1931 Michigan Wolverines football team


The 1931 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1931 college football season. In their third year under head coach was Harry Kipke, the Wolverines compiled a record of 8-1-1 record, outscored opponents 181 to 27, and finished the season in a three-way tie with Purdue and Northwestern for first place in the Big Ten Conference. Defensively, the team shut out eight of ten opponents, allowed an average of only 2.7 points per game, and did not allow opponents to score a point in its final six games. After losing to Ohio State on October 17, 1931, the Wolverines went 22 games and nearly three years before losing another game on October 6, 1934.
Individual players of note on the 1931 Michigan team include center Maynard Morrison, who was selected as a first-team All-American by Grantland Rice for Collier's Weekly and by the Newspaper Enterprise Association. Bill Hewitt was selected as the teams Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-Big Ten halfback by the United Press. Ivy Williamson was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten end by both the UP and Associated Press.

Schedule

Season summary

Week 1: Doubleheader

Central State Teachers

Michigan opened its 1931 season with a football doubleheader on October 3, 1931. The games attracted a crowd of nearly 80,000, most of whom were high school students invited by the university to attend the game without charge.
In the first game, Michigan's backup players defeated the team from by a score of 27 to 0. Michigan's touchdowns were scored by halfback Jack Heston, fullback Roderick Cox, end Ted Petoskey, and substitute halfback Herbert Schmidt. Petoskey also kicked three points after touchdown.
Michigan's starting lineup against the Central State Teachers was Ted Petoskey, DuVal Goldsmith, John Kowalik, Thomas Cooke, Leslie Frisk, Cecil Cantrill, Norm Daniels, Louis Westover, Heston, Estel Tessmer, and Roderick Cox.

Michigan Normal

In the second game of the doubleheader, Michigan's first-team players defeated by a 34 to 0 score. Michigan's touchdowns were scored by halfback Herman Everhardus, backup halfback Jack Heston, guard Stanley Hozer, end Ted Petoskey, and halfback Stanley Fay. Hozer kicked two points after touchdown, and Petoskey and Omer LaJeunesse kicked one each.
Michigan's starting lineup against Michigan Normal was Bill Hewitt, Howie Auer, Hozer, Maynard Morrison, LaJeunesse, Tom Samuels, Ivy Williamson, Harry Newman, Everhardus, Stanley Fay, and Roy Hudson.

Week 2: Chicago

On October 10, 1931, Michigan defeated Amos Alonzo Stagg's Chicago Maroons by a 13 to 7 score. Both of Michigan's touchdowns were scored in the second quarter on passes thrown by Harry Newman. Stanley Fay caught the first one, and Roy Hudson the second one. Newman also kicked a point after touchdown.
Michigan's starting lineup against Chicago was Bill Hewitt, Howie Auer, Leslie Douglass, Maynard Morrison, Omer LaJeunesse, Tom Samuels, Ivy Williamson, Louis Westover, Stanley Fay, Jack Heston, and Roy Hudson.

Week 3: Ohio State

On October 17, Michigan suffered its only loss of the season, falling to Ohio State by a 20 to 7 score. Jack Heston fumbled the opening kickoff at Michigan's 24-yard line. The defense held, but Heston then fumbled again on the next drive at Michigan's 31-yard line. Bill Carroll then ran for a touchdown in the first quarter. Ohio State's sophomore quarterback Carl Cramer also scored two touchdowns, including a 42-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. Michigan's only touchdown was scored by end Ivy Williamson with DuVal Goldsmith kicking the extra point. After losing to Ohio State, the Wolverines went 22 games and nearly three years before losing another game.
Michigan's starting lineup against Ohio State was Bill Hewitt, Howie Auer, Omer LaJeunesse, Maynard Morrison, John Kowalik, Tom Samuels, Ivy Williamson, Harry Newman, Jack Heston, Stanley Fay, and Roy Hudson.

Week 4: at Illinois

On October 24, Michigan defeated Illinois by a 35 to 0 score. Michigan's 35 points was the most scored against an Illinois team under head coach Robert Zuppke. Fullback Bill Hewitt averaged over six yards per carry on 24 carries. Michigan's five touchdowns were scored by Stanley Fay, Jack Heston John Kowalik, and Harry Newman. Ted Petoskey kicked two points after touchdown, and Newman kicked three.
Michigan's starting lineup against Ohio State was Petoskey, Francis Wistert, Stanley Hozer, Maynard Morrison, Omer LaJeunesse, Howie Auer, Ivy Williamson, Estel Tessmer, Heston, Fay, and Hewitt.

Week 5: at Princeton

On October 31, Michigan defeated Princeton by a 21 to 0 score at Palmer Stadium in Princeton, New Jersey. Left halfback Stanley Fay scored two touchdowns for Michigan, and fullback Roy Hudson scored one. Harry Newman kicked two points after touchdown, and Ted Petoskey scored one.
Michigan's starting lineup against Princeton was Ivy Williamson, Tom Samuels, Omer LaJeunesse, Maynard Morrison, Stanley Hozer, ___, Ted Petoskey, Bill Hewitt, Fay, Estel Tessmer, and Roy Hudson.

Week 6: Indiana

On November 7, Michigan defeated by a 22 to 0 score at Michigan Stadium. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Stanley Fay, Ivy Williamson and Bill Hewitt. Williamson was also credited with a safety. Ted Petoskey and Harry Newman each kicked a point after touchdown.
Michigan's starting lineup against Indiana was Petoskey, Howie Auer, Stanley Hozer, Maynard Morrison, John Kowalik, Tom Samuels, Williamson, Estel Tessmer, Fay, Roy Hudson, and Hewitt.

Week 7: Michigan State

On November 14, Michigan played Michigan State to a scoreless tie at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's starting lineup against Michigan State was Ted Petoskey, Howie Auer, Omer LaJeunesse, Chuck Bernard, Stanley Hozer, Tom Samuels, Ivy Williamson, Roy Hudson, Jack Heston, Stanley Fay, and Bill Hewitt.

Week 8: Minnesota

On November 21, Michigan defeated Minnesota by a 6 to 0 score at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's only points came on a 56-yard run by Bill Hewitt in the first quarter. The starting lineup against Minnesota was Ted Petoskey, Howie Auer, Omer LaJeunesse, Maynard Morrison, Stanley Hozer, Tom Samuels, Ivy Williamson, Roy Hudson, Jack Heston, Stanley Fay, and Hewitt.

Week 9: Wisconsin

On November 28, Michigan defeated Wisconsin by a 16 to 0 score at Michigan Stadium. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Bill Hewitt and Roy Hudson. Hudson also kicked a field goal, and Herman Everhardus kicked an extra point. The starting lineup against Wisconsin was Ted Petoskey, Howie Auer, Cecil Cantrill, Chuck Bernard, John Kowalik, Francis Wistert, Ivy Williamson, Harry Newman, Everhardus, Hudson, and Hewitt.

Scoring summary

Players

Varsity letter winners