The 1946 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the

1946 Big Nine Conference football season The 1946 Big Nine Conference football season was the 51st season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Nine Conference (also known as the Big Ten Conference and the Western Conference) and was a part of the 1946 college footb ...

. 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 Bob Chappuis passed for 735 yards, the most since

Benny Friedman Benjamin Friedman (March 18, 1905 – November 24, 1982) was an American football player and coach, and athletic administrator. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Friedman played college football as a halfback and quarterback for the University of ...

set the school record with 760 passing yards in 1925. Chappuis also rushed for 548 yards, received second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Nine honors, and was selected as Michigan's Most Valuable Player for the 1946 season. Chappuis also ranked fifth nationally with 1,265 yards of total offense (531 rushing, 734 passing). The only Michigan player to receive first-team All-American honors in 1946 was end

Elmer Madar Elmer F. Madar (November 28, 1920 – February 9, 1972) was an All American football player at the University of Michigan in 1942 and 1946. Life and career Born in Sykesville, Pennsylvania, Madar played football at Northeastern High School i ...

. Center

Jim Brieske James F. Brieske (May 4, 1923 – November 29, 1968) was an American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Michigan in 1942, 1946 and 1947. He set Michigan, Rose Bowl, Big Ten Conference, and national collegiate ...

was the team's leading scorer with 32 points having kicked 29 points after touchdown and one

field goal A field goal (FG) is a means of scoring in gridiron football. To score a field goal, the team in possession of the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar. The entire ba ...

. Bob Mann led the team in touchdowns with five. End

Art Renner Arthur W. Renner (February 14, 1923 – September 14, 1999) was an American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1942 to 1946. He played on four Michigan teams that were ranked in the top ten in the ...

was the team captain.

Schedule

Season summary

Pre-season

In early January 1946, Biggie Munn, who had been Michigan's line coach since 1938, was hired as the head football coach at

Syracuse Syracuse may refer to: Places Italy *Syracuse, Sicily, or spelled as ''Siracusa'' *Province of Syracuse United States *Syracuse, New York **East Syracuse, New York **North Syracuse, New York *Syracuse, Indiana * Syracuse, Kansas *Syracuse, Miss ...

Jack Blott Jack Leonard Blott (August 24, 1902 – June 11, 1964) was an All-American football center and place kicker for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1922–1923. He was also a baseball catcher for the Wolverines from 1922–1924. A ...

took over Munn's role as line coach. Earl Martineau, who had been Michigan's backfield coach since 1938, also left the program in early 1946 with Bennie Oosterbaan taking over responsibility for coaching the backfield. In April and May 1946, Michigan conducted a six-week spring football practice. It was Michigan's "first peacetime practice session since 1941." More than 140 players, the largest group ever to report for a Michigan football practice to that time, showed up for spring practice. 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 Walter Henry "Wally" Teninga (February 14, 1928 - September 24, 2018) was an American football Halfback (American football), halfback and businessman. He played for the University of Michigan's undefeated national championship teams in 1947 and 1 ...

, 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. Bob Ballau, a tackle from New York, was awarded the Chicago Alumni Club trophy as the team'smost improved player during spring practice. 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 Eugene Derricotte (June 14, 1926 – March 31, 2023) was an American college football player who was a Halfback (American football), halfback and return specialist for the Michigan Wolverines football, Michigan Wolverines from 1944 to 1948. He ...

, who had started nine games at halfback in 1944, returned as a starting halfback. *

Bruce Hilkene Bruce L. Hilkene (November 4, 1925 – April 26, 1990) was the captain and starting left tackle of the undefeated 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team. The team defeated the USC Trojans 49-0 in the 1948 Rose Bowl and has been selected as t ...

, 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. *

Quentin Sickels Quentin Brian "Quent" Sickels (December 21, 1926 – April 24, 2018) was a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan in 1944 and from 1946 to 1948. He played on Michigan's undefeated 1947 Michigan ...

, 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. *

Bob Wiese Robert Lee Wiese (January 25, 1923 – November 19, 1971) was an American football player. He played college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It w ...

