1919 Centre Praying Colonels football team

Five Centre regulars were natives of Fort Worth, Texas, namely quarterback Bo McMillin, Bill James, Sully Montgomery, Matty Bell, and Red Weaver.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5194781/new_castle_herald/|page=14|date=November 21, 1919|work=New Castle Herald|access-date=May 8, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|author=Fred Turbyville|title=Centre College Prays and Crys, Then Goes Out And Wins}} {{Open access}} They were accused of being professionals, but the charges were rebuked by season's end.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5398597/the_courierjournal/|page=10|title=Charges Against Centre Men Are Considered Ridiculous|work=The Courier-Journal|date=December 9, 1919|access-date=May 27, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} "Without Bo it would not be a Centre team."{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8823025/the_courierjournal/|title=Sport Review|author=Charles A. Reinhart|newspaper=The Courier-Journal |page=50|date=October 26, 1919|access-date=February 8, 2017|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Former Centre player and North Side High School head coach Robert L. Myers was to bring McMillin, Weaver, and the above teammates to Centre. However, McMillin and Weaver did not have sufficient credits to enter college, and thus entered Somerset High School for the 1916-17 year, playing with Red Roberts.{{cite web|url=http://library.centre.edu/ency/w/weaver_red.html|title=Red Weaver|access-date=2016-05-30|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070548/http://library.centre.edu/ency/w/weaver_red.html|url-status=dead}}

Centre's linemen were known as the "Seven Mustangs".{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19431125&id=dQcwAAAAIBAJ&pg=2890,4501481&hl=en|title=Sarazen Loses Squire Title Sells Property|author=Whitney Martin|date=November 25, 1943|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}

{{CFB schedule

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 27

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1919|team=Hanover Panthers|title=Hanover}}

| site_stadium = Cheek Field

| site_cityst = Danville, KY

| score = 95–0

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 4

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Indiana

| site_stadium = Jordan Field

| site_cityst = Bloomington, IN

| score = 12–3

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 18

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = St. Xavier

| site_stadium = Cheek Field

| site_cityst = Danville, KY

| score = 57–0

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 25

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1919|team=Transylvania Crimsons|title=Transylvania}}

| site_stadium =

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| score = 69–0

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 1

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Virginia

| site_stadium = Lambeth Field

| site_cityst = Charlottesville, VA

| score = 49–7

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 8

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = West Virginia

| site_stadium =

| site_cityst = Charleston, WV

| score = 14–6

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 15

| w/l = w

| opponent = Kentucky

| site_stadium = Cheek Field

| site_cityst = Danville, KY

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 56–0

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 22

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1919|team=DePauw Tigers|title=DePauw}}

| site_stadium =

| site_cityst = Louisville, KY

| score = 56–0

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 27

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1919|team=Georgetown Tigers|title=Georgetown (KY)}}

| site_stadium =

| site_cityst = Georgetown, KY

| score = 77–7

}}

}}{{cite web|url=http://library.centre.edu/sc/digital/football_1910.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101146/http://library.centre.edu/sc/digital/football_1910.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2015|title=Centre College Football Records (1910-1919)}}

A game with {{cfb link|year=1919|team=Maryville Scots|title=Maryville}} was scheduled but never played due to Maryville injuries.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Hanover at Centre

| Visitor = Hanover

| Host = Centre

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

| H1 = 26| H2 =20| H3 =21| H4 =28

| Date = September 27

| Location = Cheek Field
Danville, KY

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Dexheimer (Chattanooga)

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

On opening day, Centre swamped {{cfb link|year=1919|team=Hanover Panthers|title=Hanover}}, 95–0. Eight different players scored. Roberts was shifted from fullback to tackle, and played well.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5409856/the_indianapolis_star/|title=Centre Swamps Hanover|page=25|date=September 28, 1919|work=The Indianapolis Star|access-date=May 28, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

