Wikipedia:WikiProject College football/DYK

The following are hooks related to college football that have been featured on the Wikipedia Main Page as part of the "Did you know ..." ("DYK") feature. Since 2005, more than 500 DYK hooks relating to college football have been featured . If you are aware of newly created articles (or existing articles that have recently undergone a five-fold expansion), consider whether there is an interesting hook that migh warrant a DYK feature. If so, you can nominate it for DYK at Template talk:Did you know. Also, if you are aware of past college football DYK's that are not included on this list, feel free to add them.

2010 edit

November edit

... that the Florida Gators hold the longest active streak of not opening their season on the road? It has been a quarter of a century since the Gators last opened a football season on the road (1987, at Miami, FL).
... that Alan Pastrana (pictured) played as a linebacker in his first season at Maryland, but was switched to quarterback and set the Atlantic Coast Conference record for passing touchdowns in 1966?
... that in a 2010 game against Notre Dame, Stanford football player Owen Marecic scored touchdowns on offense and defense—and did so within 13 game seconds?
... that Bernard Carvalho, the current Mayor of Kauai, was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1984 after attending the University of Hawaii on a full football scholarship?
... that Larry Taylor returned a punt for a touchdown in each of the Connecticut Huskies football team's first two bowl games: the 2004 Motor City Bowl and the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl?
... that Gene Swick was the first college quarterback to amass more than 8,000 career yards, but was cut by the Cleveland Browns during camp and never played professional football?
... that Mickey Mangham, a walk-on player from Maryland, scored the only touchdown in the 1959 Sugar Bowl to secure a national championship for the undefeated 1958 LSU Tigers football team?
... that Craig "Death" Roh adopted a diet of six meals and more than 4,000 calories a day because he considered himself "tiny" at 230 pounds (104 kg)?
... that in his first two games as a starter, Denard "Shoelace" Robinson achieved the two highest single-game total offense totals in Michigan Wolverines history—and did so with his shoes untied?

October edit

... that Roy Roundtree was the leading receiver for the 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team even though he only started four games? October 19, 2010

... that Alan Pastrana (pictured) played as a linebacker in his first season at Maryland, but was switched to quarterback and set the Atlantic Coast Conference record for passing touchdowns in 1966? Oct. 14, 2010

... that four-time NFL All-Pro safety Rick Volk spent two days in an intensive-care unit after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Jets fullback Matt Snell in Super Bowl III? Oct. 11, 2010

... that Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Morgan Trent was a sprinter for the Michigan track team and set indoor state track records in the 60-yard dash and 200-meter run? October 11, 2010

... that Andre Weathers returned interceptions for game-winning touchdowns against Ohio State in Michigan's 1997 national championship season and in his first NFL game in 1999? October 10, 2010

... that Mike Martin won consecutive high school state championships in both wrestling and shot put and has been called "the Most Valuable Player Not Named Denard" on the 2010 Michigan football team? October 10, 2010

... that in a 2010 game against Notre Dame, Stanford football player Owen Marecic scored touchdowns on offense and defense—and did so within 13 game seconds? Oct. 10, 2010

... that Don Doll, the only player in NFL history to register 10 or more interceptions in 3 separate seasons, changed his surname to "Doll" after being discharged from the Marines? Oct. 9, 2010

... that Bob Mann, the first black player for Detroit and Green Bay, claimed he was "railroaded" out of football when he objected to a pay cut after leading the NFL in receiving yards? Oct. 7, 2010

... that Bernard Carvalho, the current Mayor of Kauai, was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1984 after attending the University of Hawaii on a full football scholarship? Oct. 5, 2010

... that Larry Taylor returned a punt for a touchdown in each of the Connecticut Huskies football team's first two bowl games: the 2004 Motor City Bowl and the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl? Oct. 5, 2010

... that Michigan's All-American 60-minute man Tom Johnson was the second African-American player for the Green Bay Packers? October 5, 2010

... that Marty Amsler was the first University of Evansville graduate to be drafted into the National Football League? Oct. 3, 2010

... that Monte Robbins holds the Michigan Wolverines football records for longest punt at 82 yards and the highest career average for a punter? October 1, 2010

... that Gene Swick was the first college quarterback to amass more than 8,000 career yards, but was cut by the Cleveland Browns during camp and never played professional football? Oct. 1, 2010

September edit

... that Jonas Mouton was nationally ranked as a safety in high school football but has started for three seasons at weakside linebacker for the Michigan Wolverines? Sept. 30, 2010

... that Mickey Mangham, a walk-on player from Maryland, scored the only touchdown in the 1959 Sugar Bowl to secure a national championship for the undefeated 1958 LSU Tigers football team? September 27, 2010

... that Craig "Death" Roh adopted a diet of six meals and more than 4,000 calories a day because he considered himself "tiny" at 230 pounds (104 kg)? September 25, 2010

... that the 1980 Michigan defense, led by All-Big Ten linebackers Andy Cannavino, Paul Girgash and Robert Thompson, gave up an average of only 1.8 points per game in the last five games of the season? September 21, 2010

... that Michigan linebacker Marty Huff intercepted three passes thrown in one game by Hall of Fame quarterback Mike Phipps? September 15, 2010

... that in his first two games as a starter, Denard "Shoelace" Robinson achieved the two highest single-game total offense totals in Michigan Wolverines history—and did so with his shoes untied? September 15, 2010

... that fullback Ed Shuttlesworth became Michigan's all-time leader in rushing attempts while playing for teams that finished 30–1–1 from 1971 to 1973? September 15, 2010

... that quarterback George "Shorty" Chalmers was considered a triple threat man, and alongside Boze Berger, "one of the most dangerous pass–catch combinations in Maryland history"? Sept. 12, 2010

... that Michigan linebacker Tom Beckman worked more than 30 years for General Motors where he was in charge of new vehicle launches? September 11, 2010

... that Michigan strong safety Julius Curry in 2006 formed Curry Racing, the first NASCAR racing team with sole minority ownership? September 10, 2010

... that Gil Chapman was Michigan's career leader in kickoff return yards and the first African-American elected to office in Elizabeth, New Jersey? Sept. 9, 2010

... that, the week before he was scheduled to meet Queen Elizabeth II in a pre-game ceremony, University of Maryland football co-captain Gene Alderton lost a tooth—so the university had it replaced to ensure he could smile properly? Sept. 9, 2010

... that, after receiving contact lenses in 2010, Michigan wide receiver Darryl Stonum reported, "I could see everything like in HD"? Sept. 8, 2010

... that despite the 1941 Stanford Indians being considered a favorite for the national championship, head coach Clark Shaughnessy correctly predicted at least two losses for his team? Sept. 8, 2010

... that Jack Karwales spent time as a Wolverine, Bear, and Cardinal, and a coach of Billikens? Sept. 7, 2010

... that the 1957 Maryland Terrapins football season included a game attended by Queen Elizabeth II? Sept. 7, 2010

... that former Michigan halfback Darrell Harper scored the first points and kicked the first field goal and extra point in the history of the Buffalo Bills? Sept. 6, 2010

... that Michigan tackle Jack Carpenter later played for the Toronto Argonauts and was described as "the pillar of strength on the Argos' front wall"? Sept. 5, 2010

... that Ryan Boyle, who holds the Ivy League lacrosse career scoring record, once set the Maryland high school football single-season pass completion percentage record? Sept. 5, 2010

... that the 1956 Maryland Terrapins lost players to the military draft and jaundice, and The Baltimore Sun called the head coach and quarterback "the biggest fall guys in college football"? Sept. 4, 2010

... that Michigan's starting quarterbacks under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan included John Ghindia (1949), Lou Baldacci (1953–1954), and Jim Maddock (1954–1956)? Sept. 3, 2010

... that Ray Van Orman was expelled from Cornell University for "cribbing", but later returned to complete his veterinary doctorate and to coach the lacrosse and football teams? Sept. 3, 2010

... that Michigan's starting quarterbacks under head coach Bump Elliott included Stan Noskin (1957–1959), Dave Glinka (1960–1962), and Wally Gabler (1965)?

... that former Michigan quarterback Jim Van Pelt set Canadian Football League records with a 107-yard touchdown pass and seven touchdown passes in one game? Sept. 1, 2010

... that the 1939 Stanford Indians football team won its only game of the season after being told during halftime that they were "the worst group of players who have ever worn the Stanford red"? Sept. 1, 2010

August edit

... that Walter Hass, who helped reestablish the sport at the University of Chicago, played college football under three different Hall of Fame head coaches? Aug. 31, 2010

... that although the team was founded in 1896, the first Connecticut Huskies bowl game did not come until the end of the 2004 college football season? Aug. 30, 2010

... that quarterback Steven Threet began his college football career at Georgia Tech, played for Michigan in 2008 and is now a member of the 2010 Arizona State team? Aug. 29, 2010

... that George Malley, whose St. Ignatius High School football team was once compared to Notre Dame under Knute Rockne, resigned from the University of San Francisco with a losing record? Aug. 28, 2010

... that after watching "the greatest single play" in team history, Bob Ufer exclaimed "Johnny Wangler to Anthony Carter will be heard until another 100 years of Michigan football is played!"? Aug. 26, 2010

... that Michael Taylor led Michigan to consecutive Big Ten football championships and became the school's all-time leader in passing efficiency? Aug. 24, 2010

... that Dennis Brown broke the Big Ten single game total offense record in his first start and set the Michigan football record for career passing yards? Aug. 23, 2010

... that Michigan fullback Mel Anthony set a Rose Bowl record with an 84-yard touchdown run in 1965? Aug. 22, 2010

... that former Michigan running back Chuck Heater coached national championship football teams at Notre Dame and Florida? August 22, 2010

... that John Idzik, University of Detroit head coach until it discontinued its football program, was fired by the Baltimore Colts, along with the entire coaching staff, on two separate occasions? Aug. 22, 2010

... that former Jackson, Michigan, mayor Fred Janke was the captain of Fritz Crisler's first Michigan Wolverines football team? Aug. 20, 2010

... that 1954 Michigan football MVP Fred Baer and 1953 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lattner played in the same backfield for Fenwick High School in the Chicago Catholic League in 1949? August 19, 2010

... that despite a slight build at 155 pounds, Jack Wheeler was the MVP of the undefeated 1930 Michigan football team and finished second in voting for the Chicago Tribune Silver Football? August 17, 2010

... that Youngstown, Ohio, native Sylvester "Buster" Stanley won the 1993 Michigan football MVP and Dick Katcher awards? August 16, 2010

... that with 203 total yards and four touchdowns, Wali Lundy was named the Most Valuable Player of the American football 2002 Continental Tire Bowl? Aug. 16, 2010

... that Matt Patanelli was the first University of Michigan football player selected in an National Football League Draft? August 16, 2010

... that Upper Peninsula native Reuben Kelto was selected as the MVP of the 1941 Michigan football team that was ranked fifth in the final AP poll? August 15, 2010

... that Tony Branoff became the first sophomore selected as MVP of the Michigan football team after leading the 1953 squad in scoring, handling punting duties and throwing a 66-yard touchdown pass? August 14, 2010

... that Tony Rio, placed on probation in 1958 for being part of a football gambling ring, went on to become the MVP of the 1959 Michigan football team? August 13, 2010

... that Henry Hill attended the University of Michigan on an academic scholarship and became the MVP of the 1970 football team as a walk-on? Aug. 13, 2010

... that 1974 Michigan football MVP Steve Strinko suffered a degenerative knee injury and later formed an organization to provide medical assistance to others injured in college athletics? August 12, 2010

... that Marcus Ray was an All-American member of the record-setting 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team's defense? Aug. 11, 2010

... that Michigan halfback Ted Kress set a Big Ten single-game rushing record with 218 yards in his second conference game? August 8, 2010

... that Dennis Fitzgerald won a gold medal in wrestling at the 1963 Pan American Games, and set the Michigan Wolverines football record with a 99-yard kickoff return? August 6, 2010

... that George Veenker has the highest winning percentage of any basketball coach in Michigan history and served on the NCAA Football Rules Committee from 1938 to 1945? August 4, 2010

... that Ray Courtright, once considered Oklahoma's greatest halfback, pitched a no-hitter for the Sooners and coached the Nevada basketball and Michigan golf and wrestling teams to championships? August 3, 2010