, 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, 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 Robert J. Brown (August 23, 1904 – April 29, 1985) was an American football center and university regent. Brown was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1904. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1923 to 1925. As a senior, he was ...

, and

Paul G. Goebel Paul Gordon Goebel (May 28, 1901 – January 26, 1988) was an American football end who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1920 to 1922. He was an All-American in 1921 and was the team's captain in 1922. He played profession ...

. 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." A week later, Crisler hedged on his team's prospects, stating that the 1946 squad might be he greatest, but then adding that, on the other hand, "we may lose all of our games." On September 6, 1946,

Joe Ponsetto Joseph Ponsetto (March 29, 1926 – November 24, 2004) was an American football player who was the starting quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines football teams of 1944 and 1945. Playing under head coach Fritz Crisler, Po ...

, who had been Michigan's starting quarterback in 1944 and 1945, voted by his teammates as captain of the 1946 team, and undergone knee surgery in the off-season, announced that he would not play in 1946 due to a recurrence of the injury to his knee. The 1946 team featured three sets of brothers: Pete and Elliott from

Bloomington, Illinois Bloomington is a city and the county seat of McLean County, Illinois, United States. It is adjacent to the town of Normal, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area. Bloomington ...

; guards Charles and Walter Freihofer from

Indianapolis Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion ...

; and center

J. T. White John T. White (July 10, 1920 – November 21, 2005) was a college football assistant coach Coach may refer to: Guidance/instruction * Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities * Coaching, the practice of guiding an individ ...

and halfback Paul White from River Rouge, Michigan.

Week 1: Indiana

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. Michigan opened the scoring with a 54-yard drive in the first quarter, capped by a 13-yard touchdown pass from

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.

kicked all three points after touchdown for Michigan. Displaying tremendous depth, 45 Michigan players saw action in the Indiana game. The Wolverines gained 190 rushing yards and 52 passing yards on four complete passes. Defensively, Michigan held Indiana to only 51 rushing yards. However, the Wolverines also gave up six interceptions on ten forward passes attempted and allowed Indiana to rack up 172 passing yards, leading head coach Fritz Crisler to describe his team's play as "ragged and sloppy." Michigan's starting lineup against Indiana was Len Ford (left end),

(left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard),

Harold Watts Harold M. Watts (1925 – August 15, 1973) was an American football player. He played at the Center (American football), center position for the University of Michigan from 1943 to 1946. He was chosen as the Most Valuable Player on the 1945 ...

(center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle),

(right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback),

Henry Fonde Henry Fonde (January 13, 1924 – May 3, 2009) was an American football player and coach. He played for the University of Michigan from 1945 to 1947 under head coach Fritz Crisler. In ten years as the head football coach at Ann Arbor Pioneer ...

(left halfback), Ralph Chubb (right halfback), and Jack Weisenburger (fullback).

Week 2: Iowa

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.

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. Michigan's starting lineup against Iowa was Len Ford (left end),

Robert Derleth Robert J. Derleth (June 9, 1922 – December 16, 2012) was an American football lineman. He played college football for the University of Michigan Wolverines football teams in 1942, 1943, 1945 and 1946 — missing the 1944 season due to mili ...

(left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard),

(center),

(right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle),

(right end),

(quarterback), Dan Dworsky (left halfback), Paul White (right halfback), and Jack Weisenburger (fullback).

Week 3: Army

On October 12, 1946, Michigan, ranked #4 in the AP Poll, played an Army team that was ranked #2 at Michigan Stadium. Army, favored to win the game by 12 points after winning 21 straight games dating back to the 1943 season, won by seven points with a score of 20 to 13. 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

. Glenn Davis, the 1946

Heisman Trophy The Heisman Memorial Trophy (usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman) is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard ...

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

. 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). Michigan's starting lineup against Army was Len Ford (left end),

(left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard),

(center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle),

(right end), Yerges (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Paul White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).

