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1935 Detroit Lions season

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1935 Detroit Lions season
OwnerGeorge A. Richards
General managerPotsy Clark
Head coachPotsy Clark
Home fieldUniversity of Detroit Stadium
Results
Record7–3–2
Division place1st NFL Western
Playoff finishWon NFL Championship
(vs. Giants) 26–7

The 1935 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 6th season in the National Football League (NFL) and second in Detroit. Under fifth-year head coach Potsy Clark, the Lions placed first in the NFL's Western Division and defeated the New York Giants 26–7 in the NFL Championship Game for their first league title.

The leading offensive players were Dutch Clark, who led the NFL with 55 points, and Ernie Caddel, who led the league with 621 yards from scrimmage and 6.4 yards per touch.

Schedule

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Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 20 Philadelphia Eagles W 35–0 1–0 University of Detroit Stadium Recap
2 September 29 Chicago Cardinals T 10–10 1–0–1 University of Detroit Stadium Recap
3 October 6 at Brooklyn Dodgers L 10–12 1–1–1 Ebbets Field Recap
4 October 13 at Boston Redskins W 17–7 2–1–1 Fenway Park Recap
5 October 20 at Green Bay Packers L 9–13 2–2–1 Wisconsin State Fair Park Recap
6 October 30 Boston Redskins W 14–0 3–2–1 University of Detroit Stadium Recap
7 November 3 at Chicago Cardinals W 7–6 4–2–1 Wrigley Field Recap
8 November 10 at Green Bay Packers L 7–31 4–3–1 City Stadium Recap
9 November 17 Green Bay Packers W 20–10 5–3–1 University of Detroit Stadium Recap
10 November 24 at Chicago Bears T 20–20 5–3–2 Wrigley Field Recap
11 November 28 Chicago Bears W 14–2 6–3–2 University of Detroit Stadium Recap
12 December 1 Brooklyn Dodgers W 28–0 7–3–2 University of Detroit Stadium Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

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Week 1: Lions 35, Eagles 0

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On Friday, September 20, 1935, the Lions opened their season with a 35–0 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles before a crowd of approximately 10,000 at University of Detroit Stadium. Halfback Ernie Caddel scored three touchdowns. Dutch Clark also scored a touchdown, and a fifth came on a 10-yard pass from Pug Vaughan to Frank Christensen. Clark kicked four extra points, and Glenn Presnell kicked the fifth.[1] The Lions prevented the Eagles from making a first down.[2] The Lions totaled 381 total yards against the Eagles, including 324 rushing yards on 57 carries for an average of 6.8 yards per carry.[3] Following the game, the Associated Press reported that the Lions has "definitely established themselves as serious contenders for the 1935 National Professional football league championship."[2]

Week 2: Lions 10, Cardinals 10

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On September 29, 1935, in the second game of the season, the Lions and Chicago Cardinals played to a 10–10 tie in front of approximately 10,000 spectators at the University of Detroit Stadium. The Lions trailed 3-0 at halftime but scored a touchdown in the third quarter on a 15-yard pass from Dutch Clark to John Schneller. Chicago retook the lead with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Lions then tied the score in the final minutes, as Glenn Presnell kicked a field goal.[4][5]

Week 3: Dodgers 12, Lions 10

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The Lions suffered their first loss of the season in a road game against the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field.[6]

Week 4: Lions 17, Redskins 7

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In week four, the Lions defeated the Boston Redskins 17–7 in front at Fenway Park in Boston. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 35-yard field goal by Glenn Presnell. The Lions added a touchdown in the third quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ace Gutowsky to Dutch Clark. Both teams scored touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Lions' final touchdown was fueled by a 40-yard run by Ernie Caddel and a final 10-yard touchdown run by Caddel.[7]

Week 5: Packers 13, Lions 9

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In week five, the Lions suffered their second loss of the season, falling to the Green Bay Packers 13–9 at State Fair Park in Milwaukee. Former Oregon State tackle Tar Schwammel kicked two field goals for the Packers.[8]

Through the first five games, Ernie Caddel was tied with Dale Burnett for the NFL scoring lead with five touchdowns and 30 points. Caddel had gained 297 yards on 39 carries for an average of 7.6 yards per carry.[9]

Week 6: Lions 14, Redskins 0

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In the sixth game of the season, the Lions defeated the Boston Redskins 14–0 in front of 14,000 spectators in Detroit. In the first quarter, Ernie Caddel threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Schneller for the first points of the game. The second half was played in heavy fog, "at times almost completely blotting out all action, and making necessary the use of a white ball."[10] The Redskins drove to the Lions' nine-yard line in the third quarter, but the Lions intercepted a pass to stop the drive. The Lions scored in the fourth quarter on a one-yard plunge by Ace Gutowsky.[10]

