1946 Michigan Wolverines football team
1946 Michigan Wolverines football | |
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Conference | Big Nine Conference |
Ranking | |
AP | No. 6 |
Record | 6–2–1 (5–1–1 Big Nine) |
Head coach |
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Offensive scheme | Single-wing |
MVP | Bob Chappuis |
Captain | Art Renner |
Home stadium | Michigan Stadium |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 5 Illinois $ | 6 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 6 Michigan | 5 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 20 Indiana | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Iowa | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minnesota | 3 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio State | 2 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 3 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northwestern | 2 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wisconsin | 2 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purdue | 0 | – | 5 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AP Poll
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The 1946 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1946 Big Nine Conference football season. In their ninth year under head coach was Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines compiled a 6–2–1 record (5–1–1 Big Nine), outscored opponents 233 to 73, and finished the season in second place in the Big Nine Conference and ranked No. 6 in the final 1946 AP poll. The team's two losses came against an undefeated Army team that was ranked No. 2 in the final AP poll and against an Illinois team that won the Big Nine championship and was ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll. Michigan won its last four games by a combined score of 162 to 19, starting a 25-game winning streak that continued for nearly three years until October 8, 1949. In the final game of the 1946 season, Michigan defeated Ohio State, 58–6, the Buckeyes' worst defeat since joining the conference in 1913.
Halfback
The only Michigan player to receive first-team All-American honors in 1946 was end Elmer Madar. Center Jim Brieske was the team's leading scorer with 32 points having kicked 29 points after touchdown and one field goal. Bob Mann led the team in touchdowns with five. End Art Renner was the team captain.
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 28 | Indiana | W 21–0 | 71,660 | ||
October 5 | Iowa |
| W 14–7 | 56,515 | |
October 12 | No. 2 Army* | No. 4 |
| L 13–20 | 85,938 |
October 19 | No. 10 rivalry ) | T 14–14 | 74,089 | ||
October 26 | Illinois![]() | No. 8 |
| L 9–13 | 85,938 |
November 2 | at Minnesota | No. 13 | W 21–0 | 58,476 | |
November 9 | Michigan State* | No. 11 |
| W 55–7 | 76,373 |
November 16 | Wisconsin | No. 10 |
| W 28–6 | 64,085 |
November 23 | at Columbus, OH (rivalry ) | W 58–6 | 79,735 | ||
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Rankings
Week | |||||||||
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Poll | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Final |
AP | 4 | 5 | 8т | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
Season summary
Pre-season
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Fritz_Crisler.png/180px-Fritz_Crisler.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Bob_Chappuis.png/180px-Bob_Chappuis.png)
In early January 1946,
In April and May 1946, Michigan conducted a six-week spring football practice. It was Michigan's "first peacetime practice session since 1941."[6] More than 140 players, the largest group ever to report for a Michigan football practice to that time, showed up for spring practice.[3]
Although World War II ended in August 1945, three of the starters from the 1945 squad were inducted into the military in early 1946. They were: Wally Teninga, who started seven games at left halfback and was the team's leading scorer in 1945; Donovan Hershberger, who started eight games at end in 1945; and Gene Hinton, who started all 10 games at right tackle in 1945.[6][7][8] Bob Ballau, a tackle from New York, was awarded the Chicago Alumni Club trophy as the team'smost improved player during spring practice.[9]
However, as some left for military service, others returned to Michigan after completing their military service. The returnees included:
- Bob Chappuis, who had played for Michigan in 1942, returned to the team in 1946 after three years of military service and being shot down in Italy in 1945.
- Gene Derricotte, who had started nine games at halfback in 1944, returned as a starting halfback.
- Bruce Hilkene, who had started nine games at end in 1944 and been elected captain of the 1945 team before being inducted into the military, returned for the 1946 season, though he was switched to the tackle position.[10]
- Quentin Sickels, who had started 10 games at guard in 1944, returned from military service.
- Paul White, who had been captain of the 1943 Michigan team before joining the Marine Corps, notified coach Crisler in April 1946 that he would be returning in time for the 1946 season.[5]
- Bob Wiese, who had played at fullback and led Michigan in scoring in 1944, returned to the fullback position in 1946 after being inducted into the military in November 1945.
