[1][3] Crawford was already enrolled at the law school and a member of the football team when he was selected as Michigan's first head coach.

The directors also confirmed the appointment of Mike Murphy, the trainer at the Detroit Athletic Club, to assist Crawford.

He gained his reputation as a trainer at Yale and was hired in 1889 by the Detroit Athletic Club where he trained John Owen and Harry M. Jewett, who became the fastest sprinters in the country.

[10] The Chicago Daily Tribune reported in November 1891 that the Michigan team was "coached systematically" by Murphy, Crawford, Horace Greely Prettyman and James Duffy.

"[12] Elsewhere in the same issue, interested students were encouraged to submit their names to the team's captain, James Van Inwagen, to fill open place on the line.

On October 24, 1891, The Yellow and Blue, a weekly publication of the university's fraternities, wrote:"Although it is not our desire to find fault with the football management, we would like to ask one or two pertinent questions in regard to the present situation.

We have never taken the trouble here to give the system of physical training a fair trial, neither have we won a great game of football.

"[14]The article noted that, with 2,600 students, there should be an ability to raise funds for football, but that there "seems to be a general apathy in regard to foot ball.

Michigan scored 12 touchdowns: six by Edward De Pont, four by James Van Inwagen, and one each by William Pearson and Roger Sherman.

"[15] Michigan's starting lineup in the game was George Dygert (left end), William Pearson (left tackle), Virgil Tupper (left guard), Berry (center), Charles Thomas (right guard), Wright (right tackle), Roger Sherman (right end), George S. Holden (quarterback), James Van Inwagen (halfback), Frank Loomis (halfback), Edward P. De Pont (fullback).

They were met at the depot by a large crowd, including almost every male student at the college, armed with kazoos, razoos, bells, drums, and fish-horns.

The team was taken by carriage to a bonfire on College Hill, where Burnham provided a first-hand account of the game.

Olivet also scored on a safety that resulted from a blocked punt after which the punter, James Duffy, fell on the ball.

After another Michigan back fumbled, an Oberlin player "stooped to pick it up, when Sherman darted beneath him, secured the ball and pushed it over the line.

[21] In the second half, Michigan scored 18 points on three touchdowns by left tackle William Pearson and three kicks for goal by George Dygert.

Michigan's head coach and left halfback Frank Crawford scored the first touchdown on a 25-yard run around the right end, dodging several Butler players.

Left tackle William Pearson scored Michigan's second touchdown, carrying "several Butler men over the line on his shoulders.

James Van Inwagen scored the fourth touchdown on a left end run with blocking from Crawford.

The disqualified player later came onto the field and interfered with Van Inwagen and refused to leave when directed to step back by one of the officials.

[27] The Detroit Free Press reported that the game was played in the rain and, while the crowd of 2,300 persons was "made up of the best class of people including many ladies, the rain doubtless kept fully as many away who would have been on hand but for the thought that the game would be played in the mist and mud.

"[28] Michigan's scoring came on touchdowns by Van Inwagen and Rittinger, and two successful goal kicks by Dygert.

[28] Despite the lopsided score of the first Cornell game, the Chicago Daily Tribune reported: "The Cornell-University of Michigan football at D.A.C.

The Michigan team arrived in Cleveland at 8:30 a.m., and the game was played at 11:00 a.m. in front of a crowd estimated at 3,000 persons.

Van Inwagen consented to play thirty-minute halves, instead of forty-five, for the Cleveland team was 'beefy' and did not have good wind.

[32] The final game was played on November 28, 1891, at the South Side Baseball Grounds in Chicago, with Cornell winning 10-0.