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This item contains Gerald R. Ford's personal recollections of a 1934 college football game between the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota.
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Article Written by Gerald R. Ford for the "This I Remember" Series in the University of Michigan Football Program
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Article Written by Gerald R. Ford for the "This I Remember" Series in the University of Michigan Football Program
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This item contains Gerald R. Ford's personal recollections of a 1934 college football game between the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota.
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For University of Michigan "This I Remember" series
in 1965 football program
By Gerald R. Ford
The Minnesota battle-cry was "Mangle Michigan!" The unbeaten Gophers
of Minnesota, on their way to a championship, were out to break a jinx of
41 years. A hardy band of Wolverines with a record of
victories and
defifiets stood in the path.
On Friday afternoon, after a long overnight train ride from Ann Arbor
to Memorial Stadium we worked out enthusiastically. With Head Coach Harry
Kipke exhorting us to forget the early-season misfortune, we showed little
outward apprehension of Minnesota's reputation as a bone-crushing steam-
roller. Respect, yes. Fear, no. Admittedly, we had high regard for the
somewhat awesome football abilities of All-Americans Bill Bevan, Butch
Larson, Pug Lund and the others on the star-studded squad. But, we were
undaunted by the predicted prospects of what could happen to us the follow-
ing day before a record-breaking homecoming crowd of 60,000 fans.
That 1934 University of Michigan team had something going for it. We
intended to keep it that way. Minnesota had failed to defeat a Wolverine
club at home since 1892, and had not scored on Michigan since 1929.
Coach Bernie Bierman was reported as fearful of Michigan, despite the
poor record we had piled up. He told the press he remembered Michigan as
always playing heads-up football ready to take advantage of any break.
Most assuredly we were not over-confident with a bad record early in
the season. But, we hoped to live up to Bernie Bierman's description of
what had happened to previous Minnesota ball clubs when playing Michigan.
-more-
U of M program story
-2-
There were pre-game predictions that our fullback Cedric Sweet and I
at center would have a busy afternoon backing up the Michigan line.
How true. We faced the job of stopping the rushes of Minnesota's
fullback Beise, who made All-American in 1935, and Kostka, a sopho-
more replacement of great talent, and the sweeping runs of Lund and
right-half Alphonse. I don't know about Sweet, but I didn't sleep
too well the night before the game.
When we ran out to go through the pre-game drills before the
mighty hometown crowd in Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon, our
spirits were bolstered by the sight and sound of Michigan's famous
"Fighting 100" Varsity Band. We had high hopes the musicians could
play "The Victors" with real meaning when the game ended.
The first half was a bitter surprise for the Minnesota fans and
a bright beginning for the Wolverines. Not only were the Gophers
out-played by a wide margin, but they almost were scored on early in
the game.
Johnny Regeczi, our right halfback with a talented punting foot,
threw a pass to right-end Willis Ward, the great football and track
star from Detroit. Ward was wide open on the play that came off a
fake place kick. Left-end Matt Pattenelli had set up the situation
by blocking a Minnesota punt and recovering the pigskin on their 16-
yard line.
Our hopes for scoring first sailed away on the pass that Regeczi
overthrew to Ward, who made a gallant and unsuccessful attempt to catch
it.
If Regeczi failed to make the grade on that play, he more than made
-more-
U of M program story
-3-
up for it with his fabulous punting. Thanks to John's booming boots,
Minnesota spent most of the first half in its own territory. As line-
backers, Ced Sweet and I had a rugged time meeting the crushing offen-
sive runs of Minnesota's fleet and powerful backfield.
When the half ended, a rapidly-tiring team trooped to the dressing
room. But, our spirits were high and we could see a possible victory--
or tie--in sight. It's a good thing one can't see accurately into the
future!
Early in the second half the Gophers really turned on the power.
The first assault was stopped at the 18-yard line and Regeczi punted
35 yards to give us a temporary safety margin. Then the steamroller
went into action. Minnesota moved with calculated speed to score with
Pug Lund doing most of the work behind a hard-charging line. One pass
completed the drive. The scoreboard was to get busier as the afternoon
wore on.
