The 1953 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1953 Big Ten Conference football season. In its sixth year under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan, Michigan compiled a 6–3 record (3–3 against conference opponents), tied for fifth place in the Big Ten, outscored opponents by a combined total of 163 to 101, and was ranked No. 20 in the final AP Poll and No. 19 in the Coaches Polls.[1][2]
Center Dick O'Shaughnessy was the team captain, and right halfback Tony Branoff received the team's most valuable player award.[2] Two Michigan players received All-Big Ten honors: left end Bob Topp was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team player, and left halfback Ted Kress.[2][3]
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Duncan McDonald with 293 passing yards, Tony Branoff with 501 rushing yards, and Bob Topp with 331 receiving yards.[4]
The following 31 players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1953 team.[7] Players who started at least four games are shown with their names in bold.[2]
Fred Baer, 5'11", 180 pounds, junior, LaGrange, IL - fullback
Lou Baldacci, 6'0", 205 pounds, sophomore, Akron, OH - started 9 games at quarterback
James T. Balog, 6'3", 210 pounds, senior, Wheaton, IL - started 9 games at left tackle
Richard E. Balzhiser,[8] 6'0", 186 pounds, senior, Wheaton, IL - started 9 games at fullback
Richard A. Beison, 6'0", 200 pounds, senior, East Chicago, IN - started 9 games at right guard
Donald C. Bennett, 6'2", 195 pounds, senior, Chicago - tackle
Tony Branoff, 5'11", 180 pounds, sophomore, Flint, MI - started 9 games at right halfback
Theodore J. Cachey, 5'11", 185 pounds, senior, Chicago - guard
J. Daniel Cline, 5'10", 168 pounds, junior, Brockport, NY - halfback
Donald Dugger, 5'10", 185 pounds, senior, Charleston, WV - started 9 games at left end
George S. Dutter, 6'2", 190 pounds, senior, Fort Wayne, IN - end
James W. Fox, 6'0", 185 pounds, sophomore, Saginaw, MI - guard
H. Ronald Geyer, 6'2", 220 pounds, junior, Toledo, OH - tackle
Edward L. Hickey, 5'8", 160 pounds, senior, Anaconda, MT - halfback
Robert S. Hurley, 5'10", 180 pounds, senior, Alamosa, CO- fullback
Raymond K. Kenaga, 5'11", 170 pounds, junior, Sterling, IL - quarterback
Eugene P. Knutson, 6'4", 210 pounds, senior, Beloit, WI - started 8 games at right end
William P. Kolesar, 6'0", 190 pounds, sophomore, Mentor, OH - tackle
Ted Kress, 5'11", 175 pounds, senior, Kansas City, MO - started 9 games at left halfback
Duncan B. McDonald, 6'0", 175 pounds, junior, Flint, MI - quarterback
G. Edgar Meads, 6'0", 190 pounds, sophomore, Oxford, MI - guard
John M. Morrow, 6'2", 220 pounds, sophomore, Ann Arbor, MI - started 4 games at center
Dick O'Shaughnessy, 5'11", 190 pounds, senior, Seaford, NY - started 5 games at center
H. John Peckham Jr., 6'2", 220 pounds, sophomore, Sioux Falls, SD - center
Thad C. Stanford, 6'0", 175 pounds, senior, Midland, MI - end
Dick Strozewski, 6'0", 205 pounds, senior, South Bend, IN - started 9 games at left tackle
Bob Topp, 6'2", 190 pounds, senior, Kalamazoo, MI - started 8 games at left end, 1 game at right end
John J. Veselenak, 6'2", 190 pounds, junior, Flint, MI - end
Art Walker, 5'11" 200 pounds, junior, South Haven, MI - tackle
Gerald H. Williams, 6'2", 188 pounds, sophomore, Flint, MI - started 1 game at left end
Ronald M. Williams, 5'9", 185 pounds, senior, Massillon, OH - guard
Coaches and staff
Michigan's 1953 coaching, training, and support staff included the following persons.[2]
Oosterbaan lifted to players' shoulders after 20-0 win over Ohio State
^"Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2017.(statistics retrieved by entering "1953" in the box for "Games & Totals by Season" and then, at the next screen, choosing "Display Season Totals")
