The 1923 Michigan Agricultural Aggies football team was an American football team that represented Michigan Agricultural College (MAC), now known as Michigan State University, as an independent during the 1923 college football season. In their first year under head coach Ralph H. Young, the Aggies compiled a 3–5 record and were outscored by a total of 144 to 56. It was the Aggies' 28th season of intercollegiate football.[1]
MAC opened its season with a 34–0 loss to Amos Alonzo Stagg's Chicago Maroons. The Aggies also suffered one-sided losses to Wisconsin (21–0), rivalMichigan (37–0), and Creighton (27–7). The team's only victories were in games with Lake Forest (21–6), Albion (13–0), and Detroit (2–0). After the victory over Detroit in the final game of the season, MAC's students were criticized for their "deplorable" actions as "an ordinary mob" resulting in the destruction of private property and a "battle with the police." The Lansing State Journal wrote that the students needed "a good spanking."[2]
Key players included end Ray "Stub" Kipke, the younger brother of Michigan's All-American halfback Harry Kipke,[3][4] and quarterback Roland Richards.
MAC played its games in a new, but not fully completed, concrete Aggie Stadium with a seating capacity of 16,000 for the 1923 season.[5] The stadium was officially dedicated in 1924.
With dissatisfaction among MAC alumni after the football team went 6–10–2 between 1921 and 1922, head coach Albert Barron stepped down after the 1922 season.[14]Ralph H. Young was hired as both athletic director and head coach of the school's major sports, including football, with his duties set to commence on September 1.[a][15][16] Young came to MAC following a successful tenure of six years (combined)[b] at Kalamazoo College.[17] He led Kalamazoo's football team to an overall record of 33–16–2 and won three Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championships.[17] He also briefly served as the head football coach for DePauw in 1915, giving him a combined overall record of 38–19–2.
Young's first staff move was to hire former All-WesternOhio StateguardTarzan Taylor as the school's line coach.[18] Taylor had just finished winning back-to-back APFA/NFL championships with the Chicago Staleys and Canton Bulldogs, respectively. Young also retained renowned football, basketball, and baseball coach Mysterious Walker to be the team's freshman coach, after spending the previous season as the team's backfield coach.[citation needed] Former MAC star fullbackGeorge E. Julian offered to unofficially look over the backfield.[19]
Michigan Agricultural played its previous 23 seasons at Old College Field, but prior to the 1923 season, construction began on a new $160,000 stadium.[5] The stadium was temporarily referred to as Aggie Stadium before being dedicated in 1924 as College Field. The stadium was only partially completed upon the team's home-opener on October 6 but was still able to hold 16,000 people.[7]
Chicago's Bill Zorn being tackled during the team's game
Michigan Agricultural opened its 1923 season against the University of Chicago at Stagg Field, and lost to the Maroons 34–0 in what was Ralph H. Young's first game as head coach of the Aggies. In a game dominated by Chicago in every aspect, Michigan Agricultural did not score a single point throughout the entire game.[21]
The Maroons throttled the Aggies with two 20-yard touchdown passes in the first quarter. The dominance continued throughout the game as Chicago captain Jimmy Pyott scored following a fumble by the Aggies. End Campbell Dickson paved the way for the Chicago victory as he scored three of the team's five touchdowns.[20] Michigan Agricultural did not complete a single pass, as their one completion was called back for an offsides penalty, while also throwing three interceptions.[20]
The starting lineup was Ray Kipke (left end), Vivian Hultman (left tackle), Donald Haskins (left guard), Harold Eckerman (center), Maurice Taylor (right guard), Edward Eckert (right tackle), Allen Edmunds (right end) Roland Richards (quarterback), Elton Neller[c] (left halfback), Vern Schmyser (right halfback), Ernest Lioret (fullback).[20]
On October 6, MAC defeated the team from Lake Forest College, 21–6, in the first game played at the newly-constructed Aggie Stadium. In the first quarter, the Aggies faked a kick from the 30-yard line, Roland Richards throwing a touchdown pass to Ray Kipke in the end zone. On the next play after the kickoff, Kipke ran for 40 yards to the Lake Forest five-yard line. Vern Schmyser then ran for the touchdown. The Aggies scored their third touchdown in the second quarter on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Richards to Kipke. Lake Forest scored its points in the third quarter on a 60-yard drive capped with a touchdown run by Bell.[7]
The starting lineup was Ray Kipke (left end), Maurice Taylor (left tackle), Vivian Hultman (left guard), Harold Eckerman (center), Paul Hackett (right guard), Donald Haskins (right tackle),[d] Allen Edmunds (right end), Roland Richards (quarterback), Elton Neller (left halfback), Vern Schmyser (right halfback), Ernest Lioret (fullback).[22]