... that former Miami University head football coach Arthur H. Parmelee later studied pediatric medicine with Dr. Clemens von Pirquet in Vienna, Austria? Aug. 2, 2010

... that Bill Borgman was a lineman for the undefeated national champion 1932 and 1933 Michigan football teams and a line-mate of Gerald R. Ford on the 1934 team? August 1, 2010

July edit

... that college football coach Billy Laval modified his team's jerseys to help a color-blind quarterback find his receivers? July 31, 2010

... that Stanley Fay, captain and quarterback of the undefeated national champion 1933 Michigan football team, later became Ford Motor Company's personnel director? July 31, 2010

... that less than six weeks after being fired from his 20-year career as the University of Wisconsin's football coach and athletic director, Ivy Williamson died from falling down a staircase? July 31, 2010

... that after posting an 11–3 record, the 2007 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team lost to Appalachian State in the NCAA Division I Football Championship on December 14, 2007? July 30, 2010

... that Eastern Michigan football coach Fred Trosko suffered a 29-game winless streak after the school refused to follow a conference policy allowing athletic scholarships? July 29, 2010

... that University of Maryland athletic director Dick Dull, who resigned after the death of Len Bias, hired a "no name" head football coach: Bobby Ross? July 29, 2010

... that Hercules Renda was described as a "midget from the hills of West Virginia" who "ran, squirmed and tackled" his way into the hearts of Michigan football fans in the 1930s? July 28, 2010

... that Michigan linebacker Tony Momsen blocked a Vic Janowicz punt and recovered it in the endzone for the only touchdown in the famed 1950 Snow Bowl game? July 27, 2010

... that long-time NFL scout Ralph Kohl was considered the top "judge of football flesh" in BLESTO, the scouting combine of the Bears-Lions-Eagles-Steelers Talent Organization? July 27, 2010

... that Stu Wilkins, an offensive guard on Michigan's 1947 "Mad Magicians" team, was a leader in establishing the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his hometown of Canton, Ohio? July 27, 2010

... that Irish-American banker Sam McBirney coached a football team from a college with 400 students to a 16–0 win that broke the Oklahoma Sooners' 18-game winning streak? July 26, 2010

... that Michigan Wolverines center Alan Bovard coached the Michigan Tech football team to its first undefeated season in 1948? July 24, 2010

... that Garrett Rivas, a placekicker, is the all-time leading scorer in Michigan Wolverines football history? July 23, 2010

... that the 1999 Michigan Wolverines football team, featuring 2007 NFL MVP and Athlete of the Year Tom Brady, holds the all-time NCAA single-season attendance record? July 20, 2010

... that Remy Hamilton established the current Big Ten Conference single-season record for successful field goals at 25 during the 1994 NCAA Division I-A football season? July 19, 2010

... that Gordie Gillespie is the all-time winningest college baseball coach and was also selected as the head coach of the Chicago Tribune all-time Illinois high school football team? July 16, 2010

... that Willie Heston (pictured), rated by Knute Rockne as the greatest back of all time, helped Michigan outscore its opponents 2,326 to 40 in his four years with the team? July 11, 2010

... that the 1972 Oklahoma Sooners football team was never sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for using ineligible players although the Big Eight Conference vacated three wins? July 10, 2010

... that the Oklahoma football team coached by Fred Ewing played one game that had a ten-minute half and was on a 75-yard field, the lines of which the players chalked themselves? July 10, 2010

... that Hugh Knox, son of the U.S. Secretary of State and Attorney General, was an All-American halfback at Yale? July 9, 2010

... that the 1971 Oklahoma Sooners football team set the all-time college football Division I record for rushing yards per game? July 9, 2010

... that Bill Dague was the first consensus All-American football player from the United States Naval Academy? July 9, 2010

... that Oklahoma Sooners football head coach Barry Switzer won eight consecutive Big Eight Conference college football championships in his first eight years with the 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980 teams? July 8, 2010

... that Frank Joranko was selected as the most valuable football player in the MIAA and later coached Albion College to nine MIAA baseball championships? July 8, 2010

... that the 1984 Oklahoma Sooners football team set a school single season record by only allowing 2.2 yards per rush attempt? July 7, 2010

... that All-American Rickey Dixon set several school interception records with the 1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team? July 7, 2010

... that, seven years after California football coach Stub Allison's "nasty, opportunistic defense" helped win a national championship, he was fired for "shackl[ing] good material with a dull offense"? July 6, 2010

... that head coach Chris Scelfo's Tulane football team was forced to play all eleven of its games in different cities during the 2005 season after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans? July 5, 2010

... that, in an eventually successful effort to end the nation's longest losing streak, Eastern Michigan University football coach Bob LaPointe hired a local hypnotist? July 5, 2010

... that the list of college football coaches with 200 career wins is topped by John Gagliardi, Eddie Robinson, and Joe Paterno? July 3, 2010

... that Eric Hamilton, the youngest American college football head coach when hired by Trenton State College at age 23, has held the same job for 33 years? July 3, 2010

... that Keith Piper successfully perpetuated the single-wing, "the formation-of-choice during football's leather-helmet era," for decades after it had been discarded by other teams? July 3, 2010

... that football coach Denny Douds, climbing the career wins list after decades at the same university, jumped with the U.S. Army Parachute Team in May 2010 at age 69? July 3, 2010

... that Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor has a career record of 214–82–4 and won four Black College Championships at Hampton? July 3, 2010

... that Peter "Papa Bear" Mazzaferro was removed as head football coach at Bridgewater after 19 years, sued for age discrimination, and coached another 17 years there after being reinstated? July 2, 2010

June edit

... that J. A. "Daff" Gammons played professional baseball and football, coached the Brown University football team, founded a successful insurance agency, and was an accomplished amateur golfer? June 30, 2010

... that word of Dartmouth football coach Jackson Cannell's termination prompted a team petition and The New York Times to dismiss it as a "rumor [that] springs up every year"? June 29, 2010

... that 5'5", 135 lb (1.65 m, 61 kg) Chris Limahelu set a USC Trojans football record with a 47-yard field goal at the 1974 Rose Bowl game? June 28, 2010

... that Henry Schoellkopf, selected as an All-American fullback while attending Harvard Law School, later shot himself in the head at his Milwaukee law office? June 27, 2010

... that former Ohio State football coach Larry Catuzzi served on the Flight 93 Federal Advisory Commission after his daughter died on United Airlines Flight 93? June 27, 2010

... that Frank Girardi's Lycoming football team wore shoes borrowed from Joe Paterno in the 1990 NCAA football tournament? June 27, 2010

... that Princeton's "Whoop" Snively, known as "the best forward-passer in the East," later coached lacrosse and ice hockey at Williams College and New Hampshire? June 26, 2010

... that Fred K. Nielsen, a legal official of the U.S. State Department, served as the part-time head football coach at four different Washington, D.C. colleges? June 24, 2010

... that Williams College football coach Joseph Brooks served in a machine gun battalion in World War I and survived a plane crash in 1931? June 24, 2010

... that Norm Daniels, Frank Hauser and Bill MacDermott achieved the most wins among the football coaches in Wesleyan history, and Daniels led the team to four consecutive undefeated seasons? June 23, 2010

... that Dr. Edgar Fauver, a football and baseball player in the 1890s, became a pioneer in women's athletics coaching women's basketball and baseball at Barnard College in the 1900s? June 22, 2010

... that Donald Russell from 1964 to 1970 accumulated the highest winning percentage (.661) of any Wesleyan football coach with more than two years as head coach? June 21, 2010

... that football coach Jake High has both the highest winning percentage (.778) in the history of Wesleyan football and the lowest percentage (.000) in the history of NYU football? June 20, 2010

... that current Wesleyan football coach Mike Whalen led the Williams College "Ephs" to four consecutive Little Three football championships and a undefeated record against Wesleyan? June 18, 2010

... that Jim "the Darp" Ostendarp, Amherst College football coach for 33 years, refused to allow ESPN to televise a game saying, "We're in education. We aren't in the entertainment business"? June 16, 2010

... that the UConn Huskies won the 2010 PapaJohns.com Bowl to end a year marked by five games lost by 15 total points, a double-overtime victory at Notre Dame, and the murder of cornerback Jasper Howard? June 16, 2010

... that Craig Rundle, a college football head coach for 24 years, led Albion College to the 2001 MIAA championship with his sons playing at quarterback and tight end?

... that Jack Siedlecki led Yale, Amherst and Worcester to conference championships in 21 years as a head football coach? June 12, 2010

... that Jack Faber received a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, where he also served as the school's Department of Microbiology head, football coach, and men's lacrosse coach? June 9, 2010

... that all nine individuals who served as Michigan Wolverines head football coaches from 1900 to 1989 have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame? June 3, 2010

... that 2009 College Football All-America Team selection Zane Beadles was also a 2009 Academic All-America selection? June 2, 2010

May edit

... that Gooch Gauthier coached a "little band of Battling Bishops" to victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the 1928 season opener at The Big House? May 28, 2010

... that Mysterious Walker, who played for or coached more than 30 baseball, basketball and football teams, earned his nickname pitching for the San Francisco Seals under a pseudonym and wearing a mask? May 28, 2010

... that Frim Frimodig played high school football with The Gipper and held Michigan State's single-game basketball scoring record for 35 years? May 28, 2010

... that Don Coleman was the first Michigan State football player to have his number retired, the Spartans' first African-American coach, and the first African-American teacher at Flint Central? May 20, 2010

... that Bob Valesente has coached football for the Kansas Jayhawks, Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers and Frankfurt Galaxy? May 16, 2010

... that Texas A&M football coach Harry Stiteler resigned in 1951 after admitting he had misrepresented the facts about being beaten by a stranger near a Houston hotel? May 14, 2010

that Hootie Ingram tied the SEC record for interceptions, coached football at Clemson, and was the athletic director at Florida State and Alabama? May 10, 2010

... that Ernie Zampese coached the leading pass offense in the NFL six times in seven years and has been credited with putting the "air" in Air Coryell? May 10, 2010

... that Jerry Vandergriff led the Angelo State Rams to 18 consecutive winning seasons and the winningest record of all Texas universities in the 1980s? May 8, 2010

... that Lupe Joe Arenas, one of the first Mexican-American football stars, once held the NFL career record with 4,572 kick and punt return yards? May 8, 2010

... that Jay Riemersma, tight end for the Michigan Wolverines, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, is currently a Republican candidate for Congress from West Michigan? May 8, 2010

... that Lupe Joe Arenas, one of the first Mexican-American football stars, once held the NFL career record with 4,572 kick and punt return yards? May 8, 2010

... that Mike Brumbelow was captain and MVP of the TCU Horned Frogs' first Southwest Conference championship team in 1929 and coached UTEP to two wins in three appearances in the Sun Bowl in the 1950s? May 7, 2010

... that David Moosman led his high school to the Illinois state championship in football and qualified for the state championships three times in wrestling? May 7, 2010

... that over the course of his career at Michigan State Normal College, Elton Rynearson coached at least one year in every varsity sport, including football, basketball, baseball, and track? May 6, 2010

... that Mike Stock's only job as a head coach came near the middle of his 44-year American football coaching career? May 6, 2010

... that Mike Gary played football at Minnesota with Bronko Nagurski and coached Western Michigan for 13 years, including undefeated seasons in 1932 and 1941? May 3, 2010

... that the George Munger Award, given since 1989 to the college football coach of the year, is named for long-time Penn coach and decathlon champion George Munger? May 3, 2010

... that Cleo O'Donnell coached the 1914 Everett team that outscored opponents 600 to 0 and was rated by Sports Illustrated as the greatest high school football team of all time? May 2, 2010

... that when Minnesota Duluth coach Jim Malosky retired in 1998 he was the winningest football coach in Division II history and ranked 11th in wins among all college football coaches? May 2, 2010

... that Dayton Flyers coach Mike Kelly has the fourth best winning percentage (81.9%) of all time among college football coaches with at least 25 years of experience? May 1, 2010

... that American football player Mark Ortmann was a discus throw champion in high school? May 1, 2010

