INTERCOLLEGIATE FOOTBALL RESEARCHERS ASSOCIATION ™

The Historian ™

Reliving College Football History Today!

ISSN: 1526-233x Vol. 2 No. 9 Established: Jan. 2008

Tex Noel, Editor ([email protected] )

http://www.secsportsfan.com/college-football-association.html

And the Winner is? Among the many unusual findings By Richard Topp he has uncovered was when both schools claim a victory—and by a As researchers pour through different score!! documents—online and offline—they run across many things that have Among his most recent findings appeared in books that were written came in 1892, Nov. 19, to be exact. on the history of college football. The University of Michigan hosted Oberlin College, who was coached And then, they search continues, by first-year mentor John W. many times the rare and unusual is Heisman. The coach, for whom the located. trophy is duly-named, finished his rookie campaign 7-0-0…or did he? And sometimes, it’s not just stories and news that has been uncovered. Both teams claimed a win. The home team rallied and claimed a 26- IFRA member Richard Topp, out of 24 victory; while the visitors from Niles, Illinois, has turned the search the Buckeye state have a 24-22 for scores from an event; into a triumph in its records. passion. Who’s right? Years of research has led him to uncovered scores and games that During college football’s very even the schools didn’t even know formative falls, rules were nothing they had played. But through like what the game is played under diligent search of old newspapers, in 2009. Topp has even discovered games were the school had one opponent One such guideline was the pre- and date—and his findings come-up game agreement of officials; often it with a totally different set of data. was a coach from each team or

The College Football Historian-2- off the field so quickly that it almost seemed pre-arranged. players who would not participate in the contest. Oberlin left the field before time was up; agreeing to play until 4:50 and it Also, a “set time of play” was part of left at 4:46. the pre-game ritual—simpler to baseball’s ground rules today. Oberlin defeated the Wolverines; or did they? This contest placed the full authority in the referee; he decided This is where the controversy the length of the playing periods; the begins. number of players that would be permitted to play at one time. Michigan claims Oberlin quit the Oberlin’s representative was a grounds before time expired, the member of the team by the name of score standing 24 to 22 in their Mr. Ensworth; as he would serve as favor. Both teams claim the game referee; with the Michigan choice, and the umpire (the time keeper) whose name has been lost to decided all bets off. During the history, would be the time keeper. game “Doc” Pearson, University of Michigan, was ruled off, and in turn The officials decided the contest slugged the referee, the Oberlin would end at 4:30 p.m., to enable man. the visitors from Ohio to catch the train back home. After Oberlin went ahead 24-22, the referee announced that time had The score in the first half was 22 to run out. 18 in favor of Ann Arbor. But Heisman wanted to win—and agreed But wait! to play another 20 minutes. The Michigan team lined up, scored In the second half the visitors made a touchdown, and claimed victory. a touchdown and kicked a goal and (No Oberlin team on field). kept their opponents from scoring, the game thus ending 24 to 22 in Here are the facts: their favor. (1) Michigan scored with NO From the Michigan Daily: OPPOSITION, not a football The timekeeper (a member of the move, the rule says the game Michigan team) confirmed that there shall be between two sides of were, indeed, 4 minutes to play eleven men each. when Oberlin left the field. (2) The referee, agreed upon by Before the men could line up again both clubs, called the game referee Ensworth (the Oberlin with 4 minutes left. He could player) called time and Oberlin ran The College Football Historian-3- (4) The referee was attacked by a Michigan player; the referee could have awarded the game (3) have called the game at any to Oberlin by forfeit. time after the kick-off. The timekeeper is to “advise” the referee, the referee is the sole arbiter.

Your have read the facts surrounding the game; now, readers of TCFH it’s time to vote:

Did Michigan win? o r Did Oberlin win?

Cast your ballots and email your choices ([email protected] ); deadline is Dec. and comments to Tex Noel 11, 2009.

* * *

50 years of football even helped pour the concrete for the stadium itself. Kimbrough Memorial Stadium “In 1957, Frank Kimbrough stood near where the white buffalo is By BRAD RABURN today and said I want to build a Canyon News Staff football stadium right here,” Christopher said. “1958, (Neil Singleton Construction Company) The West A&M Football dug out dirt, arranged dirt and Stadium is celebrating its 50th moved in fine river sand for the anniversary Saturday. bottom surface of the field. I helped

pour all the concrete - a crane Originally known as the Buffalo would pour from the top and work Bowl, it was the vision of legendary to the bottom.” football coach and athletic director

Frank Kimbrough. Christopher went on to share that

the concrete was purchased and Kimbrough saw his dream delivered for $13.56 per cubic yard. materialize between the 1958-1959 However the final price-tag of football seasons and the first home $700,000 had many other “extras” game on Sept. 26, 1959, against the included, such as; “chair-back University of Arizona. seats, electrical outlets in the stands

and wide cross-overs that will Local resident Jim Christopher eliminate long climbs to any part of personally stood with Kimbrough as the stadium and speed up traffic in he explained his original vision, and

