1920 Georgia Bulldogs football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1920
| team = Georgia Bulldogs
| sport = football
| image = 20bulldogs.png
| image_size = 285
| conference = Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
| short_conf = SIAA
| record = 8–0–1
| conf_record = 7–0
| head_coach = Herman Stegeman
| hc_year = 1st
| asst_coach1=Jimmy DeHart
| captain = Bum Day
| stadium = Sanford Field
| champion = National champion (Berryman)
SIAA co-champion
| uniform = 10sUGAuniform.png
}}
{{1920 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings}}
The 1920 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the University of Georgia during the 1920 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. The Bulldogs had an 8–0–1 record,{{cite web|title=1920 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|access-date=July 29, 2015|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia/1920-schedule.html}} outscored opponents 250–17, and were also co-champion of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, with in-state rival Georgia Tech as well as Tulane, which were also undefeated in conference play.
This was the Georgia Bulldogs' first season under the guidance of head coach Herman Stegeman and the team's second undefeated season in its history (first since 1896 under Pop Warner). The Bulldogs were retroactively awarded a national championship by Clyde Berryman.{{cite book | url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2017/FBS.pdf | title=2017 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records | publisher=The National Collegiate Athletic Association | date=July 2017 | location=Indianapolis| access-date=January 24, 2019 | page=111}}
Georgia fielded a strong line during the early 1920s, this season returning All-Southerns in end Owen Reynolds, tackle Artie Pew, and center and captain Bum Day; as well as guard Hugh Whelchel and a young Joe Bennett. This season, the Bulldogs line was complemented with a strong backfield, led by quarterback Buck Cheves and known as the "ten second backfield."{{efn|The term "ten second backfield" generally refers to players capable (or thought to be capable) of running a 100-yard dash in 10 seconds—that is, fast runners.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-advent-has-ten-secon/154994972/ |title=Advent has ten-second backfield |newspaper=The Cincinnati Post |page=6 |date=November 11, 1913 |accessdate=September 9, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}}}
Georgia upset rival Auburn. The Bulldogs also gave Furman their only loss, and did the same to Alabama in the year's biggest win.{{cite news |date=November 21, 1920 |title=Great defense of Georgia is Alabama's end |newspaper=The Ledger |publisher=NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers |page=2}} The highlight of the Alabama game, Cheves' 87-yard touchdown after a fumble recovery, ranked fourth in The 50 Greatest Plays In Georgia Bulldogs Football History.
Before the season
The Bulldogs were led by first-year head coach Herman Stegeman, who attended the University of Chicago and learned football from the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg. During the end of World War I, the United States Army stationed Stegeman in Athens to create physical training courses for the UGA Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. Last season, Stegeman was hired by head coach Alex Cunningham as an assistant. Cunningham then went into the Army, and Stegeman was promoted to head coach. Stegeman was assisted by backfield coach and Warner disciple Jimmy DeHart.
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 2
| w/l = w
| opponent = The Citadel
| site_stadium = Sanford Field
| site_cityst = Athens, GA
| score = 40–0
| attend =
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 9
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = South Carolina
| site_stadium =
| site_cityst = Columbia, SC
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 37–0
| attend =
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 13
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Furman
| site_stadium = Manly Field
| site_cityst = Greenville, SC
| score = 7–0
| attend =
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 23
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Oglethorpe
| site_stadium =
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| score = 27–3
| attend =
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 30
| w/l = w
| neutral = y
| opponent = Auburn
| site_stadium = A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Columbus, GA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 7–0
| attend = 7,000
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 6
| w/l = t
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Virginia
| site_stadium = Lambeth Field
| site_cityst = Charlottesville, VA
| score = 0–0
| attend = 5,000
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 13
| w/l = w
| opponent = Florida
| site_stadium = Sanford Field
| site_cityst = Athens, GA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 56–0
| attend =
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 20
| w/l = w
| neutral = y
| opponent = Alabama
| site_stadium = Ponce de Leon Park
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 21–14
| attend = 11,000
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 25
| w/l = w
| opponent = Clemson
| site_stadium = Sanford Field
| site_cityst = Athens, GA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 55–0
| attend = 5,000
}}
}}
Game summaries
=Week 1: The Citadel=
The Bulldogs opened the season with a 40–0 defeat of The Citadel. Citadel made one first down.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5079531/the_atlanta_constitution/|page=2|work=Atlanta Constitution|title=Georgia Defeats Citadel|date=October 3, 1920|access-date=April 27, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The first score was a 60-yard run by Hartley.
