The 1935

Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. The team plays their home game ...

season was the franchise's 6th season in the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

(NFL) and second in

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

. Under fifth-year head coach

Potsy Clark George M. "Potsy" Clark (March 20, 1894 – November 8, 1972) was an American football and baseball player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Michigan Agricultural College, now Michigan State University, ...

, the Lions placed first in the NFL's Western Division and defeated the

New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...

26–7 in the

NFL Championship Game Throughout its history, the National Football league (NFL) and other rival American football leagues have used several different formats to determine their league champions, including a period of inter-league matchups to determine a true national ...

for their first league title. The leading offensive players were

Dutch Clark Earl Harry "Dutch" Clark (October 11, 1906 – August 5, 1978), sometimes also known as "the Flying Dutchman" and "the Old Master", was an American football player and coach, basketball player and coach, and university athletic director. He gain ...

, who led the NFL with 55 points, and

Ernie Caddel Ernest Wiley Caddel (March 12, 1911 – March 28, 1992) was an American football running back. He played college football for Glenn "Pop" Warner at Stanford University from 1930 to 1932 and later played six seasons in the National Football Lea ...

, who led the league with 621 yards from scrimmage and 6.4 yards per touch.

Schedule

Season summary

Week 1: Lions 35, Eagles 0

On Friday, September 20, 1935, the Lions opened their season with a 35–0 victory over the

Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The team plays its ...

before a crowd of approximately 10,000 at

University of Detroit Stadium University of Detroit Stadium, also known as U of D Stadium, Titan Stadium, or Dinan Field, was an outdoor athletic stadium in the north central United States, located on the campus of the University of Detroit in Detroit, Michigan. The stadium ...

. Halfback

scored three touchdowns.

also scored a touchdown, and a fifth came on a 10-yard pass from Pug Vaughan to

Frank Christensen Frank Langton "Chris" Christensen (June 1, 1910 – September 6, 2001) was an American athlete. After receiving all-state honors at Granite High School (Utah), Granite High School in baseball, American football, football, and basketball, Christ ...

. Clark kicked four extra points, and

Glenn Presnell Glenn Emery "Press" Presnell (July 28, 1905 – September 13, 2004) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He set the NFL single-season scoring record in 1933 and led the league in total offense. He was the l ...

kicked the fifth. The Lions prevented the Eagles from making a first down. 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. 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."

Week 2: Lions 10, Cardinals 10

On September 29, 1935, in the second game of the season, the Lions and

Chicago Cardinals The professional American football team now known as the Arizona Cardinals previously played in Chicago, Illinois, as the Chicago Cardinals from 1898 to 1959 before relocating to St. Louis, Missouri, for the 1960 through 1987 seasons. Roots ca ...

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

kicked a field goal.

Week 3: Dodgers 12, Lions 10

The Lions suffered their first loss of the season in a road game against the Brooklyn Dodgers at

Ebbets Field Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball stadium in the Flatbush, Brooklyn, Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York City, New York. It is mainly known for having been the home of the History of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn Dodgers baseball tea ...

Week 4: Lions 17, Redskins 7

In week four, the Lions defeated the

Boston Redskins The Washington Commanders are a professional American football franchise based in the Washington metropolitan area. They are members of the NFC East, East division in the National Football Conference (NFC) of the National Football League (NFL). ...

17–7 in front at

Fenway Park Fenway Park is a ballpark located in Boston, Massachusetts, less than one mile from Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home field of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Boston Red Sox. While the stadium was built in 1912, it was substantia ...

in Boston. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 35-yard field goal by

. The Lions added a touchdown in the third quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass from

Ace Gutowsky LeRoy Erwin "Ace" Gutowsky (August 2, 1909 – December 4, 1976) was an American professional American football fullback. He played professional football for eight years from 1932 to 1939 and set the NFL career rushing record in October 1939. ...

. Both teams scored touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Lions' final touchdown was fueled by a 40-yard run by

and a final 10-yard touchdown run by Caddel.

Week 5: Packers 13, Lions 9

In week five, the Lions suffered their second loss of the season, falling to the

Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They ar ...

13–9 at State Fair Park in Milwaukee. Former Oregon State tackle Tar Schwammel kicked two field goals for the Packers. Through the first five games,

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.

Week 6: Lions 14, Redskins 0

In the sixth game of the season, the Lions defeated the

14–0 in front of 14,000 spectators in Detroit. In the first quarter,

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." 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

Week 7: Lions 7, Cardinals 6

In week seven, the Lions narrowly defeated the Chicago Cardinals in the rain and mud at

Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a ballpark on the North Side, Chicago, North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, one of the city's two MLB franchises. It first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for Charl ...