The College Football Historian-4- new subscribers and the latter has been a part of the WTA&MU scene for some time and he has offered the stands,” as reported by The this view of former opposing players Canyon News in 1959. that have participated in game played in Kimbrough Memorial “This is a facility that will seat Stadium . 20,000 people and is designed for the north and south to become more In his Sept. edition of SHORT seating as well as adding an upper- RUTTS , Higgins writes: Saturday level tier for seating up to 40,000 (Sept. 26) marks the 50th people,” Christopher said. “It was a anniversary of WT opening then- great dream of Frank Kimbrough.” named Buffalo Bowl as coach Renamed the Frank Kimbrough CLARK JARNIGAN 's Buffs dropped Memorial Stadium in 1971 to honor a 7-6 game to University of Arizona its visionary, the stadium has on September 26, 1959. Who have changed very little in the past 50 been the more notable opposing years, with the most recent players and coaches to go up improvements coming from the against the Buffaloes at the venue? addition of the current reserved seating areas, the improvement of Some personal choices: the score board and the replacement of the original Bermuda grass with a Head coaches: WARREN WOODSON synthetic grass surface. of New Mexico State, DOYT PERRY of Bowling Green, DON CORYELL of “[The stadium] is a showpiece that San Diego State, FRANK KUSH of adds to the recruiting efforts,” Arizona State, HAYDEN FRY of Christopher said. “It has a great North Texas, BILLY MURPHY of impact on the dollars of Canyon.” Memphis State, JOHN COOPER of Tulsa, VINCE GIBSON of Louisville Standing as a landmark at the and JIM WACKER of Southwest northern gateway to the City of Texas State; Assistant and future Canyon, the roots seem to be tracing head coaches: BUDDY RYAN of themselves back to that original Pacific, DON NEHLEN of Bowling season under Head Coach Clark Green, BILL SNYDER of North Jarnagin. Texas and PHILLIP FULMER of Wichita State; Players that became In 1959, Jarnagin admitted in an head coaches: Wichita State interview with The Canyon News linebacker BILL PARCELLS , that he had “some good boys, but Montana State quarterback DENNIS lacked player depth;” an eerie ERICKSON and Southern connection to the 2009 team under Mississippi quarterback JEFF Head Coach Don Carthel. BOWER ; Best defensive players: linemen CURLY CULP of Arizona TCFH’s Editor’s Note: Brad State, JOE GREENE of North Texas, Radburn and Mike Higgins are both AL BAKER of Colorado State and The College Football Historian-5- * * *

JOHN RANDLE of Texas A&I; Best Epilogue: McGill and the offensive players: wide receiver CARROLL DALE of Virginia Tech, Birth of Football Utah State running backs MacARTHUR LANE and ALTIE Edward Percy, BSc'49, MDCM'51, TAYLOR , Colorado State running MSc'54, DipSurg'57, and Hugh back OSCAR REED , running backs Brodie, BSc'49, MDCM'51, were PREACHER PILOT and PO JAMES physicians for McGill's Department of and quarterback CHARLEY Athletics in the '50s, '60s and '70s. JOHNSON of New Mexico State, quarterback DENNIS SHAW and Together they wrote this short history wide receiver HAVEN MOSES of San of intercollegiate football, illuminating Diego State, Tulsa receiver DREW McGill's role in the evolution of the PEARSON , University of Tampa game, which appeared in a 1982 quarterback FREDDIE SOLOMAN , edition of the News. quarterback STEPHEN STARRING and running back BUFORD Used by permission of the Mc Gill JORDAN of McNeese State, Troy News ( ALUMNI QUARTERLY) State quarterback MIKE TURK , Texas A&I running backs JOHNNY Having allegedly evolved during the BAILEY and HEATH Danish occupation of England when SHERMAN plus linemen PHIL belligerent Anglo-Saxons kicked OLSEN of Utah State and PIERCE Viking skulls from village to village, HOLT of Angelo State; Best punter: football of an only slightly less RAY GUY , Southern Mississippi; bellicose sort was imported to the Best placekicker: SKIPPER New World by 17th- and 18th- BUTLER , Texas-Arlington; Best century colonists. In 1840, a future actor: CARL "APOLLO reporter wrote of a CREED" WEATHERS , San Diego game: "If the truth were told, the State linebacker; Best future game would make the same professional baseball player: impression on the public mind as a REGGIE JACKSON , Arizona State bullfight. Boys and young men defensive back; Best future pro knocked each other down and tore football television color off each others' clothing. Eyes were commentator: BEASLEY REESE , bunged, faces blackened, much North Texas defensive back; Best blood was spilt and shirts and coats future Congressman: STEVE were torn to rags." LARGENT , Tulsa wide receiver; Best future professional wrestler: By 1860 the game was abolished in STEVE "STONE COLD" AUSTIN , many American schools, but in North Texas defensive lineman; Best 1862 Gerritt Smith Hiller organized future talk show host: " DR. PHIL" a group at Yale to play again, using McGRAW , Tulsa tight end. rules that were a reasonably close The College Football Historian-6- considered very similar to what we call soccer football. McGill arrived in imitation of soccer. Still, the game Cambridge several days prior to the was often more an excuse to beat up game and practised each day. The freshmen than anything else. Harvard team was surprised when the McGill players kicked the ball In 1871 started and subsequently ran with it under to play a variation known as the their arms. The Harvard captain " Game." This allowed a pointed out politely that this player to pick up the ball and run violated a basic rule of American with it if he were chased, varying football. The McGill captain replied from the game that had been that it did not violate any rule of the prohibited in 1840. Canadian game. When asked "What game do you play?" Roger replied, In the fall of 1873 Yale invited "Rugby." They then managed to Harvard, Princeton, Columbia and agree to play the forthcoming games Rutgers to a convention in New York with half-Canadian, half-American to draw up a set of rules for an rules. intercollegiate football association. The following day a notice appeared Harvard shunned the meeting in the Harvard University paper: because the proposed association "The McGill University Football Club would not consider the rules of the will meet the Harvard Football Club Boston Game. It nevertheless on Wednesday and Thursday, May challenged Yale to a game in 1874. 13th and 14th. The game probably will be called at 3 o'clock. Yale, however, played a game resembling soccer and thus declined Admittance 50 cents. The proceeds because of the different rules. will be donated to the entertainment of our visitors from Montreal." Harvard captain Henry Grant was anxious for his football team to Early in the first half, the Harvard engage in competition and had team so enjoyed running with the heard that a similar game was ball that they agreed to play the played at McGill University. remainder of the game with Canadian rules, which stipulated Consequently, he contacted the that the ball could be picked up and captain of the McGill team, David carried. Harvard normally played Roger, and invited them to play two with 15 players, but McGill could games in Cambridge, only field 11 athletes (the number Massachusetts, on May 13 and 14, fielded in the present game of 1874. These were to be the first real ). The first game football games. was won by Harvard 3 to 0 and the game played on the following day Until this time, Harvard had been ended in a scoreless tie. Harvard playing a game that today would be liked the McGill game so much that The College Football Historian-7- spectators bedecked in coloured shirts, stockings and knee breeches. it adopted the downs as well as field goals. These rule changes, which Harvard went on to play McGill included tackling, led inevitably to again in Cambridge and in Montreal the physical contact of our present- in 1876, '77, '79 and '82. Winning day collision sport. In the fall of all the games, they retreated south 1875, Harvard challenged Yale to a of the border for some time. Then, match and suggested the use of a on October 19, 1974, McGill made set of rules combining soccer and its comeback. To celebrate the rugby, such as Harvard had learned 100th anniversary of the historic from its Canadian rival the previous McGill-Harvard "American" football year. game, the McGill rugby team (which most closely resembles the team The game was eventually played that participated in the original under a combination of both soccer matches) challenged Harvard, and rugby rules, but Yale beating them 6 to 3. This centennial apparently won the concession of game led to an annual return match using a round, rather than oval, between the Harvard and McGill football. Harvard's triumph over rugby teams in a spirit that is Yale at this so-called "concessionary reminiscent of those first college game" was witnessed by a sis-boom- games. bah cheering crowd of 2,000 is there more than one

