Barry Pierson (29), a LaSalle High School graduate, is returning the punt 60 yards to set up the Michigan touchdown. Blocking for Pierson is Bruce Elliott (21) (coincidentally the same number Pierson wore in high school that was retired). In the background is Henry Hill (39). (Photograph courtesy of University of Michigan Athletics Bentley Historical Library) Forty years ago this Saturday (November 21), the Michigan Wolverines upended the number one rated Ohio State Buckeyes, 24-12, to earn a Rose Bowl trip in what was called the upset of the century.

Named outstanding defensive player in the game was the Wolverines' Barry Pierson of St. Ignace. The 6'0" 175-pound defender intercepted three passes, returned a punt 61 yards to set up one touchdown, and was credited with four unassisted tackles in the game. Today, Mr. Pierson lives and works in St. Ignace, where he also coaches youth football.

Barry Pierson (right) with former St. Ignace coach (1963 and 1964) the late Art Haege after the Iron Range All-Star football game played during the summer of 1973. Pierson was a member of the college football players all-star team who played the semi-professional team from Virginia, Minnesota, that Haege coached. (Haege family photograph) Looking back at the 1969 game, college football was celebrating its centennial year, Bo Schembechler was in his first season as the Wolverines head coach, and Pierson had earned a starting spot on the football team after graduating from LaSalle High School in 1966.

The Michigan/Ohio State game has been often televised over the years, and was aired by ABC Network in 1969 when Bill Fleming, one of the top play-byplay announcers in college football, termed the win “The Upset of the Century.”

"I can't believe it has been 40 years since the Ohio State game," said Pierson. "We not only knocked the Buckeyes from the number one ranking , but Michigan qualified for the Rose Bowl. It was a great way to end the season."

Ann Arbor had received more than five inches of snow during the week of the game. Among the record crowd of 103,588 fans were Pierson's mother, Zona, and sisters, Paula and Rae.

Ohio State scored first, but missed the extra point for a 6-0 lead. Fullback Garvie Craw scored for Michigan and Tim Killian kicked the extra point for a 7-6 lead after the first quarter.

The Buckeyes scored on the first play of the second quarter. On the extra point attempt, the Wolverines were flagged for being offside.

Ohio State accepted the penalty and tried the two-point conversion, but Mike Keller, sophomore defensive end from Grand Rapids, sacked quarterback Rex Kern for a 12-6 Ohio State lead.

Halfback Billy Taylor set up the Wolverines go-ahead touchdown on a 68-yard burst to the six-yard line before Craw scored from one yard out and Killian kicked the extra point for a 14-12 Michigan advantage.

Then came what may have been the play of the game: Pierson returned a punt from the Wolverines' 37-yard line to the Buckeyes' three.

Pierson ignited the team as he zigzagged his way up the field to three yards away from the end zone.

"What a return by Barry Pierson, a senior from St. Ignace," said Fleming during the televised game.

Two plays later, Don Moorhead, of South Haven, scored on a quarterback sneak and Killian added the extra point kick to increase Michigan's lead to 21-12 with 10:10 remaining in the first half.

Killian kicked a 25-yard field goal with 1:15 left in the half, giving the Wolverines a 24-12-halftime lead.

The second half was dominated by defensive play. Both teams were held scoreless, but Pierson finished his outstanding game with two interceptions in the third quarter and one in the final period. Michigan earned a berth in the Rose Bowl against Southern California.

Pierson was named Back of the Week by the Associated Press and was honored as the Midwest Back of the Week.

Pierson had earned All- Class/All-State quarterback in his senior season at LaSalle High School before choosing University of Michigan to continue his education and athletic career.

Playing on special teams during his sophomore and junior years for Coach Bump Elliott, Pierson received his big chance to start at defensive back for Schembechler and he made most of the opportunity.

In the Rose Bowl program, Pierson was described as “the interceptor with seven stolen passes and a thorn in the side of opposing quarterbacks”. He also led the Wolverines with 20 punt returns for 292 yards, for a 14.6 average.

The Michigan/Ohio State contest was a game that U-M football fans will never forget. The same goes for St. Ignace residents. Mr. Pierson later coached the Saints high school team to a Class D state championship in 1983 and was inducted to the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the first LaSalle High School Hall of Fame in 2008.