 Rifenburg 's college career was interrupted by World War II service in the United States Navy , but after missing the 1945 season , he returned to play for the Wolverines from 1946 to 1948 . Rifenburg played for the Wolverines in consecutive undefeated National Championship seasons in 1947 and 1948 . He started nine games for the 1947 team . The 1947 team referred to as " Michigan 's Mad Magicians " is considered to be the greatest University of Michigan football team of all time . Rifenberg and teammate Len Ford had the reputation as the team practical jokers . During the 1947 game against Wisconsin , Rifenburg started calling signals for the Badgers . Wisconsin 's offense protested to officials , who " prowled the Wolverines secondary but never caught their man . " Rifenburg continued to scramble Badger signals , as Rifenburg 's teammates laughed at his scheme . In the January 1 , 1948 Rose Bowl that season , Michigan rolled to a 49 – 0 victory over USC , and they outgained the Trojans 491 yards to 133 . Rifenburg caught a 29 @-@ yard pass for the game 's final score . 
 Rifenburg <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>college career was interrupted by World War II service in the United States Navy , but after missing the 1945 season , he returned to play for the Wolverines from 1946 to 1948 . Rifenburg played for the Wolverines in consecutive undefeated National Championship seasons in 1947 and 1948 . He started nine games for the 1947 team . The 1947 team referred to as " Michigan <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>Mad Magicians " is considered to be the greatest University of Michigan football team of all time . Rifenberg and teammate Len Ford had the reputation as the team practical jokers . During the 1947 game against Wisconsin , Rifenburg started calling signals for the Badgers . Wisconsin <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>offense protested to officials , <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>who</mark></a>" prowled the Wolverines secondary but <a href='None' title='5'><mark>never</mark></a> caught their man . " Rifenburg continued to scramble Badger signals , as Rifenburg <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'s</mark></a>teammates laughed at his scheme . In the January 1 , 1948 Rose Bowl that season , Michigan rolled to a 49 – 0 victory over USC , and they<a href='been_done' title='7'><mark></mark></a> outgained the Trojans 491 yards to 133 . Rifenburg caught a 29 @-@ yard pass for the game <a href='null_genetive' title='8'><mark>'s</mark></a>final score . 
Rifenburg  college career was interrupted by World War II service in da United States Navy , but after missing the 1945 season , he returned to play fir the Wolverines from 1946 to 1948 . Rifenburg played fa the Wolverines in consecutive undefeated National Championship seasons in 1947 and 1948 . He started nine games ffirthe 1947 team . The 1947 team referred to as " Michigan  Mad Magicians " is considered to be the greatest University of Michigan football team of alll time . Rifenberg and teammate Len Ford had the reputation as the team practical jokers . During tda1947 game against Wisconsin , Rifenburg started calling signals for the Badgers . Wisconsin  offense protested to officials , " prowled the Wolverines secondary but don't never caught their man . " Rifenburg continued to scramble Badger signals , as Rifenburg  teammates laughed at his scheme . In thdaanuary 1 , 1948 Rose Bowl that season , Michigan rolled to a 49 – 0 victory over USC , and they done outgained the Trojans 491 yards to 133 . Rifenburg caught a 29 @-@ yard pass for the game  final score .