The 1896 Western University of Pennsylvania football team was an American football team that represented the Western University of Pennsylvania (now known as the University of Pittsburgh) as an independent during the 1896 college football season.
Schedule
Season recap
On June 15, 1896, the Western University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees elected George W. Hoskins to the chair of physical culture. Hoskins was previously the head coach at Pennsylvania State College from 1892 to 1895 and compiled a 17–4–4 record. His unique style of coaching introduced after practice critiquing sessions with blackboard chalk talks, and giving quizzes about the new rule changes for the upcoming season. There were a host of applicants for team positions, and practice was mandatory unless the coach received a legitimate excuse. In its first and only season under head coach George W. Hoskins, the team compiled a 2-7 record and was outscored by a total of 69 to 42.
Game summaries
At Pittsburgh Athletic Club
The George Hoskins led WUP eleven opened the season on Saturday, September 26 against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club (PAC) on the East End Grounds. The first half was scoreless with both teams struggling to sustain their offense. Coach Hoskins played center and did a lot of punting. Weakley, Donaldson and Shaler did the bulk of the ball carrying for the WUP. At the end of the half Atherton of PAC tried a 40 yard field goal but it sailed wide. Five minutes into the second half, the PAC offense methodically advanced the ball down the field and Bushman carried it over the goal line for the first touchdown of the game. Atherton kicked the goal after and PAC led 6–0. The WUP offense then moved down the field to the PAC five yard line and Hoskins tried an onside kick but Aull of PAC recovered. The WUP defense held PAC from scoring again and finally got the ball back with a minute left. The WUP offense was able to move the ball to the 25 yard line and Hoskins tried another onside kick from there. Weakley of the WUP recovered it in the end zone for the touchdown. Kirkpatrick missed the goal after and the final score was 6–4 in favor of PAC.
The WUP starting lineup for the P.A.C. game was Al Marshall (left end), Williams (left tackle), Charles Burheim (left guard), George Hoskins (center), Smith (right guard), Edgar Guilford (right tackle), Jay Henry (right end), William Shaler (quarterback), Donaldson (left halfback), Weakley (right halfback) and Kirkpatrick (fullback).
At Penn State
On October 3, the WUP eleven made their second trip to Beaver Stadium to take on State College. The WUP defense played an excellent game, but J. A. Dunsmore of State College was able to scamper twenty yards around the end for a touchdown near the end of the first half. Clarence Thompson, State's kicker, missed the goal after and the score stood 4–0 at halftime. The second half was shortened to fifteen minutes. State received the ball first and the WUP defense held. State College attempted to punt but the WUP defense blocked the kick. Left end Al Marshall recovered the ball in the end zone for a WUP touchdown. Quarterback William Shaler missed the goal after. The State College offense then sustained a fifty yard drive culminating with another touchdown by Dunsmore. Ensminger's try for goal after was successful. The WUP offense proceeded to move the ball into State territory and tried an unsuccessful late field goal. The final score was 10–4 in favor of State College.
The WUP starting lineup for the Penn State game was Al Marshall (left end), Williams (left tackle), Charles Burheim (left guard), George Hoskins (center), Smith (right guard), Edgar Guilford (right tackle), Jay Henry (right end), William Shaler (quarterback), Donaldson (left halfback), Weakley (right halfback) and Kirkpatrick (fullback).
At Latrobe Athletic Association
The next game on the schedule was against the Latrobe Athletic Association in Latrobe, Pa. on October 10. Early in the first half the referee called a play by Latrobe illegal and a squabble ensued for close to an hour. Finally, the WUP team decided to play ball and the first half ended scoreless. After halftime Latrobe's offense controlled the game, but the stingy WUP defense held them to one touchdown. The WUP offense was unable to generate much rushing yardage and they lost the game 4–0.
The WUP starting lineup for the Latrobe game was Al Marshall (right end), Williams (right tackle), Charles Burheim (right guard), George Hoskins (center), Smith (left guard), Edgar Guilford (left tackle), Jay Henry (left end), William Shaler (quarterback), Donaldson (right halfback), Weakley (left halfback) and Kirkpatrick (fullback).