The Detroit College Tigers football teams (later known as the Detroit Titans) represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) in American football. The team played its home games at various locations in Detroit, including the grounds of the Detroit Athletic Club.
Highlights of the school's first 13 years of intercollegiate football include the following:
- The team played its first game on October 15, 1896, defeating the Detroit School for Boys by a 20–0 score.
- The team played its first intercollegiate game on November 26, 1896 against St. Ignatius College Chicago, losing by a 20–0 score. Detroit did not play another intercollegiate game until November 29, 1900. In a rematch with St. Ignatius, the Detroit team won by an 11–0 score.
- The 1899 team compiled a 5–1–1 and outscored opponents by a total of 101 to 15. The first four games were played against local high schools, and the last game was played against the college's alumni.
- In 1901, the team played its first game against Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University).
- On October 10, 1903, the team played its first game against the Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) from Ypsilanti. The Detroiters won by a 6–0 score.
- In November 1905, after only one game had been played, the college president, Rev. Kellinger, declared that football was "too rough" and too expensive. The team was then disbanded. In October 1906, the college faculty voted to allow students to resume competition in intercollegiate football.
- In 1909, the school played its first season exclusively against other college teams. Prior to 1909, the school's opponents had consisted largely of local high schools, clubs, alumni, and other institutions.
1896
The 1896 Detroit College Tigers football team represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) during the 1896 college football season. Detroit outscored opponents by a combined total of 66 to 40 and finished with a 5–2 record in their first year of intercollegiate football.[1][2] The team's head coach was William S. Robinson.
In the only intercollegiate football game of the season, Detroit was shut out by St. Ignatius College by a 20 to 0 score on Thanksgiving Day.[3]
Leo J. Keena played at the fullback position for the 1896 Detroit team,[4] and later played for Michigan from 1897 to 1899. Ernest O'Brien was the captain of the 1896 team.[2]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
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October 15 | Detroit School for Boys | | W 20–0 | | [5][6]
|
October 22 | Hubbard Cadets | - Michigan Athletic Association grounds
- Detroit, MI
| W 24–0 | | [7]
|
October 29 | Kappa Gamma Psi of Detroit High School | - Michigan Athletic Association grounds
- Detroit, MI
| L 0–16 | | [8]
|
| Detroit alumni | | W 30–0 | | [1]
|
November 12 | Union Athletic Club | - Michigan Athletic Association grounds
- Detroit, MI
| W 32–0 | | [4]
|
November 19 | Hubbard Cadets | Detroit, MI | W | | [9][10]
|
November 26 | St. Ignatius College Chicago | - Michigan Athletic Association grounds
- Detroit, MI
| L 0–20 | 800 | [3]
|
Players
The team included the following players:
- Francis T. Atkinson, quarterback[7][8][4][10][3]
- Ernest A. O'Brien,[11] halfback[7][8][4][10][3]
- W. Alfred Debo,[12] halfback[7][8][4][10][3]
- Leo J. Keena, fullback[7][8][4][10][3]
- William Van Dyke, center[7][8][4][10][3]
- James I. Atkinson, guard[7][8][4][10][3]
- Maurice W. Chawke,[13] guard[7][8][4][10][3]
- C. O'Reilly "Riley" Riley Atkinson, tackle[7][8][4][10][3]
- Robert E. Lee, tackle[7]
- John J. Walsh, tackle[8][4][10][3]
- Alfred B. Moran, end[7][8]
- Dohaney, end[4][10]
- Frederick V. Burnham, end[3]
- Otto F. Lang, end[7][8][4][10][3]
1897
The 1897 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1897 college football season. In its second season under head coach William S. Robinson, the team compiled a 1–2 record and was outscored by opponents by a combined total of 36 to 28. The team played one game against the Michigan Military Academy (a 26–24 loss) and two games against Detroit High School (one win and one loss). The result of the loss was disputed because the high school game had two players who were not students.[14][15]
Schedule
1898
The 1898 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1898 college football season. In its third season under head coach William S. Robinson, the team compiled a 5–0 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 91 to 12. The team played games against Detroit School for Boys, Irvings, Detroit Alumni, Michigan Military Academy and Mount Clemens High School.[1]
Schedule
1899
The 1899 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1899 college football season. In its fourth season under head coach William S. Robinson, the team compiled a 5–1–1 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 101 to 15. The team's sole loss came against the Detroit Athletic Club reserves. Its victories were against Detroit School for Boys, Detroit Central High School, Detroit Monroe High School, Gutchess Business College and the Detroit Alumni.[1]
Schedule
1900
The 1900 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1900 college football season. In its first season under head coach John C. Mackey, the team compiled a 3–2 record and outscored its opponents by a total of 71 to 23. Five of the team's opponents were high schools. The only intercollegiate game was an 11–0 victory over Loyola University Chicago.[25]
Schedule
1901
The 1901 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1901 college football season. In its second season under head coach John C. Mackey, the team compiled a 3–3 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 66 to 58. Four of the team's opponents were high schools, and a fifth game was played against alumni. The only intercollegiate game was an 11–0 victory over Detroit Business University.[25]
Schedule
1902
The 1902 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1902 college football season. In its first season under head coachEdward J. Ryan, the team compiled a 3–3 record and were outscored its opponents by a combined total of 33 to 32. The team opened the season with an 11-0 loss to Michigan Agricultural.[25]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Source |