Week 4: Northwestern

On October 19, 1946, Michigan, ranked #5 in the AP Poll, played a Northwestern team that was ranked #10. The two teams played to a 14-14 tie at Michigan Stadium. Bump Elliott scored both of Michigan's touchdowns, and

kicked both of the points after touchdown. Late in the game, Michigan blocked a Northwestern attempt at field goal and then drove to the Northwestern three-yard line, but the ball was then intercepted in the end zone drive. Northwestern out-gained Michigan on the ground (202 rushing yards for Northwestern and 80 for Michigan) with Michigan out-gaining the Wildcats in the air (149 passing yards to 110). Michigan's starting lineup against Northwestern was Ed McNeill (left end),

(left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard),

(center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle),

(right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback),

(left halfback), Paul White (right halfback), and

(fullback).

Week 5: Illinois

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,

ran for the game's first touchdown, and

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

. 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

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. 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),

(left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard),

(center), Sickels (right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle),

(right end), Jack Weisenburger (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).

Week 6: at Minnesota

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

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,

threw a pass to Bob Mann that was good for 42 yards and a touchdown.

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. 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),

(left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard),

(center),

(right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle),

(right end), Jack Weisenburger (quarterback),

(left halfback), Ralph Chubb (right halfback), and Dan Dworsky (fullback).

Week 7: Michigan State

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. 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),

(three-yard run in second quarter),

(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).

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. Michigan's starting lineup against Michigan State was Bob Mann (left end),

(left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard),

(center),

(right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Pete Elliott (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Weisenburger (fullback).

Week 8: Wisconsin

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

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. Michigan's starting lineup against Wisconsin was Ed McNeill (left end),

(left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), Brieske (center),

F. Stuart Wilkins F. Stuart "Stu" Wilkins (February 25, 1928 – March 29, 2011) was an American football player, lawyer, and businessman. He played at the guard position for the University of Michigan football team from 1945 to 1948 and was a starter on the Wolveri ...

(right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle),

(right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and

(fullback).

Week 9: at Ohio State

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 Ohio Stadium is an American football stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on the campus of Ohio State University. It primarily serves as the home venue of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team and is also the site for the university's Spring Commencement c ...

history to that point. Michigan's touchdowns were scored by

(2), Bob Mann (2), Bob Chappuis, Paul White,

Dick Rifenburg Richard Gale Rifenburg (August 21, 1926 – December 5, 1994) was an American football player and a pioneering television broadcaster for the forerunner to WIVB-TV in Buffalo. He played college football for the University of Michigan Wolverin ...

, and Bill Culligan.

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." 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. Michigan's starting lineup against Ohio State was Ed McNeill (left end),

(left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard),

(center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle),

(right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback),

(left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Jack Weisenburger (fullback).

Scoring summary

Post-season

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. 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. They also ranked fifth in passing offense with 1,322 passing yards, an average of 146.9 yards per game. In the selection of All-America teams at the end of the 1946 season, three Michigan players received recognition: * End

was selected by the Associated Press (AP) as a first-team All-American, by the International News Service (INS) as a second-team All-American, and by the

Central Press Association The Central Press Association was American newspaper syndication company based in Cleveland, Ohio. It was in business from 1910 to 1971. Originally independent, it was a subsidiary of King Features Syndicate from 1930 onwards. At its peak, the ...

(CP) as a third-team All-American. * Halfback Bob Chappuis was selected by the INS as a second-team All-American and by the CP as a third-team All-American. * End Len Ford was selected by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) as a third-team All-American. Both the AP and United Press (UP) selected

1946 All-Big Nine Conference football team The 1946 All-Big Nine Conference football team consists of American football players selected to the All-Big Ten Conference teams selected by the Associated Press (AP) and United Press (UP) for the 1946 Big Nine Conference football season. The top ...

s. Elmer Madar and Bob Chappuis were consensus first-team picks by both the AP and UP Tackle Jack Carpenter received first-team honors from the UP, and guard Dominic Tomasi received second-team honors from the UP. Bob Chappuis was also selected as the Most Valuable Player on the 1946 Michigan team, 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.

