Ohio State 13 Michigan 3
Ann Arbor, Oct. 25, 1919
Published in The Ohio State University Monthly on November 1919

On October 25 was accomplished that which made the heart of every alumnus joyous- the defeat of Michigan at football. Accompanied by 3500 rooters, about half of whom were alumni, the Buckeyes invaded Ann Arbor and returned a 13-3 count against the clan of Yost. The Maize and Blue had no excuse to offer, as the Michigan team was one of the strongest ever put out at Ann Arbor and was in good trim at the start. The Wolverines were fortunate to escape with the score as low as it was for they were completely outclassed after the first period, failing to make a first down in the last three quarters and making but one in the entire game.

A blocked punt and one of Harley’s sensational runs accounted for the Buckeye counts while a drop kick by Sparks saved the Wolverines from a shut out. About 25,000 people witnessed the Michigan downfall.

Ohio State gained 247 yards and made six first downs while Michigan gained but 82 yards, almost half of which came in the first period. Michigan tried eighteen forward passes, everyone of which was blocked or intercepted by Ohio State. The Buckeyes got away with four of their eleven attempts at the aerial game.

When Stinchcomb dropped the kickoff giving Michigan the ball on Ohio State’s twenty-yard line, the Buckeye stands groaned. Two punches at the Buckeye line lost ground and then a pass to Dunne over the goal line was tried, but it failed. Harley punted and Michigan came back with two successive first downs before she was forced to kick. Then Ohio State drove the Wolverines back to their own goal line on an exchange of punts.
With the ball on the Ohio State forty-five yard line, Harley circled end, for twenty-five yards. He missed a field goal by inches a moment later. Michigan fumbled but recovered near the goal line. Huffman, Myers and Speirs blocked Spark’s punt and with Flower fell on the ball ‘behind the goal line. Harley kicked the goal while the Ohio stands roared.

After the kickoff, Ohio State got the ball on the Michigan thirty-two yard line. A pass gained six and then “Chic”, with Michigan men surrounding him, ran away from them and passed to Stinchomb for first down. Two plays and a pass to Flower would have been good for a touchdown but Flower fumbled and Michigan had the ball on their own three yard line.
In the second period, a long punt by Sparks went out of bounds on the Ohio State five yard line. The Buckeyes punted and a moment later, Sparks drop kicked a perfect goal from the forty-two yard line. The period was marked by many futile passes by Michigan. They were once on the Ohio State twenty-seven yard line by virtue of an intercepted forward pass but could get no closer.

After Michigan was held for downs on the Ohio State thirty-six yard line at the start of the second half, Stinchomb went through Michigan’s line on a sneak for twenty-two yards. On the next play, Harley took the ball around Peach. Vick and Weston dove at “Chic” and missed, Sparks awaited him with outstretched arms, but missed, and Harley traveled the forty-two yards to touchdown successfully. He was downed in the corner of the field and. the punt out failed. Both teams played hard this period, several men being thrown for losses. A smash by Myers when he left his feet in a desperate tackle for an eight yard loss was one of the features of the game.
In the fourth quarter, Ohio State smashed through to the five-yard line, where Michigan recovered a fumble. Forward passes were the order for the closing moments of the game with the work of Harley and Stinchcomb at breaking up perfect passes next to sensational. The game ended with Ohio State on Michigan’s thirty-seven yard line.

Purdue, Wisconsin and Illinois remained on the Buckeye schedule after Michigan. These games were to come in order the three weeks starting November 8. The Wisconsin game was the only one to be played away from Columbus. The Illinois game was to be the home-coming affair and a record crowd was indicated by the heavy early demand for reservations.

 

Now read the Michigan view.