1932 Michigan Wolverines football team The 1932 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1932 college football season . Under fourth - year head coach Harry Kipke , Michigan compiled a perfect 8 – 0 record , outscored opponents 123 – 12 , and won both the Big Ten Conference and national championship s . The defense shut out six of its eight opponents and gave up an average of only 1 . 6 points per game . Although there was no AP Poll to determine a national champion in 1932 , the Knute K . Rockne Tropy was presented at the end of the season to the team deemed to be the national champion using the Dickinson System , a rating system developed by Frank G . Dickinson , a professor of economics of the University of Illinois . Michigan won the Rockne Trophy , edging Southern California in the Dickinson rating system . On offense , quarterback Harry Newman was selected as the consensus first - team quarterback on the 1932 College Football All - America Team . He also won the Chicago Tribune Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten Conference , the Douglas Fairbanks Trophy as Outstanding College Player of the Year ( predecessor of the Heisman Trophy ) , and the Helms Athletic Foundation Player of the Year Award . Newman scored all 22 points for Michigan in the last three games of the season . The Associated Press wrote , " Without Newman providing the winning spark , the Michigan team might have been just another football club . " Center Chuck Bernard and end Ted Petoskey were also selected as first - team All - Americans by some selectors . The team captain , Ivy Williamson , was selected as a second - team All - American in the Central Press Association ' s captains poll . Gerald Ford , who later became the 38th President of the United States , was the back - up center on the team and won the Meyer Morton Award as the most improved player in spring practice . Schedule . Season summary . Pre - season . The 1931 Michigan Wolverines football team compiled a record of 8 – 1 – 1 . The only first - team All - Americans from the 1931 squad , center Maynard Morrison and end Bill Hewitt , did not return to the team in 1932 . In September 1932 , Kenneth Conn , the sports editor of " The Toledo News - Bee " , wrote that Coach Harry Kipke had " sufficient reason to weep on every shoulder " as he faced the " stupendous task " of replacing his entire line from left tackle to right tackle . Conn wrote that Kipke ' s challenges were made worse by a " suicide schedule " and added : " No one can accuse the Wolverines of gaining a synthetic title if they can clamor triumphantly thru that list . In fact , it looks like Michigan athletic fathers had their eyes on the financial possibilities of such a schedule rather than a victorious season for their famed ' champions of the west . ' " In mid - September 1932 , the Associated Press published a feature story on the prospects of the 1932 Michigan team . The article focused on the " natural apprehension " of Coach Kipke in facing eight major opponents on eight consecutive Saturdays . Week 1 : Michigan State . On October 1 , 1932 , Michigan opened its season playing Michigan State College in Ann Arbor . Michigan won the game , 26 – 0 . Fullback John Regeczi ran for a touchdown in the first quarter following a long drive . Additional touchdowns were scored by Stanley Fay , John Heston , and Herman Everhardus . Quarterback Harry Newman had a 35 - yard punt return and successfully kicked two point after touchdown ( PAT ) attempts . Whitey Wistert sustained an ankle injury in the game . Michigan ' s starting lineup against Michigan State was Petoskey ( left end ) , Hildebrand ( left tackle ) , Kowalik ( left guard ) , Bernard ( center ) , Marcovsky ( right guard ) , Damm ( right tackle ) , Williamson ( right end ) , Newman ( quarterback ) , Fay ( left halfback ) , Everhardus ( right halfback ) , and Regeczi ( fullback ) . Week 2 : Northwestern . In the second week of the 1932 season , Michigan faced Northwestern . The two teams had not played since 1925 when Northwestern defeated Michigan , 3 – 2 , giving Fielding H . Yost ' s team its only loss of the 1925 season . The game was widely anticipated , as the two teams had tied for the Western Conference championship in 1926 , 1930 , and 1931 . The game was played at Michigan Stadium in front of 60 , 000 spectators and under clear skies . With All - American Pug Rentner leading the ground game , Northwestern was a heavy favorite . Northwestern outgained Michigan on the ground 105 rushing yards to 87 . Northwestern also converted eight first downs in the game to only one for Michigan . Michigan , however , was able to take advantage of a Northwestern turnover to score its first touchdown . Rentner fumbled on the first play after the opening kickoff , and Ivy Williamson recovered the ball for Michigan at Northwestern ' s nine - yard line . With less than three minutes having run off the clock , halfback Stanley Fay scored on an eight - yard off tackle run . Michigan missed the PAT and led , 6 – 0 . Northwestern