1896 College Football Summary

Pennsylvania won its first 8 games of the season all by shutout to stretch its winning streak to 34 games.

The Quakers, hoping to add its games without tasting defeat; but its next opponent, Lafayette, had hopes of becoming a part of history and they would.

After scoring in the first half, Penn missed the conversion; and as it often happens, it would come back to haunt the school.

Lafayette, having a season to remember (and would finish 11-0-1) scored following a blocked kick and made the all-important goal after touchdown.

6 15 10

Penn would finish the season with 6 games without a setback as well as all of 1897 and first 10 games of 1898 a winning streak over 30 games, 31; including a 32-0 revenge match-up with Lafayette.

Princeton met rival Harvard in game 10 and came-away with a 12-0 victory scoring 3 4-point touchdowns.

Michigan would win 9-of-10, with the lone setback a 7-6 to Chicago, as the Maroons registered a safety and Clarence Herschberger's 40-yard goal from the field which finished the season at 15-3-1.

Cornell had a 5-3-1 season; with all the wins were by shutouts (it also had a 0-0 tie).

Nebraska coach Edward Robinson led the team to a 6-3-1; he would go on to win 157 games in his career.

Ohio State scored only 102 point this season; but when the Buckeyes did score a touchdown, it need its kicker would convert the goal after touchdown; as Homer Howard converted all 19 attempts.

In a down year for Notre Dame; however, the highlight of the season (4-3-0) was a 82-0 win over Highland Views as Mike Daly converted on 11 straight goals after touchdown. Wisconsin's Pat O'Dea booted a 57-yard goal from the field to aid in his team's 24-0 whitewashing of Chicago.

• Offensive Scoring Leader (Most Points Scored)
  Chicago (14-2-1), 368 points
• Defensive Scoring Leader (Least Points Allowed)
  LSU, (6-0-0), 4 points
• National Champions (Retroactive)
  Lafayette and Princeton
  

Writers J. Parmly Paret and Hastings Holyoke of The Outing Magazine and Walter Camp all named Princeton as the season's national champions.

Top of This Page