Players

Varsity letter winners

The following players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1946 Michigan football team. Players who started at least half of the games are shown in bold. * Edward H. Bahlow,

Springfield, Illinois Springfield is the capital of the U.S. state of Illinois and the county seat and largest city of Sangamon County. The city's population was 114,394 at the 2020 census, which makes it the state's seventh most-populous city, the second largest o ...

- end * Robert M. Ballou, Chester, Vermont - tackle *

, Harbor Beach, Michigan - placekicker, and 1 game as starter at center * George Burg, Winnetka, Illinois - guard *

Bob Callahan Robert V. Callahan (April 11, 1937–December 26, 2020) is a former politician from Ontario, Canada. He served as a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1985 to 1995 representing the ridings of Brampton and Brampton South. ...

, St. Louis, Missouri - center * Jack Carpenter,

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...

- started 4 games at right tackle * Bob Chappuis, Toledo, Ohio - started 4 games at left halfback * Ralph L. Chubb,

Ann Arbor, Michigan Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Washtenaw County. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851. It is the principal city of the Ann Arbor ...

- started 2 games at right halfback * Fenwick J. Crane, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan - tackle * William L. Culligan, Detroit - halfback *

, Marquette, Michigan - started 3 games at left tackle *

, Defiance, Ohio - started 5 games at left halfback * Dan Dworsky, Sioux Falls, South Dakota - started 1 game at fullback * Bump Elliott,

- started 3 games at right halfback * Pete Elliott,

- started 1 game at quarterback *

, 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 *

, Detroit - started 7 games at right end * Bob Mann,

New Bern, North Carolina New Bern, formerly called Newbern, is a city in Craven County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 29,524, which had risen to an estimated 29,994 as of 2019. It is the county seat of Craven County and t ...

- started 2 games at left end * Edward D. McNeill, Toledo, Ohio - started 3 games at left end * Tony Momsen, Toledo, Ohio - * Bill Pritula, Detroit - started 5 games at right tackle *

Sturgis, Michigan Sturgis is a city in St. Joseph County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,994 at the 2010 census. The city is located at the northeast corner of Sturgis Township and at the intersection of US 12 and M-66. Sturgis is just nor ...

- started 2 games at right end *

, Saginaw, Michigan - end * Don Robinson, Detroit - quarterback *

, Benton Harbor, Michigan - started 3 games at right guard * Joe Soboleski, Grand Rapids, Michigan - guard * Dominic Tomasi,

Flint, Michigan Flint is the largest city and seat of Genesee County, Michigan, United States. Located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as Mid Michigan. At the 2020 census, Flint had a population of 8 ...

- started 9 games at left guard * Robert W. Vernier, Toledo, Ohio - quarterback *

, 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 *

, River Rouge, Michigan - started 6 games at center * Paul White, River Rouge, Michigan - started 3 games at right halfback *

, Jamestown, North Dakota - started 6 games at fullback *

Canton, Ohio Canton () is a city in and the county seat of Stark County, Ohio. It is located approximately south of Cleveland and south of Akron in Northeast Ohio. The city lies on the edge of Ohio's extensive Amish country, particularly in Holmes and ...

- 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. * Bruce Beatty, Canton, Ohio - halfback * Richard Brown, Detroit - tackle * Louis Brunsting, Jr.,

Rochester, Minnesota Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on rolling bluffs on the Zumbro River's south fork in Southeast Minnesota, the city is the home and birthplace of the renowned Mayo Clinic. Acco ...

- quarterback * John Eizonas, Detroit - tackle * Robert Erben, Akron, Ohio - center * Alan Fitch, Kensington, Michigan - guard * Walter Freihofer, Indianapolis, Indiana - guard *

John Ghindia John Verle Ghindia (October 12, 1925 – March 16, 2012) was an American football player, high school coach, educator, and municipal recreation director. Ghindia played college football at the University of Michigan from 1946 to 1949. He was the ...

, 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 Lakewood is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States, on the southern shore of Lake Erie. Established in 1889, it is one of Cleveland's historical streetcar suburbs and part of the Greater Cleveland, Greater Clevelan ...

