The 1901 Western University of Pennsylvania football team was an American football team that represented Western University of Pennsylvania (now known as the University of Pittsburgh) as an independent during the 1901 college football season.
Schedule
Season recap Since there was a lack of funds to entice an outside coach for the 1901 football season, the Western University Athletic Association convinced Wilbur D. Hockensmith to organize the team. Mr. Hockensmith had just graduated from the Western University of Pa. with a degree in mechanical engineering and had played guard on the 1900 football team. "Coach" Hockensmith and team captain Malcolm McConnell managed to recruit enough players and were granted the use of Schenley Oval for their home field of play. They also arranged, through the Pittsburgh Railways Company, a deal so that all fans could attend the games free of charge.
Chancellor William J. Holland's master vision was to bring the University to the East End and introducing the residents and students to amateur football on the Schenley Oval was a step in the right direction. The WUP administration also demanded that their opponents sign an agreement that all athletes were in good academic standing at the school. After two games, the Athletic Committee appointed Winthrop S. Worcester to assistant football manager so Richard Wallace could spend more time as an assistant coach. They also resolved that all teams representing the WUP must be amateur and they could not play against a professional team. In its first season under head coach Wilbur Hockensmith, the team compiled a 7–2–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 96 to 53.
Game summaries
At Penn State
The first game of the 1901 season was September 28 at Bellefonte, Pa. against the strong eleven of State College. The problem for Coach Hockensmith and team captain McConnell was that the Medical School did not start until October 1. Tryouts were held and a practice game was played against the No. 13 team. This was a team of deaf mutes and they played hard against the University boys for an hour.
Coach and captain chose a lineup and they felt prepared for the fourth chapter in the Penn State rivalry. However, State coach William Golden's eleven were too much of a challenge for the undermanned WUP. The Staties had played the week before and were even much better after another week of practice. Henry Scholl and Ed Whitworth each scored three touchdowns. Robert Bennett added another touchdown and Sam Russell connected on two goal kicks to make the final score 37–0. The WUP lineup for the game against Penn State was Richard Wallace (left end), James Chessrown (left tackle), Andrew Wallgren (left guard), Stacy Hankey (center), Hill (right guard), William Secrist (right tackle), Logan (right end), Hugh Morrow (quarterback), John Martin (left halfback), Reed (right halfback) and Malcolm McConnell (fullback). Parke Bachman replaced Stacy Hankey at center. The game was played in 30-minute halves.
At West Virginia
The opening of the Medical School allowed Coach Hockensmith to rearrange the WUP lineup for the October 5 encounter with West Virginia in Morgantown, West Virginia. John Simpson, a graduate student from Franklin & Marshall College, started at halfback along with Reed. William Secrist, a graduate student from Allegheny College, started at fullback so captain Malcolm McConnell could return to his normal guard position. Wheeler was positioned at the opposite guard position. John Martin and Paul McClain were inserted at end, and Joe McCready was the quarterback. Richard Wallace and Andrew Wallgren were named the tackles and Parke Bachman was the starting center. West Virginia was having lineup problems of their own. Their quarterback Wiant and fullback Smith were disqualified for grades and starting end Cole and halfback Brown were injured and did not play. The situation caused their Coach Yeager to try to get himself into the lineup but the WUP officials denied the request. After nine straight defeats to West Virginia this newly configured lineup was able to notch the Western U.'s first victory in the Backyard Brawl. The WUP offense had the ball within scoring distance twice in the first half but were unable to capitalize. Once they lost the ball on a fumble and the second time the whistle blew for halftime. West Virginia lost the ball on downs to start the second half and the WUP offense steadily moved the ball. Both John Simpson and John Martin made huge gains and fullback William Secrist plunged into the end zone for the first score. Five minutes later Secrist scored his second touchdown. McConnell was good on both goals after. The WUP offense was on the West Virginia fifteen yard line as time expired with the Western University ahead 12–0. The WUP team suffered no major injuries and they were impressed with the deportment of the West Virginia fans. The game was played in 20-minute halves.
Indiana Normal
On Saturday, October 12 somewhere between three thousand (Pittsburgh Daily Post) and five thousand (Pittsburgh Press) frenzied fans and students gathered at Schenley Park to witness the free WUP versus Indiana Normal football game. The teams entertained the crowd with a fierce defensive battle. Several times play was stopped for injuries. The heavier Normals were able to keep the speedier Western U. from scoring. The WUP defense was also able to keep the Normal offense in check so the game ended in a scoreless tie. The WUP contingent was disappointed and concerned about injuries to ends Paul McClain and John Martin. The WUP lineup for the game against Indiana Normal was Paul McClain (left end), Richard Wallace (left tackle), Wheeler (left guard), Thomas Crea (center), Malcolm McConnell (right guard), Andrew Wallgren (right tackle), John Martin (right end), Joe McCready (quarterback), John Simpson (left halfback), Reed (right halfback) and William Secrist (fullback). The substitutes used in this game were: Logan, Hugh Morrow, Marion Edmundson and James Chessrown. This game consisted of one twenty minute half and one fifteen minute half.
