End Ron Kramer was selected as a consensus All-American and a first team All-Big Ten player.

Barr also set up a touchdown with a 51-yard punt return to the UCLA 15-yard line in the first quarter.

Halfback John Herrnstein scored two touchdowns for Michigan on runs of six and four yards.

5 in the AP Poll) lost to Michigan State (ranked No.

8 in the AP Poll) defeated Northwestern, 34–20, before a crowd of 81,227 at Michigan Stadium.

Senior back Terry Barr, playing in his final game for Michigan, scored two touchdowns.

[6][7] End Ron Kramer was a unanimous pick for the 1956 All-America college football team.

[15] Five Michigan players received honors on the 1956 All-Big Ten Conference football team:[16][17] Guard Dick Hill won the team's award as most valuable player.

[18] The following players won varsity letters for their participation on the 1956 Michigan football team.

[19][20] Players who started at least half of Michigan's games are shown in bold.