Week 7: Lions 7, Cardinals 6

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Detroit Lions at Chicago Cardinals
1 234Total
• Detroit Lions 7 000 7
Chicago Cardinals 0 600 6

In week seven, the Lions narrowly defeated the Chicago Cardinals in the rain and mud at Wrigley Field. The final score was 7–6 with the difference being a successful extra point kicked by Dutch Clark after a 12-yard touchdown run by Ernie Caddel in the first quarter. The Cardinals scored a touchdown in the second quarter but missed the extra point attempt.[11]

Week 8: Packers 31, Lions 7

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In week eight, the Lions lost for the second time in 1935 to the Green Bay Packers, this time by a score of 31–7.[12][13]

Week 9: Lions 20, Packers 10

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Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
1 234Total
Green Bay Packers 0 000 0
Detroit Lions 0 000 0
  • Date: November 18, 1935
  • Location: University of Detroit Stadium
    Detroit, MI
  • Referee: Kahn, Chicago (referee); Elliot, Notre Dame (umpire); Ritter, Purdue (head linesman); Meyer, Ohio State (field judge)

In week nine, the Lions and Packers met for the third time in the 1935 season. This time, the Lions came out on top 20–10. Bill Shepherd, who had been acquired by the Lions in a trade for Doug Nott on November 4, 1935,[14] scored two touchdowns for the Lions. Ebding added another. Dutch Clark kicked two extra points. The game was attended by 14,000 spectators at University of Detroit Stadium.[15]

Week 10: Lions 20, Bears 20

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In week 10, the Lions played the Chicago Bears to a 20–20 tie at Wrigley Field. The Bears' Bill Karr caught three touchdown passes in the game. The Lions' touchdowns were scored by Dutch Clark, Bill Shepherd and Klewicki.[16]

Week 11: Lions 14, Bears 2

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For their 11th game, the Lions played the Bears on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit. Dutch Clark scored two touchdowns as the Lions beat the Bears 14–2. The Bears scored a safety after Buddy Parker fumbled and recovered the ball behind his own goal line.[17][18]

Week 12: Lions 28, Dodgers 0

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In their final regular-season game, the Detroit Lions defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 28–0 in front of 12,000 spectators in Detroit. The Lions scored on a field goal by Glenn Presnell, a touchdown reception by Presnell, two safeties, and touchdowns by Dutch Clark and Ace Gutowsky. They scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. The win gave the Lions the undisputed NFL Western Division title.[19]

Standings

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NFL Western Division
W L T PCT DIV PF PA STK
Detroit Lions 7 3 2 .700 3–2–2 191 111 W2
Green Bay Packers 8 4 0 .667 4–4 181 96 W1
Chicago Cardinals 6 4 2 .600 3–2–2 99 97 L1
Chicago Bears 6 4 2 .600 1–3–2 192 106 W1
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
NFL Eastern Division
W L T PCT DIV PF PA STK
New York Giants 9 3 0 .750 8–0 180 96 W5
Brooklyn Dodgers 5 6 1 .455 3–4–1 90 141 T1
Pittsburgh Pirates 4 8 0 .333 3–5 100 209 L3
Boston Redskins 2 8 1 .200 2–4–1 65 123 T1
Philadelphia Eagles 2 9 0 .182 2–5 60 179 L5
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Championship Play-off

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Main article: 1935 NFL Championship Game
Round Date Opponent Result Venue Recap
Championship December 15 New York Giants W 26–7 University of Detroit Stadium Recap
NFL Championship Game: New York Giants at Detroit Lions
(1935 NFL Championship Game)
1 234Total
New York Giants (9–3–0) 0 070 7
• Detroit Lions (7–3–2) 13 0013 26
  • Date: December 15, 1935
  • Location: University of Detroit Stadium
    Detroit, MI
  • Game attendance: 12,000
  • Referee: Tommy Hughitt, Buffalo (referee), Tommy Cahn, Chicago (umpire), M. J. Mayer, Ohio Wesleyan (head linesman), H. D. Robb, Pittsburgh (field judge)

The 1935 NFL Championship Game was held on December 15, 1935, at University of Detroit Stadium (some sources call it Titan Stadium) in Detroit. The game was played in a snowstorm in front of 12,000 spectators. It was the 3rd annual title game for the NFL. The champion of the Western Division was the Detroit Lions (7–3–2) and the champion of the Eastern Division was the New York Giants (9–3).

