1905 Michigan Wolverines football
ConferenceWestern Conference
Record12–1 (2–1 Western)
Head coach
Offensive schemeShort punt
CaptainFred Norcross
Home stadiumRegents Field
1905 Western Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
Chicago $ 7 0 011 0 0
Michigan 2 1 012 1 0
Minnesota 2 1 010 1 0
Purdue 1 1 16 1 1
Wisconsin 1 2 08 2 0
Indiana 0 1 18 1 1
Iowa 0 2 08 2 0
Northwestern 0 2 08 2 1
Illinois 0 3 05 4 0
  • $ Conference champion

The 1905 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1905 Western Conference football season. The team's head football coach was Fielding H. Yost. The Wolverines played their home games at Regents Field. After winning the first 12 games of the season by a combined score of 495–0, the team lost the final game of the season by a score of 2–0 against the University of Chicago.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendance
September 30Ohio Wesleyan*W 65–0
October 4Kalamazoo*
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 44–0
October 7Case*
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 36–0
October 11Ohio Northern*
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 23–0
October 14Vanderbilt*
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 18–0
October 21Nebraska*
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 31–05,000
October 25Albion*
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 70–0
October 28Drake*
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 48–0
November 4at IllinoisW 33–06,000
November 11Ohio State*
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)
W 40–08,000
November 18Wisconsindagger
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 12–017,000
November 25Oberlin*
  • Regents Field
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 75–0
November 30at ChicagoL 0–227,000
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

Pre-season

Fielding Yost from The Michigan Alumnus, Oct. 1905

The 1905 football team returned 11 varsity letter winners from the 1904 team. The only letter winners not returning from 1904 were Willie Heston and Babe Carter. Center Germany Schulz, who had played as a freshman in 1904, was expected to be the best center in the west during the 1905 season. The line also returned "Octopus" Graham, Henry Schulte, and Joe Curtis. Fred Norcross also returned as the team's starting quarterback. In the backfield, several players were in competition to replace Heston at left halfback. Tom Hammond returned at right halfback. At fullback, Frank Longman sustained a knee injury that was expected to keep him on the sidelines for the early part of the season. Track star John Garrels had shown promise in 1904 and was the fastest man on the Michigan team.[1]

Game summaries

Michigan 65, Ohio Wesleyan 0

In the first game of the 1905 season was played on a warm day with the field at Ferry Field in excellent condition. Michigan defeated the team from Ohio Wesleyan University 65-0 and was reported to have "over, through and around" the opposition. Fred Norcross ran for 144 yards in the first half, including a 70-yard touchdown run. Hammond was Michigan's high scorer with 25 points on four touchdowns (five points each) and five point after touchdown kicks.[2]

The game was played in halves of 18.5 minutes and 15 minutes. In the first game, Michigan scored 65 points in 33.5 minutes. Michigan's starting lineup was Garrels (left end), Curtis (left tackle), Love (left guard), Clement (center), Graham (right guard), Patrick (right tackle), Stuart (right end), Norcross (quarterback), Dunlap (left halfback), Workman (right halfback), Hammond (fullback).[3]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
HammondFullbackYes45025
WorkmanRight halfbackYes30015
CurtisLeft tackleYes0505
NorcrossQuarterbackYes1005
GarrelsLeft endYes1005
RumneyRight halfbackNo1005
LoveLeft guardYes1005
Total----1110065

Michigan 44, Kalamazoo 0

In the second game of the season, played at Ferry Field, Michigan defeated the team from Kalamazoo College 44-0. Despite the one-sided score, The Michigan Alumnus complained, "The whole offensive work was ragged and spiritless, the warm weather having much to do with this."[4]

