1891 Michigan Wolverines football team
Encyclopedia
The 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan
in the 1891 college football season
. The Wolverines played their home games at Ann Arbor Fairgrounds
. After opening the season with a record of 4-1, the team lost its final four games for an overall record of 4-5.
as a watershed moment in the history of the school's football program: "A new era in the history of football at Michigan began in 1891, when with a fair schedule and an experienced coach, Frank Crawford ..., the systematic development of a team began ..." Crawford was an 1891 graduate of Yale University
who was enrolled at the University of Michigan School of Law. As a first-year law student, Crawford was both the unpaid coach and a substitute player for the 1891 team. On October 19, 1891, the Detroit Free Press
reported on Crawford's hiring as follows:
There is some inconsistency in how coaching responsibilities for the 1891 team have been recorded. While Crawford has been identified by several sources as Michigan's first football coach, others indicate that Crawford and Mike Murphy
were the joint head coaches in 1891. Still others indicate that Murphy was the one directing the team, or that Murphy relinquished the coaching duties to Crawford midway through the season to focus on his duties as trainer. Murphy was the leading athletic trainer in the United States. He gained his reputation as a trainer at Yale and was hired in 1889 by the Detroit Athletic Club
where he trained John Owen
and Harry M. Jewett, who became the fastest sprinters in the country.
The Chicago Daily Tribune
reported in November 1891 that the Michigan team was "coached systematically" by Murphy, Crawford, Horace Greely Prettyman
and James Duffy
.
, to fill open place on the line.
On October 24, 1891, The Yellow and Blue, a weekly publication of the university's fraternities, wrote:
The article noted that, with 2,600 students, there should be an ability to raise funds for football, but that there "seems to be a general apathy in regard to foot ball."
. Michigan had played Albion seven times from 1886 to 1890 and had won all seven of the previous matches by a combined score of 287-22. In a game played at Michigan's home field, the 1891 lost to Albion by a score of 10-4. Following the loss, The Yellow and Blue noted that the team's daily practice appeared "painfully lifeless," but opined that "the defeat by Albion has produced a most salutary effect." A University of Minnesota
student publication, The Ariel, wrote: "Michigan vs. Albion, at football, turns out 10 to 4 in favor of Albion. So the Michigan team is not invincible. The U. of M. Daily makes a cry of unfair playing, but that does not save the score."
(18-6), Oberlin College
(26-6), and Butler University
(42-6), improving the team's record to 4-1.
. Although University of Michigan records reflect the score as 10-0, contemporaneous press accounts report the score as 20-0. The Detroit Free Press reported: "After a hard fight, during which neither side scored until the second innings, the Chicago University team won the great foot ball match against the University of Michigan by 20 points to nothing. It was a gallant battle, the Michigan men contesting every inch gained by their opponents."
Michigan's lineup against Chicago was as follows: Hayes, right end; Mowrey, right tackle; Wickes, right guard; Jeffries, center; Tupper, left guard; Pearson, left tackle; Powers, left end; Sherman, quarterback; Rittenger, left halfback; Dygert, fullback.
, played in Detroit on November 21, 1891, and in Chicago on November 28, 1891. In the first game, played at D.A.C. Park
, Cornell won by a lopsided score of 58-12. The Detroit Free Press reported that the game was played in the rain and, while the crowd of 2,300 persons was "made up of the best class of people including many ladies, the rain doubtless kept fully as many away who would have been on hand but for the thought that the game would be be played in the mist and mud." Michigan's scoring came on touchdowns by Van Inwagen and Rittinger, and two successful goal kicks by Dygert.
Despite the lopsided score of the first Cornell game, the Chicago Daily Tribune reported: "The Cornell-University of Michigan football at D.A.C. Park this afternoon was undoubtedly the finest exhibition of sport ever seen in Detroit. The game was one-sided, but was by no means a walkaway for the victors." Michigan coach, Mike Murphy, also saw some positive signs in Michigan's performance, as the Free Press reported: "Michigan has the greater weight on the rush line and with practice will be far stronger than at present. In fact Murphy is jubilant and thinks that next year he can hustle them all."
Michigan's lineup in the first Cornell game was as follows: Southworth, left end; Pearson, left tackle; Tupper, left guard; Jeffries, center; Wickes, right guard; Mowrey, right tackle; Hayes, right end; Sherman, quarterback; Rittinger, left halfback; Van Inwagen, right halfback; Dygert, fullback.