Minnesota's second touchdown was the result of a slashing, dazzling
76-yard run by Alphonse on the second play after kick-off. The swift-
footed Minnesota back wheeled around left end, cut back, eluded the
secondary. Ward almost caught him from behind.
The third touchdown was set up when Lund pinpointed a punt that
went out on the one-yard line. We couldn't get rolling and Regeczi from
behind our goal line whopped one out to our 34-yard stripe. Lund flipped
a bullet pass 33 yards to Maurice Johnson, a substitute end, who slipped
in to score. At that point in the ballgame Minnesota had a perfect pass-
ing performance--four for four.
-more-
U of M program story
-4-
With Lund on the bench taking a break, his replacement Roscoe
raced 51 yards around right end scoring Minnesota's fourth touchdown
after Clarkson had advanced the ball toward our goal-line to midfield
on a 28-yard scamper. Clarks on was stopped by our quarterback Ferris
Jennings, who made a vicious, bone-jarring tackle, one of many great
plays he made during that disastrous second half. What Jennings lacked
in weight--140 pounds--he more than made up in spirit, courage and
determination. On one play he tackled big Stan Kostha so hard the sopho-
more star player had to be taken from the game.
Using straight, grind-'em-out football, with the regulars on the
bench and the reserves getting a baptism of fire, Minnesota stomped on
us moving 60 yards to score the fifth touchdown on a short 4-yard run.
The scoreboard told part of the story of what happened that after-
noon in Memorial Stadium. Minnesota's 34 to 0 victory ended the 41-year
jinx. And a Michigan team had been scored on by the Gophers for the
first time since 1929.
Even the statistics failed to tell the whole story of Michigan's
defeat. We were outrushed 314 to 17 yards. While Minnesota completed
four pass attempts for 82 yards, Michigan tossers connected twice in
seven tries for 65 yards. The cold figures showed, however, the effective-
ness of Regeczi's effective punting. He averaged 46 yards a boot!
What the scoreboard and statistics failed to reveal was the deter-
mination of my team-mates-----big Matt Pattenelli playing his finest at
left-end; John Viergiver at one tackle taking a shellacking yet dishing
it out; Bill Hildebrand plugging the gaps at left guard; Bill Borgman
-more-
U of M program story
-5-
doing the same on the other side of the line; Captain Tom Austin holding his
team together and playing his heart out in the right tackle slot; Willis
Ward on pass patterns frequently slipping away from the Minnesota defense;
stout little Ferris Jennings tackling with great courage and calling the
plays; Whitey Aug slamming through play after play at lefthalf; Regeczi
calmly punting us out of danger; and Sweet red-dogging all afternoon.
Maybe the Gophers did "Mangle Michigan" that afternoon as the score
indicates. At least, the Homecoming for them was a success. As the
sportswriters reflected, the score might have been reduced if Michigan's
line replacements had been stronger and in greater numbers.
The Wolverine forward wall was tired out in the second half, as the
sports reporters said. But we were still trying despite the overwhelming
odds, which is one of the reasons this particular game is one I remember.
Although we learned many lessons playing football, the Minnesota
game was the final exam. A proud, but battered Michigan team passed it
with flying colors. We demonstrated that we had learned what our coaches
had tried to teach us-----never stop trying, and don't be afraid of tackling
a job with the odds against you.
Harry Kipke, coach of the 1934 team, best described the lesson we
demonstrated at Minnesota, "Give all you have, but give it within the let-
ter--and within the spirit--of the rules."
Recalling this game, I remember how the Michigan students and Ann Arbor
townspeople met the team at the train Sunday afternoon. There was a rousing
andspirited parade to the Union building headed by the Michigan Band. It
was a meaningful tribute to the fight the Wolverines had put up against the
-more-
U of M program story
-6-
powerful Minnesota Gophers---a team that finished an undeseated season
with a national championship crown. It also was a demonstration of
loyalty that I'm sure none of us through the years has forgotten.
Since graduating from Michigan, while coaching at Yale and
finishing law school, during my Navy service in World War II, and
during 16 years in the rough-and-tubble world of politics I often
thought of the experiences before, during and after that game in 1934.
Recalling them has helped me many times to face a tough situation, take
action and make every effort possible despite adverse odds.
