1913 Auburn Tigers football team

Since Auburn's tie with Vanderbilt last year, teams other than Vanderbilt had a chance to win a title, and newspapers covered football more than the World Series for the first time.{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=276}}

Coach Donahue built his team around his defense, which played out of a 7–2–2 scheme. The team was led by senior captain Kirk Newell. One source reads "Coach Donahue loved the fullback dive and would run the play over and over again before sending the elusive Newell wide on a sweep."{{cite web|url=http://auburnsunclaimed.com/2013/06/28/100-year-anniversary-the-top-10-players-on-auburns-1913-national-championship-team/|title=100 Year Anniversary: The Top 10 Players on Auburn's 1913 National Championship Team|date=June 28, 2013}}

{{CFB schedule

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 4

| w/l = w

| opponent = Mercer

| site_stadium = Drake Field

| site_cityst = Auburn, AL

| score = 53–0

| attend =

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121087757/mercers-eleven-no-match-for-auburn/|title=Mercer's eleven no match for Auburn|newspaper=The Montgomery Advertiser|date=October 5, 1913|accessdate=March 17, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 11

| w/l = w

| opponent = Florida

| site_stadium = Drake Field

| site_cityst = Auburn, AL

| gamename = rivlary

| score = 55–0

| attend =

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-auburn-swamps-florid/147642505/|work=The Atlanta Journal|title=Auburn swamps Florida team|date=October 12, 1913|accessdate=May 18, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 18

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Clemson

| site_stadium = Bowman Field

| site_cityst = Calhoun, SC

| gamename = rivlary

| score = 20–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-auburn-forced-to-f/147642799/|work=The Commercial Appeal|title=Auburn forced to fight|date=October 19, 1913|accessdate=May 18, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 25

| w/l = w

| opponent = Mississippi A&M

| site_stadium = Rickwood Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| score = 34–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-auburn-eleven-s/140894278/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Auburn eleven scores at will|date=October 26, 1913|accessdate=May 18, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 1

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = LSU

| site_stadium = Monroe Park

| site_cityst = Mobile, AL

| gamename = rivlary

| score = 7–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5184742/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Auburn's line plunging wins from Louisiana State team; Kirk Newell stars again|author= G. J. Flournoy|page=7|date=November 2, 1913|access-date=May 18, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 8

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Georgia Tech

| site_stadium = Grant Field

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| gamename = rivlary

| score = 20–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-auburn-romps-on-tech/147642974/|work=The Nashville Tennessean|title=Auburn romps on Tech|date=November 9, 1913|accessdate=May 18, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 15

| w/l = w

| opponent = Vanderbilt

| site_stadium = Rickwood Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| score = 14–6

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-auburn-triumphs-o/147643123/|work=The Birmingham Age-Herald|title=Auburn triumphs over Commodores|date=November 16, 1913|accessdate=May 18, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 22

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Georgia

| site_stadium = Ponce de Leon Park

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 21–7

| attend = 12,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-auburn-proves-claim/147643307/|work=The Birmingham News|title=Auburn proves claim to title|date=November 23, 1913|accessdate=May 18, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

}}

A.P.I. began its season with a 53-0 blowout against visiting Mercer on Drake Field.

{{AFB game box start

|Title=Florida at Auburn

|Visitor=Florida

|Host=Auburn

| V1 =0| V2 =0| V3 =0| V4 =0

| H1 =13| H2 =21| H3 =7| H4 =14

|Date=October 11

|Location=Drake Field • Auburn, Alabama

| Attendance =

| Referee =John Counselman

| Weather=Hot

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

The week before, the Florida Gators had the largest win in their history, a 144–0 win over Southern College. Auburn crushed the Gators 55–0. Auburn scored five touchdowns in the first half. Captain Kirk Newell retired in the third period due to the heat.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5968159/the_atlanta_constitution/|page=8|date=October 12, 1913|access-date=July 22, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|title=Florida Is Easy For Auburn Team|work=The Atlanta Constitution}} {{Open access}}

The starting lineup was Wynne (left end), Esslinger (left tackle), Lockwood (left guard), Pitts (center), Thigpen (right guard), Louisell (right tackle), Robinson (right end), Arnold (quarterback), Newell (left halfback), Sparkman (right halfback), Harris (fullback).

The second place Mississippi A&M Aggies fell to Auburn 34–0 after years of close games between the two schools.{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=280}}

Clemson was defeated 20–0 with coach Donahue using his fullback.{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=278}}

The starting lineup was Wynne (left end), Esslinger (left tackle), Lockwood (left guard), Pitts (center), Thigpen (right guard), Louisell (right tackle), Robinson (right end), Arnold (quarterback), Newell (left halfback), Sparkman (right halfback), Harris (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = LSU at Auburn

| Visitor = LSU

| Host = Auburn

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 =0

| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 7| H4 = 0

| Date = November 1

| Location = Mobile, Alabama

| StartTime =2:30 p. m.

