1917 Michigan Wolverines football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1917 Michigan Wolverines football 1917 Michigan Wolverines football team.jpg 285 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 8–2 0–1 Fielding H. Yost 17th Cedric C. Smith Ferry Field 10smichiganuniform2.png The 1917 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1917 college football season. In his 17th year as head coach, Fielding H. Yost led the Michigan Wolverines football team to an 8–2 record, as Michigan outscored its opponents by a combined score of 304 to 53.1917 Football Team University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library May 1, 2015 https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1917fbt.htm Michigan won its first eight games and outscored those opponents by a combined score of 292 to 16. The team then lost its final two games against Penn and Northwestern. With the United States entry into World War I in April 1917, Michigan's male student body dropped by 30%, and Michigan lost many of its starters to military service. The players lost to the military included fullback Cedric "Pat" Smith, who had been elected to serve as captain of the 1917 team. With only one returning backfield player, coach Yost converted tackle Tad Wieman into a fullback. Wieman became the team's leading scorer in 1917 with 129 points on 14 touchdowns, 36 points after touchdown (PAT), and three field goals. After an injury to starting quarterback Cliff Sparks in the second game, Archie Weston took over and became the team's second leading scorer with 78 points on 13 touchdowns. Schedule October 6 w y 1917 Case Case Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 41–0 4,035 October 10 w y Western State Normal Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 17–13 2,906 October 13 w y 1917 Mount Union Purple Mount Union Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 69–0 3,657 October 17 w y Detroit Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 14–3 4,419 October 20 w y Michigan Agricultural Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 27–0 9,038 October 27 w y Nebraska Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 20–0 5,022 November 3 w y Kalamazoo Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 62–0 4,345 November 10 w y y Cornell Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 42–0 16,733 November 17 l y y Penn Franklin Field Philadelphia, PA 0–16 12,851 November 24 l y Northwestern Northwestern Field Evanston, IL rivalry 12–21 5,232 Season summary Preseason On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on the German Empire, marking its entry into World War I. In early August 1917, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) met with representatives of more than 125 colleges and universities to determine whether or not to proceed with intercollegiate athletics during the war. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker addressed the gathering, opined that intercollegiate athletics were an effective means of training for military service, and recommended that efforts be undertaken to expand the number of persons receiving this training. The gathering then passed a resolution providing for the continuation of intercollegiate athletics with an emphasis on carrying out the recommendations of the Secretary of War.Athletics A Training For Arms The Michigan Alumnus October 1917 2 https://books.google.com/books?id=vk9YAAAAMAAJ As students enlisted in large numbers for military service, the enrollment of male students at the University of Michigan dropped by thirty percent (30%) in the fall of 1917.The 1917 Football Team The Michigan Alumnus November 1917 70 https://books.google.com/books?id=vk9YAAAAMAAJ Several of Michigan veteran players (including Cedric "Pat" Smith, Philip Raymond, Willard Peach, John West, J. Vinton Hammels, and Frank Willard) were unavailable to the team due to military service. The losses left the team with only six players (Cliff Sparks, Tad Wieman, Richard Weske, Alan Boyd, Joseph Hanish, and John Orton Goodsell) who had ever played on the first team. With only one returning backfield player (Sparks), Yost converted tackle Tad Wieman into a fullback.Prospects for the Team The Michigan Alumnus October 1917 51 https://books.google.com/books?id=vk9YAAAAMAAJ Week 1: Case Week 1: Case at Michigan Case Michigan 0 0 0 0 October 6, 1917 Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI James Durfee (Williams) On October 6, 1917, Michigan played its annual game against the