The game was played in halves of 20 minutes and 15 minutes. Through two games, Michigan had scored 109 points in 68.5 minutes. Michigan's starting lineup was Garrels (left end), Curtis (left tackle), Love (left guard), Clement (center), Graham (right guard), Patrick (right tackle), Stuart (right end), Norcross (quarterback), Dunlap (left halfback), Workman (right halfback), Rumney (fullback).[5]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsSafetiesPoints
T. HammondFullbackYes270017
CurtisLeft tackleYes300015
RumneyRight halfbackYes10005
DunlapLeft halfbackYes10005
No player credited----00012
Total----770144

Michigan 36, Case 0

The third game of the season matched Michigan against Case. With most of the game played by the "scrubs," Michigan defeated Case 36-0. In his first start at left halfback, Paul Magoffin had a 75-yard run against Case.[6]

The game was played in halves of 20 minutes each. Through three games, Michigan had scored 145 points in 108.5 minutes.[7]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
T. HammondFullbackYes25015
CurtisLeft tackleYes21011
MagoffinLeft halfbackYes1005
GarrelsLeft endYes1005
Total----66036

Michigan 23, Ohio Northern 0

Michigan played its fourth consecutive home game against Ohio Northern on October 11, 1905. The game was played on a wet field, and Michigan's play was described by The Michigan Alumnus as ragged. A highlight of the game was John Garrels' 65-yard run, "using the straight arm with good results."[8]

The game was played in halves of 19 minutes and 10 minutes. Through four games, Michigan had scored 168 points in 137.5 minutes. Michigan's starting lineup was Garrels (left end), Curtis (left tackle), Love (left guard), Clement (center), Graham (right guard), Patrick (right tackle), Stuart (right end), Norcross (quarterback), Magoffin (left halfback), Workman (right halfback), Weeks (fullback).[9]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
CurtisLeft tackleYes23013
GarrelsLeft endYes20010
Total----43023

Michigan 18, Vanderbilt 0

In the fifth game of the season, Vanderbilt, coached Yost's former player and assistant coach Dan McGugin, traveled to Ann Arbor. Michigan won the game 18-0.[10] The game was played in halves of 25 minutes each. Through five games, Michigan had scored 186 points in 187.5 minutes. Michigan's starting lineup was Garrels (left end), Curtis (left tackle), Schulte (left guard), Schultz (center), Graham (right guard), Rheinschild (right tackle), Stuart (right end), Norcross (quarterback), Magoffin (left halfback), T. Hammond (right halfback), Weeks (fullback).[11]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
HammondRight halfbackYes1308
CurtisLeft tackleYes1005
MagoffinLeft halfbackYes1005
Total----33018

Cancelled game with Denison

Michigan had planned a mid-week game against Denison University for Wednesday, October 18, 1905. That game was cancelled due to rain and the wet condition of Ferry Field.[12] The Michigan Alumnus noted: "It is not often that Michigan shirks the dampness, but [Fielding] Yost and [Fred] Norcross feared to risk injuring any player so soon before the Nebraska game."[13]

Michigan 31, Nebraska 0

On October 21, 1905, Michigan faced Nebraska. Although the final score was 31-0, The Michigan Alumnus noted that Michigan did not score in the first half and observed:

"Seldom has a more exciting contest been witnessed on Ferry Field . . . For the first time in the season the apostles of the 'hurry-up' gospel met foemen worthy of their very best efforts." The publication credited Michigan's second half scoring on Keene Fitzpatrick's training which lad left the Wolverines in "splendid physical condition." Tom Hammond scored 16 of Michigan's points on a touchdown, three point after touchdown kicks, and two field goals.[14]

The game was played in halves of 35 minutes each. Through six games, Michigan had scored 217 points in 257.5 minutes.[15][16]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
HammondRight halfbackYes13216
LongmanFullbackYes1005
ClarkLeft halfbackNo1005
WeeksLeft halfbackYes1005
Total----43231

Michigan 70, Albion 0

After the Nebraska game, Michigan faced Albion in a mid-week game in Ann Arbor. Despite the 70-0 score, and being held on downs only once, The Michigan Alumnus found the performance to be less than ideal: "The playing was rather ragged, the team work being decidedly below standard."[17]