, broke through for a touchdown in the second half. Cleveland won by a final score of 8-4. The Detroit Free Press attributed the loss to a strategic mistake by Michigan's captain: "A fatal mistake was made when Capt. Van Inwagen consented to play thirty-minute halves, instead of forty-five, for the Cleveland team was 'beefy' and did not have good wind. One of the Buckeye players, in particular, was stretched out on the ground nearly half of the time, merely to give his men time to recover their wind."
Michigan's lineup against Cleveland was as follows: Depont, left end; Mowrey, left tackle; Tupper, left guard; Jeffris, center; Thomas, right guard; Griffin, right tackle; Hayes, right end; Sherman, quarterback; Rittenger, right halfback; Van Inwagen, left halfback; Dygert, fullback.
in Chicago, with Cornell winning 10-0. The New York Times called it "one of the prettiest foot-ball games ever played in the West" and described the wintry conditions of the game: "The field was covered with a six-inch blanket of snow, the air was icy, and frosted feet and hands were among the thousands of spectators ... Three minutes after the game began the ball was covered with ice, but the dazzling white ground soon began to look as though a herd of elephants had been tramping on it."
The Detroit Free Press reported that Michigan gave Cornell "a sharp tussle" and that six of Cornell's points "were scored on a fluke, the ball being fumbled on a pass back." Michigan's lineup in the game was as follows: Powers, left end; Mowrey, left tackle; Thomas, left guard; Jeffries, center; Tupper, right guard; Griffin, right tackle;Hayes, right end, Sherman, quarterback; Van Inwagen, left half; Riitenger, right half; Dygert, fullback.
, and Northwestern University
. "The plans of the league are to have a series of base ball games in the spring, an inter-collegiate field day to be held in Chicago in June and a series of foot-ball games in the fall." The new athletic league, named the Western Intercollegiate Athletic Association, was later renamed the Big Ten Conference
.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in the 1891 college football season
1891 college football season
The 1891 college football season had a clear-cut champion, with the Official NCAA Division I Football Records Book listing Yale as national champions....
. The Wolverines played their home games at Ann Arbor Fairgrounds
Ann Arbor Fairgrounds
Ann Arbor Fairgrounds was the first home field for the University of Michigan Wolverines football team. The Wolverines played their home games at the Fairgrounds from 1883 to 1892. The first intercollegiate football game played at the Fairgrounds was a May 12, 1883, game between Michigan and the...
. After opening the season with a record of 4-1, the team lost its final four games for an overall record of 4-5.
Schedule
Michigan's first football coach
The 1891 season was the first in which the Michigan football team had a coach. In his history of the University of Michigan, Wilfred Byron Shaw cites the hiring of Frank CrawfordFrank Crawford
Frank Crawford was a college football player and coach, lawyer and law professor. He played college football at Yale University and served as the first head football coach at the University of Michigan in 1891...
as a watershed moment in the history of the school's football program: "A new era in the history of football at Michigan began in 1891, when with a fair schedule and an experienced coach, Frank Crawford ..., the systematic development of a team began ..." Crawford was an 1891 graduate of Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
who was enrolled at the University of Michigan School of Law. As a first-year law student, Crawford was both the unpaid coach and a substitute player for the 1891 team. On October 19, 1891, the Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
reported on Crawford's hiring as follows:
"At a meeting of the directors of the Athletic Association last evening Frank Crawford was chosen as coach for the foot ball eleven. Crawford is a graduate of Yale and an old player. He will be assisted in coaching and training by M.C. Murphy, of the D. A. C."
There is some inconsistency in how coaching responsibilities for the 1891 team have been recorded. While Crawford has been identified by several sources as Michigan's first football coach, others indicate that Crawford and Mike Murphy
Mike Murphy (trainer and coach)
Michael Charles "Mike" Murphy was an athletic trainer and coach at Yale University , the Detroit Athletic Club , the University of Michigan , the University of Pennsylvania , and the New York Athletic Club...
were the joint head coaches in 1891. Still others indicate that Murphy was the one directing the team, or that Murphy relinquished the coaching duties to Crawford midway through the season to focus on his duties as trainer. Murphy was the leading athletic trainer in the United States. He gained his reputation as a trainer at Yale and was hired in 1889 by the Detroit Athletic Club
Detroit Athletic Club
The Detroit Athletic Club , is a private social club and athletic club located in the heart of Detroit's theater, sports, and entertainment district. The clubhouse was designed by Albert Kahn and inspired by Rome's Palazzo Farnese. It maintains reciprocal agreements for their members at other...
where he trained John Owen
John Owen
John Owen may refer to:*John Owen , dramatist and director*John Owen , Bishop of St David's, Principal of St David's College, Lampeter...
and Harry M. Jewett, who became the fastest sprinters in the country.