The 1946 pre-season was also marked by the loss of Fielding H. Yost, head football coach at Michigan from 1901 to 1926 and athletic director from 1921 to 1940. Yost sustained a stroke on May 14, 1946,[11] and died at his home in Ann Arbor on August 20, 1946. He was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery near the campus, with pallbearers including Bennie Oosterbaan, Robert J. Brown, and Paul G. Goebel.[12]
After one week of fall practice in late August 1946, coach Crisler opined "we're not quite as good as we're cracked up to be."
The 1946 team featured three sets of brothers: Pete and Elliott from Bloomington, Illinois; guards Charles and Walter Freihofer from Indianapolis; and center J. T. White and halfback Paul White from River Rouge, Michigan.[15]
Week 1: Indiana
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After losing to the Indiana Hoosiers in both 1944 and 1945, Michigan opened its 1946 season on September 28, 1946, with a 21 to 0 victory over the Hoosiers. The game was played at Michigan Stadium on a warm, sunshiny day and attracted 74,600 spectators, the largest crowd to that time for a Michigan season opener and the largest crowd ever to watch an Indiana football game.[17]
Michigan opened the scoring with a 54-yard drive in the first quarter, capped by a 13-yard touchdown pass from Gene Derricotte to Paul White. In the fourth quarter, the Wolverines scored twice, on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Pete Elliott to Len Ford, and later on Derricotte's 51-yard sprint down the sideline. Jim Brieske kicked all three points after touchdown for Michigan.[16] Displaying tremendous depth, 45 Michigan players saw action in the Indiana game.[17] The Wolverines gained 190 rushing yards and 52 passing yards on four complete passes. Defensively, Michigan held Indiana to only 51 rushing yards.[16] However, the Wolverines also gave up six interceptions on ten forward passes attempted and allowed Indiana to rack up 172 passing yards,[16] leading head coach Fritz Crisler to describe his team's play as "ragged and sloppy."[17]
Michigan's starting lineup against Indiana was Len Ford (left end), Bruce Hilkene (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), Harold Watts (center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Art Renner (right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback), Henry Fonde (left halfback), Ralph Chubb (right halfback), and Jack Weisenburger (fullback).[16]
Week 2: Iowa
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On October 5, 1946, Michigan defeated Iowa by a 14 to 7 score at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines scored both of their touchdowns in the first half to take a 14 to 0 lead. Bob Chappuis scored both Michigan touchdowns on runs of eight and 12 yards, while rushing for 123 yards on 20 carries in the game. Jim Brieske kicking both points after touchdown. The first half lead could have been significantly greater, but one drive was stopped by a fumble at Iowa's four-yard line, and another ended with an intercepted pass at the Iowa four-yard line. In the second half, Michigan was held scoreless and managed only two first downs. Iowa mounted a 65-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, and another drive in the fourth quarter was stopped at Michigan's 14-yard line when the Wolverines' defense regained the ball on downs. In all, Michigan gained 224 rushing yards and 43 passing yards. Iowa gained 148 rushing yards and 12 passing yards.[18]
Michigan's starting lineup against Iowa was Len Ford (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), Quentin Sickels (right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle), Art Renner (right end), Bob Wiese (quarterback), Dan Dworsky (left halfback), Paul White (right halfback), and Jack Weisenburger (fullback).[18]
Week 3: Army
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On October 12, 1946, Michigan, ranked #4 in the
Michigan took a 7 to 0 lead in the first quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Bob Chappuis to Howard Yerges with the point after touchdown being converted by Jim Brieske. Glenn Davis, the 1946 Heisman Trophy winner, played all 60 minutes for Army and was so dominant that the Chicago Tribune wrote that he may have earned All-American honors in one game. Davis tied the game on a 58-yard run in the first quarter. He then passed 31 yards to Bob Folson for Army's second touchdown in the second quarter. On the opening kickoff in the third quarter, Michigan drove 83 yards, and Paul White scored on a reverse from Bob Wiese. Michigan had a chance to take the lead, but Brieske's kick for the extra point was partially blocked and fell short. At the end of the third quarter, the game was tied 13 to 13. With a short touchdown run by Doc Blanchard in the fourth quarter, Army regained the lead. With less than a minute remaining, Michigan drove to Army's 10-yard line, but the game ended as Army intercepted a Michigan pass. The ground game was relatively even (152 rushing yards for Army to 141 for Michigan), but Army dominated in the air (211 passing yards to 95 for Michigan).[19]
