1915 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

The outlook for the upcoming 1915 Vanderbilt football season was not promising.{{cite web|url=http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091609aag.html|author=Bill Traughber|title=Vanderbilt's 1915 point-a-minute team|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129082911/http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091609aag.html|archive-date=November 29, 2016|url-status=dead}} The Commodores were coming off a losing record of 2–8, the first under head coach Dan McGugin, and the second in the school's 25 years of playing football. Additionally, only 10 experienced players from the previous year were returning to the team. Despite the one-platoon system with players featuring on offense, defense, and special teams used in 1915, this meant inexperienced freshmen would be a key to the team's success.

Coach McGugin was assisted by doctor and former Vanderbilt athlete Owsley Manier.

{{CFB schedule

| timezone = Central

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 25

| time =

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Middle Tennessee State Normal

| site_stadium = Dudley Field

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| score = 51–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-vandy-winner-over-no/148344276/|title=Vandy winner over Normals|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal|date=September 26, 1915|accessdate=May 29, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 2

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1915|team=Southwestern Presbyterian|title=Southwestern Presbyterian}}

| site_stadium = Dudley Field

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| score = 47–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-spu-loses-to-vande/148344470/|title=S.P.U. loses to Vanderbilt|newspaper=The Leaf-Chronicle|date=October 4, 1915|accessdate=May 29, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 9

| time = 3:15 p.m.

| w/l = w

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1915|team=Georgetown Tigers|title=Georgetown (KY)}}

| site_stadium = Dudley Field

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| score = 75–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-vanderbilt-in-ru/148344662/|title=Vanderbilt in runaway|newspaper=The Chattanooga Sunday Times|date=October 10, 1915|accessdate=May 29, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 13

| time = 4:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1915|team=Cumberland Bulldogs|title=Cumberland (TN)}}

| site_stadium = Dudley Field

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| score = 60–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-vandy-good-in-mud/148344819/|title=Vandy good in mud; Pile up 60 points while keeping Cumberland scoreless|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|date=October 14, 1915|accessdate=May 29, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 16

| time =

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1915|team=Henderson-Brown Reddies|title=Henderson-Brown}}

| site_stadium = Dudley Field

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| score = 100–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-vanderbilt-goes-wild/148344949/|title=Vanderbilt goes wild in game with Henderson-Brown|newspaper=The Birmingham News|date=October 17, 1915|accessdate=May 29, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 23

| time =

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Ole Miss

| site_stadium = Russwood Park

| site_cityst = Memphis, TN

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 91–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-heavy-vanderbi/148345263/|title=Heavy Vanderbilt eleven swamps Mississippi|newspaper=The Montgomery Advertiser|date=October 24, 1915|accessdate=May 29, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 30

| time = 2:45 p.m.

| w/l = w

| opponent = Tennessee

| site_stadium = Dudley Field

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 35–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82763506/commodores-secure-revenge-on-tennessee/|work=Nashville Tennessean|title=Commodores secure revenge on Tennessee, 35 to 0|date=October 31, 1915|access-date=August 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 6

| time =

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Virginia

| site_stadium = Lambeth Field

| site_cityst = Charlottesville, VA

| score = 10–35

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-plunging-virginia/148345478/|title=Plunging Virginia backfield crumbles the frail Vanderbilt defense for overwhelming victory|newspaper=The Birmingham Age-Herald|date=November 7, 1915|accessdate=May 29, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 13

| time =

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Auburn

| site_stadium = Rickwood Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL

| score = 17–0

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-and-tribune-vanderbilt-crush/148345608/|title=Vanderbilt crushes Auburn|newspaper=The Journal and Tribune|date=November 14, 1915|accessdate=May 29, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 25

| time = 2:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| opponent = Sewanee

| site_stadium = Dudley Field

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 27–3

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-and-tribune-commodores-finis/136966801/|work=The Journal and Tribune|title=Commodores finished strong rolling up a score of 27 points in the last quarter|date=November 26, 1915|accessdate=December 17, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

