1931 record 4–3 (2–1 MCC) | ||
Conference Michigan Collegiate Conference Head coach George Van Bibber (1st year) | ||
The 1931 Central State Bearcats football team represented Central State Teachers College, later renamed Central Michigan University, in the Michigan Collegiate Conference (MCC) during the 1931 college football season. In their first season under head coach George Van Bibber, the Bearcats compiled a 4–3 record (2–1 against MCC opponents), held five of seven opponents to seven or fewer point, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 95 to 58. The team defeated its in-state rival Michigan State Normal (20–12), lost to rival Western State Teachers (6–7), and also lost to Big Ten Conference champion Michigan (0–27).
Van Bibber was named Central State's head football coach in May 1931. He replaced A. J. Nowak who left Central State to accept a coaching position at Indiana. Van Bibber had played football, basketball, and baseball at Purdue.