1936 Michigan Wolverines football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1936 Michigan Wolverines football File:1901-94 Michigan Wolverines Primary Logo.png Big Ten Conference Big Ten 1–7 0–5 Harry Kipke 8th Matt Patanelli Matt Patanelli Michigan Stadium The 1936 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1936 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth season under head coach Harry Kipke, the Wolverines compiled a 1–7 record (0–5 against Big Ten opponents), finished last in the Big Ten, and were outscored by opponents by a total of 127 to 36. They ranked 127th of 131 teams in major college football with an average of 4.5 points scored per game.1936 Michigan Wolverines Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 28, 2018 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan/1936.html Prior to 1936, the Wolverines had lost three consecutive games to the same team only once – to Ohio State from 1919 to 1921. However, in 1936, they lost their third consecutive games against four opponents – Michigan State, Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio State. Three of Michigan's losses were to teams ranked in the top 10 in the season's final AP Poll: No. 1 Minnesota, No. 7 Northwestern, and No. 10 Penn. Michigan's only victory in 1936 was a 13–0 shutout against Columbia on October 24. Senior end Matt Patanelli was the team captain. He was also selected as the team's most valuable player and was recognized on both the 1936 All-Big Ten Conference football team (second-team honors from the United Press) and the 1936 College Football All-America Team (second-team honors from the Central Press Association and third-team honors from the Associated Press). Fullback Cedric Sweet was the team's leading scorer with four touchdowns for 24 of Michigan's 36 points scored. Schedule 1936 AP October 3 l y Michigan State rivalry Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 7–21 45,656 October 10 l Indiana Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 3–14 19,110 October 17 l y Minnesota Little Brown Jug Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 0–26 41,209 October 24 w y Columbia Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 13–0 23,835 October 31 l y Illinois rivalry Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 6–9 29,901 November 7 l y y Penn 15 Franklin Field Philadelphia, PA 7–27 30,501 November 14 l Northwestern 1 rivalry Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 0–9 28,295 November 21 l y Ohio State 18 rivalry Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 0–21 56,277 Season summary Week 1: Michigan State Week 1: Michigan State at Michigan Michigan State Michigan 7 0 7 7 0 7 0 0 October 3 Michigan Stadium 45,656 On October 3, 1936, Michigan opened its season with a 21–7 loss to Michigan State at Michigan Stadium. The crowd was reported in the press to be 55,000 spectators, "[t]he largest crowd that ever witnessed a State-Michigan contest." The defeat was the third in a row for Michigan against Charlie Bachman's Spartans. Michigan State scored first on a 26-yard end-around by Frank Gaines. Fullback Cedric Sweet evened the score a short time later with Michigan's touchdown; Chris Everhardus kicked the extra point. The first half ended in a 7–7 tie, but in the second half, Michigan State coach Charlie Bachman substituted sophomore halfback, John Pingel, into the game. The Free Press described Pingel as "the best football player on the field." He scored on a 12-yard run in the third quarter. Al Agett added a third Spartan touchdown on a 26-yard end-around in the fourth quarter.Spartans Humble Michigan for Third Straight Time, 21-7: Tying Score by Sweet Ends U. of M.'s Threat Detroit Free Press Tod Rockwell Tod Rockwell October 4, 1936 Sports 1, 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21411889/spartans_humble_michigan_for_third/ Newspapers.com Week 2: Indiana Week 2: Indiana at Michigan Indiana Michigan 0 14 0 0 3 0 0 0 October 10 Michigan Stadium 19,110 On October 10, 1936, Michigan lost to Indiana by a 14–3 score before a crowd of approximately 15,000 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan took a 3–0 lead halfway