Neither team scored through the first three quarters. Harry Bullion of the Detroit Free Press criticized Michigan's tackling and blocking and described the match as 'a listless game'. There were nearly 55,000 empty seats in the stadium. On October 13, 1928, Michigan lost to Indiana by a 6–0 score before a crowd of 40,000 at Michigan Stadium. Week 2: Indiana Week 2: Indiana at Michigan It was also the first for a team from Ohio over the Wolverines since 1921. Ohio Wesleyan's victory was branded 'the greatest upset' in Michigan football history. According to another account, Ohio Wesleyan coach George Gauthier, a Michigan State alumnus, led his team in singing the song in the locker room before the game began.

The song was credited with inspiring Ohio Wesleyan to upset the Wolverines. The Ohio Wesleyan band played 'that old familiar air, ' We Don't Give a D-m for the Whole State of Michigan'' as it marched onto the field. Ohio Wesleyan scored touchdowns in the second and third quarters and kicked a field goal from the 27-yard line in the fourth quarter. George Rich then ran for the touchdown, and Joe Gembis kicked the extra point. Michigan's lone touchdown was set up when Danny Holmes intercepted a pass and returned the ball to the Ohio Wesleyan two-yard line. The game drew a crowd of between 50,000 and 55,000 persons, the largest crowd to watch an opening game in Michigan history. On October 6, 1928, the inexperienced Michigan team opened its 1928 season with a 17–7 loss to Ohio Wesleyan at Michigan Stadium. Wieman has been in charge as head coach.' Week 1: Ohio Wesleyan Week 1: Ohio Wesleyan at Michigan In late October 1928, the athletic department issued a joint statement from Wieman and Yost denying any estrangement and noting that their relationship was too long and intimate to be jeopardized by 'any minor misunderstandings.' In an apparent compromise over responsibility for the team's poor showing, the statement noted, 'For the handling of the football team up to October 5, Mr. The Detroit News reported, 'While no official word of any eruption has been issued, it is well known in inner circles that Wieman is in rebellion and thinking seriously of leaving Ann Arbor.' Wieman reportedly contended that he had never really been allowed to take control of the team and felt that he was being used as a scapegoat for the team's poor showing. In October 1928, newspapers across the country reported that there had been a break between Yost and Wieman. Wieman told friends that Yost had failed to notify him in advance, and 'he was the most surprised man in the country' when Yost made the announcement. After taking control from Wieman, Yost then announced to newspapers the night before the season opener that Wieman was once again the head football coach. Before the season began, Yost became restless and announced that he would return to his head coaching responsibilities. The 1928 season saw conflict between Wieman and athletic director Fielding H.

Oosterbaan, Gilbert, and Baer graduated in 1928, leaving coach Tad Wieman to rebuild the core of his team with new personnel. The 1927 team also included All-Big Ten Conference honorees Louis Gilbert at halfback and Ray Baer at guard. In 1927, Michigan compiled a 6–2 record with Bennie Oosterbaan winning All-American honors for the third consecutive year. Season summary Pre-season and Wieman-Yost feud Fullback Joe Gembis was the team's leading scorer with nine points on three extra points and two field goals. Left tackle Otto Pommerening was selected as the team's most valuable player and as a consensus first-team player on the 1928 College Football All-America Team. Quarterback/ halfback George Rich was the team captain. After the season, Wieman was removed as the team's head coach and replaced with Harry Kipke. The Wolverines finished the season with three wins and a tie their victory over Big Ten champion Illinois spoiled an otherwise perfect season for the Illini. During the losing streak, the Wolverines lost to Indiana, a program that had never beaten or even scored a point against a Michigan team, and Wisconsin, a program that had not beaten a Michigan team since 1899. The team opened the season with four consecutive losses, the worst start by a Michigan football team to that point in time. Yost, who had been the head coach until 1927. īefore and during the season, a feud developed between head coach Tad Wieman and athletic director Fielding H. The Wolverines compiled a 3–4–1 record (2–3 against Big Ten opponents), tied for seventh place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by their opponents by a total of 62 to 36. The 1928 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1928 Big Ten Conference football season.

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