1920 Georgia Bulldogs football team

1920 Georgia Bulldogs football
National champion (QPRS)
SIAA co-champion
Conference Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
1920 record 8–0–1 (8–0 SIAA)
Head coach Herman Stegeman
Assistant coach James DeHart
Captain Bum Day
Home stadium Sanford Field
Uniform
1920 SIAA football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
Georgia + 8 0 0     8 0 1
Georgia Tech + 5 0 0     8 1 0
Tulane + 4 0 0     6 2 1
Alabama 6 1 0     10 1 0
Furman 4 1 0     9 1 0
Centre 4 1 0     8 2 0
South Carolina 3 1 0     5 4 0
Auburn 4 2 0     7 2 0
Tennessee 4 2 0     7 2 0
Mississippi A&M 3 2 0     5 3 0
Vanderbilt 3 3 0     4 3 1
Sewanee 2 3 1     4 3 1
Transylvania 1 2 0     1 2 0
Chattanooga 1 3 1     3 4 1
Florida 1 3 0     6 3 0
LSU 1 3 0     5 3 1
Clemson 2 6 0     4 6 1
Mississippi College 1 4 0     3 5 0
Howard 1 5 0     3 5 1
The Citadel 1 5 0     2 6 0
Kentucky 0 3 1     3 4 1
Millsaps 0 2 0     0 2 0
Ole Miss 0 2 0     4 3 0
Georgetown 0 2 0     0 3 0
Mercer 0 4 0     2 7 0
Wofford 0 5 0     0 8 1
  • + Conference co-champions

The 1920 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the Georgia Bulldogs of the University of Georgia during the 1920 college football season. The Bulldogs had an 8–0–1 record,[1] outscored opponents 250–17, and were also co-champion of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, with in-state rival Georgia Tech as well as Tulane, which were also undefeated in conference play.

Georgia gave Furman the team's only loss, and did the same to Alabama in the year's biggest win.[2] This was the Georgia Bulldogs' first season under the guidance of head coach Herman Stegeman and the team's second undefeated season in its history (first since 1896 under Pop Warner). The Bulldogs were retroactively awarded a national championship by Clyde Berryman.

Before the season

The Bulldogs were led by first-year head coach Herman Stegeman, who attended the University of Chicago and learned football from the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg. During the end of World War I, the United States Army stationed Stegeman in Athens to create physical training courses for the UGA Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. Last season, Stegeman was hired by head coach Alex Cunningham as an assistant. Cunningham then went into the Army, and Stegeman was promoted to head coach. Stegeman was assisted by backfield coach and Warner disciple Jimmy DeHart.

Georgia became known for its line during the early 1920s, this season returning All-Southerns in end Owen Reynolds, tackle Artie Pew, and center and captain Bum Day; as well as guard Hugh Whelchel and a young Joe Bennett. In 1920, the Bulldogs line was complemented with a strong backfield, led by Buck Cheves and known as the "Ten Second Backfield."[3]

Schedule

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
October 2 The Citadel Sanford FieldAthens, GA W 40–0    
October 9 at South Carolina Columbia, SC W 37–0    
October 13 at Furman Manly Field • Greenville, SC W 7–0   2,500
October 23 at Oglethorpe Atlanta, GA W 27–3    
October 30 vs. Auburn McClung StadiumColumbus, GA W 7–0   7,000
November 6 at Virginia* Lambeth Field • Charlottesville, VA T 0–0   5,000
November 13 Florida Sanford Field • Athens W 56–0    
November 20 Alabama Ponce de Leon ParkAtlanta W 21–14   11,000
November 25 Clemson Sanford Field • Athens W 55–0   5,000
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming.

Season summary

Week 1: The Citadel

The Bulldogs opened the season with a 40–0 defeat of The Citadel. Citadel made one first down.[4] The first score was a 60-yard run by Hartley.[4]

Week 2: at South Carolina

Week 2: Georgia at South Carolina
1 234Total
Georgia 10 13140 37
S. Carolina 0 000 0

In the second week of play, Georgia easily defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 37–0, "principally through the ability of Hartley and Cheves to advance the ball by long runs".[5] Hartley returned the second-half kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown, and had another 75-yard touchdown run two minutes later.[5]

The starting lineup for the Bulldogs against South Carolina: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Anthony (left guard), Day (center), Murray (right guard), Pew (right tackle), Owens (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Echols (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Collings (fullback).[5]

