Oberlin vs. Michigan: Who Won?
On November 19, 1892, the Oberlin College football team, coached by John Heisman, achieved a lossless season when they beat the University of Michigan, 24-22. This win is not without controversy though! (The 1892 football team is pictured above. John Heisman is in the second row, first on the left.)
The OC football team arrived in Ann Arbor by train on a very cold and blustery day. Both teams agreed (ahead of the game) to stop playing at 4:50 PM so the players could make the last train of the day. This was the same agreement made for the game in 1891.
The game was riddled with delays due to penalties, turnovers, and the weather. By 4:49 PM, the game was tied, 22-22. Oberlin managed to kick a quick goal, putting the score for Oberlin, 24-22. When both teams lined up for the next play, time was called. Oberlin determined that they were the winners and quickly left the field, even though there were 4 minutes left in the game.
As Oberlin was departing, Michigan lined up on the field and walked the ball over the goal line for a touchdown, even though time was called. This put the score at 26-24, Michigan. Michigan then claimed victory for themselves, saying that Oberlin forfeited.
Which team is right? As you can see from the front page of the Oberlin Review on November 23, 1892, each college was claiming their own victories (you can read the entire Review from that day here). The answer is still being argued to this day! Oberlin counts the 24-22 score as their victory, and Michigan counts the 26-24 score as their victory.
To read further about this game, plus more about the Oberlin College football team of the 1890s, check out When Oberlin was King of the Gridiron: The Heisman Years by Nat Brandt (2001).