File:Red Roberts Centre College Football.jpg

The starting lineup was King (left end), Roberts (left tackle), Montgomery (left guard), Bell (center), Van Antwerp (right guard), Coleman (right tackle), Whitnell (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Murphy (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Diddle (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Centre at Indiana

| Visitor = Centre

| Host = Indiana

| V1 = 0| V2 =0| V3 =0| V4 =12

| H1 = 3| H2 =0| H3 =0| H4 =0

| Date = October 4

| Location = Bloomington, IN

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Gardner (Cornell)

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

Centre beat Indiana, 12–3. Indiana was up 3–0 with 2:20 left in the game, when Centre started its comeback victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5194786/the_courierjournal/|work=The Courier-Journal|page=42|title=Centre Downs Indiana In Last Two Minutes of Play|date=October 5, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} McMillin and Roberts worked it towards the goal, Roberts going over. Indiana was then desperate to even the score, and McMillin intercepted a pass, and returned it for a touchdown, dodging and straight arming the entire Indiana eleven. Indiana's three points came early in the first period, when its quarterback, Mathys, made a 35-yard drop kick.

The starting lineup was Whitnell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Garrett (center), Coleman (right guard), James (right tackle), McCullom (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Bittle (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Roberts (fullback).

The Colonels beat St. Xavier, 57–0.

In the fourth week of play, the Colonels beat the {{cfb link|year=1919|team=Transylvania Crimsons|title=Transylvania}}, 69–0. Transylvania's Milton broken several bones in his foot the week previous.{{cite web|url=http://homepages.transy.edu/~library/Catalog/HistoryFootballTransylvania.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-07-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701165813/http://homepages.transy.edu/~library/Catalog/HistoryFootballTransylvania.pdf |archive-date=2016-07-01 }}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Centre at Virginia

| Visitor = Centre

| Host = Virginia

| V1 = 14| V2 =14| V3 =14| V4 =7

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

| Date = November 1

| Location = Lambeth Field
Charlottesville, VA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Smith (Washington & Lee)

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

Centre's backfield starred and smashed the Virginia Orange and Blue, 49–7 in the mud. Joe Murphy had a 75-yard touchdown run.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5409549/the_courierjournal/|page=47|access-date=May 28, 2016|date=November 2, 1919|via=Newspapers.com|title=Centre College Smashed Vaunted Virginia Eleven|work=The Courier-Journal}} {{Open access}} Soon after, McMillin went 70 yards for a touchdown. Kuyk scored Virginia's points.

The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), James (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Roberts (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Centre at West Virginia

| Visitor = Centre

| Host = West Virginia

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

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

| Date = November 8

| Location = Charleston, WV

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Mike Thompson

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

The sixth week of play brought the highlight of the season — a 14–6 comeback win over West Virginia and the nation's leading scorer Ira Rodgers. McMillin had the team pray before the game, forever giving the Centre College Colonels its alternate moniker of "Praying Colonels."{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UHLOAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA417|page=416|title=Come On, You Praying Kentuckians|author=Frank G. Weaver|journal=Association Men|year=1919|volume=45}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5398655/arizona_daily_star/|date=November 28, 1919|page=7|title=Kentucky Colonels Have Phenomenal Record; Always Pray Before Battle|work=Arizona Daily Star|access-date=May 27, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Rodgers came out passing and West Virginia scores first early when he bucked it over. Later, a 25-yard pass from McMillin to Terry Snoddy brought the ball near the goal. Roberts eventually scored. Centre had another touchdown drive in the last quarter, ending in McMillin sidestepping for a touchdown.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5194780/the_courierjournal/|work=The Courier-Journal|title=Centre College Victorious Over West Virginia Team|page=43|date=November 9, 1919|access-date=May 8, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Murphy was in a flimsy track suit and track shoes.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19371117&id=T1AsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4103,1478942&hl=en|date=November 17, 1937|work=Spartanburg Herald-Journal|title=It Really Happened In Football}}

File:Bo McMillin (c. 1920).jpg

The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), Jones (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Armstrong (right halfback), Roberts (fullback).