=Week 2: at South Carolina=
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Week 2: Georgia at South Carolina
| Visitor = Georgia
| Host = S. Carolina
| V1 = 10| V2 = 13| V3 = 14| V4 =0
| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =0
| Date =October 6
| Location = Columbia, SC
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
In the second week of play, Georgia easily defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 37–0, "principally through the ability of Hartley and Cheves to advance the ball by long runs". Hartley returned the second-half kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown, and had another 75-yard touchdown run two minutes later.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4688071/the_atlanta_constitution/|date=October 10, 1920|page=4|title=Georgia Defeats Carolina|access-date=March 21, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Atlanta Constitution}} {{Open access}}
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Anthony (left guard), Day (center), Murray (right guard), Pew (right tackle), Owens (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Echols (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Collings (fullback).{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=111}}
=Week 3: at Furman=
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Week 3: Georgia at Furman
| Visitor = Georgia
| Host = Furman
| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 =7
| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =0
| Date =October 13
| Location = Manly Field
Greenville, SC
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =2,500
| Weather =
| Referee =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
A close-fought game with coach Billy Laval's Speedy Speer-led Furman Purple Hurricane brought the Bulldogs a 7–0 win and Furman's only loss on the year. Georgia scored thanks to a pass from Buck Cheves to Sheldon Fitts. A punting duel with Milton McManaway and Dave Collings featured throughout.{{cite news|url=http://redandblack.libs.uga.edu/xtf/view?docId=news/1920/rab1920-0140.xml&query=&brand=rab-brand|page=8|title=Ga. Barely Overcome Furman Crew|date=October 22, 1920|work=The Red and Black}}
=Week 4: at Oglethorpe=
Georgia beat the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels 27–3.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5079485/the_atlanta_constitution/|title=Georgia Emerges Winner|author=John H. Mahoney|date=October 24, 1920|page=3|access-date=April 27, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Atlanta Constitution}} {{Open access}} Oglethorpe's captain Knox scored the season's first points on the Bulldogs.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5079464/the_tennessean/|date=October 24, 1920|page=16|access-date=April 27, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Tennessean|title=Georgia University Wins From Oglethorpe}} {{Open access}}
=Week 5: Auburn=
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Week 5: Auburn at Georgia
| Visitor = Auburn
| Host = Georgia
| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 =0
| H1 = 7| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =0
| Date =October 30
| Location = McClung Stadium
Columbus, GA
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =7,000
| Weather =
| Referee =Jogger Elcock
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
The Bulldogs upset the Auburn Tigers 7–0, getting revenge for last year's loss. The only touchdown of the game was a 20-yard pass from Buck Cheves to Dick Hartley. Frank Stubbs starred for Auburn.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4688052/the_atlanta_constitution/|access-date=March 21, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|page=2|date=October 31, 1920|work=The Atlanta Constitution|author=Gene Hinton|title=Georgia Upsets Dope and Defeats Auburn By A Single Touchdown}} Artie Pew was ejected for slugging, and thus missed his chance to go out with an Auburn victory.
