The 1905 Western University of Pennsylvania football team was an American football team that represented Western University of Pennsylvania (later renamed the University of Pittsburgh) as an independent during the 1905 college football season.

Schedule

Season recap

The 1904 football season was a tremendous success both on the field and financially for the Western University of Pennsylvania. Coach Arthur Mosse wrote an in depth article for the December 4 edition of the Pittsburgh Press praising all the people in Pittsburgh who contributed to the team's success. He felt that the Western University athletics would continue to succeed with the foundation he put in place and college sports would become an integral part of the Pittsburgh culture. On December 5 the Athletic Committee met to discuss the state of affairs. They were pleased with the work of and probable retention of coach Mosse for the 1905 season. However, the players demanded that teammate Joe Thompson be given the coaching position. This heated debate spread through the alumni, faculty and student body. The Collegiate and Engineering departments wanted coach Mosse, the Dental and Medical departments were rooting for Joe Thompson. Some faculty and alumni feared the transferring of star players if Thompson left school. No solution was reached at the February 3 meeting of the Athletic Association. Coach Mosse continued working toward the 1905 season by setting up a schedule that was approved at the March 3rd Athletic Association meeting, but the naming of the coach was again put on hold. Chancellor Samuel McCormick and trustee George Clapp decided to intervene for the benefit of the University. At the April 7 Athletic Association meeting the problems were addressed and resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. Coach Arthur Mosse was retained for another year and Joe Thompson was named manager and captain of the team. The team played its home games at Exposition Park in Pittsburgh. In its third season under head coach Arthur Mosse, the team compiled an 11–2 record, shut out ten of its thirteen opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 435 to 46. Instead of celebrating another successful season on the gridiron, the players again demanded that Coach Mosse not be retained for the 1906 season or they would transfer. And so came another winter of discontent in the Western University Athletic Association.

Coaching staff

1905 WUP football staff Coaching Staff Arthur Mosse – Head Coach Joseph H. Thompson - Manager/Captain   Support Staff Benjamin F. Jenkins - Assistant Manager

Roster

1905 Western University of Pennsylvania football roster Theodore Perryend95' 8"1681907Haskell InstituteAssociate DentalPierre, SD Quincy Banburyend95' 7"1551908Salina H.S. (KS)Doctor of Dental SurgeryWichita, KS Gilbert Millertackle95' 11"1761906Butler H.S.Associate Engineering Leslie Waddilltackle126'1781907Warrensburg Normal (MO)Doctor of Dental SurgeryPittsburgh, PA Waldemar Ziegguard95' 10"1821910Allegheny H. S.Engineer of MinesPittsburgh, PA C.R. McKinneyguard65' 9"2191912East Liberty AcademyAssociate MedicalDravosburg, PA Paul Vitteguard35' 8"1761907Allegheny H.S.went into business Arthur McKeancenter86' 1"1751905Geneva CollegeBachelor of Arts/ Law SchoolBeaver Falls, PA Curt Leidenrothcenter45' 11"1801906Allegheny H.S.Doctor of Dental SurgeryBellevue, PA Joseph Edgarguard66'1781908Geneva CollegeDoctor of MedicineOakmont, PA Arthur Yieldingguard125' 11"2201909Guthrie H.S. (OK)Doctor of MedicinePortland, OR John Sullivanguard46'1701908Pittsburg CollegePittsburgh, PA Calvin Marshalltackle86'1871908Gloucester H.S. (MA)Doctor of MedicineMt. Oliver, PA Jack Turnertackle95' 8"1891908Salina H.S. (KS)Associate LawGregg, PA Walter Eastend95' 10"1701906Geneva College Millard Fryeend65' 7"1681908Carnegie H.S.Doctor of Dental SurgeryHomer City, PA Edgar Chathamend05' 7"1501909Allegheny H.S.Doctor of MedicinePittsburgh, PA Frank Griggsquarterback65' 11"1651908Topeka H.S. (KS)dropped outTopeka, KS Arthur Griggshalfback105' 10"1751908Topeka H.S. (KS) dropped outTopeka, KS Walter Ritchiequarterback55' 6"1451907Bloomington Prep, (IL)Doctor of Dental SurgeryBloomington, IL Charles Boisseauquarterback65' 7"1511907Warrensburg Normal (MO)Doctor of Dental Surgery Karl Swensonquarterback55' 8"1531908Kansas NormalDoctor of MedicinePortland, OR Joe Thompsonhalfback45' 8"1781908Geneva CollegeBachelor of Arts and Law DegreeBeaver Falls, PA Charles Springerhalfback65' 10"1681908Dean AcademyAssociate EngineeringPittsburgh, PA Albert Schmidthalfback105' 8"1801908Pittsburgh H.S.Doctor of MedicineTurtle Creek, PA Frederick Klawuhnhalfback75' 8"1701908Ridgeway H.S.Doctor of Dental SurgeryRidgeway, PA Winfred Banburyfullback115' 10"1651907Salina H.S. (KS)Doctor of Dental SurgeryPratt, KS Omar Mehlfullback85' 7"1631908Topeka H.S. (KS)Doctor of MedicineBraddock, PA Plummer Capwellfullback75' 10"1701907Franklin H.S.Associate PharmacyFranklin, PA John Mackrellfullback35' 8"1501909Pittsburgh AcademyDoctor of MedicinePittsburgh, PA Martinguard3 William Ricehalfback1

Game summaries

At Butler YMCA

A game was arranged with the Butler YMCA on the Butler Grounds for Saturday, September 30 after Grove City College cancelled their scheduled game with the Western University. A number of starters were recovering from injuries since Coach Mosse worked the team hard the week leading up to this practice game. The Butler YMCA proved to be a formidable opponent. On their first possession the Butler boys gained a couple of first downs and were then forced to punt. The WUP offense marched down the field and Jud Schmidt scored a touchdown from inside the five yard line. Walter Zieg kicked the goal after and the score was 6–0 in favor of WUP. On their next possession the WUP backs, Jud Schmidt and Henry Boisseau, worked the ball deep into Butler territory and then fumbled on the Butler ten yard line. Butler gained some yardage but was again forced to punt. The WUP offense was able to gain yardage and was on the Butler four yard line when the halftime whistle blew. Coach Mosse substituted so every player got some playing time. In the second half Butler objected to coaches Mosse and Thompson giving instructions during plays. A minor skirmish was quickly settled. This action aroused the crowd to get close to the action and disrupt play. Neither team was pleased with the fans behavior. The final score read 6–0 in favor of WUP.