Michigan's starting lineup against Army was Len Ford (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Yerges (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Paul White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[19]
Week 4: Northwestern
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On October 19, 1946, Michigan, ranked #5 in the
Michigan's starting lineup against Northwestern was Ed McNeill (left end), Bruce Hilkene (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback), Gene Derricotte (left halfback), Paul White (right halfback), and Bob Wiese (fullback).[20]
Week 5: Illinois
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On October 26, 1946, at Michigan's first homecoming game since 1942, Michigan lost to Illinois by a score of 13 to 9. In the second quarter, Bob Wiese ran for the game's first touchdown, and Jim Brieske kicked the point after touchdown. On the kickoff following Michigan's touchdown, Illinois drove 95 yards and scored on a 16-yard run by Paul Patterson. In the third quarter, Illinois end Sam Zatkoff intercepted a pass thrown by Bob Chappuis and ran 53 yards for a touchdown. Illinois' attempt at extra point was blocked by Quentin Sickels. In the fourth quarter, Michigan twice drove deep into Illinois territory (once to the 17-yard line and then to the eight-yard line), but Michigan's only points in the quarter were scored a safety as Bruce Hilkene blocked a punt into the end zone. Michigan out-gained Illinois in rushing yardage, 190 yards to 112, and in passing yardage, 142 yards to 39. However, Michigan fumbled the ball 12 times in the game.[21] The game was Michigan's last defeat until October 8, 1949, a span of nearly three years during which the Wolverines won 25 consecutive games.
Michigan's starting lineup against Illinois was Len Ford (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), Sickels (right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Jack Weisenburger (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).[21]
Week 6: at Minnesota
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On November 2, 1946, Michigan defeated Minnesota by a score of 21 to 0. In the second quarter, Michigan relied on the passing game in its first touchdown drive, as Bob Chappuis completed a pass for 43 yards to Elmer Madar and Bump Elliott then ran two yards for the touchdown on a fourth-down play. Elliott scored again in the third quarter on a 10-yard run. In the fourth quarter, Gene Derricotte threw a pass to Bob Mann that was good for 42 yards and a touchdown. Jim Brieske kicked all three points after touchdown. Michigan gained 183 rushing yards and 174 passing yards, while holding Minnesota to 130 rushing yards and 40 passing yards.[22] The game marked the beginning of a 25-game winning streak for the Wolverines lasting until October 1949.
Michigan's starting lineup against Minnesota was Len Ford (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), Quentin Sickels (right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Jack Weisenburger (quarterback), Gene Derricotte (left halfback), Ralph Chubb (right halfback), and Dan Dworsky (fullback).[22]
Week 7: Michigan State
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On November 9, 1946, Michigan defeated Michigan State by a score of 55 to 7. With attendance at 77,134, the game drew the largest crowd to that date in the history of the Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry.[23]
Michigan scored twice in each quarter with touchdowns by eight players: Bob Chappuis (run in first quarter), Pete Elliott (pass from Chappuis in first quarter), Gene Derricotte (three-yard run in second quarter), Elmer Madar (four-yard interception return), Paul White (pass from Derricotte in third quarter), Don Robinson (run in third quarter), Jack Weisenburger (three-yard run in fourth quarter), and Tony Momsen (24-yard interception return in fourth quarter). Jim Brieske kicked six points after touchdown. Len Ford scored another after Brieske's kick was blocked in the first quarter; Don Robinson recovered the loose ball and tossed to Ford who fell across the goal line. Another extra point attempt was blocked, this one by Lynn Chandnois, in the third quarter. Michigan State's touchdown came on a pass from Horace Smith to Frank Waters covering 77 yards in the third quarter. Michigan gained 500 yards in the game, 293 on the ground and 207 in the air. Michigan was held to 212 yards of which only 47 yards were gained by rushing.[23]
Michigan's starting lineup against Michigan State was Bob Mann (left end), Bruce Hilkene (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), Quentin Sickels (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Pete Elliott (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Weisenburger (fullback).[23]
Week 8: Wisconsin