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), Pew (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), J. Bennett (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Hartley (left halfback), Collings (right halfback), Echols (fullback).{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=125}}
=Week 6: at Virginia=
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Week 6: Georgia at Virginia
| Visitor = Georgia
| Host = Virginia
| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 =0
| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =0
| Date =November 6
| Location = Lambeth Field
Charlottesville, VA
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =5,000
| Weather =
| Referee =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
The aerial attack of the Virginia Orange and Blue met a staunch Georgia defense as the two teams fought to a scoreless tie in Charlottesville. Owen Reynolds and Paige Bennett starred for Georgia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/26941041|title=Georgia and Virginia Battle To Scoreless Tie In Death Grapple|access-date=March 21, 2016|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 7, 1920|work=The Atlanta Constitution}} {{Open access}}
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), Pew (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), Anthony (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Tanner (fullback).{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=128}}
=Week 7: Florida=
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Week 7: Florida at Georgia
| Visitor = Florida
| Host = Georgia
| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 =0
| H1 = 7| H2 = 28| H3 = 14| H4 =7
| Date =November 13
| Location = Sanford Field
Athens, GA
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =W. R. Tichenor
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
Georgia rolled up a large 56–0 score on the Florida Gators. Florida put up a hard fight until Georgia got its first touchdown across, pouring it on from there. Quarterback Sheldon Fitts was the star of the contest.{{cite news|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028291/00301|volume=9|title='Gators Lose To Georgia In One-Sided Bout|work=The Florida Alligator|date=November 19, 1920}}{{cite news|url=http://redandblack.libs.uga.edu/xtf/view?docId=news/1920/rab1920-0164.xml&query=&brand=rab-brand|date=November 19, 1920|page=8|work=The Red and Black|title='Gators Are Beaten By Red and Black In One-Sided Game}} Fitts and Bohren scored two touchdowns. Paige Bennett, Hartley, Echols, and Collings had one each. Owen Reynolds starred again.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4688041/the_atlanta_constitution/|title=Georgia Bulldogs Enjoys Feast Of Choice Florida 'Gator Meat, Winning Game By Great Margin|author=John H. Mahoney|page=3|access-date=March 21, 2016|date=November 14, 1920|work=Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Pitts (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Echols (fullback).{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=131}}
File:Pewstephenson.png is attempting to tackle Riggs Stephenson. Behind Pew is Puss Whelchel.]]
=Week 8: Alabama=
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Week 8: Alabama at Georgia
| Visitor = Alabama
| Host = Georgia
| V1 = 0| V2 = 7| V3 = 7| V4 =0
| H1 = 14| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =7
| Date =November 20
| Location = Poncey
Atlanta, GA
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =11,000
| Weather =
| Referee =W. R. Tichenor
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
The key win for the conference title was the 21–14 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. None of Georgia's touchdowns were scored by the offense.{{cite web |title=1920 Season |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/20-m-footbl-recaps.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913040045/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/20-m-footbl-recaps.pdf |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=dead}}
Paige Bennett recovered a Mullie Lenoir fumble and ran 40 yards for a touchdown. Artie Pew kicked goal. On the next possession, Hugh Whelchel blocked a Riggs Stephenson punt , and Pew picked up the ball running 24 yards to score, kicking his own goal. On the next drive, Lenoir scored. In the third quarter, Al Clemens caught a tipped ball, and ran down the sidelines with a wall of blockers for the tying score. Late in the final period, Georgia's O'Connor tried a drop kick which was blocked by Whelchel. Buck Cheves recovered the ball and ran 87 yards for the touchdown{{cite web|access-date=January 30, 2015|title=Longest Plays|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/geo/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/14fb-history-longest.pdf|archive-date=January 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130222407/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/geo/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/14fb-history-longest.pdf|url-status=dead}} Again Pew converted goal. The recovery by Cheves ranked fourth in The 50 Greatest Plays In Georgia Bulldogs Football History.{{cite book|title=The 50 Greatest Plays in Georgia Bulldogs Football History|date=August 5, 2008|author=Patrick Garbin}}
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Vandiver (left guard), Day (center), Whelchel (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (Right end), Pitts (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Echols (fullback).{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3181500/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|access-date=September 8, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 21, 1920|page=3|title=Blocked Punt Enables Bulldog To Defeat Alabama In Final Five Minutes of Annual Game|author=Cliff Wheatley}} {{Open access}}{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|pages=133–136}}
=Week 9: Clemson=
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Week 9: Clemson at Georgia
| Visitor = Clemson
| Host = Georgia
| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 =0
| H1 = 14| H2 = 6| H3 = 21| H4 =14
| Date =November 25
| Location = Sanford Field
Athens, GA
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =5,000
| Weather =
| Referee =
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
Cheves and Hartley starred again in a 55–0 romp over Clemson to end the season. Dave Collings was the star of the contest scoring two touchdowns.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4688092/the_atlanta_constitution/|access-date=March 21, 2016|via=newspapers.com|title=Georgia Bulldogs' Offensive Bowls Over Clemson Tiger, and Athenians Rull Up 55 Points On Carolinian|author=John Mahoney|page=14|date=November 26, 1920}} {{Open access}} The starting lineup was Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Anthony (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (Right end), Cheves (quarterback), Hartley (left halfback), Collings (right halfback), Echols (fullback).
