1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

File:Froggiemorrison.jpg]]

Coach John Heisman's backfield used the pre-snap movement of his "jump shift" offense. The team's captain was Froggie Morrison,{{refn|group=note|He returned to Tech as an assistant coach in 1933 after serving in World War I and a sixteen-year hiatus from college football.{{Closed access}} {{cite news| work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution| title=Froggy Morrison Slated To Return Tech; Bulldogs Driven| date=September 10, 1933| access-date=June 8, 2008| url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/1102277872.html?dids=1102277872:1102277872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Sep+10%2C+1933&author=Tobe+Edwards&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution+(1881-2001)&edition=&startpage=3B&desc=Froggy+Morrison+Slated+To+Return+Tech%3B+Bulldogs+Driven| archive-date=May 24, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524224604/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/1102277872.html?dids=1102277872:1102277872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Sep+10,+1933&author=Tobe+Edwards&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution+(1881-2001)&edition=&startpage=3B&desc=Froggy+Morrison+Slated+To+Return+Tech%3B+Bulldogs+Driven| url-status=dead}}}} Tech's first great quarterback.{{Citation

| title = 'Froggy' Started March of Great Quarterbacks

| newspaper = Atlanta Journal-Constitution

| pages = 3B

| date = September 10, 1933}} Fullback Tommy Spence was a future World War I casualty, and halfback Wooch Fielder was later a prominent figure in World War II.

New halfback Everett Strupper was partially deaf;{{cite journal|url = http://issuu.com/gtalumni/docs/1950_28_4/19|title = Everett Strupper, Tech Immortal, Passes Suddenly|date = 1950|journal = Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine|volume = 28|number = 4}} because of his deafness, he called the signals when he played, instead of the team's quarterback.{{cite news |title=Ex-Tech Great Dies Suddenly: Everett Strupper, Member of Unbeaten Teams, Passes in Atlanta |publisher=The Anniston Star (AP wire story) |date=1950-02-05}} When "Strupe" tried out for the team, he noticed that the quarterback shouted the signals every time he was to carry the ball. Realizing that the loud signals would be a tip-off to the opposition, Strupper told Heisman: "Coach, those loud signals are absolutely unnecessary. You see when sickness in my kid days brought on this deafness my folks gave me the best instructors obtainable to teach me lip-reading." Heisman recalled how Strupper overcame his deafness: "He couldn't hear anything but a regular shout. But he could read your lips like a flash. No lad that ever stepped on a football field had keener eyes than Everett had. The enemy found this out the minute he began looking for openings through which to run the ball."{{cite news |author=John Heisman |title=Heisman Tells Inside Story of Strupper's Play |publisher=Atlanta Constitution |date=1923-11-09}}

{{CFB schedule

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 2

| time =

| w/l = w

| opponent = Mercer

| site_stadium = Grant Field

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| score = 52–0

| attend =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 9

| time =

| w/l = w

| opponent = Davidson

| site_stadium = Grant Field

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| score = 21–7

| attend =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 16

| time = 3:05 p.m.

| w/l = w

| opponent = Transylvania

| site_stadium = Grant Field

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| score = 57–0

| attend =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 22

| time =

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = LSU

| site_stadium = Heinemann Park

| site_cityst = New Orleans, LA

| score = 36–7

| attend = 3,000

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 30

| time =

| w/l = w

| opponent = North Carolina

| site_stadium = Grant Field

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| score = 23–3

| attend =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 6

| time =

| w/l = w

| opponent = Alabama

| site_stadium = Grant Field

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 21–7

| attend = 5,000

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 13

| time =

| w/l = t

| opponent = Georgia

| site_stadium = Grant Field

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| gamename = Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate

| score = 0–0

| attend = 9,000

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 25

| time =

| w/l = w

| opponent = Auburn

| site_stadium = Grant Field

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 7–0

| attend = 10,000

}}

}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/1915-schedule.html|title=1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results}}

Tech opened the season with a 52–0 defeat of the Mercer Baptists. The Tech backs plunged through the Baptists line almost at will.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5076848/greensboro_daily_news/|title=Georgia Techs Down Mercer|date=October 3, 1915|page=6|work=Greensboro Daily News|access-date=April 27, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 2: Davidson at Georgia Tech

| Visitor = Davidson

| Host = Ga. Tech

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

| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 14| H4 =7

| Date =October 9

| Location = Grant Field
Atlanta, GA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Sandy Beaver