- 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 Big Bend (shown as Bigbend on federal maps) is an unincorporated community in Calhoun County, West Virginia, United States. It lies along West Virginia Route 5 northwest of the town of Grantsville, the county seat of Calhoun County, along the L ...

- guard * Harold Raymond, Flint, Michigan - end * Richard Strauss, Lansing, Michigan - tackle * Alan Traugott, Indianapolis - halfback *

Irv Wisniewski Irvin C. "Whiz" Wisniewski (January 8, 1925 – February 26, 2014) was an American football and basketball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Hillsdale College in 1951, tallying a mark of 2–6. Wisniewski was also th ...

, Lambertville, Michigan - center * John Witherspoon, Detroit - guard * Michael Yedniak, Flint, Michigan - fullback

Awards and honors

* 1946 All-Americans:

(AP-1, INS-2), Bob Chappuis (INS-2) * All-Conference: Elmer Madar (AP-1, UP-1), Bob Chappuis (AP-1, UP-1), Jack Carpenter (UP-1), Dominic Tomasi (UP-2) * Most Valuable Player: Bob Chappuis * Meyer Morton Award: Bob Ballou

NFL and AAFC drafts

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 The All-America Football Conference (AAFC) was a professional American football league that challenged the established National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1949. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the ...

(AAFC): *

: Brieske was selected by the

Baltimore Colts The Baltimore Colts were a professional American football team that played in Baltimore from its founding in 1953 to 1984. The team now plays in Indianapolis, as the Indianapolis Colts. The team was named for Baltimore's history of horse breed ...

with the 81st pick in the

1947 AAFC Draft The 1947 AAFC Draft was the first collegiate draft of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). It used an inverse order to the teams' final standings in the 1946 season. The Buffalo Bills, which had finished with the same record as the Brookly ...

, and by the

New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. ...

with the 97th pick in the

1948 NFL Draft The 1948 National Football League Draft was held on December 19, 1947, at the Fort Pitt Hotel in Pittsburgh. This was the second year that the first overall pick was a bonus pick determined by lottery, with the previous year's winner Chicago Bea ...

. *

: Callahan was selected by the Chicago Cardinals with the 289th pick in the

1947 NFL Draft The 1947 National Football League Draft was held on December 16, 1946, at the Commodore Hotel in New York City, New York. The National Football League in this draft made the first overall pick, a bonus pick determined by lottery. The Chicago B ...

. He played for the

Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. ...

in 1948. * Jack Carpenter: Carpenter was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 24th pick in the

, and by the Chicago Cardinals with the 143rd pick in the

1944 NFL Draft The 1944 National Football League Draft was held on April 19, 1944, at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With the first overall pick of the draft, the Boston Yanks selected quarterback Angelo Bertelli. Player selections Round ...

. He played for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers from 1947 to 1949. * Bob Chappuis: Chappuis was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the eight pick in the

, and by

Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The team play their home games at Ford ...

with the 26th pick in the

. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Hornets in 1948 and 1949. * Ralph Chubb: Chubb was selected by the

Los Angeles Rams The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Rams compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division. The Rams play ...

with the 143rd pick in the

. *

: Derleth was selected by the Chicago Rockets with the 20th pick in the

, and by the

with the 29th pick in the

. He played for the Lions in 1947. *

: Derricotte was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the eight pick of the AAFC's secret draft held in July 1948, 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. * Dan Dworsky: Dworsky was drafted by the Los Angeles Dons with the fifth pick in the AAFC's secret draft held in July 1948, and by the

Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. It ...

with the 15th pick in the

1949 NFL Draft The 1949 National Football League Draft was held on December 21, 1948, at The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. The draft was preceded by a secret draft meeting held November 15, 1948, at the Hotel Schenley in Pittsburgh. This was the ...

