1946 Michigan Wolverines football team

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1946

| poll = AP

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 28

| w/l = w

| opponent = Indiana

| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium

| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI

| score = 21–0

| attend = 71,660

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 5

| w/l = w

| opponent = Iowa

| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium

| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI

| score = 14–7

| attend = 56,515

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 12

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| rank = 4

| opponent = Army

| opprank = 2

| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium

| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI

| score = 13–20

| attend = 85,938

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 19

| w/l = t

| rank = 5

| opponent = Northwestern

| opprank = 10

| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium

| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 14–14

| attend = 74,089

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 26

| w/l = l

| homecoming = y

| rank = 8

| opponent = Illinois

| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium

| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 9–13

| attend = 85,938

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 2

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 13

| opponent = Minnesota

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Minneapolis, MN

| gamename = Little Brown Jug

| score = 21–0

| attend = 58,476

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 9

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 11

| opponent = Michigan State

| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium

| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 55–7

| attend = 76,373

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 16

| w/l = w

| rank = 10

| opponent = Wisconsin

| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium

| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI

| score = 28–6

| attend = 64,085

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 23

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 8

| opponent = Ohio State

| site_stadium = Ohio Stadium

| site_cityst = Columbus, OH

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 58–6

| attend = 79,735

}}

}}

{{see also|1946 college football rankings}}

{{Ranking movements

| poll1title = AP

| poll1firstweek = 1

| poll1lastweek = 9

| poll1_1=4

| poll1_2=5

| poll1_3=8т

| poll1_4=13

| poll1_5=11

| poll1_6=10

| poll1_7=8

| poll1_8=6

| poll1_9=6

}}

File:Fritz Crisler.png]]

File:Bob Chappuis.png]]

In early January 1946, Biggie Munn, who had been Michigan's line coach since 1938, was hired as the head football coach at Syracuse.{{cite news|title=Biggie Munn To Syracuse As Grid Boss|newspaper=The News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Michigan|date=January 7, 1946|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2738443/biggie_munn_to_syracuse_as_grid_boss/}} Jack Blott took over Munn's role as line coach.{{cite news|title=Fifteen Lettermen Report at Michigan's First Grid Drills|newspaper=Ironwood Daily Globe|date=April 5, 1946|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2738702/fifteen_lettermen_report_at_michigans/ |via = Newspapers.com}} Earl Martineau, who had been Michigan's backfield coach since 1938, also left the program in early 1946 with Bennie Oosterbaan taking over responsibility for coaching the backfield.

In April and May 1946, Michigan conducted a six-week spring football practice. It was Michigan's "first peacetime practice session since 1941."{{cite news|title=Michigan Opens Grid Practice: Crisler Calls for Candidates April 1|newspaper=Ironwood Daily Globe|date=March 26, 1946|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2738408/michigan_opens_grid_practice/|via = Newspapers.com}} More than 140 players, the largest group ever to report for a Michigan football practice to that time, showed up for spring practice.

Although World War II ended in August 1945, three of the starters from the 1945 squad were inducted into the military in early 1946. They were: Wally Teninga, who started seven games at left halfback and was the team's leading scorer in 1945; Donovan Hershberger, who started eight games at end in 1945; and Gene Hinton, who started all 10 games at right tackle in 1945.{{cite news|title=Donn Hershberger Inducted Into Navy|newspaper=Freeport-Journal Standard|date=March 1, 1946|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/3988725/|via = Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Michigan Gets 3rd Large Jolt|newspaper=The Coshocton (Ohio) News|date=March 8, 1946|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2738514/michigan_gets_3rd_large_jolt/|via = Newspapers.com}} Bob Ballau, a tackle from New York, was awarded the Chicago Alumni Club trophy as the team'smost improved player during spring practice.{{cite news|title=Chicago Alumni Honor Michigan Grid Star|newspaper=The News-Palladium|date=May 10, 1946|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2738661/chicago_alumni_honor_michigan_grid_star/|via = Newspapers.com}}

However, as some left for military service, others returned to Michigan after completing their military service. The returnees included:

• Bob Chappuis, who had played for Michigan in 1942, returned to the team in 1946 after three years of military service and being shot down in Italy in 1945.
• Gene Derricotte, who had started nine games at halfback in 1944, returned as a starting halfback.
• Bruce Hilkene, who had started nine games at end in 1944 and been elected captain of the 1945 team before being inducted into the military, returned for the 1946 season, though he was switched to the tackle position.{{cite news|title=Crisler Says Michigan Eleven Over Rated|newspaper=The Pantagraph|date=September 1, 1946|page=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2739091/crisler_says_michigan_eleven_over_rated/}}
• Quentin Sickels, who had started 10 games at guard in 1944, returned from military service.
• Paul White, who had been captain of the 1943 Michigan team before joining the Marine Corps, notified coach Crisler in April 1946 that he would be returning in time for the 1946 season.
• Bob Wiese, who had played at fullback and led Michigan in scoring in 1944, returned to the fullback position in 1946 after being inducted into the military in November 1945.

