1929 Michigan Wolverines football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record5–3–1 (1–3–1 Big Ten)
Head coach
MVPJames Simrall
CaptainJoseph Truskowski
Home stadiumMichigan Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 1928
1930 →
1929 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 2 Purdue $ 5 – 0 – 0 8 – 0 – 0
No. 5 Illinois 3 – 1 – 1 6 – 1 – 1
Minnesota 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 2 – 0
Northwestern 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Iowa 2 – 2 – 2 4 – 2 – 2
Ohio State 2 – 2 – 1 4 – 3 – 1
Michigan 1 – 3 – 1 5 – 3 – 1
Indiana 1 – 3 – 1 2 – 6 – 1
Chicago 1 – 3 – 0 7 – 3 – 0
Wisconsin 1 – 4 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from Dickinson System

The 1929 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1929 Big Ten Conference football season. The team compiled a 5–3–1 record (1–3–1 against Big Ten opponents), tied for seventh place in the Big Ten, and outscored its opponents by a total of 109 to 75.[1][2] In late May 1929, Tad Wieman was removed as the team's head coach. Harry Kipke was hired as his replacement in mid-June; Kipke remained as Michigan's head football coach for nine seasons.

Highlights of the season included victories over rivals Michigan State and Minnesota and the program's first victory over a Harvard Crimson football team, after losing four prior games to the Crimson dating back to 1881. The Wolverines lost in the fourth quarter to an undefeated Purdue team that won the Big Ten championship and was ranked No. 2 nationally in the final rankings under the Dickinson System.

End Joseph Truskowski was the team captain, and quarterback James Simrall was selected as the most valuable player. Center Alan Bovard received first-team honors on the 1929 All-Big Ten Conference football team; Truskowski, fullback Joe Gembis, and guard Howard Poe received second-team honors. For the second consecutive season, Gembis was Michigan's leading scorer; he totaled 31 points on two touchdowns, 10 extra points, and three field goals for the 1929 season.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendance
September 29Albion*
W 39–016,412
September 29Mount Union*
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 16–616,412
October 5Michigan State*
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)
W 17–030,494
October 12at Purdue
L 16–3018,484
October 19Ohio State
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)
L 0–785,088
October 26at Illinois
L 0–1453,403
November 9Harvard*dagger
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 14–1285,042
November 16at Minnesota
W 7–658,160
November 23Iowa
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
T 0–050,619
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

Season summary

Pre-season

The 1928 Michigan team compiled a disappointing 3–4–1 record under head coach Tad Wieman.[3] After months of strained relations between Wieman and athletic director Fielding H. Yost, Wieman was removed as the team's head coach in late May 1929.[4] Two weeks later, Harry Kipke was hired as Michigan's new head coach.[5] Kipke was an All-American halfback at Michigan in 1924 and had served as the head coach at Michigan Agricultural College in 1928. Upon being hired by Michigan, Kipke said, "Coaching Michigan is the greatest football job in America. I would be foolish to turn down such an offer. It has been one of my greatest ambitions in life."[6]

Week 1 doubleheader

Albion

Week 1a: Albion at Michigan
1 234Total
Albion 0 000 0
• Michigan 14 7612 39
  • Date: September 29
  • Location: Michigan Stadium
  • Game attendance: > 50,000

On September 29, 1929, Michigan opened the Kipke era with a doubleheader at Michigan Stadium before a crowd of more than 50,000 persons. In the first game, the Wolverines defeated Albion, 39–0. Coach Kipke played 40 men in the doubleheader, seeking to assess the strength of his players. The Wolverines held Albion to 14 rushing yards and one first down in the game. On offense, the Wolverines scored six touchdowns, two by Jack Wheeler and one each by Omer LaJeunesse, Kirk Holland, John Widman, and Jennings McBride. Joe Gembis added three extra points.[7][8]

Mount Union

Week 1b: Mt. Union at Michigan
1 234Total
Mount Union 0 060 6
• Michigan 0 376 16
  • Date: September 29
  • Location: Michigan Stadium
  • Game attendance: > 50,000

In the second game of the doubleheader, Michigan defeated Mount Union, 16–6. Michigan was held to three points in the first half, as Mount Union proved to be a tougher opponent than Albion. Mount Union scored a touchdown in the third quarter when its end, Raber, intercepted a lateral pass from James Simrall to Alvin Dahlem and returned it 88 yards. Michigan's scoring came on a 37-yard field goal by Joe Gembis, touchdowns by Dahlem and Gembis, and an extra point from Gembis.[7][8]