. He played for the Dons in 1949. * Bump Elliott: Elliott was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 76th pick in the

. He opted instead to pursue a career in coaching. In 1949, brothers Bump and Pete Elliott worked together as assistant coaches at Oregon State. Bump was the head coach at Michigan from 1959 to 1968. * Pete Elliott: Elliott was drafted by the

Chicago Hornets The Chicago Rockets were an American football team that played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) from 1946 to 1949. During the 1949 season, the team was known as the Chicago Hornets. Unlike the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, an ...

with the third pick in the AAFC's secret draft held in July 1948, and by the

with the 127th pick in the

. 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 The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and interactive attraction devoted to college football. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the players and coaches of college football that were vote ...

in 1994. * Len Ford: Ford was drafted by the Los Angeles Dons with the 14th pick in the 1948 AAFC Draft. He played 11 years in the NFL from 1948 to 1958 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976. *

: Madar was selected by the

with the first pick in the

, and by the Detroit Lions with the 176th pick in the

. He played for the Colts in 1947. * Bob Mann: Mann played for the Detroit Lions (1948–1949) and Green Bay Packers (1950–1954). He was the first African-American player for both teams. * Ed McNeill: McNeill was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 37th pick in the

1949 AAFC Draft The 1949 AAFC Draft was the third and last collegiate draft of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The teams traded draft choices for the first time in league history. New York sent their first round pick to Chicago, which selected Pete El ...

, and by the Washington Redskins with the 88th pick in the

. * Tony Momsen: Momsen was selected by the

with the 59th pick in the

1951 NFL Draft The 1951 National Football League Draft was held January 18–19, 1951, at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. The Baltimore Colts folded after the 1950 season, and the NFL placed their players in the 1951 NFL draft. This was the fifth year that th ...

, and played in the NFL during the 1951 and 1952 seasons. * Bill Pritula: Pritula was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 118th pick in the 1948 AAFC Draft. *

: Renner was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 56th pick in the

1946 NFL Draft The 1946 National Football League Draft was held on January 14, 1946, at the Commodore Hotel in New York City, New York. The selections were initially withheld from the public out of fear that the newly formed All-America Football Conference wou ...

. *

: Rifenburg was selected by the New York Yankees with the 24th pick in the

, and by Philadelphia Eagles with the 132nd pick in the

. He played for the

in 1950. *

: Sickels was selected by the

with the 147th pick in the

. * Joe Soboleski: Soboleski was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 192nd pick in the

, and by the

with the 86th pick in the

. He played professional football in the AAFC and NFL for four years from 1949 to 1952. * Jack Weisenburger: Weisenburger was selected by the Washington Redskins with the 38th pick in the

. He was also selected by the New York Yankees with the 64th pick in the 1948 AAFC Draft. *

: White was selected by the Brooklyn Dodgers with the 84th pick in the

, and by the Detroit Lions with the 186th pick in the

. *

: Wiese was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 14th pick in the

, and by the

with the 39th pick in the

1945 NFL Draft The 1945 National Football League Draft was held on April 8, 1945, at the Commodore Hotel in New York City, New York. With the first overall pick of the draft, the Chicago Cardinals selected halfback Charley Trippi. Player selections Round o ...

. He played for the Lions in 1947 and 1948.

Coaching staff

*Head coach: Fritz Crisler *Assistant coaches :* ''Backfield coach'': Bennie Oosterbaan :* ''Line coach'':

assisted by Forrest "Butch" Jordan :* ''End coach'': Arthur Valpey :* ''"B" squad coach'': Wally Weber, assisted by head wrestling coach Cliff Keen and

Jack Petoskey Ernest Jack Petoskey (October 15, 1921 – March 3, 2017) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Hillsdale College from 1949 to 1950 and Western Michigan University from 1953 to 1956, compiling a career ...

:* ''Chief scout, assistant coach and assistant athletic director'':

Ernest McCoy Ernest B. McCoy (July 20, 1904 – September 16, 1980) was an All-American basketball player at the University of Michigan from 1927 to 1929. After graduating, he spent his entire professional career in college athletics, serving as the athle ...

, appointed to the new post in January 1946 *Trainer: Ray Roberts *Manager: Max Kogen

References

External links

1946 Football Team -- Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan Athletics History
{{Michigan Wolverines football navbox Michigan Michigan Wolverines football seasons

Michigan Wolverines football The Michigan Wolverines football team represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins in college football history. The team is known for its ...