... that Dan Boisture said of his move from the two-time defending national champion Michigan State Spartans football to the Eastern Michigan Hurons, "There weren't many jobs open ... It was a cute campus"? May 1, 2010

April edit

... that quarterback Walter Kennedy's amateur status became a national media story in 1898 after his mother said he was receiving $500 a year to play football at the University of Chicago? April 29, 2010

... that in addition to being the captain of the 1904 University of Chicago football team, Fred Speik was a member of Chicago's water polo and track and field teams? April 29, 2010

... that Stevie Brown led the 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team's special teams with 11 tackles? April 27, 2010

... that Army All-American Henry Torney, who later became a millionaire, was arrested at a 1910 Shirtwaist Strikers protest that led the New York Mayor to rebuke the "police dictators"? April 26, 2010

... that "Big John" Macklin coached the Michigan State Spartans football program to its first wins over Ohio State and Michigan and also coached the school's basketball, baseball and track teams? Apr. 24, 2010

... that since changing the mascot from the Huron to the Eagle in 1991, the Eastern Michigan Eagles football team has won less than 28% of their games? April 24, 2010

... that baseball outfielder Domonic Brown, nicknamed the "Total Package" by Ryan Howard, originally intended to play wide receiver for the Miami Hurricanes football team? April 24, 2010

... that 2009 International Bowl MVP Donald Brown (pictured) was the first Connecticut Huskies football player to be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft? April 23, 2010

... that Big Ten MVP Willis Glassgow was called the "Dancing Master" for his shiftiness on the gridiron and because he managed the most popular ballroom in Iowa City? Apr. 23, 2010

... that J.W.F. Bennett, captain of the undefeated 1898 Michigan football team, later supervised the construction of the Algonquin, Ritz and Waldorf Hotels? Apr. 22, 2010

... that "Pa" Henninger, captain of the 1895 Michigan football team that outscored its opponents 266 to 14, was twice named to all-time All-Michigan teams? Apr. 20, 2010 football|gridiron]] and because he managed the most popular ballroom in Iowa City? Apr. 23, 2010

... that East Chicago native Art Murakowski survived a kamikaze attack during the Battle of Okinawa and was named the most valuable football player in the Big Ten Conference in 1948? Apr. 20, 2010

Roger Sherman

... that Roger Sherman (pictured in 1890) was accused of offering a football player $600 to play for Michigan and later served as president of the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations? Apr. 19, 2010

George Dygert

... that Michigan's 1892/1893 captain George Dygert (pictured) played professional football for a Butte, Montana, team sponsored by mine owners that defeated teams from Denver and San Francisco? April 17, 2010

... that Indiana halfback Chuck Bennett built his physique working in coal mines and was selected as the MVP of the Big Ten Conference despite playing for the ninth place team? Apr. 17, 2010

Flatiron Building

... that Michigan quarterback James Baird supervised the construction of the Flatiron Building (video right), the Lincoln Memorial, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? April 16, 2010

James Duffy

... that Michigan's James Duffy (pictured) played seven years of college football and set a world record by drop kicking a football 168 feet, 7-1/2 inches? April 16, 2010

Gerald Ford

... that team MVP Gerald Ford (pictured) recalled that Michigan's 1934 "Punt, Pass and Prayer" offense lost punter John Regeczi and passer "Hard Luck Bill" Renner and "all we had left was the prayer"? April 11, 2010

... that from his freshman year at Oak Park High School through his junior year at the University of Michigan, Herb Steger never lost a game of football? April 7, 2010

... that Duke Dunne, an Olympic pentathlete and Michigan football captain, later presided over the sale of the Chicago White Sox to Bill Veeck and the Kansas City Athletics to Charlie Finley? April 1, 2010

... that William Shakespeare was nicknamed "The Merchant of Menace"? April 1, 2010

March edit

Tom Hammond

... that American football player Tom Hammond (pictured) always played without protective padding, saying "I want them to feel my bones"? March 30, 2010

... that Herb Graver scored five touchdowns in the 1903 Michigan–Ohio State game, a record that has not since been matched by a player for either team? March 25, 2010

1901 Michigan Wolverines football team

... that Michigan's 1901 "Point-a-Minute" team (pictured), rated one of the greatest college football teams of all time, outscored its opponents 550–0 and beat Stanford 49–0 in the first Rose Bowl game? March 22, 2010

... that Harold Pogue, Perry Graves and Ralph Chapman became the University of Illinois' first first-team College Football All-Americans in 1914? March 18, 2010

... that General Vernon Prichard, commander of the "Old Ironsides" armored division during the Italian Campaign in World War II, was Dwight Eisenhower's quarterback at West Point? March 17, 2010

Irving Pond

... that Irving Pond (pictured) designed three National Historic Landmarks, performed a backflip on his 80th birthday, and scored the first ever touchdown for the Michigan Wolverines? March 16, 2010

... that footballer Edward King was honored for heroism in the Philippines and tactical skill in France and later became Commandant of the Army Command and General Staff College? March 16, 2010

... that Hall of Fame tackle Harold Ballin was "the hardest-hitting player" ever faced by fellow Hall of Famer Charles Brickley and the last Princeton player to play without a helmet? March 15, 2010

... that Football Hall of Famer Huntington "Tack" Hardwick was called "a big, fine-looking aristocrat from blue-blood stock" who "loved combat – body contact at crushing force – a fight to the finish"? March 14, 2010

... that Frederick Josiah Bradlee was a Boston Brahmin, an All-American halfback and the father of Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee? March 14, 2010

... that 1914 College Football All-Americans Burleigh Cruikshank of Washington & Jefferson and Haps Benfer of Albright College went on to become Presbyterian and United Evangelical ministers? March 14, 2010

... that Nebraska's first All-American Vic Halligan was called "The premier punter of the West, A master of the forward pass, A tackler equal to the best"? March 14, 2010

... that College Football Hall of Fame center Shorty Des Jardien played in the NFL for the Chicago Tigers and in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians? March 13, 2010

... that College Football Hall of Fame inductee Stan "Bags" Pennock was killed in an explosion that wrecked the chemical plant he opened in an abandoned New Jersey slaughterhouse? March 11, 2010

... that Hall of Fame quarterback Charley Barrett died of an illness contracted in an explosion on the USS Brooklyn in Yokohama Harbor during World War I? March 11, 2010

... that Louis Jordan was the first University of Texas All-American football player and the first Texas officer killed in action in World War I? March 10, 2010

... that medical student Bob Kolesar was one of Michigan's renowned "Seven Oak Posts" in 1942? March 10, 2010

... that John Brennan, a 201-pound football player, was voted "queen" of the University of Michigan ice carnival after challenging the pulchritude of the school's co-eds? March 8, 2010

... that Stanley Muirhead helped lead Michigan to a national football championship in 1923 and was a first-team All-NFL player in 1924 for the Dayton Triangles and Cleveland Bulldogs? March 4, 2010

February edit

... that the 1906 College Football All-America Team included Princeton quarterback Eddie Dillon, Harvard guard Francis Burr, Yale end Bob Forbes, Cornell center Bill Newman, a midshipman who was the strongest man in the U.S. Naval Academy, and a guard who was described as "one of the largest men who ever played on a college gridiron"? February 28, 2010

... that Louis Robertshaw flew combat missions in World War II and Korea and flew an F-4D Phantom fighter in Vietnam as commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing? Feb. 26, 2010

... that in order to convince defensive end Jody Schulz to sign a letter-of-intent, former East Carolina Pirates football coach Ed Emory took a plane to Kent Island during a snowstorm? Feb. 24, 2010

... that in TCU's first season in the Mountain West Conference, the 2005 TCU Horned Frogs football team won its first outright conference championship since 1958? Feb. 23, 2010

... that University of Michigan freshman Devin Gardner compiled 3,287 yards of total offense as a high school junior and was ranked as the top quarterback prospect in the United States in 2009? Feb. 23, 2010

... that Louis Merrilat played football with Dwight Eisenhower at West Point, trained Iran's Persian Guard, and served as a soldier of fortune in China and with the French Foreign Legion? Feb. 22, 2010

... that thirteen-year-old David Sills has verbally committed to play college football for USC although he is not eligible to sign a letter of intent until 2015? Feb. 18, 2010

... that in U.S. college football, the 2010 East-West Shrine Game had the lowest attendance of any of the 85 East-West Shrine Games? Feb. 15, 2010

... that despite only playing college football for two and a half seasons with the Northwestern Wildcats, Zak Kustok holds numerous rushing and passing records? Feb. 7, 2010

... that many of Bo Schembechler's assistant coaches at Michigan, including Milan Vooletich, Jerry Hanlon, Tirrel Burton, and Dick Hunter, had previously coached at Miami of Ohio, the "Cradle of Coaches"? February 6, 2010

... that George Mans, captain of the 1961 Michigan football team, later served in the Michigan House of Representatives and as an assistant coach under Bo Schembechler? Feb. 3, 2010

January edit

... that American football defensive tackle O'Brien Schofield, who completed his college career for Wisconsin in 2009, is a cousin of the National Football League veterans Vonnie Holliday and Bobby Engram? Jan. 29, 2010

... that after scouting him at South Carolina, current Philadelphia Eagles running backs coach Ted Williams advised the Eagles to take Duce Staley with a third-round draft pick in the 1997 NFL Draft? Jan. 28, 2010

... that the Los Angeles Times wrote in 1914 that American football player Walter Rheinschild had been rated as "the highest salaried amateur athlete in the business"? Jan. 27, 2010

... that Northwestern University's appearance in the 2003 Motor City Bowl marked the first time a Big Ten team played in that bowl game? Jan. 26, 2010

... that the Toledo Rockets played the Boston College Eagles in the 2002 Motor City Bowl, the first time that a bowl game was played in then-new Ford Field? Jan. 25, 2010

... that the 2005 Liberty Bowl was the first time Fresno State played a college football bowl game east of the Mississippi River? Jan. 24, 2010

Paul Magoffin

... that Michigan halfback Paul Magoffin later coached the George Washington "Hatchetites" on the White House Ellipse? Jan. 23, 2010

... that the undefeated 1930 Michigan Wolverines football team was led by Harry Newman, referred to by the United Press as the "crack Jewish field general"? Jan. 12, 2010

... that the Orange Bowl stadium (pictured) first hosted the college football bowl game of the same name in 1938? Jan. 12, 2010

... that in 2003 Curtis Gatewood became the first college football recruit from Memphis to sign with Vanderbilt since 1997? Jan. 10, 2010

... that the 1950 Salad Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona, drew nearly 20,000 fans, setting a new statewide attendance record for football? Jan. 7, 2010

... that Fritz Crisler developed the platoon system of American football in which separate squads play offense and defense and designed the winged football helmet used by the Michigan Wolverines? Jan. 6, 2010

... that Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans attended Bloomsburg University not on an athletic scholarship, but rather an academic scholarship? Jan. 5, 2010

Clayton Teetzel

... that Michigan sprinter Clayton Teetzel coached the BYU basketball team to an 11–1 season and later coached the Utah State football team to an undefeated season outscoring opponents 164 to 0? Jan. 5, 2010

... that Wally Teninga played football for Michigan's undefeated 1947 and 1948 championship teams and later became vice chairman and chief financial officer of Kmart Corporation? Jan. 4, 2010

... that "Canonsburgh Comet" Leo Koceski, halfback for Michigan's 1948 national championship and 1950 Rose Bowl championship teams, was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame? Jan. 4, 2010

... that Howard Yerges began his football career with the Ohio State Buckeyes and finished it as the quarterback of Michigan's 1947 "Mad Magicians" national championship team? Jan. 3, 2010

... that on December 26, 2009, Sarah Thomas became the first woman to officiate a Football Bowl Subdivision bowl game, when she served as line judge for the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl? Jan. 2, 2010

1896 Michigan football team

... that the 1896 Michigan football team (pictured) appeared in the first college football game played indoors and under electric lights? Jan. 2, 2010

1895 player Forrest Hall

... that the 1895 Michigan football team (player pictured) outscored its opponents 266 to 14 and clinched a claim to the Western championship of American football? Jan. 2, 2010

... that the 1894 Michigan football team played Chicago in a sleet storm as the grandstand was "packed with yelling collegians" and the carriage rooms "filled with society people"? Jan. 2, 2010

