1931 Michigan Wolverines football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1931 Michigan Wolverines football 1931 Michigan Wolverines football team.jpg 285 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 8–1–1 5–1 Harry Kipke 3rd Bill Hewitt Roy Hudson Michigan Stadium Big Ten co-champion 30smichiganuniform.png The 1931 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1931 college football season. In their third year under head coach was Harry Kipke, the Wolverines compiled a record of 8-1-1 record (5-1 Big Ten), outscored opponents 181 to 27, and finished the season in a three-way tie with Purdue and Northwestern for first place in the Big Ten Conference. Defensively, the team shut out eight of ten opponents, allowed an average of only 2.7 points per game, and did not allow opponents to score a point in its final six games. After losing to Ohio State on October 17, 1931, the Wolverines went 22 games and nearly three years before losing another game on October 6, 1934. Individual players of note on the 1931 Michigan team include center Maynard Morrison, who was selected as a first-team All-American by Grantland Rice for Collier's Weekly and by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA). Bill Hewitt was selected as the teams Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-Big Ten halfback by the United Press (UP). Ivy Williamson was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten end by both the UP and Associated Press (AP). Schedule October 3 w y Central State (MI) Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 27–0 13,169 (or ~80,000?) October 3 w y Michigan State Normal Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 34–0 13,169 (or ~80,000?) October 10 w Chicago Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 13–7 17,284 October 17 l Ohio State Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 7–20 58,026 October 24 w y Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 35–0 33,496 October 31 w y y Princeton Palmer Stadium Princeton, NJ 21–0 14,797 November 7 w Indiana Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 22–0 26,410 November 14 t y Michigan State Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 0–0 35,844 November 21 w y Minnesota Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI Little Brown Jug 6–0 37,251 November 28 w Wisconsin Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 16–0 9,190 Season summary Week 1: Doubleheader Central State Teachers Michigan opened its 1931 season with a football doubleheader on October 3, 1931. The games attracted a crowd of nearly 80,000, most of whom were high school students invited by the university to attend the game without charge. In the first game, Michigan's backup players defeated the team from 1931 Central Michigan Chippewas Central State Teachers College (now known as Central Michigan University) by a score of 27 to 0. Michigan's touchdowns were scored by halfback Jack Heston (the son of former Michigan star Willie Heston), fullback Roderick Cox (1933 NCAA champion in the hammer throw), end Ted Petoskey, and substitute halfback Herbert Schmidt. Petoskey also kicked three points after touchdown.Michigan Scores Double Victory Before 80,000 Chicago Tribune October 4, 1931 2–5 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/10/04/page/33/article/michigan-scores-double-victory-before-80-000 Michigan's starting lineup against the Central State Teachers was Ted Petoskey (left end), DuVal Goldsmith (left tackle), John Kowalik (left guard), Thomas Cooke (center), Leslie Frisk (right guard), Cecil Cantrill (right tackle), Norm Daniels (right end), Louis Westover (quarterback), Heston (left halfback), Estel Tessmer (right halfback), and Roderick Cox (fullback). Michigan Normal Week 1b: Michigan Normal at Michigan 1931 Eastern Michigan Eagles Michigan Normal Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 6 October 3 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI ~80,000 F. A. Lambert (Ohio St.) In the second game of the doubleheader, Michigan's first-team