1886 Michigan Wolverines football team
Encyclopedia
The 1886 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan
in the 1886 college football season
. The team played only two games, both against . Michigan won both games by a combined score of 74 to 0. Charles D. Wright, a senior from Minneapolis, Minnesota
, scored six touchdowns in the first game. The manager and goalkeeper was John L. Duffy, a senior from Ann Arbor
.
The team's captain was Horace Greely Prettyman
, from Bryan, Ohio
. Prettyman played eight years for the Michigan football team and was captain of the Michigan team three straight years from 1884 to 1886. No other player in the history of Michigan football has been selected as captain three times. In Prettyman's three years as captain, Michigan never lost a game, winning seven games and outscoring opponents 192 to 10.
The second game was played at the Ann Arbor Fairgrounds
on October 30, 1886, as part of a "field day" that included various athletic events. Michigan won the football game against Albion 24 to 0. The Michigan Argonaut noted, "The most striking difference between the elevens was that of weight, U. of M. presenting a much heavier team. It was evident, however, that Albion had come to play ball, and what they lacked in avoirdupois was in great measure made up by neat and rapid playing." The teams agreed to play "two innings of thirty minutes each," and the "rugby game" started at 3:35 with referee George W. Whyte calling, "Play." Michigan lost the toss, and Jaycox kicked off for Michigan, sending the ball near Albion's goal line. Michigan scored its first touchdown seven minutes into the game to take the lead 6 to 0. Jaycox and Jim Duffy
made several fine runs, and "Prettyman's play was characterized by his usual heavy rushing." Michigan scored a second touchdown "just before the inning was called," and led 12 to 0 at the intermission. The second inning began at 4:40 p.m., and the Argonaut reported that "Albion played a much better game in this inning that did Michigan, and several times it looked as though they would score." Jaycox and Jim Duffy made several bad fumbles in the second inning, and Morrow, "who had been serving in first-class style one-fourth back, made several poor throws to the half backs and lost ground for Michigan." Jim Duffy made two brilliant runs in the inning, and Jaycox ran for a touchdown shortly before the game ended. Albion objected that the field was "overrun with spectators," and also claimed that Jaycox had run out of bounds on his touchdown run, but the claim was overruled. The Argonaut concluded its report on the game by noting, "The Albion boys were gentlemen, and played a square game."
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in the 1886 college football season
1886 college football season
The 1886 college football season had no clear-cut champion, with the Official NCAA Division I Football Records Book listing Yale and Princeton as national champions....
. The team played only two games, both against . Michigan won both games by a combined score of 74 to 0. Charles D. Wright, a senior from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, scored six touchdowns in the first game. The manager and goalkeeper was John L. Duffy, a senior from Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
.
Schedule
Horace Prettyman
Horace Greely Prettyman
Horace Greely Prettyman was an American football player in the early years of the sport. Prettyman won a record eight varsity letters at the University of Michigan, playing for the school's football team from 1882–1886 and 1888–1890...
, from Bryan, Ohio
Bryan, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,528 households, and 2,155 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,821.7 people per square mile . There were 3,733 housing units at an average density of 816.1 per square mile...
. Prettyman played eight years for the Michigan football team and was captain of the Michigan team three straight years from 1884 to 1886. No other player in the history of Michigan football has been selected as captain three times. In Prettyman's three years as captain, Michigan never lost a game, winning seven games and outscoring opponents 192 to 10.
Game one: Michigan 50, Albion 0
The first game was played on October 16, 1886, at Albion, with Michigan winning by a score of 50–0. The Michigan Argonaut described the game as "a walk-over for our team." The score was already 37 to 0 when time was called for the half, and the Argonaut singled out Wright, Prettyman and Frank Higgins for their fine play. The writer noted that the Albion team was "not in fine trim" and failed to get the ball near the Michigan goal. Perhaps trying to find something favorable to say about the opponent, the Argonaut reporter observed that "the Albion team did their best work in tackling."Game two: Michigan 24, Albion 0
Ann Arbor Fairgrounds
Ann Arbor Fairgrounds was the first home field for the University of Michigan Wolverines football team. The Wolverines played their home games at the Fairgrounds from 1883 to 1892. The first intercollegiate football game played at the Fairgrounds was a May 12, 1883, game between Michigan and the...