The game was played in halves of 25 minutes and 14.5 minutes. Through seven games, Michigan had scored 287 points in 297 minutes. Michigan's starting lineup was Garrels (left end), Curtis (left tackle), Love (left guard), Shultz (center), Graham (right guard), Rheinschild (right tackle), Newton (right end), Barlow (quarterback), Weeks (left halfback), Kanaja (right halfback), and Embs (fullback).[18]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
CurtisLeft tackleYes110015
EmbsFullbackYes30015
GrahamRight guardYes30015
HammondRight halfbackYes20010
WeeksLeft halfbackYes1005
MagoffinLeft halfbackNo1005
LoveLeft halfbackYes1005
Total----1210070

Michigan 48, Drake 0

On October 28, 1905, Yost faced another of his pupils. Willie Heston, who had accepted the position of head coach at Drake, brought his team to Ann Arbor. The Drake team was reported to have played "pluckily," but was "crippled and badly outclassed."[19]

The game was played in halves of 25 minutes and 20 minutes. Through eight games, Michigan had scored 335 points in 342 minutes.[20]

At the end of October, The Michigan Alumnus wrote that the team's "ragged work" had "marred" the early games. With the team's tendency to fumble, the publication wrote that "one would have thought the Wolverines' fingers had been greased." In comparing it to Yost's prior teams, the Alumnus wrote: "It is not, perhaps, the best team which Yost has ever coached. In all probability the team of 1901 could defeat it by two or three touchdowns."[21]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
WeeksFullbackYes30015
HammondRight halfbackNo21011
CurtisLeft tackleYes0707
GarrelsLeft endYes1005
BarlowQuarterbackYes1005
SculteLeft guardYes1005
Total----88048

Michigan 33, Illinois 0

On November 4, 1905, Michigan played its first road game of the season against Illinois. The running and punting of Alfred Barlow, substituting at quarterback, were reported to be features of the game.[22]

The game was played in halves of 35 minutes each. Through nine games, Michigan had scored 368 points in 412 minutes. Michigan's starting lineup was Garrels (left end), Curtis (left tackle), Schulte (left guard),Schultz (center), Graham (right guard), Rheinschild (right tackle), H. Hammond (right end), Workman (quarterback), T. Hammond (right halfback), Magoffin (left halfback), Clark (fullback).[23]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
ClarkFullbackYes20010
T. HammondRight halfbackYes0418
SchulteLeft guardYes1005
WeeksFullbackNo1005
BarlowQuarterbackYes1005
Total----54133

Michigan 40, Ohio State 0

The Wolverines returned to Ann Arbor for their November 8 game against Ohio State. Michigan played many of its substitutes in the game, starting Barlow at quarterback and Fred Newton at fullback. The game featured a 105-yard run by Barlow, described as "the longest ever seen on Ferry Field." Barlow returned a missed dropkick from five yards deep in Michigan's endzone. Almost tackled at the 40-yard line, Barlow was aided by his teammates' blocking and returned the ball all the way for a touchdown. A large number of Ohio State fans attended the game, and the supporters of the two schools were reported to be on such friendly terms that the Ohio State band played "Men of Yost," and the Michigan supporters "returned the compliment by giving the Ohio yell."[24]

The game was played in halves of 35 minutes each. Through ten games, Michigan had scored 408 points in 482 minutes.[25]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
T. HammondRight halfbackYes14113
CurtisLeft tackleYes22012
GarrelsLeft endYes1005
PatrickLeft halfbackYes1005
BarlowQuarterbackYes1005
Total----66140