players defeated 1931 Eastern Michigan Eagles Michigan Normal by a 34 to 0 score. Michigan's touchdowns were scored by halfback Herman Everhardus (one-yard run in second quarter), backup halfback Jack Heston (16-yard run in second quarter), guard Stanley Hozer (four-yard run in second quarter), end Ted Petoskey (25-yard pass from William Renner), and halfback Stanley Fay (short run in second half). Hozer kicked two points after touchdown, and Petoskey and Omer LaJeunesse kicked one each. Michigan's starting lineup against Michigan Normal was Bill Hewitt (left end), Howie Auer (left tackle), Hozer (left guard), Maynard Morrison (center), LaJeunesse (right guard), Tom Samuels (right tackle), Ivy Williamson (right end), Harry Newman (quarterback), Everhardus (left halfback), Stanley Fay (right halfback), and Roy Hudson (fullback). Week 2: Chicago Week 2: Chicago at Michigan Chicago Michigan 0 0 7 0 0 13 0 0 October 10, 1931 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI J. H. Nichols (Oberlin) On October 10, 1931, Michigan defeated Amos Alonzo Stagg's Chicago Maroons by a 13 to 7 score. Both of Michigan's touchdowns were scored in the second quarter on passes thrown by Harry Newman. Stanley Fay caught the first one, and Roy Hudson the second one. Newman also kicked a point after touchdown.Courageous Maroon Eleven Holds Michigan to 13-7 Score Chicago Tribune October 11, 1931 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/10/11/page/29/article/courageous-maroon-eleven-holds-michigan-to-13-7-score Michigan's starting lineup against Chicago was Bill Hewitt (left end), Howie Auer (left tackle), Leslie Douglass (left guard), Maynard Morrison (center), Omer LaJeunesse (right guard), Tom Samuels (right tackle), Ivy Williamson (right end), Louis Westover (quarterback), Stanley Fay (left halfback), Jack Heston (right halfback), and Roy Hudson (fullback). Week 3: Ohio State Week 3: Ohio State at Michigan Ohio State Michigan 7 0 6 7 7 0 0 0 October 17 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI Frank Birch On October 17, Michigan suffered its only loss of the season, falling to Ohio State by a 20 to 7 score. Jack Heston fumbled the opening kickoff at Michigan's 24-yard line. The defense held, but Heston then fumbled again on the next drive at Michigan's 31-yard line. Bill Carroll then ran for a touchdown in the first quarter. Ohio State's sophomore quarterback Carl Cramer also scored two touchdowns, including a 42-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. Michigan's only touchdown was scored by end Ivy Williamson with DuVal Goldsmith kicking the extra point.Buckeyes New Pilot, Cramer, Leads Attack Wilfrid Smith Chicago Tribune October 18, 1931 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/10/18/page/29/article/ohio-whips-michigan-20-7-badgers-upset-purdue-21-14 After losing to Ohio State, the Wolverines went 22 games and nearly three years before losing another game. Michigan's starting lineup against Ohio State was Bill Hewitt (left end), Howie Auer (left tackle), Omer LaJeunesse (left guard), Maynard Morrison (center), John Kowalik (right guard), Tom Samuels (right tackle), Ivy Williamson (right end), Harry Newman (quarterback), Jack Heston (left halfback), Stanley Fay (right halfback), and Roy Hudson (fullback). Week 4: at Illinois Week 4: Michigan at Illinois Michigan Illinois 7 7 14 7 0 0 0 0 October 24 Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL 32,000 Horatio B. Hackett On October 24, Michigan defeated Illinois by a 35 to 0 score. Michigan's 35 points was the most scored against an Illinois team under head coach Robert Zuppke. Fullback Bill Hewitt averaged over six yards per carry on 24 carries. Michigan's five touchdowns were scored by Stanley Fay (2), Jack Heston John Kowalik, and Harry Newman (45-yard interception return). Ted Petoskey kicked two points after touchdown, and Newman kicked three.Wolverines Swamp Illini; Worst Defeat Under Zuppke Harvey Woodruff Chicago Tribune October 25, 1931 