In its third and final season under head coach John B. Eckstorm, the team compiled a 5–3–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 94 to 56.
[2] During the 1901 season, support for the Ohio State football team grew, and for the first time, the program generated a profit for the university athletic association.
The 1901 game was the third meeting in what would become the Michigan–Ohio State football rivalry, with the two teams having played to a scoreless tie in their previous match in 1900.
When the umpire threatened Ohio State with a forfeiture, coach Eckstrom agreed to play regulation halves of 30 minutes.
"[8] After the game, coach Yost commented on Ohio State's tactic: "Their laying down for time took much of the vim out of our team, and rested their tired out players.