Campus News
The Unresolved Football Dispute with Michigan
November 24, 2019
Communications Staff
The ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï College football team in 1892. John Heisman is in the second row, first on the left.
Photo credit: Photo Courtesy of ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï College Archives
"In ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï History" is a series dedicated to notable events in ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï College history. It is created in partnership with the Office of Communications and ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï College Archives.
In November 1892, the ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï College football team, coached by John Heisman, achieved an undefeated season when they beat the University of Michigan, 24-22 on November 19.
However, this win is a controversial one, and the game’s outcome is disputed to this day.
On a very cold day, the ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï College football team arrived by train in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Before the game began, both teams agreed to stop playing at 4:50 p.m. so that the ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï team could catch the last train of the day. This type of agreement was not without precedent, as the two teams made this same arrangement the year before in 1891.
The game was replete with delays due to penalties, turnovers, and poor weather. By 4:49 p.m., the game was tied, 22-22. ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï managed to kick a quick goal, which brought the score to 24-22, in favor of ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï. When the teams lined up for the next play, time was called. ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï determined that they were the winners and left the field, even though there were four minutes left in the game.
As ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï was departing, the Michigan team lined up on the field and walked the ball over the goal line for a touchdown—despite the fact that time had been called. This put the score at 26-24, Michigan. Michigan then claimed victory, saying that ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï forfeited.
The disagreement was never resolved, and ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï counts the 24-22 score as their victory, while Michigan counts the 26-24 score as their win.
Interested in more ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï College football history from the 1890s? You can read about it in When ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï was King of the Gridiron: The Heisman Years by Nat Brandt.
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