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/10/25/page/29/article/wolverines-swamp-illini-worst-defeat-under-zuppke Michigan's starting lineup against Ohio State was Petoskey (left end), Francis Wistert (left tackle), Stanley Hozer (left guard), Maynard Morrison (center), Omer LaJeunesse (right guard), Howie Auer (right tackle), Ivy Williamson (right end), Estel Tessmer (quarterback), Heston (left halfback), Fay (right halfback), and Hewitt (fullback). Week 5: at Princeton Week 5: Michigan at Princeton Michigan Princeton 7 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 October 31 Palmer Stadium, Princeton, NJ On October 31, Michigan defeated Princeton by a 21 to 0 score at Palmer Stadium in Princeton, New Jersey. Left halfback Stanley Fay scored two touchdowns for Michigan, and fullback Roy Hudson scored one. Harry Newman kicked two points after touchdown, and Ted Petoskey scored one.Fay Speeds to 2 Touchdowns; Michigan Wins Westbrook Pegler Chicago Tribune November 1, 1931 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/11/01/page/27/article/fay-speeds-to-2-touchdowns-michigan-wins Michigan's starting lineup against Princeton was Ivy Williamson (left end), Tom Samuels (left tackle), Omer LaJeunesse (left guard), Maynard Morrison (center), Stanley Hozer (right guard), ___ (right tackle), Ted Petoskey (right end), Bill Hewitt (quarterback), Fay (left halfback), Estel Tessmer (right halfback), and Roy Hudson (fullback). Week 6: Indiana Week 6: Indiana at Michigan 1931 Indiana Hoosiers football Indiana Michigan 0 0 0 0 9 6 0 7 November 7 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI On November 7, Michigan defeated 1931 Indiana Hoosiers football Indiana by a 22 to 0 score at Michigan Stadium. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Stanley Fay, Ivy Williamson and Bill Hewitt. Williamson was also credited with a safety. Ted Petoskey and Harry Newman each kicked a point after touchdown.Wolverines Rout Hoosier On Two Passes, Fay's Run, Safety Chicago Tribune November 8, 1931 2-1 Edward Burns http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/11/08/page/21/article/notre-dame-crushes-penn-49-0-michigan-wins-22-0 Michigan's starting lineup against Indiana was Petoskey (left end), Howie Auer (left tackle), Stanley Hozer (left guard), Maynard Morrison (center), John Kowalik (right guard), Tom Samuels (right tackle), Williamson (right end), Estel Tessmer (quarterback), Fay (left halfback), Roy Hudson (right halfback), and Hewitt (fullback). Week 7: Michigan State Week 7: Michigan State at Michigan Michigan St. Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 November 14 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI On November 14, Michigan played Michigan State to a scoreless tie at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's starting lineup against Michigan State was Ted Petoskey (left end), Howie Auer (left tackle), Omer LaJeunesse (left guard), Chuck Bernard (center), Stanley Hozer (right guard), Tom Samuels (right tackle), Ivy Williamson (right end), Roy Hudson (quarterback), Jack Heston (left halfback), Stanley Fay (right halfback), and Bill Hewitt (fullback).Michigan State and Michigan Play 0 to 0 Tie Charles Bartlett Chicago Tribune November 15, 1931 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/11/15/page/23/article/michigan-state-and-michigan-play-0-to-0-tie Week 8: Minnesota Week 8: Minnesota at Michigan Minnesota Michigan 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 November 21 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI On November 21, Michigan defeated Minnesota by a 6 to 0 score at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's only points came on a 56-yard run by Bill Hewitt in the first quarter. The starting lineup against Minnesota was Ted Petoskey (left end), Howie Auer (left tackle), Omer LaJeunesse (left guard), Maynard Morrison (center), Stanley Hozer (right guard), Tom Samuels (right tackle), Ivy Williamson (right end), Roy Hudson (quarterback), Jack Heston (left halfback), Stanley Fay (right halfback), and Hewitt (fullback).Wolverines' Line Halts Gopher Backs; Hewitt Runs 56 Yards Wilfrid Smith Chicago Tribune November 22, 1931 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/11/22/page/23/article/michigan-triumphs-6-to-0-yale-upsets-harvard-3-to-0 Week 9: Wisconsin Week 9: Wisconsin at Michigan Wisconsin Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 7 November 28 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI On November 28, Michigan defeated Wisconsin by a 16 to 0 score at Michigan Stadium. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Bill Hewitt and Roy Hudson. Hudson also kicked a field goal, and Herman Everhardus kicked an extra point. The starting lineup against Wisconsin was Ted Petoskey (left end), Howie Auer (left tackle), Cecil Cantrill (left guard), Chuck Bernard (center), John Kowalik (right guard), Francis Wistert (right tackle), Ivy Williamson (right end), Harry Newman (quarterback), Everhardus (left halfback), Hudson (right halfback), and Hewitt (fullback).Michigan's 2d Half Attack Beats Wisconsin, 16-0: Hewitt, Hudson Break Through To Touchdowns; Latter Drop Kicks 38 Yards Harvey Woodruff Chicago Tribune November 29, 1931 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/11/29/page/23/article/michigans-2d-half-attack-beats-wisconsin-6-0 Scoring summary 2 Michigan Wolverines Player Touchdowns Extra points Field goals Safeties TotalPoints Stanley Fay700042 Roy Hudson301021 Ted Petoskey280020 Jack Heston300018 Bill Hewitt300018 Ivy Williamson200114 Harry Newman170013 Stanley Hozer12008 Herman Everhardus11007 Roderick Cox10006 Herbert Schmidt10006 Omer LaJeunesse01001 DuVal Goldsmith01001 unaccounted10006 Totals252011181 Players Varsity letter winners Howie Auer, Bay City, Michigan - started 8 games at left tackle, 1 game at right tackle Chuck Bernard - center Cecil Cantrill,Born October 10, 1910, died September 5, 1994, last address Lafayette, California Lexington, Kentucky - started 1 game at right tackle Norm Daniels, Detroit, Michigan, Southeastern H.S. - started 1 game at right end Charles DeBaker - halfback Leslie H. Douglass, Gary, Indiana, Emerson H.S. - started 1 game at left guard Herman Everhardus, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Central H.S. - started 1 game at left halfback Stanley Fay, Detroit, Michigan, Northwestern H.S. - started 4 games at left halfback, 5 games at right halfback Leslie L. Frisk, Rock Island, Illinois - started 1 game at right guard DuVal P. Goldsmith, Christiansburg, Virginia, Fishburne Military Academy - started 1 game at left tackle Jack Heston, Detroit, Michigan, Northwestern H.S. - started 4 games at left halfback, 3 games at right halfback Bill Hewitt, Bay City, Michigan - started 4 games at left end, 5 games at fullback Stanley Hozer, Muskegon, Michigan - started 3 games at left guard, 3 games at right guard Roy Hudson, Girard, Ohio - 4 games at fullback, started 2 games at quarterback, 1 game at left halfback, 1 game at right halfback John Kowalik, Chicago, Illinois, Carl Schurz H.S. - 2 games at left guard, 2 games at right guard Omer LaJeunesse, Iron Mountain, Michigan - started 4 games at left guard, 4 games at right guard Maynard Morrison, Royal Oak, Michigan - started 9 games at center Harry Newman, Detroit, Michigan, Northern H.S. - started 3 games at quarterback Ted Petoskey, St. Charles, Michigan - started 6 games at left end Tom Samuels, Canton, Ohio, McKinley H.S. - started 8 games at right tackle Jay H. Sikkenga - guard Estel Tessmer, Ann Arbor, Michigan - started 3 games at quarterback, 1 game at right halfback Louis Westover, Bay City, Michigan, Central H.S. - started 2 games at quarterback Ivy Williamson, Toledo, Ohio, Bowling Green Central - started 9 games at right end Francis Wistert, Chicago, Illinois, Carl Schurz H.S. - started 1 game at left tackle Fielding H. Yost, Jr. - end Varsity reserves George K. Bremen, halfback, Detroit, Michigan Harvey E. Chapman, tackle, Detroit, Michigan Frederick P. Clohset, tackle, Bay City, Michigan James Conover, guard, Ann Arbor, Michigan Thomas M. Cooke, tackle, Chicago, Illinois, Senn