie)IllinoisPete ElliottNR
  1. 2
6–34–315.811.1Dick Butkus
4 (tie)MinnesotaMurray WarmathNRNR5–44–315.114.6Joe Pung
6Michigan StateDuffy DaughertyNR
  1. 9
4–53–315.115.7Dick Gordon
7 (tie)NorthwesternAlex AgaseNRNR3–62–510.618.2Pat Riley
7 (tie)WisconsinMilt BruhnNRNR3–62–510.921.1Carl Silvestri
9 (tie)IowaJerry BurnsNRNR3–61–518.923.2Karl Noonan
9 (tie)IndianaPhil DickensNRNR2–71–517.220.9Rich Badar
Key
AP final = Team's rank in the final AP Poll of the 1964 season
AP high = Team's highest rank in the AP Poll throughout the 1964 season
PPG = Average of points scored per game
PAG = Average of points allowed per game[2]
MVP = Most valuable player as voted by players on each team as part of the voting process to determine the winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy; trophy winner in bold

Preseason

On December 14, 1963, Ara Parseghian resigned as Northwestern's head football coach to take the same job at Notre Dame.[3] Assistant coach Alex Agase was hired as his replacement at Northwestern.[4]

Illinois came into the 1964 season as the favorite to win the conference championship. The 1963 Illinois team was both the Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion and had stars Dick Butkus and Jim Grabowski as returning veterans. Ohio State and Michigan were expected to be the toughest challengers to Illinois.[5]

Regular season

September 19

On September 19, 1964, two Big Ten teams began their season with victories over non-conference opponents.

September 26

On September 26, 1964, all ten conference saw action in one conference game and eight non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in five victories and three losses, giving the conference a 7–3 record against conference opponents to that point in the season.

October 3

On October 3, 1964, nine Big Ten teams saw action in two conference games and five non-conference games. Wisconsin had a bye week. The non-conference games resulted in four victories and one loss, giving the conference a 10–4 record against conference opponents to that point in the season.

October 10

On October 10, 1964, all 10 conference team met in five conference games. Heading into the October 10 games, four Big Ten teams were ranked in the top ten of that week's AP Poll: Illinois at No. 2; Ohio State at No. 4; Michigan at No. 7; and Michigan State at No. 9.[18]

October 17

On October 17, 1964, the 10 conference teams played four conference games and two non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in one victory and one loss, giving the conference an 11–5 record against conference opponents to that point in the season.

October 24

On October 24, 1964, the 10 conference teams played four conference games and two non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in two victories, giving the conference a 13–5 record against conference opponents to that point in the season.

October 31

On October 31, 1964, all 10 conference teams met in conference games.

November 7

On November 7, 1964, the 10 conference teams played four conference games and two non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in two losses, giving the conference a 13–7 record against conference opponents to that point in the season.

November 14

On November 14, 1964, the 10 conference teams played four conference games and two non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in two losses, giving the conference a 13–9 record against conference opponents to that point in the season.

November 21

On November 21, 1964, nine conference teams played four conference games and one non-conference game. Northwestern had a bye week. The non-conference game resulted in a loss, giving the conference a 13–8 record against conference opponents to that point in the season.

Bowl games

On January 1, 1965, Michigan (ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll) played in the 1965 Rose Bowl, defeating the Oregon State Beavers (ranked No. 8), 34–7. The game marked Michigan's fourth appearance in the Rose Bowl. In its three prior appearances (1902, 1948, and 1951), Michigan was 3–0 and had outscored opponents 112–6. Michigan was selected as an 11-point favorite over Oregon State.[39]

After a scoreless first quarter, Oregon State took a 7–0 lead with a five-yard touchdown pass from Paul Brothers to Doug McDougal. Later in the second quarter, Michigan scored its first touchdown of the game on an 84-yard run by Mel Anthony. Anthony's run broke the Rose Bowl record for the longest run from scrimmage. Dick Sygar missed the extra point, and Oregon State led 7–6. On Michigan's next drive, Carl Ward ran 43 yards for a touchdown. Michigan missed an attempted two-point conversion on an incomplete pass from Bob Timberlake to Ben Farabee, and Michigan led 12–7 at halftime.

