1926 Michigan Wolverines football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1926 Michigan Wolverines football 1926 michigan wolverines football team.jpg 250 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 7–1 5–0 Fielding H. Yost 25th Benny Friedman Benny Friedman Ferry Field Co-national champion (Sagarin)Big Ten co-champion 70px The 1926 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1926 Big Ten Conference football season. In the team's 25th and final season under head coach Fielding H. Yost, Michigan compiled a record of 7–1, outscored its opponents 191 to 38, and tied with Northwestern for the Big Ten Conference championship.1926 Football Team University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library May 4, 2015 https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1926fbt.htm Michigan's only loss was to an undefeated Navy team that was recognized as the national champion by several selectors. At the end of the season, Michigan ranked third in the country under the Dickinson System, trailing only Stanford and Navy."System Places Stanford First," Nevada State Journal (Reno), Dec. 17, 1926, p6 One selector, Jeff Sagarin, has retroactively named Michigan as a 1926 co-national champion.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf National Poll Rankings National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2015 NCAA Division I Football Records NCAA 108 January 13, 2016 PDF August 6, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220806220105/https://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf dead Quarterback Benny Friedman and end Bennie Oosterbaan were both selected as consensus All-Americans.2014 NCAA Football Records: Consensus All-America Selections National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2014 August 16, 2014 5 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2014/Awards.pdf November 26, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181126094941/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2014/awards.pdf dead Friedman was also Michigan's 1926 team captain and most valuable player. Schedule October 2 w y Oklahoma A&M Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 42–3 18,000 October 9 w y Michigan State rivalry Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 55–3 33,000 October 16 w Minnesota Little Brown Jug Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 20–0 48,000 October 23 w y Illinois rivalry Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 13–0 48,000 October 30 l y y Navy Municipal Stadium Baltimore, MD 0–10 80,000 November 6 w Wisconsin Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 37–0 48,000 November 13 w y Ohio State rivalry Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 17–16 90,411 November 20 w y Minnesota Little Brown Jug Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 7–6 55,000 Game summaries Week 1: Oklahoma A&M On October 2, 1926, Michigan defeated Oklahoma A&M at Ferry Field by a 42–3 score. Bo Molenda scored two touchdown in the first quarter which also featured a blocked kick that resulted in a safety. Led by Benny Friedman, Michigan passed for 160 yards.Michigan Batters Oklahoma Aggies: Oosterbaan Is the Star The New York Times October 3, 1926 https://www.nytimes.com/1926/10/03/archives/michigan-batters-oklahoma-aggies-sweeps-opponents-aside-in-a-423.html Week 2: Michigan State On October 9, 1926, Michigan defeated Michigan State College by a 55–3 score.Michigan Wins, 55-3 Chicago Tribune October 10, 1926 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1926/10/10/page/30/article/illinois-trods-rough-shod-on-butler-38-to-7Michigan Gallops to Victory, 55 to 3: Michigan State Unable to Cope With Fast Running and Passing Game The New York Times October 10, 1926 https://www.nytimes.com/1926/10/10/archives/michigan-gallops-to-victory-55-to-3-michigan-state-unable-to-cope.html Week 3: Minnesota Michigan defeated Minnesota by a 20–0 score. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Bo Molenda, George Rich and Louis Gilbert. Friedman kicked two points after touchdown. Gilbert's touchdown came on a 58-yard run. All 20 points were scored in the first half.Minnesota Bows to Michigan After Stubborn Fight, 20-0 Chicago Tribune October 17, 1926 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1926/10/17/page/29/article/minnesota-bows-to-michigan-after-stubborn-fight-20-0Michigan Defeats Minnesota, 20 to 0: Scores First Touchdown Three Minutes After Start of Game -- Molenda Goes Over; Rich Gets Next One; Gilbert Then Crosses Line In Second Period on Long Run -- Passes Play Big Role The New York Times October 17, 1926 