The 1893 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football that represented the University of Michigan as a member of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest during the 1893 college football season. In its second season under head coach Frank Barbour, the team compiled a 7–3 record and outscored its opponents by a combined score of 278 to 102.
The Wolverines lost three games in the middle of the season to Amos Alonzo Stagg's Chicago Maroons, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, then closed the season with five consecutive victories, including victories over Purdue (46–8), Northwestern (72–6), and Kansas (22–0), and a Thanksgiving Day victory (28–10) in a rematch with Chicago.
Schedule
Game summaries
Game 1: Detroit Athletic Club
On October 7, Michigan defeated the Deltas of Detroit Athletic Club by a 6–0 score before a crowd of between 300 and 400 spectators at Regents Field in Ann Arbor. Left halfback Raynor Freund scored Michigan's touchdown (four points) after 16 minutes into the game, and fullback George Dygert kicked the goal from touchdown (two points). Neither team scored in the second half. Michigan's lineup in the game was Gustave Ferbert (left end), Edwin A. Murbach (left tackle), Willard W. Griffin (left guard), Charles T. Griffin (center), Frederick W. Henninger (right guard), William I. Aldrich (right tackle), Ralph W. Hayes and Walter A. Parker (right end), James Baird (quarterback), Freund (left halfback), Avery (right halfback), and Dygert (fullback).
Game 2: at Detroit Athletic Club
On October 14, Michigan again defeated Deltas, this time by a more dominant 26–0 score. The game began at 4:25 p.m. and was played in the rain, on a muddy field, and before a small crowd of approximately 150 persons at the Detroit Athletic Club grounds in Detroit. Michigan scored four touchdowns in the first half, and George Dygert kicked one goal from touchdown to give Michigan an 18-0 lead at halftime. Herman Leonard and Willard W. Griffin each scored two touchdowns in the half, including a 20-yard run by Leonard. Leonard and Griffin each scored another touchdown in the second half. Michigan's lineup in the game was Gustave Ferbert (left end), Henry M. Senter (left tackle), Frederick W. Henninger (left guard), C. H. Smith (center), W.W. Griffin (right guard), William I. Aldrich (right tackle), Mason (maybe Marsten) (right end), James Baird (quarterback), Leonard (left halfback), Raynor Freund (right halfback), and Dygert (fullback).
Game 3: at Chicago
On October 21, Michigan lost to Chicago by a 10–6 score on the grounds at 57th Street and Ellis Avenue in Chicago. Michigan's touchdown was scored by George Dygert, and W. W. Griffin kicked the goal from touchdown.
Michigan's lineup against Chicago was Gustave Ferbert (left end), Henry M. Senter (left tackle), W. W. Griffin (left guard), C. H. Smith (center), Frederick W. Henninger (right guard), Frank Villa (right tackle), Hayes (right end), James Baird (quarterback), Grosh and Paul (left halfback), Raynor Freund (right halfback), and Dygert (fullback).
Game 4: Minnesota
On October 28, Michigan lost to Minnesota, 30–24. The game began at 3:00 p.m. and was played in front of 1,000 spectators at Regents Field in Ann Arbor. Michigan's left halfback Raynor Freund scored two touchdowns, one on a 60-yard run around left end, and Hooper and Aldrich each scored one. Bartlett, a former Princeton player, started at right halfback for Michigan, but was injured and carried from the field. Dygert kicked at least one of the goals after touchdown for Michigan. Right halfback Southworth starred for Minnesota, scoring at least three touchdowns. The U. of M. Daily praised Minnesota for its excellent interference and "exceedingly strong" line.
When news of the victory reached the Minnesota campus, students there celebrated around a huge bonfire on the campus, executed "joyous gyrations", and toured the city, including a stop at the home of President Northrop.
Michigan's lineup against Minnesota was Ferbert (left end), Aldrich (left tackle), W. Griffin (left guard), C. H. Smith (center), Frederick W. Henninger (right guard), Hooper (right tackle), Roger Sherman (right end), James Baird (quarterback) (quarterback), Raynor Freund (left halfback), Bartell (right halfback), and George Dygert (fullback).