---|
October 4 | Michigan Agricultural | | L 0–11 | [34]
|
October 18 | Walkerville | | W 11–0 | [35]
|
November 1 | Y.M.C. of Saint Vincent's Church | | L 0–5 | [36]
|
November 5 | Central High School | - Detroit Athletic Club grounds
- Detroit, MI
| W 11–0 | [37]
|
November 15 | Detroit University School | Detroit, MI | L 5–17 | [38]
|
November 27 | Seldens | - Detroit Athletic Club grounds
- Detroit, MI
| W 5–0 | [39]
|
1903
The 1903 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1903 college football season. In its first season under head coach W. Alfred Debo, the team compiled a 3–4 record and were outscored its opponents by a combined total of 71 to 23. The team lost to the Michigan freshman team by a 45–0 score.[25]
Schedule
1904
The 1904 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1904 college football season. In its second season under head coach Alfred W. Debo, the team compiled a 4–2 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 76 to 28.[25]
Schedule
1905
The 1905 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1905 college football season. Jerry Girardin was hired in mid-October as the team's head coach.[53] The team initially had a schedule with six opponents.[54] However, on November 9, the college's president, Rev. Kellinger, refused to allow the football team to play the Detroit University School and declared that football "as it is played today is altogether too rough" and that the game was also too expensive.[55] In response, coach Girardin said he would never coach a team of the college again. The team was then disbanded.[55]
Schedule
1906
The 1906 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1906 college football season. In its second season under head coach Edward J. Ryan, the team compiled a 4–2–1 record and outscored its opponents by a combined total of 52 to 21.[58]
The football team had disbanded during the 1905 season. In early October 1906, the college faculty decided upon further consideration to allow students to participate in sports, on the condition that the athletic association bear all expense.[59]
Schedule
1907
The 1907 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (renamed the University of Detroit in 1911) as an independent during the 1907 college football season. In its first season under head coach George A. Kelly, the team compiled a 1–3 record and was outscored by its opponents by a combined total of 59 to 6.[58]
Schedule
1908
No team
1909
The 1909 Detroit College Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Detroit College (later renamed the University of Detroit) as an independent during the 1909 college football season. In its second season under head coach George A. Kelly, the team compiled a 3–1–2 record and shut out four opponents, but was outscored by its opponents by a combined total of 35 to 17. The team opened the season with a 27–0 loss to Michigan Agricultural (later renamed Michigan State University).[58]
Schedule
References
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- ^ a b "University of Detroit Football Collection". University of Detroit. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Garnet and Gold Won: St. Ignatius College Beat the Detroit Boys 20 to 0". Detroit Free Press. November 27, 1896. p. 4.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "College Boys Won". The Detroit Free Press. November 13, 1896. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "First Game for Detroit College". The Detroit Free Press. October 15, 1896. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The College Juniors Won the Game". The Detroit Free Press. October 16, 1896. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Football: Students Shut Out Soldiers". The Detroit Free Press. October 23, 1896. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Football: College and High School To-Day". The Detroit Free Press. October 29, 1896. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College and Cadets Meet To-day". The Detroit Free Press. November 19, 1896. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "The Detroit College Beat the Cadets". The Detroit Free Press. November 20, 1896. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ernest A. O'Brien, Federal Judge, Dies". Detroit Free Press. October 10, 1948. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ex-Dem Chairman Debo Dies". Detroit Free Press. March 8, 1960. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Msg. M. W. Chawke, Flint Pastor, Dies at 79". Detroit Free Press. January 30, 1950. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Protested Their Men: Detroit College Objected to Two High School Players". The Detroit Free Press. November 5, 1897. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Detroit High School Team Disbanded". The Detroit Free Press. November 6, 1897. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "First Game for Detroit College". The Detroit Free Press. October 16, 1897. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "M.M.A. 26, Detroit College, 24". The Detroit Free Press. October 29, 1897. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ended in Row Again: High School and Detroit College Teams Squabble Again". The Detroit Free Press. November 19, 1897. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Two Players Injured". The Detroit Free Press. November 18, 1898. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "untitled". The Detroit Free Press. November 24, 1898. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College Won a Good Game Yesterday". The Detroit Free Press. October 6, 1899. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College Downed Monroe Easily". The Detroit Free Press. November 3, 1899. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Reserves Won a Good Game". The Detroit Free Press. November 10, 1899. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Thanksgiving Game at Bennett Park". The Detroit Free Press. November 26, 1899. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Detroit Yearly Results (1900-1904)". College Football Data Warehouse. David DeLassus. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
