Michigan Wolverines ©	Washington Huskies
Played September 17, 1983 at Husky Stadium Seattle, Washington

  

 

Teams' Belt Records

 

Team	Belt Reigns	Overall Record				Home Record				Away Record				Neutral Record
		W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT	W	L	T	PCT
Michigan ©	4	14	7	0	.667	7	3	0	.700	6	2	0	.750	1	2	0	.333
Washington	3	5	5	0	.500	2	2	0	.500	3	2	0	.600	0	1	0	.000

 

 

Having lost The Belt in the 1982 Apple Cup game to Washington State, coach Don James’ Washington Huskies had the chance to reclaim the title against coach Bo Schembechler’s Michigan Wolverines as the 8^th ranked, 1-0 Wolverines traveled to Seattle to meet the 16^th ranked, 1-0 Huskies.  Washington secured the win with a late rally & 2-point conversion to upset the Wolverines 25-24.  The teams exchanged field goals in the 1^st quarter with Michigan’s PK Todd Schlopy hit from 35 yards while Washington’s PK Jeff Jaeger hit from 33 yards.  The Huskies took the lead in the 2^nd quarter when All-Pac 10 QB Steve Pelluer connected with WR Dave Stransky on a 19-yard touchdown pass giving Washington a 10-3 halftime lead.  The Wolverines dominated the 3^rd quarter getting a 5-yard touchdown run from RB Rick Rogers & a 1-yard touchdown run by QB Steve Smith as Michigan took a 17-10 lead heading into the 4^th quarter.  On the first play of the final quarter, Michigan appeared to gain total control of the game as Pelluer fumbled at the Washington 21-yard line.  The ball rolled loose in the scramble eventually landing in the end zone where Michigan's LB Mike Mallory recovered the ball giving the Wolverines a 24-10 lead.  Starting with the next drive, Pelluer got hot completing 14 straight passes.  The Huskies drove 75 yards in 13 plays with RB Walt Hunt carrying in from 3 yards for the score & Washington trailed 24-17 with 9:06 left to play.  Michigan took the ensuing drive to the Washington 15-yard line but Schlopy’s 32-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.  The Huskies final drive started at their own 20-yard line with 3:40 to play.  Pelluer completed all 9 of his passes on the drive accounting for 76 yards; hitting a 7-yard connection to WR Mike Pattison for the touchdown with 0:34 left in the game.  Instead of playing for the tie, James' had his team try for the 2-point conversion.  Pelluer lofted a pass over Michigan's All-Big Ten S Evan Cooper to TE Larry Michael for the 2-point conversion which gave the Huskies a hard fought 25-24 win.  Pelluer finished completing 27 of 33 passes, including all 14 of his 4^th quarter attempts, for 269 yards with 2 touchdowns & an interception.  Smith threw for 225 yards in the loss.  The Wolverines finished the season 9-3; ranked 8^th nationally while the Huskies finished 8-4.  Michigan would play for The Belt again in 12 weeks.