On October 8, 1921 the University of Minnesota beat Northwestern 28-0. Wearing jerseys with "freak numerical code"
In 1914 the Big Ten 'recommended' adding jersey numbers. Gophers coach Doc Williams didn't want his players to be identifiable to the other team, so he ignored the recommendation. By 1920 Minnesota was the only team in the Big Ten without uniform numbers, and the conference made them update their jerseys.
Old Doc Williams was on the hot seat, 1921 would be his final season. The great Minnesota coach had led some of the best teams Minnesota ever had, but the team was on the downturn.