The 1946 pre-season was also marked by the loss of Fielding H. Yost, head football coach at Michigan from 1901 to 1926 and athletic director from 1921 to 1940. Yost sustained a stroke on May 14, 1946,{{cite news|title=Yost Is Ill|newspaper=Traverse City (Mich.) Record-Eagle|date=May 31, 1946|page=1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2738638/yost_is_ill/ |via = Newspapers.com}} and died at his home in Ann Arbor on August 20, 1946. He was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery near the campus, with pallbearers including Bennie Oosterbaan, Robert J. Brown, and Paul G. Goebel.{{cite news|title=Funeral Services Held for Fielding H. Yost|newspaper=The Cumberland News|date=August 23, 1946|page=18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2738392/funeral_services_held_for_fielding_h/}}

After one week of fall practice in late August 1946, coach Crisler opined "we're not quite as good as we're cracked up to be." A week later, Crisler hedged on his team's prospects, stating that the 1946 squad might be he greatest, but then adding that, on the other hand, "we may lose all of our games."{{cite news|title=May Lose All Games, Coach Fritz Crisler Underestimates|newspaper=Ironwood Daily Globe|date=September 7, 1946|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2739226/may_lose_all_games_coach_fritz_crisler/}} On September 6, 1946, Joe Ponsetto, who had been Michigan's starting quarterback in 1944 and 1945, voted by his teammates as captain of the 1946 team, and undergone knee surgery in the off-season, announced that he would not play in 1946 due to a recurrence of the injury to his knee.{{cite news|title=Joe Ponsetto Lost to Michigan Squad|newspaper=The Escanaba (Mich.) Daily Press|date=September 7, 1946|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2739200/joe_ponsetto_lost_to_michigan_squad/}}

The 1946 team featured three sets of brothers: Pete and Elliott from Bloomington, Illinois; guards Charles and Walter Freihofer from Indianapolis; and center J. T. White and halfback Paul White from River Rouge, Michigan.{{cite news|title=Michigan Football Squad Has Three Sets of Brothers|newspaper=The Escanaba (Mich.) Daily Press|date=September 14, 1946|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2739162/michigan_football_squad_has_three_sets/}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 1: Indiana at Michigan

| Visitor = Indiana

| Host = Michigan

| V1 =0| V2 =0| V3 =0| V4 =0

| H1 =7| H2 =0| H3 =0| H4 =14

| Date = September 28, 1946

| Location = Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 74,600

| Weather =

| Referee = Rollie Barnum (Wisconsin)

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

After losing to the Indiana Hoosiers in both 1944 and 1945, Michigan opened its 1946 season on September 28, 1946, with a 21 to 0 victory over the Hoosiers. The game was played at Michigan Stadium on a warm, sunshiny day and attracted 74,600 spectators, the largest crowd to that time for a Michigan season opener and the largest crowd ever to watch an Indiana football game.{{cite news|title=Crisler Terms 'M' 11 'Sloppy' In Indiana Win|newspaper=The News-Palladium|date=September 28, 1946|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2750181/crisler_terms_m_11_sloppy_in/}}

Michigan opened the scoring with a 54-yard drive in the first quarter, capped by a 13-yard touchdown pass from Gene Derricotte to Paul White. In the fourth quarter, the Wolverines scored twice, on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Pete Elliott to Len Ford, and later on Derricotte's 51-yard sprint down the sideline. Jim Brieske kicked all three points after touchdown for Michigan. Displaying tremendous depth, 45 Michigan players saw action in the Indiana game. The Wolverines gained 190 rushing yards and 52 passing yards on four complete passes. Defensively, Michigan held Indiana to only 51 rushing yards.{{cite news|title=Wolverines Roll Over Indiana's Hope of Retaining Title, 21 to 0|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=September 29, 1946|author=James Segreti|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/09/29/page/41/article/wolverines-roll-over-indianas-hope-of-retaining-title-21-to-0}} However, the Wolverines also gave up six interceptions on ten forward passes attempted and allowed Indiana to rack up 172 passing yards, leading head coach Fritz Crisler to describe his team's play as "ragged and sloppy."

Michigan's starting lineup against Indiana was Len Ford (left end), Bruce Hilkene (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), Harold Watts (center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Art Renner (right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback), Henry Fonde (left halfback), Ralph Chubb (right halfback), and Jack Weisenburger (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 2: Iowa at Michigan

| Visitor = Iowa

| Host = Michigan

| V1 =0| V2 =0| V3 =7| V4 =0

| H1 =7| H2 =7| H3 =0| H4 =0

| Date = October 5, 1946

| Location = Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 54,200

| Weather =

| Referee = Lloyd Larson (Wisconsin)