* * * answer?

Mel Smith asks the question: By Matt Hooper Birmingham Weekly Why does Harvard begin counting their foot-ball games with their Alumni in Is it 17, 12, 7 or none? 1886/87? When there are references to at least ten (possibly fourteen) games, played The question of how many national with the 'Graduates' between 1873/74 and championships the University of 1882/83. I have not been able to get Harvard Alabama football team has won over to answer this one. its 117-year history, as cut-and-dry as it may seem, has baffled fans and * * * experts alike for generations. The debate has undoubtedly sparked Used by permission innumerable bar fights and other domestic disturbances over the past How many national titles several decades. can Alabama really lay Before I attempt an answer – and I claim to? Better yet, why must say that now I’m sailing into dangerous waters with this column The College Football Historian-8- Alderson System, Boand System, Casper Whitney, College Football – we must examine why such a Researchers Association, DeVold simple query is turning up so many System, Dickinson System, Eck different results. Ratings System, Football News, Helms Athletic Foundation, Houlgate First, realize that the NCAA is a System, International News Service, voluntary organization that oversees Litkenhous, National Championship and regulates collegiate athletics at Foundation, New York Times, Parke nearly every college and university Davis, Poling System, United Press in the nation. For all the minutiae International, UPI/National Football that the organization handles day- Foundation, USA Today/CNN, USA to-day, one thing the NCAA does not Today/ESPN, USA Today/National do is crown its own Division 1-A Football Foundation and Williamson football champions – in other words, System. there’s no NCAA-sponsored postseason tournament or playoff. This means that at any given time, Instead, they allow independent anywhere from 10 to 15 or more bodies to carry out that task. entities were crowning champions each year. As a consequence, it was Second, those independent bodies – rare for all of the selectors to recognized by the NCAA as “major unanimously choose a champion in selectors” – choose their champion a particular year. How rare? From at the end of a season based either 1900 through 2006, only 14 teams on poll data, mathematical formulas won unanimous titles. or other research results. Currently, there are 17 such selectors: To make matters even more confusing, some of the selectors Anderson & Hester, Associated awarded their national Press, Berryman, Billingsley Report, championship to teams prior to the Congrove Computer Rankings, Colley postseason bowl games. Others, Matrix, Dunkel System, Football such as Parke Davis, awarded Writers Association of America, national championships Massey College Football Ratings, retroactively in 1933 to teams that Matthews Grid Ratings, National played between 1869 and 1932, Football Foundation, Rothman, based on historical research. Sagarin Ratings, Sporting News, USA Today, Wolfe and, of course, the So, with that in mind, let’s comb the . NCAA archives to determine how many times selectors have chosen In the past, 22 additional selectors Alabama as a national champion have chosen champions dating back (Note: some of the selectors listed by to 1869 but, for some reason or the official NCAA records (below) are another, are not currently in not “major selectors”. We’ll sort that operation: out later): The College Football Historian-9- Research, FW, National Championship Foundation (Note: 1992: AP, Berryman, Billingsley, Michigan State was crowned by 11 DeVold, Dunkel, Eck, FACT, FB selectors) News, Football Research, FW, Matthews, National Championship 1964: AP, Berryman, Litkenhous, Foundation, NY Times, Sporting UPI (Note: Arkansas was chosen by News, UPI/NFF, USA/CNN (Note: six selectors, Michigan by one) Florida St. was crowned by one selector) 1962: Billingsley (Note: LSU and Mississippi were chosen by one 1979: AP, Berryman, Billingsley, selector each, USC by 14) DeVold, Dunkel, FACT, FB News, FW, Helms, Matthews, National 1961: AP, Berryman, Billingsley, Championship Foundation, NFF, DeVold, Dunkel, FB News, NY Times, Poling, Sagarin, Football Research, Helms, Sporting News, UPI (Note: USC was Litkenhous, National crowned by one selector) Championship Foundation, NFF, Sagarin, UPI, Williamson (Note: 1978: AP, FACT, Football Ohio State was chosen by two Research, FW, Helms, National selectors) Championship Foundation, NFF (Note: Oklahoma was crowned by 1945: National Championship nine selectors, USC by seven) Foundation (Note: Army was crowned by 14 selectors) 1977: Football Research (Note: Arkansas was crowned by one 1941: Houlgate (Note: Minnesota selector, Notre Dame by 16 and was chosen by 10 selectors, Texas Texas by two) by two)

1975: Matthews (Note: Arizona 1934: Dunkel, Houlgate, Poling, State was crowned by two selectors, Williamson (Note: Minnesota was Ohio State by five and Oklahoma by chosen by seven selectors) 13) 1930: Football Research, Parke 1973: Berryman, UPI (Note: Davis (Note: Notre Dame was Michigan was chosen by two chosen by nine selectors) selectors, Notre Dame by six, Ohio State by three and Oklahoma by 1926: Billingsley, Football five) Research, Helms, National Championship Foundation, Poling 1966: Berryman (Note: Michigan (Note: Lafayette was chosen by one State was chosen by four selectors, selector, Navy by two and Stanford Notre Dame by 14) by three)

1965: AP, Billingsley, Football The College Football Historian-10- with Ohio State by Matthews) and the aforementioned 1977 team. 1925: Billingsley, Boand, Football Research, Helms, Houlgate, Of the “Other Five”, as the National Championship University refers to them, only the Foundation, Poling (Note: 1966 team is seriously considered a Dartmouth was chosen by two top contender to be the Tide’s 13th selectors) national champion.