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On November 16, 1946, Michigan defeated Wisconsin by a score of 28 to 6. Michigan scored four touchdowns: 13-yard pass from Pete Elliott to Bob Mann in the first quarter; 27-yard pass from Bob Chappuis to Mann in the first quarter; three-yard run by Dan Dworsky in fourth quarter; and one-yard "end-around maneuver" by Len Ford in the fourth quarter. Center Jim Brieske kicked all four points after touchdown. Michigan gained 305 rushing yards and 146 passing yards. The Badgers were held to 99 rushing yards and 47 passing yards.[24]
Michigan's starting lineup against Wisconsin was Ed McNeill (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), Brieske (center), F. Stuart Wilkins (right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Bob Wiese (fullback).[24]
Week 9: at Ohio State
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On November 23, 1946, Michigan defeated Ohio State by a score of 58 to 6. The 52-point spread was Ohio State's worst margin of defeat since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913. The game was viewed by 78,634 spectators, the fourth largest crowd in Ohio Stadium history to that point.[25]
Michigan's touchdowns were scored by Henry Fonde (2), Bob Mann (2), Bob Chappuis, Paul White, Dick Rifenburg, and Bill Culligan. Jim Brieske kicked seven points after touchdown and a field goal. Bob Chappuis passed for gains totaling 244 yards. In all, the Wolverines gained 509 yards, 300 passing and 209 rushing. A writer covering the game for the Chicago Tribune opined "few teams ever have been so impotent as Ohio State was this afternoon."[25] In the last minute of the game, with Michigan's fourth-string backs in the game, Ohio State avoided the shutout with a touchdown pass from Bill Doolittle to Rodney Swinehart covering 77 yards.[25]
Michigan's starting lineup against Ohio State was Ed McNeill (left end), Bruce Hilkene (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback), Gene Derricotte (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Jack Weisenburger (fullback).[25]
Scoring summary
Player | Touchdowns | Extra points | Field goals | Points |
Jim Brieske | 0 | 29 | 1 | 32 |
Bob Mann | 5 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
Bob Chappuis | 4 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Bump Elliott | 4 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Paul White | 4 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Len Ford | 2 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
Gene Derricotte | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Henry Fonde | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Bill Culligan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Dan Dworsky | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Pete Elliott | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Elmer Madar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Tony Momsen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Dick Rifenburg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Don Robinson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Jack Weisenburger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Bob Wiese | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Howard Yerges | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Totals | 33 | 30 | 1 | 233[26] |
Post-season
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Elmer_Madar.jpg/180px-Elmer_Madar.jpg)
The Associated Press released its final poll in early December 1946. The two teams that defeated the Michigan Wolverines finished among the top five. Undefeated Army was ranked #2 with 48 voters picking them as the #1 team, narrowly missing its third consecutive national championship with 1,659-1/2 points. Big Nine Conference champion Illinois was ranked #5. The Wolverines were ranked #6.[27]
The Wolverines finished the season ranked fifth in total offense with 3,122 yards gained in nine games, an average of 366.9 yards per game.[28] They also ranked fifth in passing offense with 1,322 passing yards, an average of 146.9 yards per game.[29]
In the selection of All-America teams at the end of the 1946 season, three Michigan players received recognition:
- End Elmer Madar was selected by the Associated Press (AP) as a first-team All-American,[30] by the International News Service (INS) as a second-team All-American,[31] and by the Central Press Association (CP) as a third-team All-American.[32]
- Halfback Bob Chappuis was selected by the INS as a second-team All-American and by the CP as a third-team All-American.[31][32]
- End Len Ford was selected by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) as a third-team All-American.[33][34]
Both the AP and
Bob Chappuis was also selected as the Most Valuable Player on the 1946 Michigan team,[37] and finished second behind Illinois guard Alex Agase in voting for the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Most Valuable Player in the Big Nine Conference.[38]
Players
Varsity letter winners
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Jim_Brieske.jpg/180px-Jim_Brieske.jpg)
The following players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1946 Michigan football team.[39] Players who started at least half of the games are shown in bold.[37]