team from Case Scientific School in Cleveland. The game was the 21st meeting between the schools in a series dating back to 1894. In the 20 prior meetings, Michigan won 19 games and played to a tie once.Michigan vs Case Institute of Technology (OH) David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse May 1, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=582 July 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150709200754/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=582 dead Michigan won the 1917 game by a 41–0 score. Tad Wieman, in his first game after being converted into a fullback, scored three touchdowns. Wieman also kicked five points after touchdown (PAT) for a total of 23 points in the game. Quarterback Cliff Sparks scored two touchdowns, and substitute right halfback Harold Rye also scored once. Case made only one first down. The game was played in 12-1/2 minute quarters. Michigan's starting lineup against Case was Elmer Cress (left end), Frank Culver (left tackle), Alan Boyd (left guard), Charles Beath (center), John Orton Goodsell (right guard), Richard Weske (right tackle), Oscar Cartwright (right end), Cliff Sparks (quarterback), Joseph Hanish (left halfback), Abe Cohn (right halfback), and Tad Wieman (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Michigan were Julius St. Clair (right end), Harold Rye (right halfback), Gerald Froemke (left halfback), Angus Goetz (right guard), Fred Hendershott (left end), Lowell Genebach (quarterback), William Fortune (right guard), and C. H. Graff (right tackle).Michigan, 41; Case, 0 The Michigan Alumnus October 1917 49, 51 https://books.google.com/books?id=vk9YAAAAMAAJ Week 2: Western State Normal Week 2: Western State Normal at Michigan Kalamazoo Normal Michigan 0 0 7 6 3 0 7 7 October 10, 1917 Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI Walter S. Kennedy (Chicago) On Wednesday, October 10, 1917, Michigan played the football team from the Western State Normal Normal School (also called Kalamazoo Normal and later renamed Western Michigan University). The game was the first game between the two schools, and the two programs met only one other time in the 20th century.Michigan vs Western Michigan David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse April 30, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=3517 September 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150907193714/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=3517 dead Michigan won the game by a score of 17 to 13. Michigan led 10–7 at the start of the fourth quarter, but Kalamazoo Normal scored a touchdown with four minutes remaining to take a 13–10 lead. On the following drive, halfback Harold Rye returned the kickoff 35 yards, and Abe Cohn then had a long run. Fullback Tad Wieman accounted for all of Michigan's points, scoring two touchdowns, kicking two points after touchdown, and one field goal from place kick. Michigan quarterback Cliff Sparks was injured in the game and did not start another game.Michiganensian 1918 281 http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/aag4364.1918.001/291?page=root;size=150;view=image;q1=football The game was played in quarters lasting 7-1/2, 7-1/2, 10 and 10 minutes. Michigan's starting lineup against Kalamazoo Normal was Angus Goetz (left end), Frank Culver (left tackle), Alan Boyd (left guard), John Orton Goodsell (center), William Fortune (right guard), Richard Weske (right tackle), Oscar Cartwright (right end), Cliff Sparks (quarterback), Abe Cohn (left halfback), Joseph Hanish (right halfback), and Tad Wieman (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Michigan were Elmer Cress (left end), Rye (right halfback), St. Clair (right end), and Lowell Genebach (quarterback).Wolverines Just Manage To Win Out: Michiganders Come From Behind in Closing Minutes of Game With Kalamazoo; Teachers Hold Lead Almost Until Finish; Final Score Is 17-13; Sparks Plays Sensational Game Until Carried From Field Detroit Free Press October 11, 1917 13 https://www.proquest.com/docview/566087918 July 5, 2017 March 5, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013152/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/doc/566087918.