The Chicago Daily Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
reported in November 1891 that the Michigan team was "coached systematically" by Murphy, Crawford, Horace Greely Prettyman
Horace Greely Prettyman
Horace Greely Prettyman was an American football player in the early years of the sport. Prettyman won a record eight varsity letters at the University of Michigan, playing for the school's football team from 1882–1886 and 1888–1890...
and James Duffy
James E. Duffy (American football)
James Eugene Duffy was an American football player and lawyer. He played halfback for the University of Michigan football team for seven years from 1885 to 1891 and was captain of the 1888 team. In 1886, he set the world record by drop kicking a football 168 feet, 7½ inches...
.
Pre-season expectations
The 1891 season began with complaints that the student body had become apathetic toward football. On October 3, 1891, The Chronicle-Argonaut reported that the university's Athletic Association was having difficulty securing memberships. Students asked to subscribe had responded, "I guess I'll wait till I see what the foot-ball prospects are." The newspaper urged, "No policy is more fatal to athletic interest than this. ... You must subscribe now and encourage the management if you desire to see good games and see our Eleven go to the front. How can our manager arrange for games if there are no funds backing him? How can he hire a trainer?" Elsewhere in the same issue, interested students were encouraged to submit their names to the team's captain, James Van InwagenJames Van Inwagen
James W. Van Inwagen, Jr. was an American businessman and a member of the Tiffany family. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1888 to 1891 and was captain of the 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team...
, to fill open place on the line.
On October 24, 1891, The Yellow and Blue, a weekly publication of the university's fraternities, wrote:
"Although it is not our desire to find fault with the football management, we would like to ask one or two pertinent questions in regard to the present situation. Why has no training table been provided? Is an earnest effort being made to secure a coach who is thoroughly acquainted with eastern tactics? No eastern captain would consider his team in condition without several weeks of physical training, including the training table. We have never taken the trouble here to give the system of physical training a fair trial, neither have we won a great game of football. ... The expense of a training table would not be very great, and money could not e expended to better advantage."
The article noted that, with 2,600 students, there should be an ability to raise funds for football, but that there "seems to be a general apathy in regard to foot ball."
Loss to Albion
After opening the 1891 season with a 62-0 victory over Ann Arbor High School, the team lost for the first time to Albion CollegeAlbion College
Albion College is a private liberal arts college located in Albion, Michigan. Related to the United Methodist Church, it was founded in 1835 and was the first private college in Michigan to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. It has a student population of about 1500.The school's sports teams are...
. Michigan had played Albion seven times from 1886 to 1890 and had won all seven of the previous matches by a combined score of 287-22. In a game played at Michigan's home field, the 1891 lost to Albion by a score of 10-4. Following the loss, The Yellow and Blue noted that the team's daily practice appeared "painfully lifeless," but opined that "the defeat by Albion has produced a most salutary effect." A University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
student publication, The Ariel, wrote: "Michigan vs. Albion, at football, turns out 10 to 4 in favor of Albion. So the Michigan team is not invincible. The U. of M. Daily makes a cry of unfair playing, but that does not save the score."
Victories over Olivet, Oberlin and Butler
After the loss to Albion, Michigan won three straight games against Olivet CollegeOlivet College
Olivet College is a coeducational, liberal arts college located in Olivet, Michigan, United States, south of Lansing and west of Detroit. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and accredited by the North Central...
(18-6), Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
(26-6), and Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
(42-6), improving the team's record to 4-1.
Chicago
After a 4-1 start, the team lost the final four games of the season for a record of 4-5. The team's losing streak began with a 20-0 defeat to the University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. Although University of Michigan records reflect the score as 10-0, contemporaneous press accounts report the score as 20-0. The Detroit Free Press reported: "After a hard fight, during which neither side scored until the second innings, the Chicago University team won the great foot ball match against the University of Michigan by 20 points to nothing. It was a gallant battle, the Michigan men contesting every inch gained by their opponents."
