Teams' Belt Records

                            Previous Belt Meetings:       None

Unranked but sporting a record of 2-1, the Navy Midshipmen coached by Rick Forzano visited Ann Arbor trying to claim The Belt from the 5^th ranked, 3-0 Michigan Wolverines coached by Bo Schembechler.  Navy had wins over William & Mary as well as Boston College along with a loss at 10^th ranked Penn State before their trip to the Big House.  Wolverines' QB Dennis Franklin completed only 3 passes but 2 were for touchdowns & All-Big Ten S David Brown returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown as Michigan scored 28 points in the 3^rd quarter to secure a 35-7 victory over the Midshipmen.  An upset appeared possible as Michigan was only able to score on a 6-yard touchdown run by Franklin in the 2^nd quarter & Wolverines led 7-0 at the half.  The 3^rd quarter was dominated by Michigan as CB Roy Burks recovered a fumble by Navy’s WR Ike Owens on the 2^nd half kick-off.  Six plays later, Franklin connected with WR Bo Rather on a 9-yard touchdown pass.  Brown’s punt return gave the Wolverines a 21-0 lead before RB Chuck Heater’s the 13-yard touchdown run put Michigan ahead 28-0.  Franklin’s 10-yard touchdown pass to TE Paul Seal finished the 4-touchdown eruption as the Wolverines took a 35-0 lead to the 4^th quarter.  The Midshipmen averted the shutout when QB Allen Glenny threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to WR Robin Ameen with just 2:19 left in the game.  Franklin finished with just 35 yards passing but 2 touchdowns while rushing for 61 yards with a touchdown.  Glenny threw for 119 yards with a touchdown & an interception in the loss.  Michigan finished the season 10-1; Big Ten Co-Champs & ranked 6^th nationally while Navy closed at 4-7.  The Midshipmen would challenge again for The Belt in 1973.