https://www.nytimes.com/1926/10/17/archives/michigan-defeats-minnesota-20-to-0-scores-first-touchdown-three.html Week 4: Illinois Michigan defeated Illinois by a 13–0 score. After a scoreless first quarter, Illinois drove to Michigan's 21-yard line. On fourth down, Illinois opted for a forward pass rather than a field goal attempt. Truskowski intercepted the pass on the 17-yard line. Michigan's first score was set up by a punt that was downed inside the one-yard line. Illinois was then forced to punt from behind the goal line, and Gilbert returne the ball to Illinois' 30-yard line. After a 14-yard gain on a pass to Gilbert, Michigan was stopped, but Friedman kicked a field goal to give Michigan a 3–0 lead at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, Michigan scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. Michigan's lone touchdown was scored by Bo Molenda. Molenda's touchdown was set up when Lovett intercepted a pass at the Illinois 37-yard line, and Friedman completed a long pass to Oosterbaan. Benny Friedman added the point after touchdown and also kicked his second field goal.Michigan Eleven Romps Over Illinois, 13 to 0 Walter Eckersall Chicago Tribune October 24, 1926 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1926/10/24/page/29/article/michigan-eleven-romps-over-illinois-13-to-0Michigan Victor Over Illinois, 13-0; Eliminates Rival From Big Ten Race With Its Triumph Before 50,000 Persons; Passing Attack Checked But Molenda Gets Touchdown and Friedman Boots Over Two Field Goals The New York Times October 24, 1926 https://www.nytimes.com/1926/10/24/archives/michigan-victor-over-illinois-130-eliminates-rival-from-big-ten.html Week 5: at Navy Michigan lost to Navy by a 10–0 score at Baltimore, Maryland. Navy's Howard Caldwell ran for a touchdown against the Wolverines. Caldwell's touchdown was the first scored against Michigan since the 1924 season. After the game, the Navy midshipmen stormed the field, tore down the goalposts and broke them into splinters to be kept as souvenirs. The game was played before approximately 50,000 spectators.Navy Guns Upset and Sink Michigan in 10 to 0 Battle Westbrook Pegler Westbrook Pegler Chicago Tribune October 31, 1926 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1926/10/31/page/29/article/navy-guns-upset-and-sink-michigan-in-10-to-0-battle The 1926 Navy Midshipmen football team went on to complete an undefeated season and was recognized as the national champion by several selectors.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2012/fbs.pdf Football Bowl Subdivision Records: Consensus National Champions National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2012 NCAA Division I Football Records 72 NCAA.org March 27, 2013 PDF Week 6: Wisconsin Michigan defeated Wisconsin by a 37–0 score. Michigan completed 9 of 15 passes for 147 yards. Wisconsin completed only 4 of 20 passes for 36 yards. Friedman threw for a touchdown to Oosterbaan and also caught a touchdown pass from Gilbert. Wally Weber scored two touchdowns, and Friedman, Oosterbaan and Hoffman registered one touchdown each. Friedman kicked for a field goal and four points after touchdown.Michigan Runs Wild Over Wisconsin Eleven, 37 to 0 Chicago Tribune November 7, 1926 Harland Rohm http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1926/11/07/page/32/article/in-the-wake-of-the-news The margin of victory was the largest in the history of the Michigan-Wisconsin rivalry.Michigan Crushes Wisconsin, 37 to 0; Wolverines Administer Worst Defeat in History of Their Rivalry to Badgers The New York Times November 7, 1926 https://www.nytimes.com/1926/11/07/archives/michigan-crushes-wisconsin-37-to-0-wolverines-administer-worst.html Week 7: at Ohio State Michigan defeated Ohio State by a 17–16 score. The crowd of 90,000 at Columbus, Ohio, was reported to be "the greatest crowd that ever paid to see a football game." Ohio State jumped out to an early 10–0 lead. Michigan responded with its own touchdown and field goal to tie the score at 10–10. At the end of the third quarter, Marek of Ohio State was unable to field a punt at his own six-yard line. As Marek had touched the ball, Michigan took possession when it fell on the loose ball. At the start of the fourth quarter, Friedman then threw a touchdown pass and converted the PAT. Ohio State drove down the field for a touchdown, but the PAT attempt by Myers Clark failed.Michigan Ekes Out 17-16 Win; 90,000 Look On Chicago Tribune November 14, 1926 Irving Vaughan http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1926/11/14/page/29/article/michigan-ekes-out-17-16-win-90-000-look-on90,000 See Michigan Defeat Ohio State: Gruelling Battle Between Conference Teams Reflected in Score of 