}}

{{Cite web|title=2019 Vanderbilt Football Fact Book|url=https://vucommodores.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019VUFBFactBook_History.pdf|access-date=August 22, 2020}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Middle Tennessee Normal at Vanderbilt

| Visitor = Normal

| Host = Vanderbilt

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

| H1 = 7| H2 =6| H3 =32| H4 =6

| Date =September 26

| Location = Dudley Field
Nashville, Tennessee

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Ed Hamilton

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

Using conventional football, Vanderbilt opened the season with an easy win over Middle Tennessee Normal (MTSU) 51–0.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5173628/daily_arkansas_gazette/|work=Daily Arkansas Gazette|date=September 26, 1915|title=Is Easy For Vanderbilt|page=16|access-date=May 6, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Coach McGugin sent in his substitutes at the beginning of the fourth quarter.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5610869/the_tennessean/|author=Blinkey Horn|work=The Tennessean|date=September 26, 1915|title=Commodores Have Easy Sailing Over Middle Tennessee Normal|page=46|access-date=June 17, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The starting lineup was Richardson (left end), Cody (left tackle), Reyer (left guard), Williams (center), Putnam (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Zerfoss (left halfback), Wiggs (right halfback), and King (fullback).

In the second week of play, Vanderbilt defeated Southwestern 47–0 on a slippery field. All points were scored in the first half.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5173648/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|page=8|title=Vanderbilt 57, S. W. P. U. 0|date=October 3, 1915|access-date=May 6, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Georgetown at Vanderbilt

| Visitor = Georgetown

| Host = Vanderbilt

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

| H1 = 14| H2 =0| H3 =50| H4 =11

| Date = October 9

| Location = Dudley Field
Nashville, Tennessee

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Bradley Walker

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

Vanderbilt beat the Georgetown Tigers 75–0. The Commodores racked up 11 touchdowns and 8 field goals, its largest score in three years.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5610716/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|page=42|date=October 10, 1915|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 17, 2016|title=Commodores Roll Up Largest Score Made In Past Years|author=Blinkey Horn}} {{Open access}} "Dough" Ray scored four times and Hubert Wiggs three times.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856284/daily_arkansas_gazette/|work=Daily Arkansas Gazette|page=19|date=October 10, 1915|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 6, 2016|title=Is Soft For Vanderbilt}} {{Open access}} The starting lineup was Williams (left end), Cody (left tackle), Hamilton (left guard), Reyer (center), Lipscomb (right guard), Putnam (right tackle), Hayes (right end), Curry (quarterback), Friel (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Cumberland at Vanderbilt

| Visitor = Cumberland

| Host = Vanderbilt

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

| H1 = 28| H2 =20| H3 =12| H4 =0

| Date = October 13

| Location = Dudley Field
Nashville, Tennessee

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Hord Boensch

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

With four players out due to injury,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856154/the_charlotte_news/|work=The Charlotte News|page=19|title=Vandy Vs. Cumberland|date=October 13, 1915|access-date=April 6, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} the Commodores still managed to defeat the Cumberland Bulldogs 60–0 in a drizzling rain. Ray again scored four touchdowns. Alf Adams stood out on defense.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5610651/the_tennessean/|title=Commodores, In Drizzling Rain, Romp Over Cumberland|date=October 14, 1915|page=12|access-date=June 17, 2016|author=Blinkey Horn|work=The Tennessean |author-link=Blinkey Horn|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The starting lineup was Chester (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Hamilton (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Richardson (right end), Roach (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Ray (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback).

File:Irby "Rabbit" Curry.png

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Henderson-Brown at Vanderbilt

| Visitor = Henderson-Br.

| Host = Vanderbilt

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

| H1 = 26| H2 =27| H3 =28| H4 =19

| Date = October 16

| Location = Dudley Field
Nashville, Tennessee

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Bradley Walker

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

The Commodores beat Henderson-Brown 100–0. The "Rabbit" Curry ran for a 40-yard touchdown with the game barely a minute old, and later had a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown. "Sarah" Turner had an 80-yard run, and a 60-yard end run for a score in the third quarter. Tommy Ridley ran 60 yards on a fake punt. Catching Henderson-Brown exhausted, John Jarrett returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3257837/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Commodores Make Hundred Points On Henderson – Brown|date=October 17, 1915|page=19|access-date=September 21, 2015|author=Blinkey Horn|author-link=Blinkey Horn|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The starting lineup was Y. Chester (left end), Cody (left tackle), Hamilton (left guard), Reyer (center), Williams (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Ray (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback).