... that the 1897 Michigan Wolverines football team won the inaugural game in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry by a score of 34 to 0? Jan. 1, 2010

1899 coach Gustave Ferbert

... that after taking the 1899 Michigan football team to an 8–2 season, coach Gustave Ferbert (pictured) resigned to participate in the Klondike Gold Rush and became a millionaire? Jan. 1, 2010

2009 edit

December 2009 edit

... that quarterback Don Moorhead set 24 Michigan Wolverines football records from 1969 to 1970, including career records for total offense and passing yards? Dec. 31, 2009

... that in 2007, A. J. Wallace broke the Penn State Nittany Lions football record for kickoff return yardage in a season with 581, which broke Kenny Watson's 1999 record of 522? Dec. 31, 2009

... that football player Al Pollard quit the United States Military Academy because he was connected to a cribbing scandal? Dec. 22, 2009

... that former National Football League wide receiver Tai Streets was named after former female figure skater Tai Babilonia? Dec. 13, 2009

... that the Baylor University began its organized football team in 1899, but adopted a mascot only after the completion of the 1914 season? Dec. 6, 2009

November 2009 edit

... that in April 1995, the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League drafted Derrell Robertson, even though he had died in a car accident in December 1994? Nov. 29, 2009

... that American football center J. T. White played for NCAA national champions with both the 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team and the 1942 Ohio State Buckeyes football team? Nov. 28, 2009

... that American football guard Justin Boren cited family values as the reason for transferring from the University of Michigan to its arch rival, The Ohio State University? Nov. 27, 2009

... that Tuskegee University gives up its chance for the NCAA Division II National Football Championship each year to be able to play in the Turkey Day Classic? Nov. 26, 2009

... that J.D. Morgan led UCLA to at least 6 NCAA championships as tennis coach and 30 NCAA championships, including 10 men's basketball titles, as athletic director? Nov. 25, 2009

... that Vanderbilt's 130-pound quarterback Irby "Rabbit" Curry, an elusive runner who "only needed the suspicion of an opening to wriggle through," was killed in aerial combat in 1918? Nov. 24, 2009

... that Fritz Shiverick, known as "a scoring machine", served in 1919 as Cornell's quarterback, punter, drop kicker, kickoff returner and play-caller on both offense and defense? Nov. 24, 2009

... that Northwestern's Max Morris was a consensus All-American in both basketball and football, played both sports professionally, and twice led the Big Ten in scoring? Nov. 23, 2009

... that Minnesota's Pudge Wyman scored the first kickoff return for a touchdown, the first blocked punt returned for a touchdown, and the first passing touchdown in the history of the NFL? Nov. 22, 2009

... that "Big Joe" Curtis was the starting left tackle for Michigan Wolverines football teams that outscored opponents by a combined total of 1,627 to 30 from 1903 to 1905? Nov. 19, 2009

... that John Messmer was captain of the University of Wisconsin's football and swim teams, set a U.S. high school record in the discus and was the first Badger to win nine varsity letters in major sports? Nov. 18, 2009

... that Cliff Sparks, hailed in 1916 as "eel-like," a "whirlwind" and "the greatest quarterback Michigan ever has had," punted by forcefully throwing the ball at his uprising foot? Nov. 18, 2009

... that Iolas Melitus Huffman reportedly played in every quarter of every Ohio State football game except one from 1918 to 1921 and later played for the Cleveland Indians of the NFL? Nov. 15, 2009

... that Russian-born Joe Magidsohn was the first Jew to win a varsity "M" at the University of Michigan and the first athlete known to have refused to compete on the High Holy Days? Nov. 15, 2009

... that flags at the University of Iowa were flown at half-mast following the death from peritonitis of Jim Trickey, one year after he became the first Hawkeye to win All-American honors in 1912? Nov. 13, 2009

... that Michigan Wolverines football offensive lineman Stephen Schilling was unable to play organized youth football due to his large size? Nov. 13, 2009

... that Bob Storer, captain of Harvard's undefeated, untied 1913 football team, was cited for bravery for saving a French officer during World War I? Nov. 11, 2009

... that Yale's two-time All-American "Bo" Bomeisler, called "King of the Hard Luck Players," had his foot crushed by a trolley car on Brooklyn's Flatbush Avenue in 1914? Nov. 10, 2009

... that "Moose" Englehorn, who played for Washington State and Dartmouth College, was the oldest living All-American football player when he died in 1993 at age 103? Nov. 9, 2009

... that Dartmouth football halfback Dave Morey was given the nickname "David the Giant Killer" by American sportswriter Grantland Rice? Nov. 9, 2009

... that Brown's All-American 135-pound quarterback "Kid" Crowther played with an elastic band around his head in lieu of a helmet? Nov. 9, 2009 (2,900 DYK views)

... that Harvard All-American Sam Felton averaged between 60 and 70 yards (55 to 64 meters) on football punts in 1912? Nov. 8, 2009

... that David Molk overcame mononucleosis to become the starting center for the 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team? Nov. 6, 2009

October 2009 edit

... that Kevin Newsome was a two-time state champion hurdler at Western Branch High School before he enrolled at Penn State to play football? Oct. 21, 2009

... that the skills of Michigan Wolverines football punter Zoltan Mesko were discovered in seventh grade gym class when he knocked out a light during a kickball game? Oct. 20, 2009

... that Michigan Wolverines football player Obi Ezeh was invited to try out for the United States national rugby union team? Oct. 18, 2009

... that Michigan Wolverines football defensive end Brandon Graham was captain of his U.S. Army All-American Bowl team? Oct. 12, 2009

... that National Football League offensive tackle Jake Long was hospitalized in intensive care for smoke inhalation while in college? Oct. 6, 2009

September 2009 edit

... that before the 2008 International Bowl, American football linebacker Jamaal Westerman was asked questions about the weather in Toronto, because he had lived there? Sept. 25, 2009

... that gridiron football quarterback Mike Quinn was the final member of the Houston Texans' first signings left on the team? Sept. 25, 2009

... that Mike Milligan was a Division I head coach for football and basketball at two different institutions? Sept. 22, 2009

... that IOC organizers proposed to demonstrate American football at the 1932 Summer Olympics as a match-up between the defending national champions at USC and East Coast powerhouse Yale University? Sept. 21, 2009

... that 2009 Michigan Wolverines senior running back Brandon Minor rushed for 209 yards in his first high school football game and 24 yards in his first college football carry? Sept. 19, 2009

... that 2009 Michigan Wolverines starting quarterback Tate Forcier got his nickname from the 1991 movie Little Man Tate? Sept. 18, 2009

... that "Pop" Warner's undefeated 1917 Pitt Panthers football team, known as "The Fighting Dentists", featured dental students "Katy" Easterday, "Tank" McLaren, "Skip" Gougler and "Jake" Stahl? Sept. 16, 2009

... that Pitt All-American Tom Davies threw a touchdown pass, ran 80 yards for a touchdown, returned a kickoff 90 yards and returned an interception 60 yards in the same game? Sept. 16, 2009

... that after being named to the All–Western Athletic Conference team before the 2008 season, American football tight end Rob Myers suffered a turf toe injury that forced him to miss the entire season? Sept. 15, 2009

... that although Paul W. Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is named for football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, a court order prevented the school from using "Bears" as its mascot? Sept. 15, 2009

... that Lloyd Brazil, once called "the ideal football player," averaged more than eight yards per carry and gained 5,861 yards in three years at the University of Detroit? Sept. 15, 2009

... that USC quarterback Gaius Shaver was the leading rusher in the American football competition at the 1932 Summer Olympic Games? Sept. 14, 2009

... that Michigan center "Bubbles" Paterson was the namesake of an award recognizing academic achievement by football players? Sept. 13, 2009

... that halfback Andy Hastings led the 1916 Pitt football team to a national championship and was also elected president of Pitt's University Glee Club? Sept. 12, 2009

... that after leading Illinois to "the greatest football upset of all time," Bart Macomber left school for the Orpheum vaudeville circuit? Sept. 10, 2009

... that Eddie Gillette led the Wisconsin Badgers football team to an undefeated season and in baseball "beat some of the best pitchers in the 'Three-Eye League'"? Sept. 9, 2009

... that Buffalo's "Ockie" Anderson scored more points in the 1920 NFL season (the league's first) than four entire teams? Sept. 9, 2009

... that Georgia Tech halfback and College Football Hall of Fame inductee "Stroop" Strupper used lip-reading to overcome deafness? Sept. 8, 2009

... that Gaylord Stinchcomb, one of the stars of Ohio State's first football victory over Michigan, also won the 1921 NCAA championship in the broad jump? Sept. 5, 2009

... that during the 2009 Big Ten Conference football season nine teams open their seasons at home? Sept. 5, 2009

... that three-time All-American Eddie Mahan was named by Jim Thorpe as the greatest football player of all time? Sept. 3, 2009

August 2009 edit

... that American football player Captain Munnerlyn returned a kickoff for 84 yards and a blocked field goal for 81 yards in the same game? Aug. 28, 2009

... that before the 2008 Sugar Bowl game Georgia defensive tackle Geno Atkins asked Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan for his autograph? Aug. 20, 2009

... that in both 2006 and 2007, Louisiana Tech defensive tackle D'Anthony Smith had five tackles against Fresno State? Aug. 20, 2009

... that in 2007, Indiana University defensive end Greg Middleton led college football in sacks and broke a school record? Aug. 18, 2009

... that in 2008, defensive tackle Arthur Jones was one of only 10 players for Syracuse to start every game? Aug. 18, 2009

... that Minnesota Vikings safety Colt Anderson recited a vulgar rhyme celebrating his hometown of Butte before each game while at the University of Montana? Aug. 16, 2009

... that one of Kam Chancellor's coaches called him possibly "the greatest safety in Virginia Tech history"? Aug. 14, 2009

... that William "King" Cole played for a national championship team at Michigan and coached Nebraska to two championships? Aug. 12, 2009

Joe Maddock

... that Joe Maddock (pictured) was one of the biggest ground gainers, and played four positions, for Michigan's 1903 "Point-a-Minute" football team? Aug. 12, 2009

... that federal judge Paul Jones sentenced a pregnant mother of ten to jail for selling a quart of liquor, lectured her on birth control, and asked, "Doesn't this woman know how to stop it?" Aug. 11, 2009

... that recruiting analysts thought Da'Rel Scott was too small for a college running back, but in 2008 he ran for more than 1,000 yards and led his conference in rushing for most of the season? Aug. 10, 2009

... that Michigan fullback Everett Sweeley set a college football record in 1902 when he kicked the ball 86 yards? Aug. 10, 2009

... that quarterback Jarrett Brown replaced injured starter Pat White and led West Virginia to defeat Rutgers in 2008, having done the same thing in the 2006 game after three overtime periods? Aug. 10, 2009

... that Irwin Uteritz (pictured), "one of the lightest 'big time' quarterbacks in American football history" at 140 pounds, led Michigan to two undefeated seasons and a national championship? Aug. 10, 2009

... that Bruce Shorts, head football coach at Nevada and Oregon, was described in 1904 as "the best coach west of the Mississippi River"? Aug. 9, 2009

... that tight end Dennis Pitta put his college football career on hold for two years to serve in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints mission in the Dominican Republic? Aug. 9, 2009

Curtis Redden

... that Michigan end Curtis Redden (pictured) died in World War I after he had described the night sky over the battlefield as "weird, hideous, fascinating, sublime"? Aug. 9, 2009

... that Harry Hawkins won the U.S. national collegiate hammer throw championship in 1926 and was rated by Fielding Yost as the best football lineman of 1925? Aug. 9, 2009

... that cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson of California, a preseason All-America prospect, played his first game with a broken wrist and was outrun for two touchdowns by the wide receiver he was assigned? Aug. 8, 2009

... that Georgia Tech lured away Clemson's head football coach, John Heisman, by offering a US$450 pay increase? Aug. 8, 2009

... that Mike Lantry, a Vietnam veteran and walk-on place-kicker, broke the University of Michigan record for the longest field goal twice in the same quarter? Aug. 7, 2009

... that Guilian Gary, a former college wide receiver, says he has few "fond football memories" of the season in which he made a conference championship-winning reception? Aug. 6, 2009