through the first quarter when Chris Everhardus kicked a field goal from the ball's placement on the 16-yard line. On the first play of the second quarter, Indiana tackle Dal Sasso hit Michigan ball carrier Edward Stanton, the ball popped loose, and Sasso ran 36 yards for a touchdown. Sasso's score was only the second touchdown ever scored by the Hoosiers since Indiana and Michigan first met in 1900. Later in the second quarter, Indiana partially blocked a punt and then scored a second touchdown on a pass from Huffman to Kenderdine. Neither team scored in the second half. The game was close statistically with Indiana tallying 129 rushing yards and 26 passing yards to Michigan's 116 rushing yards and 21 passing yards.Indiana Capitalizes Breaks to Beat Michigan, 14 to 3: Dal Sasso Steals Ball, Runs 36 Yard to Tally Detroit Free Press Tod Rockwell October 11, 1936 Sports 1, 2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21412040/indiana_capitalizes_breaks_to_beat/ Newspapers.com Week 3: at Minnesota Week 3: Michigan at Minnesota Michigan Minnesota 0 0 0 0 6 7 0 13 October 17 Memorial Stadium, Minneapolis 48,000 On October 17, 1936, Michigan lost at Minneapolis by a 26–0 score in a contest with Bernie Bierman's Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota's ground attack led by backs Andy Uram, Vic Spadaccini, Wilbur Moore, and Bud Wilkinson (supported by All-American tackle Ed Widseth) tallied 286 rushing yards to 43 rushing yards for Michigan. Moore also scored on a 60-yard interception return. The victory was the 20th consecutive victory for the Golden Gophers and their third consecutive victory over the Wolverines.Minnesota Makes Michigan 20th Straight Victim, 26 to 0: U. of M. Offense Futile as Gopher Backs Romp Detroit Free Press Tod Rockwell October 18, 1936 Sports 1, 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21411140/minnesota_makes_michigan_20th_straight/ Newspapers.com The attendance at the game was 48,000.Gophers Trounce Michigan, 26-0: Wolverines Run Ragged; Moore Races 60 Yards Minneapolis Tribune George A. Barton October 18, 1936 29–30 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21411267/gophers_trounce_michigan_260/ Newspapers.com The Minneapolis Tribune praised the efforts of Michigan end Matt Patanelli: "Patanelli was a heroic figure in Michigan's defeat. The Wolverines' captain turned in one of the greatest exhibitions of end play ever witnessed at Memorial stadium . . . Patanelli seemed to be everywhere on defense, plugging up holes here and there and contributing the deadliest tackling imaginable." Minnesota finished the season ranked No. 1 in the final AP Poll. Week 4: Columbia Week 4: Columbia at Michigan Columbia Michigan 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 6 October 24 Michigan Stadium 23,835 On October 24, 1936, Michigan won its first and only game of the season, defeating Lou Little's Columbia Lions by a 13–0 score before a crowd of approximately 20,000 at Michigan Stadium. Fullback Cedric Sweet scored Michigan's first touchdown on an 11-yard run in the second quarter, and Wally Hook kicked the extra point. Stark Ritchie intercepted a Columbia pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 32 yards for Michigan's second touchdown. The Detroit Free Press credited Michigan's line, including center Joe Rinaldi, with the victory and with stopping Columbia's halfback, Sid Luckman, who was later inducted into both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. The Wolverines out-gained the Lions with 283 total yards to 163 yards.U. of M. Earns First Victory by Beating Columbia, 13 to 0: Michigan Shows Punch as Sweet, Ritchie Score Detroit Free Press Tod Rockwell Tod Rockwell October 25, 1936 Sports 1, 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21410349/u_of_m_earns_first_victory_by_beating/ Newspapers.com Week 5: Illinois Week 5: Illinois at Michigan Illinois Michigan 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 6 October 31 Michigan Stadium 29,901 On October 31, 1936, Michigan lost to Illinois by a 9–6 score before a homecoming crowd estimated at 35,000 at Michigan Stadium. It was the third consecutive victory for the Fighting