Against Mississippi, the team traveled by train from Nashville to Memphis, Tennessee, where the game was to be played. The train was halted near Dickson by a wreck ahead of it, and the players complained about the lack of food on the train. The team's manager James Stahlman foraged through neighboring orchards near the tracks and picked three or four hatfuls of green apples. Curry ate several of them,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19341116&id=Uf4wAAAAIBAJ&pg=5368,3719671&hl=en|work=Reading Eagle|title=Today's Choice Football lYarn|date=November 16, 1934}} and proceeded to score six touchdowns and kick eight extra points against Ole Miss.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156841/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Vanderbilt Wallops "Ole Miss", 91 to 0|page=3|date=October 24, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The final score was 91–0.{{cite news|title=Today's Grid Story|newspaper=Kingsport Times|date=1934-11-16}} The starting lineup was Hayes (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Putnam (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Tennessee at Vanderbilt

| Visitor = Tennessee

| Host = Vanderbilt

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

| H1 = 7| H2 =0| H3 =7| H4 =21

| Date = October 30

| Location = Dudley Field
Nashville, Tennessee

| StartTime =2:45 p. m.

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

The Tennessee Volunteers were the first real test for the Commodores, coming to Nashville as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) defending champions and loaded with confidence. They were swamped, 35–0 as Curry and Turner ran for several yards. Curry once got away for 50 yards, the only touchdown of the first half. In the third quarter, Johnny Floyd ripped off 47 yards and Hubert Wiggs took it over.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856342/the_tennessean/|title=Play for Play In Vandy-Tennessee Grid Battle|page=23|date=October 31, 1915|work=The Tennessean|access-date=April 6, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Then Turner entered the game and his first run was 35 yards to the 6-yard line, where Wiggs again scored.{{Harvnb|Traughber|2011|page=59}} The next time he ran 60 yards himself for the touchdown, and the last score came on a 20-yard dash by Cutter Northcutt, Curry's substitute. The victory was overshadowed by a most unfortunate spine injury to Bennett Jared, who died a few months later.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856414/the_atlanta_constitution/|author=Blinkey Horn|author-link=Blinkey Horn|title=Commodores Wipe Out 1914 Defeat|work=Atlanta Constitution|page=3|date=October 31, 1915|access-date=April 6, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The starting lineup was Adams (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Putnam (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback).

File:Eugenemayer.jpg

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Vanderbilt at Virginia

| Visitor = Vanderbilt

| Host = Virginia

| V1 = 3| V2 =0| V3 =7| V4 =0

| H1 = 0| H2 =28| H3 =7| H4 =0

| Date = November 6

| Location = Charlottesville, Virginia

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Barry (Georgetown)

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

The Commodores ended the Tennessee game with a 7–0 record, having racked up 459 points with no points scored against them.{{Harvnb|Traughber|2011|page=58}} A road game at Charlottesville, Virginia to face the University of Virginia was next on the schedule. The high-flying Commodores were overwhelmed, 10–35 by the Orange and Blue. Virginia gained 495 yards to Vanderbilt's 198. Buck Mayer, the South's first consensus All-American, starred for Virginia.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157042/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Buck Mayer Sounds Commodores' Doom|date=November 7, 1915|page=38|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Zerfoss entered the game with an injury.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6578911/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|page=14|date=November 4, 1915|access-date=September 10, 2016|author=Blinkey Horn|author-link=Blinkey Horn|via=Newspapers.com|title=Twenty Commodores To Leave For Virginia This Morning}} {{Open access}} Curry ran for 80 yards to score a touchdown on a fumbled punt. Cody booted a 20-yard field goal for the only other Commodores' score. Vanderbilt could only manage five first downs in the contest. The starting lineup was Adams (left end), Lipscomb (left tackle), Putnam (left guard), Reyer (center), Williams (right guard), Cody (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Vanderbilt at Auburn