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

On October 5, 1946, Michigan defeated Iowa by a 14 to 7 score at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines scored both of their touchdowns in the first half to take a 14 to 0 lead. Bob Chappuis scored both Michigan touchdowns on runs of eight and 12 yards, while rushing for 123 yards on 20 carries in the game. Jim Brieske kicking both points after touchdown. The first half lead could have been significantly greater, but one drive was stopped by a fumble at Iowa's four-yard line, and another ended with an intercepted pass at the Iowa four-yard line. In the second half, Michigan was held scoreless and managed only two first downs. Iowa mounted a 65-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, and another drive in the fourth quarter was stopped at Michigan's 14-yard line when the Wolverines' defense regained the ball on downs. In all, Michigan gained 224 rushing yards and 43 passing yards. Iowa gained 148 rushing yards and 12 passing yards.{{cite news|title=Wolverines Beat Hawkeye Eleven, 14 to 7|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=October 6, 1946|author=Wilfrid Smith|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/10/06/page/59/article/wolverines-leat-hawkeye-eleven-14-to-7}}

Michigan's starting lineup against Iowa was Len Ford (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), Quentin Sickels (right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle), Art Renner (right end), Bob Wiese (quarterback), Dan Dworsky (left halfback), Paul White (right halfback), and Jack Weisenburger (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 3: Army at Michigan

| Visitor = Army

| Host = Michigan

| V1 =7| V2 =6| V3 =0| V4 =7

| H1 =7| H2 =0| H3 =6| H4 =0

| Date = October 12, 1946

| Location = Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 87,993

| Weather =

| Referee = Lloyd Larson (Wisconsin)

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

On October 12, 1946, Michigan, ranked #4 in the AP Poll, played an Army team that was ranked #2 at Michigan Stadium. Army, favored to win the game by 12 points after winning 21 straight games dating back to the 1943 season, won by seven points with a score of 20 to 13.{{cite news|title=Army Beats Michigan: 87,993 Watch Cadets Score 20-13 Triumph: Glenn Davis' Speed Balks Wolverines|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=October 13, 1946|author=Wilfrid Smith|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/10/13/page/67/article/87-993-watch-cadets-score-20-13-triumph}}

Michigan took a 7 to 0 lead in the first quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Bob Chappuis to Howard Yerges with the point after touchdown being converted by Jim Brieske. Glenn Davis, the 1946 Heisman Trophy winner, played all 60 minutes for Army and was so dominant that the Chicago Tribune wrote that he may have earned All-American honors in one game. Davis tied the game on a 58-yard run in the first quarter. He then passed 31 yards to Bob Folson for Army's second touchdown in the second quarter. On the opening kickoff in the third quarter, Michigan drove 83 yards, and Paul White scored on a reverse from Bob Wiese. Michigan had a chance to take the lead, but Brieske's kick for the extra point was partially blocked and fell short. At the end of the third quarter, the game was tied 13 to 13. With a short touchdown run by Doc Blanchard in the fourth quarter, Army regained the lead. With less than a minute remaining, Michigan drove to Army's 10-yard line, but the game ended as Army intercepted a Michigan pass. The ground game was relatively even (152 rushing yards for Army to 141 for Michigan), but Army dominated in the air (211 passing yards to 95 for Michigan).

Michigan's starting lineup against Army was Len Ford (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Yerges (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Paul White (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 4: Northwestern at Michigan

| Visitor = Northwestern

| Host = Michigan

| V1 =0| V2 =14| V3 =0| V4 =0

| H1 =7| H2 =0| H3 =0| H4 =7

| Date = October 19, 1946

| Location = Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 74,500

| Weather =

| Referee = Mike Layden (Notre Dame)

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

On October 19, 1946, Michigan, ranked #5 in the AP Poll, played a Northwestern team that was ranked #10. The two teams played to a 14-14 tie at Michigan Stadium. Bump Elliott scored both of Michigan's touchdowns, and Jim Brieske kicked both of the points after touchdown. Late in the game, Michigan blocked a Northwestern attempt at field goal and then drove to the Northwestern three-yard line, but the ball was then intercepted in the end zone drive. Northwestern out-gained Michigan on the ground (202 rushing yards for Northwestern and 80 for Michigan) with Michigan out-gaining the Wildcats in the air (149 passing yards to 110).{{cite news|title=N.U. and Michigan Battle To 14-14 Tie: Co-Leaders of Big Nine Thrill 74,500 Throng|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=October 20, 1946|author=Wilfrid Smith|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/10/20/page/63/article/n-u-and-michigan-battle-t0-14-14-tie}}

Michigan's starting lineup against Northwestern was Ed McNeill (left end), Bruce Hilkene (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback), Gene Derricotte (left halfback), Paul White (right halfback), and Bob Wiese (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 5: Illinois at Michigan

| Visitor = Illinois

| Host = Michigan

| V1 =0| V2 =7| V3 =6| V4 =0

| H1 =0| H2 =7| H3 =0| H4 =2

| Date = October 26, 1946

| Location = Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 86,938

| Weather =

| Referee = Rollie Barnum (Wisconsin)

