1898 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1898 Michigan Wolverines football team was one of the greatest early Michigan teams. Led by coach Gustave Ferbert in his second year, they went undefeated 10-0 (3-0 in the Western Conference) and won the conference title for the first time. They outscored opponents 205 to 26, with six shutouts, including a 23-0 win over Notre Dame. The season’s finale was a dramatic 12-11 victory over the University of Chicago that clinched the Western Conference championship and inspired Louis Elbel to write Michigan’s fight song, The Victors.
Key players and honors
- Charles Widman was the team’s scoring leader with 12 touchdowns, including a memorable 65-yard run against Chicago.
- William Cunningham, the center, was named first-team All-American by Caspar Whitney. Walter Camp named Cunningham and tackle Allen Steckle as second-team All-Americans.
- Five Wolverines earned first-team All-Western honors: William Caley (halfback), Cunningham (center), Steckle (tackle), Neil Snow (end), and John W. F. Bennett (end).
People behind the success
- Charles A. Baird returned to Michigan as the athletic director, taking control of all sports programs to help rebuild the program.
- Keene Fitzpatrick rejoined as trainer, contributing to the team’s strong conditioning.
- Ferbert, who had played on earlier Michigan teams, remained as head coach.
Season context and notable notes
- The 1897 team went 6–1–1 and finished behind Chicago in the Western Conference. Several linemen returned in 1898, but the backfield was rebuilt with new players, including Charles Street, William Wilson Talcott, Alanson Weeks, and Charles Widman.
- Leo J. Keena returned from the Spanish–American War but missed much of the season due to malaria.
Season highlights and key games
- Michigan State Normal (now Eastern Michigan) 0–21: A 21–0 opener to judge players’ abilities.
- Kenyon College 0–29: A strong win with several scorers.
- Michigan Agricultural College (MSU) 0–39: The intrastate rivalry began, with Michigan dominating 39–0.
- Adelbert College (Western Reserve) 0–18: Early conference-style play.
- Case Scientific School 5–23: A solid victory in mid-October.
- Notre Dame 0–23: A strong defensive showing against a highly regarded program.
- Alumni game 2–11: An exhibition, not counting toward the season record.
- Northwestern 5–6: A hard-fought conference game won in tough conditions.
- Illinois 5–12: A muddy, physical battle in Detroit, Michigan prevailed.
- Beloit College 0–22: A fast, clean win against a smaller program.
- Western Reserve (case) 0–18: A steady non-conference win.
- Case (Cleveland) 5–23: A midweek tune-up before the big games.
- Chicago 11–12: The dramatic, title-clinching victory on Thanksgiving Day. Widman ran a key 65-yard touchdown in the second half to seal the win.
Season finale and legacy
- The 12–11 victory over Chicago made Michigan the Western Conference champions for the first time.
- The win sparked celebrations back home in Ann Arbor, including parades, a big bonfire, and widespread fan excitement.
- The season’s performance earned national attention, and Cunningham was highlighted as an All-American, making him Michigan’s first football All-American. Whitney also named several Michigan players to his All-Western team.
- The victory over Chicago inspired Louis Elbel to compose The Victors, Michigan’s famous fight song.
- The 1898 team left a lasting legacy in Michigan football, establishing the school as a major force in the Western Conference and setting a standard for future success.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 23:03 (CET).