Allegheny
After a hard week of practice the WUP football team was prepared to take on the Methodists of Allegheny College from Meadville, Pa. at Schenley Park in the second game of the free series. There were only minor lineup changes for this game by the WUP. Hugh Morrow replaced John Martin at end and Parke Bachman was the starting center. The game started with WUP kicking to Allegheny halfback Taylor, who fumbled the ball into the end zone. He fell on it and a WUP player downed him for a safety. The referee E.W. Paul claimed it was a touchback. The WUPs protested to no avail and the game continued. The WUP offense moved the ball but Reed and Wallgren each fumbled when in scoring range to thwart the drives. The first half ended in a scoreless tie. The WUP offense received the second half kickoff and advanced the ball downfield. Reed and Simpson did most of the ball carrying with Simpson scoring the touchdown. McConnell kicked the goal after. The Western U. received the ensuing kickoff and moved the ball methodically ninety yards with Reed going in for the score from the five yard line. The goal kick after was unsuccessful. The game ended a short time later with the WUP ahead 11–0. Since the Alleghenies had lost their two previous games by the same 11-0 score, they insisted that the umpire should reverse his touchback call and give the Westerns two more points so the score would not be 11–0. The starting WUP lineup for the game against Allegheny College was Hugh Morrow (left end), Richard Wallace (left tackle), Wheeler (left guard), Parke Bachman (center), Malcolm McConnell (right guard), Andrew Wallgren (right tackle), Paul McClain (right end), Joe McCready (quarterback), John Simpson (left halfback), Reed (right halfback) and William Secrist (fullback). Kerr replaced Hugh Morrow at left end and Pete Edwards replaced John Simpson at left halfback. The game was played in 20-minute halves.
Pittsburg College
Prior to the October 26 meeting with Pittsburg College it was a nerve-wracking week for captain McConnell. Starting halfback Reed toyed with the idea of transferring to Washington & Jefferson College and halfback Simpson needed to be replaced due to his medical studies. Pete Edwards replaced Simpson in the lineup and Reed decided to stay at the WUP. With the lineup finally set, the WUP eleven was ready to entertain another large home crowd at Schenley Oval. Each team fumbled on their opening possession. The WUP offense moved the ball to the Pittsburg ten yard line on their next drive but turned the ball over on downs. The College eleven made two first downs and then fumbled into the hands of WUP quarterback McCready. He had a convoy of blockers in front of him and scored easily. McConnell kicked the goal after. Pittsburg kicked off and the WUP offense advanced the ball into Pittsburg territory but McConnell was called for a penalty and the ball went back to the College eleven. The WUP defense held and the score was 6–0 at halftime. The WUP offense was able to score touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half. Their offense easily penetrated the College defense and fullback Secrist was lifted into the end zone for the scores. McConnell was successful on both goal kicks and the game ended with the score 18–0 in favor of the Western University. The WUP starting lineup for the game against Pittsburg College was Hugh Morrow (left end), Richard Wallace (left tackle), Wheeler (left guard), Parke Bachman (center), Malcolm McConnell (right guard), Andrew Wallgren (right tackle), Paul McClain (right end), Joe McCready (quarterback), Pete Edwards (left halfback), Reed (right halfback) and William Secrist (fullback). Cummings replaced Edwards at left halfback. The game was played in 20-minute halves.
California State Normal (PA)
Captain Wallace had to tweak the WUP lineup again for the game with California Normal. Morrow, Reed and McCready needed to be replaced. Adams played end for Morrow, Simpson was back at halfback for Reed and Martin stepped in for quarterback McCready. The game started with both teams alternating possession due to fumbles. Late in the first half Western U. halfback Cummings raced fifteen yards for the first score. McConnell missed the goal after and the score was 5–0. After the ensuing kick off the WUP offense advanced the ball down the field and scored on a run by McClain. The goal kick after was again unsuccessful and the score was 10–0 at halftime. The second half began as the first with both teams playing good defense and causing fumbles. Late in the half the WUP offense managed to drive the ball within one yard of the goal but fumbled. Their defense held and got the ball back after a punt. The WUP offense kept driving through the Normal defense and McConnell scored the third touchdown of the game. The final score was 15–0 in favor of the Westerns. The WUP lineup for the game against California Normal was John Simpson (left end), Richard Wallace (left tackle), Wheeler (left guard), Parke Bachman (center), William Secrist (right guard), Andrew Wallgren (right tackle), Paul McClain (right end), John Martin (quarterback), Paul McClain (left halfback), Cummings (right halfback) and Malcolm McConnell (fullback). Substitutions during the game included: Marion Edmundson replaced John Simpson at left end; Simpson replaced Cummings at right halfback; Cummings replaced Malcolm McConnell at fullback; and McConnell replaced William Secrist at right guard. This game consisted of one twenty-five minute half and one twenty minute half.
At Geneva