Michigan Defeated Ohio State 9-3 in 1950 Snow Bowl at Ohio Stadium
The Wolverines won without a first down as the teams punted 45 times in a Columbus blizzard.
On Nov. 25, 1950, the University of Michigan and Ohio State University played a college football game at Ohio Stadium that became nicknamed the Snow Bowl. On Nov. 25, 2026, Columbus will mark the 76th anniversary of the game. Three days later, on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, Ohio State is scheduled to host Michigan at Ohio Stadium to renew their annual rivalry.
Prior to kickoff, Ohio State athletic director Dick Larkins and coach Wes Fesler decided to proceed as planned after consulting with Michigan and Big Ten officials. The Wolverines indicated they would forfeit rather than postpone the game if it was not played, so the game went on as scheduled.
Subzero Wind and November Snow Records
Hourly observations from Port Columbus Airport showed afternoon air temperatures between 10 degrees at noon and 16 degrees at 4 p.m. Sustained wind speeds produced wind chills down to -8 degrees. During the game and most of the storm, wind gusts exceeded 35 mph, which led to considerable blowing and drifting of the snow.
On Nov. 25, 7.5 inches of snow fell on Columbus, setting a mark that still stands as the greatest calendar day snowfall record for the month of November in Columbus, Ohio. From Thursday night through Tuesday, 14.9 inches of snow fell on the city.
Fans bundled in heavy coats and blankets brave blizzard conditions on the snow-covered bleachers at Ohio Stadium during the 1950 Snow Bowl.
Credit: Columbus Dispatch / Columbus Metropolitan Library Image source
Forty-Five Punts and Zero First Downs
The blizzard severely restricted offense, creating an afternoon dominated by punts. Overall, the two teams punted 45 times during the game. Both teams chose to punt frequently, kicking on first down many times.
Michigan's Chuck Ortmann punted 24 times for 723 yards, while Ohio State halfback Vic Janowicz punted 21 times for 685 yards.
Michigan won the game 9-3 without ever earning a first down and never completed a pass. Michigan gained only 27 yards of total offensive output. The Buckeyes recorded three first downs and 34 total yards, while the two teams combined for 10 fumbles.
Blocked Kicks and the Momsen Brothers
According to National Weather Service records, all scoring resulted from blocked kicks, with Ohio State blocking a punt that led to a field goal, and two of Michigan's blocked kicks leading to a safety and a touchdown.
The first score came when Buckeye defensive guard Bob Momsen blocked an Ortmann punt and fell on it at the Michigan 8-yard line late in the first quarter. Janowicz kicked a 38-yard field goal into the swirling wind to give the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Michigan tackle Al Wahl blocked a Janowicz punt deep in Ohio State territory, and the ball rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety, trimming the Buckeyes' lead to 3-2.
With 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Janowicz attempted a third down punt, only to have Michigan's Tony Momsen, the brother of Ohio State's Bob Momsen, break through the line to block the kick. Tony Momsen scored in the end zone for a touchdown and Michigan kicked the extra point to go up 9-3. Neither team scored in the second half.
Reconciling Attendance at the Frozen Gates
Historical accounts preserve differing figures for the crowd that braved the weather. Game reports recorded that 50,503 spectators braved the elements. Historical compilations recorded that the game was set to be played in front of 50,535 fans.
As spectators arrived in the rotten weather outside, ticket takers didn't bother checking anyone's tickets. To endure the cold, spectators built small bonfires in the stands to keep warm.
The victory earned Michigan the Big Ten Conference championship and a berth in the 1951 Rose Bowl. The loss was Fesler's fourth straight to Michigan, and he submitted his resignation 18 days later, after which Fesler was replaced by Woody Hayes.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_Bowl_(1950)
Supporting evidence (13)
On Nov. 25, 1950, the University of Michigan and Ohio State University played a college football game at Ohio Stadium that became nicknamed the Snow Bowl.
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The game was played at Ohio Stadium, in Columbus, Ohio, under severe weather that altered the normal playing of the game dramatically.
On Nov. 25, 1950, the University of Michigan and Ohio State University played a college football game at Ohio Stadium that became nicknamed the Snow Bowl.
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The Snow Bowl is the nickname of a college football game played on November 25, 1950, between the teams of the University of Michigan and Ohio State University.
Overall, the two teams punted 45 times during the game.
