Bo Had Sneak Preview Strategy : Schembechler Watched USC Films in Secret Room

While preparing for the Rose Bowl, Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler had a secret room at the team hotel. Not even his wife, Millie, knew where it was.

He put himself to sleep watching films of USC’s 11 games.

As he plotted the fall of Troy, Schembechler realized that it was impossible to run against USC.

After losing 7 of 8 Rose Bowls, he had nothing to lose. He gambled by throwing on first down and going for it on fourth down to keep USC off balance.

Normally a running team, Michigan had trouble executing the timing of its new pass-oriented offense in the first half as USC took a 14-3 lead. But the Wolverines scored 3 touchdowns in the second half to win, 22-14.

Schembechler had taught his former pupil, USC Coach Larry Smith, a lesson.

“It wasn’t that we opened up the offense,” Schembechler said at a press conference Tuesday. “I wanted to do some unexpected things.”

Did he feel vindicated?

“No,” Bo said. “If I come out here again, they’re going to say, ‘This man’s been out here nine times and only won twice.’ ”

Although the Wolverines broke their Rose Bowl jinx, they didn’t achieve all of their goals this season.

“We didn’t win the national championship and we didn’t beat Notre Dame,” Schembechler said. “Next year, we’re going to add those two goals.

“I’m not claiming the national championship, but I’m saying that we’re probably one of the top 5 teams in the nation.”

The Wolverines finished No. 4 in the final Associated Press poll.

“We’ll be much more experienced next (season),” Schembechler added. “We’ll be in the top 10 somewhere, although I suppose Notre Dame and Miami will be ranked ahead of us.”

As he was sprinting off the field after the game, Schembechler tackled Lloyd Carr, Michigan defensive coordinator.

“I’ve never seen him run that fast,” Carr said. “I’m happy for Bo.”

The celebration continued after the Wolverines returned to their hotel.

Although President Reagan didn’t call, Schembechler’s mother, Betty, did.

“She said, ‘For Gosh sakes, Why did you mess up in the first half?’ ”

The party ended early.

After going to bed at 11, Schembechler was up at 8 Tuesday to meet the press.

Leroy Hoard, you’re on top of the world after winning the Rose Bowl, where are you going to go?

“I’ve already been to Disneyland, so I figure I’ll go to Tijuana,” Hoard said.

He wasn’t kidding.

Hoard led a group of teammates across the border. He planned to shop for a new leather jacket and do some sightseeing.

Told there were lots of dangerous bars, Hoard joked: “I hope so. I’m not going to drink the water.

“I didn’t celebrate last night. I wanted to get a whole night’s sleep, so I could celebrate today.”

Stardom fits Hoard like a pair of skintight bicycle shorts. He posed for newspaper photographers and signed autographs.

“I’ve been waiting 20 minutes for his autograph,” said Dan Smith, 8, of Holland, Mich.

When a top-of-the-line BMW pulled up into the hotel driveway, Hoard joked, “Our ride to T.J. is here.”

After waiting 34 years, Bill Kolesar finally made it to the Rose Bowl.

Kolesar was a guard for the Wolverines in 1955, when they lost the Big Ten championship to Ohio State.

But his son John, a senior flanker, played a key role in the 75th Rose Bowl game.

“Although it took me 34 years to get here, it was well worth the wait,” Bill Kolesar said.