[3] The defense also featured linebacker, Mel Owens, tackle, Mike Trgovac, and safety Keith Bostic.
On offense, Michigan had All-American wide receiver, Anthony Carter, who broke the school's career record for touchdowns as a sophomore.
"[2] Michigan also featured an offensive line that included All-American George Lilja and future NFL players, Ed Muransky, Kurt Becker, and Bubba Paris.
[4] Bo's record led to jokes by the media, including one Gannett reporter who opened his pre-game story by noting: "It's bowl time, so they're playing Michigan's song again.
"[4] Michigan's co-captain, Andy Cannavino joked, "If we win, maybe it'll look good on our resume when we go in to apply for a regular job.
"[4] The press also noted that, even though Michigan's players wanted "desperately" to win for their coach, Schembechler himself "seems as laid back as a native Californian.
[6] In the second quarter, Washington's placekicker Chuck Nelson kicked a 35-yard field goal, but Michigan then took the lead with a six-yard touchdown run by Butch Woolfolk.
[6] Michigan drove the ball 83 yards to start the second half, scoring on a 25-yard field goal from placekicker Ali Haji-Sheikh.
[8] Butch Woolfolk was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1981 Rose Bowl after rushing for 182 yards in 26 carries.
After the game, the Michigan players carried Schembechler off the field on their shoulders as the coach held his arms above his head in victory.
4 in both the AP and UPI polls—their highest ranking in any season under Schembechler in which they won the Rose Bowl (Michigan finished No.
Schembechler finished 2–8 in Rose Bowls and never won a national championship in his 21 seasons as head coach).