A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Putich played only 13 minutes of a possible 540 as a sophomore in 1949.[1] He earned the nickname 'One-Play-Putich' in Michigan's 7–3 win over Michigan State in 1949; Putich appeared for only one play in the game, throwing a touchdown pass to win the game.[2]
Putich took over as the starting quarterback for the 1950 Michigan Wolverines football team.[3] After a 14–7 loss to Michigan State in his first start, some questioned his selection as the starting quarterback. Sports writer John F. Mayhew wrote a column in defense of Putich, noting that he was inexperienced but showed promise. Mayhew noted:
Putich is an eager, hard-working, intelligent football player. He's good enough to have the complete faith of Backfield Coach George Ceithaml, one of Michigan's best quarterbacks and a man who should really know. Given a reasonable break, he'll prove it too.[1]
In February 1951, Putich was ruled ineligible to compete for Michigan's basketball team due to academic deficiencies.[4]
In the fall of 1951, with his eligibility restored, head coach Bennie Oosterbaan moved Putich from the quarterback position to the left halfback position.[5][6][7] Putich was also the captain of the 1951 team.[6][8] An October 1951 feature story "Three P's Put PUNCH in Michigan Attack," Putich was described as a "hard-driving and tricky runner."[2][9]
Putich's career totals at Michigan included 668 yards passing with his longest pass completion of 55 yards against Minnesota in 1951. He also had 206 net yard rushing, 153 yards on pass receptions, and 212 yards on punt and kickoff returns.[10]
^ abJohn F. Mayhew (October 4, 1950). "Bill Putich Is Defended By Writer". News-Palladium.
^ ab"Three P's Put PUNCH in Michigan Attack". Iowa City Press-Citizen. October 19, 1951. (The other two "P's" profiled in the story were end Lowell Perry fullback Don Peterson.)