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Overall, the teams punted 45 times during the game
Michigan's Chuck Ortmann punted 24 times for 723 yards, while Ohio State halfback Vic Janowicz punted 21 times for 685 yards.
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In the end, Ohio State Halfback Vic Janowicz (who went on to win the Heisman Trophy) punted for 685 yards while Michigan's Chuck Ortmann punted for 723 yards.
The first score came when Buckeye defensive guard Bob Momsen blocked an Ortmann punt and fell on it at the Michigan 8-yard line late in the first quarter.
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The first score of the game came when Buckeye defensive guard Bob Momsen blocked an Ortmann punt and fell on it at the Michigan 8-yard line late in the first quarter of the game.
Janowicz kicked a 38-yard field goal into the swirling wind to give the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead.
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Janowicz was called upon to kick a 38-yard field goal into the swirling wind with the goal posts barely in view. He made it to give the Buckeyes a 3–0 lead.
In the second quarter, Michigan tackle Al Wahl blocked a Janowicz punt deep in Ohio State territory, and the ball rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety, trimming the Buckeyes' lead to 3-2.
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In the second quarter, Michigan tackle Al Wahl blocked a Janowicz punt deep in Ohio State territory. The blocked ball rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety, giving Michigan their first score of the game and trimming the Buckeyes' lead to 3–2.
With 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Janowicz attempted a third down punt, only to have Michigan's Tony Momsen, the brother of Ohio State's Bob Momsen, break through the line to block the kick.
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Michigan scored what proved to be the winning touchdown when with 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Janowicz attempted a third down punt, only to have Michigan's Tony Momsen (brother of Ohio State's Bob Momsen) break through the line and block the punt. Momsen fell on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown and U-M kicked the extra-point to go up 9–3.
Tony Momsen scored in the end zone for a touchdown and Michigan kicked the extra point to go up 9-3.
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Michigan scored what proved to be the winning touchdown when with 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Janowicz attempted a third down punt, only to have Michigan's Tony Momsen (brother of Ohio State's Bob Momsen) break through the line and block the punt. Momsen fell on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown and U-M kicked the extra-point to go up 9–3.
Historical compilations recorded that the game was set to be played in front of 50,535 fans.
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The game was set to be played in front of 50,535 fans, some of whom built small bonfires in the stands to keep warm.
To endure the cold, spectators built small bonfires in the stands to keep warm.
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The game was set to be played in front of 50,535 fans, some of whom built small bonfires in the stands to keep warm.
The victory earned Michigan the Big Ten Conference championship and a berth in the 1951 Rose Bowl.
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The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes, 9–3, earning the Big Ten Conference championship and a berth in the 1951 Rose Bowl.
The loss was Fesler's fourth straight to Michigan, and he submitted his resignation 18 days later, after which Fesler was replaced by Woody Hayes.
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The loss was Fesler's fourth straight to Michigan, and he submitted his resignation 18 days later. Fesler was replaced by Woody Hayes.
Supporting evidence (5)
Prior to kickoff, Ohio State athletic director Dick Larkins and coach Wes Fesler decided to proceed as planned after consulting with Michigan and Big Ten officials.
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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 didn't want to play the game, but the Wolverines said that they would forfeit the game – and not postpone it – if it wasn't played, so the game went on as scheduled.
The Wolverines indicated they would forfeit rather than postpone the game if it was not played, so the game went on as scheduled.
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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 didn't want to play the game, but the Wolverines said that they would forfeit the game – and not postpone it – if it wasn't played, so the game went on as scheduled.
The Buckeyes recorded three first downs and 34 total yards, while the two teams combined for 10 fumbles.
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The Buckeyes, meanwhile, had three first downs, 34 total yards and punted 21 times.
The Buckeyes recorded three first downs and 34 total yards, while the two teams combined for 10 fumbles.
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The two teams combined for 10 fumbles as well.
Game reports recorded that 50,503 spectators braved the elements.
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A total of 50,503 persons braved the elements, staying below deck, under the Stadium, until just a few minutes before the kickoff.”
Supporting evidence (2)
Hourly observations from Port Columbus Airport showed afternoon air temperatures between 10 degrees at noon and 16 degrees at 4 p.m.