... that Michigan's "chunky fullback," "Bullet Bob" Westfall, known for his "spinner play," was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987? Aug. 5, 2009

... that All-Pro linebacker Milan "Sheriff" Lazetich, a rodeo rider before joining the NFL, reported that no end or back ever threw a block like a wild pony "when he feels the first touch of a saddle"? Aug. 4, 2009

... that future U.S. President Gerald Ford waited tables at the fraternity house of Michigan halfback Herman Everhardus? Aug. 3, 2009

... that Fritz Crisler called George Ceithaml, quarterback of the Michigan Wolverines's single-wing offense from 1941 to 1942, "the smartest player he ever taught"? Aug. 1, 2009

... that Michigan halfback Tom Kuzma was described as "a smacker from Smackersville"? Aug. 1, 2009

July 2009 edit

... that "Calexico Kid" Primo Villanueva led UCLA to the NCAA football championship in 1954 and was inducted into the British Columbia Restaurant Hall of Fame in 2009? July 31, 2009

... that Weston Dressler of the Saskatchewan Roughriders set 19 school records in football at the University of North Dakota? July 29, 2009

... that National Football League All-Pro linebacker and Super Bowl champion Cato June was co-class president, salutatorian and a member of the National Honor Society in high school? July 29, 2009

... that Homer Paine was one of several college football players that Oklahoma Sooners head coach Jim Tatum lured away from the school's rivals after World War II? July 28, 2009

... that quarterback Lindy Berry played in a game one week after suffering a broken jaw, and since it was the era before football helmet facemasks, he wore a hockey mask instead? July 27, 2009

... that Bob "Horse" Reynolds founded the Los Angeles Angels baseball team and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame within a year? July 26, 2009

... that the players selected for the 1935 College Football All-America Teams included SMU's "Iron Man" Wetsel, Stanford's "Vow Boy" Bobby Grayson, military historian Jac Weller, aspiring G-Man Paul Tangora, Charles Wasicek of the "unbeaten, untied and uninvited" Colgate team, Minnesota's "battering ram fullback" Sheldon Beise and tackles Ed Widseth and Dick Smith, Cal end Larry Lutz, Ohio State end Merle Wendt, Princeton second-generation All-American Gilbert Lea and Walter Winika, the first Rutgers varsity athlete killed in World War II? July 25, 2009

... that Gaynell Tinsley, a two-time All-American end at LSU, set an NFL record with 675 receiving yards as a rookie in 1937? July 25, 2009

... that Sid Wagner led Michigan State to their first consecutive football wins over the Michigan Wolverines and was the first player selected by the Detroit Lions in the first NFL Draft? July 24, 2009

... that SMU All-American Truman "Big Dog" Spain, known for his "rumba king" good looks, was described as "hard as ship's steel and as torrid as a foundry furnace"? July 23, 2009

... that at the 1929 Rose Bowl, Benny Lom stopped Cal teammate Roy "Wrong Way" Riegels who had run 60 yards in the wrong direction and was about to score a safety, in a game Cal lost 8–7 to Georgia Tech? July 21, 2009

... that Canadian football wide receivers and Murray State University graduates Andrew Nowacki and Jason French caught touchdown passes nearly one minute apart? July 20, 2009

... that Donold Lourie, a former Princeton University football star, was appointed to a State Department post by President Dwight D. Eisenhower? July 20, 2009

... that rough hits from Michigan's Richard France induced Wisconsin star Pat O'Dea to slug France, leading to O'Dea's ejection from the 1899 Western Conference championship game? July 18, 2009

... that Martin Wheelock, football player for the Carlisle Indian School in the 1890s, was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980? July 16, 2009

... that Paul Bunker died in a Japanese POW camp in 1943 but kept hidden a remnant of the U.S. flag from Corregidor now displayed at the West Point Museum? July 15, 2009

... that Charles de Saulles coached an undefeated football team of workers from a Kansas zinc smelting works that defeated the Carlisle Indians and was dubbed "the oddest football team in the country"? July 15, 2009

... that All-American fullback John Baird was forced to withdraw from Princeton in 1898 after playing a football game on a wet field while recovering from tonsilitis? July 14, 2009

... that Bemus Pierce, a guard for the Carlisle Indians football team, ran back three kickoffs for touchdowns in an 1896 game against the University of Illinois? July 14, 2009

... that despite being an All-American running back with the University of Evansville, Sean Bennett played fullback at Northwestern? July 14, 2009

... that the 1972 Rose Bowl was the last football game that Stanford University played using "Indians" as their nickname? July 13, 2009

... that Harvard All-American Bert Waters was accused of jabbing a finger into a Yale player's eye in the 1893 football game that became known as "The Bloodbath in Hampden Park"? July 12, 2009

... that Albert Sharpe participated in football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, rowing, and track and field, and was called "the greatest living all round athlete" in 1915? July 11, 2009

... that Howard Reiter has been credited by some with developing the overhand spiral forward pass while playing for the Philadelphia Athletics of the original National Football League (1902)? July 11, 2009

Franklin Morse

... that American football halfback Franklin Morse (pictured) was the model for a drawing, prints of which reportedly "hung in most college rooms throughout the country" during the 1890s? July 11, 2009

... that Princeton All-American Dudley Riggs was the son of a wealthy banking family that lent $16 million to the United States to fund the Mexican-American War? July 11, 2009

... that the Wabash College Little Giants were the only football team to defeat Notre Dame at home during a period of 29 years and 125 games? July 10, 2009

... that Parke H. Davis, who retroactively named the American college football national champions between 1869 and 1933, was the only historian to select college champions based on research? July 8, 2009

... that Kenny Tate, one of college football's top wide receiver recruits in 2008, was ultimately switched to the position of strong safety? July 7, 2009

... that the 1898 Michigan Wolverines football team's Western Conference championship inspired a student to write the fight song "The Victors"? July 6, 2009

... that the 1890 College Football All-America Team was composed entirely of players from Harvard, Yale and Princeton, including Ralph Warren, John Cranston, Billy Rhodes, Frank Hallowell and Jesse Riggs? July 5, 2009

... that medical doctor A.C. Steckle (pictured) gained fame coaching the University of Nevada, a school with only 80 students, to a 1903 victory over the University of California football team? July 2, 2009

... that American hammer thrower Walter Boal astonished passengers on a ship traveling to England in 1899 by skipping rope around the deck with another athlete on his back? July 2, 2009

June 2009 edit

... that Pete Overfield won a professional American football championship in 1901 and was later nominated by U.S. President William Howard Taft as a federal judge in Alaska? June 30, 2009

... that University of Chicago fullback Clarence Herschberger (pictured) has been credited as the first player to run the Statue of Liberty play? June 29, 2009

... that the 1932 Colgate University football team was "undefeated, untied, unscored upon, and uninvited" after being snubbed by the Rose Bowl? June 29, 2009

... that in 1992, the Utah Utes football team, coached by Ron McBride, ended a 28-year bowl game drought by appearing in the 1992 Copper Bowl? June 27, 2009

... that the 2001 Gator Bowl was the final collegiate game of American football star Michael Vick? June 26, 2009

... that the 1906 firing of John McLean (pictured) for paying an athlete to play college football was called "the biggest scandal in the history of Missouri athletics"? June 26, 2009

... that Freeman Fitzgerald played football with Knute Rockne and once struck out 19 batters in a baseball game? June 24, 2009

... that when former New Jersey Senate President George H. Large died in 1939, he was the last surviving participant in the first college football game ever played? June 24, 2009

... that Dick King, who played in the early days of the NFL, was called "one of the greatest backs who ever wore moleskins"? June 23, 2009

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... that "The Great Gilroy", the leading scorer in college football in 1916, was charged in 1940 with stealing 35 shoe stitching machines from a Massachusetts factory? June 23, 2009

... that Virginia Cavaliers halfback Eugene "Buck" Mayer became the first consensus first-team All-American from a Southern school in 1915? June 23, 2009

... that University of Chicago football star Laurens "Spike" Shull died of wounds suffered rushing a machine gun nest at the Battle of Château-Thierry (pictured)? June 22, 2009

... that, because of a bout with mononucleosis, Dale Castro became a record-setting college football placekicker and consensus All-American? June 22, 2009

Ted Coy

... that Yale All-American Ted Coy (pictured), who played football with "his long blonde hair held back by a white sweatband," was the basis for a character in a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald? June 21, 2009

... that Yale All-American Paul Veeder has been credited with throwing the "first forward pass in a major game"? June 20, 2009

... that Damian Sims and Fred Reid spent a year out of football before being recommended to their current CFL teams? June 19, 2009

... that four-time All-American football end and millionaire lumberman Tom Shevlin (pictured) died of pneumonia after contracting a cold while training the Yale football team? June 18, 2009

... that in 2005, Appalachian State, led by quarterback Richie Williams, became the first college or university in North Carolina to win an NCAA national championship in football? June 17, 2009

... that gridiron football player Malik Jackson has played at every defensive position in his professional career? June 16, 2009

... that the 2006 MPC Computers Bowl featured the Miami Hurricanes, whose season had been marred by an on-field brawl, the termination of their head coach, and underachievement on the field? June 15, 2009

... that while training for World War I, American athlete Brooke Brewer played for the "Usaacs", a football team composed of soldiers from the U.S. Army's ambulance service? June 14, 2009

... that Brett Swenson of Michigan State, one of college football's top placekickers, was passed over for the 2008 Lou Groza Award after missing three consecutive field goals against Michigan? June 14, 2009

... that Mike Reid was a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals before becoming a country music singer and releasing the single "Walk on Faith"? June 12, 2009

... that Oregon linebacker Casey Matthews is the son, grandson, brother, and nephew of National Football League players? June 11, 2009

... that during five years of college football, E. J. Kuale played at three different colleges? June 9, 2009

... that Barry Wood, who played quarterback at Harvard and became a physician and microbiologist, was elected to both the College Football Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Sciences? June 6, 2009

... that Stanford Keglar was coached by ex-Purdue defensive back Ken Coudret in high school, before going on to play at Purdue himself? June 5, 2009

... that "Ma" Newell (pictured), one of the few four-year All-Americans in college football history, was run over by a railroad engine on Christmas Eve 1897? June 1, 2009

... that Terrence Wheatley and teammate Sammy Joseph were the first two freshman cornerbacks to start at the same time in Colorado Buffaloes history? June 1, 2009

... that the Virginia Tech Hokies, winners of the 1995 Sugar Bowl, were selected for the game only after sanctions were levied against the Miami Hurricanes? June 1, 2009

May 2009 edit

... that quarterback Scott Zolak was a waterboy at Ringgold High School as a boy when Hall of Famer Joe Montana was the quarterback? May 30, 2009

... that American football wide receiver Jaymar Johnson became the first player from Jackson State University to be drafted by the NFL since Sylvester Morris in 2000? May 30, 2009

... that despite not playing as a high school junior in 1999, American football cornerback Brock Williams still led Notre Dame defenders in playing time in 2000? May 29, 2009

... that about 12 plays into his NFL career Charles Fisher tore three ligaments in his knee and never played in another game? May 26, 2009

... that American football coach Wayne Howard retired from the University of Utah for "no real reason" after his team nearly won a conference title? May 26, 2009

... that Harvard's All-American football quarterback Dudley Dean was cited by Theodore Roosevelt for bravery after the Rough Riders' charge of San Juan Hill (pictured)? May 25, 2009

... that All-American Beaton Squires wrote an editorial in 1905 against turning football into a "parlor game" after Harvard's president criticized its violent nature? May 25, 2009

... that quarterback Mark Vlasic was injured when, after Iowa beat Michigan on a last second field goal, a mob tore down the goalpost in celebration? May 25, 2009

... that Grantland Rice wrote that All-American football fullback Shep Homans, who played in every minute of all 22 games for Princeton in 1890 and 1891, "represented the football that used to be"? May 25, 2009

... that in 1899 Isaac Seneca became the first Native American to be named as an All-American football player while playing halfback for the Carlisle Indian School? May 24, 2009

... that two-time All-American fullback "Blondy" Graydon performed a tumbling routine with the Barnum & Bailey Circus while dressed "in resplendent pink tights"? May 24, 2009