- Edward H. Bahlow, Springfield, Illinois - end
- Robert M. Ballou, Chester, Vermont - tackle
- Jim Brieske, Harbor Beach, Michigan - placekicker, and 1 game as starter at center
- George Burg, Winnetka, Illinois - guard
- St. Louis, Missouri- center
- Jack Carpenter, Kansas City, Missouri - started 4 games at right tackle
- Bob Chappuis, Toledo, Ohio - started 4 games at left halfback
- Ralph L. Chubb,[40] Ann Arbor, Michigan - started 2 games at right halfback
- Fenwick J. Crane, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan - tackle
- William L. Culligan, Detroit - halfback
- Robert Derleth, Marquette, Michigan - started 3 games at left tackle
- Gene Derricotte, Defiance, Ohio - started 5 games at left halfback
- Dan Dworsky, Sioux Falls, South Dakota - started 1 game at fullback
- Bump Elliott, Bloomington, Illinois - started 3 games at right halfback
- Pete Elliott, Bloomington, Illinois - started 1 game at quarterback
- Henry Fonde, Knoxville, Tennessee - halfback
- Len Ford, Washington, D.C. - started 4 games at left end
- Donovan P. Hershberger, Freeport, Illinois - end
- Indianapolis, Indiana- started 6 games at left tackle
- George Kraeger, Indianapolis, Indiana - started 5 games at right guard
- John F. Lintol, Detroit - guard
- Elmer Madar, Detroit - started 7 games at right end
- Bob Mann, New Bern, North Carolina - started 2 games at left end
- Edward D. McNeill,[41] Toledo, Ohio - started 3 games at left end
- Tony Momsen, Toledo, Ohio -
- Bill Pritula, Detroit - started 5 games at right tackle
- Art Renner, Sturgis, Michigan - started 2 games at right end
- Dick Rifenburg, Saginaw, Michigan - end
- Don Robinson, Detroit - quarterback
- Quentin Sickels, Benton Harbor, Michigan - started 3 games at right guard
- Joe Soboleski, Grand Rapids, Michigan - guard
- Dominic Tomasi, Flint, Michigan - started 9 games at left guard
- Robert W. Vernier, Toledo, Ohio - quarterback
- Harold Watts, Birmingham, Michigan - started 2 games at center
- Jack Weisenburger, Muskegon Heights, Michigan - started 3 games at quarterback, 2 games at fullback, 1 game at right halfback
- J. T. White, River Rouge, Michigan - started 6 games at center
- Paul White, River Rouge, Michigan - started 3 games at right halfback
- Bob Wiese, Jamestown, North Dakota - started 6 games at fullback
- F. Stuart Wilkins, Canton, Ohio - started 1 game at right guard
- Howard Yerges, Point Pleasant, West Virginia - started 5 games at quarterback
Reserves
The following players had "reserve" status on the 1946 Michigan football team.[39]
- Bruce Beatty, Canton, Ohio - halfback
- Richard Brown, Detroit - tackle
- Louis Brunsting, Jr., Rochester, Minnesota - quarterback
- John Eizonas, Detroit - tackle
- Robert Erben, Akron, Ohio - center
- Alan Fitch, Kensington, Michigan - guard
- Walter Freihofer, Indianapolis, Indiana - guard
- John Ghindia, Ecorse, Michigan - quarterback
- Lloyd Heneveld, Holland, Michigan - guard
- James Holgate, Milwaukee, Wisconsin- halfback
- Charles Huebler, Plymouth, Michigan - tackle
- Norman Jackson, Canton, Ohio - fullback
- Kurt Kampe, Jr., Detroit - guard
- Walter Keeler, Bay City, Michigan - center
- Frank Kiser, Lakewood, Ohio - guard
- Donald Kuick, Midland, Michigan - halfback
- Donald Labenda, Detroit - tackle
- Charles Lentz, Toledo, Ohio - halfback
- John Maturo, Hamden, Connecticut - guard
- James Morrish, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan - halfback
- Alton Noble, Detroit - halfback
- Elmer Phillips, Big Bend, West Virginia- guard
- Harold Raymond, Flint, Michigan - end
- Richard Strauss, Lansing, Michigan - tackle
- Alan Traugott, Indianapolis - halfback
- Irv Wisniewski, Lambertville, Michigan - center
- John Witherspoon, Detroit - guard
- Michael Yedniak, Flint, Michigan - fullback
Awards and honors
- 1946 All-Americans: Elmer Madar (AP-1, INS-2), Bob Chappuis (INS-2)[30][31]
- All-Conference: Elmer Madar (AP-1, UP-1), Bob Chappuis (AP-1, UP-1), Jack Carpenter (UP-1), Dominic Tomasi (UP-2)[35][36]
- Most Valuable Player: Bob Chappuis[37]
- Meyer Morton Award: Bob Ballou[37]
NFL and AAFC drafts
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Len_Ford_from_1948_Michiganensian.jpg/180px-Len_Ford_from_1948_Michiganensian.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Dan_Dworsky_of_Michigan.jpg/180px-Dan_Dworsky_of_Michigan.jpg)
The following 23 players from the 1946 Michigan football team were drafted to play and/or actually played in the National Football League (NFL) and/or the All-America Football Conference (AAFC):
- 1948 NFL Draft.[43]
- 1947 NFL Draft. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Hornets in 1948 and 1949.[48]
- Ralph Chubb: Chubb was selected by the 1947 NFL Draft.[44]
- 1944 NFL Draft. He played for the Lions in 1947.[49]
- Gene Derricotte: Derricotte was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the eight pick of the AAFC's secret draft held in July 1948,[50] but he was injured during training camp with the Browns at the end of July 1949 while standing along the sidelines playing catch with a teammate.[51]
- Bump was the head coach at Michigan from 1959 to 1968.