That makes 17 national Of course, the 12 official championships officially credited to championships are not without Alabama by NCAA-approved controversy, either. The 1978 team selectors. Most hardcore Alabama finished in a three-way tie at 11-1 fans will stop reading right here. with USC and Oklahoma. Somehow, all three teams won their bowl Should you wish to begin games, but none of the bowls pitted eliminating titles, start with the any of the three teams against each 1977 crown awarded by Football other. Research, which is not recognized as a “major selector.” The 1977 Tide The 1973 Tide lost to Notre Dame in finished the season 11-1 with an the Sugar Bowl, yet somehow ended SEC title, but Notre Dame (who also up splitting the title with the Irish finished 11-1) beat the No. 1 ranked anyway. team in the nation (Texas) in the Cotton Bowl. The 1965 team finished the season with a 9-1-1 record, capturing many So now, Alabama has 16 factually selectors by default after No. 1 legitimate national championships Michigan State, No. 2 Arkansas and from major selectors. But we can No. 3 Nebraska all lost in still whittle the total down. postseason action. Alabama, ranked No. 4 at the time, upset Nebraska in Be it known that the University of the Orange Bowl. Alabama itself only recognizes 12 official national championships: The 1964 team claimed four 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, selectors after posting a 10-1-0 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, record. However, Arkansas was also 1979 and 1992. crowned by four major selectors and finished the year undefeated. The That leaves out the 1966 team Tide lost to Texas in their bowl game (which finished 11-0 and was that season after many of the selected by Berryman), the 1945 selectors had awarded their trophies team (10-0 and co-selected with prior to postseason play. Army by National Championship Foundation), the 1962 team (10-1 And in 1941 Alabama finished 9-2 and selected by Billingsley), the under Frank Thomas, but somehow 1975 team (11-1 and co-selected The College Football Historian-11- awarding championships to teams based on factors that have little to claimed a major selector’s title do with what happens on the field of despite Minnesota’s 8-0 final record. play – what are we to make of the current BCS system? If those five iffy national championships are taken away from In 50 years, will we look back and the bottom line, that leaves Alabama wonder why that Boise State team with seven titles. Seven is the in 2006 wasn’t awarded a national number recognized by many major championship? What about Utah in national media outlets, including 2008? What about Auburn in 2004? ESPN. Are we not still using archaic and arbitrary means to decide our major Of course, there are a few radicals college football champions? out there who claim that the NCAA system is so fraught with inaccuracy So to answer the question: Alabama and inconsistency that none of the has 17 national championships. championships, especially those Princeton has 28. Auburn has four. awarded prior to the BCS era in As long this sport is governed by a 1998, can be considered legitimate. subjective championship system, its That would leave Alabama, one of fans have a right to be equally the most historically significant subjective. sports programs in our nation’s history, without a national * * * championship to its credit. In Honor of ... (Into a respective school's hall of fame)-- Running back Now, I won’t go so far as to stand Greg Hill , Texas A&M Letterman's behind that theory. But this idea of Association Hall of the NCAA acting as a failed state is Fame ...quarterback James Brown , intriguing when answering a University of Texas Men's Athletics question as loaded as “How many Hall of Honor ... defensive end Alex titles does Alabama legitimately Dees and defensive back Jerome hold?” Wood , University of Memphis M Club Hall of Fame Class...Alan Graf Jr.... Fans scoff at the idea of Bama’s 17 Dick Enberg, Barry Frank, Chuck national championships, arguing Howard and Keith Jackson , Sports that many of them were awarded Broadcasting Hall of Fame Class. arbitrarily. Modern-day fans laugh Former assistant coach Jim aloud when told that lowly Carmody , linebacker Marchant Princeton, not Alabama or Notre Kenny, kicker and end Louis D. Dame, actually holds the record for Megehee and quarterback Lee most football national Roberts , Southern Mississippi M- championships (28 from major Club Hall of Fame ... Donald selectors). But if we hold the old way MacPherson will receive Syracuse's of doing things in such low regard – George Arents Award , the non-NCAA entities arbitrarily The College Football Historian-12- By Mel Smith university's highest honor.... James Haralson , quarterback Cade This article is a first attempt to list McNown and wide receiver J .J. college champions playing in the Stokes , UCLA…North Dakota State early seasons of the Carrying inducted former middle linebackers Game/Rugby up through the Stu Helgason and Steve Garske … 1909/10 Season. Robert Jackson and John Randle, Trinity Valley Community College. The carrying game of foot-ball became known as the Boston rules In memory of... Monte Clark, former game in the local newspapers of USC offensive lineman, age 72... Boston during 1872. Harvard played George Crumbley, founder of the the first game with Peach Bowl/Chick-Fil-A Bowl, age McGill in 1874. But Harvard and 86...Ed Sherman, who served as Tufts began to put in changes to the head coach and athletics director at rugby code almost immediately. Muskingum (Ohio) for 22 years; the first Division III coach to be Mention of early American rugby inducted into the College Football changes can be found in the article, Hall of Fame. ‘The Development of the American Scrimmage System’, Professional Football Researchers Ass’n, by Ian Syracuse is naming Worth Noting... Speers, Vol. 24, 2002. the field in the Carrier Dome " Ernie Davis Legends Field "... Notre Dame Independent rugby union clubs unveiled a bronze statue of College began to form in New York City Football Hall of Fame coach Knute using the original 1871 rugby code Rockne ... Williams (Mass.) played after the two, 0-0, tie games were its 1,000th game (126 years: 610- played by Yale and Princeton in 343-47 .634) Sept. 26, beating Colby 1880 and 1881. The break with the 23-19. rugby union purists by Walter Camp came when he pushed through the If any IFRA member is aware of series-of-downs rule in 1882. By players or coaches or 1886, there were more independent accomplishments, please send them clubs playing the original rugby to Tex Noel. union rules than the old American version of rugby. But it took almost * * * ten years after 1882 for all the colleges to switch from America’s PRELIMINARY COLLEGE version of rugby to the new RUGBY NATIONAL collegiate game of football using the ball-control, series-of-downs rule. CHAMPIONS, 1871/72- The rugby game never accepts this 1909/10 kind of rule in its game. The College Football Historian-13- RUGBY UNION 1892/93-1904/05 N/A An All-University foot-ball team was formed by Harvard during the RUGBY spring of 1872. The first Harvard 1905/06 Yale (CT) Football Club, or varsity, was 1906/07 Stanford (CA) formed in December 1872. The 1907/08 Stanford (CA) Football Club web 1908/09 Stanford (CA) pages have 1872 as their first rugby 1909/10 U California (CA) year. The Yale Rugby Football Club web pages have 1875 as their first During the 1895/96 season, Walter year. Camp inaugurates a movement to restart the rugby union game again CARRYING GAME at Yale. Mr. Camp claimed that 1871/72 All-Harvard Team (MA) nearly every man will play it, whereas only comparatively few play BOSTON RULES GAME the American rugby football game. 1872/73 Harvard (MA) Apparently no rugby union games 1873/74 Harvard (MA) were played. 1874/75 Harvard (MA); Tufts (MA) So far, no rugby games have been found played by the colleges during AMERICAN RUGBY GAME the 1892/93-1904/05 seasons. But 1875/76 Harvard (MA) several independent clubs did 1876/77 Harvard (MA); played rugby union game during Yale (CT) this time period. By 1905/06 when 1877/78 Yale (CT) Yale played the Eastern Rugby 1878/79 Princeton (NJ) Union team, newspapers were 1879/80 Princeton (NJ) calling the game just rugby. 1880/81 Yale (CT) 1881/82 Princeton (NJ) There were a couple games of rugby 1882/83 Michigan (MI) played in San Francisco area during 1883/84 Kendall Green (Gallaudet) February 1906. Many West Coast (DC) teams switched to the rugby game 1884/85 U California (CA); for the 1906/07 season. Stanford Colorado College (CO) and California, along with Santa Kendall Green (Gallaudet) Clara, seemed to be the best teams (DC) during this period of rugby up 1885/86 Colorado College (CO) through 1917/18. Then there seems 1886/87 Minnesota (MN) to be another lull in college 1887/88 Minnesota (MN) participation in this game until 1888/80 Wake Forest (NC) Harvard and Yale restart again in 1889/90 Minnesota (MN) 1929/30. Participation by the 1890/91 N/A college community probably 1891/92 Coe College (IA) continues from that time.