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

In the second week of play, Davidson had the upper hand for three quarters, but Tech managed to pull ahead in the third quarter, and won 21–7. In the first quarter, Davidson scored on a punt fumbled by Everett Strupper.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747911/the_charlotte_observer/|title=Davidson Makes Techs Go Some|page=11|date=October 10, 1915|work=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=March 27, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Froggie Morrison hit Jim Senter with a 35-yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter. Tech managed to score again, and the third quarter ended with the Yellow Jackets at the 1-yard line.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747831/the_charlotte_news/|title=Outplaying Georgia Tech For Three Quarters Lapsed In the Third, The Yellow Jackets Winning|page=11|work=The Charlotte News|date=October 10, 1915|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 27, 2016}} {{Open access}} Tommy Spence carried over on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The starting lineup for Tech against Davidson: Goree (left end), Alexander (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 3: Transylvania at Georgia Tech

| Visitor =Transy

| Host = Ga. Tech

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

| H1 = 10| H2 = 7| H3 =14| H4 =26

| Date =October 16

| Location = Grant Field
Atlanta, GA

| StartTime = 3:05 p. m.

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Ed Hamilton

}}

Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

The Yellow Jackets romped over Transylvania 57–0. Tech made 333 yards on end runs to 7 for Transy, and 31 first downs to 5. Heisman used most of his subs. Everett Strupper was the star of the game, scoring four touchdowns. Duncan also played well.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747949/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|page=3|date=October 17, 1915|title=Yellow Jackets Win In A Romp|access-date=March 27, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|author=Dick Jemison|author-link=Dick Jemison}} {{Open access}}

File:Everett Strupper.jpg]]

The starting lineup for Tech: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Preas (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).

The season's lone road game was in New Orleans. Georgia Tech handily defeated the LSU Tigers 36–7 using conventional football, at the expense of Heisman being ejected from the game for arguing with an official.{{cite book |last=Vincent |first=Herb |date=2008 |title=LSU Football Vault: The History of the Fighting Tigers |publisher=Whitman Publishing, LLC |isbn=978-0794824280 |page=27}} Tech repeatedly hammered LSU's left end. "Except for a brief period in the second quarter, when Louisiana executed three consecutive passes for average gains of 25 yards, the Tigers practically were helpless".{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156712/waco_morning_news/|title=Georgia Tech Beats Louisiana|work=Waco Morning News|page=13|date=October 24, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Just before the game ended, Tommy Spence returned an interception 85 yards.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156730/the_charlotte_news/|work=The Charlotte News|title=Georgia Techs Walloped Tigers of Louisiana|page=10|date=October 24, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Everett Strupper was injured, blaming Phillip Cooper.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156784/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=Atlanta Constitution|title=Jackets Win Over Louisiana 36 to 7; Strupper Injured|page=3|date=October 24, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

The starting lineup was Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tacle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 5: North Carolina at Georgia Tech

| Visitor =UNC

| Host = Ga. Tech

| V1 = 0| V2 = 3| V3 = 0| V4 =0

| H1 = 13| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =10

| Date =November 13

| Location = Grant Field
Atlanta, GA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Brown

}}

Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

Tech beat the North Carolina Tar Heels 23–3.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5076661/the_charlotte_news/|title=Possessing No Offense and a Weak Defense, Carolina Proved Easy For The Jackets|work=Charlotte News|access-date=April 27, 2016|date=October 31, 1915|page=12}} {{Open access}} Early in the first quarter, Wooch Fielder circled end for 40 yards and a touchdown. Next, two forward passes set up a Tommy Spence run for a touchdown. Conventional football got the last touchdown, a score by Mathias. The last score was a 40-yard drop kick field goal by Spence.

Only Yank Tandy and Roy Homewood played well for the Tar Heels. Tandy's field goal was Carolina's only score. He was injured in the third quarter.

