Playing on the campus of the University of Detroit, the Wolverines sharing their name with the University of Michigan. The Wolverines hoped a tie in with Michigan along with former Michigan QB Benny Friedman would help professional football succeed in Detroit, as this was third different franchise to call the Motor City home following the Herald/Tigers and Panthers .

Coached by LeRoy Andrews the Wolverines got off to a terrific start beating the New York Yankees 35-12 in their first game on October 14th. A week later in their first home game the Wolverines would blank the defending champion New York Giants 28-0.

Following a 6-0 win over the Chicago Bears, the Wolverines would hit a rough stretch, losing games to the Frankford Yellow Jackets and Providence Steam Roller, who were the top two teams in the NFL. In a rematch with the Giants at the Polo Grounds, the Wolverines would play to a 19-19 tie, with Benny Friedman impressing Giants owner Tim Mara.

The Wolverines, would win their final four games to finish the season in third place with a record of 7-2-1. However, despite their strong season, the Detroit Wolverines would not get a second season, as Tim Mara purchased the team and deactivated it; bring the best players to New York to play with the Giants including Benny Friedman.

Detroit would get another shot at the NFL when the Portsmouth Spartans became the Detroit Lions in 1934 .