A native of
Cleveland, Ohio, Putich played only 13 minutes of a possible 540 as a sophomore in 1949. 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. The 1950 team was ranked No. 9 in the final
Associated Press poll and No. 6 in the coaches' poll. In the fall of 1951, with his eligibility restored, head coach
Bennie Oosterbaan moved Putich from the quarterback position to the left halfback position. Putich was also the captain of the 1951 team. An October 1951 feature story "Three P's Put PUNCH in Michigan Attack," Putich was described as a "hard-driving and tricky runner." 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. ==See also==