[9] On October 1, 1927, in the first game played at Michigan Stadium, Gilbert had a hand in every point scored in a 33–0 win over Ohio Wesleyan.

In its account of the game, the Chicago Daily Tribune wrote, "Louis Gilbert, the back field ace who has borne the brunt of the Wolverine kicking for the last two years, was the outstanding performer of today's play."

When it was announced that Gilbert would be back in time for the game against the Chicago Maroons, newspapers across the country touted the return of Michigan's star halfback.

The Kalamazoo flash, a punter probably without a peer in the Big Ten, and a forward passer without compunction for enemy defenses, rejoined the Maize and Blue today after an absence since Saturday morning when a sudden arm injury jerked him from the Illinois-Michigan game which subsequently ruined Michigan's chances to again cop the prized Big Ten gonfalon for 1927.

His return served as a tonic for his teammates, as he is expected to boot the oval with usual accuracy and distance against Coach Stagg's Maroons Saturday.

Gilbert practiced kicking while his mates polished up its offensive and his uncanny forward pass receiver, Bennie Ooslerbaan, limbered up for his notorious end sneaks.

"[16]The Chicago Daily Tribune called him "the kickingest young man in the Big Ten" and "the best advertised player at Stagg field Saturday.

"[17] The Tribune noted that, although he had not received public acclaim in his sophomore and junior years because of the spotlight on Benny Friedman, he had become the focus of attention in Ann Arbor and "one of the leading ladies' men in the Big Ten.

[18] The Chicago Daily Tribune again focused its coverage on Gilbert's status as a ladies' man, referring to him as "the campus sheik from the neighborhood of Kalamazoo," and noting that he "wears bear grease on his hair and dances a mean black bottom.

He was survived by his wife, Harriett C. Gilbert, two sons, Bartlett and Bradley, two daughters, Nancy Boersma and Eleanor Holiday, nine grandchildren, and three great-granddaughters.