Good evening to all the Michigan faithful, from the coast of Lake Michigan to the Coast of Lake Erie. Before we face the Spartans for in-state bragging rights, let’s have a quick history lesson, including the story of how the FIRST man to wear the #1 jersey for the Maize and Blue spoiled the Ohio Stadium Dedication game.
This Week in Michigan Football History appears live on the WTKA 1050AM (and WWWW 102.9FM) Countdown to Kickoff approximately two hours before kickoff.
Script:
- First off you should know that it was on this day in 1978 that old Bob Ufer blasted his scoring horn many times during the 42-0 ROUT of the Wisconsin Badgers on October 21, 1978. That was good for all-time program win number 600 and set the course for another Big Ten title for a Bo and a trip to the Rose Bowl.
- On this day in 1939, Old 98 Tom Harmon did the things a future Heisman winner will do, and his wolverines absolutely destroyed The University of Chicago 85-0. The beatdown was so complete, it was the final nail in the coffin for the Chicago football program. Just weeks later the Maroons announced they were pulling out of the Big Ten. Their exit eventually made way for our farming friends from East Lansing to join the conference a decade later and make it an even ten again.
- We close tonight’s edition all the way back in the 1920s, a decade that saw many Wolverine all-time greats take the gridiron, including Michigan men like Harry Kipke – who helped Yost earn another national title in 1923, and legends Bennie Oosterbaan and Benny Friedman.
- Another legend from that era was a gent named Paul Goebel. Goebel was born in 1901 and at 6 foot 5, he was a giant for his day. A while you won’t hear him mentioned with greats like Anthony Carter, Braylon Edwards, Derrick Alexander and Roman Wilson – he was the first Michigan end to don the coveted #1 jersey.
- So exactly 101 years ago on this day in MEECHIGAN football history in Columbus, Ohio it was supposed to be a special day for the Buckeyes as they officially Dedicated their newly minted Ohio Stadium.
- Our man Goebel was injured, but he gave it a go anyway, and hobbled into the Horseshoe with one leg immobilized with a steel brace that required oiling to prevent friction burn! With a field goal, a blocked kick and a fumble recovery, he lead the led the Wolverines to a 19-0 victory though he collapsed in the third quarter and had to leave the game. He, along with Kipke, dominated the Buckeyes and spoiled their special day and “dedicated” the stadium their our way.
- That’s how you take down a rival, and let’s do it again today. So Go Blue, Beat the Spartans, keep Paul home, and for more checkout MVictors.com and WTKA.com – for the Keybank Countdown to Kickoff, this is Greg Dooley.
