1931 Wilberforce Green Wave football
ConferenceIndependent
Record8–0
Head coach
Seasons
← 1930
1932 →
1931 Midwestern college football independents records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Wilberforce   –   8 – 0 – 0
Marquette   –   8 – 1 – 0
Saint Louis   –   8 – 1 – 0
Detroit   –   7 – 2 – 1
Western State Teachers (MI)   –   5 – 2 – 0
No. 11 Notre Dame   –   6 – 2 – 1
DePaul   –   6 – 3 – 0
Michigan State   –   5 – 3 – 1
Haskell   –   6 – 4 – 0
Michigan State Normal   –   3 – 2 – 1
Central State (MI)   –   4 – 3 – 0
John Carroll   –   4 – 4 – 2
Wittenberg   –   3 – 3 – 3
Kent State   –   3 – 4 – 0
Rankings from Dickinson System

The 1931 Wilberforce Green Wave football team was an American football team that represented Wilberforce College (now known as Wilberforce University) during the 1931 college football season.[1] Led by head coach Harry C. Graves and assistant coach Corrothers, the team was recognized as the 1931 black college national champion. The team compiled an undefeated, untied 8–0 record and outscored opponents by a total of 201 to 30. The team secured its claim to the black college championship with its victory over Tuskegee on October 24. Tuskegee had been undefeated in 35 previous starts.[2]

Key players included ends Ike Robinson and Pete Fouler.[2]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 3West KentuckyWilberforce, OHW 62–0
October 17Kentucky StateWilberforce, OHW 24–6[3]
October 24vs. Tuskegee
W 15–614,000[4]
October 31Alabama StateWilberforce, OHW 32–0[5]
November 7at LangstonLangston, OKW 10–6[6]
November 14at Bluefield StateBluefield, WVW 32–0[7]
November 21Lincoln (PA)daggerWilberforce, OHW 14–6[8]
November 26at West Virginia Collegiate
W 12–6
  • daggerHomecoming

References

  1. ^ "Wilberforce Primed For Opening Game". The Pittsburgh Courier. October 3, 1931. p. 15.
  2. ^ a b "Wilberforce Team Unbeaten, Untied". New York Daily News. December 6, 1931. p. 65C – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "'Force Sweeps Ky. State, Score 24-6". The Pittsburgh Courier. October 24, 1931. p. II-5 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Wilberforce Wins, 15 to 6, From Tuskegee". Chicago Tribune. October 25, 1931. p. II-5 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Wilberforce Beats Hornets, 32 To 0". The Montgomery Advertiser. November 1, 1931. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Terry's Toe Aids; May Play White '11'". The Pittsburgh Courier. November 14, 1931. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Big Blues Fight Hard But Are Outclassed By Strong Wilberforce Pigskin Band". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. November 15, 1931. p. II-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "80-Yard Run by Harrison in Lincoln and Wilberforce Game". The New York Age. November 28, 1931. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
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