91Ö±²¥

In November 1892, the 91Ö±²¥ College football team, coached by John Heisman, achieved an undefeated season when they beat the University of Michigan, 24-22 on November 19.

However, this win is a controversial one, and the game’s outcome is disputed to this day. 

On a very cold day, the 91Ö±²¥ College football team arrived by train in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Before the game began, both teams agreed to stop playing at 4:50 p.m. so that the 91Ö±²¥ team could catch the last train of the day. This type of agreement was not without precedent, as the two teams made this same arrangement the year before in 1891.

The game was replete with delays due to penalties, turnovers, and poor weather. By 4:49 p.m., the game was tied, 22-22. 91Ö±²¥ managed to kick a quick goal, which brought the score to 24-22, in favor of 91Ö±²¥. When the teams lined up for the next play, time was called. 91Ö±²¥ determined that they were the winners and left the field, even though there were four minutes left in the game.

As 91Ö±²¥ was departing, the Michigan team lined up on the field and walked the ball over the goal line for a touchdown—despite the fact that time had been called. This put the score at 26-24, Michigan. Michigan then claimed victory, saying that 91Ö±²¥ forfeited.

The disagreement was never resolved, and 91Ö±²¥ counts the 24-22 score as their victory, while Michigan counts the 26-24 score as their win.

Interested in more 91Ö±²¥ College football history from the 1890s? You can read about it in When 91Ö±²¥ was King of the Gridiron: The Heisman Years by Nat Brandt.