Conference Big Ten Conference Home stadium Northwestern Field | 1918 record 2–2–1 (1–1 Big Ten) | |
Head coach Fred J. Murphy (5th year) | ||
The 1918 Northwestern Purple team was an American football team that represented Northwestern University during the 1918 Big Ten Conference football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Fred J. Murphy, the Purple compiled a 2–2–1 record (1–1 against Big Ten Conference opponents) and finished in sixth place in the Big Ten Conference.
Northewestern's quarterback Marshall Underhill was selected as a first-team player on the 1918 Big Ten Conference football season.
Game summaries
On October 26, 1918, Northwestern and Great Lakes Naval Training Station played to a scoreless tie before a crowd of 15,000. The game was played in mud that was ankle deep. The 1918 Great Lakes Navy Bluejackets football team compiled a 3–0–1 record against Big Ten opponents, went on to win the 1919 Rose Bowl, and featured three players (George Halas, Jimmy Conzelman, and Paddy Driscoll) who were later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Charlie Bachman, who was hired as Northwestern's coach after the season and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, also played for the 1918 Great Lakes team.
On November 2, 1918, Northwestern's S.A.T.C. team lost, 25–0, to the United States Naval Reserve School from Chicago's Municipal Pier. The game was played at Evanston Field.
On November 9, 1918, Northwestern defeated Knox College, 47–7. Knox scored on its first drive with a pass covering more than 90 yards. Northwestern then scored seven touchdowns.
On November 16, 1918, Northwestern defeated Chicago, 21–6, in the rain, fog, and mud before a crowd of 8,000 at Evanston Field.
On November 23, 1918, Iowa defeated Northwestern, 23-7, in Iowa City.