1987: Michigan, 15 vs. Arizona State, 22

In its first Rose Bowl Game, Arizona State surprised Michigan, 22-15, to continue the Pac-10 dominance over the Big Ten and register the conference’s sixth consecutive Rose Bowl Game win.

“This is the greatest win I’ve ever been associated with as a coach,” said Arizona State Head Coach John Cooper. “It’s my greatest thrill.”

At the outset, it appeared things would go Michigan’s way. Quarterback Jim Harbaugh made it look easy as he drove the Wolverines down the field on the opening drive of the game. Running back Jamie Morris scored on an 18-yard run and Michigan tried to set the tone and gain momentum successfully going for the two-point conversion.

Arizona State managed a field goal on its opening drive of the second quarter to get on the board. However, Michigan came right back with Harbaugh passing the Wolverines down the field and then powering his way into the end zone on a sneak from the 2-yard line.

From that point on, though, the Sun Devils were in charge. ASU added another field goal and quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst found flanker Bruce Hill for a touchdown in the closing seconds before halftime to cut Michigan’s lead to 15-13 at the intermission.

“At the end of the first half I didn’t feel we had the game won, but we certainly had some momentum,” Cooper said. “Our fans really helped us.”

Van Raaphorst and Arizona State put together a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped by a TD pass to Hill to put the Sun Devils on top for good. Arizona State scored the final points of the game early in the fourth quarter on a field goal. Although, Michigan was only down by a touchdown the Sun Devil defense continued to step up to the task.

“Our players played to their top ability level, and I feel that we had a better team today,” Cooper said. “Michigan is a great team, but we were quicker, especially on defense. We were in good control of their running game. I felt that the only way that they could score was on a big play on the pass.”

Harbaugh was hurried and uncomfortable in the pocket all afternoon with the Sun Devils picking off three of his passes, killing Michigan drives.

“Our offensive line broke down,” said Michigan Head Coach Bo Schembechler. “If you want to be critical, be critical of the offensive line. They were lousy. The noise factor was amazing. Maybe someday, we’ll get as many tickets as them.”

Van Raaphorst was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, thanks to his two touchdown passes.

“I’m really happy not only for the coaches, but for everyone,” Van Raaphorst said. “When I was a kid, I said ‘God, I’d like to play in the Rose Bowl some day.’ You dream about playing here and now this.”

Attendance
103,168

Weather
Hazy; 68 degrees

Scoring
First Quarter
Mich – Morris, 18-yard run (Gillette passes to G. White for the 2-point conversion)

Second Quarter
ASU – Bostrom, 37-yard field goal
Mich – Harbaugh, 2-yard run (Gillette kick good)
ASU – Bostrom, 27-yard field goal
ASU – Hill, 4-yard pass from Van Raaphorst (Bostrom kick good)

Third Quarter
ASU – Hill, 1-yard pass from Van Raaphorst (Van Raaphorst to Cox for the 2-point conversion failed)

Fourth Quarter
ASU – Bostrom, 25-yard field goal

Coaches
Michigan: Glenn Edward “Bo” Schembechler
Arizona State: John Cooper

Fun Fact
In 1987, Arizona State made its first Rose Bowl Game appearance.

Individual Stats
Rushing
Mich: Morris 16-47; Perryman 5-14; G. White 1-2
ASU: Van Raaphorst 7-2; Harris 23-109; Williams 18-69; Day 2-9

Passing
Mich: Harbaugh 13-23-172
ASU: Van Raaphorst 16-30-193

Receiving
Mich: Higgins 1-15; McMurtry 3-59; G. White 3-23; Morris 4-47; Perryman 1-6; Jokisc 1-22
ASU: Cox 6-104; Harris 3-34; Hill 4-30; Garrett 1-4; Koss 1-10; Gallimore 1-11

Punting
Mich: Robbins 6-245
ASU: Schuh 4-156