Week 2: Michigan State

Week 2: Michigan State at Michigan
1 234Total
Michigan State 0 000 0
• Michigan 7 307 17
  • Date: October 5
  • Location: Michigan Stadium
  • Game attendance: 30,494

On October 5, 1929, Michigan won its rivalry game against Michigan State by a 17–0 score before a crowd of 38,000 at Michigan Stadium. Harry Kipke had coached the Michigan State team in 1928 but switched to Michigan for the 1929 season. The loss was the 15th in a row for Michigan State against Michigan. Left halfback Roy Hudson gained 190 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Fullback Joe Gembis tallied 11 points on a touchdown run, a field goal, and two kicks for extra point.[9]

Week 3: at Purdue

Week 3: Michigan at Purdue
1 234Total
Michigan 0 0160 16
• Purdue 0 6024 30

On October 12, 1929, Michigan lost to Purdue, 30–16, before a crowd of 18,484 at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. In a game of shifting momentum, the Boilermakers dominated the first half and took a 6-0 lead in the second quarter on a 35-yard run by "Pest" Welch. In the third quarter, Michigan had the momentum and scored 16 points to take a 16-6 lead. Michigan's scoring began with a field goal by Joe Gembis. Then Michigan tackle Eddie Hayden blocked Welch's punt, caught the ball, and ran for a touchdown. On the next drive, Welch's punt was hurried and went out of bounds at the Purdue 28-yard line. Roy Hudson ran for a touchdown, and Gembis kicked the extra point. Momentum shifted back to Purdue in the final quarter, as the Boilermakers scored 24 points, including two touchdown runs by Alex Yunevich.[10] Purdue, coached by James Phelan, went on to an undefeated season, a Big Ten championship, and a No. 2 ranking (behind Notre Dame) in the final rankings under the Dickinson System.

Week 4: Ohio State

Week 4: Ohio State at Michigan
1 234Total
• Ohio State 0 700 7
Michigan 0 000 0
  • Date: October 19
  • Location: Michigan Stadium
  • Game attendance: 85,088

On October 19, 1929, Michigan lost its rivalry game with Ohio State by a 7–0 score before an estimated crowd of 90,000 persons at Michigan Stadium. The crowd included 22,000 Ohio State students and alumni. Ohio State scored in the second quarter on a pass from quarterback Alan M. Holman to right end Wes Fesler. The Buckeyes' touchdown followed a James Simrall punt from behind the Michigan goal line that went out of bounds at the Wolverines' 30-yard line. Michigan twice drove within Ohio State's five-yard line but was unable to score.[11]

Week 5: at Illinois

Week 5: Michigan at Illinois
1 234Total
Michigan 0 000 0
• Illinois 0 0140 14

On October 26, 1929, Michigan lost to Illinois by a 14–0 score before a homecoming crowd of 53,403 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois scored twice in the third quarter. Quarterback Douglas Mills scored the first touchdown on a 75-yard run. Later in the quarter, Frank Walker intercepted a pass from Joseph Truskowski and returned it 60 yards to Michigan's eight-yard line. A few plays later, Walker ran seven yards for a touchdown.[12]

Week 6: Harvard

Week 6: Harvard at Michigan
1 234Total
Harvard 6 006 12
• Michigan 0 707 14
  • Date: November 16
  • Location: Michigan Stadium
  • Game attendance: 85,042

On November 9, 1929, Michigan defeated Harvard, 14–12, before a homecoming crowd of 85,042 persons at Michigan Stadium. The victory was Michigan's first against a Harvard team, having lost four prior games dating back to 1881. Roy Hudson and Maynard Morrison scored Michigan's touchdowns and Joe Gembis kicked the extra points.[13]

Week 7: at Minnesota

Week 7: Michigan at Minnesota
1 234Total
• Michigan 0 007 7
Minnesota 0 600 6

On November 16, 1929, Michigan won the Little Brown Jug game against a Minnesota team featuring Bronko Nagurski and Biggie Munn. The Wolverines won by a 7–6 score before a homecoming crowd estimated at 60,000 at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis. Minnesota halfback Clint Riebeth scored a touchdown in the second quarter, but the Golden Gophers missed the kick for extra point and led, 6–0, at halftime. In the fourth quarter, Michigan blocked a punt to gain good field position. Quarterback James Simrall then took the ball, ran to the left side, tossed the ball to halfback Joe Gembis, and Gembis then passed to Donald Wilson for a long gain. Fullback Maynard Morrison ran for the touchdown, Gembis kicked the extra point, and Michigan secured its margin of victory.[14] Michigan out-gained Minnesota by 203 yards from scrimmage to 197.[15]

