Found it interesting that one of the officials honoured at last night’s game at Minnesota was Gil Marchman whom I believe was the first black on-field official in the Big Ten. Marchman was a fine official but is remembered by many Michigan fans as the official in the 1979 Rose Bowl game who insisted that Charles While of USC had scored a touchdown prior to the “fumble.” Despite the umpire and one other official insisting that White had fumbled, Marchman’s opinion carried the day. The fumble, which was obvious to almost all but Marchman, has become a part of Rose Bowl lore as the “Phantom Touchdown.” Michigan lost to USC 17-10. Bo apparently never forgave Marchman for the blown call.