| Visitor = Vanderbilt

| Host = Auburn

| V1 = 0| V2 =7| V3 =7| V4 =3

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

| Date = November 13

| Location = Rickwood Field
Birmingham, Alabama

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Bradley Walker

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

Next was the Auburn game, which McGugin had been pointing to since before the season began, as Auburn had dominated Southern football for the past two seasons, without a single team crossing its line.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856210/the_wilmington_morning_star/|work=The Wilmington Morning Star|title=Vanderbilt Captures Contest From Auburn|page=3|date=November 14, 1915|access-date=April 6, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The game was played in Birmingham at Rickwood Field.{{refn|group="n"|Birmingham's Rickwood Field (built in 1910) still exists today and has been certified as the oldest ballpark in America. It was home to the Birmingham Red Barons of the old Southern Association for decades until 1987.{{Harvnb|Traughber|2011|pages=59–60}}}}

Vanderbilt jumped out to a 17–0 lead on a rain-soaked field. A Curry pass to captain Cohen opened the scoring. Josh Cody took over himself from that point. In one of the greatest exhibitions of punt covering, Cody smothered the receiver every time, recovering two fumbles, one across the goal line for a touchdown. Then, in the last ten seconds of play, Cody drop kicked a three-pointer from the 33-yard line. Tom Zerfoss and Friel punted well. Curry's leadership was superb, and late in the game the Vanderbilt line rose as one to throw back three Auburn charges on the five-yard line.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3263539/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=Atlanta Constitution|date=November 14, 1915|page=3|title=Auburn's Goal Line Crossed; Defeat Is Administered by Rejuvenated Commodores|access-date=September 21, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The starting lineup was Hayes (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Hamilton (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback).

The final game of the season for the 8–1 Commodores was on Thanksgiving Day in Nashville against their rival Sewanee.{{Harvnb|Traughber|2011|page=60}} The SIAA championship was at stake. A shutout over the "Men From the Mountain" would complete the SIAA schedule of being unscored upon. Thoroughly outplayed the first two quarters as Captain Bob Dobbins and Hek Clark led the Tiger attack, intermission found the Commodores behind 3–0, the result of "Red" Herring's field goal from the 20-yard line.

File:VandyCody.jpg

Dan McGugin took the team over by Engineering Hall for a little talk. The Commodores came back playing hard, but at the start of the fourth quarter the score was still 3–0. Finally a sustained drive got underway that ended with "Dough" Ray plunging in for a touchdown from the four-yard line. Then Tom Lipscomb and Cody blocked a punt and Pud Reyer recovered on the five-yard line. Again Ray scored. Later Zerfoss skirted end for 26 yards, and Curry followed with a 34-yard dash and a third touchdown.

Curry was hurt from the terrible pounding by Sewanee, but he still managed the top run of the day, 80 yards for a touchdown with Cody clearing his path.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3257691/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Rabbit Curry Lifts Black and Gold Above The Purple Banner|page=8|date=November 26, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The final count was 28–3, and another SIAA championship. Sewanee coach Harris Cope said: "I think Curry is one of the greatest players I have ever seen." The starting lineup was Hayes (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Hamilton (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback).

The 1915 Vanderbilt football team scored a grand total of 514 points in 510 minutes of actual playing time, thus ranking them as a legitimate "point-a-minute" team. Vanderbilt averaged 51.4 points a game. Vanderbilt led the nation in scoring, then one of few stats kept.

During the season Curry accounted for 118 of Vanderbilt's season total of 514 points. Seven out of eight newspapers voted the SIAA championship to the Commodores. The Atlanta Constitution declared it a tie between Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech. Curry (unanimously), Cohen and Cody were named All-Southern.{{Harvnb|Traughber|2011|page=61}}

In 1975, the team's manager, James G. Stahlman, organized a sixtieth reunion the weekend of the Georgia game. Seven lettermen were present: Cohen, Dough Ray, Hubert Wiggs, Kent Morrison, Alf Adams, and Tom Zerfoss.

The following chart provides a visual depiction of Vanderbilt's lineup during the 1915 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a short punt formation while on offense, with the quarterback under center.

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• {{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}}

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Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football seasons

Vanderbilt Commodores football