- 1948 NFL Draft.[43] He opted instead to pursue a career in coaching starting in 1949 as an assistant coach at Oregon State and later serving as a head coach at Nebraska, California, Illinois, and Miami. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.[56]
- 1948 AAFC Draft.[52] He played 11 years in the NFL from 1948 to 1958 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.[57]
- 1947 NFL Draft. He played for the Colts in 1947.[58]
- Bob Mann: Mann played for the Detroit Lions (1948–1949) and Green Bay Packers (1950–1954).[59] He was the first African-American player for both teams.
- Ed McNeill: McNeill was drafted by the 1949 NFL Draft.[53]
- 1951 NFL Draft, and played in the NFL during the 1951 and 1952 seasons.[60]
- 1948 AAFC Draft.[52]
- 1946 NFL Draft.[61]
- 1948 NFL Draft. He played for the Detroit Lions in 1950.[62]
- 1948 NFL Draft.[43]
- 1948 AAFC Draft.[52]
- 1947 NFL Draft.[44]
- 1945 NFL Draft. He played for the Lions in 1947 and 1948.[64]
Coaching staff
- Head coach: Fritz Crisler[37]
- Assistant coaches
- Backfield coach: Bennie Oosterbaan[4][65]
- Line coach: Jack Blott[5] assisted by Forrest "Butch" Jordan[65]
- End coach: Arthur Valpey[65][66]
- "B" squad coach: Wally Weber, assisted by head wrestling coach Cliff Keen and Jack Petoskey[65][67]
- Chief scout, assistant coach and assistant athletic director: Ernest McCoy, appointed to the new post in January 1946[65][68]
References
- ^ W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 79.
- ^ "Biggie Munn To Syracuse As Grid Boss". The News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Michigan. January 7, 1946. p. 6.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Oosterbaan and Jack Blott To Speak At Football Banquet Here". The Escanaba (Mich.) Daily Press. November 16, 1946. p. 9.
- ^ a b c "126 Report For U. of Michigan Spring Football". The News-Palladium. April 2, 1946. p. 6.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Crisler Says Michigan Eleven Over Rated". The Pantagraph. September 1, 1946. p. 7.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Funeral Services Held for Fielding H. Yost". The Cumberland News. August 23, 1946. p. 18.
- ^ "May Lose All Games, Coach Fritz Crisler Underestimates". Ironwood Daily Globe. September 7, 1946. p. 8.
- ^ "Joe Ponsetto Lost to Michigan Squad". The Escanaba (Mich.) Daily Press. September 7, 1946. p. 10.
- ^ "Michigan Football Squad Has Three Sets of Brothers". The Escanaba (Mich.) Daily Press. September 14, 1946. p. 12.
- ^ a b c d e James Segreti (September 29, 1946). "Wolverines Roll Over Indiana's Hope of Retaining Title, 21 to 0". Chicago Tribune. p. 2-1.
- ^ a b c "Crisler Terms 'M' 11 'Sloppy' In Indiana Win". The News-Palladium. September 28, 1946. p. 6.
- ^ a b c d Wilfrid Smith (October 6, 1946). "Wolverines Beat Hawkeye Eleven, 14 to 7". Chicago Tribune. p. 2-1.