... that during the 20th century, many football players at the United States Military Academy also played Army lacrosse (modern player pictured) to stay physically fit during the off-season? May 20, 2009

... that gridiron football wide receiver Chris Jackson did not play football until attending Orange Coast College in 1994? May 20, 2009

... that gridiron football defensive end Justin Brown was named in six All-American teams when playing at East Central University from 2001 to 2004? May 19, 2009

... that Earl Sprackling, who was selected as the best college football player of 1910, gained 456 total yards and kicked three field goals in one game? May 16, 2009

... that Duane Purvis's right arm made him a world-class javelin thrower and "without peer" as a long passer in football? May 16, 2009

... that Lester Belding was the first Iowa Hawkeyes football player to be named an All-American? May 15, 2009

... that despite playing the position of wide receiver in American college football, LaShaun Ward was the third leading rusher for the University of California Golden Bears in 2001? May 10, 2009

... that Wes Schulmerich turned down an offer to play football for Knute Rockne at Notre Dame, later becoming a Major League Baseball player? May 7, 2009

... that The Grove at Ole Miss was called "the mother and mistress of outdoor ritual mayhem" for its legendary football game day tailgating by The New York Times? May 5, 2009

... that William H. Lewis (pictured) became the first African-American college football player in 1888 and the first African-American to serve as U.S. Assistant Attorney General in 1911? May 4, 2009

April 2009 edit

... that the quarterback for the first College Football All-America Team in 1889 was Edgar Allan Poe? April 29, 2009

... that UCLA Bruins end Dick Wallen won the 1957 Voit Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast? April 26, 2009

Archie Weston

... that Michigan's All-American quarterback Archie Weston (pictured) was once tackled during a game by an irate female fan? April 17, 2009

... that Eric Wilbur is the only punter in Florida Gators football history to be named a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award? April 25, 2009

... that ends Tom Maentz and Ron Kramer, known as the "touchdown twins," were the first University of Michigan athletes to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated? April 22, 2009

... that coach Paul E. Davis led Mississippi State to win the 1963 Liberty Bowl? April 19, 2009

... that University of Pittsburgh halfback Gibby Welch broke the single-season yardage record set by Red Grange, gaining 1,964 yards in just nine games in 1926? April 13,2009

Bernard Kirk

... that Michigan end Bernard Kirk, who Knute Rockne called the "apple of my eye," died of complications from a fractured skull days after being named an All-American in December 1922? April 10, 2009

... that Gus Cifelli won three college football national championships and an NFL championship with the Detroit Lions before being elected as a judge, where he served for over 20 years? April 9, 2009

... that Herb Treat, unanimously selected as a 1922 College Football All-American, was hit by a car in 1943 and plunged nine stories from a hotel window in 1947? April 7, 2009

... that the Washington & Jefferson College football team played the heavily favored California Golden Bears to a 0–0 tie in the 1922 Rose Bowl? April 4, 2009

... that Johns Hopkins and Maryland, which compete in what has often been called the greatest rivalry in men's college lacrosse, actually first played football three years earlier in 1892? April 2, 2009

Pruner West

... that in 1922, Washington & Jefferson College's Charlie "Pruner" West became the first African American to play quarterback in the Rose Bowl? April 6, 2009

March 2009 edit

... that the 1948 All-America team was the first to include separate offensive and defensive college football teams? March 29, 2009

... that former American football linebacker Craig Sauer has three brothers who have played professional ice hockey? March 28, 2009

... that the Miami Hurricanes won 26 Big East Conference football awards in the 14 years they belonged to the conference (1991–2004)? March 27, 2009

... that during their first football game against Yale in 1884, the Dartmouth Big Green were routed, 113–0? March 22, 2009

... that the Centre College Praying Colonels participated in the first game of American football played south of the Ohio River in 1880? March 20, 2009

... that university founder Andrew White prevented the Cornell Big Red football team from playing Michigan, saying "I refuse to let 40 of our boys travel 400 miles merely to agitate a bag of wind"? March 19, 2009

... that Operation Sundevil, a seizure of boards by the United States Secret Service, was named after the football stadium of Arizona State University? March 16, 2009

February 2009 edit

Horace Prettyman

... that Horace Prettyman (pictured) played eight years of "college" football for the University of Michigan from 1882 to 1890, some when he was in his 30s and no longer a student? Feb. 27, 2009 (9,300 DYK views)

... that the 1886 Michigan football team had a "goalkeeper" and played games measured in "innings"? Feb. 28, 2009

... that the 1881 Michigan Wolverines football team is credited with playing the first intersectional football games against Harvard, Yale and Princeton? Feb. 21, 2009

Albert Herrnstein

... that after scoring six touchdowns for Michigan against Ohio State in 1902, Albert Herrnstein became the winningest coach in Ohio State football history up to the time he retired? Feb. 17, 2009

... that American football star Albie Booth became famous after he scored all of Yale’s points in a 1929 upset win over Army? Feb. 16, 2009

... that Bo Molenda played professional football, baseball and basketball and was the "workhorse" for the Green Bay Packers teams that won three consecutive NFL championships from 1929 to 1931? Feb. 15, 2009

Ernie Vick

... that Ernie Vick was an All-American football center while enrolled at the University of Michigan medical school even though his schoolwork did not allow him to practice with the team? Feb. 14, 2009

... that sources indicate that Cedric "Pat" Smith, who later worked at Ford's Rouge plant, was either the second or third leading scorer in the NFL during its first season in 1920? Feb. 12, 2009

... that All-American football player Art Walker played in 479 of 540 minutes in the Michigan Wolverines' 1954 season and later played seven years for the Edmonton Eskimos? Feb. 11, 2009

Boss Weeks and Fieldng Yost

... that Boss Weeks was quarterback of Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" University of Michigan football teams in 1901–1902 that outscored opponents 1,211 to 12? Feb. 11, 2009

... that American football player Buddy Burris was the first Oklahoma Sooner to be named an All-American three times? Feb. 4, 2009

... that when Elton Wieman moved east to play football for the University of Michigan in 1915, the Los Angeles Times called it "a calamity of almost national importance"? Feb. 20, 2009

Ernest Allmendinger

... that American football player "Aqua" Allmendinger (pictured), once described as "a young giant in perfect physical condition," acquired his nickname after working as a waterboy for railroad building crews? Feb. 10, 2009 (14,200 DYK views)

... that Angus Goetz played for Buffalo in the National Football League on the weekends while attending medical school at the University of Michigan? Feb. 3, 2009

... that "Cappy" Cappon (pictured), known for his "five-man weave" basketball offense, was mentor to Princeton athletes from the 1930s to the 1960s, including Bill Bradley and Frank Deford? Feb. 19, 2009

Neil Snow

... that Neil Snow (pictured), ranked by Grantland Rice as one of the three greatest all-around athletes ever turned out in college sports, died of heart failure at age 34 after a game of squash? Feb. 10, 2009 (5,400 DYK views)

January 2009 edit

... that controversy erupted when Virginia Tech was selected to play in the 2002 Gator Bowl college football game instead of Syracuse, which had more wins in the regular season? Jan. 29, 2009

... that college football player Bob Ward is the only player to have been selected by the Associated Press as a first-team All-American in both an offensive and defensive position? Jan. 27, 2009

Mike Murphy

... that Mike Murphy (pictured) trained heavyweight boxing champion John L. Sullivan, was the first Michigan Wolverines football coach, and has been called the "the father of American track athletics"? Jan. 27, 2009
... that, in 2008, college football player Russell Wilson of North Carolina State became the first freshman quarterback to ever be named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team? Jan. 27, 2009

... that a 42–3 win by the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 1998 Gator Bowl was the worst loss for the Virginia Tech Hokies college football team since a 45–0 shutout in 1983? Jan. 23, 2009

... that college football cornerback Kevin Barnes of Maryland delivered a tackle hard enough to cause Heisman Trophy prospect Jahvid Best to vomit on the field, footage of which became a viral video? Jan. 23, 2009

... that college football tailback Mikell Simpson of Virginia ran for a 96-yard touchdown in the 2008 Gator Bowl, which is the longest rush by a running back in an NCAA bowl game? Jan. 23, 2009

Keene Fitzpatrick

... that Keene Fitzpatrick (pictured) invented modern pole-vaulting technique, coached five Olympic gold medalists, and trained the University of Michigan's "Point-a-Minute" football teams from 1901 to 1905? Jan. 24, 2009
... that, in 2008, college football quarterback Rodney Landers of James Madison became the first player from an FCS school to win the Dudley Award for most outstanding player in Virginia since 1998? Jan. 22, 2009

... that college football coach Don Brown led the UMass Minutemen to their best five-year record in school history? Jan. 21, 2009

... that college football coach Jim Tatum secured a national championship without a single losing season in his nine years at Maryland, but was called a "parasitic monster" by one student newspaper? Jan. 20, 2009

... that radio station WMSP in Montgomery, Alabama, broadcasts the college football games of both the Alabama Crimson Tide and arch-rival Auburn Tigers? Jan. 20, 2009

Charles Baird

... that Michigan's first athletic director Charles Baird (pictured) built the largest college athletic ground in the United States and negotiated the school's appearance in the first Rose Bowl game? Jan. 18, 2009

... that after three years as a back-up, college football quarterback David Johnson threw for 46 touchdowns in 2008 and led Tulsa to an 11–3 record? Jan. 16, 2009

... that American football tackle J.D. Maarleveld survived Hodgkin's lymphoma but was cut from the Notre Dame team anyway, transferred to Maryland, and became a consensus first-team All-American? Jan. 14, 2009

... that, despite being suspended for half the game, college football running back Da'Rel Scott set a school bowl record for rushing for the Maryland Terrapins in their 2008 Humanitarian Bowl victory? Jan. 13, 2009

... that college football quarterback Brian Johnson led the Utah Utes to become the only undefeated team in the 2008 season, including an upset of fourth-ranked Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl? Jan. 13, 2009

... that college football wide receiver Torrey Smith of the Maryland Terrapins set the Atlantic Coast Conference record for single-season kick return yards, including a 99-yard return in a bowl game? Jan. 12, 2009

... that Dave Porter won the NCAA heavyweight collegiate wrestling championship twice and was subsequently drafted by the Cleveland Browns to play in the NFL? Jan. 12, 2009

... that in 2008, college football running back Vai Taua and quarterback Colin Kaepernick became the first pair of Nevada players to both rush for more than 1,000 yards (910 m) in the same season? Jan. 11, 2009

... that 180-pound (82 kg) guard Dominic Tomasi was selected as both captain and Most Valuable Player of the undefeated National Champion 1948 Michigan Wolverines football team? Jan. 11, 2009

... that Charles Leigh played six seasons as a running back in the National Football League despite never playing college football? Jan. 10, 2009

... that Vanderbilt University's win in the 2008 Music City Bowl came 53 years to the day after the Commodores' last bowl game victory and gave them their first winning football season since 1982? Jan. 10, 2009

2008 edit

December 2008 edit

... that quarterback Scott McBrien transferred from West Virginia to the Maryland and led Maryland to a 41–7 win over his former alma mater in the 2004 Gator Bowl? Dec. 27, 2008

... that, during the team's first official season, a Maryland Terrapins football player was accused of "unaccreditable ignorance of football" after running the wrong way for 30 yards (27 metres)? Dec. 26, 2008

... that Bill Guckeyson, the first Maryland football player selected in the National Football League's Draft, attended West Point and was later shot down as a fighter pilot in World War II? Dec. 25, 2008

... that the 1981 Rose Bowl was the first bowl victory for Michigan Wolverines football Coach Bo Schembechler – after seven prior bowl game losses? Dec. 22, 2008

... that the 1980 Michigan Wolverines football team did not give up a touchdown in the final 22 quarters of the season? Dec. 22, 2008

... that 1949 Michigan football MVP Dick Kempthorn later flew more than 100 missions as a jet fighter pilot in the Korean War and received the Distinguished Flying Cross?