. The final score was 7–6 with the difference being a successful extra point kicked by

after a 12-yard touchdown run by

in the first quarter. The Cardinals scored a touchdown in the second quarter but missed the extra point attempt.

Week 8: Packers 31, Lions 7

In week eight, the Lions lost for the second time in 1935 to the

, this time by a score of 31–7.

Week 9: Lions 20, Packers 10

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, scored two touchdowns for the Lions. Ebding added another.

kicked two extra points. The game was attended by 14,000 spectators at University of Detroit Stadium.

Week 10: Lions 20, Bears 20

In week 10, the Lions played the

Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They are one of two remaining ...

to a 20–20 tie at

. The Bears'

Bill Karr William Morrison Karr Jr. (November 29, 1911 – October 29, 1979) was an American football end who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears from 1933 to 1938. He twice led the NFL in receiving touchdowns an ...

caught three touchdown passes in the game. The Lions' touchdowns were scored by

, Bill Shepherd and Klewicki.

Week 11: Lions 14, Bears 2

For their 11th game, the Lions played the Bears on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit.

scored two touchdowns as the Lions beat the Bears 14–2. The Bears scored a safety after

Buddy Parker Raymond Klein "Buddy" Parker (December 16, 1913 – March 22, 1982) was an American football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL), who served as head coach for the Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Pa ...

fumbled and recovered the ball behind his own goal line.

Week 12: Lions 28, Dodgers 0

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

, a touchdown reception by Presnell, two safeties, and touchdowns by

and

. They scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. The win gave the Lions the undisputed NFL Western Division title.

Standings

Championship Play-off

The

1935 NFL Championship Game The 1935 NFL Championship game was the third National Football League (NFL) title game, held on December 15 at University of Detroit Stadium (Titan Stadium) in Detroit, Michigan. The 1935 champion of the Western Division was the Detroit Lions ( ...

was held on December 15, 1935, at

(some sources call it Titan Stadium) in

. 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

(7–3–2) and the champion of the Eastern Division was the

(9–3). On the opening drive of the game, the Lions

threw a 36-yard pass to

, and

threw another long pass to

Ed Klewicki Edward Leonard Klewicki (May 6, 1912 – July 20, 1997) was an American football player who played professionally with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), helping them to win the 1935 NFL Championship. Klewicki was inducte ...

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 Edward Frank Danowski (September 30, 1911 – February 1, 1997) was an American football player and coach. He played quarterback and Halfback (American football), halfback in the National Football League (NFL) with the New York Giants from 1934 ...

and ran it back to midfield. Three plays later,

ran 40 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Lions blocked a punt, and

George Christensen George Robert Christensen (born 30 June 1978) is an Australian politician, currently serving as a member of the Mackay Regional Council. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2022, serving as the member for the divisio ...

recovered the ball on the Giants' 22-yard line.

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 The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...

star) Harry Newman on the Giants' 45-yard line and returned it to the nine-yard line.

ran for the touchdown as the Lions won the championship by a final score of 26–7.

Post-season games

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

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 Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

. The Lions scored five touchdowns, including three in the third period, for a 33–0 victory.

Roster

Detroit: "City of Champions"

When the Lions won the

, 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." The

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...

also won the

1935 World Series The 1935 World Series was the championship series in Major League Baseball for the 1935 season. The 32nd edition of the World Series, it matched the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs. The Tigers won in six games for their first championship i ...

, and the

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

won the 1935–36 Stanley Cup championship. Detroit's "champions" included Detroit's "Brown Bomber,"

Joe Louis Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1934 to 1951. Nicknamed "the Brown Bomber", Louis is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential boxers of all time. He r ...

, the heavyweight boxing champion; native Detroiter

Gar Wood Garfield Arthur "Gar" Wood (December 4, 1880 – June 19, 1971) was an American inventor, entrepreneur, and championship motorboat builder and racer who held the world water speed record on several occasions. He was the first man to travel ...

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 The 1932 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the X Olympiad and also known as Los Angeles 1932) were an international multi-sport event held from July 30 to August 14, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, United States. The Games were held du ...

Statistical leaders

Rushing

Passing

Receiving

Scoring

Awards and records

* 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

External links

Detroit Lions on Pro Football Reference

Detroit Lions on The Football Database

1935 Detroit Lions at jt-sw.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:1935 Detroit Lions Season

Detroit Lions seasons NFL championship seasons

1935 in Detroit