Remember When: The Game Between Ohio State and Michigan Turns Into The Snow Bowl in 1950
It's not too often that Ohio State plays football in a blizzard. In fact, it's so rare that when the Buckeyes did so in The Game against Michigan on November 25, 1950, it was considered the Snow Bowl. Seventy-six years later, that name still holds.
The weather was expected, and the game could have been postponed, but Ohio State athletic director Dick Larkins and coach Wes Fesler decided to proceed as planned after consulting with Michigan and Big Ten officials. Fesler and Michigan coach Bennie Oosterbaan were hesitant to play, but the Wolverines threatened to forfeit if the game wasn't played, so it went ahead as scheduled.
Ironically, if the game hadn't been played, Ohio State would have won the Big Ten and advanced to the Rose Bowl. However, Larkins knew that if he decided not to play, he would never have 'lived it down.'
From start to finish, the 50,000-plus fans and players endured frigid temperatures, high winds, and a wind chill of -8 degrees Fahrenheit, with five inches of snow at kickoff, which only increased throughout the game.
One alum described the conditions: 'The game was played in the teeth of a full-scale blizzard, with five inches of snow on the ground and snow whistling through the air, borne on a 29-mile-per-hour gale.' Despite the harsh weather, Ohio State and Michigan braved the elements, with 50,503 spectators braving the cold.
Ohio State scored first after Bob Momsen recovered a blocked kick, and Vic Janowicz made a 38-yard field goal. Michigan then took a 9-3 lead into halftime after blocking a kick that resulted in a safety and recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown.
In a game that was for the Big Ten championship, Michigan defeated Ohio State 9-3, a result that will be remembered more for the weather than for the actual gameplay.
The game was incredibly one-sided. Michigan didn't gain a first down, had only 27 total yards, and punted 24 times without completing a single pass. Ohio State fared slightly better with three first downs, 34 total yards, and 21 punts. The teams combined for 10 fumbles.
The weather data from the Snow Bowl in 1950 (via Weather.gov) shows the extreme conditions: Time, Temperature (F), Wind (mph), Wind Chill (F), and Visibility (miles).
'It was like a nightmare,' Janowicz recalled. 'My hands were numb and blue. I had no feeling in them, and I don't know how I hung onto the ball. It was terrible. You knew what you wanted to do, but you couldn't do it.'
The magazine described the game as 'a mockery of football' due to the snow, wind, and slippery conditions. The strategy for both teams was to run a few plays into the line and then kick, preferably on third down, as a fourth-down kick would be available if a fumble occurred.
Volunteers were assigned to sweep the goal lines and yard markers to keep them clear of snow. On several occasions, officials had to pause the game to measure for a first down, and special crews would clear the snow to find the line.
The Snow Bowl was Fesler's fourth straight loss to Michigan, and he resigned 18 days after the game. Woody Hayes replaced him in Columbus that offseason.