On the opening drive of the game, the Lions Glenn Presnell threw a 36-yard pass to Frank Christensen, and Ace Gutowsky threw another long pass to Ed Klewicki at the Giants' 8-yard line. Gutowsky then ran the ball into the end zone to give the Lions a 7–0 lead. The Lions scored again after Christensen intercepted a pass thrown by New York's Ed Danowski and ran it back to midfield. Three plays later, Dutch Clark ran 40 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Lions blocked a punt, and George Christensen recovered the ball on the Giants' 22-yard line. Ernie Caddel ran the ball in from the one-yard line for the Lions' third touchdown.

The Lions added to their lead late in the game after Parker intercepted a pass from New York quarterback (and former University of Michigan star) Harry Newman on the Giants' 45-yard line and returned it to the nine-yard line. Buddy Parker ran for the touchdown as the Lions won the championship by a final score of 26–7.[20]

Post-season games

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Game Date Opponent Result
All-Star Game January 1, 1936 NFL All-Stars W 33–0[21]
Post-season game January 13, 1936 Westwood Clubs Los Angeles W 67–14
Post-season game January 20, 1936 Los Angeles All-Stars W 42–7[22]
Post-season rematch January 26, 1936 Green Bay Packers W 10–3

All-Star Game: Lions 33, NFL All-Stars 0

[edit]
NFL All-Star Game
1 234Total
Pro All-Stars 0 000 0
• Detroit Lions 13 6216 46
  • Date: January 1, 1936
  • Location: Denver, CO
  • Game attendance: 11,000

After the NFL Championship Game, the Lions played a game against an NFL All-Star team on January 1, 1936. The game was attended by 11,000 spectators and marked the first NFL game to be played in Denver, Colorado. The Lions scored five touchdowns, including three in the third period, for a 33–0 victory.[23]

Roster

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Detroit Lions 1935 roster
Backs Ends Linemen


Detroit: "City of Champions"

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When the Lions won the 1935 NFL Championship Game, the City of Detroit was mired in the Great Depression, which had hit Detroit and its industries particularly hard. But with the success of the Lions and other Detroit athletes in 1935, Detroit's luck appeared to be changing, as the City was dubbed the "City of Champions."[24] The Detroit Tigers also won the 1935 World Series, and the Detroit Red Wings won the 1935–36 Stanley Cup championship. Detroit's "champions" included Detroit's "Brown Bomber," Joe Louis, the heavyweight boxing champion; native Detroiter Gar Wood who was the champion of unlimited powerboat racing and the first man to go 100 miles per hour on water; Eddie "the Midnight Express" Tolan, a black Detroiter who won gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter races at the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Statistical leaders

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Rushing

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Player GP Att Net Yards Yds/Att TD
Ernie Caddel 12 87 450 5.2 6
Dutch Clark 12 102 427 3.6 4
Ace Gutowsky 9 59 276 2.9 2
Glenn Presnell 12 71 225 3.2 0
Buddy Parker 11 59 156 2.6 0
Bill Shepherd 5 54 140 2.6 3

Passing

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Player GP Att Comp Int Comp % Yds Yds/Comp TD
Glenn Presnell 12 45 15 6 33.3 193 12.9 0
Ernie Caddel 12 6 4 1 66.6 169 42.3 2
Dutch Clark 12 26 11 4 42.3 133 12.1 2
Pug Vaughan 7 15 7 2 46.7 104 14.9 2
Bill Shepherd 5 9 7 0 77.8 99 14.1 1
Ace Gutowsky 12 9 5 1 55.6 95 19.0 2
Frank Christensen 12 21 6 3 28.6 92 15.3 0

Receiving

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Player GP Recp Yds Yds/Recp TD
Ernie Caddel 12 10 171 17.1 0
John Schneller 12 7 149 21.3 2
Harry Ebding 11 8 128 16.0 1
Dutch Clark 12 9 124 13.8 2
Ed Klewicki 11 4 112 28.0 2
Glenn Presnell 12 3 73 24.3 1

Scoring

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Player GP Rush TD Recv TD PR TD Total TD FG XPM Points
Dutch Clark 12 4 2 0 6 1 16 55
Ernie Caddel 12 6 0 0 6 0 0 36
Glenn Presnell 12 0 1 1 2 4 4 28
Bill Shepherd 5 3 0 0 3 0 0 18