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+11,+1917&author=Special+to+The+Free+Press&pub=Detroit+Free+Press+(1858-1922)&edition=&startpage=&desc=WOLVERINES+JUST+MANAGE+TO+WIN+OUT live Week 3: Mount Union Week 3: Mount Union at Michigan Mount Union Michigan 0 0 0 0 7 28 28 6 October 13, 1917 Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI Walter S. Kennedy (Chicago) On Saturday, October 13, 1917, Michigan played the football team Mount Union College of Alliance, Ohio. The game was the fifth game between the two schools since 1913, with Michigan winning the prior games by a combined score of 102 to 7.Michigan vs Mount Union (OH) David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse April 30, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=2138 September 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150907233436/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=2138 dead Michigan won the 1917 game by a score of 69 to 0. Left halfback Abe Cohn started the scoring with a touchdown run in the first quarter. Archie Weston came into the game as a substitute at quarterback at the start of the second quarter and scored five touchdowns, including a 65-yard touchdown run around the right end. Additional touchdowns were scored by Gerald Froemke, Tad Wieman, Thomas Garrett, and William Cruse. Wieman also kicked for eight points after touchdown (PAT), and Frank Culver added one PAT. The game was played in 12-minute quarters. Michigan's starting lineup against Case was Angus Goetz (left end), Alan Boyd (left tackle), Julius St. Clair (left guard), Charles Beath (center), John Orton Goodsell (right guard), Richard Weske (right tackle), Oscar Cartwright (right end), Lowell Genebach (quarterback), Cohn (left halfback), Harold Rye (right halfback), and Wieman (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Michigan were Weston (quarterback), Froemke (right halfback), Fred Hendershott (left end), William Fortune (right guard), Frank Culver (right guard), Thomas Garrett (fullback), Chester Morrison (right end), Elmer Cress (left end), William Cruse (left halfback), Arthur Weadock (right halfback), L. O. Lindstrom (left guard), and Harold Barnard (left tackle).Wolverines Trample on Mount Union: Visitors Offer Little Opposition to Rushes of Yost's Men and Are Snowed Under by 69-0; New Quarterback of North Is Uncovered; Weston, a Soo Boy, Tears Things Up After Taking Hold of Pilot Game Early in Game Detroit Free Press October 14, 1917 17 Week 4: Detroit Week 4: Detroit at Michigan Detroit Michigan 0 0 3 0 0 7 7 0 October 17, 1917 Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI Holderness (Lehigh) On Wednesday, October 17, 1917, Michigan played the football team University of Detroit. The game was the first and only football game ever played between the two schools.Michigan vs Detroit (MI) David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse May 1, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=923 September 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150907203738/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=923 dead The Detroit team came into the game with a reputation for its powerful offense, having scored 145 the week before against the University of Toledo.U. OF D. Runs Over Toledo Ruthlessly: Maumeeans Show Little in Way of Football Ability and University Rolls Up 145 Points Detroit Free Press October 11, 1917 13 https://www.proquest.com/docview/566182409 Michigan won the game by a score of 14 to 3. An interception led to a Michigan touchdown in the second quarter, and two forward passes led to another touchdown in the third quarter. Michigan's touchdowns were scored by Angus Goetz and Tad Wieman. Wieman also kicked two points after touchdown. Detroit scored on a dropkick field goal by halfback Allen.Wolverines Victorious Over U. of D.: Michigan Beats Jefferson Avenue Boys, 14 to 3, in Scrappy, Erratic Game; Forward Passes Give Winners Touchdowns Detroit Free Press E. A. Batchelor E. A. Batchelor October 18, 1917 11 The game marked the Michigan debut of center Oscar Lambert who reportedly made fifty percent of Michigan's tackles.Michiganensian 1918 281 http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/aag4364.1918.001/292?page=root;size=150;view=image;q1=football The game was played in 10-minute quarters. Michigan's starting lineup against Detroit was Angus Goetz (left end), John Orton Goodsell (left tackle), Alan Boyd (left guard), Oscar Lambert (center), Frank Culver (right guard), Richard Weske (right tackle), Hanish (right end), Archie Weston (quarterback), Abe Cohn (left halfback), Froemke (right halfback), and Tad Wieman (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Michigan were William Fortune (right guard), Oscar Cartwright (right end), L. O. Lindstrom (left tackle), Lowell Geneback (quarterback). Week 5: Michigan