H.S. - started 1 game at center Roderick Cox, fullback, Birmingham, Michigan - started 1 game at left end, 1 game at right end, 1 game at fullback Russell Damm, tackle, Muskegon, Michigan Harry Eastman, Jr., halfback, Detroit, Michigan Harold Ellerby, end, Birmingham, Michigan Leslie L. Frisk, tackle, Rock Island, Illinois Francis Hazen, tackle, Bellingham, Washington William Horner, end, Jackson, Michigan Bethel B. Kelley, end, Bardstown, Kentucky Harold D. Lindsay, Detroit, Michigan Abe Marcovsky, guard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Louis E. McCrath, tackle, Grand Rapids, Michigan Donald T. McGuire, end, South Haven, Michigan Leonard Meldman, tackle, Detroit, Michigan Robert E. Miller, tackle, Highland Park, Michigan Wallace B. Miller, tackle, Wilmette, Illinois Ward H. Oehmann, guard, Washington, D.C. William Renner, halfback, Youngstown, Ohio Carl Savage, tackle, Flint, Michigan Harry A. Shick, Jackson, Michigan Oscar A. Singer, guard, Jackson Heights, New York Harry Stinespring, quarterback, Chicago, Illinois Charles E. Stone, end, Detroit, Michigan Harry A. Tillotson, Ann Arbor, Michigan J. Leo Winston, center, Washington, D.C. Awards and honors Captain: Roy Hudson All-American: Maynard Morrison (COL-1, NEA-1, AP-3, CP-3), Bill Hewitt (NEA-3)All Sections of Country Represented on Team; National Honors Given 1931 Grid Star Reno Evening Gazette 1931-12-05Munn Placed on Rice's All-American Team: Rentner and Morrison Get Honor Posts The Evening Tribune Albert Lea, Minn. 1931-12-18Dalrymple Highest Vote-Getter In NEA Board's All-American Team The Daily News Frederick, Md. 1931-12-14Bitt Bill 1931-12-09 Real 1931 All-American Team Selected by College Captains The Evening Independent (Massillon, Ohio) All-Big Ten: Maynard Morrison (AP-1, CPT-1, UP-2), Ivy Williamson (AP-1, UP-1), Bill Hewitt (UP-1, CPT-1; AP-2), Harry Newman (AP-2), Ted Petoskey (UP-2), Howie Auer (UP-2), Stanley Fay (AP-2, UP-2)Northwestern Places Five Players on Two All-Western Elevens Paul Mickelson The Independent, St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP story) November 24, 1931 4A https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19311124&id=mfNPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=11QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3173,6324329Captains Pick Outstanding Players Claire M. Burcky The Sunday Spartanburg Herald-Journal 32 December 13, 1931 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19311211&id=VIcsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o8oEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4133,4065978George Kirksey United Press All Big Ten Selections for 1931 The Indiana Gazette (Indiana, Pennsylvania) November 24, 1931 10 https://www.newspapers.com/image/10022500/?terms=manders%2Bcramer%2Brentner%2B%22united%2Bpress%22 Most Valuable Player: Bill Hewitt Meyer Morton Award: Herman Everhardus Coaching staff Head coach: Harry Kipke1931 Football Team University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library July 5, 2015 https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1931fbt.htm Assistant coaches Backfield coach: Wally Weber Line coach: Jack Blott and Franklin CapponWally Weber Is Named Backfield Coach at Michigan The News-Palladium September 11, 1931 10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2753473/wally_weber_is_named_backfield_coach_at/ End coach: Bennie OosterbaanKipke Has Talent Galore for Backs and Ends, But Quarter and Tackle, None The Ludington Daily News August 31, 1931 6 "B" team coach: Ray Courtright and Cliff Keen Freshmen coach: Ray Fisher assisted by Bud Poorman, Jack Wheeler, and Alvin Dahlern Trainer: Ray Roberts Manager: John Sauchuck, assisted by Rehn Nelson, Louis Columbo, Elbert Gage, and William Jones References External links 1931 Football Team -- Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan Athletics History Michigan Category:Michigan Wolverines football seasons Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Michigan Wolverines football