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An analysis of hourly observations from KCMH (Port Columbus Airport, a few miles east of Ohio Stadium on The Ohio State University campus), during the afternoon hours is below. It is important to remember that the wind speeds listed below are only sustained wind speeds, gusts were reported to be in excess of 35 mph during the game and most of the storm, which led to considerable blowing and drifting of the snow. Time (EST) Air Temperature (F) Sustained Wind (mph) Wind Chill** (F) Visibility (mi) Weather Noon 10 18 -8 1/2 Snow & Blowing Snow 1 PM 12 17 -5 1/4 Snow & Blowing Snow 2 PM 13 17 -4 1/3 Snow & Blowing Snow 3 PM 14 22 -4 1/2 Snow & Blowing Snow 4 PM 16 20 -1 1/4 Snow & Blowing Snow
Sustained wind speeds produced wind chills down to -8 degrees.
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An analysis of hourly observations from KCMH (Port Columbus Airport, a few miles east of Ohio Stadium on The Ohio State University campus), during the afternoon hours is below. It is important to remember that the wind speeds listed below are only sustained wind speeds, gusts were reported to be in excess of 35 mph during the game and most of the storm, which led to considerable blowing and drifting of the snow. Time (EST) Air Temperature (F) Sustained Wind (mph) Wind Chill** (F) Visibility (mi) Weather Noon 10 18 -8 1/2 Snow & Blowing Snow 1 PM 12 17 -5 1/4 Snow & Blowing Snow 2 PM 13 17 -4 1/3 Snow & Blowing Snow 3 PM 14 22 -4 1/2 Snow & Blowing Snow 4 PM 16 20 -1 1/4 Snow & Blowing Snow
https://www.weather.gov/iln/19501125
Supporting evidence (7)
During the game and most of the storm, wind gusts exceeded 35 mph, which led to considerable blowing and drifting of the snow.
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gusts were reported to be in excess of 35 mph during the game and most of the storm, which led to considerable blowing and drifting of the snow.
On Nov. 25, 7.5 inches of snow fell on Columbus, setting a mark that still stands as the greatest calendar day snowfall record for the month of November in Columbus, Ohio.
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Another 7.5 inches of snow fell on Columbus on the 25th, creating virtually impossible travel conditions given the strong winds and blowing snow. The 7.5 inches of snow still stands as the greatest calendar day snowfall record for the month of November in Columbus, Ohio.
From Thursday night through Tuesday, 14.9 inches of snow fell on the city.
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All tolled, from Thursday night through Tuesday, 14.9 inches of snow fell on the city of Columbus.
Michigan's Chuck Ortmann punted 24 times for 723 yards, while Ohio State halfback Vic Janowicz punted 21 times for 685 yards.
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Both schools found it very difficult to move the ball, and a punt-fest ensued, with Michigan winning the game 9-3 without ever earning a first down. Michigan never completed a pass. They punted 24 times, almost more than their total offensive ouput for the game...27 yards. Ohio State punted 21 times, getting four of them blocked by the Wolverines.
Michigan won the game 9-3 without ever earning a first down and never completed a pass.
Read supporting passage
Both schools found it very difficult to move the ball, and a punt-fest ensued, with Michigan winning the game 9-3 without ever earning a first down. Michigan never completed a pass. They punted 24 times, almost more than their total offensive ouput for the game...27 yards. Ohio State punted 21 times, getting four of them blocked by the Wolverines.
Michigan gained only 27 yards of total offensive output.
Read supporting passage
Both schools found it very difficult to move the ball, and a punt-fest ensued, with Michigan winning the game 9-3 without ever earning a first down. Michigan never completed a pass. They punted 24 times, almost more than their total offensive ouput for the game...27 yards. Ohio State punted 21 times, getting four of them blocked by the Wolverines.
According to National Weather Service records, all scoring resulted from blocked kicks, with Ohio State blocking a punt that led to a field goal, and two of Michigan's blocked kicks leading to a safety and a touchdown.
Read supporting passage
All of the scoring came as a result of those blocked kicks, with Ohio State blocking a punt that led to a field goal, and two of Michigan's blocked kicks leading to a safety and a touchdown.
Supporting evidence (2)
Both teams chose to punt frequently, kicking on first down many times.
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Both teams would punt the ball away as often as possible, many times on first down.
As spectators arrived in the rotten weather outside, ticket takers didn't bother checking anyone's tickets.
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There were fans in attendance, though it was so rotten outside it’s said the ticket takers didn’t bother checking anyone’s tickets, and people started bonfires in the bleachers to stay warm.