Agricultural Week 5: Michigan Agricultural at Michigan Michigan Agricultural Michigan 0 0 0 0 6 0 7 14 October 20, 1917 Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI Michigan played its annual game against Michigan Agricultural College at Ferry Field on October 20, 1917. It was the 12th game between the two schools dating back to 1898. Michigan had won eight of the prior 11 games.Michigan vs Michigan St. David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse April 30, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=1988 May 26, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526234935/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=1988 dead Michigan won the 1917 game by a score of 27 to 0. Michigan scored in the first quarter on a drive that featured a 30-yard run by Tad Wieman and was capped by a 15-yard touchdown run by Archie Weston. Wieman missed the kick for point after touchdown (PAT). At halftime, the schools' combined bands led a detachment of troops onto the field and played the "Star Spangled Banner" and "The Victors". In the third quarter, the Wolverines scoring drive began with a 20-yard punt return by Weston with Wieman scoring on a seven-yard run. Wieman then kicked the PAT to give the Wolverines a 13–0 lead. In the fourth quarter, Wieman ran through the middle of the M.A.C. line, "shook off five tacklers," and scored on a 35-yard touchdown run. Wieman added the PAT. Later in the fourth quarter, Weston ran 30 yards around the left end to the M.A.C. 12-yard line, and Wieman scored his third touchdown of the afternoon on a one-yard run. Wieman then kicked his third PAT for 21 points in the game.Detailed Description of Michigan-Aggie Bout Detroit Free Press October 21, 1917 21 Michigan's starting lineup against M.A.C. included Goetz (left end), Goodsell (left tackle), Boyd (left guard), Oscar Lambert (center), Frank Culver (right guard), Weske (right tackle), Cartwright (right end), Archie Weston (quarterback), Abe Cohn (left halfback), Genebach (right halfback), and Tad Wieman (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Michigan were Rye (right halfback), Cruse (left halfback), Hanish (left halfback), Froemke (left halfback), William Fortune (right guard), Barnard (right halfback), Cress, Hendershott, Weadock, Wellford, Garrett, and St. Clair.Michigan Is Victor Over Aggies Detroit Free Press October 21, 1917 19 E. A. Batchelor E. A. Batchelor https://www.proquest.com/docview/566175845 July 5, 2017 July 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150722221813/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/doc/566175845.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+21%2C+1917&author=Batchelor%2C+E+A&pub=Detroit+Free+Press+%281858-1922%29&edition=&startpage=&desc=MICHIGAN+IS+VICTOR+OVER+THE+AGGIES live Week 6: Nebraska Week 6: Nebraska at Michigan Nebraska Michigan 0 0 0 0 7 7 3 3 October 27, 1917 Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI Snyder (Harvard) On October 27, 1917, Michigan played the football team from the University of Nebraska. The game was the first between the two schools.Michigan vs Nebraska David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse May 1, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=2184 May 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150505021257/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=2184 dead The 1918 Michiganensian described the field conditions this way: "The heavy field, soaked by a week's rain, hampered the Nebraska boys while the Michiganders seemed to revel in the goo." Michigan won by a score of 20 to 0. Michigan's two touchdowns were scored by left halfback Gerald Froemke and fullback Tad Wieman. Wieman scored 14 of Michigan's 20 points, kicking two points after touchdown and two field goals in addition to his touchdown. Froemke's touchdown came in the first quarter when he recovered a fumble at Nebraska's 10-yard line and, behind the blocking of Wieman and Archie Weston, returned the ball 90 yards for a touchdown. The game was played in 15-minute quarters. Michigan's starting lineup against Nebraska was Angus Goetz (left end), John Orton Goodsell (left tackle), Frank Culver (left guard), Oscar Lambert (center), William Fortune (right guard), Richard Weske (right tackle), Boyd (right end), Archie Weston (quarterback), Froemke (left halfback), Joseph Hanish (right halfback), and Wieman (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Michigan were William Cruse (left halfback), Harold Rye (left halfback), Lowell