The WUP lineup for the practice game against Butler YMCA was Ted Perry (left end), John Turner (left tackle), Waldy Zieg (left guard), Curt Leidenroth (center), Arthur Yielding (right guard), Calvin Marshall (right tackle), Gilbert Miller (right end), Henry Boisseau (quarterback), Jud Schmidt (right halfback), Art Griggs (left halfback), and Omar Mehl (fullback). Substitutions made during the game were: Arthur McKean replaced Curt Leidenroth at center; Joe Edgar replaced Yielding at right guard; Quince Banbury replaced Ted Perry at left end; Walter Ritchie replaced Henry Boisseau at quarterback; Winfred Banbury replaced Jud Schmidt at right halfback; Plummer Capwell replaced Omar Mehl at fullback; and Bill Rice replaced Plummer Capwell at fullback.

Westminster

The home opener for the WUP eleven against the Westminster Titans was played at Friendship Park because the Pirates were still in season. The WUP lineup was missing players who were injured in the Butler game and in practice. Rice, Swenson, W. Banbury, Capwell, Klawuhn and F. Griggs were on the injured list. The Pittsburgh Press estimated the crowd at better than three thousand. The WUP students with their horns and cowbells paraded into the stadium behind the Fourteenth Regiment Band. The game was delayed due to an argument about the umpire and the length of each half. Westminster would not play unless Mays Edmondson, former captain of the Westminster team, was the umpire. They also wanted to play fifteen minute halves. Captain Thompson finally agreed to let Edmondson umpire. There would be one twenty-five minute half and one fifteen minute half.

The lighter Westminster eleven surprised the WUP team with their speed. The Titans advanced the ball to the WUP fifteen yard line but the WUP defense held. The WUP offense then moved the ball five yards at a time to the ten yard line of Westminster. The Titans held the University boys on downs and proceeded to carry the ball back to midfield. Walter Zieg was disqualified for rough play and substitutions were made. The first half ended with Westminster in WUP territory.

Westminster quarterback Milton Scott raced eighty-five yards for a touchdown on their second possession of the second half. Locke was successful on the goal kick and WUP was losing 6–0. Walter Ritchie replaced Frank Griggs at quarterback. Art Griggs received the kickoff and returned it to the thirty yard line. The WUP offense went to work and methodically ran the ball down the field. Jud Schmidt, Winfred Banbury and Theodore Perry did the bulk of the ball carrying with Schmidt finally plunging into the end zone for the touchdown. He also kicked the goal after to tie the score. The WUP defense forced the Titans to punt from deep in their own territory on their next possession. Art Griggs returned the punt to the Titans thirty-five yard line. On the third play from scrimmage Griggs raced thirty yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Schmidt missed the goal after. The game ended forty-five seconds later with the score 11–6 in favor of WUP.

The WUP lineup for the game against Westminster was Ted Perry (left end), John Turner (left tackle), Leslie Waddill (left guard), Curt Leidenroth (center), Arthur Yielding (right guard), Waldy Zieg (right tackle), Gilbert Miller (right end), Frank Griggs (quarterback), Jud Schmidt (right halfback), Joe Thompson (left halfback), and Omar Mehl (fullback). Substitutions made during the game were: Quince Banbury replaced Jud Schmidt at right halfback; Jud Schmidt replaced Waldy Zieg at right tackle; Walter Ritchie replaced Frank Griggs at quarterback; and Art Griggs replaced Joe Thompson at left halfback.

Butler A.C.

On October 11 a crowd of five hundred students ignored the heavy rain and cheered on the WUP to a lopsided victory over the Butler A.C. at Exposition Park. The WUPs scored eighteen touchdowns. All the starters scored except the center Art McKean. Butler could not stop the WUP offense. Butler never made a first down. Due to injuries to the Butler roster, WUP tackle Martin played the second half for Butler. The only negative for the WUP was the eleven missed goal kicks. The final score read 97–0. This was the largest margin of victory in Pittsburgh football history.

The WUP lineup for the game against Butler A. C. was Quince Banbury (left end), John Turner (left tackle), Waldy Zieg (left guard), Arthur McKean (center), Arthur Yielding (right guard), Leslie Waddill (right tackle), Walter East (right end), Walter Ritchie (quarterback), Jud Schmidt (right halfback), Art Griggs (left halfback), and Winfred Banbury (fullback). Substitutes used in this game were John Sullivan, Fred Klawuhn, Charles Springer, Jay Frye, Karl Swenson, Frank Griggs and Plummer Capwell. This game consisted of one twenty-five minute half and one fifteen minute half.

After the WUP played the practice game in Butler, Joe Thompson wanted to play against the same team back in Pittsburgh. The YMCA manager could not honor his request and declined the offer. Another gentleman approached Mr. Thompson and assured him he could bring a strong team to Pittsburgh on the 11th and compete with the WUP eleven. This was not the same team that played so well against the WUP on September 30.

California Normal/YMCA