The College Football Historian-14- especially during the 10-year transition period of 1882-1892.

Much more collegiate research is Hopefully this article tweaks some also needed in this field of the people’s interest to do more research carrying game. Trying to discern of the rugby game. whether a team was playing a continuous running game or a game with downs has been quite difficult, * * *

Airlift. MSU joins Purdue University Tom Skillman reports… in showing its support for our service men and women serving Both Stanford's and San Jose around the world. Thank you, MSU! State's first scoring drives were each 5:11 and Stanford's second was The list of contributors to Operation 5:09 (guy could have taken two Gridiron Airlift continues to grow more seconds to get in the end and includes the following; zone)…The times were calculated from start of drive to end of drive by • The the rules. / Detroit Lions

Then Stanford scored TDs five • The / different ways: Grand Rapids Rampage a) Kickoff (opening) • The Continental Indoor b) Punt return Football League / Kalamazoo c) Interception Return Xplosion d) Rush e) Pass • The Intense Football League / San Angelo Stampede Express Sort of a "cycle" for scoring TDs except for a fumble return and • The United States Air Force blocked kick return. Academy (Mountain West Conference) * * * Footballs Headed to the • Western Michigan University Troops (Mid-American Conference)

By Randy Snow • Central Michigan University (Mid-American Conference)

Michigan State University becomes • Michigan State University (Big the second team from the Big Ten Ten Conference) Conference to make a donation of footballs to Operation Gridiron The College Football Historian-15- League and the League. His work can be found on • Purdue University (Big Ten ArenaFan.com, Conference) OurSportsCentral.com and AmericanChronicle.c om. • Arizona State University (Pac- 10 Conference) For more information (website: http://www.OperationGridironAirlift.com/ ); • FlexFab LLC of Hastings, or to make a donation, contact Michigan Randy at [email protected] . • Private donations * * * About Operation Gridiron Airlift BULLDOG BITE—Streaking For our troops serving overseas, the Sewanee simplest gifts from home are always Georgia’s defeat at Sewanee in 1910 a welcome sight and very much was certainly no surprise. The appreciated. And what is more Purple Tigers were amidst a American than a football? remarkable 55-game unbeaten Sometimes, just tossing a football streak at home, compiling a 51-0-4 around or organizing a friendly record from 1894-1913. On October game while deployed overseas can 10, 1914, Georgia ended Sewanee’s be a welcome diversion, bringing a historical streak “on the bit of home to a foreign location. [Cumberland] Mountain.” A That's why Operation Gridiron Airlift touchdown by Tom Thrash and a is collecting new and used footballs conversion by John Henderson were that are in good condition, and the difference in a shocking 7-6 Red sending them to our troops serving and Black victory. overseas. Courtesy of IFRA member Patrick The organizer of Operation Gridiron Garbin from his book, About Them Airlift is retired Master Sergeant and, specifically, from the Randy Snow of Kalamazoo, Dawgs! Michigan. He spent 21 years serving section on the 1910 season. in the Michigan Air National Guard * * * and retired as a member of the Battle Creek ANG Base in 2002. The father of modern Since 2003, he has covered the football Arena Football League, arenafootball2, the Continental By Walt Sehnert , United

Indoor Football and the Indoor McCook (Neb.) Daily Gazette Football League. He has also covered the All American Football