- ^ a b c Wilfrid Smith (October 13, 1946). "Army Beats Michigan: 87,993 Watch Cadets Score 20-13 Triumph: Glenn Davis' Speed Balks Wolverines". Chicago Tribune. p. 2-1.
- ^ a b c Wilfrid Smith (October 20, 1946). "N.U. and Michigan Battle To 14-14 Tie: Co-Leaders of Big Nine Thrill 74,500 Throng". Chicago Tribune. p. 2-1.
- ^ a b c Edward Burns (October 27, 1946). "Zatkoff Races 53 Yards As Illinois Beats Michigan, 13-9". Chicago Tribune. p. 2-1.
- ^ a b c Wilfrid Smith (November 3, 1946). "Wolverines Top Gophers, 21-0; Take 2d". Chicago Tribune. p. 2-1.
- ^ a b c d Charles Bartlett (November 10, 1946). "State Loses To Wolverine Eleven, 55 to 7". Chicago Tribune. p. 2-1.
- ^ a b Irving Vaughan (November 17, 1946). "Badgers Lose To Wolverine Passes, 28 to 6". Chicago Tribune. p. 2-1.
- ^ a b c d e Wilfrid Smith (November 24, 1946). "Michigan Routs Ohio, 58 to 6; Wolverines Turn On Power Before 78,634; Buckeyes Score in Final Minute". Chicago Tribune. p. 2-1.
- ^ Two of Michigan's points were scored on a safety in the Illinois game.
- ^ "Writers Pick Irish As The Best Eleven". Santa Cruz Sentinel-News. December 5, 1946. p. 4.
- ^ W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 73.
- ^ W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 75.
- ^ a b "Davis, Blanchard Earn All-America Positions". The Milwaukee Journal. December 4, 1946.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Lawton Carver (December 3, 1946). "INS Names Four Irish on All-America Team". St. Petersburg Times. p. 10.
- ^ a b "Army, Irish Place Two Each On Captains' All American". Wisconsin State Journal. December 3, 1946.
- ^ "NEA 1946 All Americas". Anniston Star. November 24, 1946.
- ^ "NEA 1946 All-Americans". The Pittsburgh Press. November 23, 1946.
- ^ a b "Indiana Places Three on Big Ten All-Stars". The Milwaukee Journal (AP story). November 26, 1946. p. 6.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Michigan Gets Three Places On UP Team". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (UP story). November 30, 1946. p. 13.
- ^ a b c d e f g "1946 Football Team". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
- ^ "Agase Adjudged Most Valuable". The Decatur Herald. December 15, 1946. p. 19.
- ^ a b "1946 Michigan Football Roster". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- ^ Ralph L. Chubb, born March 24, 1924, died February 25, 2002, SSN issued Michigan, last address Green Valley, Arizona
- ^ Edward D. McNeill, born October 13, 1927, died September 7, 1999, SSN issued Ohio, last address Swanton, Ohio
- ^ a b c d e f g "1947 AAFC Draft". The Pro Football Archive. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "1948 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "1947 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "Bob Callahan". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "1944 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ "Jack Carpenter". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ "Bob Chappuis". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ "Robert Derleth". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "1949 AAFC Draft". The Pro Football Archive. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "Cleveland Releases Gene Derricotte". Los Angeles Times. August 7, 1949.
- ^ a b c d "1948 AAFC Draft". The Pro Football Archive. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ a b c "1949 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "Dan Dworsky". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "Bump Elliott Selected 'Coach of the Week'". The Holland, Michigan Evening Sentinel. November 13, 1963.
- ^ "Pete Elliott". National Football Foundation.
- ^ "Len Ford". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "Elmer Madar". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ "Bob Mann". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ "Tony Momsen". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "1946 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
- ^ "Dick Rifenburg". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "Joe Soboleski". pro-football-reference.com.
- ^ "Bob Wiese". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Joe Karshner (July 14, 1946). "Gridiron Staff Intact at U.M." The Escanaba Daily Press. p. 6.
- ^ "Elks To Have Valpey Speak At Grid Fete". The News-Palladium. December 4, 1946. p. 14.
- ^ "Weber's 'B' Squad Faces Seven Games". The News-Palladium. September 24, 1946. p. 6.
- ^ "New U-M Line Mentor To Be Named Soon: Work of Chief Scout Rewarded by Creation Of New Post". The Herald-Press, St. Joseph, Michigan. January 24, 1946. p. 9.