Thanks to my football experience, I know the value of team-play.
It is, I believe, one of the most important lessons to be learned and
practiced in our lives.
3
#
#
For University of Michigan "This I Remember" series
in 1965 football program
g/ who OK. copies with Write corrections with me the in + frund.
By Gerald R. Ford
Minnesota
I
The campus battle-cry was "Mangle Michigan!" The unbeaten Gophers of
Minnesota, on their way to a championship, were out to break a jinx of
41 years. A hardy band of Wolverines with a record of
victories and
defeats stood in the path.
overnight
On riday afternoon, after a long train ride from Ann Arbor to Memorial
Healoach
outward apprehensons
Stadium we worked out showing little fear of Minnesota's reputation as a
sphorting Havey Kipht is
with
admittedly
bone-crushing steam-roller. Respect, yes. Fear, no. We had high regard for
the mb we Alasm ythe
Bill Butch
the somewhat awesome football abilities of All-Americans Bevan, Larson Pug
others on the star-studded squard
Lund. But, we were undauented by the predicted prospects of what would happen
to us the following day before a record-breaking homecoming CROWD of 60,000 fans.
That 1934 University of Michigan team had something going for it. We
intended to keep it that way. Minnesota had failed to defeat a Wolverine
club at home since 1892, and had not scored on Michigan since 1929.
Coach Bernie Bierman was reported as fearful of Michigan, despite the
poor record we had piled up. He told the press he remembered Michigan as always
playing heads-up football ready to take advantage of any break.
most assuredly
Certainly we were not over-confident with a bad record early in the season.
Bernie
But, we hoped to live up to Bierman's description. There were predictions
of what had happened to previous Mennesola when playing ball clubs
pre-game
Michyn
that our fullback Cedric Sweet and I at center would have a busy afternoon
How true
backing up the Michigan line. We faced the job of stopping the rushes of
1
Minnesota's fullback Beise, who made All-American in 1935, and Kostka, a
-more-
U of M program story
-2-
sophomore replacement of great talent, and the sweeping runs of Lund and
righthalf Alphonse. I don't know about Sweet, but I didn't sleep too well
the night before the game.
When we ran out to go through the pre-game drills before the mighty
hometown crowd in Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon, our spirits were
bolstered by the sight and sound of Michigan's famous "Fighting 100" Varsity
Band. We had high hopes the musicians could play "The Victors" with real
meaning when the game ended.
The first half was a bitter surprise for the Minnesota fans and a bright
beginning for the Wolverines. Not only were the Gophers out-played by a wide
margin, but they almost were scored on early in the game.
Johnny Regeczi, our right halfback with a talented punting foot, threw
a pass to right-end Willis Ward, the great football and track star from
Detroit. Ward was wide open on the play that came off a fake place kick.
Left-end Matt Pattenellli had set up the situation by blocking a Minnesota
then
punt and recovering the pigskin on the 16-yard line.
Our hopes for scoring first sailed away on the pass that Regeczi overthrew
to Ward, who made a gallant and unsuccessful attempt to catch it.
If Regeczi failed to make the grade on that play, he more than made up
for it with his fatritous punting. Thanks to John's booming boots, Minnesota spent most
of the first half in its own territory. As line-backers, Ced Sweet and I
had a rugged busy time meeting the crushing offensive runs of Minnesota's fleet and
powerful backfield.
-moreO
U of M program story
-3-
When the half ended, a rapidly-tiring lverine team trooped to the
dressing room. But, our spirits were high and we could see a possible
victory--or tie--in sight. It's a good thing one can't accurately see into the future!
Early in the second half the Gophers really turned on the power. The
first assault was stopped at the 18-yard line and Regeczi punted 35 yards
to give us tempony a 1 safety margin. Then the steamroller went into action. Minnesota
moved with calculated speed to score with Pug Lund doing most of the work
behind a hard-charging line. One pass completed the drive. The scoreboard was
to get busier as the afternoon wore on.
Minnesota's second touchdown was the result of a slashing, dazzling
76-yard run by Alphonse on the second play after kick-off. The swift-footed
Minnesota back wheeled around left end, cut back, eluded the secondary. Ward
almost caught him from behind.
