The 1901 Western University of Pennsylvania football team was an American football team that represented Western University of Pennsylvania (now known as the University of Pittsburgh) as an independent during the 1901 college football season.
Schedule
Season recap
Since there was a lack of funds to entice an outside coach for the 1901 football season, the Western University Athletic Association convinced Wilbur D. Hockensmith to organize the team. Mr. Hockensmith had just graduated from the Western University of Pa. with a degree in mechanical engineering and had played guard on the 1900 football team. "Coach" Hockensmith and team captain Malcolm McConnell managed to recruit enough players and were granted the use of Schenley Oval for their home field of play. They also arranged, through the Pittsburgh Railways Company, a deal so that all fans could attend the games free of charge.
Chancellor William J. Holland's master vision was to bring the University to the East End and introducing the residents and students to amateur football on the Schenley Oval was a step in the right direction. The WUP administration also demanded that their opponents sign an agreement that all athletes were in good academic standing at the school. After two games, the Athletic Committee appointed Winthrop S. Worcester to assistant football manager so Richard Wallace could spend more time as an assistant coach. They also resolved that all teams representing the WUP must be amateur and they could not play against a professional team. In its first season under head coach Wilbur Hockensmith, the team compiled a 7–2–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 96 to 53.
Game summaries
At Penn State
The first game of the 1901 season was September 28 at Bellefonte, Pa. against the strong eleven of State College. The problem for Coach Hockensmith and team captain McConnell was that the Medical School did not start until October 1. Tryouts were held and a practice game was played against the No. 13 team. This was a team of deaf mutes and they played hard against the University boys for an hour.
Coach and captain chose a lineup and they felt prepared for the fourth chapter in the Penn State rivalry. However, State coach William Golden's eleven were too much of a challenge for the undermanned WUP. The Staties had played the week before and were even much better after another week of practice. Henry Scholl and Ed Whitworth each scored three touchdowns. Robert Bennett added another touchdown and Sam Russell connected on two goal kicks to make the final score 37–0. The WUP lineup for the game against Penn State was Richard Wallace (left end), James Chessrown (left tackle), Andrew Wallgren (left guard), Stacy Hankey (center), Hill (right guard), William Secrist (right tackle), Logan (right end), Hugh Morrow (quarterback), John Martin (left halfback), Reed (right halfback) and Malcolm McConnell (fullback). Parke Bachman replaced Stacy Hankey at center. The game was played in 30-minute halves.