The game matched Michigan head coach Fielding H. Yost against his former player and brother-in-law Dan McGugin.

McGugin and Yost both spoke to the crowd and agreed that the game would be one of the closest played in Ann Arbor in many years.

The Chicago Daily Tribune wrote: "Garrels, on a fake kick, with splendid interference by Hammond, Curtis, and Workman, ran Vanderbilt's left end at lightning speed for sixty-eight yards and a touchdown."

Before the 1911 game, Coach Yost reminded reporters that Vanderbilt's 1911 team included the same veteran line that had held Yale scoreless in 1910.

In the fourth quarter, Stanfield Wells ran five yards for a touchdown, and Conklin kicked the extra point to give Michigan a 9-3 lead.

[16] In the Detroit Free Press, E. A. Batchelor wrote: "Vanderbilt's failure to execute properly one of the simplest plays in the football catalogue was all that saved Michigan from the humiliation of a tie score with Dan McGugin's peppery Dixie lads this afternoon.

Batchelor wrote: "Vanderbilt fairly gasped in amazement as the Wolverines shot the ball from one to another with the precision of baseball players.

The field was named after William Lofland Dudley, once Chair of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University, and an instrumental figure in the organization of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association; as well as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Football Rules Committee.

A parade of floats and bands marched through the streets, and Cornelius Vanderbilt IV, the great-great grandson of the university's namesake, made an appearance.

'[22] Governor Alf Taylor welcomed the visiting Wolverines, with a response in turn from Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost.

Herbert Fox of the 136th Air Squadron circled back, flying over the northern goal posts, and dropped a decorated football onto the field which Coach McGugin caught off a single bounce.

The more optimistic Vanderbilt faithful were excited at the prospect of end Scotty Neill reporting after a year's layoff.

The Commodores' lone advantage going into the game was their speed,[25] perhaps not unlike today when teams play Southern schools.

"[22] Also reported, probably more accurately,[27][28] as "Out there lie the bones of your grandfathers;" referring to a nearby military cemetery, "And down on that field are the grandsons of the Yankee soldiers who put them there.

[32] Michigan captain Paul Goebel rested his hurt knee by not playing against Case Scientific School.

[33] Only one spot in the lineup could be said to give Michigan trouble, guard Eddie Johns was forced to sit out due to academic probation.

[38][39] Last year's starting end Thomas Ryan not returning for the Michigan game was also taken bitterly by Vanderbilt's fans.

[30] The Wolverines completed their first pass, Doug Roby to Goebel, setting in motion the change in field position which led to their being poised to score inside the 5-yard line.

[45] Neely then connected on a pass to Tot McCullough, Vanderbilt's lone offensive highlight on the day.

The half ended, "with both teams completely baffled in their efforts to score;"[1] as the Commodores had possession of the ball inside their own 30-yard line.

[49] The last try for Michigan involved two incomplete passes, an attempted end run by Steger, and an interception by Commodore guard Fatty Lawrence.

[49] "The Commodores surprising even to their followers, fought the Michigan eleven, headed by Coach Yost, to a standstill.

"[57] Sam S. Greene remarked, "The defensive showing of Vanderbilt against the touted attack of the Western conference moleskin wearers was a revelation even to the ardent followers of the gold and black, who had expected a defeat by at least three touchdowns.

[59] Lynn Bomar spent much of his day tackling Michigan's runners for a loss,[60] and "tore through the Wolverine line constantly, and always emerged after a play on the far side of the defense.

[43][60][n 2] Other plays of note for the Commodores included the shifty moves of Gil Reese—Reese made 105 yards on punt returns.

[43][44][56][60] Walter Camp noted the strong showing of Vanderbilt, particularly impressed with Reese's punt returns and McCullough's run defense.

[63] The New York Times reported that, five days before the Vanderbilt game, Coach Yost had already begun "pointing the Wolverines for their tussle two weeks hence with the Buckeyes.

"[64] In response to the claim that Michigan could not manage a win because of undue confidence, Coach Yost had said "We have no alibi to offer over the showing made at Vanderbilt.

"[65] Another account reads "Thousands of cheering Vanderbilt fans inspired the surge of center Alf Sharp, guard Gus Morrow, tackle Tex Bradford, and end Lynn Bomar, who stopped Michigan cold in four attempts.

[69] Included on this list was Harry Kipke, Paul Goebel, Bernard Kirk, Stanley Muirhead, Irwin Uteritz, Oliver Aas, and Franklin Cappon.