Michigan 12, Wisconsin 0

1905 Michigan-Wisconsin game

On November 18, 1905, Wisconsin traveled to Ann Arbor. In front of a crowd estimated at nearly 18,000 people, Michigan won by a score of 12-0. During the second half, a temporary bleacher with 2,000 persons on it collapsed. Three or four spectators sustained "more or less severe injuries," but none were killed. A warning was given before the collapse that the timber was weakening, the statement was reported to have not been taken seriously. Frank Longman scored both of Michigan's touchdowns, and Tom Hammond converted on both point after touchdown kicks.[26]

The game was played in halves of 35 minutes each. Through 11 games, Michigan had scored 420 points in 552 minutes. Michigan's starting lineup was Garrels (left end), Curtis (left tackle), Schulte (left guard), Schultz (center), Graham (right guard), Rheinschild (right tackle), H. Hammond (right end), Norcross (quarterback), Weeks (left halfback), T. Hammond (right halfback), Longman (fullback).[27]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
LongmanFullbackYes20010
T. HammondRight halfbackYes0202
Total----22012

Michigan 75, Oberlin 0

On November 25, 1905, Michigan defeated the Oberlin Congregationalists 75-0. The Michigan Alumnus noted that Oberlin came close to scoring in the game: "It was a comedy that was almost turned into a tragedy when the plucky Congregationalist end, Featherstone, got away with the ball. Barlow missed him, and had not Schultz succeeded in reaching him Michigan would surely have been scored on."[28]

The game was played in halves of 25 minutes and 19 minutes. Through 12 games, Michigan had scored 495 points in 596 minutes. Michigan's starting lineup was Garrels (left end), Curtis (left tackle), Clement (left guard), Schultz (center), Graham (right guard), Love (right tackle), H. Hammond (right end), Barlow (quarterback), Patrick (left halfback), Clark (right halfback), Embs (fullback).[29]

PlayerPositionStarterTouchdownsExtra pointsField goalsPoints
CurtisFullbackYes42022
MagoffinLeft halfbackNo30015
GarrelsLeft endYes18013
StuartRight halfbackYes20010
ClarkRight halfbackYes1005
SchultzCenterYes1005
LoveRight tackleYes1005
Total----1310075

Chicago 2, Michigan 0

Western Championship Match

The game, dubbed "The First Greatest Game of the Century,"[30] broke Michigan's 56-game unbeaten streak and marked the end of the "Point-a-Minute" years. The 1905 Michigan team had outscored opponents 495-0 in its first 12 games. The game was lost in the final ten minutes of play when Denny Clark was tackled for a safety as he attempted to return a punt from behind the goal line. Newspapers described Clark's play as "the wretched blunder" and a "lapse of brain work."[30] Clark transferred to M.I.T. the following year and was haunted by the play for the rest of his life. In 1932, he shot himself, leaving a suicide note that reportedly expressed hope that his "final play" would atone for his error at Marshall Field in 1905.[30][31]

The game was played in halves of 35 minutes each.[32] Through 13 games, Michigan scored 495 points in 666 minutes.

Scoring summary

The following chart accounts for the 495 points scored by the 1905 football team and is based on the box scores published in 1905 by the Detroit Free Press" and The Michigan Alumnus.

PlayerTouchdowns
(5 points)
Extra points
1 point
Field goals
(4 points)
Safeties
(2 points)
Total
Points
Tom Hammond153520118
Joe Curtis153000105
John Garrels780043
Paul Magoffin600030
Harold Weeks600030
William Dennison Clark400020
Walter Graham300015
Jay Mack Love300015
Alfred Barlow300015
Frank Longman300015
William Embs300015
Harry Workman300015
Ted Stuart200010
Mason Rumney200010
Henry Schulte20005
Germany Schultz10005
Fred Norcross10005
Harry Patrick10005
Lewis Dunlap10005
na00012
Total817321495

Players

Varsity letter winners

The following 15 players received varsity "M" letters for their participation on the 1905 football team:[33]