Prior to the game, MAC captain Maurice Taylor was ruled out for the game due to a leg injury he had suffered prior to the season.[23]
On October 13, MAC lost to Wisconsin, 21–0, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. On their opening possession, the Aggies drove to Wiconsin's five-yard line but failed to score. MAC quarterback Roland Richards was injured in the first quarter and did not return to the game. The Aggies managed only four first downs in the game. Wisconsin's first touchdown followed a muffed punt by Hultman from the end zone, the ball going out of bounds at MAC's 15-yeard line.[8]
On October 20, MAC defeated the team from Albion College, 13–0, in the second game played at the new Aggie Stadium. The Aggies scored both of its touchdowns after blocking Albion punts. After a scoreless first half, Robinson blocked an Albion punt in the third quarter, and Ray Kipke recovered the ball on Albion's 27-yard line. On the next play, Roland Richards threw a touchdown pass to Hugh Robinson. In the fourth quarter, Vivian Hultman blocked the second punt and recovered the ball at the 33-yard line. Vern Schmyser scored on a short run.[9]
The starting lineup was Ray Kipke (left end), Edward Eckert (left tackle), Vivian Hultman (left guard), Harold Eckerman (center), Maurice Taylor (right guard), Donald Haskins (right tackle), Allen Edmunds (right end),[e] Boeheringer (quarterback),[f] Vern Schmyser (left halfback), Arthur Beckley (right halfback), Elton Neller (fullback).[24]
Leading up to the team's rivalry game, captain Maurice Taylor returned to his position as a tackle after being moved into the guard spot while nursing his leg injury. Edward Eckert, who started at tackle in Taylor's place, was hospitalized before the game due to an illness.[25]
On October 27, 1923, the Aggies lost to Michigan, 37–0, at Ferry Field. Harry Kipke's "broken field running figured prominently in Michigan's scoring."[26] Richard Vick started in place of Herb Steger, who was held in reserve for the Iowa game the following week. A newspaper account of the game reported that Vick "played brilliantly, plunging and passing for repeated gains," revealing "a wealth of strength among the Michigan reserves."[26] The 1924 Michiganensian reported that the Aggies "furnished a good practice game" and noted the every player on the Michigan bench was able to play in the game.[27]
Punter Arthur Beckley punting against Ohio Wesleyan
On November 3, MAC lost to Ohio Wesleyan, 19–14. Two of MAC's starters, Hugh Robinson and Edward Eckert, missed the game due to illness. The Battling Bishops jumped to a 16–0 lead at halftime. The Aggies battled back with two second-half touchdown receptions by Ray Kipke.[11]
The starters for MAC were Ray Kipke (left end), Spikeman (left tackle), M. Taylor (left guard), Eckerman (center), Hultman (right tackle), Hasking (right tackle), Edmonds (right end), Lyman (quarterback), Neller (left halfback), Schmyser (right halfback), and Beckley (fullback).[11]
Creighton kicking off to MAC during the team's homecoming game
On November 10, MAC lost to Creighton, 27–6, spoiling the Aggies' homecoming celebration at Aggie Stadium. Creighton's backs intercepted five passes in the game. Creighton scored twice in the first quarter, the second touchdown being scored on a 35-yard interception return. In the third quarter, the Aggies drove 67 yards for a touchdown, Roland Richards scoring on a short run. In the fourth quarter, Creighton returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory.[12]
MAC starting lineup in the game was Ray Kipke (left end), Roy Spiekerman (left tackle), Vivian Hultman (left guard), Harold Eckerman (center), Maurice Taylor (right guard), Donald Haskins (right tackle), Allen Edmonds (right end), Roland Richards (quarterback), Arthur Beckley (left halfback), Vern Schmyser (right halfback), and Elton Neller (fullback).[12]
Detroit
Week 8: Michigan Agricultural at Detroit
1
2
3
4
Total
•Michigan Agricultural
2
0
0
0
2
Detroit
0
0
0
0
0
Date: November 17
Location: University of Detroit Stadium Detroit, MI
On November 17, MAC concluded its season with a 2–0 victory over the Detroit Titans in Detroit. The Aggies scored off Detroit's first possession. On fourth down, Detroit tried to kick, but the pass from center went over Barrett's head and into the end zone. Barrett picked up the ball and tried to run, but he was tackled behind the goal line for a safety. Neither team was able to score any points on offense.[13][28]
Throughout the game, Detroit struggled to even pass the 50-yard line as MAC's punter, Arthur Beckley, routinely pinned the team deep in its own territory.[29]
After the victory, MAC's students were criticized for their "deplorable" actions as "an ordinary mob" resulting in the destruction of private property and a "battle with the police." The Lansing State Journal wrote that the students needed "a good spanking."[2]
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