fullback Ollie Olson threw a 22 - yard touchdown pass to George Potter later in the first quarter . Northwestern ' s PAT kick was blocked , and the score was tied 6 – 6 . In the second quarter , Michigan took a 12 – 6 lead on a 38 - yard touchdown pass from Harry Newman to Stanley Fay . In the third quarter , Newman returned an Ollie Olson punt 52 yards to the Northwestern eight - yard line . Michigan was unable to score a touchdown , but Newman kicked a field goal from the 15 - yard line to give Michigan its final margin of 15 – 6 . Michigan ' s starting lineup against Northwestern was Petoskey ( left end ) , Wistert ( left tackle ) , Kowalik ( left guard ) , Bernard ( center ) , Cantrill ( right guard ) , Damm ( right tackle ) , Williamson ( right end ) , Newman ( quarterback ) , Heston ( left halfback ) , Fay ( right halfback ) , and Regeczi ( fullback ) . Week 3 : at Ohio State . In the third week of the 1932 season , Michigan faced Ohio State , the only team to defeat Michigan in 1931 . Michigan won , 14 – 0 , on the strength of Harry Newman ' s passing . Michigan ' s first touchdown came early in the first quarter , following a 12 - yard punt by Ohio State . Taking over at the Ohio State 30 - yard line , Newman passed to Herman Everhardus at the 15 - yard line . Newman then threw to John Regeczi for the touchdown . In the second quarter , Newman threw a second touchdown pass to Ivy Williamson " who was standing unguarded near the goal line . " Newman converted both PATs . Michigan executed a defensive strategy in the second half , seeking to preserve its 14 – 0 lead . Early in the third quarter , Stanley Fay prevented a touchdown , knocking the ball out of the hands of an Ohio State receiver in the end zone . Regeczi also intercepted a pass , and Michigan ' s defense held on several drives deep into Michigan territory . The win proved costly , as two of Michigan ' s halfbacks were injured in the game . Stanley Fay sustained cracked ribs and missed the next three games . Jack Heston , the son of Willie Heston , fractured a bone in his right leg and was lost for the season . Michigan ' s starting lineup against Ohio State was Petoskey ( left end ) , Wistert ( left tackle ) , Cantrill ( left guard ) , Bernard ( center ) , Marcovsky ( right guard ) , Damm ( right tackle ) , Williamson ( right end ) , Newman ( quarterback ) , Fay ( left halfback ) , Everhardus ( right halfback ) , and Regeczi ( fullback ) . Week 4 : Illinois . In the fourth week , Michigan faced Illinois in Ann Arbor . Michigan won by its largest margin of the 1932 season , 32 – 0 . With the injury to Stanley Fay , John Regeczi was moved from fullback to right halfback , and Ted Petoskey was moved from his usual position at left end to fullback . Willis Ward , the first African - American to play for Michigan in 40 years , got his first start , replacing Petoskey at right end . Michigan ' s first touchdown came on a 34 - yard pass play from Harry Newman to Ivy Williamson . The second touchdown came on a 56 - yard run by Petoskey . Herman Everhardus ran for the third touchdown in the second period , and Michigan led 20 – 0 at halftime . On the opening kickoff of the second half , Newman returned the ball 76 yards to the Illinois 19 - yard line . Petoskey ran for the touchdown . The final touchdown came on a pass from Newman to Williamson . Newman converted two of five PATs in the game . Michigan gained 410 yards of total offense , 296 on the ground . Petoskey led the team with 187 rushing yards on 21 carries . Michigan ' s starting lineup against Illinois was Ward ( left end ) , Wistert ( left tackle ) , Kowalik ( left guard ) , Bernard ( center ) , Savage ( right guard ) , Austin ( right tackle ) , Williamson ( right end ) , Newman ( quarterback ) , Everhardus ( left halfback ) , Regeczi ( right halfback ) , and Petoskey ( fullback ) . Week 5 : Princeton . In the fifth week , Michigan faced Princeton in Ann Arbor . The Princeton squad was coached by Fritz Crisler , who would succeed Kipke as Michigan ' s head coach in 1938 . Princeton took a 7 – 2 halftime lead , but Michigan won , 14 – 7 , after scoring two second - half touchdowns . Behind the rushing of fullback Jack James , Princeton dominated in the first half , converting seven first downs to one for Michigan . Crisler ' s Princeton team had prepared for Harry Newman ' s passing game and allowed only one completion in the game . In the second quarter , Newman fumbled a punt at the Michigan 15 - yard line , and Ken Fairman recovered the fumble for Princeton . Halfback John F . Bales ran for the touchdown , giving Princeton a 7 – 0 lead . Later in the second quarter , Bales fumbled a Ted Petoskey punt at the Princeton 13 - yard line . The ball rolled into the end zone , where Bales picked it up . He was tackled in the end zone by Willis Ward for a safety , cutting Princton ' s lead to 7 – 2 . In the third quarter , Ivy Williamson blocked a Princeton punt at the ten - yard line . The ball rolled into the end zone , where it was recovered by Chuck Bernard for a Michigan touchdown . Newman missed the PAT , and Michigan led 8 – 7 . Michigan ' s final touchdown came on a nine - yard pass play from Newman to Ward . Newman against missed the PAT . A late drive into Michigan territory was stopped by an interception with less than a minute left in the game . Michigan ' s starting lineup against Princeton was Ward ( left end ) , Wistert ( left tackle ) , Kowalik ( left guard ) , Bernard ( center ) , Marcovsky ( right guard ) , Damm ( right tackle ) , Williamson ( right end ) , Newman ( quarterback ) , Everhardus ( left halfback ) , Regeczi ( right halfback ) , and Petoskey ( fullback ) . Week 6 : at Indiana . For its sixth game , Michigan traveled to Bloomington , Indiana , to play the Indiana Hoosiers . Michigan won , 7 – 0 , on a touchdown run and PAT by Harry Newman . After returning a punt to the Indiana 48 - yard line , Newman dropped back on a fake pass play and then ran for a 34 - yard gain . With a first down inside the Indiana one - yard line , fullback Ted Petoskey was stopped on first and second downs . On third down , Newman ran toward the sideline and into the endzone for the game ' s only score . On defense , the Wolverines held Indiana to 97 yards of total offense ( 77 rushing and 20 passing ) and intercepted five of Indiana ' s 13 pass attempts . Michigan ' s starting lineup against Indiana was Ward ( left end ) , Wistert ( left tackle ) , Savage ( left guard ) , Bernard ( center ) , Cantrill ( right guard ) , Austin ( right tackle ) , Williamson ( right end ) , Newman ( quarterback ) , Regeczi ( left halfback ) , Everhardus ( right halfback ) , and Petoskey ( fullback ) . Week 7 : Chicago . Michigan played its final home game against the University of Chicago on November 12 , 1932 . Michigan won , 12 – 0 . The game was played in the snow and with a cold wind blowing at Michigan Stadium . Michigan ' s first touchdown came in the second quarter on a 70 - yard punt return down the middle of the field by Harry Newman . The second touchdown was also scored by Newman , this time in the last minute of the game on a 28 - yard run off a fake pass play . Both PAT attempts failed . The game was the last by Chicago head coach Amos Alonzo Stagg against Michigan . In a pre - game ceremony , members of the 1905 Michigan Wolverines football team presented Stagg with a silver pitcher and ten silver glasses . Michigan ' s starting lineup against Chicago was Ward ( left end ) , Wistert ( left tackle ) , Savage ( left guard ) , Bernard ( center ) , Cantrill ( right guard ) , Austin ( right tackle ) , Williamson ( right end ) , Newman ( quarterback ) , Everhardus ( left halfback ) , Fay ( right halfback ) , and Petoskey ( fullback ) . Week 8 : at Minnesota . On November 19 , 1932 , Michigan concluded its undefeated season with a road game against Minnesota . Michigan was held to two first downs and 85 yards of total offense ( 67 rushing yards and 18 passing ) . Despite the lack of offensive production , Michigan won the game , 3 – 0 , on a field goal at the end of the second quarter . The score was set up when Minnesota fullback Jack Manders fumbled the ball near the end of the first half . Chuck Bernard and Ted Petoskey recovered the ball at Minnesota ' s 23 - yard line . With 36 seconds remaining in the first half , Michigan had the ball , fourth - and - goal at Minnesota ' s four - yard line . Harry Newman kicked the field goal , narrowly missing the upright to give Michigan the only three points scored by either team . Neither team was able to move the ball inside the other ' s 30 - yard line in the second half . Minnesota came closest to scoring in the third quarter when All - American Pug Lund broke into the open field , but slipped and fell trying to evade Harry Newman who was the last person with a chance to stop Lund . Michigan ' s starting lineup against Minnesota was Petoskey ( left end ) , Wistert ( left tackle ) , Savage ( left guard ) , Bernard ( center ) , Cantrill ( right guard ) , Austin ( right tackle ) , Williamson ( right end ) , Newman ( quarterback ) , Everhardus ( left halfback ) , Fay ( right halfback ) , and Regeczi ( fullback ) . Rockne Trophy . Eight teams finished the 1932 college football season with unbeaten and untied records : Auburn , Colgate , Centenary , Jefferson ( Texas ) , Michigan , Valparaiso , Southern California , and Brown . The Knute K . Rockne Tropy was presented at the end of the season to the team deemed to be the national champion using the Dickinson System , a rating model developed by Frank G . Dickinson , and economics professor at the University of Illinois . On November 28 , 1932 , Professor Dickinson announced that the field of teams eligible for the Rockne Trophy had been narrowed to Michigan , Pittsburgh ( despite two ties ) , and Southern California . On December 10 , 1932 , Professor Dickinson released the final results . Michigan won the Rockne Trophy as the best team in the country with a score of 28 . 47 points . Southern California placed second with a rating of 26 . 81 points , and Pitt finished third with 26 . 49 points .