PlayerPositionGames
started
Hometown
Alfred BarlowQuarterback5Corry, Pennsylvania
William Dennison ClarkFullback
Right halfback
1
1
Detroit, Michigan
Joe CurtisLeft tackle13Brooklyn, New York
John GarrelsLeft end13Detroit, Michigan
Walter D. GrahamRight guard
Right tackle
12
1
Chicago, Illinois
Harry S. HammondRight end5Chicago, Illinois
Tom HammondRight halfback
Fullback
Left halfback
6
3
1
Chicago, Illinois
Frank LongmanFullback3Battle Creek, Michigan
Paul MagoffinLeft halfback4Washington, D.C.
Fred NorcrossQuarterback8Menominee, Michigan
Harry E. PatrickRight tackle
Left halfback
4
2
Detroit, Michigan
Walter RheinschildRight tackle7Los Angeles, California
Henry SchulteLeft guard7Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Germany SchulzCenter9Fort Wayne, Indiana
Ted StuartRight end
Right halfback
7
1
Chariton, Iowa

Reserves

The following 25 players received "R" letters for their participation on the 1905 football team:[33]

Others

Awards and honors

Coaching staff

References

  1. "Football Prospects". The Michigan Alumnus. October 1905. pp. 53–54.
  2. "Michigan 65 - Ohio Wesleyan 0". The Michigan Alumnus. October 1905. p. 33.
  3. "GOT 65 POINTS: Michigan Made Good Start in Game With Ohio Wesleyan at Ann Arbor on Saturday; NEW MEN ALL SHOW WELL; Not a First Down Made by Visitors--Michigan Stuck to Straight Football". Detroit Free Press. October 1, 1905.
  4. "Michigan 44 - Kalamazoo 0". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. p. 78.
  5. "YOST'S MEN ERRATIC: TOO MUCH FUMBLING IN GAME WITH KALAMAZOO; LATTER CAME CLOSE TO SCORING FIELD GOAL; Michigan Shows Fine New Pair of Halfbacks". Detroit Free Press. October 5, 1905. p. 9.
  6. "Michigan 36 - Case 0". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. p. 78.
  7. "NO CASE SCORE: Ohio Team Denied Touchdown Its Backers Foundly Hoped For; MICHIGAN FUMBLED SOME; But Erratic Work Proved of No Cost--Shifts Many by Michigan". Detroit Free Press. October 8, 1905. p. 13.
  8. "Michigan 23 - Ohio Northern 0". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. p. 79.
  9. "OHIO NORTHERN HELD SCORE DOWN: Michigan Made But Four Touchdowns, Playing in Horrible Weather for Football--Curtis, Graham and Garrels Starred". Detroit Free Press. October 12, 1905. p. 9.
  10. "Michigan 28 - Vanderbilt 0". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. p. 79.
  11. "VANDERBILT MADE A PROUD RECORD: Held Michigan to 18 to 0 Score, the Lowest Figures With One Exception, Ferry Field Has Known in Yost's Day". Detroit Free Press. October 15, 1905.
  12. "Past Events - October". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. p. 82.
  13. "Denison Game Called Off". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. p. 79.
  14. "Michigan 31 - Nebraska 0". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. p. 79.
  15. Seward Cramer (October 22, 1905). "Game Showed That Michigan is Great on Defense, and in Different Class From Nebraska in Every Line". Detroit Free Press. p. 13.
  16. Joe Jackson (October 22, 1905). "HELD SCORELESS IN FIRST, MICHIGAN WENT AFTER NEBRASKA FOR A 31 TO 0 CONCLUSION: Fumbles in First Half Made Sad the Faithful, Who Did Not Realize That Michigan Was Just Making a Joke". Detroit Free Press. p. 13.
  17. "Michigan 70 - Albion 0". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. p. 80.