Week 8: Iowa

Week 8: Iowa at Michigan
1 234Total
Iowa 0 000 0
Michigan 0 000 0
  • Date: November 23
  • Location: Michigan Stadium
  • Game attendance: 50,619

On November 23, 1929, Michigan concluded its season with a scoreless tie against Iowa before a crowd of 50,619 at Michigan Stadium. Iowa twice drove past Michigan's five-yard line, once to the one-yard line, but the Michigan defense stopped both drives on downs. In the fourth quarter, Joe Gembis attempted a field goal from placement on the 25-yard line, but the ball narrowly went right of the post.[16]

Post-season

Personnel

Varsity letter winners

The following players won varsity letters for their work on the 1929 football team:[17] Players who started at least five of Michigan's nine games are displayed in bold.[1]

aMa letter winners

The following players won aMa letters for their work on the 1929 football team:[17]

Awards and honors

Coaching staff

Scoring leaders

Player Touchdowns Extra points Field goals Total
Joe Gembis 2 10 3 31
Maynard Morrison 3 0 0 18
Roy Hudson 2 0 0 12
Jack Wheeler 2 0 0 12
Alvin Dahlem 1 0 0 6
Eddie Hayden 1 0 0 6
Kirk Holland 1 0 0 6
Omer LaJeunesse 1 0 0 6
Jennings McBride 1 0 0 6
John Widman 1 0 0 6
Total 15 10 9 109

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "1929 Football Team". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  2. ^ "1929 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "1928 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  4. ^ "Tad Wieman Will Not Resign as Football Coach". Muscatine Journal and News (AP wire story). May 28, 1929.
  5. ^ "Kipke Given Wieman's Job". The Daily Journal-Gazette and Commercial Star (Mattoon, Illinois). June 12, 1929. p. 5.
  6. ^ "'Greatest Ambition in Life Came True,' Says Harry Kipke". The News-Palladium. June 13, 1929. p. 12.
  7. ^ a b "Wolves Win Doubleheader From Albion, Mt. Union". The Michigan Daily. October 1, 1929. pp. 9–10.
  8. ^ a b Charles Bang (September 30, 1929). "Michigan Shows Signs of Possessing Strong Offensive in Inaugural: Passing Game Still Lacks Real Punch". Detroit Free Press. pp. 15–16 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ F. J. Carveth (October 6, 1929). "Kipke's Powerful Wolverine Eleven Defeats State Team by 17 to 0 Score: Spartan Team Proves Tough for Michigan". Detroit Free Press. pp. 21, 24 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ F. J. Carveth (October 13, 1929). "Michigan Stunned By Crushing Fourth Period Attack and Purdue Wins, 30-16: Third Quarter Rally Futile for Kipke Men". Detroit Free Press. pp. 19, 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Harry Bullion (October 20, 1929). "Ohio Stops Repeated Threats by Michigan and Wins, 7 to 0: Trick Pass Gives Buckeyes Victory". Detroit Free Press. pp. 19, 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Harry Bullion (October 27, 1929). "Two Long Sprints Win for Illinois Over Michigan, 14 to 0: Mills Runs 75 Yards to Score Touchdown". Detroit Free Press. pp. 15, 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Harry Bullion (November 10, 1929). "Michigan Rallies, Gains First Victory Over Harvard, 14-12: Extra Point Kicks Decide Great Game". Detroit Free Press. pp. 17, 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Harry Bullion (November 17, 1929). "Michigan Comes From Behind To Defeat Minnesota, 7-6: Double Pass Opens Way for Triumph". Detroit Free Press. pp. Sports 17, 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Little Brown Jug Is Gone, But Homecomers Carry On". pp. 1, 4, 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Harry Bullion (November 24, 1929). "Michigan and Iowa Battle to Scoreless Tie in Final Game: Joe Gembis Fails on Place Kick Try". Detroit Free Press. pp. 15, 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b 1930 Michiganesian, "Varsity Football Team," page 194.

External links

Michigan Wolverines football
Categories