Genebach (left halfback), Lee Bonar (left end) and Chester Morrison (right guard).Yost's Team Walks Over Nebraskans: Froemke's Long Run Is Game's Feature Harry Bullion Detroit Free Press October 28, 1917 19 Week 7: Kalamazoo Week 7: Kalamazoo at Michigan Kalamazoo Michigan 0 0 0 0 14 21 13 14 November 3, 1917 Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI Snyder (Harvard) On November 3, 1917, Michigan played the football team from Kalamazoo College. The game was the fifth between the two schools dating back to 1899. Michigan had won the four previous games by a combined score of 177 to 0.Michigan vs Kalamazoo (MI) David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse May 1, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=1601 September 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150907170753/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=1601 dead Michigan won the 1917 game by a score of 62 to 0. Quarterback Archie Weston gained over 300 yards, including runs of 60 yards, 35 yards and two for 25 yards. Weston also scored four touchdowns in the game. Tad Wieman and William Cruse scored two touchdowns each, and a ninth touchdown was scored by Gerald Froemke. Wieman also kicked for eight points after touchdown. The game was played in 15-minute quarters. Michigan's starting lineup against Kalamazoo was Angus Goetz (left end), John Orton Goodsell (left tackle), Frank Culver (left guard), Oscar Lambert (center), William Fortune (right guard), Richard Weske (right tackle), Oscar Cartwright (right end), Archie Weston (quarterback), Gerald Froemke (left halfback), Joseph Hanish (right halfback), and Tad Wieman (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Michigan were Lowell Genebach (right halfback), Lee Bonar (left end), William Cruse (left halfback), Alan Boyd (right end), Chester Morrison (right tackle), and Thomas Garrett (center). Yost To Use Same Eleven At The Start https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/168929557/ Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan November 3, 1917 9 March 26, 2025 Newspapers.com Yost's Team Overpowers Kalamazoo https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/168929445/ Detroit Free Press Detroit, Michigan November 4, 1917 21, part 1 March 26, 2025 Newspapers.com Week 8: Cornell Week 8: Cornell at Michigan Cornell Michigan 0 0 0 0 14 21 13 14 November 10, 1917 Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI Walter Eckersall (Chicago) On November 3, 1917, Michigan played the football team from Cornell University. The game was the 15th meeting of the teams dating back to 1889. Michigan had won only three of the prior 14 meetings.Michigan vs Cornell (NY) David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse May 1, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=820 September 7, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150907165344/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=820 dead Michigan won the 1917 game by a score of 42 to 0. Michigan quarterback Archie Weston scored three touchdowns. Additional touchdowns were scored by Cliff Sparks, Joseph Hanish, and Abe Cohn. Tad Wieman was successful on all six kicks for point after touchdown. The game was played in 15-minute quarters. Michigan's starting lineup against Cornell was Angus Goetz (left end), John Orton Goodsell (left tackle), Frank Culver (left guard), Oscar Lambert (center), William Fortune (right guard), Richard Weske (right tackle), Alan Boyd (right end), Archie Weston (quarterback), Cliff Sparks (left halfback), Joseph Hanish (right halfback), and Tad Wieman (fullback).Michigan, 42; Cornell, 0 The Michigan Alumnus December 1917 192 https://books.google.com/books?id=vk9YAAAAMAAJ Week 9: at Penn Week 9: Michigan at Penn Michigan Penn November 17, 1917 Franklin Field Philadelphia, PA Tufts (Brown) On November 17, 1917, Michigan played its annual rivalry game against the Penn Quakers football team. The game was the 13th meeting between the teams dating back to 1899. After leaving the Big Ten Conference, Penn became Michigan's regular season-ending rivalry game. In the 12 prior meetings, Michigan had won only four times, with the two teams playing to a scoreless tie in 1915.Michigan vs Pennsylvania David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse May 1, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=2519 May 27, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150527022114/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=2519 dead Michigan lost the 1917 