Week 3: at Furman

Week 3: Georgia at Furman
1 234Total
Georgia 0 007 7
Furman 0 000 0
  • Date: October 13
  • Location: Manly Field
    Greenville, SC
  • Game attendance: 2,500

A close-fought game with coach Billy Laval's Speedy Speer-led Furman Purple Hurricane brought the Bulldogs a 7–0 win and Furman's only loss on the year. Georgia scored thanks to a pass from Buck Cheves to Sheldon Fitts. A punting duel with Milton McManaway and Dave Collings featured throughout.[6]

Week 4: at Oglethorpe

Georgia beat the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels 27–3.[7] Oglethorpe's captain Knox scored the season's first points on the Bulldogs.[8]

Week 5: Auburn

Week 5: Auburn at Georgia
1 234Total
Auburn 0 000 0
Georgia 7 000 7
  • Date: October 30
  • Location: McClung Stadium
    Columbus, GA
  • Game attendance: 7,000
  • Referee: Jogger Elcock

The Bulldogs upset the Auburn Tigers 7–0, getting revenge for last year's loss. The only touchdown of the game was a 20-yard pass from Buck Cheves to Dick Hartley. Frank Stubbs starred for Auburn.[9] Artie Pew was ejected for slugging, and thus missed his chance to go out with an Auburn victory.

The starting lineup for the Bulldogs against Auburn: Reynolds (left end), Pew (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), J. Bennett (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Hartley (left halfback), Collings (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[9]

Week 6: at Virginia

Week 6: Georgia at Virginia
1 234Total
Georgia 0 000 0
Virginia 0 000 0

The aerial attack of the Virginia Cavaliers met a staunch Georgia defense as the two teams fought to a scoreless tie in Charlottesville. Owen Reynolds and Paige Bennett starred for Georgia.[10]

The starting lineup for the Bulldogs against Virginia: Reynolds (left end), Pew (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), Anthony (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Tanner (fullback).[10]

Week 7: Florida

Week 7: Florida at Georgia
1 234Total
Florida 0 000 0
Georgia 7 28147 56
  • Date: November 13
  • Location: Sanford Field
    Athens, GA
  • Referee: W. R. Tichenor

Georgia rolled up a large 56–0 score on the Florida Gators. Florida put up a hard fight until Georgia got its first touchdown across, pouring it on from there. Quarterback Sheldon Fitts was the star of the contest.[11][12] Fitts and Bohren scored two touchdowns. Paige Bennett, Hartley, Echols, and Collings had one each. Owen Reynolds starred again.[13]

The starting lineup for the Bulldogs against Florida: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Pitts (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[11]

Photo from the Alabama game. Artie Pew is attempting to tackle Riggs Stephenson. Behind Pew is Puss Whelchel.

Week 8: Alabama

Week 8: Alabama at Georgia
1 234Total
Alabama 0 770 14
Georgia 14 007 21

The key win for the conference title was the 21–14 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. None of Georgia's touchdowns were scored by the offense.[14]

Paige Bennett recovered a Mullie Lenoir fumble and ran 40 yards for a touchdown. Artie Pew kicked goal. On the next possession, Hugh Whelchel blocked a Riggs Stephenson punt , and Pew picked up the ball running 24 yards to score, kicking his own goal. On the next drive, Lenoir scored. In the third quarter, Al Clemens caught a tipped ball, and ran down the sidelines with a wall of blockers for the tying score. Late in the final period, Georgia's O'Connor tried a drop kick which was blocked by Whelchel. Buck Cheves recovered the ball and ran 87 yards for the touchdown[15] Again Pew converted goal.[14] The recovery by Cheves ranked fourth in The 50 Greatest Plays In Georgia Bulldogs Football History.[16]

The starting lineup for the Bulldogs against Alabama: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Vandiver (left guard), Day (center), Whelchel (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (Right end), Pitts (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[17]

Week 9: Clemson

Week 9: Clemson at Georgia
1 234Total
Clemson 0 000 0
Georgia 14 62114 55
  • Date: November 25
  • Location: Sanford Field
    Athens, GA
  • Game attendance: 5,000

Cheves and Hartley starred again in a 55–0 romp over Clemson to end the season. Dave Collings was the star of the contest scoring two touchdowns.[18] The starting lineup was Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Anthony (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (Right end), Cheves (quarterback), Hartley (left halfback), Collings (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[18]

Post season

Owen Reynolds was elected captain for next year.[19] Reynolds, Pew, and Day were all composite All-Southern selections. Whelchel also made several selections, and Joe Bennett made one.[20]