The third touchdown was set up when Lund pinpointed a punt thatwont
out on the one-yard line. We couldn't get rolling and Regeczi from behind our
goal line whopped one out to our 34-yard stripe. Lund flipped a bullet pass
33 yards to Maurice Johnson, a substitute end, who slipped in to score.
And
At that point in the ballgame Minnesota had a perfect passing performance--
four for four.
With Lund on the bench taking a break, his replacement Roscoe raced 51
yards around right end scoring Minnesota's fourth touchdown after Clarkson
had advanced the ball toward our goal-line to midfield on a 28-yard scamper.
Clarkson was stopped by our quarterback Ferris Jennings, who made a vicious,
-more-
U of M program story
-4-
bone-jarring tackle, one of many great plays he made during that disastrous
second half. What Jennings lacked in weight---140 pounds he more than made
Stan
up in spirit, courage and determination. On one play he tackled big Kostka so
hard the sophomore star player had to be taken from the game.
Using straight, grind-'em-out football, with the regulars on the bench
and the reserves getting a baptism of fire, Minnesota stomped on us moving
60 yards to score the fifth touchdown on a short 4-yard run.
The scoreboard told part of the story of what happened that afternoon
in Memorial Stadium. Minnesota's 34 to 0 victory ended the 41-year jinx. And
a Michigan team had been scored on by the Gophers for the first time since
1929.
Even the statistics failed to tell the whole story of Michigan's defeat.
We were outrushed 314 to 17 yards. While Minnesota completed four pass
attempts for 82 yards, Michigan tossers connected twice in seven tries
for 65 yards. The cold figures showed, however, the effectiveness of Regeczi's
effective punting. He averaged 46 yards a boot!
What the scoreboard and statistics failed to reveal was the determination
of my team-mates-----big Matt Pattenelli playing his finest at left-end; John
Viergiver at one tackle taking a shellacking yet dishing it out; Bill
Hildebrand plugging the gaps at left guard; Bill Borgman doing the same on the
other side of the line; Captain Tom Austin holding his team together and
playing his heat out in the right tackle slot; Willis Ward on pass patterns
frequently slipping away from the Minnesota defense; stout little Ferris
Jennings tackling with great courage and calling the plays; Whitey Aug
-more-
U of M program story
-5-
slamming through play after play at lefthalf; Regeczi calmly punting us
out of danger; and Sweet red-dogging all afternoon.
Maybe the Gophers did "Mangle Michigan" that afternoon as the score
indicates. At least, the Home coming for them was a success. As the
sportswriters reflected, the score might have been reduced if Michigan's
line replacements had been stronger and in greater numbers.
The Wolverine forward wall was tired out in the second half, as the
sports reporters said. But we were still trying despite the overwhelming
odds, which is one of the reasons this particular game is one I remember.
Although we learned many lessons playing football, the Minnesota game
was the final exam. A proud, but battered Michigan team passed it with
flying colors. We demonstrated that we had learned what our coaches had
tried to teach us
never stop trying, and don't be afraid of tackling
a job with the odds against you.
Harry Kipke, coach of the 1934 team, best described the lesson we
demonstrated at Minnesota we had learned when "Give all you
have, but give it within the letter--and within the spirit-of the rules."
Recalling this game, I remember how the Michigan students and Ann Arbor
townspeople met the team at the train Sunday afternoon. There was a rousing
and spirited parade to the Union building headed by the Michigan Band. It
was a meaningful tribute to the fight the Wolverines had put up against the
powerful Minnesota Gophers. team that finished an undefeated season with
a national championship crown. It also was a demonstration of loyalty that
-more-
U of M program story
I'm sure none of us through the years has forgotten.
and
Since graduating from Michigan, while coaching at Yale finishing
law school, during my Navy service in World War II, and during 16
years in the rough-and-tumble world of politics I often thought
of the experiences before, during and after that game in 1934. Recalling
them has helped me many times to face a tough situation, take action and
make every effort possible despite adverse odds
Thanks to my football experience, I know the value of team-play.
It is, I believe, one of the most important lessons to be learned and
practiced in our lives.
#
#
#