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

On October 26, 1946, at Michigan's first homecoming game since 1942, Michigan lost to Illinois by a score of 13 to 9. In the second quarter, Bob Wiese ran for the game's first touchdown, and Jim Brieske kicked the point after touchdown. On the kickoff following Michigan's touchdown, Illinois drove 95 yards and scored on a 16-yard run by Paul Patterson. In the third quarter, Illinois end Sam Zatkoff intercepted a pass thrown by Bob Chappuis and ran 53 yards for a touchdown. Illinois' attempt at extra point was blocked by Quentin Sickels. In the fourth quarter, Michigan twice drove deep into Illinois territory (once to the 17-yard line and then to the eight-yard line), but Michigan's only points in the quarter were scored a safety as Bruce Hilkene blocked a punt into the end zone. Michigan out-gained Illinois in rushing yardage, 190 yards to 112, and in passing yardage, 142 yards to 39. However, Michigan fumbled the ball 12 times in the game.{{cite news|title=Zatkoff Races 53 Yards As Illinois Beats Michigan, 13-9|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=October 27, 1946|author=Edward Burns|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/10/27/page/63/article/zatkoff-races-53-yards-as-illinois-beats-michigan-13-9}} The game was Michigan's last defeat until October 8, 1949, a span of nearly three years during which the Wolverines won 25 consecutive games.

Michigan's starting lineup against Illinois was Len Ford (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), Sickels (right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Jack Weisenburger (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Wiese (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 6: Michigan at Minnesota

| Visitor = Michigan

| Host = Minnesota

| V1 =0| V2 =7| V3 =7| V4 =7

| H1 =0| H2 =0| H3 =0| H4 =0

| Date = November 2, 1946

| Location = Memorial Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 58,575

| Weather =

| Referee = William Blake (Loras)

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

On November 2, 1946, Michigan defeated Minnesota by a score of 21 to 0. In the second quarter, Michigan relied on the passing game in its first touchdown drive, as Bob Chappuis completed a pass for 43 yards to Elmer Madar and Bump Elliott then ran two yards for the touchdown on a fourth-down play. Elliott scored again in the third quarter on a 10-yard run. In the fourth quarter, Gene Derricotte threw a pass to Bob Mann that was good for 42 yards and a touchdown. Jim Brieske kicked all three points after touchdown. Michigan gained 183 rushing yards and 174 passing yards, while holding Minnesota to 130 rushing yards and 40 passing yards.{{cite news|title=Wolverines Top Gophers, 21-0; Take 2d|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=November 3, 1946|author=Wilfrid Smith|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/11/03/page/67/article/wolverines-top-gophers-21-0-take-2d}} The game marked the beginning of a 25-game winning streak for the Wolverines lasting until October 1949.

Michigan's starting lineup against Minnesota was Len Ford (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), Quentin Sickels (right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Jack Weisenburger (quarterback), Gene Derricotte (left halfback), Ralph Chubb (right halfback), and Dan Dworsky (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 7: Michigan State at Michigan

| Visitor = Michigan State

| Host = Michigan

| V1 =0| V2 =0| V3 =7| V4 =0

| H1 =14| H2 =14| H3 =13| H4 =14

| Date = November 9, 1946

| Location = Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 77,134

| Weather =

| Referee = Lyle Clarno (Bradley)

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

On November 9, 1946, Michigan defeated Michigan State by a score of 55 to 7. With attendance at 77,134, the game drew the largest crowd to that date in the history of the Michigan–Michigan State football rivalry.

Michigan scored twice in each quarter with touchdowns by eight players: Bob Chappuis (run in first quarter), Pete Elliott (pass from Chappuis in first quarter), Gene Derricotte (three-yard run in second quarter), Elmer Madar (four-yard interception return), Paul White (pass from Derricotte in third quarter), Don Robinson (run in third quarter), Jack Weisenburger (three-yard run in fourth quarter), and Tony Momsen (24-yard interception return in fourth quarter). Jim Brieske kicked six points after touchdown. Len Ford scored another after Brieske's kick was blocked in the first quarter; Don Robinson recovered the loose ball and tossed to Ford who fell across the goal line. Another extra point attempt was blocked, this one by Lynn Chandnois, in the third quarter. Michigan State's touchdown came on a pass from Horace Smith to Frank Waters covering 77 yards in the third quarter. Michigan gained 500 yards in the game, 293 on the ground and 207 in the air. Michigan was held to 212 yards of which only 47 yards were gained by rushing.{{cite news|title=State Loses To Wolverine Eleven, 55 to 7|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=November 10, 1946|author=Charles Bartlett|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/11/10/page/69/article/state-loses-to-wolverine-eleven-55-to-7}}