The College Football Historian-19- two schools, Princeton and Rutgers in 1869, but it scarcely resembled the game that we know Recently I had the privilege of today. It was played on an attending a dinner party in Lincoln, enormous field, with no real prior to the Nebraska vs New Mexico boundaries. There were more than State football game. One of the 25 players on each team. The teams people at the party was a nice lady used a round leather ball, much like who told me that she had recently a soccer ball, but there were no retired from teaching. She had been referees, no protection for the body, a long-time professor at Harvard and no helmets. Most of all, there University. I confessed that it had were few, if any, rules, and gang always been an ambition of mine to tackling, gouging, and much cursing attend an Ivy League football game, and swearing were very much a part preferably Harvard vs Yale, to pay of the game. my homage to the place where American football began. In the 1870s, players and school officials from Harvard and Yale met My dinner companion commented in Boston to formalize the rules of that she was not going to the the game. From this meeting the Nebraska game the next day. Intercollegiate Football Association was born, which changed the game Further, she said that she had lived markedly. A much smaller field was in Boston for some 30 years and instituted, the ball changed from had never been to a Harvard football round to oval (though fatter than game. She wasn't malicious about now), only 15 players to a side were the fact. She just didn't care about permitted, and referees were added. football. In 1880, a player at Yale, Walter I thought that this was unusual, Camp, worked with the IPA to and a little sad. It was like saying consolidate the rules. Teams were that she had never visited Boston's standardized to 11 players to a side. Old North Church, where Paul Camp introduced the line of Revere began his historic ride, scrimmage, and a system of downs because she didn't care about horse and distance (Originally a team got racing. Football is a very large part 3 downs to move 5 yards.) He of our culture. To be able to witness instituted a system of fouls and an Ivy League game, where it all penalties for those fouls, making the began, would be an opportunity to game safer for the players and at the soak up a bit of our nation's history. same time made it easier and more satisfying for the spectators. These American football descended from changes gave Walter Camp the title two English games, soccer and of "Father of American Football." rugby, and retains parts of each of these sports. The first American Walter Camp's Football became football game was played between increasingly popular with the public The College Football Historian-17- make the game less dangerous. Initially, mass formations, and gang and more and more schools began tackling were outlawed, and to play the game, but it was still a equipment requirements (pads, very rough, dangerous game. By the helmets, etc.) were regulated. In the turn of the century there was years since there have been almost increasing clamor from around the annual changes in the football rule country to ban the game. These book, designed to accomplish those calls reached all the way to the goals. White House and President T. Roosevelt. Roosevelt's efforts probably saved American football, and today he is In 1905 alone, there had been 18 still honored by the NCAA, which deaths attributed to football has named its highest award, the injuries. (This was an astounding "Teddy" in his honor. This award is number, considering that at that presented annually to "An individual time there were 20 times fewer boys who earned a varsity letter in inter- playing football than there were 100 collegiate athletics and ultimately years later, in 2005.) became a distinguished citizen of national reputation, based on Roosevelt was a football fan, and outstanding life accomplishment." saw the game as a way "to build Past winners of this prestigious bodies and character, instill a sense award include four US Presidents, of team, and never give up." Ten of Eisenhower, Ford, Bush Sr., and Roosevelt's Rough Riders gave their Ronald Reagan. occupations as "Football Player" when they signed up to fight with The University of Nebraska was a Roosevelt in Cuba in 1898, during relative late-comer to football, the Spanish-American War. T.R. felt playing its first game in 1892. It is that it was important to do probably fitting that its first coach something to save the game and at was Dr. Langdon Frothingham, a the same time make it more transfer from Harvard. Dr. acceptable to the public. Frothingham might not have known much about football, but he had In 1906, Roosevelt called together brought a football with him to representatives of the Big 3 Lincoln, and had actually seen a (Harvard, Yale, and Princeton) for a football game. He led the team to a meeting at the White House. From victory over the Omaha YMCA, 10-0, this meeting a Football Rules on Thanksgiving Day. The only other Committee was formed to oversee game NU played that school year American Football. From this was against Doane College, 18-0, in meeting the National Collegiate February 1893. By the next school Athletic Association (NCAA) was year Dr. F. was gone and for three born. The committee put in place years NU did not have a real coach. rules that would open up the game; (i.e. the forward pass), and would The College Football Historian-18- expanding their stadium seating capacity and building sky boxes, For many years, really until after and "favored seating" for their fans, World War II, Professional Football with the requirement of hundreds, was not big in America. It really was even thousands of dollars of "club a way that players could continue to contributions" annually. At NU one play after their college eligibility was can spend $75,000 per year (10 used up. Attendance at the games years required) for a sky box, or was not great, and salaries were $500 per year for "Club seating" miniscule, as compared with (plus $52 per game ticket). salaries of today's players. Warren Alfson, an All-American linesman on In 1941, a special football train took NU's Rose Bowl team signed a pro people to the Rose Bowl to see NU contract with the old Brooklyn play Stanford. The cost was $55.73, Dodger Football organization for a for train fare from Lincoln, ticket to signing bonus of $25. the game, and hotel accommodations in Pasadena. In After World War II American football 2008 one can pay $43 to travel half took an amazing upturn in way across the state on the bus for popularity. It seems that football is the McCook vs Gering game. Both uniquely suited to television can be considered good deals. broadcasts. Professional football, and to a certain extent college For a good many people, when the football as well, owe their great temperatures begin to fall, football fortunes to TV. fever takes over, and common sense takes a back seat. I would like to An argument can be made that continue. There is a good deal more football in all its forms is out of to say, but I must run. The Bo Pelini hand. Professional contracts are show is on TV. often obscenely inflated. Owners of pro teams pressure new stadiums and other concessions from the cities they represent. Colleges are

© Copyright 2008 , McCook Daily Gazette

Story URL: http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1465530.html Used by permission of Editor Bruce Crosby… Monday, September 29, 2008