- ^ "Ann Arbor Team Won by a Narrow Margin". The Detroit Free Press. October 28, 1900. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College and Central High School Clash To-day". The Detroit Free Press. November 3, 1900. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "St. Ignatius and Detroit". The Chicago Tribune. November 28, 1900. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College, 11; St. Ignatius, 0". The Chicago Tribune. November 30, 1900. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Umpire Didn't Know the Game". Detroit Free Press. October 6, 1901. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Defeat for Detroit College". Detroit Free Press. October 18, 1901. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Western High School Eleven Beaten". Detroit Free Press. October 25, 1901. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Too Much Wrangling: Detroit College-Business University Match a Fiasco". Detroit Free Press. November 21, 1901. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College Lost: Played Fast and Pluckily Against Overweight". Detroit Free Press. October 5, 1902. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College Won First Game Under New Management". Detroit Free Press. October 19, 1902. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College Lost". Detroit Free Press. November 2, 1902. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Evened Up on Past Defeats". Detroit Free Press. November 6, 1902. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "D.U.S. Team City Champion". Detroit Free Press. November 16, 1902. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hard Struggle for Victory". Detroit Free Press. November 28, 1902. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Delta Eleven Beat College". Detroit Free Press. October 4, 1903. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College Eleven Fast: Won Its First Game From Ypsi Normal". Detroit Free Press. October 11, 1903. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Too Cyclonic for College". Detroit Free Press. October 18, 1903. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gave College Stiff Battle: Polish Seminary Made Collegians Hustle To Win". Detroit Free Press. October 30, 1903. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eastern High Beat College". Detroit Free Press. November 6, 1903. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College Lost to Normals". Detroit Free Press. November 13, 1903. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College and D.A.C. Victors: Two Important Games on Detroit Gridirons; Collegians Furnish Surprise by Besting the Prep. Champions". Detroit Free Press. November 27, 1903. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College Won by Single Point". Detroit Free Press. October 9, 1904. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit College Beat Delray High Team". Detroit Free Press. October 14, 1904. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Spirited Games on Detroit Gridirons: College Had Walkaway, But Showed Fine Team Play". Detroit Free Press. October 23, 1904. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit Business College Was Downed by M.B.C." Detroit Free Press. October 30, 1904. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mt. Clemens Lost to Detroit College". Detroit Free Press. November 4, 1904. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "School Football Year's Brilliant Finale: College Was Downed by Speedy Team from Eastern". Detroit Free Press. November 25, 1904. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College Secures a Coach". Detroit Free Press. October 15, 1905. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Good Start for College: Beat Monroe High in Very Handy Manner; Season Will Be A Very Busy One From Now On". Detroit Free Press. November 3, 1905. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "College Disbands as Result of Prohibition of D.U.S. Game Though All Other Contests Were Approved". Detroit Free Press. November 10, 1905. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College Goes to Monroe". Detroit Free Press. November 2, 1905. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College Play Lawyers". Detroit Free Press. November 4, 1905. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
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- ^ "Returns to Collegiate: Detroit College Plans to Rank in Athletics With Sister Institutions". Detroit Free Press. October 10, 1906. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College Wins First Game: Beat Mt. Clemens High on Latter's Grounds by 5 to 0 Score". Detroit Free Press. October 12, 1906. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "College Team Shows Well: Detroiters Hold Heavy Normal Eleven to a Score of 6 to 0". Detroit Free Press. October 26, 1906. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
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- ^ "College Wins on Safety: Game Largely Featured by Faulty Decisions". Detroit Free Press. November 16, 1906. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Surprise for College Team: Is Forced to Limit to Beat Delray, Winning by One Touchdown". Detroit Free Press. November 25, 1906. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
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- ^ "Wins by Single Point: Detroit College Downs the Husky Adrian Eleven". Detroit Free Press. October 18, 1907. p. 6.
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- ^ "Thrilling End to Speedy Game: Kelly's Goal from the 34-Yard Line Gives Detroit College Team Victory". Detroit Free Press. October 30, 1909. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
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- ^ "Kelly's Kick Wins Close One: Detroit College Quarterback Turns Defeat to Victory in Game With Ypsi-Normals". Detroit Free Press. November 14, 1909. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
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National championship seasons in bold |