Michigan's lineup against Chicago was as follows: Hayes, right end; Mowrey, right tackle; Wickes, right guard; Jeffries, center; Tupper, left guard; Pearson, left tackle; Powers, left end; Sherman, quarterback; Rittenger, left halfback; Dygert, fullback.
Cornell game at Detroit
The 1891 season included two games against CornellCornell Big Red football
The Cornell Big Red football team represents Cornell University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Ivy League. It is one of the oldest and most storied football programs in the nation...
, played in Detroit on November 21, 1891, and in Chicago on November 28, 1891. In the first game, played at D.A.C. Park
Detroit Athletic Club
The Detroit Athletic Club , is a private social club and athletic club located in the heart of Detroit's theater, sports, and entertainment district. The clubhouse was designed by Albert Kahn and inspired by Rome's Palazzo Farnese. It maintains reciprocal agreements for their members at other...
, Cornell won by a lopsided score of 58-12. The Detroit Free Press reported that the game was played in the rain and, while the crowd of 2,300 persons was "made up of the best class of people including many ladies, the rain doubtless kept fully as many away who would have been on hand but for the thought that the game would be be played in the mist and mud." Michigan's scoring came on touchdowns by Van Inwagen and Rittinger, and two successful goal kicks by Dygert.
Despite the lopsided score of the first Cornell game, the Chicago Daily Tribune reported: "The Cornell-University of Michigan football at D.A.C. Park this afternoon was undoubtedly the finest exhibition of sport ever seen in Detroit. The game was one-sided, but was by no means a walkaway for the victors." Michigan coach, Mike Murphy, also saw some positive signs in Michigan's performance, as the Free Press reported: "Michigan has the greater weight on the rush line and with practice will be far stronger than at present. In fact Murphy is jubilant and thinks that next year he can hustle them all."
Michigan's lineup in the first Cornell game was as follows: Southworth, left end; Pearson, left tackle; Tupper, left guard; Jeffries, center; Wickes, right guard; Mowrey, right tackle; Hayes, right end; Sherman, quarterback; Rittinger, left halfback; Van Inwagen, right halfback; Dygert, fullback.
Cleveland Athletic Club
In between the Cornell matches, the team traveled to Cleveland for a mid-week game against the Cleveland Athletic Club. The Michigan team arrived in Cleveland at 8:30 a.m., and the game was played at 11:00 a.m. n front of a crowd estimated at 3,000 persons. The game was played on a slippery field described by the Detroit Free Press as follows: "A part of the field was covered by turf, but the greater part had been recently broken and rolled, and was in miserable condition. Besides, there was about an inch or two of soft mud on top of frozen ground, making it very slippery." Cleveland took an 8-0 lead before Michigan's fullback, George DygertGeorge Dygert
George Burlingame "Dygie" Dygert was an American football player and lawyer. Dygert played college football for the University of Michigan for five years from 1890 to 1894 and was captain of the 1892 and 1893 teams...
, broke through for a touchdown in the second half. Cleveland won by a final score of 8-4. The Detroit Free Press attributed the loss to a strategic mistake by Michigan's captain: "A fatal mistake was made when Capt. Van Inwagen consented to play thirty-minute halves, instead of forty-five, for the Cleveland team was 'beefy' and did not have good wind. One of the Buckeye players, in particular, was stretched out on the ground nearly half of the time, merely to give his men time to recover their wind."
Michigan's lineup against Cleveland was as follows: Depont, left end; Mowrey, left tackle; Tupper, left guard; Jeffris, center; Thomas, right guard; Griffin, right tackle; Hayes, right end; Sherman, quarterback; Rittenger, right halfback; Van Inwagen, left halfback; Dygert, fullback.
Cornell game at Chicago
The final game was played on November 28, 1891, at the South Side Baseball GroundsSouth Side Park
South Side Park was the name used for three different baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois at different times, and whose sites were all just a few blocks away from each other....
in Chicago, with Cornell winning 10-0. The New York Times called it "one of the prettiest foot-ball games ever played in the West" and described the wintry conditions of the game: "The field was covered with a six-inch blanket of snow, the air was icy, and frosted feet and hands were among the thousands of spectators ... Three minutes after the game began the ball was covered with ice, but the dazzling white ground soon began to look as though a herd of elephants had been tramping on it."
The Detroit Free Press reported that Michigan gave Cornell "a sharp tussle" and that six of Cornell's points "were scored on a fluke, the ball being fumbled on a pass back." Michigan's lineup in the game was as follows: Powers, left end; Mowrey, left tackle; Thomas, left guard; Jeffries, center; Tupper, right guard; Griffin, right tackle;Hayes, right end, Sherman, quarterback; Van Inwagen, left half; Riitenger, right half; Dygert, fullback.