Illini over the Wolverines. Michigan dominated the game statistically with 237 total yards to 66 for Illinois and 13 first downs to two for Illinois. However, Illinois capitalized on Michigan turnovers in the second quarter—kicking a field goal following a Cedric Sweet fumble at Michigan's 10-yard line, then scoring a touchdown after blocking a Cedric Sweet punt at Michigan's 15-yard line and recovering the loose ball in Michigan's end zone. Illinois played a conservative defensive game as Illinois coach Robert Zuppke utilized an old-fashioned defensive formation consisting of a seven-man line with four backs in a diamond formation. Michigan was unable to score until Cedric Sweet ran eight yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.Illinois Beats U. of M., 9-6: Nelson Blocks Sweet's Punt to Give Illini Score Detroit Free Press Tod Rockwell November 1, 1936 Sports 1, 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21421935/illinois_beats_u_of_m_96_nelson/ Newspapers.com Week 6: at Penn Week 6: Michigan at Penn Michigan Penn 0 0 7 0 7 7 6 7 November 7 Franklin Field, Philadelphia 30,501 On November 7, 1936, Michigan lost to Penn by a 27–7 score before an estimated crowd of 40,000 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. The defeat snapped a 10-year streak during which Michigan had not lost an intersectional football game.Michigan's last intersectional loss before the 1936 season was to the undefeated 1926 Navy team. Cedric Sweet scored Michigan's only touchdown on a one-yard run, and George Marzonie kicked the extra point. Penn out-gained Michigan by 212 rushing yards to 98 and 34 passing yards to 0.Penn Ends Michigan's 10-Year Intersectional Mark, 27 to 7: Quaker Eleven Scores in Every Period to Win Detroit Free Press Tod Rockwell November 8, 1936 Sports 1, 5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21422950/penn_ends_michigans_10year/ Newspapers.com Harvey Harman's 1936 Penn Quakers finished the season ranked No. 10 in the final AP Poll. Week 7: Northwestern Week 7: Northwestern at Michigan Northwestern Michigan 0 3 0 6 0 0 0 0 November 14 Michigan Stadium 28,295 On November 14, 1936, Michigan lost by a 9–0 score to an undefeated Northwestern team that was ranked No. 1 in that week's AP Poll. The game was played at Michigan Stadium before a crowd estimated in the press at 40,000. Northwestern out-gained Michigan by 299 yards to 61. Northwestern's Steve Toth kicked a field goal in the second period and scored a touchdown in the fourth. A field goal attempt by Michigan guard George Marzonie in the third quarter fell short by less than a yard. Despite the loss, Tod Rockwell wrote in the Detroit Free Press: "[T]he Wolverines were a vastly improved team today. Michigan showed unexpected power, great tackling and had it pounced on breaks as of old, it might have won the game with plenty to spare."Stubborn Michigan Scares Northwestern but Loses, 9 to 0: Toth Adds Touchdown After Early Field Goal Detroit Free Press Tod Rockwell November 15, 1936 Sports 1, 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21410762/stubborn_michigan_scares_northwestern/ Newspapers.com Week 8: at Ohio State Week 8: Michigan at Ohio State Michigan Ohio State 0 0 0 0 0 6 9 6 November 21 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH 56,277 On November 21, 1936, Michigan lost its annual rivalry game to Ohio State by a 21–0 score before a homecoming crowd of 56,202 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Led by Cedric Sweet and Stark Ritchie, Michigan opened the game with a 63-yard drive to the four-yard line but were unable to score. Tod Rockwell in the Detroit Free Press wrote that, after the opening drive, "the Wolverine attack seemed to fold as quickly as it developed." In the second quarter, the Buckeyes scored on a touchdown pass from Tippy Dye to Frank Cumiskey to take a 6–0 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, the Buckeyes scored again on a shovel pass from Dye to Robb. The Buckeyes added a field goal and a final touchdown on a 10-yard run by Wasylik. Ohio State out-gained Michigan by 341 yards to 117 yards.Ohio State Beats Michigan, 21-0: Timely Passes by Tippy Dye Score