The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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M Wolverines Looking For Greater RB Production Fitzgerald Toussaint, now entering his fifth-year senior season, led the U-M running back corps last season with just 514 yards. In the last 50 years, the Wolverines have lost five-plus games or posted a sub.-500 record (they went 3-4-2 in 1963) nine times: 2012 (8-5), 2010 (7-6), 2009 (5-7), 2008 (3-9), 2005 (7-5), 1984 (6-6), 1967 (4-6), 1965 (4-6) and 1963 (3-4-2). What do almost all of those seasons have in common, beyond the disappointing finishes? Subpar production from the running backs. Of the nine seasons the Wolverines lost five-plus games or finished sub-.500 in the last 50 years, eight of them coincide with the top-10 least-productive seasons from the lead running back. Only 1967 stands out, when Michigan went 4-6 and running back Ron Johnson rushed 210 times for 982 yards and six touchdowns. On the flip side, the Wolverines have found some measure of success despite less-than-stellar production from the lead back twice. In 1964, Michigan went 9-1, won the Big Ten championship and defeated Oregon State (34-7) in the Rose Bowl. U-M's top ground-gainer that year was Mel Anthony, who carried 145 times for 702 yards and nine touchdowns. In 1966, the team went 6-4, and the leading running back was Dave Fisher (131 carries for 672 yards and two touchdowns). The 10 seasons with the least-productive lead running back led to a combined 58-53-2 record, one Big Ten title and five bowl appearances (just one win). In the last 50 years, the lead running back has rushed for at least 900 yards an impressive 34 times. Of the top 10 best performances from lead running backs, just two led to fewer than nine wins for the team: in 1987, Jamie Morris rushed for 1,703 yards on an 8-4 squad. And in 1968, Ronald Johnson rushed for 1,391 yards for the 8-2 Wolverines. In the 10 seasons with the most prolific lead backs, Michigan compiled a combined 92-28-1 record, five Big Ten championships, five Rose Bowl appearances and one Orange Bowl bid. Least Productive Leading RB, Last 50 Years Rk. Player 1. Mel Anthony 2. Brandon Minor 3. Fitz Toussaint 4. Brandon Minor 5. Jamie Morris 6. Vincent Smith 7. Carl Ward 8. Mike Hart 9. Dave Fisher 10. Mel Anthony Year 1963 2009 2012 2008 1984 2010 1965 2005 1966 1964 Carries 103 96 130 103 118 136 112 150 131 145 Yards TD 394 5 502 9 514 5 533 9 573 2 601 5 639 2 662 4 672 2 702 9 Most Productive Leading RB, Last 50 Years Fitzgerald Toussaint rushed for 514 yards and five touchdowns on 130 carries last season, the third-lowest single-season yardage total put up by U-M's lead running back over the last 50 years. Photo by lon horwedel Rk. Player 1. Tim Biakabutuka 2. Anthony Thomas 3. Jamie Morris 4. Chris Perry 5. Mike Hart 6. Rob Lytle 7. Butch Woolfolk 8. Mike Hart 9. Tony Boles 10. Ron Johnson Year 1995 2000 1987 2003 2006 1976 1981 2004 1988 1968 Carries 303 319 282 338 318 221 253 282 262 255 Yards TD 1,818 12 1,733 18 1,703 14 1,674 18 1,562 14 1,469 14 1,459 6 1,455 9 1,408 9 1,391 19 The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview ■ 13