1942 Michigan Wolverines football team

The 1942 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1942 Big Ten Conference football season. The 1942 team compiled a record of 7–3 and was ranked No. 9 in the final Associated Press poll. The team's line that included Albert Wistert, Merv Pregulman, Julius Franks (U-M's first African-American All-American), Elmer Madar, Robert Kolesar, Bill Pritula and Philip Sharpe and was known as the "Seven Oak Posts."[1]

1942 Michigan Wolverines football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Ranking
APNo. 9
1942 record7–3 (3–2 Big Ten)
Head coachFritz Crisler (5th season)
Offensive schemeSingle-wing formation
MVPAl Wistert
CaptainGeorge Ceithaml
Home stadiumMichigan Stadium
1942 Big Ten football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
No. 1 Ohio State $ 5 –1 –0  9 –1 –0
No. 3 Wisconsin 4 –1 –0  8 –1 –1
No. 9 Michigan 3 –2 –0  7 –3 –0
Illinois 3 –2 –0  6 –4 –0
Iowa 3 –3 –0  6 –4 –0
No. 19 Minnesota 3 –3 –0  5 –4 –0
Indiana 2 –2 –0  7 –3 –0
Purdue 1 –4 –0  1 –8 –0
Northwestern 0 –6 –0  1 –9 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

Schedule
DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendance
September 26Great Lakes Navy*
W 9–017,031
October 3Michigan State*
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)
W 20–040,023
October 10Iowa Pre-Flight*
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
L 14–2636,839
October 17NorthwesternNo. 3
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 34–1632,188
October 24at No. 13 MinnesotaNo. 4
L 14–1649,181
October 31No. 12 IllinoisNo. 13
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI (series)
W 28–1433,826
November 7Harvard*No. 11
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 35–725,305
November 14at No. 4 Notre Dame*No. 6
W 32–2054,412
November 21at No. 5 Ohio StateNo. 4
L 7–2171,691
November 28IowaNo. 9
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 28–1420,923
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Season summary

Week 1: Great Lakes Navy
Week 2: Great Lakes Navy at Michigan
1 234Total
Great Lakes Navy 0 000 0
• Michigan 0 630 9

On September 26, 1942, Michigan opened the season against the Great Lakes Navy Bluejackets football team. The Great Lakes team was an all-star team of players serving in the Navy. It included 13 players who had been named All-Americans (Urban Odson and Pete Kmetovic) and some who had been playing in the NFL (Carl Mulleneaux, Rudy Mucha, and Gust Zarnas) before the war. The Ann Arbor News reported that Great Lakes was favored by 35 points.[2] Only 17,087 fans attended the game, making it the smallest crowd at Michigan Stadium since 1931. The game marked the debut of Bob Chappuis, who led the team on a 92-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter. The touchdown came on a pass from Chappuis to Paul White. Michigan added a field goal by Jim Brieske in the third quarter. Michigan shut out the heavily favored Great Lakes team, 9-0.[3]

Michigan's starting lineup against Great Lakes was Madar (left end), Wistert (left tackle), Kolesar (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Sharpe (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Wise (left halfback), White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[3]

Week 2: Michigan State
Week 2: Michigan State at Michigan
1 234Total
Mich. St. 0 000 0
• Michigan 0 0137 20

In the second week of the season, Michigan played Michigan State College. Playing in Ann Arbor in front of 39,163 spectators (the smallest crowd to see a Michigan-Michigan State game since 1935), the Wolverines defeated the Spartans, 20–0. With Don Kuzma injured, Don Robinson got the start at left halfback. Robinson scored the first touchdown for Michigan in the third quarter. Frank Wardley and Warren Yaap also scored touchdowns for Michigan. Jim Briske converted two PATs.[4]

Michigan's starting lineup against Michigan State was Sharpe (left end), Wistert (left tackle), Kolesar (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Robinson (left halfback), White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[4]

Week 3: Iowa Pre-Flight
Week 3: Iowa Pre-Flight at Michigan
1 234Total
• Iowa Pre-Flight 0 13013 26
Michigan 7 700 14

In the third week of the season, Michigan played the football team from the U.S. Navy pre-flight school at the University of Iowa. The Iowa Pre-Flight team was coached by Bernie Bierman, who came into the game with a 20-game winning streak, and led by quarterback Forest Evashevski, who had played for Michigan from 1938 to 1940. Playing in Ann Arbor in front of 34,124 spectators, Michigan took a 14-0 lead on touchdown pass from Don Robinson to Bob Wiese and from Elmer Madar to Bob Chappuis. The Iowa pre-flight cadets responded with 26 unanswered points and won the game, 26-14. The game was Bierman's ninth straight victory (including games at Minnesota) over Michigan. Bierman had been responsible for five of Fritz Crisler's losses to that date since he joined Michigan in 1938.[5]