Post season
Owen Reynolds was elected captain for next year.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4688043/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Reynolds To Lead Bulldog|date=November 28, 1920|page=2|access-date=March 21, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Reynolds, Pew, and Day were all composite All-Southern selections. Whelchel also made several selections, and Joe Bennett made one.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1908684//|access-date=March 2, 2015|title=All-Southern Grid Eleven Is Named|date=December 6, 1920|page=12|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}
Rooters on either side of Georgia were happy as both the Bulldogs and Georgia Tech claimed SIAA titles.{{cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/conference_champs/champions.php?conid=181 |title=Conference Championships - Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association |access-date=August 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014352/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/conference_champs/champions.php?conid=181 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }} The Bulldogs were retroactively named the national champion for 1920 under the Berryman QPRS methodology.{{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 8, 2016 }}
Personnel
=Roster=
==Line==
| class="wikitable" | ||||||||
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Georgia Bulldogs|Number|Player | Position|Games started|Hometown|Prep school|Height|Weight|Age}} | ||||||||
| Thurston Anthony | Tackle | |||||||
| 11 | Joe Bennett | Tackle | Statesboro, Georgia | 180 | 19 | |||
| 13 | Paige Bennett | End | ||||||
| 1 | Bum Day | Center | Nashville, Georgia | Porter Military Academy | 5'10" | 190 | 22 | |
| W. Mercer Murray | Guard | Fort Valley, Georgia | Georgia Military Academy | 5'11" | 170 | 19 | ||
| 3 | Owen Reynolds | End | Douglasville, Georgia | 6'3" | 170 | |||
| 9 | Artie Pew | Tackle | Damascus, Georgia | 195 | 22 | |||
| Jim Taylor | Tackle | Hazlehurst, Georgia | ||||||
| 4 | Nemo Vandiver | Guard | ||||||
| 45 | Hugh Whelchel | Guard | Dahlonega, Georgia | 200 | 20 |
==Backfield==
| class="wikitable" | ||||||||
| {{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=Georgia Bulldogs|Number|Player | Position|Games started|Hometown|Prep school|Height|Weight|Age}} | ||||||||
| 19 | Buck Cheves | Quarterback | Richwood, Georgia | Georgia Military College | 145 | {{age in years|1898|1920}} | ||
| 5 | Dave Collings | Halfback | Atlanta, Georgia | Boys High School (Atlanta) | {{age in years|1901|1920}} | |||
| 29 | Roy Echols | Fullback | Darlington Academy | |||||
| 31 | Sheldon Fitts | Halfback | Jemison, Alabama | Georgia Military College | {{age in years|1899|1920}} | |||
| 23 | Dick Hartley | Halfback | Fort Valley, Georgia | Georgia Military Academy | {{age in years|1900|1920}} | |||
| Goat Tanner | Halfback |
==Unlisted==
| class="wikitable" |
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Georgia Bulldogs|Player}} |
| Paul Anderson |
| Dan Bennett |
| Joe Blackmon |
| Bill Campbell |
{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LdDCq3ybJPwC&q=%22jersey+number%22&pg=PA44|title=About Them Dawgs!|isbn=9780810860407|last1=Garbin|first1=Patrick|year=2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/letterwinners-1920.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101030311/http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/letterwinners-1920.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 1, 2011|title=GEORGIADOGS.COM - University of University of Georgia Official Athletic Site - Football}}
=Scoring leaders=
The following is an incomplete list of statistics and scores, largely dependent on newspaper summaries.
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Georgia Bulldogs|Player | Touchdowns|Extra points |Field goals|Points}} | ||||
| Dick Hartley | 11 | 0 | 0 | 66 |
| Sheldon Fitts | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
| Artie Pew | 2 | 28 | 0 | 40 |
| Buck Cheves | 5 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Dave Collings | 3 | 0 | 1 | 21 |
| Bohran | 3 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Joe Bennett | 2 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Paige Bennett | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Bum Day | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Roy Echols | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Total | 36 | 31 | 1 | 250 |
|---|
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
=Additional sources=
- {{cite book|title=A History of Southern Football 1890–1928|last=Woodruff|first=Fuzzy|year=1928|volume=2}}
{{1920 Georgia Bulldogs football navbox}}
{{Georgia Bulldogs football navbox}}
{{College Football National Champion pre-AP Poll navbox}}
{{SIAA football champions}}
Category:Georgia Bulldogs football seasons