Formation of the Western Intercollegiate Athletic Assocition
In April 1892, an athletic league, to include football, baseball, and track, was formed at Chicago between Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, the University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, and Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. "The plans of the league are to have a series of base ball games in the spring, an inter-collegiate field day to be held in Chicago in June and a series of foot-ball games in the fall." The new athletic league, named the Western Intercollegiate Athletic Association, was later renamed the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
.
Varsity letter winners
The following players were awarded varsity letters in football for the 1891 season, according to University of Michigan records.- George DygertGeorge DygertGeorge Burlingame "Dygie" Dygert was an American football player and lawyer. Dygert played college football for the University of Michigan for five years from 1890 to 1894 and was captain of the 1892 and 1893 teams...
, Ann Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
- fullback. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "George Dygert, the full back, plays the game well from start to finish. He kicks and dodges to perfection and is a reliable man all the way through. Dygert is not a fast runner, but uses his head and invariably makes god gains with the ball." - Lawrence C. Grosh, Toledo, OhioToledo, OhioToledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
- substitute halfback. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Grosh, half-back, is regarded as the best man to send against the line. He runs well with the ball and is a hard man to stop. He has trained faithfully all the season and shows the result of his work in his steady playing in the practice games on the field. His weight is 162 pounds." - Ralph W. Hayes, Galva, IllinoisGalva, IllinoisGalva is a city in Henry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,589 at the 2010 census, down from 2,758 at the 2000 census.-Information:...
- end - Albert W. JefferisAlbert W. JefferisAlbert Webb Jefferis was a Nebraska Republican politician.Born near Embreville, Pennsylvania, he attended public schools in Romansville, Pennsylvania and the West Chester Normal School for three years. He graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Michigan in...
, Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, NebraskaOmaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
- center. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Jeffries [sic] will doubtless play center and will make a good man for the position. He weighs 201 and is strong and very active. He snaps the ball well and will bother his opponents on the line." - Harry J. Mowrey, Lake MinnetonkaLake MinnetonkaLake Minnetonka is a lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Throughout its recorded history, the lake has been a resort destination. It is located west-southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The lake is an irregular shape with numerous bays and islands which make up about of shoreline...
, MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
- tackle. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Mowery [sic], the other candidate for tackle, weighs 187 pounds and is a strong active player. He tackles well and follows the ball with as much speed as the backs. Murphy is particularly well pleased with this player and considers him a gret find." - William W. Pearson, Springfield, IllinoisSpringfield, IllinoisSpringfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
- tackle. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Pearson, left tackle, is the best rusher the college has seen for many years. He weighs 192 pounds and is very powerful, often carrying two or three men on his back in some of his rushes. When given the ball Pearson usually makes a gain. He plays third base on the nine and is a good example of an all-around athlete. He is quick on his feet and a hard man to stop." - Hiram Powers, Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New YorkBuffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
- end. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Powers has played a good game at right end thus far and seems sure of his position. He follows the ball closely, tackles well and plays a hard game for his weight, which is 145 pounds." - Charles Frederick Rittinger - halfback. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Possibly the greatest find of the season is Rittenger [sic], another of Murphy's discoveries. He is trying for half back, and seems sure of the place on the eleven. He weighs 173 pounds and excels in running the ball and bucking the rush line." Rittinger was a school principal in Okemos, MichiganOkemos, MichiganOkemos is an unincorporated community in Meridian Charter Township, Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes and does not have any separate legal existence as a municipality. Local government is provided by the township...
before enrolling at Michigan's Law Department in 1881. He was injured during an 1891 game against Cornell. Several months later, "hemorrhages set in, and the injury proved to be a vital one." He died August 21, 1893, at Cass City, MichiganCass City, MichiganCass City is a village in Tuscola County in the Flint/Tri-Cities area of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,428 at the 2010 U.S. Census and 2,643 at the 2000 U.S. Census . It is located along the M-81 state trunkline approximately 4 miles west of that highway's intersection with M-53...
, at age 24. The Speculum wrote: "In many respects Mr. Rittinger was a superior character, and gave promise of becoming a star among men. In intellectual vigor he ranked high. His generosity was unbounded. The qualities with this impetuosity and fiery zeal enabled him to subdue difficulties and laugh at all possibilities." - Roger ShermanRoger Sherman (American football)Roger Sherman was an American football player, coach and lawyer. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1890 to 1893 and coached the University of Iowa football team in 1894...