Michigan's starting lineup against the Iowa pre-fight cadets was Sharpe (left end), Wistert (left tackle), Kolesar (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Robinson (left halfback), Warbley (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[5]

Week 4: Northwestern
Week 4: Northwestern at #3 Michigan
1 234Total
Northwestern 0 3013 16
• Michigan 7 1467 34

In the fourth week of the season, Michigan opened its Big Ten Conference schedule with a 34-16 win over Northwestern in Ann Arbor. After missing the first three games, Tom Kuzma returned to the lineup in the game. Kuzma scored a touchdown in the third quarter. Paul White scored twice, and Bob Wiese scored once. Merv Pregulman also scored in the fourth quarter after intercepting an Otto Graham pass and returning it 34 yards for a touchdown. Jim Brieske converted four of five PATs. Northwestern's All-American Otto Graham completed 20 of 29 passes for 295 yards, but Michigan's defense held the Wildcats to only 26 rushing yards.[6]

Michigan's starting lineup against Northwestern was Sharpe (left end), Wistert (left tackle), Kolesar (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Robinson (left halfback), White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[6]

Week 5: at Minnesota
Week 5: #4 Michigan at #13 Minnesota
1 234Total
Michigan 7 007 14
• Minnesota 0 777 21

In the fifth week of the season, Michigan traveled to Minneapolis and lost to Minnesota, 16-14. Tom Kuzma ran for touchdowns in the first and fourth quarters, and Jim Brieske converted both PATs. Bill Daley, who would go on to play for Michigan in 1943, ran 44 yards for a tying touchdown in the second quarter.[7]

Michigan's starting lineup against Minnesota was Sharpe (left end), Wistert (left tackle), Kolesar (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Kuzma (left halfback), White (right halfback), and Lund (fullback).[7]

Week 6: Illinois
Week 6: #12 Illinois at #13 Michigan
1 234Total
Illinois 0 707 14
• Michigan 7 777 28

In the sixth week of the season, Michigan defeated Illinois, 28-14, in front of 33,826 fans at Michigan Stadium. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Paul White, Bob Chappuis, Bob Wiese, and Bob Stenberg. Wiese's touchdown came on a 19-yard pass from Tom Kuzma. Jim Brieske converted all four PATs for Michigan.[8]

Michigan's starting lineup against Illinois was Madar (left end), Wistert (left tackle), Kolesar (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Sharpe (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Kuzma (left halfback), White (right halfback), and Boor (fullback).[8]

Week 7: Harvard
Week 3: Harvard at #11 Michigan
1 234Total
Harvard 0 070 7
• Michigan 7 2107 35

In the seventh week of the season, Michigan defeated Harvard, 35-7, in front of 25,534 fans at Michigan Stadium. Right halfback Paul White ran for two touchdowns, and Tom Kuzma ran for another. Elmer Madar also scored on a 53-yard interception return. Michigan's final touchdown came on a 32-yard pass play from Bob Chappuis to White. Stenberg also scored on a touchdown pass from Wiese. Jim Brieske converted all five PATs for Michigan.[9]

Michigan's starting lineup against Harvard was Sharpe (left end), Wistert (left tackle), _____ (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Kuzma (left halfback), White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[9]

Week 8: at Notre Dame
Week 8: #6 Michigan at #4 Notre Dame
1 234Total
• Michigan 7 6190 32
Notre Dame 7 706 20

In the eighth week of the season, Michigan traveled to Notre Dame and defeated the Fighting Irish, 32-20 in front of a capacity crowd of 57,500. Michigan's total of 32 points was the most scored against Notre Dame since 1905. Michigan's first touchdown came on a quarterback sneak by George Ceithaml from the one-yard line. Robinson ran for Michigan's second touchdown on a fake field goal attempt from the four-yard line. Tom Kuzma scored two touchdowns in the second half.[10]

Michigan's starting lineup against Harvard was Sharpe (left end), Wistert (left tackle), Kolesar (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Kuzma (left halfback), White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[10]

Week 9: at Ohio State
Week 9: #4 Michigan at #5 Ohio State
1 234Total
Michigan 0 070 7
• Ohio State 0 777 21

In the ninth week of the season, Michigan traveled to Columbus and lost to Ohio State, 21-7. With the win, Ohio State won the Big Ten championship. Michigan's only touchdown was scored by Bob Wiese in the third quarter.[11]

Michigan's starting lineup against Ohio State was Sharpe (left end), Wistert (left tackle), Kolesar (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Kuzma (left halfback), White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[11]

Week 10: Iowa
Week 10: Iowa at #9 Michigan
1 234Total
Iowa 0 077 14
• Michigan 14 0014 28