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BCS Historical Notes With the first BCS poll for the 2009 season being released in By Bo Carter Oct. 18, here are some interesting findings: The College Football Historian-19- 2003: No. 2 Southern California beat Oregon State 52-28, finished No. 3 A total of 41 different schools 2004: No. 1 Southern California participated in the first 47 BCS beat UCLA 29-24, finished No. 1 games from the 1998-2008 seasons. 2004: No. 2 Oklahoma beat Cincinnati (2008 Big East Colorado 42-3, finished No. 2 champion) was the most recent 2005: No. 1 Southern California newcomer in 2008. Hawai’i and beat UCLA 66-19, finished No. 1 Kansas joined the BCS “fraternity” 2005: No. 2 Texas beat Colorado in post-2007 while Oklahoma (four 70-3, finished No. 2 treks), Florida State and Ohio State 2006: No. 2 Florida beat Auburn (three apiece) lead the way in 38-28, finished No. 2 championship games played. 2007: No. 1 Missouri lost to Oklahoma 38-17, finished No. 6 Florida and LSU (both 2-0) and 2007: No. 2 West Virginia lost to 2008 and ’07 season champs, Pittsburgh 13-9, finished No. 9 respectively, are the only two-time 2008: No. 1 Alabama lost to Florida winners while Tennessee and Texas 31-20, finished No. 4 (all 1-0) remain as undefeated 2008: No. 2 Oklahoma beat schools in the championship. There Missouri 62-21, finished No. 1 have been nine different champions in the first 11 seasons of the BCS. In 2008 a record nine teams still were unblemished when the first Seven of the teams playing on the standings appeared on Oct. 19 with final Saturday of BCS standings Texas at No. 1. Previous first week of have ended No. 1 in the last survey. rankings undefeated numbers Following are final weekend of included seven in 1998 (UCLA No. 1 standings’ games for 1-2, outcomes in first survey), six in 1999 (Florida and final standings from 1998- State No. 1 initially), five in 2000 2008: (Nebraska No. 1), seven in 2001 (Oklahoma No. 1), seven in 2002 1998: No. 1 Tennessee beat (Oklahoma No. 1), five in 2003 Mississippi State 24-14, finished No. (Oklahoma No. 1), seven in 2004 1 (Southern California No. 1), seven in 1998: No. 2 UCLA lost to Miami 2005 (Southern California No. 1), (Fla.) 49-45, finished No. 5 seven in 2006 (Ohio State No. 1), 2000: No. 1 Oklahoma beat Kansas and six in 2007 (Ohio State No. 1). State 27-24, finished No. 1 2001: No. 2 Tennessee lost to LSU Undefeated teams through third 31-20, finished No. 6 week of BSC standings ( Bold: 2002: No. 1 Miami beat Virginia finished regular seasons Tech 56-45, finished No. 1 undefeated)-- 2003: No. 1 Oklahoma lost to 1998: 5 (Ohio State, Tennessee, Kansas State 35-7, finished No. 1 UCLA, Kansas State, Wisconsin

The College Football Historian-20- selection week has advanced to the title contest, and Florida State 1999: 4 ( Florida State, Penn State, (1999) and Southern California Virginia Tech, Kansas State) (2004) are the only two first-week 2000: 3 ( Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, No. 1 schools to capture the TCU) eventual crown. Every year except 2001: 2 (Nebraska, Miami-Fla.) 1998 when UCLA and Ohio State 2002: 3 (Oklahoma, Ohio State, opened at 1-2, at least one of the top Miami) two first standings’ squads has 2003: 2 (Oklahoma, TCU) advanced to the BCS 2004: 6 ( Southern California, Championship. Oklahoma, Auburn, Utah, Wisconsin, Boise State) 2005: 5 (Southern California, Texas, Following are teams which Virginia Tech, Alabama, UCLA) finished undefeated in the final 2006: 5 ( Ohio State, Michigan, BCS Standings (total of 19 in 11 West Virginia, Louisville, Boise years) State ) 2007: 5 (Ohio State, Boston College, 1998: Tennessee, Tulane Arizona State, Kansas, Hawai’i) 1999: Florida State, Virginia Tech 2008: 6 (Alabama, Ball State, Boise 2000: Oklahoma State, Penn State, Texas Tech, Utah ) 2001: Miami (Fla.) 2002: Miami (Fla.), Ohio State Championship teams which “ran the 2003: None table” from 1998-2008 are 2004: Auburn, Oklahoma, Tennessee (13-0 in ’98), Florida Southern California, Utah State (12-0 in 1999), Oklahoma (13- 2005: Southern California, Texas 0 in 2000), Miami (Fla.) (12-0 in 2006: Boise State, Ohio State 2001), Ohio State (14-0 in 2002), 2007: Hawai’i Southern California (13-0) in 2004, 2008: Boise State, Utah and Texas (13-0 in 2005). Tennessee (’98 season), Florida State The Nos. 1-2 teams in the initial (99), Oklahoma (00), Miami (Fla.) BCS yearling standings have played (01), Southern California (04), and just once in the BCS Championship Texas (05) later became undefeated – USC and Texas in 2005. Five times BCS titlists. in the first 10 years of the system, the No. 1 team from the initial * * * By Tom Benjey www.TomBenjey.WordPress.co Fielding Yost Offered m Carlisle Job

The College Football Historian-21- the sorest bunch of collegians in Ann Arbor that ever was collected As always, when I search for together.” As the reporter expected, information on one topic, I find Michigan dropped out of the unrelated, but interesting conference and stayed out for about information on something else. This a decade. However, the article time I came across an article in the included a tidbit of more interest to January 14, 1907 edition of The me. Lake County Times about the state of Michigan athletics—the University “Yost, Fitzpatrick and Baird have of Michigan, that is. The article, ambitions. Fielding Yost draws dateline Ann Arbor, Mich., Jan. 13, $3,500. He had an offer of $5,000 to discussed the University’s go as coach for the Carlisle Indian dissatisfaction with conference rule School and turned it down because changes. The changes apparently things were agreeable here.” The last dealt with eligibility and would hurt statement may or may not have its track team. “Michigan appears to been true. Had Carlisle offered Yost be hit the hardest by this rule for the job, the offer had to have been she will lose five of last year’s tendered much earlier. Articles were conference point winners. These five printed in late December, 1906 men took no less than forty-two announcing that Warner was leaving points. In the last meet, and now Cornell and returning to Carlisle. that they are out It looks as though Also, Albert Exendine wrote that he Michigan will not shine very brightly had been informed late in the 1906 in the conference this spring” season that Warner would be returning. This was before Fielding “The blow has been dealt and if Yost officiated the Carlisle- Michigan remains in the conference Vanderbilt game. I wouldn’t say that to be dictated to by such colleges as Yost and Warner feuded but it is Northwestern, Purdue, Minnesota clear that Yost did not like Warner. and Indiana, with whom she has, absolutely no athletic relations Whether this incident factored into except during the one-day general that any way is not known. conference track meet, there will be