... that Bruce Hilkene was captain of the 1947 Wolverines who were selected as the greatest Michigan football team of all time? Dec. 21, 2008

... that University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor inductee Henry Hatch lived with his wife and daughter on the grounds of Michigan Stadium for more than a decade? Dec. 19, 2008

... that the visitor's locker room at the Alabama Crimson Tide football stadium was recently named "The Fail Room" after alumnus contributor James M. Fail? Dec. 19, 2008

... that the Cal State Fullerton Titans football team holds NCAA records for both most fumbles and most fumbles lost for a single season with 73 and 41 respectively? Dec. 18, 2008

... that Collin Mooney beat the Army football single-season rushing record by one yard in the last play of his last college game, the 2008 U.S. Army-Navy Game? Dec. 13, 2008

... that Liz Heaston was the first woman to score points in a college football game when she kicked two extra points for the Willamette Bearcats in 1997? Dec. 12, 2008

... that former Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Steve Suter set three NCAA and five Atlantic Coast Conference football records for kick returns despite his small stature and recurring injuries? Dec. 10, 2008

November 2008 edit

... that following his team's loss in the 1965 Rose Bowl, Oregon State Beavers football coach Tommy Prothro was hired as head coach at UCLA, where he led the team to victory in the following year's Rose Bowl? Nov. 29, 2008

... that at Washington State University from 1948 to 1950, Bob Gambold was the quarterback of the school's football team and the starting forward for its basketball team during all three of those years? Nov. 7, 2008

... that Mark Rubin, a safety for the Penn State Nittany Lions, defeated Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps in swimming while in high school? Nov. 6, 2008

... that five individual career records were set during the 2008 season of Canadian university football? Nov. 5, 2008

October 2008 edit

... that the press box at the University of Wyoming is named for Larry Birleffi, who announced all Wyoming Cowboys football and basketball games from 1947–1986? Oct. 5, 2008

... that the Alabama Crimson Tide college football team holds NCAA records for both bowl game appearances and victories with 55 and 31 respectively? Oct. 3, 2008

September 2008 edit

... that the 1993 Independence Bowl was the first game in which a blocked field goal was returned for a touchdown by a Virginia Tech football player? Sept. 24, 2008

... that Paul "Bear" Bryant won his final game as a head coach in the 1982 Liberty Bowl, his 323rd victory? Sept. 17, 2008

... that placekicker Kevin Kelly is the all-time leading scorer for the Penn State Nittany Lions? Sept. 15, 2008

... that Evan Royster was the Penn State Nittany Lions starting running back for the team that let head coach Joe Paterno tie the record for all-time NCAA Division I victories? Sept. 5, 2008

August 2008 edit

... that Robert Park acted simultaneously as a professor, a college football coach, and a minister?

... that in 1923, University of Nebraska running back Dave Noble scored the first touchdown in Memorial Stadium? Aug. 13, 2008

Bo McMillin scored the only touchdown in the 1921 Centre vs. Harvard game.

... that after Harvard was defeated in the 1921 Centre vs. Harvard football game—one of the greatest upsets in college football history—MIT students celebrated the win by tearing down Harvard's goalposts? Aug. 12, 2008

... that Joe Allison is a former American football placekicker who won the inaugural Lou Groza Award, presented to the nation's top kicker? Aug. 5, 2008

... that former Virginia Tech running back Lee Suggs set the NCAA Division I-A record for consecutive American college football games with a rushing touchdown (27) in the 2002 San Francisco Bowl? Aug. 5, 2008

July 2008 edit

... that a 15th-century bell from the Gokoku-ji Buddhist temple in Japan was sent to the U.S. in 1854 and rung when the Naval Academy at Annapolis won the annual Army-Navy football game? July 26, 2008

... that Mike Ayers coaches the smallest school in the highest division of NCAA college football? July 23, 2008

... that a 73-yard run during the 1949 Rose Bowl by Frank Aschenbrenner of the Northwestern Wildcats was the longest run from scrimmage in Rose Bowl history? July 21, 2008

... that petitions called for the firing of Ohio State athletic director Dick Larkins when he hired little-known football coach Woody Hayes in 1951 instead of Paul Brown? July 21, 2008

... that Edward P. Hurt, who coached Morgan State College to 14 CIAA football championships, was also the school's track coach and on the coaching staff at the 1964 Olympic Games? July 21, 2008

1892 Va. Tech. team

... that the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has played more than 1,100 games during its 116 years of existence? July 18, 2008

... that four players from the Morgan State University Football Bears are in the NFL Hall of Fame? July 11, 2008

May 2008 edit

... that the Congressional Bowl is one of two new college football bowl games that will be played in the United States this year? May 6, 2008

April 2008 edit

...that Joe Shell, the conservative Republican who challenged Richard Nixon for the 1962 California governorship was a champion football halfback in 1939 and 1940? April 20, 2008

...that the Michigan Wolverines' practice of parading their live mascot Biff before matches was stopped as the animal grew larger and more ferocious? April 2, 2008

March 2008 edit

Cody Hawkins

...that 2007 Colorado Buffaloes' starting quarterback Cody Hawkins was on ESPNU's reality show Summer House? March 19, 2008

...that quarterback Jack Crabtree of the Oregon Ducks football team was named Most Valuable Player of the 1958 Rose Bowl even though his team lost the game? March 16, 2008

...that the 2007 Texas Longhorns football suspensions involved seven players, including one of the highest-ranking recruits for the Texas Longhorns college football team? March 14, 2008

...that the 2003 Insight Bowl, won by California 52–49 on a last-second field goal, was the second-highest-scoring regulation-length college football bowl game in history? March 14, 2008

...that American football head coach Skip Holtz is the son of the famed college football coach Lou Holtz? March 13, 2008

February 2008 edit

...that halfback Chuck Ortmann punted 24 times in the famed 1950 Snow Bowl, deciding the best strategy was to keep the slick ball on the other side of the field in the opponents' hands? February 15, 2008

...that in a college prank televised across the United States, spectators at the 1961 Rose Bowl unknowingly displayed the word "CALTECH" in an altered card stunt instead of the nickname of one of the teams on the field?

...that Wally Weber, football player, coach and broadcaster at Michigan for 45 years, was renowned for his "polysyllabic fluency" and sounding like an "an educated foghorn"? February 13, 2008

...that the 1973 Rose Bowl holds the bowl game attendance record in American college football at 106,869? Feb. 5, 2008

...that Roy "Wrong Way" Riegels ran in the wrong direction after recovering a fumble, which led to a safety that proved to be the winning margin in Georgia Tech's 8-7 win at the 1929 Rose Bowl?

January 2008 edit

...that Gerald Ford threatened to quit the Michigan football team when African-American player Willis Ward was kept out of a 1932 game in response to Georgia Tech's refusal to play an integrated team? January 28, 2008

...that Major League Baseball pitcher Stan Baumgartner was named to the All-Big Ten Conference teams for baseball, basketball, and football in 1914? January 28, 2008

...that Al Hoisch of UCLA returned a kickoff for 103 yards and a touchdown at the 1947 Rose Bowl, a record that still stands as of the 2008 game? January 27, 2008

George Jewett

...that George Jewett was the first African-American to earn a varsity letter in football at both the University of Michigan and at Northwestern University? January 26, 2008

...that offensive tackle Rich Strenger told reporters that Michigan Wolverines football coach Bo Schembechler ran a more strenuous training camp at the college level than he experienced in the NFL with the Detroit Lions? January 25, 2008

...that Scott Shafer, hired in January 2008 as the Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator, started in football as a high school and college quarterback in Ohio? January 24, 2008

...that New York Giants quarterback Harry Newman threw the first touchdown pass in an NFL Championship Game 75 years ago in the 1933 NFL Championship Game against the Chicago Bears? January 19, 2008

...that Ralph Heikkinen was the first All-American football player from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, being raised in the Finnish-American communities of the Gogebic Range? January 17, 2008

...that Stanfield Wells was the first of more than ten All-American football players from Washinton High School in Massillon, Ohio? January 16, 2008

...that All-American end Ed Frutig was the main pass receiver for Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon from 1938-1940? January 10, 2008

...that coach Harry Kipke had to travel to the home of All-American Maynard Morrison in 1930 to seek his father's permission to switch Morrison from a fullback to a center? January 8, 2008

...that All-American fullback Bill Daley is the only person ever to win Little Brown Jug games playing for both Minnesota and Michigan? January 7, 2008

Paul Goebel

...that All-American footballer Paul G. Goebel (pictured) recommended Gerald Ford to the coach of the Michigan football team and later urged Ford to run for Congress? January 6, 2008

...that college football's 2007 Holiday Bowl featured a bizarre play, involving a non-player staff member of the Texas Longhorn team?

...that Ade Schwammel of the Oregon Agricultural College football team was part of the 1933 "Pyramid Play", where a player stood on the shoulders of two others to block a kick, a ploy since banned?

...that, after eluding capture for three months when his B-25 bomber was shot down behind enemy lines in World War II, Bob Chappuis was the MVP of the Rose Bowl 60 years ago? January 3, 2008 (5,000 DYK views)

...that All-American Bump Elliott and his brother Pete Elliott played halfback and quarterback for the Michigan football team that beat the USC Trojans 49-0 in the Rose Bowl 60 years ago on 1 Jan. 1948? January 1, 2008

2007 edit

December 2007 edit

Gustave Ferbert

...that Gustave Ferbert quit his job as head football coach at the University of Michigan in 1900 to prospect for gold in the Klondike Gold Rush and returned home in 1909 as a millionaire? December 29, 2007

...that William Cunningham became Michigan's first All-American based on his performance in an 1898 game against Chicago that inspired Louis Elbel to write the school's fight song, The Victors? December 31, 2007

...that Jack Blott, an All-American football center for the Michigan Wolverines, had a Major League Baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds lasting only two games? December 23, 2007

...that James B. Craig, an All-American football halfback and quarterback, was the brother of Ralph Craig, a sprinter and gold medalist at the 1912 Summer Olympics? December 22, 2007

...that All-American footballer Merv Pregulman, the Green Bay Packers' first pick in the 1944 NFL Draft, nearly died in a kamikaze attack on his ship before ever playing a pro football game? December 19, 2007

John Maulbetsch

...that the All-American football player John Maulbetsch was known as the "Featherweight Fullback" because he weighed only 155 pounds and ate two pies a day for dinner during his playing career? December 28, 2007

...that, though records from the era are sketchy, press accounts reported that All-American football player Frank Steketee once kicked a 100-yard punt? December 19, 2007 (5,500 DYK views)

...that twice named All-American football tackle Robert "Brick" Wahl later became CEO of a Fortune 500 irrigation equipment company? December 14, 2007

...that newly named U.S. Naval Academy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo is believed to be the first Pacific Islander American to be head coach at a major college football program?

...that Jamie Morris of the Washington Redskins, originally considered too short to be a running back, holds the NFL record for the most rushing attempts in a game with 45? December 12, 2007

Germany Schulz

...that German-American football center Adolph F. "Germany" Schulz is credited for developing the "roving center" technique, which became the basis for the linebacker position? December 26, 2007

...that college football running back Butch Woolfolk was named MVP of both the Rose Bowl and the Bluebonnet Bowl in the same year? December 12, 2007

...that Clarence Williams had 646 rushing yards and 102 receiving yards without scoring a touchdown during the 1998 NCAA college football season?

...that 1933 Michigan Wolverines football All-Americans Ted Petoskey and Whitey Wistert debuted for the Major League Baseball Cincinnati Reds two days apart in September 1934? December 2007

...that in the 1947 college football rankings, southern voters refused to vote for the integrated Michigan Wolverines football team with black stars such as Gene Derricotte? December 8, 2007

...that undefeated national champion 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team rushing leader and Hula Bowl MVP Chris Howard was released after fumbling five times in the preseason of the 1998 NFL season? December 8, 2007

...that college football coach Bo Schembechler died the day after attending the funeral of his 1971 quarterback Tom Slade and urging the football team to be "as good a Michigan man as Slade"? December 7, 2007

...that Gerald Ford's two greatest regrets in life were losing the starting center job in college to All-American Chuck Bernard and losing a presidential election? December 6, 2007

...that in 1979 University of Michigan tackle Ed Muransky set the all-time record at the traditional pre-Rose Bowl "Beef Bowl" by eating 16 pounds of prime rib? December 5, 2007

...that George Hoey still holds Michigan Wolverines football career, and single-season records 40 years after his best season? December 5, 2007

...that although several Michigan Wolverines football wide receivers have eclipsed most of Jack Clancy's team records, they all have needed more games to do so? December 4, 2007

...that the Platypus Trophy, awarded to the winner of the Civil War college football game between Oregon and Oregon State, was lost for more than 40 years before being found in a closet in 2005?

