Chuck Ortmann

Ortmann is most known for his role in the famed 1950 Snow Bowl game against Ohio State, in which he punted 24 times in a blizzard for 723 yards – still a Michigan record. The weather conditions were so inclement that Michigan punted on first down for its first two plays from scrimmage, after concluding that the best strategy was to keep the slick ball on the other side of the field and in the hands of Ohio State.[5] The strategy worked, as the game's only touchdown was scored after Ortman punted the ball out of bounds at the Ohio State six-yard line, Ohio State was forced to punt from deep in its own territory, and Tony Momsen recovered a blocked punt in the endzone.[5] Ortmann recalled: "You and I would not have gone outside to get the newspaper on a day like that. But here we were, trying to play football." Michigan did not get a first down and had only 27 yards of total offense, while Ortman was 0 for 8 passing and gained only 9 yards in 10 rushing attempts. The fierce weather conditions stifled both offenses, and the Wolverines won 9-3 on a safety and Momsen's touchdown after the blocked punt. Interviewed about the Snow Bowl in 2006, Ortmann, then retired and living in Savannah, Georgia, recalled: "Twice during the game, playing as the safety, I couldn't see [Heisman Trophy winner] Vic Janowicz and his backfield, the snow was falling so heavily. Tony Momsen was our regular punter and as we were ready to go out, he said, 'Charlie, I don't feel like punting today, you punt.' I hadn't punted in three months. But the hero of that game was not Chuck Ortmann, it was Carl Kreager, our center. I just put my hands down and the ball was always there. I still remind him every time we talk, 'Carl, you never got enough credit for that game.' It was so boring. I have a film of the game, and I haven't watched it since, if that tells you something."[6]

Ortmann running with the ball, 1950

Other highlights of Ortmann's playing career at Michigan include:

• Passing for 146 yards (15 for 19) in a 14-6 win over California, including six passes for 80 yards in the fourth quarter to lead Michigan's comeback from a 6-0 deficit, at the 1951 Rose Bowl game;[7][8]
• Rushing for 115 yards and passing for another 92 (207 total yards) in a 14-7 win over Minnesota in the 1949 Little Brown Jug game;[7]
• Passing for a career-high 186 yards passing in the 1950 Little Brown Jug game;[7] and
• Returning a kickoff 82 yards against Purdue in 1949.[7]

In his three years as a starter at Michigan, Ortmann had 2,078 yards passing (127 of 314) and 676 yards rushing (273 carries and six touchdowns).[2] He was named an All-Big Ten halfback in 1950 and was also third-team All-American.