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Georgia Tech 222-Cumberland 0

The College Football Historian-22-

GAME STATISTICS

Georgia Tech [TEAM STATS] Cumberland Officials: Ellis (of West Points), referee; 29- 501/17.3...... RUSHING ………………… Lewis, (of Virginia), umpire and ……..34 (m42) Pitts, (of Auburn) head linesman. 0-0- 0*...... PASSING ...... Attendance: 1000.... Date: Oct...... 2-15-6 9-288/32.0………. PUNT 7, 1916…Coin toss: won by RETURNS ………………....0-0 Georgia Tech, defended the North 5-220/44.0………. KICKOFF Goal RETURNS …………...28-208/7.4 3-23/7.7…………. FUMBLE RETURNS ……………..0-0 0...……………….. FUMBLES …………… Ø Georgia Tech’s Individual Scoring: ……………8 6-147……………. INTERCEPTION Rushing TDs Strupper 6; Spence 3 RETURNS ……0-0 Griffin, Preas, and Senter 2 0- Glover, Fellers, Carpenter, Alexander, 1 0………………. PUNTING ……………… ………...11-264/24.0 Kick-off Returns for TDs 20……………….. 1st Spence 1 DOWNS …………...... 0 32……………….. TOUCHDOWNS ……… Interceptions Returns for TDs …………..0 Fellers 2, Guill, Senter and Spence, 1 30-32……………. EXTRA POINTS ………………….0 Fumbles Returns for TDs Quarter Scores: Guill and Spence, 1 Cumberland 0 0 0 0 —0 Georgia Tech 63-63-54-42 —222 Extra Points

Season Stats: Preas18—all in the first half Spence 5, Strupper 1 Cumberland 0-3-0 0-378 Georgia Tech 8-0-1 421-141 • Statistical Leaders:

Punt Returns for TDs Rushing —GT Everett Strupper, 8-165; Strupper, and Fellers, 2 Cumberland 0 with positive yards. Shaver1

The College Football Historian-23- lost by Top 10 ranked teams to unranked teams. Passing —GT 0-0-0 0; Cumberland Leon McDonald, 2-11-4 14. DATE AP Rank Team Score AP Rank Team Score Receiving —GT 0; Cumberland George Murphy, 1-10 and Charlie Warwick, 1-4. 9/16/2006 NR Clemson 27 9 Florida State 20 Returns —GT (PR) Strupper, 2-100; 10/7/2006 NR Arkansas 27 (KO) Six Carpenter, 2-10; (INT) Stan Fellers 2 Auburn 10 2-57; Jim Senter, 2-45; (FUMBLE 10/26/2006 10 Clemson 7 NR Virginia Tech 24 RETURNS) Guill, 1-10; Tommy Spence 1- 10/28/2006 3 USC 31 10 and Senter 1-3. NR Oregon State 33 11/11/2006 8 California 20 Cumberland: (KOR) George Murphy 14- NR Arizona 24 108. 11/11/2006 NR Georgia 37 5 Auburn 15 PUNTS: GT 0. Cumberland. McDonald 11/11/2006 4 Texas 42 10-254, 25.4. NR Kansas State 45 11/18/2006 7 Rutgers 11 Cumberland (0-PR, INT and Fumbles) . NR Cincinnati 30 11/25/2006 NR South Florida 24 * * * 7 West Virginia 19 12/2/2006 2 USC 9 NR UCLA 13

9/1/2007 NR Appalachian State 34 v Pacific (Oregon) plans to 5 Michigan 32 reinstate football beginning in 9/15/2007 9 Louisville 34 2010, following university NR Kentucky 40 trustees’ approval of the 9/22/2007 10 Penn State 9 program. NR Michigan 14 9/29/2007 NR Auburn 20 The school dropped the program in 4 Florida 17 1991, 99 years after the school’s 9/29/2007 NR Kansas State 41 7 Texas 21 first football contest. 9/29/2007 NR Maryland 34 10 Rutgers 24 * * * 9/29/2007 3 Oklahoma 24 NR Colorado 27 10/6/2007 NR Stanford 24 Losses by Top 10 Teams 2 USC 23 10/6/2007 5 Wisconsin 26 By Walter Seaberg NR Illinois 31 10/13/2007 NR Oregon State 31 2 California 28 Over the past three seasons (2006- 10/18/2007 2 South Florida 27 07-08) there have been 39 games NR Rutgers 30

The College Football Historian-24-

10/20/2007 10 California 21 NR UCLA 30 10/20/2007 NR Vanderbilt 17 FYI>> 6 South Carolina 6 11/3/2007 NR Florida State 27 An Index of 2 Boston College 17 11/10/2007 8 Boston College 35 every story that NR Maryland 42 11/10/2007 NR Illinois 28 has appeared in 1 Ohio State 21 11/15/2007 2 Oregon 24 each issue of NR Arizona 34 11/17/2007 3 Oklahoma 27 TCFH is NR Texas Tech 34 11/23/2007 NR Arkansas 50 available if 1 LSU 48 11/24/2007 9 Oregon 0 anyone would NR UCLA 16 12/1/2007 NR Pittsburgh 13 like a copy. 2 West Virginia 9 1/1/2008 9 Florida 35 NR Michigan 41 9/6/2008 8 West Virginia 3 Arranged by NR East Carolina 24 9/25/2008 1 USC 21 months of NR Oregon State 27 9/27/2008 NR Mississippi 31 publication; title of 4 Florida 30 9/27/2008 9 Wisconsin 25 the story; followed NR Michigan 27 10/2/2008 NR Pittsburgh 26 by the first page it 10 South Florida 21 10/16/2008 9 Brigham Young 7 appears on and NR Texas Christian 32 11/8/2008 3 Penn State 23 author’s name. NR Iowa 24

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