The 1953 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1953 Big Ten Conference football season. In its sixth year under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan, Michigan compiled a 6–3 record (3–3 against conference opponents), tied for fifth place in the Big Ten, outscored opponents by a combined total of 163 to 101, and was ranked No. 20 in the final AP Poll and No.
19 in the Coaches Polls.[1][2]
Center Dick O'Shaughnessy was the team captain, and right halfback Tony Branoff received the team's most valuable player award.[2] Two Michigan players received All-Big Ten honors: left end Bob Topp was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team player, and left halfback Ted Kress.[2][3]
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Duncan McDonald with 293 passing yards, Tony Branoff with 501 rushing yards, and Bob Topp with 331 receiving yards.[4]
Schedule
Date |
Opponent# |
Rank# |
Site |
Result |
Attendance |
September 26 |
Washington* |
|
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
W 50–0 |
44,086 |
October 3 |
Tulane* |
No. 4/NA |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
W 26–7 |
51,960 |
October 10 |
Iowa |
No. 5/7 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
W 14–13 |
49,551 |
October 17 |
Northwestern |
No. 5/6 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
W 20–12 |
64,420 |
October 24 |
at Minnesota |
No. 5/5 |
Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis (Little Brown Jug) |
L 0–22 |
62,795 |
October 31 |
Penn* |
No. 16/13 |
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |
W 24–14 |
56,795 |
November 7 |
at No. 4/4 Illinois |
No. 17/NR |
Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL (series) |
L 3–19 |
69,507 |
November 14 |
at No. 4/4 Michigan State |
|
Macklin Stadium • East Lansing, MI (rivalry) |
L 6–14 |
51,421 |
November 21 |
No. NR/17 Ohio State |
|
Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry) |
W 20–0 |
87,048 |
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll / Coaches Poll released prior to game. |
[1][2]
Statistical leaders
Michigan's individual statistical leaders for the 1953 season include those listed below.[4][5]
Rushing
Player | Attempts | Net yards | Yards per attempt | Touchdowns |
Tony Branoff | 100 | 501 | 5.0 | 5 |
Ted Kress | 101 | 339 | 3.4 | 5 |
Bob Hurley | 47 | 282 | 6.0 | 1 |
Passing
Player | Attempts | Completions | Interceptions | Comp % | Yards | Yds/Comp | TD | Long |
Duncan McDonald | 46 | 20 | 3 | 43.5 | 293 | 14.7 | 4 | 49 |
Lou Baldacci | 51 | 21 | 6 | 41.2 | 285 | 13.6 | 1 | 36 |
Ted Kress | 43 | 19 | 7 | 44.2 | 238 | 12.5 | 1 | 44 |
Receiving
Player | Receptions | Yards | Yds/Recp | TD | Long |
Gene Topp | 23 | 331 | 14.4 | 2 | 66 |
Gene Knutson | 11 | 201 | 18.3 | 1 | 33 |
Tony Branoff | 11 | 151 | 13.7 | 1 | 44 |
Players
The starting lineup of the 1953 football team was made up of the following players. Players who started at least four games are shown with their names in bold.[2]
- Lou Baldacci - started 9 games at quarterback
- James Balog - started 9 games at left tackle
- Richard Balzhiser[6] - started 9 games at fullback
- Richard Beison - started 9 games at right guard
- Tony Branoff - started 9 games at right halfback
- Donald Dugger - started 9 games at left end
- Gene Knutson - started 8 games at right end
- Ted Kress - started 9 games at left halfback
- John Morrow - started 4 games at center
- Dick O'Shaughnessy - started 5 games at center
- Dick Strozewski - started 9 games at left tackle
- Bob Topp - started 8 games at left end, 1 game at right end
- Jerry Williams - started 1 game at left end
Awards and honors
Honors and awards for the 1953 season went to the following individuals.[2]
Coaching staff
Michigan's 1953 coaching, training, and support staff included the following persons.[2]
Oosterbaan lifted to players' shoulders after 20-0 win over Ohio State
Notes
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National championship seasons in bold |