In the second half, Michigan's defense shut out the Beavers, 22 to 0. Mel Anthony, who scored three touchdowns in the game, was named the player of the game. Michigan totaled 332 rushing yards, including 123 by Anthony and 88 by Carl Ward. The Michigan defense held Oregon State to 64 rushing yards in the game.[40]

After studying game film from the Rose Bowl, Oregon State coach Tommy Prothro said he was convinced that the 1964 Michigan team was "the greatest football team he has ever seen." Prothro added, "The pictures are really interesting. There were times when our players blasted Michigan players at full speed and only wound up flat on their backs with the other people on top of them. I've never seen such hitting."[41]

Post-season developments

On December 1, 1964, both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) released their final college football polls. Both the AP and UPI picked Alabama (which went on to lose to Texas in the 1965 Orange Bowl) at the No. 1 spot, Michigan at No. 4 and Ohio State at No. 9.[42] [43] Two other Big Ten schools were ranked in the UPI's second ten, Illinois at No. 15 and Michigan State at No. 20.[43]

On December 22, 1964, Phil Dickens resigned as Indiana's head football coach and was given a new position as the university's general manager of off-campus physical facilities. In seven seasons, he compiled a 20-41-2 record with the Hoosiers. Due to over-zealous recruiting, he had been suspended for the 1957 season, and the team had been placed on probation from 1960 to 1963.[44]

Statistical leaders

The Big Ten's individual statistical leaders for the 1964 season include the following:[2]

Passing yards

RankNameTeamYards
1Gary SnookIowa2,062
2Rich BadarIndiana1,571
3John HankinsonMinnesota1,084
4Hal BrandtWisconsin1,059
5Fred CustardoIllinois1,012

Rushing yards

RankNameTeamYards
1Jim GrabowskiIllinois1,004
2Dick GordonMichigan State741
3Willard SanderOhio State626
4Gordon TeterPurdue614
5Mel AnthonyMichigan579

Receiving yards

RankNameTeamYards
1Karl NoonanIowa933
2Bill MalinchakIndiana634
3Gene WashingtonMichigan State542
4Jimmy JonesWisconsin529
5Rich O'HaraIowa469

Total yards

RankNameTeamYards
1Gary SnookIowa2,044
2Rich BadarIndiana1,625
3Bob TimberlakeMichigan1,381
4John HankinsonMinnesota1,262
5Fred CustardoIllinois1,163

Scoring

RankNameTeamPoints
1Jim GrabowskiIllinois60
2Bob TimberlakeMichigan54
2Randy MinniearPurdue54
2Mel AnthonyMichigan54
5Dalton KimbleIowa48

Awards and honors

All-Big Ten honors

The following players were picked by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press International (UPI) as first-team players on the 1964 All-Big Ten Conference football team.[45] [46]

Offense

PositionNameTeamSelectors
Quarterback/halfbackBob TimberlakeMichiganAP [hb], UPI [qb]
QuarterbackGary SnookIowaAP
HalfbackDick GordonMichigan StateAP, UPI
Halfback/endKarl NoonanIowaAP [end], UPI [hb]
FullbackJim GrabowskiIllinoisAP, UPI
Offensive endBill MalinchakIndianaAP, UPI
Offensive endBob HadrickPurdueUPI
Offensive tackleArchie SuttonIllinoisAP, UPI
Offensive tackleJerry RushMichigan StateAP
Offensive tackleJim DavidsonOhio StateUPI
Offensive guardDon CroftcheckIndianaAP, UPI
Offensive guardDan PorrettaOhio StateAP, UPI
CenterJoe CerneNorthwesternAP, UPI

Defense

PositionNameTeamSelectors
Defensive endAaron BrownMinnesotaAP
Defensive endHarold WellsPurdueAP
Defensive endJim ConleyMichigan UPI
Defensive endBill SpahrOhio StateUPI
Defensive tackleBill YearbyMichiganAP, UPI
Defensive tackleJim GarciaPurdueAP, UPI
LinebackerDick ButkusIllinoisAP, UPI
LinebackerIke KelleyOhio StateAP, UPI
LinebackerTom CecchiniMichiganAP
LinebackerTom BugelOhio StateUPI
Defensive backArnie ChonkoOhio StateAP, UPI
Defensive backGeorge DonnellyIllinoisAP, UPI
Defensive backKraig LofquistMinnesotaAP, UPI
Defensive backTom NowatzkeIndianaAP
Defensive backCharles MigyankaMichigan StateUPI

All-American honors

At the end of the 1964 season, Big Ten players secured only one of the consensus first-team picks for the 1964 College Football All-America Team.[47] The Big Ten's consensus All-American was:

Other Big Ten players who were named first-team All-Americans by at least one selector were:

PositionNameTeamSelectors
QuarterbackBob TimberlakeMichiganAP, FWAA, FN
Offensive endKarl NoonanIowaNEA, FN
Running backJim GrabowskiIllinoisUPI, FN
FullbackTom NowatzkeIndianaAFCA
GuardDon CroftcheckIndianaTSN
GuardArchie SuttonIllinoisTime
Defensive endHarold WellsPurdueAP
Defensive tackleBill YearbyMichiganCP, FN, NEA
Defensive tackleJim DavidsonOhio StateTSN, Time
Defensive tackleEd OrazenOhio StateFN
Middle guardIke KelleyOhio StateFWAA, FN
Defensive backArnie ChonkoOhio StateAP, NEA
Defensive backGeorge DonnellyIllinoisTSN, Time