With a large crowd at home on Cheek Field, the Colonels beat rival Kentucky, 56–0, giving the Wildcats their worst loss on the season. Roberts had three touchdowns.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5409734/the_courierjournal/|page=53|author=Sam H. McMeekin|title=Colonels Are Triumphant In Big Game At Danville|work=The Courier-Journal|date=November 16, 1919|access-date=May 28, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), James (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Armstrong (right halfback), Roberts (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = DePauw vs. Centre

| Visitor = DePauw

| Host = Centre

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

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

| Date = November 22

| Location = Louisville, KY

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Marty (Kenyon)

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

The Colonels defeated the {{cfb link|year=1919|team=DePauw Tigers|title=DePauw}} in Louisville 56–0. McMillin's passes "aroused the wonderment of the crowd." The first touchdown came on an 18-yard pass to Army Armstrong.

The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), James (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Roberts (fullback).{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5409178/the_courierjournal/|work=The Courier-Journal|page=44|date=November 23, 1919|title=Centre College Overwhelms Depauw Football Eleven|access-date=May 28, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|author=Sam H. McMeekin}} {{Open access}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Centre at Georgetown

| Visitor = Centre

| Host = Georgetown

| V1 = 14| V2 =21| V3 =28| V4 =14

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

| Date = November 27

| Location = Georgetown, KY

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Marty (Kenyon)

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

Centre rolled up a 77–7 score on the {{cfb link|year=1919|team=Georgetown Tigers|title=Georgetown Tigers}}. Georgetown's one score came off a 65-yard fumble return.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5426290/the_courierjournal/|page=8|date=November 28, 1919|work=The Courier-Journal|title=Colonels Romp Over Georgetown|access-date=May 30, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Weaver made 11 straight extra points.

The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), James (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Armstrong (right halfback), Roberts (fullback).

File:Redweaver.jpg

Red Weaver made 47 out of 48 extra points with 46 in a row,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5432467/the_atlanta_constitution/|page=18|date=November 28, 1919|title=How About This?|work=The Atlanta Constitution|access-date=May 30, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} and held the NCAA record with 99 consecutive points after touchdowns in the 1919 and 1920 seasons.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2002262//|work=Boston Post|date=October 24, 1920|page=56|title=Detail Story of Stadium Game|access-date=March 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2002285//|work=The Wichita Beacon|date=December 24, 1920|page=4|title=Kicks 90 Goals, "Red Weaver's Toe Stuff May Be Useless Next Year|access-date=March 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Weaver was put at the placekicker position on an Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869-1919 era.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19690727&id=2eRGAAAAIBAJ&pg=2256,3526388|newspaper=Gadsden Times|date=July 27, 1969|title=All-Time Football Team Lists Greats Of Past, Present}}

The season brought national attention to the small town of Danville.{{cite news|url=http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/cgi-bin/illinois?a=d&d=DKD19191201.1.2#|work=The Dekaly Daily Chronicle|title=Kentucky School Wins|volume=21|number=1|date=December 1, 1919}}

Due to the dispute over professionalism, most writers picked Auburn as SIAA champion. The team was retroactively selected by Jeff Sagarin as the national champion for the 1919 season.{{cite web |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf |title=National Poll Rankings |author=National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) |year=2015|work=NCAA Division I Football Records |publisher=NCAA |page=108 |access-date=January 4, 2016 }}

McMillin and Weaver were named to Walter Camp's first-team 1919 College Football All-America Team. Just the year before Bum Day was the first Southern player ever selected to Camp's first team – and Centre became the first school with two. Fullback and end Red Roberts was named to Camp's third team.

The following chart provides a visual depiction of Centre's lineup during the 1919 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a single wing on offense.

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File:Terrible Terry Snoddy.jpg

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

• 1919 College Football All-Southern Team

{{Reflist}}

{{1919 Centre Praying Colonels football navbox}}

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Category:Centre Colonels football seasons

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Category:College football undefeated seasons

Centre Praying Colonels football