Michigan's starting lineup against Michigan State was Bob Mann (left end), Bruce Hilkene (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), Quentin Sickels (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Madar (right end), Pete Elliott (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Weisenburger (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 8: Wisconsin at Michigan

| Visitor = Wisconsin

| Host = Michigan

| V1 =0| V2 =0| V3 =7| V4 =0

| H1 =14| H2 =0| H3 =0| H4 =14

| Date = November 16, 1946

| Location = Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

On November 16, 1946, Michigan defeated Wisconsin by a score of 28 to 6. Michigan scored four touchdowns: 13-yard pass from Pete Elliott to Bob Mann in the first quarter; 27-yard pass from Bob Chappuis to Mann in the first quarter; three-yard run by Dan Dworsky in fourth quarter; and one-yard "end-around maneuver" by Len Ford in the fourth quarter. Center Jim Brieske kicked all four points after touchdown. Michigan gained 305 rushing yards and 146 passing yards. The Badgers were held to 99 rushing yards and 47 passing yards.{{cite news|title=Badgers Lose To Wolverine Passes, 28 to 6|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=November 17, 1946|author=Irving Vaughan|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/11/17/page/69/article/badgers-lose-to-wolverine-passes-28-to-6}}

Michigan's starting lineup against Wisconsin was Ed McNeill (left end), Robert Derleth (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), Brieske (center), F. Stuart Wilkins (right guard), Jack Carpenter (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback), Chappuis (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Bob Wiese (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 9: Michigan at Ohio State

| Visitor = Michigan

| Host = Ohio State

| V1 =7| V2 =20| V3 =14| V4 =17

| H1 =0| H2 =0| H3 =0| H4 =6

| Date = November 23, 1946

| Location = Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 78,634

| Weather =

| Referee = Rollie Barnum (Wisconsin)

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

On November 23, 1946, Michigan defeated Ohio State by a score of 58 to 6. The 52-point spread was Ohio State's worst margin of defeat since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913. The game was viewed by 78,634 spectators, the fourth largest crowd in Ohio Stadium history to that point.

Michigan's touchdowns were scored by Henry Fonde (2), Bob Mann (2), Bob Chappuis, Paul White, Dick Rifenburg, and Bill Culligan. Jim Brieske kicked seven points after touchdown and a field goal. Bob Chappuis passed for gains totaling 244 yards. In all, the Wolverines gained 509 yards, 300 passing and 209 rushing. A writer covering the game for the Chicago Tribune opined "few teams ever have been so impotent as Ohio State was this afternoon." In the last minute of the game, with Michigan's fourth-string backs in the game, Ohio State avoided the shutout with a touchdown pass from Bill Doolittle to Rodney Swinehart covering 77 yards.{{cite news|title=Michigan Routs Ohio, 58 to 6; Wolverines Turn On Power Before 78,634; Buckeyes Score in Final Minute|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=November 24, 1946|author=Wilfrid Smith|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/11/24/page/67/article/michigan-routs-ohio-58-6-indiana-minnesota-win}}

Michigan's starting lineup against Ohio State was Ed McNeill (left end), Bruce Hilkene (left tackle), Dominic Tomasi (left guard), J. T. White (center), George Kraeger (right guard), Bill Pritula (right tackle), Elmer Madar (right end), Howard Yerges (quarterback), Gene Derricotte (left halfback), Bump Elliott (right halfback), and Jack Weisenburger (fullback).

File:Elmer Madar.jpg]]

The Associated Press released its final poll in early December 1946. The two teams that defeated the Michigan Wolverines finished among the top five. Undefeated Army was ranked No. 2 with 48 voters picking them as the No. 1 team, narrowly missing its third consecutive national championship with 1,659-1/2 points. Big Nine Conference champion Illinois was ranked No. 5. The Wolverines were ranked #6.{{cite news|title=Writers Pick Irish As The Best Eleven|newspaper=Santa Cruz Sentinel-News|date=December 5, 1946|page=4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2745247/writers_pick_irish_as_the_best_eleven/}}

The Wolverines finished the season ranked fifth in total offense with 3,122 yards gained in nine games, an average of 366.9 yards per game.{{cite book|title=The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947|publisher=A.S. Barnes and Company|editor=W.J. Bingham|year=1947|page=73}} They also ranked fifth in passing offense with 1,322 passing yards, an average of 146.9 yards per game.{{cite book|title=The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947|publisher=A.S. Barnes and Company|editor=W.J. Bingham|year=1947|page=75}}

In the selection of All-America teams at the end of the 1946 season, three Michigan players received recognition:

• End Elmer Madar was selected by the Associated Press (AP) as a first-team All-American,{{cite news|title=Davis, Blanchard Earn All-America Positions|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|date=December 4, 1946|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19461204&id=Mi0aAAAAIBAJ&pg=5666,2452230}}{{Dead link|date=August 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} by the International News Service (INS) as a second-team All-American,{{cite news|title=INS Names Four Irish on All-America Team|author=Lawton Carver|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=December 3, 1946|page=10|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19461203&id=q70wAAAAIBAJ&pg=3924,7295129}} and by the Central Press Association (CP) as a third-team All-American.{{cite news|title=Army, Irish Place Two Each On Captains' All American|work=Wisconsin State Journal|date=1946-12-03}}
• Halfback Bob Chappuis was selected by the INS as a second-team All-American and by the CP as a third-team All-American.
• End Len Ford was selected by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) as a third-team All-American.{{cite news|title=NEA 1946 All Americas|work=Anniston Star|date=1946-11-24}}{{cite news|title=NEA 1946 All-Americans|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=November 23, 1946|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19461123&id=qVkbAAAAIBAJ&pg=4860,2728511}}

Both the AP and United Press (UP) selected 1946 All-Big Nine Conference football teams. Elmer Madar and Bob Chappuis were consensus first-team picks by both the AP and UP Tackle Jack Carpenter received first-team honors from the UP, and guard Dominic Tomasi received second-team honors from the UP.