Other awards

On December 3, 1964, the Heisman Trophy was awarded to John Huarte of Notre Dame. Two Big Ten players finished among the top four in the voting for the trophy. They were: Illinois center/linebacker Dick Butkus (third) and Michigan quarterback Bob Timberlake (fourth).[48]

1965 NFL Draft

The following Big Ten players were among the first 100 picks in the 1965 NFL draft:[49]

NamePositionTeamRoundOverall pick
Dick ButkusLinebackerIllinois13
Tom NowatzkeFullbackIndiana111
George DonnellyBackIllinois113
Archie SuttonTackleIllinois215
Joe CerneCenterNorthwestern216
Jim GarciaTacklePurdue217
Jerry RushTackleMichigan State225
Bo ScottRunning backOhio State332
Bob TimberlakeQuarterbackMichigan333
Frank MarchlewskiCenterMinnesota560
John HendersonEndMichigan563
Ed FlanaganCenterPurdue564
Arnie SimkusTackleMichigan672
Roger JacobazziTackleWisconsin786
Dick GordonRunning backMichigan State788
John HankinsonQuarterbackMinnesota8100

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tribune Silver Football winners, 1924–2005. The Chicago Tribune. November 27, 2007. 2007.
  2. Web site: 1964 Big Ten Conference Year Summary. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. January 9, 2017.
  3. News: Parseghian Leaves Northwestern To Become Notre Dame Coach. The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 15, 1963. 1F. Newspapers.com.
  4. News: Ara Takes Irish Post; N.U. Names Agase: Parseghian's Assistant Gets Wildcats' Head Coaching Job. Chicago Tribune. Ray Damer. December 18, 1963. 3-1. Newspapers.com.
  5. News: Big 10 Football Manpower at Premium. Lansing State Journal (AP story). August 30, 1964. E1. Newspapers.com.
  6. News: Wildcats, Badgers Triumph: Agase's Men Beat Oregon State, 7 to 3. Chicago Tribune. Howard Barry. September 20, 1964. 2-1. Newspapers.com.
  7. News: Wildcats, Badgers Triumph: Wisconsin Beats Kansas State, 17 to 7. Chicago Tribune. Ray Damer. September 20, 1964. 2-1. Newspapers.com.
  8. News: Illini, Wildcats, Notre Dame Triumph: California's Rally Falls Short, 20–14. Chicago Tribune. September 27, 1964. 2-1. Newspapers.com.
  9. News: Buckeyes Bash SMU In Grid Debut, 27–8. The Cincinnati Enquirer. Jim Schottelcotte. September 27, 1964. 4D. Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Michigan Rolls Past Air Force By 24–7. Daytona Beach Morning Journal. September 27, 1964. 4B. 7 January 2012 .
  11. News: Purdue Blanks Out-Manned Ohio U., 17–0. Terre Haute Tribune-Star. September 27, 1964. 50.
  12. News: Late Husker Fury Storms 'U' 26–21. Minneapolis Tribune. Bill McGrane. September 27, 1964. Sports 2.
  13. News: Iowa Wins On Big Finish, 34–24. The Des Moines Register. Leighton Housh. September 27, 1964. 1S, 3S.
  14. News: State's Defense Stops Explosive USC, 17 to 7. Lansing State Journal. Bob Hoerner. October 4, 1964. E1. Newspapers.com.
  15. News: Illinois Mauls Myers, Wildcats, 17–6. The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois). Dave Kindred. October 4, 1964. 13. Newspapers.com.
  16. News: Ohio State Shakes Off Hoosiers, 17 to 9. Chicago Tribune. Harry Warren. October 4, 1964. 2-1, 2-4. Newspapers.com.
  17. News: William N. Wallace. Michigan Halts Middies by 21–0: Three Staubach Passes Are Intercepted and Navy Also Loses Three Fumbles. The New York Times. October 4, 1964. January 7, 2012 .
  18. News: U-M 7th, MSU 9th In Voting. The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Michigan). October 6, 1964. 14. Newspapers.com.
  19. News: Ohio State Crushes Second-Ranked Illinois 26–0. The Times Recorder (Zanesville, Ohio). October 11, 1964. D1. Newspapers.com.
  20. News: R. W. Apple, Jr.. Sygar Spearhead on 2 Late Scores: Defensive back Gets Tally on Pass, Throws for One in Last 7 Minutes. The New York Times. October 11, 1964. 7 January 2012 .
  21. News: Buckeyes Bid For No. 1 As Sander Piledrives By Southern Cal, 17–0. The Cincinnati Enquirer. Al Heim. October 18, 1964. 2H.