...that Washington Senators outfielder Elmer Gedeon, who pulled a crew member from a burning wreck, died while piloting a B-26 bomber over France? December 3, 2007

...that the Toledo, Ohio native football player Jim Detwiler refused a recruiting trip invitation to Ohio State prompting a tonguelashing from Woody Hayes for disloyalty to Ohio? December 3, 2007

...that Julius Franks was the first African-American Michigan Wolverines football player to earn All-American honors? December 2, 2007

...that Dick Rifenburg was a Michigan high school state champion in basketball and track & field, but was drafted to play professional American football? December 2, 2007

...that former Michigan Wolverines football player Dan Dworsky designed Crisler Arena, the home of Michigan Wolverines basketball? December 2, 2007

...that George Lilja once played a Michigan Wolverines football game wearing another player's jersey, confusing many of his fans? December 1, 2007

...that American football guard Dean Dingman was only the third true freshman to start on the Michigan Wolverines football offensive line? December 1, 2007

November 2007 edit

...that when American football center Rod Payne broke his right wrist during a Michigan Wolverines football game, he started snapping the ball with his left hand? November 30, 2007

...that although Ohio State Buckeye Archie Griffin defended the Heisman Trophy in 1975, Michigan Wolverines football player Gordon Bell won the 1975 Big Ten rushing championship? November 29, 2007

...that safety Don Dufek was cut from the Seattle Seahawks four times? November 29, 2007

Al Wistert

...that the All-American Wistert brothers Albert, Alvin and Whitey wore number 11 and played offensive tackle as University of Michigan Wolverines before being named to the College Football Hall of Fame? Nov. 10, 2007

...that Michigan Wolverines football player Bill Yearby was an All-American football player as well as a champion shot putter who the coaches felt could have starred for the Wolverines basketball team? November 29, 2007

...that Michigan Wolverines football player Jim Pace not only won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten Conference, but also won the Big Ten 60-yard indoor dash title? November 28, 2007

...that Bob Timberlake, an unsuccessful placekicker for the New York Giants who made only 1 of 15 field goal attempts in his NFL career, was an award-winning quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines before he was drafted in 1965? November 27, 2007

...that Dennis Franklin was the first African American quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines football team? November 27, 2007

...that University of Michigan Wolverine Tyrone Wheatley was not only both a Big Ten rushing and scoring champion, but also a Big Ten 110 meter hurdles champion? Nov. 17, 2007

Jordon Dizon

...that University of Colorado football player Jordon Dizon, one of three finalists for the Dick Butkus Award as America's top collegiate linebacker, attended Waimea High School, the westernmost high school in the United States? Nov. 17, 2007

...that Don Durdan was selected as the most valuable player of college football's Rose Bowl in 1942, and six years later, won a professional basketball championship with the Portland Indians? Nov. 11, 2007

...that Navy beat Notre Dame after losing for 43 consecutive years, ending college football's longest bilateral streak? Nov. 10, 2007

...that in 2007, the Trinity Tigers threw 15 backward passes in 62 seconds to defeat the Millsaps Majors with the longest play in college football history? Nov. 5, 2007

October 2007 edit

...that Andy Papathanassiou, a former college football player who was the first person hired as a NASCAR pit crew coordinator, started use of trained athletes to cut pit stop times from 19 down to 13 seconds? Oct. 23, 2007

...that American football coach Dick Anderson, who led Rutgers to its first victory over Penn State in 70 years, was a Penn State assistant coach before and after his time at Rutgers? Oct. 22, 2007

...that in 2004, running back Mike Hart broke Ricky Powers' Michigan Wolverines freshman rushing record and matched Jon Vaughn, the only other Michigan back with consecutive 200-yard games? Oct. 20, 2007

...that after only six games in 2007, college football player Michael Crabtree (pictured) broke the record for most touchdown receptions in a freshman season? Oct. 15, 2007

...that the Michigan Wolverines are college football's most victorious program by total wins and percentage? Oct. 11, 2007

...that the 2001 GMAC Bowl set a record as the highest-scoring bowl game in college football history even before it went into overtime? Oct. 1, 2007

September 2007 edit

...that coach Spec Keene's Willamette University football team played a game in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 6 1941, and was unable to return home for two weeks following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor? Sept. 20, 2007

...that shortly after Appalachian State's 2007 college football upset of Michigan at Michigan, ecstatic Appalachian State students tore down a goalpost at their own stadium 600 miles (1000 km) away? Sept. 8, 2007

August 2007 edit

...that the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest, a precursor to the modern day Big Ten Conference, survived for only two seasons of college football competition before disbanding? Aug. 27, 2007

...that the first meeting between the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and the Wisconsin Badgers took place in 1890 and marked the beginning of the most played rivalry at the top level of NCAA competition? Aug. 15, 2007

July 2007 edit

Al Borges

...that Auburn Tigers offensive coordinator Al Borges wrote both a book and an instructional video titled Coaching the West Coast Quarterback? July 29, 2007

...that John Beckett is the only American football player to have been the team captain for two different Rose Bowl teams: the University of Oregon in 1917 and Mare Island in 1918? July 27, 2007

...that in 1968 Eldridge Dickey was the first African-American quarterback to be drafted to a professional American football league in the first round? July 4, 2007

June 2007 edit

...that the 2004 USC Trojans football team went undefeated, becoming the tenth team to win consecutive Associated Press National Championships? June 18, 2007

May 2007 edit

L.J. Cooke

...that L.J. Cooke, the first coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team, created the tradition of the Little Brown Jug, the oldest traveling trophy in college football? May 29, 2007

...that Pokey Allen, former head coach of the Portland State Vikings football team, appeared in television commercials threatening to have himself shot out of a cannon into the backyards of anyone not buying season tickets? May 19, 2007

April 2007 edit

Cotton Bowl

...that in the 100th meeting of the Red River Shootout (pictured), the Texas Longhorns tied their record for biggest margin of victory over their rival, the Oklahoma Sooners? April 25, 2007

March 2007 edit

...that Larry Blakeney, the current head coach of the Troy Trojans football team, is one of only two men to take a college football team from Division II to Division I-AA and then Division I-A? March 13, 2007

January 2007 edit

Ralphie

...that Ralphie (pictured), the live mascot of the Colorado Buffaloes, is actually a female American bison? Jan. 31, 2007

...that former NCAA American football quarterback Wyatt Sexton's career for the Florida State University Seminoles ended when he did pushups in the street and proclaimed he was God? Jan. 29, 2007

...that Hall of Fame football player Ed Molinski was also a Golden Gloves state boxing champion and served in the U.S. Marines during World War II? Jan. 15, 2007

...that William E. "Bud" Davis, who had a successful career as president at four universities, originally wanted "to be the world's greatest football coach" before he went 2-8 in 1962 and never coached again? Jan. 14, 2007

...that Smokey, was selected as mascot by the University of Tennessee students after a blue tick coon hound howled during a halftime contest? Jan. 9, 2007

...that the 2006 Insight Bowl featured the biggest comeback in NCAA Division I-A football bowl history? Jan. 5, 2007

2006 edit

December 2006 edit

...that the 2006 Boise State University football team returned more starters from 2005 than any other team in NCAA Division I-A football? Dec. 8, 2006

November 2006 edit

...that Wyoming Seminary, a private school in Kingston, Pennsylvania, participated in the first nighttime American football game in 1892? Nov. 20, 2006

October 2006 edit

Lee McClung

...that Lee McClung, a College Football Hall of Famer, also served as Treasurer of the United States, advocating the withdrawal of worn, dirty banknotes on sanitation grounds? Oct. 25, 2006

...that Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis, the son of professional wrestler Road Warrior Animal, is the first Buckeyes scholarship football player from Minnesota since 1933? Oct. 23, 2006

... that the World's Largest Texas Flag, measuring 23 metres by 38 metres (75 feet by 125 feet), is unfurled on the field by members of Alpha Phi Omega before Texas Longhorns football games? (Image) Oct. 21, 2006

...that last week's first-ever football meeting between the University of Miami and Florida International University was marred by a massive brawl that led to the suspension of 31 players? Oct. 21, 2006

...that the 1989 Glasnost Bowl was an attempt to schedule an American college football game in the Soviet Union? Oct. 20, 2006

...that the Sunflower Showdown, the series of athletic contests between Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, dates back to a dispute over the location of the state university in the 1860s? Oct. 16, 2006

September 2006 edit

....that even though Michigan State football coach Muddy Waters got fired for his losing 10-23 record, his fans still carried him off the field after his final 24-18 loss to Iowa? Sept. 23, 2006

...that Giles Pellerin, known as the Super Fan, attended 797 consecutive USC football games over a period of 73 years? Sept. 22, 2006

...that three years after being arrested for dealing in cocaine, former quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners Charles Thompson managed to win a national championship with Central State University? Sept. 12, 2006

July 2006 edit

...that the 2004 Texas Longhorn football team made college football history by being the first team to ever win the Rose Bowl Game as time ran off the clock? July 27, 2006

...that prior to the 1916 college football season, John R. Bender and Hall-of-Famer Zora G. Clevenger in effect traded jobs as head coach at Kansas State University and the University of Tennessee? July 10, 2006

Bennie Owen

...that Bennie Owen introduced the forward pass to the southwestern United States as head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners football team? July 1, 2006

June 2006 edit

...that during Jake Gaither's tenure as head football coach at Florida A&M University, his teams won twenty-two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and six Black College National Championships? June 29, 2006

...that one of the shotguns used by the all-male pep squad RUF/NEKS of the University of Oklahoma during football games is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution? June 21, 2006

...that three trophies are given to the winner of the annual Red River Shootout, one of college football's oldest rivalry games, played between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners? June 20, 2006

May 2006 edit

...that Cedric Griffin, the only University of Texas football player ever to return a blocked field goal for a touchdown, was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings? May 1, 2006

April 2006 edit

... that Hugh Green received the Walter Camp Award and the Lombardi Award, and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996? April 18, 2006

March 2006 edit

...that the Great Rose Bowl Hoax was a 1961 prank by students at the California Institute of Technology that was broadcast by NBC to an estimated 30 million viewers in the United States? March 16, 2006

...that Clarence L. "Biggie" Munn was Michigan State University's most successful football coach with a winning percentage of 85.7 over seven years, including a 28-game winning streak from October 14, 1950 through October 17, 1953? March 7, 2006

February 2006 edit

...that the Texas Longhorn Band (pictured) performed for inaugurations of Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush? Feb. 24, 2006

January 2006 edit

...that Michael Bates was an Olympic bronze medalist sprinter and a Pro Bowl American football player? Jan. 18, 2006

...that Chuck Muncie was a star running back for The University of California during the 1970s, where he broke six school rushing records that stand to this day? Jan. 19, 2006

...that quarterback Bill Kenney is the only player named Mr. Irrelevant (an "award" traditionally given to the last selection of the NFL Draft) to appear in the Pro Bowl? Jan. 17, 2006

...that Paul Posluszny, a linebacker for Penn State's football team, was recently named college football's best defensive player of the year?

...that Earl Morrall was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1968, after replacing the injured Johnny Unitas, and led the Colts into Super Bowl III? Jan. 2, 2006

2005 edit

...that in 1994, Greg Landry was a key reason why Illinois had the second-best passing offense in the Big Ten, which eventually carried the team to a 30-0 win in the Liberty Bowl over East Carolina, the school’s first bowl appearance in 16 seasons? December 23, 2005

...that Raghib Ismail became the highest-paid player in gridiron football history when he joined the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League? November 29, 2005

Bill the Goat

...that Bill the Goat, the mascot of the United States Naval Academy, first appeared at a Navy Midshipmen football game in 1893? November 16, 2005

...that Frank Ryan earned a Ph.D. in mathematics while playing quarterback for the Cleveland Browns? July 27, 2005

...that Johnny Rodgers was voted the University of Nebraska's college football "Player of the Century" and College Football News called him "the greatest kick returner in college football history"? July 25, 2005