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee = Innis Brown

}}

Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

In a close game of conventional football, Auburn beat the LSU Tigers 7–0, with Tom Dutton standing out at center of defense.{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=281}} Kirk Newell starred with end runs, and in the third quarter brought the ball to the 12-yard line with a 40-yard run. Red Harris eventually made the deciding score.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5184742/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Auburn's Line Plunging Wins From Louisiana State Team; Kirk Newell Stars Again|author= G. J. Flournoy|page=7|date=November 2, 1913|access-date=May 7, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

The starting lineup was Taylor (left end), Louisell (left tackle), Thigpen (left guard), Pitts (center), Lockwood (right guard), Esslinger (right tackle), Robinson (right end), Arnold (quarterback), Newell (left halfback), Kearley (right halfback), Harris (fullback).

Auburn beat Georgia Tech 20–0, Auburn's sixth straight shutout. After the first half, Tech's line was beaten down by Auburn's.{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=282}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Auburn at Vanderbilt

| Visitor = Auburn

| Host = Vanderbilt

| V1 = 7| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 =7

| H1 = 6| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 = 0

| Date =

| Location = Nashville, Tennessee

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

In "one of the most spectacular games the South ever saw",{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=283}} Auburn beat Dan McGugin's Vanderbilt Commodores 14–6. Auburn scored with fullback Hart. Vanderbilt responded quickly with a 30-yard pass from Ammie Sikes to Hord Boensch. Using four different fullbacks on one drive, Auburn drove 80 yards to win.{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=284}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Auburn at Georgia

| Visitor = Auburn

| Host = Georgia

| V1 = 0| V2 = 7| V3 = 7| V4 =7

| H1 = 7| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 = 0

| Date = November 22

| Location = Ponce de Leon Park
Atlanta

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =12,000

| Weather =

| Referee = Innis Brown

}}

Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

The Tigers defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 21–7 to claim the SIAA title. Many prominent persons, including the governor, saw the contest.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5184744/the_atlanta_constitution/|page=6|date=November 23, 1913|title=Thousands Of Enthusiasts See Auburn Football Team Win South's Championship|work=The Atlanta Constitution|access-date=May 7, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Kirk Newell of Auburn and Bob McWhorter of Georgia played their last games. At the 25-yard line, from a freak formation, Georgia's David Paddock pass the ball to Logan who caught it on the run and into the endzone for the first score of the game. Red Harris got over a score in the second period. In the third quarter, Auburn had driven to the 11-yard line, and Donahue pulled Harris for Christopher. The Georgia team expected a buck, and committed to stopping it. Newell skirted around right end for 7 yards. Christopher eventually plunged in from the 4-yard line. Later, from the 35-yard line, Newell had a run to the 7-yard line, chased out of bounds by McWhorter. Christopher again got the touchdown.

The starting lineup was Kearley (left end), Louisell (left tackle), Thigpen (left guard), Pitts (center), Lockwood (right guard), Esslinger (right tackle), Robinson (right end), Arnold (quarterback), Newell (left halfback), Prendergast (right halfback), Harris (fullback).{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5184795/the_atlanta_constitution/|author=Dick Jemison|author-link=Dick Jemison|page=7|date=November 23, 1913|title=Auburn Wins Southern Title; Georgia Beaten Decisively; Harris Star of Fierce Game|work=The Atlanta Constitution|access-date=May 7, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Newell gained 1,707 yards that year, 46% of the team's entire offensive output;{{Cite web|url = http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2013/08/football-rankings-guru-richard-billingsley-says-auburn-should-crown-century-old-champions-my-national-championship-for-auburn-in-1913-is-a-very-valid-national-championship/#.VF81IcnYqqk|title = Football rankings guru Richard Billingsley says Auburn should claim century-old crown: 'My national championship for Auburn in 1913 is a very valid national championship'|date = August 21, 2013|last = Henderson|first = Jeremy}} and 5,800 yards rushing, 350 yards receiving, and 1,200 yards on punt returns for his career.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oG2pd4M-TsAC&pg=PA60|pages=58–61|title=Hidden History of Auburn|author=Kelly Kazek|date=2011|publisher=The History Press|isbn=9781609492922}} One writer claims "Auburn had a lot of great football teams, but there may not have been one greater than the 1913–1914 team."{{cite web |last1=Brady |first1=Ethan |title=Auburn's 1913 undefeated team |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/genrel/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/1913_team.pdf |publisher=Auburn Tigers Football |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001214548/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/genrel/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/1913_team.pdf |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |pages=65, 69 |url-status=dead}} Newell went on to be a World War I hero and member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.{{cite web|url=http://ashof.org/index.php?src=directory&view=company&refno=252&srctype=company_detail|title=Alabama Sports Hall of Fame – Birmingham, Alabama – Where Heroes Live Forever – Newell}}

{{wide image|1913 Auburn football team Champions of South.jpg|450px|alt=Black & white image illustrating the 1913 Auburn University American football players in their uniforms.|The Champions of the South}}

• Mike Donahue, coach
• George Penton, assistant
• Ed Bragg, alumni coach
• Jonathan Bell Lovelace, manager
• Thomas Bragg, graduate manager
• Dean Cliff Hare, faculty chairman of athletics

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|title=A History of Southern Football 1890–1928|last=Woodruff|first=Fuzzy|year=1928|volume=1}}

{{1913 Auburn Tigers football navbox}}

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