Bob Chappuis was also selected as the Most Valuable Player on the 1946 Michigan team, and finished second behind Illinois guard Alex Agase in voting for the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Most Valuable Player in the Big Nine Conference.{{cite news|title=Agase Adjudged Most Valuable|newspaper=The Decatur Herald|date=December 15, 1946|page=19|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2750063/agase_judged_most_valuable/}}

File:Jim Brieske.jpg, the leading scorer on the 1946 team with 32 points.]]

The following players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1946 Michigan football team.{{cite web|title=1946 Michigan Football Roster|publisher=University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library|url=https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/rosters/search.php?data=football&year_option=equals&year=1946&sortby=lastname%2C+firstname%2C+year&find=FIND}} Players who started at least half of the games are shown in bold.{{cite web|title=1946 Football Team|publisher=Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan|url=https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1946fbt.htm}}

• Edward H. Bahlow, Springfield, Illinois - end
• Robert M. Ballou, Chester, Vermont - tackle
• Jim Brieske, Harbor Beach, Michigan - placekicker, and 1 game as starter at center
• George Burg, Winnetka, Illinois - guard
• Bob Callahan, St. Louis, Missouri - center
• Jack Carpenter, Kansas City, Missouri - started 4 games at right tackle
• Bob Chappuis, Toledo, Ohio - started 4 games at left halfback
• Ralph L. Chubb,Ralph L. Chubb, born March 24, 1924, died February 25, 2002, SSN issued Michigan, last address Green Valley, Arizona Ann Arbor, Michigan - started 2 games at right halfback
• Fenwick J. Crane, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan - tackle
• William L. Culligan, Detroit - halfback
• Robert Derleth, Marquette, Michigan - started 3 games at left tackle
• Gene Derricotte, Defiance, Ohio - started 5 games at left halfback
• Dan Dworsky, Sioux Falls, South Dakota - started 1 game at fullback
• Bump Elliott, Bloomington, Illinois - started 3 games at right halfback
• Pete Elliott, Bloomington, Illinois - started 1 game at quarterback
• Henry Fonde, Knoxville, Tennessee - halfback
• Len Ford, Washington, D.C. - started 4 games at left end
• Donovan P. Hershberger, Freeport, Illinois - end
• Bruce Hilkene, Indianapolis, Indiana - started 6 games at left tackle
• George Kraeger, Indianapolis, Indiana - started 5 games at right guard
• John F. Lintol, Detroit - guard
• Elmer Madar, Detroit - started 7 games at right end
• Bob Mann, New Bern, North Carolina - started 2 games at left end
• Edward D. McNeill,Edward D. McNeill, born October 13, 1927, died September 7, 1999, SSN issued Ohio, last address Swanton, Ohio Toledo, Ohio - started 3 games at left end
• Tony Momsen, Toledo, Ohio -
• Bill Pritula, Detroit - started 5 games at right tackle
• Art Renner, Sturgis, Michigan - started 2 games at right end
• Dick Rifenburg, Saginaw, Michigan - end
• Don Robinson, Detroit - quarterback
• Quentin Sickels, Benton Harbor, Michigan - started 3 games at right guard
• Joe Soboleski, Grand Rapids, Michigan - guard
• Dominic Tomasi, Flint, Michigan - started 9 games at left guard
• Robert W. Vernier, Toledo, Ohio - quarterback
• Harold Watts, Birmingham, Michigan - started 2 games at center
• Jack Weisenburger, Muskegon Heights, Michigan - started 3 games at quarterback, 2 games at fullback, 1 game at right halfback
• J. T. White, River Rouge, Michigan - started 6 games at center
• Paul White, River Rouge, Michigan - started 3 games at right halfback
• Bob Wiese, Jamestown, North Dakota - started 6 games at fullback
• F. Stuart Wilkins, Canton, Ohio - started 1 game at right guard
• Howard Yerges, Point Pleasant, West Virginia - started 5 games at quarterback

The following players had "reserve" status on the 1946 Michigan football team.