17 to 16; Ohio Lead Wiped Out; Friedman's Passes to Oosterbaan Net First Touchdown and Then Former's Goal Ties Count The New York Times November 14, 1926 https://www.nytimes.com/1926/11/14/archives/90000-see-michigan-defeat-ohio-state-gruelling-battle-between.html Week 8: at Minnesota On November 20, 1926, Michigan defeated Minnesota by a 7–6 score at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis. The game was the last for Michigan under head coach Yost. Herb Joesting scored on a short run in the second quarter, but Peplaw missed the attempted at extra point. Michigan trailed 6–0 in the fourth quarter when Nydahl of Minnesota fumbled. Oosterbaan picked up the loose ball and ran 58 yards for a touchdown. Friedman drop-kicked the extra point.Wolverines Convert Gopher Fumble Into 7 to 6 Victory Walter Eckersall Chicago Tribune November 21, 1926 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1926/11/21/page/29/article/wolverines-convert-gopher-fumble-into-7-to-6-victory Players Varsity letter winners The following players won varsity letters for their work on the 1926 football team: Ray Baer, Louisville, Kentucky – started 6 games at left tackle Richard Sidney "Syd" Dewey, Monroe, Michigan – started 6 games at left guard, 1 game at right guard Victor E. Domhoff – quarterback William R. Flora, Muskegon, Michigan – started 7 games at right end Benny Friedman, Cleveland, Ohio – started 7 games at quarterback Norman Gabel, Detroit, Michigan – started 6 games at right tackle Louis Gilbert, Kalamazoo, Michigan – started 5 games at left halfback Harold T. Greenwald, Chicago, Illinois – started 1 game at right halfback Henry S. Grinnell – tackle William H. Heath – tackle LeRoy G. Heston – end Leo W. Hoffman – halfback John H. Lovette, Saginaw, Michigan – started 5 games at right guard Kent C. McIntyre – guard James F. Miller Jr., Adrian, Michigan – started 2 games at left halfback John J. Molenda, Detroit, Michigan – started 4 games at fullback, 3 games at right halfback Herman Z. Nyland Jr. – end Bennie Oosterbaan, Muskegon, Michigan – started 7 games at left end John M. Palmeroli, Highland Park, Michigan – started 1 game at left guard William H. Puckelwartz – quarterback George E. Rich, Lakewood, Ohio – started 3 games at right halfback John B. Schoenfeld, Bartlesville, Oklahoma – started 2 games at center George G. Squires (or Squier), South Haven, Michigan – started 1 game at right guard, 1 game at right tackle Joseph R. Truskowski, Detroit, Michigan – started 5 games at center Wally Weber, Mt. Clemens, Michigan – started 3 games at fullback aMa letter winners The following players won aMa letters for their work on the 1926 football team:1927 Michiganesian, "Varsity Football Team," page 214. Dudley G. Black – fullback Frank A. Harrigan – halfback Maxwell E. Nickerson – tackle Marshall Boden – end Frank E. Meese – tackle Otto Pommerening, Ann Arbor, Michigan – started 1 game at left tackle Raymond A. Cragin – center George A. Nicholson Jr. – center Awards and honors All-Americans: Benny Friedman (consensus), Bennie Oosterbaan (consensus)2014 NCAA Football Records: Consensus All-America Selections National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2014 August 16, 2014 5 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2014/Awards.pdf November 26, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181126094941/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2014/awards.pdf dead All-Conference: Bennie Oosterbaan (AP-1), Benny Friedman (AP-1), William Flora (AP-2), Ray Baer (AP-2), John Lovette (AP-2)Big Ten Coaches, Picking All Star Eleven, Praise Joesting, Oosterbaan The Milwaukee Journal (AP story) November 30, 1926 23 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19261130&id=ELNQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RCIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6609,2711419 November 20, 2015 November 19, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151120131338/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19261130&id=ELNQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RCIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6609,2711419 dead Most Valuable Player: Benny Friedman Meyer Morton Award: George Rich Coaching staff Head coach: Fielding H. Yost Assistant coaches: Jack Blott, Harvey Emery, Ray Fisher, Judson Hyames, Cliff Keen, Harry Kipke, William Louisell, Edwin Mather, George F. Veenker, Tad Wieman Trainer: Charles B. Hoyt Manager: John S. Denton, James V. Hughey (assistant), Ray C. Humphrey (assistant), Leonard A. Spooner (assistant), Frank L. Wachter (assistant) References External links 1926 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