game by a score of 16 to 0. Michigan and Penn played "almost even" in the first quarter with Penn gaining 53 yards from scrimmage to 45 for Michigan.Grid Air Raid by Berry Licks Michigan, 16 to 0 Chicago Tribune November 18, 1917 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1917/11/18/ However, at the start of the second quarter, Michigan's quarterback Archie Weston was ejected from the game after a fight with two Penn players, Miller and Strauss.Michiganensian 1918 284 http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/aag4364.1918.001/294?page=root;size=150;view=image;q1=football After Weston was ejected, Penn dominated the game, limiting Michigan to only seven yards from scrimmage in the entire second half. Penn's scoring came on a touchdown by Cleary and three field goals and a point after touchdown by Howard Berry. The game was played in 15-minute quarters. Michigan's starting lineup against Northwestern was Angus Goetz (left end), Goodsell (left tackle), Frank Culver (left guard), Oscar Lambert (center), William Fortune (right guard), Richard Weske (right tackle), Boyd (right end), Archie Weston (quarterback), Abe Cohn (left halfback), Joseph Hanish (right halfback), and Tad Wieman (fullback).Pennsylvania, 16; Michigan, 0 The Michigan Alumnus December 1917 192 https://books.google.com/books?id=vk9YAAAAMAAJ Week 10: at Northwestern Week 10: Michigan at Northwestern Michigan Northwestern 6 0 0 6 7 7 7 0 November 24, 1917 Northwestern Field Evanston, IL Holderness (Lehigh) On November 24, 1917, Michigan played the football team from Northwestern University. The game was the 15th meeting of the teams dating back to 1889. Michigan had won only three of the prior 14 meetings.Michigan vs Northwestern (IL) David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse May 1, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=2330 May 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150505021255/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/m/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=2330 dead The game represented Michigan's first game against a conference opponent after rejoining the Big Ten Conference. Before the game started, the Northwestern crowd greeted the Wolverines warmly, and Walter Eckersall in the Chicago Tribune wrote: "That Michigan is welcomed in its return to the conference goes without saying." Michigan played the game with three of its key starters, quarterback Archie Weston, center Oscar Lambert, and guard Frank Culver) sidelined by injury.1918 Michiganensian 280 http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/aag4364.1918.001/290?page=root;size=150;view=image;q1=footballPurple Surprises Michigan, 21 to 12 Walter Eckersall Chicago Tribune November 25, 1917 2-1 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1917/11/25/ Michigan lost the 1917 game by a score of 21 to 12. Northwestern scored first on a forward pass from Ellingwood to Arrles. Michigan responded with a scoring drive capped by a three-year run by Gerald Froemke, but Tad Wieman missed the point after touchdown (PAT), and Northwestern remained in the lead, 7–6. Northwestern scored again, on a short run by Koehler, and extended its lead to 14–6 at halftime. Northwestern scored again in the third period and led 21–6. In the fourth quarter, Froemke returned a punt 50 yards. Michigan scored a touchdown to reduce Northwestern's lead to 21–12, though accounts differ as to whether the second Michigan touchdown was scored by Froemke or Wieman. The game was played in 15-minute quarters. Michigan's starting lineup against Northwestern was Angus Goetz (left end), Wieman (left tackle), Alan Boyd (left guard), Goodsell (center), Morrison (right guard), Richard Weske (right tackle), Cartwright (right end), Froemke (quarterback), Rye (left halfback), Joseph Hanish (right halfback), and Abe Cohn (fullback). Substitutions for Michigan were Cliff Sparks (left halfback), William Fortune (right guard), and Morrison (left tackle).Northwestern, 21; Michigan, 12 The Michigan Alumnus December 1917 192–193 https://books.google.com/books?id=vk9YAAAAMAAJ Players Varsity letter winners For their participation on the 1917 football team, 18 players were awarded a varsity letter "M".Varsity "M's" Awarded The Michigan Alumnus December 1917 193–194 https://books.google.com/books?id=vk9YAAAAMAAJ Those 18 players are: Alan Boyd,Alan W. Boyd, born March 11, 1897, Indianapolis, Indiana. He was awarded the medal for being Michigan's best athlete and student for the 1917-18 academic year. He