The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Duncan (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 6: Alabama at Georgia Tech

| Visitor = Alabama

| Host = Ga. Tech

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

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

| Date =November 6

| Location = Grant Field
Atlanta, GA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee = Innis Brown

}}

Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

Tech beat Alabama 21–7. Wooch Fielder scored first. In the second period, Everett Strupper had a 7-yard touchdown run. Tommy Spence scored on a 5-yard run in the third. Alabama's lone score came on the first play of the fourth quarter on an elaborate trick play, a 30-yard forward pass from Bully Van de Graaff, Alabama's first All-American, to Stevenson.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157231/the_atlanta_constitution/|title=Tech Team Wins Fiercely Fought Game|work=Atlanta Constitution|date=November 7, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|page=5}} {{Open access}}

The starting lineup against Alabama: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 7: Georgia at Georgia Tech

| Visitor = Georgia

| Host = Ga. Tech

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

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

| Date =November 13

| Location = Grant Field
Atlanta, GA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =9,000

| Weather =

| Referee =Nichols (Oberlin)

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The year's only blemish was a scoreless tie against the rival Georgia Bulldogs in inches of mud.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157107/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Tech Outplayed By Georgia Is Held To Scoreless Tie|date=November 14, 1915|page=33|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} John G. Henderson headed a group of three men, one behind the other with his hands upon the shoulders of the one in front, to counter Heisman's jump shift offense.{{cite book|url=http://www.prideofthetide.com/programs%20pdf/1937%20tulane.pdf|pages=5; 11|title=Alabama vs. Tulane|date=November 6, 1937}} Georgia outplayed Tech throughout. Georgia was once on Tech's 8-yard line, in the first quarter, but Walter Neville fumbled and Tommy Spence recovered.

The starting lineup against Georgia: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Johnston (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).File:Partial view of the crowd at the 1915 Auburn vs. Georgia Tech football game at Grant Field.jpg

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 8: Auburn at Georgia Tech

| Visitor = Auburn

| Host = Ga. Tech

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

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

| Date =November 25

| Location = Grant Field
Atlanta, GA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =10,000

| Weather =

| Referee =Innis Brown

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Tech closed what was then the greatest season in its history with a 7–0 defeat of the Auburn Plainsmen.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4493917/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=Atlanta Constitution|page=9|date=November 26, 1915|title=Yellow Jackets Earn Tie To Football Championship By Defeating Plainsmen|author=Dick Jemison|author-link=Dick Jemison|access-date=March 2, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} To begin the second quarter, Everett Strupper had two key plays, the last of which was the game-deciding touchdown.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3278394/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Georgia Tech Claims S.I.A.A. Championship|date=November 26, 1915|page=8|access-date=March 27, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} First he made 20 yards around with a pass from Morrison[https://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/13188?show=full Blue Print, 1916] before being forced out of bounds. Next was the 19-yard touchdown. Strupper started around left end, then cut back into the center of the field, away from his blockers. He juked and eluded "every man on the Auburn team." On the last move Strupper faked right and then dove left underneath the outstretched arms of Baby Taylor into the endzone.{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p1g4AQAAIAAJ&q=%22big+babe+taylor%22 |journal=The Volta Review |pages=102–105 |year=1925 |publisher=Volta Bureau |title=A Lip-Reading Football Star}}

The starting lineup against Auburn: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).

File:1915TechPennant.png

Tech claimed the right to dispute the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) title with Vanderbilt, despite no longer being a member. The Atlanta Constitution declared it a tie between Vanderbilt and Tech.{{Harvnb|Traughber|2011|page=61}} The Tech team was awarded a 17 x 45 foot pennant as Southern champion.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2703297/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|date=December 5, 1915|page=3|access-date=June 28, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|title=Talley Johnston Named Captain 1916 Jackets; Carpenter Is Alternate|author=Dick Jemison|author-link=Dick Jemison}} {{Open access}}

Wooch Fielder and Bob Lang made composite All-Southern. Jim Senter, Froggie Morrison and Everett Strupper also made some All-Southern teams.{{cite news|newspaper = Atlanta Constitution|title = Composite All-Southern Of Ten Of The Dopesters|author = Dick Jemison|author-link = Dick Jemison|date = November 30, 1915|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1924630//|access-date=March 5, 2015|page=10|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

The following chart provides a visual depiction of Tech's lineup during the 1915 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics the offense after the jump shift has taken place.

|

|

|-

|

| align="right" |

|-

|

| align="right" |

|-

|

| align="right" |

|-

|

| align="center" |

|-

| style="height:3em" |

|-

| style="text-align:center;"|

|}

|}

{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|last=Traughber|first=Bill|title=Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History|isbn=978-1-60949-423-0|publisher=The History Press|year=2011}}

{{Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football navbox}}

{{Independent southern football champions}}

Georgia Tech

Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football seasons

Georgia Tech Football