  18. "SCORED 70 POINTS: MICHIGAN HAD AN EASY TIME WITH ALBION; SUB BACKFIELD WORKED MOST OF THE CONTEST; Was in Long Enough to Hurt Bad". Detroit Free Press. October 26, 1905.
  19. "Michigan 48 - Drake 0". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. p. 81.
  20. "DRAKE IS BEATEN BY MICHIGAN ABOUT AS HESTON HAD DOPED IT: FUMBLING AGAIN A FAULT; Michigan Juggled the Oval, but Des Moines Eleven Did Not Take Advantage of the Openings That Were Given". Detroit Free Press. October 29, 1905. p. 15.
  21. "The Early Season's Work". The Michigan Alumnus. November 1905. pp. 76–77.
  22. "Michigan 33 - Illinois 0". The Michigan Alumnus. December 1905. p. 129.
  23. "MICHIGAN, 33; ILLINOIS, 0: Champaign Team Did Not Make First Down Against the Men of Yost; OFFENSE WAS BIT RAGGED; Stagg Thinks Team Was Not at Best, but Yost Says He's Satisfied". Detroit Free Press. November 5, 1905. p. 15.
  24. "Michigan 40 - Ohio State 0". The Michigan Alumnus. December 1905. p. 129.
  25. "WITH WISCONSIN AND CHICAGO SCOUTS: WATCHING THE PLAY, MIGHIGAN, BY STRAIGHT FOOT BALL, BEAT OHIO, 40 TO 0; Barlow Starred the Contest With a Great Run for Entire Length of Field--All Players Came Out in Splendid Shape". Detroit Free Press. November 12, 1905.
  26. "Michigan 12 - Wisconsin 0". The Michigan Alumnus. December 1905. pp. 130–131.
  27. Joe S. Jackson (November 19, 1905). "Victory to Wolverines in Close Game: With Figures 12 to 0, Michigan Took It Easier, Finishing With Punting Game; Day Was All But Spoiled By Collapse of Stand, 2,000 Persons Going Down, None Seriously Hurt--Biggest Crowd Field Has Seen". Detroit Free Press. p. 1.
  28. "Michigan 75 - Oberlin 0". The Michigan Alumnus. December 1905. p. 131.
  29. "ALL BUT MADE SCORE ON MICHIGAN: Oberlin End Got Loose and Made Longest Gain of Season, Fifty Yards---Score 75 to 0, Making 495 for Year". Detroit Free Press. November 26, 1905.
  30. 1 2 3 Robin Lester (Summer 1991). "Michigan-Chicago 1905: The First Greatest Game of the Century" (PDF). Journal of Sport History, Vol. 18, No. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 12, 2012.
  31. ""DENNY" CLARK DEAD BY OWN HAND IN OREGON". Los Angeles Times. June 2, 1932.
  32. Joe S. Jackson (December 1, 1905). "Michigan Lost to Chicago: Desperate Struggle Resulted 2 to 0; Measly Safety Was the Undoing of the Gladiators From the University of Michigan; Game Fiercely Fought; Both Elevens Put Up a Grand Contest, Barring Fumbling on Part of Wolvernies---Garrels the Bright Star". Detroit Free Press. p. 1 via Newspapers.com.
  33. 1 2 "Fifteen M's Given". The Michigan Alumnus. January 1906. p. 170.
  34. Born 27 Jan 1884 - Michigan; Died 21 Feb 1942 - Los Angeles.
  35. Born September 8, 1883, Toledo, Ohio. As of 1918, he was a receiver for American Magneto Co. in Toledo.
  36. Born December 31, 1884. As of 1918, he was a lawyer in Iron River, Michigan.
  37. Born March 24, 1878, Michigan; Died March 31, 1941, Riverside, California. As of 1918 he was a physician and surgeon in Hood River, Oregon.
  38. The Chicago Daily Tribune wrote that it had rejected Schulte because of questions as to his eligibility: "The natural selection for left guard would be the Michigan giant, Schulte, because of the imperviousness of Yost's middle trio, but Schulte is so manifestly ineligible according to all the records obtainable that to give him a place would be like reviving Heston for left half or Heffelfinger for an All-American guard."
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