on October 30, 1886, as part of a "field day" that included various athletic events. Michigan won the football game against Albion 24 to 0. The Michigan Argonaut noted, "The most striking difference between the elevens was that of weight, U. of M. presenting a much heavier team. It was evident, however, that Albion had come to play ball, and what they lacked in avoirdupois was in great measure made up by neat and rapid playing." The teams agreed to play "two innings of thirty minutes each," and the "rugby game" started at 3:35 with referee George W. Whyte calling, "Play." Michigan lost the toss, and Jaycox kicked off for Michigan, sending the ball near Albion's goal line. Michigan scored its first touchdown seven minutes into the game to take the lead 6 to 0. Jaycox and Jim Duffy
James E. Duffy (American football)
James Eugene Duffy was an American football player and lawyer. He played halfback for the University of Michigan football team for seven years from 1885 to 1891 and was captain of the 1888 team. In 1886, he set the world record by drop kicking a football 168 feet, 7½ inches...
made several fine runs, and "Prettyman's play was characterized by his usual heavy rushing." Michigan scored a second touchdown "just before the inning was called," and led 12 to 0 at the intermission. The second inning began at 4:40 p.m., and the Argonaut reported that "Albion played a much better game in this inning that did Michigan, and several times it looked as though they would score." Jaycox and Jim Duffy made several bad fumbles in the second inning, and Morrow, "who had been serving in first-class style one-fourth back, made several poor throws to the half backs and lost ground for Michigan." Jim Duffy made two brilliant runs in the inning, and Jaycox ran for a touchdown shortly before the game ended. Albion objected that the field was "overrun with spectators," and also claimed that Jaycox had run out of bounds on his touchdown run, but the claim was overruled. The Argonaut concluded its report on the game by noting, "The Albion boys were gentlemen, and played a square game."
Varsity letter winners
- Charles N. Banks, New Buffalo, MichiganNew Buffalo, MichiganNew Buffalo is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,200 at the 2000 census. This city is within New Buffalo Township, but is politically autonomous.-Geography:...
- forward - Frank F. Bumps, Shelby, MichiganShelby, MichiganShelby is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Michigan:*Shelby Charter Township, Michigan in Macomb County*Shelby Township, Michigan in Oceana County*Shelby, Oceana County, Michigan, a village...
- forward - James E. DuffyJames E. Duffy (American football)James Eugene Duffy was an American football player and lawyer. He played halfback for the University of Michigan football team for seven years from 1885 to 1891 and was captain of the 1888 team. In 1886, he set the world record by drop kicking a football 168 feet, 7½ inches...
, Ann Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
- halfback - John L. Duffy - Ann Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
- goalkeeper and manager - William W. Harless, Chicago, Illinois - substitute
- Frank G. HigginsFrank G. HigginsFrancis Grant "Frank" Higgins was an American football player, lawyer and politician. He played college football at the University of Michigan. He was the first native-born person from Montana to become a member of the state's bar and of the state's legislature...
from Butte, MontanaButte, MontanaButte is a city in Montana and the county seat of Silver Bow County, United States. In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the sole entity of Butte-Silver Bow. As of the 2010 census, Butte's population was 34,200...
- forward - George C. Higgins - forward
- John Jaycox, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
- halfback - Alexander C. Kiskadden, Tiffin, Ohio - forward
- William M. MorrowWilliam M. MorrowWilliam M. Morrow was an American football player and soldier. He played college football at the University of Michigan in 1885 and 1886 and was the starting quarterback for the 1886 Michigan Wolverines football team. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1888 where he served for more than 40...
, Union City, PennsylvaniaUnion City, PennsylvaniaUnion City is a borough in Erie County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Erie. In the twentieth century, there were three large chair factories, planing and grist mills, a powdered milk plant, and several furniture factories. In 1900, 3,104 people lived here, and in 1910, 3,684 people lived here. The...
- quarterback - Horace Greely PrettymanHorace Greely PrettymanHorace Greely Prettyman was an American football player in the early years of the sport. Prettyman won a record eight varsity letters at the University of Michigan, playing for the school's football team from 1882–1886 and 1888–1890...
, Bryan, OhioBryan, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 8,333 people, 3,528 households, and 2,155 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,821.7 people per square mile . There were 3,733 housing units at an average density of 816.1 per square mile...
- forward - Charles D. Wright from Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
Others
- William C. MalleyWilliam C. MalleyWilliam Charles Malley was an American football player and coach in the United States. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1888 to 1890 and served as the had football coach to Wabash College in 1892....
, Chicago, Illinois - substitute - Clifford C. Smith, Cleveland, Ohio - substitute
- Ernest SpragueErnest SpragueErnest Marshall Sprague was an American football player, public official, and engineer. He was born in 1865 on a farm at Farmington, Michigan. He was the son of Lorenzo Sprague and Laura G. Sprague...
, Farmington, Michigan - rusher - William R. Trowbridge, Ann Arbor, Michigan - substitute