teams and prevented either team from converting a single first down. Only one pass was attempted in the game, an incomplete pass by Friedman. Northwestern's three points were the only ones allowed by Michigan during the 1925 season. Michigan kicked off to Northwestern to open the game. Seeking to take advantage of the weather conditions, Leland "Tiny" Lewis of Northwestern punted on the first play from scrimmage. Benny Friedman tried to scoop up the ball, but he fumbled it and Northwestern recovered on Michigan's three-yard line. Michigan's defense held on three straight runs by Northwestern. On fourth down, Lewis kicked a field goal from the 18-yard line with the ball having "barely enough power" to go over the crossbar. Michigan's defense played a strong game, and its line was described as "a veritable stone wall." Throughout the game, both teams played a kicking game, punting on second or third down and hoping for a break. Walter Eckersall described the pattern of the game as follows:Each team would make two attempts to gain. The referee would then charge time out to himself so the centers could wipe off the ball before punting. The ball would be kicked, permitted to hit the ground, and be declared dead by the referee. This was the procedure throughout practically the entire game." In the third quarter, Michigan had the wind at its back and had field position in its favor. On one drive, the Wolverines pushed the Wildcats' offense back to their own one-yard line. On fourth down, Northwestern faced the prospect of punting into the wind from its own end zone and giving Michigan its best scoring opportunity. Rather than punting, Northwestern captain Tim Lowry directed Lewis to down the ball behind the goal line, giving Michigan two points on the safety. Under the rules in effect at the time, Northwestern received possession of the ball at their 30-yard line after taking the safety. Walter Eckersall called Lowry's decision to take the safety "a smart piece of strategy" and "the deciding factor in an otherwise featureless game." Others described Lowry's call "a brilliant bit of generalship" and "a great exhibition of football brains." (The rule allowing the team giving up a safety to retake possession was changed the following year.) Coach Yost expressed his thorough disgust with the condition of the field and said he may start a movement to postpone games under similar