Michigan Specialists: Punters, Kickoff and Punt Returners, Placekickers

Michigan Specialists: Punters, Kickoff and Punt Returners, Placekickers and Flyers

Placekickers and Punters

James E. Duffy: Duffy played for the Wolverines, 1885-1891, after graduating from Ann Arbor High School in 1885 and was Captain in 1888; he could drop kick a football nearly 169 feet (over 56 yards), a World Record in 1886. In a practice session, he kicked the ball 194 feet (nearly 65 yards). He kicked a 55 yard field goal against Cornell on November 22, 1891. His brother, John L. Duffy played for Mchigan, 1885-1889, was Captain of the 1887 Wolverine squad; another brother, Ignatius Duffy, was a member of the 1896 and coached the 1897 Wolverines.

John Bloomingston: He was the leading scorer on the 1894 and 1895 Wolverine squads; he was the first really big scorer for the Wolverines. Bloomingston kicked two field goals to defeat Purdue, 12-10; Michigan was 17-2-1 while he played Fullback for the Wolverines. He later became one of the best trial lawyers in Chicago.

Gustave Ferbert: He played for the Wolverines, 1893-1896, and coached, 1897-1899;

Neil Snow: He played for Michigan, 1898-1901, and was elected Captain of the 1900 squad.

Leo Keena: He played for the Wolverines, 1897-1899. Following service in the Spanish-American War, Keena was a U.S. Diplomat and Ambassador, 1909-1942