Rooters on either side of Georgia were happy as both the Bulldogs and Georgia Tech claimed SIAA titles.[21] The Bulldogs were retroactively named the national champion for 1920 under the Berryman QPRS methodology.[22]

Personnel

Roster

Line

Number Player Position Games
started
Hometown Prep school Height Weight Age
Thurston AnthonyTackle
11 Joe BennettTackle Statesboro, Georgia 18019
13 Paige BennettEnd
1 Bum DayCenter Nashville, GeorgiaPorter Military Academy5'10"19022
W. Mercer MurrayGuard
3 Owen ReynoldsEnd Douglasville, Georgia 6'3"170
9 Artie PewTackle Damascus, Georgia 19522
Jim TaylorTackle Hazlehurst, Georgia
4 Nemo VandiverGuard
45 Hugh WhelchelGuard Dahlonega, Georgia 20020

Backfield

Number Player Position Games
started
Hometown Prep school Height Weight Age
19 Buck ChevesQuarterback 14521
5 Dave CollingsHalfback
29 Roy EcholsFullback
31 Sheldon FittsHalfback Georgia Military College
23 Dick HartleyHalfback Fort Valley, Georgia
Goat TannerHalfback

Unlisted

Player
Paul Anderson
Dan Bennett
Joe Blackmon
Bill Campbell

[3][23]

Scoring leaders

The following is an incomplete list of statistics and scores, largely dependent on newspaper summaries.

Player Touchdowns Extra points Field goals Points
Dick Hartley11 0066
Sheldon Fitts70042
Artie Pew228040
Buck Cheves50030
Dave Collings30121
Bohran30018
Joe Bennett2 3015
Paige Bennett1006
Bum Day1006
Roy Echols1006
Total36311250

See also

References

  1. "1920 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  2. "Great defense of Georgia is Alabama's end". The Ledger. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. November 21, 1920. p. 2.
  3. 1 2 "About Them Dawgs!".
  4. 1 2 "Georgia Defeats Citadel". Atlanta Constitution. October 3, 1920. p. 2. Retrieved April 27, 2016 via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 3 "Georgia Defeats Carolina". The Atlanta Constitution. October 10, 1920. p. 4. Retrieved March 21, 2016 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Ga. Barely Overcome Furman Crew". The Red and Black. October 22, 1920. p. 8.
  7. John H. Mahoney (October 24, 1920). "Georgia Emerges Winner". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved April 27, 2016 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Georgia University Wins From Oglethorpe". The Tennessean. October 24, 1920. p. 16. Retrieved April 27, 2016 via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 Gene Hinton (October 31, 1920). "Georgia Upsets Dope and Defeats Auburn By A Single Touchdown". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2016 via Newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 "Georgia and Virginia Battle To Scoreless Tie In Death Grapple". The Atlanta Constitution. November 7, 1920. Retrieved March 21, 2016 via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 "'Gators Lose To Georgia In One-Sided Bout". The Florida Alligator. 9. November 19, 1920.
  12. "'Gators Are Beaten By Red and Black In One-Sided Game". The Red and Black. November 19, 1920. p. 8.
  13. John H. Mahoney (November 14, 1920). "Georgia Bulldogs Enjoys Feast Of Choice Florida 'Gator Meat, Winning Game By Great Margin". Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved March 21, 2016 via Newspapers.com.
  14. 1 2 http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/20-m-footbl-recaps.pdf
  15. "Longest Plays" (PDF). Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  16. Patrick Garbin (August 5, 2008). The 50 Greatest Plays in Georgia Bulldogs Football History.
  17. Cliff Wheatley (November 21, 1920). "Blocked Punt Enables Bulldog To Defeat Alabama In Final Five Minutes of Annual Game". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved September 8, 2015 via Newspapers.com.
  18. 1 2 John Mahoney (November 26, 1920). "Georgia Bulldogs' Offensive Bowls Over Clemson Tiger, and Athenians Rull Up 55 Points On Carolinian". p. 14. Retrieved March 21, 2016 via newspapers.com.
  19. "Reynolds To Lead Bulldog". The Atlanta Constitution. November 28, 1920. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2016 via Newspapers.com.
  20. "All-Southern Grid Eleven Is Named". December 6, 1920. p. 12. Retrieved March 2, 2015 via Newspapers.com.
  21. "Conference Championships - Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association". Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  22. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (2015). "National Poll Rankings" (PDF). NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA. p. 108. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  23. "GEORGIADOGS.COM - University of University of Georgia Official Athletic Site - Football".
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