In their sixth year under head coach Bump Elliott, the Wolverines compiled a 9–1 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship for the first time since 1950, and defeated Oregon State in the 1965 Rose Bowl by a score of 34–7.

Although no post-bowl polls were taken in the 1964 season, Oregon State coach Tommy Prothro opined after watching game film from the Rose Bowl that the 1964 Wolverines were "the greatest football team he has ever seen.

The Wolverines narrowly missed an undefeated season and potential national championship, with their only loss coming against a Purdue team led by Bob Griese by a score of 21–20.

Michigan had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but Timberlake carried the ball for an attempted two-point conversion and was stopped short of the goal line.

In the 1962 and 1963 seasons, Michigan compiled a record of 5–11–2 and finished in tenth and seventh place in the Big Ten Conference.

When some reporters wrote that Michigan should win the Big Ten championship or finish in the top five nationally in 1964,[3] head coach Bump Elliott sought to manage expectations.

Navy, led by quarterback and 1964 Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach, came into the game ranked No.

Staubach was eventually forced from the game, limping after being knocked to the turf by Michigan defensive tackle Bill Yearby.

[7][8] The New York Times wrote that the Wolverines "brought Roger Staubach, the heroic middie quarterback, back into focus as an ordinary mortal.

"[8] Sophomore halfback Carl Ward rushed for 74 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns, one in the second quarter and another in the third.

[10] Writing in The New York Times, R. W. Apple, Jr., wrote that the intrastate rivalry "means to the people of Michigan what the struggle between the Capulets and Montagues did to the citizens of 15th-century Verona.

"[10] Michigan State took the lead in the first quarter after recovering a fumble off an errant pitch from Bob Timberlake to Mel Anthony.

[11] Another highlight for Michigan State came when sophomore receiver Gene Washington impressed observers with "a spectacular leaping grab for 43 yards.

"[10] Trailing 10 to 3 halfway through the fourth quarter, Michigan scored 14 points in the final seven minutes on a comeback led by sophomore halfback Rick Sygar.

On the final drive, he took a pitch from Timberlake at the Michigan State 31-yard line and threw a touchdown pass to John Henderson.

However, the Purdue offense, led by Bob Griese and aided by three Michigan turnovers, scored touchdowns in each of the first three quarters.

Purdue's second touchdown followed a Timberlake fumble after being hit with his arm fully cocked to pass the ball.

In the third quarter, Griese threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Randy Minnlear to give the Boilermakers a 21–14 lead.

On the next drive, Bob Timberlake ran 54 yards for a touchdown, and Michigan had the option to kick an extra point to tie the game or go for the lead with a two-point conversion.

Coach Elliott called for the two-point conversion; Timberlake carried the ball on an end run but was stopped short of the goal line.

Michigan's defense held the Wildcats to only 44 rushing yards to give the Wolverines their second shutout of the year.

With six catches in the game, Iowa's Karl Noonan also broke the conference record for most pass receptions in a season.

Michigan's John Henderson recovered the loose ball at the Ohio State 20-yard line with 78 seconds remaining in the half.

Timberlake's field goal was set up by a long punt return by defensive back Rick Volk to the Ohio State 24-yard line.

Volk continued with a strong fourth-quarter performance, as he intercepted two passes deep in Michigan territory and knocked another down to stop three Ohio State drives in the fourth quarter.

[26][25] With the victory, Michigan won the Big Ten Conference championship and secured an invitation to the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 1950 season.

"[27] As the Big Ten Conference champion, Michigan played in the 1965 Rose Bowl, defeating the Oregon State Beavers, 34–7.

[28] After a scoreless first quarter, Oregon State took a 7–0 lead with a five-yard touchdown pass from Paul Brothers to Doug McDougal.