The team defeated its in-state rival Michigan State Normal (20–12), lost to rival Western State Teachers (6–7), and also lost to Big Ten Conference champion Michigan (0–27).
[1][2] Van Bibber was named Central State's head football coach in May 1931.
He replaced Butch Nowack who left Central State to accept a coaching position at Indiana.
Van Bibber had played football, basketball, and baseball at Purdue.
Michigan's touchdowns were scored by halfback Jack Heston (the son of former Michigan star Willie Heston), fullback Roderick Cox (1933 NCAA champion in the hammer throw), end Ted Petoskey, and substitute halfback Herbert Schmidt.