The 1930 Michigan State team played "iron man" football with few substitutions. Sophomore halfback Bob Monnett led the way, playing 440 minutes for the team, missing only 40 minutes from the team's eight games. Center Francis "Buddy" Meyers ranked second with 434 minutes played followed by quarterback Roger Grove (419 minutes), end Cecil Fogg (418 minutes), and tackles Ralph Brunette (414 minutes) and Don Ridler (411 minutes).[3]
On October 4, 1930, the Spartans and Michigan Wolverines played to a scoreless tie in front of a crowd of 49,900 at Michigan Stadium.[12] The game marked the end of a losing streak for the Spartans against the Wolverines dating back to 1916.[12] Michigan had crossed the goal line near the end of the first half, but the play was called back on an offside penalty; the first half ended before Michigan could conclude the drive.[12] One of Michigan's key players, Bill Hewitt sustained an injured ankle while playing at left end of the game;[12] Hewitt did not play the rest of the season.[13] The Associated Press reported that Michigan's passing attack kept the ball in Michigan State's territory much of the time but the Wolverines "lacked the scoring punch."[14][15]
^ abcd"Wolves Held To Scoreless Deadlock". Wisconsin State Journal (UP story). October 5, 1930.
^"1930 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
^"Wolves Lack Final Punch; Tie State, 0-0". Capital Times. October 5, 1930.
^"MICHIGAN ELEVENS BATTLE DEADLOCK: State Team Holds University Scoreless for First Time Since 1916". Charleston Daily Mail (UP story). October 5, 1930.