, Chicago, Illinois - quarterback. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Roger Sherman, at quarter, is as good a man for the position as the university has seen for many years. Although the lightest man on the eleven he plays a strong game and finishes well. He tackles cleverly and is usually sure of his man. His passing is accurate and he falls on the ball better than any man on the team." - Charles L. Thomas, Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, NebraskaOmaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
- guard/tackle. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Thomas has also been playing tackle and has played his position well, although not up to his standard, as he is well built, weighs 183, and is a good man for the line." - Virgil TupperVirgil TupperVirgil Langstaff Tupper was an American physician and surgeon. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1869. He was the son of Benjamin and Selena Tupper. As a child, Tupper was sent to live with his uncle, Dr. Horace Tupper , in Bay City, Michigan...
, Bay City, MichiganBay City, MichiganBay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
- guard. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Tupper will play right guard ... Tupper weighs 194 pounds and is very owerful. He runs well and follows the ball closely." - James Van InwagenJames Van InwagenJames W. Van Inwagen, Jr. was an American businessman and a member of the Tiffany family. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1888 to 1891 and was captain of the 1891 Michigan Wolverines football team...
- halfback. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Van Inwagen, the captain, received his foot ball education at Exeter, N.H., ... He weighs 160 pounds, is a speedy runner (the fastest man on the eleven) and plays a brilliant, showy game. His opponents give him credit for being the hardest man to tackle on the team." - Edward Dana Wickes, Helena, MontanaHelena, MontanaHelena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
- guard. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Wickes, left guard, weighs 186 pounds and is playing a good game. He is very aggressive and keeps his man moving most of the time."
Substitutes
The following players are recorded as substitutes for the 1891 football team, according to University of Michigan records.- Frank CrawfordFrank CrawfordFrank Crawford was a college football player and coach, lawyer and law professor. He played college football at Yale University and served as the first head football coach at the University of Michigan in 1891...
, Colebrook, New HampshireColebrook, New HampshireColebrook is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,301 at the 2010 census. Situated in the Great North Woods Region, it is bounded on the west by the Connecticut River and home to Beaver Brook Falls Natural Area....
- substitute end. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Crawford, left end, weighs 146 pounds, but plays a hard game from the start. He is a good runner and tackler, and is very slippery. He is quick to take advantage of an opening and makes some very good runs." - Edward Paul DePont, Ann Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
- substitute end. - James DuffyJames E. Duffy (American football)James Eugene Duffy was an American football player and lawyer. He played halfback for the University of Michigan football team for seven years from 1885 to 1891 and was captain of the 1888 team. In 1886, he set the world record by drop kicking a football 168 feet, 7½ inches...
, Bay City, MichiganBay City, MichiganBay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
- substitute halfback. The Detroit Free Press wrote, "Duffy is too well known to need further introduction to the average reader who follows athletics on the field or track. He is a brilliant runner, a sure tackler and altogether a very desirable half-back. His kicking is his specialty, however, and in this line he has never been excelled." - Willard Wilmer Griffin, Wenona, IllinoisWenona, IllinoisWenona is a city in Marshall and LaSalle counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 1,065 at the 2000 census.The Marshall County portion of Wenona is part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion that lies in LaSalle County is part of the...
- substitute guard. - Charles Wilson Southworth, Forestville, New YorkForestville, New YorkForestville is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 770 at the 2000 census.The Village of Forestville is within the Town of Hanover and in the northeast part of the county....
- substitute end.
Coaching staff
- Head coach: Frank CrawfordFrank CrawfordFrank Crawford was a college football player and coach, lawyer and law professor. He played college football at Yale University and served as the first head football coach at the University of Michigan in 1891...
- Trainer: Mike MurphyMike Murphy (trainer and coach)Michael Charles "Mike" Murphy was an athletic trainer and coach at Yale University , the Detroit Athletic Club , the University of Michigan , the University of Pennsylvania , and the New York Athletic Club...
- Manager: Royal T. FarrandRoyal T. FarrandRoyal Twombly Farand was an American football player and medical doctor.Farrand was born in 1867 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of David Osburn Farrand, a surgeon, and Elizabeth Twombley. He graduated from high school in Detroit in 1886 and enrolled at the University of Michigan...