1891 College Football Summary

Once again, Yale dominated college football; finishing 13-1 and outscoring its 14 opponents 488-0.

Included in Yale's 13 were wins over Harvard and Princeton, limiting the other powerhouse elevens to a combined 29 points.

Once again, Yale's dominance over Wesleyan would continue with a two-game total of 104-0; with Princeton also shutting Wesleyan, 73-0 and Harvard scoring a 124-0 triumph.

Leading the way in the whipping of Wesleyan was Bernard Trafford; as he reached the end zone 18 times and totaled 64 points in the victory.

He finished the season with a Pre-1937 single-season best 270 points; surpassing former Princeton star, Knowlton "Snake" Ames' 234 points three years back.

For the season, Trafford and teammate Everett Lake combined for 63 touchdowns; with Lake scoring 31, the all-time high for total touchdowns.

A player by the name of H. Coleman, who played for Wisconsin, returned a Minnesota fumble 105 yards; but it wasn't enough as the Gophers prevailed, 26-12.

The Pennsylvania Quakers finished the season with a 12-1 slate, falling only to Yale and Princeton, 0-24 and 0-48, respectively, in successive weeks.

Yale's end, Frank Hinkey is named All-American for the first of four times.

Walter Camp wrote the book "American Football" a, which would be published annually until 1896. Edgar Poe also wrote a book: "Poe on Football How to Play The Most Popular Amateur Game." Also, Spalding Brothers produced the initial publication with the word "Guide" on the cover.

Football this year the game experienced much criticism because of its roughness and injuries much was mostly unjustified.

1891 Leaders:

  • Offensive Scoring Leader (Most Points Scored)
      Harvard (13-1-0), 588 points
  • Defensive Scoring Leader (Least Allowed)
      Yale (13-0-0), 0 points
  • National Champions (Retroactive)
      Yale (13-0-0)
      Princeton (7-0-2)
  • Intercollegiate Football Association Standings
Team IFA Standings Full Season
Yale 3-0-0 13-0-0
Princeton 2-1-0 12-1-0
Pennsylvania 1-2-0 12-2-0
Wesleyan 0-3-0 2-6-0

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