Michigan concluded the 1942 season with a 28-14 win over Iowa in Ann Arbor. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Tom Kuzma, Bob Wiese, Paul White, and Charles Kennedy. Jim Brieske converted all four PATs.[12]

Michigan's starting lineup against Harvard was Sharpe (left end), Wistert (left tackle), Kolesar (right guard), Pregulman (center), Franks (right guard), Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Ceithaml (quarterback), Kuzma (left halfback), White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[12]

Players

Varsity letter winners

Reserves
  • Charles B. Avery - halfback
  • William W. Baldwin - tackle
  • Cecil Bovee - end
  • Fred J. Bryan - end
  • Donald J. Cady - tackle
  • Otto E. Chady - end
  • Clayton Foor - guard
  • Robert J. Gage - tackle
  • William Gans - guard
  • Paul M. Gardner - center
  • Louis Goodman - center
  • John J. Greene - tackle
  • William J. Grey - end
  • Peter Gritis - tackle
  • John F. Harrigan - quarterback
  • James G. Hartrick - guard
  • George H. Hildebrandt - guard
  • Paul C. Johnson - tackle
  • William C. Keenan - halfback
  • George C. Kiesel - quarterback
  • William E. Kuyper - tackle
  • Philip B. Marcellus -tackle
  • Frank C. McCarthy - end
  • Robert L. McFaddin - center
  • Austin S. Miller - fullback
  • Philip K. Mooney - center
  • Robert L. Morrison - halfback
  • Clifton O. Myll - end
  • Robert A. Oren - end
  • Milton Pergament - quarterback
  • Jack E. Petoskey - end
  • William R. Rohrbach - guard
  • Jerome K. Schaffer - guard
  • Donald C. Schorling - guard
  • Vincent C. Secontine - tackle
  • Robert W. Shemky - end
  • Angelo E. Trogan - guard
  • Benjamin A. Ungar - tackle
  • John S. Vansummern - end
  • Howard L. Wikel - fullback
  • Warren E. Yaap - halfback

Awards and honors

Coaching and training staff
  • Trainer: Charles B. Hoyt
  • Manager: James D. Kline, Howard DeYoung (assistant), Merritt Bigelow (assistant), Samuel Emmons (assistant), Donald Howell (assistant), Robert Oberfelder (assistant)
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References
  1. "University of Michigan Football All-American: Julius Franks". The Regents of the University of Michigan. February 10, 2007. Archived from the original on 27 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  2. Lyle E. Nelson. "Crisler's '42 Ironmen" (PDF). College Football Historical Society Newsletter. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  3. "Michigan Upsets Great Lakes, 9-0: Aerial Drive to Touchdown in Second Period, Field Goal in the Third Decide; Chappius Paces Attack". The New York Times. September 27, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  4. "Michigan Defeats State Rival, 20-0: Scores All Three Touchdowns in Last Half Before 39,163 Fans". The New York Times. October 4, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  5. "Bierman's Eleven Topples Michigan: Iowa Pre-Flight Cadets Rally to Triumph, 26-14, Before 34,124 at Ann Arbor". The New York Times. October 11, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  6. "Michigan Downs Northwestern In Conference Opener by 34-16; Powerful Wolverine Machine Rolls Over the Wildcats at Ann Arbor as White Paces Attack -- Graham Stars for Losers". The New York Times. October 18, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  7. "MINNESOTA HALTS MICHIGAN, 16 TO 14; 55,000 Watch Gophers Gain Their First Conference Victory of Season". The New York Times. November 22, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  8. "Michigan Topples Illinois, 28 to 14: Tallies in All Four Periods With Steady Show of Power Before 33,000 Crowd". The New York Times. November 1, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  9. "MICHIGAN DOWNS HARVARD, 35 TO 7; Wolverines Put Crimson to Rout With Four Tallies in First Half". The New York Times. November 8, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  10. "Michigan Sets Back Irish In Scoring Parade, 32-20". The New York Times. November 15, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  11. "Ohio State Checks Michigan, 21-7, Before 71,896 for Big Ten Title". The New York Times. November 22, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  12. "MICHIGAN VICTOR OVER IOWA, 28-14; Triumph Gains Third-Place Tie for Wolverines in Western Conference". The New York Times. November 8, 1942. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  13. Donald Boor, born July 16, 1920, died June 1985, SSN issued Michigan, last address Northville, Michigan
  14. Philip E. Sharpe, born July 17, 1921, died September 1, 2005, SSN issued Ohio, last address Seattle, Washington
  15. "Michigan Grid Aide To Rejoin Marines". Mount Carmel (PA) Item. April 15, 1942. p. 3.
  16. "Crisler Plans Tricky Plays". The Escanaba Daily Press. September 10, 1942. p. 14.
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