Awards and records

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  • Ernie Cadell
Led NFL in all-purpose yards and yards from scrimmage (621)
Led NFL in rushing touchdowns (6)
Led NFL in yards per rushing attempt (5.2)
Led NFL in yards per touch (6.4)
Tied for NFL lead in rushing/receiving touchdowns (6)
2nd in NFL in rushing yards (450)
  • Dutch Clark
Led NFL in points scored (55)
Tied for NFL lead in extra points made (16)
Tied for NFL lead in rushing/receiving touchdowns (6)
2nd in NFL in all-purpose yards (551)
  • Glenn Presnell
Tied for NFL lead in punt return touchdowns (1)

References

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  1. ^ "10,000 See Lions Beat Eagles, 35 to 0". Detroit Free Press. September 21, 1935. p. 13.
  2. ^ a b "Detroit Lions Win Opening Game, 35–0". Ludington Daily News. September 23, 1935.
  3. ^ "Detroit Leads Pro League in Yardage: Lions Have Gained Total Of 381 Yards". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 23, 1935.
  4. ^ "LIONS TIE CHICAGO CARDS.; Detroit Gains 10–10 Deadlock in League Football Game". The New York Times. September 30, 1935.
  5. ^ "Lions Come From Behind to Tie Cardinals, 10-10". Detroit Free Press. September 30, 1935. p. 13.
  6. ^ Arthur J. Daley (October 7, 1935). "Football Dodgers Triumph in Inaugural at Ebbets Field; Giants Also Score; DODGERS VANQUISH LIONS BY 12 TO 10". October 7, 1935.
  7. ^ "Detroit Lions Smother Redskins 17–7 in League Tilt Before 20,000 Fans". The Lewiston Daily Sun (AP story). October 9, 1935.
  8. ^ Charles Nevada (October 21, 1935). "PACKERS DEFEAT LIONS, 13 TO 9, ON TWO FIELD GOALS: Schwammel Place Kicks from 39, 41 Yard Lines". Chicago Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012.
  9. ^ "Caddel Keeps Spot As Scoring Leader". Berkeley Daily Gazette. October 23, 1935.
  10. ^ a b "Redskins Licked by Detroit Lions; Score 14 to 0". The Lewiston Daily Sun. October 31, 1935.
  11. ^ "Lions Vanquish Cardinals, 7–6, As Clark Converts Extra Point; Detroit Quarterback Boots Ball Between Uprights After Caddel Takes Lateral and Runs 12 Yards to Score in First Period". The New York Times. November 4, 1935.
  12. ^ Charles Nevada (November 11, 1935). "Packers Pound Lions, 31 to 7; Hold 1st Place". Chicago Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012.
  13. ^ "GREEN BAY PASSES BEAT DETROIT, 31–7; Packers Get 21 Points in Last Half, Blood Twice Snaring Touchdown Tosses. HINKLE KICKS FIELD GOAL Hutson Also Scores Through Aerial Route – Kleiwicki Accounts for Losers' Tally". The New York Times. November 11, 1934.
  14. ^ "Casey Trades Bill Shepherd to Detroit For Passing Ace, Nott". The Lewiston Daily Sun. November 5, 1935.
  15. ^ "Lions Trounce Packers 20–10: Dutch Clark Hero as Team Stays in Race". The Windsor Daily Star. November 18, 1935.
  16. ^ "BEARS TIE DETROIT AS KARR SETS PACE; He Scores Three Touchdowns in 20–20 National Football League Deadlock. CLARK GETS FIRST TALLY Klewicki and Shepherd Also Cross Goal Line for Lions at Wrigley Field". The New York Times. November 25, 1935.
  17. ^ "Detroit Lions Defeat Bears". The Spartanburg Herald. November 29, 1935.
  18. ^ Wilfrid Smith (November 29, 1935). "DUTCH CLARK IS PUNCH BEHIND LIONS' ATTACK: Takes Two Passes for Detroit Touchdowns; Lions Defeat Bears, 14 to 2; Tie for Lead". Chicago Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013.
  19. ^ "Lions Rout the Dodgers by 28–0 And Gain Western Division Lead; Presnell Starts Detroit's Scoring With a Field Goal and Later Crosses on a Pass – Clark and Gutowsky Also Go Over for Touchdowns – Two Safeties Included in the Total". The New York Times. December 2, 1935.
  20. ^ "Detroit Lions Win Grid Championship: Pro Team Takes 26 to 7 Decision Over New York Giants". The Palm Beach Post (AP story). December 15, 1935.
  21. ^ "Detroit Lions Beat All-Star Eleven, 33–0". Chicago Daily Tribune. January 2, 1936. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012.
  22. ^ "Detroit Lions Defeat Los Angeles Gridders". The Miami News. January 20, 1936.
  23. ^ "Lions Score Five Touchdowns in Defeating Pro Football All-Stars at Denver, 33 to 0". The New York Times. January 2, 1936.
  24. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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