• Bruce Beatty, Canton, Ohio - halfback
• Richard Brown, Detroit - tackle
• Louis Brunsting, Jr., Rochester, Minnesota - quarterback
• John Eizonas, Detroit - tackle
• Robert Erben, Akron, Ohio - center
• Alan Fitch, Kensington, Michigan - guard
• Walter Freihofer, Indianapolis, Indiana - guard
• John Ghindia, Ecorse, Michigan - quarterback
• Lloyd Heneveld, Holland, Michigan - guard
• James Holgate, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - halfback
• Charles Huebler, Plymouth, Michigan - tackle
• Norman Jackson, Canton, Ohio - fullback
• Kurt Kampe, Jr., Detroit - guard
• Walter Keeler, Bay City, Michigan - center
• Frank Kiser, Lakewood, Ohio - guard
• Donald Kuick, Midland, Michigan - halfback
• Donald Labenda, Detroit - tackle
• Charles Lentz, Toledo, Ohio - halfback
• John Maturo, Hamden, Connecticut - guard
• James Morrish, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan - halfback
• Alton Noble, Detroit - halfback
• Elmer Phillips, Big Bend, West Virginia - guard
• Harold Raymond, Flint, Michigan - end
• Richard Strauss, Lansing, Michigan - tackle
• Alan Traugott, Indianapolis - halfback
• Irv Wisniewski, Lambertville, Michigan - center
• John Witherspoon, Detroit - guard
• Michael Yedniak, Flint, Michigan - fullback

• 1946 All-Americans: Elmer Madar (AP-1, INS-2), Bob Chappuis (INS-2)
• All-Conference: Elmer Madar (AP-1, UP-1), Bob Chappuis (AP-1, UP-1), Jack Carpenter (UP-1), Dominic Tomasi (UP-2){{cite news|title=Indiana Places Three on Big Ten All-Stars|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal (AP story)|date=November 26, 1946|page=6|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19461126&id=7x4aAAAAIBAJ&pg=2234,5527982}}{{Dead link|date=August 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|title=Michigan Gets Three Places On UP Team|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (UP story)|date=November 30, 1946|page=13|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19461130&id=C8MwAAAAIBAJ&pg=2707,5888639}}
• Most Valuable Player: Bob Chappuis
• Meyer Morton Award: Bob Ballou

File:Len Ford from 1948 Michiganensian.jpg was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.]]

File:Dan Dworsky of Michigan.jpg played in the AAFC with the Los Angeles Dons.]]

The following 23 players from the 1946 Michigan football team were drafted to play and/or actually played in the National Football League (NFL) and/or the All-America Football Conference (AAFC):