became a lawyer practicing in Indiana. He died in May 1987 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis, Indiana - started 5 games at left guard, 3 games at right end, 1 game at left tackle Oscar Cartwright, Detroit, Michigan - started 6 games at right end Abe Cohn, Portland, Oregon - started 5 games at left halfback, 2 games at fullback, 1 game at right halfback William R. Cruse, Detroit, Michigan - halfback Frank Culver, Detroit, Michigan - started 4 games at left guard, 3 games at left tackle, 1 game at right guard William Fortune, Springfield, Illinois - started 5 games at right guard Gerald Froemke, Sheldon, North Dakota - started 3 games at left halfback, 1 game at quarterback Lowell Genebach,Lowell Burke Genebach, born October 13, 1898, Michigan; died September 1978, Battle Creek, Michigan. Battle Creek, Michigan - started 1 game at quarterback, 1 game at right halfback Angus Goetz, De Tour Village, Michigan - started 9 games at left end John Orton Goodsell,John Orton Goodsell, Jr., born September 29, 1897, Lowell, Michigan. He became an oral surgeon, practicing in Saginaw, Michigan, starting in approximately 1922. He died in January 1977 at Saginaw. Saginaw, Michigan - started 5 games at left tackle, 3 games at right guard, 2 games at center Joseph Hanish,Joseph Anthony Hanish, born January 11, 1896, Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the outbreak of World War II, he was living in Oak Park, Illinois, working for Buick Motor Division. He died March 1984 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Grand Rapids, Michigan - started 7 games at right halfback, 1 game at right end Oscar Lambert, Pennsboro, West Virginia - started 6 games at center Chester C. Morrison, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - started 1 game at right guard Harold Rye, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan - started 1 game at left halfback, 1 game at right halfback Cliff Sparks, Jackson, Michigan - started 2 games at quarterback, 1 game at left halfback Richard F. "Dick" Weske,Richard Ferdinand Weske, sometimes listed as Ferdinand Richard Weske, born August 15, 1894, in Petrograd, Russia (now known as Saint Petersburg. He came to the United States in June 1903 with his parents, Peter and Agnela Weske, and sister, Juliana. He was raised in New London, Connecticut. At the time of the 1910 Census, he was living in New London with his father, Peter (a 41-year-old machinist), and sister Juliana (age 14). He became a naturalized U.S. citizen and enrolled at the University of Michigan as an engineering student. At the time of the 1930 Census, he was living in Salt Lake City with his wife Wanda, daughters Jacqueline and Juliana, and was working as a civil engineer for a railroad. He died in October 1971 in Nevada City, Nevada. New London, Connecticut - started 10 games at right tackle Archie Weston, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan - started 6 games at quarterback Tad Wieman, Los Angeles, California - started 8 games at fullback, 1 game at left tackle aMa letter winners Charles Beath, Escanaba, Michigan - started 2 games at center Lee Bonar, Belleville, West Virginia - end Harold M. Cherry, Buffalo, New York - center John H. Emery, Bedford, Indiana - end Thomas C. Garrett, Lakewood, Ohio - fullback Fred Hendershott, Tecumseh, Michigan - end L.O. Lindstrom, Marquette, Michigan - guard Others Elmer Cress, Grand Rapids, Michigan - started 1 game at left end (designated as reserve) C. H. Graff, reserve John Perrin, reserve Julius St. Clair, Duluth, Minnesota - started 1 game at left guard Arthur Weadock, reserve Scoring leaders 2 Michigan Wolverines Player Touchdowns Extra points Field goals TotalPoints Tad Wieman14363129 Archie Weston130078 Gerald Froemke40024 Cliff Sparks30018 William Cruse30018 Abe Cohn20012 Angus Goetz1006 Joseph Hanish1006 Harold Rye1006 Thomas Garrett1006 Frank Culver0101 Totals43373304 Awards and honors Captain: Cedric C. Smith All-Americans: Ernest Allmendinger, Cedric C. Smith, Frank Culver All-Conference: Ernie Vick, Angus Goetz Coaching staff thumb|right|225px|Trainer Harry Tuthill and Yost Head coach: Fielding H. Yost Assistant coaches: Prentiss Douglass, Robert Watson Trainer: Harry Tuthill Manager: Charles F. Boos References External links 1917 Football Team -- Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan Athletics History 1917-18 Michigan Alumnus - includes accounts of each game 1918 Michiganensian Michigan Category:Michigan Wolverines football seasons Michigan Wolverines football