Conference Independent Head coach John Beckett | 1923 record 7–2–1 | |
The 1923 Quantico Marines Devil Dogs football team represented the Quantico Marine Base in the 1923 college football season. "Support for the team reached an all-time high during a game against the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor during the Corps’ anniversary in 1923. Thousands of Marines and fans traveled from Quantico on special trains to attend the game. Many of the Marines spent their entire month’s paycheck and more just to pay for the venture."
Contents
VMI
"Quantico got off poorly, losing to V. M. I. in a mud battle, 6 to o."
at Michigan
On November 10, 1923, the Quantico Marines faced the 1923 Michigan Wolverines football team at Ferry Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The game was attended by 2,000 Marines and by several dignitaries, including Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby, who had played football at Michigan in the 1890s, and Marine Corps Commandant John A. Lejeune. The Wolverines, who went on to an undefeated season and a national championship, defeated the Marines, 26–6. The Marines took the opening kickoff and drove 89 yards for a touchdown, using "a bewildering aerial and line attack." The Marines' touchdown was the only one scored on Michigan during the entire 1923 season. The Marines led 6–0 at the end of the first quarter, but Michigan then scored 26 unanswered points. Quarterback Irwin Uteritz led Michigan's comeback, scoring a touchdown in the second quarter on a dive between center Jack Blott's legs. Uteritz later left the game with a broken leg and was replaced by Tod Rockwell at quarterback. When Rockwell came into the game, Michigan lined up for a field goal with Rockwell holding the ball. As the Marines came through to block the kick, Rockwell jumped to his feet and ran the ball 26 yards for a touchdown.