Twice Detroit Free Press Tod Rockwell November 22, 1936 Sports 1, 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21411468/ohio_state_beats_michigan_210_timely/ Newspapers.com Post-season After the season, senior end Matt Patanelli was selected as the team's most valuable player.Matt Patanelli Is Honored as Best Wolverine Player Detroit Free Press November 25, 1936 Sports 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3746596/matt_patanelli_is_honored/ Newspapers.com He was also selected by the United Press as a second-team player on the 1936 All-Big Ten Conference football team.Wildcats Dominate All-Big Ten Eleven The San Bernardino County Sun November 21, 1936 15 https://www.newspapers.com/image/49259148/?terms=widseth%2Bheap%2B%2B%22united%2Bpress%22 (United Press) He was also honored on the 1936 College Football All-America Team, receiving second-team honors from the Central Press Association and third-team honors from the Associated Press).Gould Alan December 4, 1936 East Dominates Positions on Mythical Grid Team Ogden Standard-Examiner (Associated Press)Bill Braucher Yankee Teams Step Out in All-Star Voting: Playing Captains Pick Top Warriors Post-Herald West Virginia December 5, 1936(Central Press Association) In December 1936, unhappiness with the team's performance was widespread, and the press reported that the school was intent on making sweeping changes and that chances were remote for the return of head coach Harry Kipke.Harry Kipke Due to Be Replaced as Michigan Grid Coach Detroit Free Press December 25, 1936 15–16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21373823/harry_kipke_due_to_be_replaced_as/ Newspapers.com In January 1937, in what was described in the press as "a compromise shakeup", the university fired Franklin Cappon as the team's line coach and assistant athletic director but retained Kipke as head coach for the 1937 season. The press reported that Kipke's retention was in part due to the failure to find a suitable replacement following a careful search. Cappon's dismissal was viewed as a victory for Kipke who had broken relations during the 1936 season. Bennie Oosterbaan and Wally Weber also retained their positions as assistant coaches responsible for the team's ends and backfield players.Harry Kipke to Remain at Michigan Grid Helm in 1937 Detroit Free Press Tod Rockwell Tod Rockwell January 17, 1937 Sports 1, 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21374036/harry_kipke_to_remain_at_michigan_grid/ Newspapers.com Personnel Varsity letter winners The following 27 players won varsity letters for their participation in the 1936 football team.Information on varsity letter winners, class years, and hometown information is from the 1937 Michiganensian, page 267. Players who started at least half of Michigan's games are shown in bold. Bill Barclay, '38, Flint, Michigan - started 7 games at quarterback John C. Brennan, '39, Racine, Wisconsin - started 2 games at left guard Robert E. Cooper, '38, Detroit, Michigan - started 4 games at left halfback Jesse G. Garber, '37, Brookline, Mass. - started 6 games at left guard Elmer Gedeon, '39, Cleveland, Ohio - end R. Wallace Hook, Jr., '39, Grand Rapids, MichiganR. Wallace Hook, born June 20, 1917, died November 23, 2004, last address Grand Rapids, Michigan - started 1 game at left halfback Fred Janke, '39, Jackson, Michigan - started 3 games at left tackle John D. Jordan, '39, Evanston, Illinois - center Melvin Kramer - 1 game at right tackle Louis Levine, '39, Muskegon, Michigan - started 1 game at quarterback James H. Lincoln, '38, Harbor Beach, Michigan - started 3 games at right tackle Alex LoikoAlex Loiko, born February 19, 1916, died March 1983, last residence Birmingham, Michigan - started 1 game a right end Earle B. Luby, '38, Chicago, IllinoisEarle B. Luby, born February 26, 1916, died February 14, 1995, SSN issued Michigan, last address Redding, California - started 2 games at right tackle George A. Marzonie, '38, Flint, MichiganGeorge A. Marzonie, born July 31, 1916, dies November 11, 1994, last residence Bloomfield Hills, Michigan - started 5 games at right guard Matt Patanelli, '37, Elkhart, Indiana - started 8 games at left