• Jim Brieske: Brieske was selected by the Baltimore Colts with the 81st pick in the 1947 AAFC Draft, and by the New York Giants with the 97th pick in the 1948 NFL draft.
• Bob Callahan: Callahan was selected by the Chicago Cardinals with the 289th pick in the 1947 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=1947 NFL Draft|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1947/draft.htm}} He played for the Buffalo Bills in 1948.{{cite web|title=Bob Callahan|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CallBo20.htm}}
• Jack Carpenter: Carpenter was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 24th pick in the 1947 AAFC Draft, and by the Chicago Cardinals with the 143rd pick in the 1944 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=1944 NFL Draft|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 5, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1944/draft.htm}} He played for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers from 1947 to 1949.{{cite web|title=Jack Carpenter|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 5, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CarpJa20.htm}}
• Bob Chappuis: Chappuis was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the eight pick in the 1947 AAFC Draft, and by Detroit Lions with the 26th pick in the 1947 NFL draft. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Hornets in 1948 and 1949.{{cite web|title=Bob Chappuis|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 5, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChapBo20.htm}}
• Ralph Chubb: Chubb was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 143rd pick in the 1947 NFL draft.
• Robert Derleth: Derleth was selected by the Chicago Rockets with the 20th pick in the 1947 AAFC Draft,{{cite web|title=1947 AAFC Draft|publisher=The Pro Football Archive|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/1947AAFCDraft.html}} and by the Detroit Lions with the 29th pick in the 1944 NFL draft. He played for the Lions in 1947.{{cite web|title=Robert Derleth|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DerlRo20.htm}}
• Gene Derricotte: Derricotte was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the eight pick of the AAFC's secret draft held in July 1948,{{cite web|title=1949 AAFC Draft|publisher=The Pro Football Archive|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/1949AAFCDraft.html}} but he was injured during training camp with the Browns at the end of July 1949 while standing along the sidelines playing catch with a teammate.{{cite news|title=Cleveland Releases Gene Derricotte|work=Los Angeles Times|date=1949-08-07}}
• Dan Dworsky: Dworsky was drafted by the Los Angeles Dons with the fifth pick in the AAFC's secret draft held in July 1948, and by the Green Bay Packers with the 15th pick in the 1949 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=1949 NFL Draft|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1949/draft.htm}} He played for the Dons in 1949.{{cite web|title=Dan Dworsky|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DworDa20.htm}}
• Bump Elliott: Elliott was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 76th pick in the 1947 NFL draft. He opted instead to pursue a career in coaching. In 1949, brothers Bump and Pete Elliott worked together as assistant coaches at Oregon State.{{cite news |title=Bump Elliott Selected 'Coach of the Week' |publisher=The Holland, Michigan Evening Sentinel |date=1963-11-13}} Bump was the head coach at Michigan from 1959 to 1968.
• Pete Elliott: Elliott was drafted by the Chicago Hornets with the third pick in the AAFC's secret draft held in July 1948, and by the Detroit Lions with the 127th pick in the 1948 NFL draft. He opted instead to pursue a career in coaching starting in 1949 as an assistant coach at Oregon State and later serving as a head coach at Nebraska, California, Illinois, and Miami. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.{{cite web|title=Pete Elliott|publisher=National Football Foundation|url={{College Football HoF/url|id=1718}}}}
• Len Ford: Ford was drafted by the Los Angeles Dons with the 14th pick in the 1948 AAFC Draft. He played 11 years in the NFL from 1948 to 1958 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.{{cite web|title=Len Ford|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FordLe00.htm}}
• Elmer Madar: Madar was selected by the Baltimore Colts with the first pick in the 1947 AAFC Draft, and by the Detroit Lions with the 176th pick in the 1947 NFL draft. He played for the Colts in 1947.{{cite web|title=Elmer Madar|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 5, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MadaEl20.htm}}
• Bob Mann: Mann played for the Detroit Lions (1948–1949) and Green Bay Packers (1950–1954).{{cite web|title=Bob Mann|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 5, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannBo00.htm}} He was the first African-American player for both teams.
• Ed McNeill: McNeill was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 37th pick in the 1949 AAFC Draft, and by the Washington Redskins with the 88th pick in the 1949 NFL draft.
• Tony Momsen: Momsen was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 59th pick in the 1951 NFL draft, and played in the NFL during the 1951 and 1952 seasons.{{cite web|title=Tony Momsen|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MomsTo20.htm}}
• Bill Pritula: Pritula was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 118th pick in the 1948 AAFC Draft.
• Art Renner: Renner was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 56th pick in the 1946 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=1946 NFL Draft|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 5, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1946/draft.htm}}
• Dick Rifenburg: Rifenburg was selected by the New York Yankees with the 24th pick in the 1949 AAFC Draft, and by Philadelphia Eagles with the 132nd pick in the 1948 NFL draft. He played for the Detroit Lions in 1950.{{cite web|title=Dick Rifenburg|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RifeDi20.htm}}
• Quentin Sickels: Sickels was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 147th pick in the 1948 NFL draft.
• Joe Soboleski: Soboleski was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 192nd pick in the 1949 AAFC Draft, and by the New York Giants with the 86th pick in the 1949 NFL draft. He played professional football in the AAFC and NFL for four years from 1949 to 1952.{{cite web|title=Joe Soboleski|publisher= pro-football-reference.com|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SoboJo20.htm}}
• Jack Weisenburger: Weisenburger was selected by the Washington Redskins with the 38th pick in the 1948 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=1948 NFL Draft|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1948/draft.htm}} He was also selected by the New York Yankees with the 64th pick in the 1948 AAFC Draft.{{cite web|title=1948 AAFC Draft |publisher=The Pro Football Archive |access-date=July 2, 2015 |url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/1948AAFCDraft.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207061319/http://www.profootballarchives.com/1948AAFCDraft.html |archive-date=December 7, 2013 }}
• J. T. White: White was selected by the Brooklyn Dodgers with the 84th pick in the 1947 AAFC Draft, and by the Detroit Lions with the 186th pick in the 1947 NFL draft.
• Bob Wiese: Wiese was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 14th pick in the 1947 AAFC Draft, and by the Detroit Lions with the 39th pick in the 1945 NFL draft. He played for the Lions in 1947 and 1948.{{cite web|title=Bob Wiese|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 2, 2015|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WiesBo20.htm}}

• Head coach: Fritz Crisler
• Assistant coaches

:* Backfield coach: Bennie Oosterbaan{{cite news|title=Oosterbaan and Jack Blott To Speak At Football Banquet Here|newspaper=The Escanaba (Mich.) Daily Press|date=November 16, 1946|page=9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/51043487/}}

:* Line coach: Jack Blott{{cite news|title=126 Report For U. of Michigan Spring Football|newspaper=The News-Palladium|date=April 2, 1946|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/20950873/}} assisted by Forrest "Butch" Jordan{{cite news|title=Gridiron Staff Intact at U.M.|author=Joe Karshner|newspaper=The Escanaba Daily Press|date=July 14, 1946|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2739047/gridiron_staff_intact_at_um/}}

:* End coach: Arthur Valpey{{cite news|title=Elks To Have Valpey Speak At Grid Fete|newspaper=The News-Palladium|date=December 4, 1946|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/20994061/}}

:* "B" squad coach: Wally Weber, assisted by head wrestling coach Cliff Keen and Jack Petoskey{{cite news|title=Weber's 'B' Squad Faces Seven Games|newspaper=The News-Palladium|date=September 24, 1946|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/20983577/}}

:* Chief scout, assistant coach and assistant athletic director: Ernest McCoy, appointed to the new post in January 1946{{cite news|title=New U-M Line Mentor To Be Named Soon: Work of Chief Scout Rewarded by Creation Of New Post|newspaper=The Herald-Press, St. Joseph, Michigan|date=January 24, 1946|page=9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/34699411/}}

• Trainer: Ray Roberts
• Manager: Max Kogen

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1946fbt.htm 1946 Football Team -- Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan Athletics History]

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