  22. News: Purdue Conquers Michigan by 21–20: Wolverines Fail on 2-Point Conversion After Rally. The New York Times. October 18, 1964. 8 January 2012 .
  23. News: Purdue Victory Was Gift-Wrapped. The Owosso Argus-Press. October 19, 1964. 8 January 2012 .
  24. News: Miami Slaps Northwestern. The Times Recorder (Zanesville, Ohio). October 18, 1964. 13.
  25. News: Timberlake Star for Wolverines: Kicks Field Goal and Runs for Score – Gophers Tally Twice in Last Period. The New York Times. October 25, 1964. 7 January 2012 .
  26. News: Michigan Crushes Northwestern's Defense, 35–0. The Miami News (AP story). November 1, 1964. 7 January 2012 .
  27. News: Michigan Turns Back Illinois by 21–6 With 2 Touchdowns in Second Period: Intercepted Pass Sets Up a Score. The New York Times. November 8, 1964. 7 January 2012 .
  28. News: Michigan Downs Hawkeyes, 34–20: Timberlake, Anthony Excel – Iowa Fumbles a Factor. The New York Times. November 15, 1964. 7 January 2012 .
  29. News: Ohio, Michigan March to Showdown: Wildcats 5th Conference Victim, 10-0. Chicago Tribune. Richard Dozer. November 15, 1964. 2–1. 2–5. Newspapers.com.
  30. News: Grabowski Breaks Big 10 and Grange's Rushing Records; Illini Triumph, 29–0. Chicago Tribune. November 15, 1964. 2-1. Maurice Shevlin. Newspapers.com.
  31. News: Gophers Awaken Purdue from Rosy Dream, 14 to 7. Chicago Tribune. November 15, 1964. Edward Prell. 2-1. Newspapers.com.
  32. News: Irish Clobber Spartans. The Times Herald (Port Huron, Michigan). November 15, 1964. 25. Newspapers.com.
  33. News: Oregon Tops IU: All-America Berry Is Hero In 29-21 Rally. Anderson (IN) Herald. November 15, 1964. 29. Newspapers.com.
  34. News: Wolverines Get Rose Bowl Trip With 10–0 Win. Reading Eagle (UPI story). November 22, 1964. 53. 7 January 2012 .
  35. News: Purdue Stays On Ground To Win, 28–22: 2nd-Half Marches Beat Indiana in Bucket Struggle. The Indianapolis Star. Max Stultz. November 22, 1964. 4-1. Newspapers.com.
  36. News: Grabowski, Butkus Help Sink Spartans Again, 16 to 0: State's 'Champaign Party' Goes Down Drain. Bob Hoerner. Lansing State Journal. F1. November 22, 1964. Newspapers.com.
  37. News: Wisconsin Beats Minnesota 14 to 7. The Racine Journal-Times. November 22, 1964. C1. Newspapers.com.
  38. News: Record-Setting Irish Blast Hawkeyes, 28–0. The Indianapolis Star. Ray Marquette. November 22, 1964. 4-1. Newspapers.com.
  39. News: Michigan Rose Bowl Pick By 11 Over Oregon State. The News-Dispatch (UPI story). December 3, 1964. 8 January 2012 .
  40. News: Bill Becker. Anthony's Long Run Helps Michigan Rout Oregon State, 34–7, in Rose Bowl: Senior Fullback Scores 3 Times; Anthony Breaks Record With 84-Yard Run – Timberlake and Ward Also Excel. The New York Times. January 2, 1965. 8 January 2012 .
  41. News: Michigan Gridders Praised. Tri City Herald (AP story). January 7, 1965. 8 January 2012 .
  42. News: Alabama No 1 in Final Poll; Arkansas 2nd. Decatur Herald. December 2, 1964. 13. Newspapers.com.
  43. News: Final College Football Polls. Lansing State Journal. December 2, 1964. C1. Newspapers.com.
  44. News: Phil Dickens Resigns As Indiana Grid Coach. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 22, 1964. 21. Newspapers.com.
  45. News: Gordon, Rush Earn Spots on All-Big Ten Team. Lansing State Journal (AP story). November 25, 1964. 17. Newspapers.com.
  46. News: Timberlake, Butkus Head All Big 10 Squad; Nowatzke 2nd Team. The Call-Leader (UPI story). Ed Sainsbury. November 28, 1964. 4. Newspapers.com.
  47. Web site: 2014 NCAA Football Records: Consensus All-America Selections. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2014. August 16, 2014. 5–6. December 22, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141222163944/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2014/Awards.pdf. dead.
  48. Web site: 1964 Heisman Trophy Voting. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. January 17, 2017.
  49. Web site: 1965 NFL Draft: Full Draft. National Football League. NFL.com. January 13, 2017.