end Edward J. Phillips, '39, Bradford, Pennsylvania - started 1 game at right halfback Joseph M. Rinaldi, '38, Elkhart, IndianaJoseph M. Rinaldi, born May 8, 1916, died April 3, 1990, last residence West Palm Beach, Florida - started 8 games at center Stark Ritchie, '38, Battle Creek, Michigan - started 2 games at left halfback, started 1 game at right halfback Don J. Siegal, '39, Royal Oak, Michigan - started 5 games at left tackle Danny Smick, '39, Hazel Park, Michigan - started 5 games at right end John A. Smithers, '38, Elkhart, Indiana - started 6 games at right halfback, 1 game at left halfback Chester C. Stabovitz, '37, Chicago, Illinois - end Edward C. Stanton, '39, Charleston, West Virginia - started 1 game at fullback Cedric C. Sweet, '37, Fremont, MichiganCedric Sweet, born July 16, 1914, died October 1984, last address Southfield, Michigan - started 7 games at fullback Arthur Valpey, '38, Detroit, Michigan - started 2 games at right end Clarence H. Vandewater, guard, sophomore, Holland, MichiganClarence H. Vandewater, born August 18, 1916, died May 3, 2005, last residence Holland, Michigan - starter in 1 game at right guard Fred C. Ziem, '38, Pontiac, MichiganFrederick C. Ziem, born March 17, 1916, died March 22, 2000, SSN issued Michigan, last address Commerce Township, Michigan - started 1 game at right guard Reserves The following players received "minor awards" for their participation as varsity reserves on the 1936 football team.Information on "Minor Awards" is from the 1937 Michiganensian, at page 302. Frank S. Bissell, guard, senior, Hyannisport, Massachusetts - starter in 1 game at right guard Robert Campbell, halfback, junior, Ionia, Michigan Robert Curren, fullback, sophomore, Warren, Pennsylvania Douglas Farmer, fullback, junior, Hinsdale, Illinois Harold J. Floersch, end, sophomore, Wyandotte, Michigan Edward Greenwald, tackle, junior, Whiting, Indiana Ralph Heikkinen, guard, sophomore, Ramsay, Michigan Forrest Jordan, guard, sophomore, Clare, Michigan - starter in 2 games at right tackle Melvin G. Kramer, tackle, junior, Toledo, Ohio Alex Loiko, halfback, sophomore, Hamtramck, Michigan Norman J. Nickerson, fullback, sophomore, Detroit, Michigan Donald M. Paquette, halfback, sophomore, Superior, Wisconsin Ernest A. Pederson, Jr., guard, junior, Grand Blanc, Michigan Robert P. Piotrowski, halfback, sophomore, Manistee, Michigan Norm Purucker, halfback, sophomore, Poland, Ohio Awards and honors Captain: Matt PatanelliWolverines Name Patanelli as Captain of '36 Grid Team: Durable End From Elkhart Is Honored With Leadership by Mates Detroit Free Press November 27, 1935 17 https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3746578/wolverines_name_patanelli_as_captain/ Most Valuable Player: Matt PatanelliMatt Patanelli Is Honored as Best Wolverine Player: Coach Kipke Regrets Star Flanker Didn't Play on a Better Team Detroit Free Press November 25, 1936 17 https://freep.newspapers.com/clip/3746596/matt_patanelli_is_honored/ Meyer Morton Award: John Jordan Coaching staff Head coach: Harry Kipke Assistant coaches: Backfield coach: Wally Weber Line coach: Franklin Cappon, assisted by Whitey WistertKipke Refuses to Let Wistert Risk Injuries Detroit Free Press September 20, 1936 Sports 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21410856/kipke_refuses_to_let_wistert_risk/ Newspapers.com Ends coach: Bennie Oosterbaan Others: Ray Courtright (head golf coach, assistant football coach), Ray Fisher (head baseball coach, assistant football coach), Cliff Keen (head wrestling coach, assistant football coach)1936 Football Team Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1936fbt.htm Trainer: Ray Roberts Manager: William Bates, Fred Colombo (assistant), Ned A. Kilmer (assistant), Lee Moore (assistant), Edward M. Watson (assistant) Scoring leaders Michigan Wolverines Player Touchdowns Extra points Field goals TotalCedric Sweet40024Stark Ritchie1006Chris Everhardus0114Wally Hook0101George Marzonie0101Total53136 References External links 1936 Football Team -- Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan Athletics History Michigan Category:Michigan Wolverines football seasons Michigan Wolverines football