The 1917 campaign began with a 55–0 victory over Kalamazoo, followed by a scoreless tie at Wisconsin, in which Phelan attempted to win the game by kicking a 61-yard field goal; the ball bounced off the crossbar.
In the 1917 season opener, Kalamazoo was defeated 55–0. The next game against Wisconsin ended in a scoreless tie, with Phelan attempting a long field goal that hit the crossbar.