1926 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1926
| team = Georgia Tech Golden Tornado
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Southern Conference
| short_conf = SoCon
| record = 4–5
| conf_record = 4–3
| head_coach = William Alexander
| hc_year = 7th
| off_scheme = Jump shift
| def_scheme =
| captain = Owen Poole
| stadium = Grant Field
| uniform = 20sgatechuniform.png
}}
{{1926 Southern Conference football standings}}
The 1926 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team{{refn|group=note|Although Georgia Tech's teams are officially known as the "Yellow Jackets", northern writers called the team the "Golden Tornado" in 1917; the name was commonly used until 1928 and for many years afterwards as an alternate nickname.{{Harvnb|Van Brimmer|Rice|2011|p=147}} It may have been coined by Morgan Blake.{{cite web|access-date=January 28, 2015|url=http://livinghistory.gatech.edu/new/traditions/tradition/tornado.html|title=Golden Tornadoes}}}} represented the Georgia Tech Golden Tornado of the Georgia Institute of Technology during the 1926 Southern Conference football season. The Tornado was coached by William Alexander in his seventh year as head coach, compiling a record of 4–5.
Before the season
Doug Wycoff had graduated.
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 25
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| opponent = Oglethorpe
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| score = 7–6
| attend = 10,000
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95917555/oglethorpe-achieves-ambition-beats-torn/|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Oglethorpe achieves ambition, beats Tornado 7 to 6|date=September 26, 1926|accessdate=February 21, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 2
| w/l = w
| opponent = VMI
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| score = 13–0
| attend =
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90854773/tech-beats-vmi/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Tech beats V.M.I.|date=October 3, 1924|accessdate=December 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 9
| w/l = w
| opponent = Tulane
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| score = 9–6
| attend =
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99465749/tornado-halts-green-wave-by-9-to-6-margi/|work=St. Petersburg Times|title=Tornado halts Green Wave by 9 to 6 margin|date=October 10, 1926|accessdate=April 10, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 16
| w/l = l
| opponent = Alabama
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 21–0
| attend = 20,000
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71655655/tech-loses-to-tide-210/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Tech loses to Tide, 21–0|date=October 17, 1926|accessdate=February 21, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 23
| w/l = w
| opponent = Washington & Lee
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| score = 19–7
| attend =
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-golden-tornado-tri/136583863/|work=The News and Observer|title=Golden Tornado trims Generals|date=October 24, 1926|accessdate=December 9, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 30
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Notre Dame
| site_stadium = Cartier Field
| site_cityst = South Bend, IN
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 12–0
| attend = 11,000
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-notre-dame-rips-ge/136584582/|work=The Indianapolis Star|title=Notre Dame rips Georgia Tech|date=October 31, 1926|accessdate=December 9, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 6
| w/l = l
| opponent = Vanderbilt
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 13–7
| attend =
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-journal-spears-leads-vande/136580576/|work=The Knoxville Journal|title=Spears leads Vanderbilt to 13 to 7 win over Tech|date=November 7, 1926|accessdate=December 10, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 13
| w/l = l
| opponent = Georgia
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 14–13
| attend =
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-bulldogs-nose-out-g/136581094/|work=Orlando Morning Sentinel|title=Bulldogs nose out Georgia Tech team|date=November 14, 1926|accessdate=December 10, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 25
| w/l = w
| opponent = Auburn
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 20–7
| attend =
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-georgia-tech-comes-from/136584724/|work=Greensboro Daily News|title=Georgia Tech comes from behind to win over Auburn 20 to 7|date=November 26, 1926|accessdate=December 10, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
Game summaries
=Oglethorpe=
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Oglethorpe at Georgia Tech
| Visitor = Oglethorpe
| Host = Ga. Tech
| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 7| V4 =0
| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =6
| Date =
| Location =Grant Field
Atlanta, GA
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
}}
Sources:
{{AFB game box end}}
The season opened with a great upset and perhaps the greatest victory in the history of the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels when they downed Tech 7–6. Halfback "Cy" Bell ran for a 42-yard touchdown run, and "Nutty" Campbell got the game-winning extra point.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gopetrels.com/information/Greatest_Moments|title = Oglethorpe}} After the game, Oglethorpe fans reacted to the victory by staging a spontaneous parade through downtown Atlanta.{{cite web| url = http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/thisday/gahistory/09/25/oglethorpe-university-upset-tech| title = Reference at georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu}}
The starting lineup was Irwin (left end), Gaston (left tackle), Lillard (left guard), Poole (center), Drennon (right guard), Hood (right tackle), Hearn (right end), McRae (quarterback), Brewer (left halfback), Parham (right halfback), Holland (fullback){{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=128}}
=VMI=
In the second week of play, Tech shutout VMI 13–0. The starting lineup was Marshall (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Martin (left guard), Poole (center), Angley (right guard), Hood (right tackle), Crowley (right end), McRae (quarterback), Smith (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Murray (fullback){{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=136}}
=Tulane=
Tech edged Tulane 9–6. The starting lineup was Crowley (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Martin (left guard), Poole (center), Angley (right guard), Hood (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Brewer (quarterback), Parham (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Murray (fullback).{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=143}}
=Alabama=
Wallace Wade's national champion Alabama Crimson Tide surprised and held Georgia Tech to two first downs in a 21–0 victory. Hoyt Winslett passed for all three touchdowns.
The starting lineup was Crowley (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Martin (left guard), Pund (center), Angley (right guard), Hood (right tackle), Marshall (right end), McRae (quarterback), Smith (left halfback), Reed (right halfback), Murray (fullback).{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=149}}
=Washington and Lee=
Tech beat the Washington & Lee Generals 19–7.
=Notre Dame=
Knute Rockne's undefeated Notre Dame beat Tech 12–0. Red Barron stood out in the cold weather.{{cite web| url = http://archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-1926.pdf| title = Reference at archives.nd.edu}}
=Vanderbilt=
{{AFB game box start
| Title = Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech
| Visitor = Vanderbilt
| Host = Ga. Tech
| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 7| V4 =6
| H1 = 7| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =0
| Date =
| Location =Grant Field
Atlanta, GA
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Referee =
}}
Sources:
{{AFB game box end}}
Vanderbilt beat Georgia Tech 13–7. Tech scored on an off-tackle play when Carter Barron got loose for a 50-yard run. Bill Spears faked a pass and ran for 24 yards to spark a drive to tie the game at 7, and added two field goals to beat the Tornado.{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=165}}
The starting lineup was Crowley (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Martin (left guard), Poole (center), Lillard (right guard), Thrash (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Randolph (quarterback), Horn (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Murray (fullback).{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=166}}
=Georgia=
Down 13 to 0 at the half, rival Georgia came back to beat Tech.{{cite web|url=http://www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/site/heritage/c/103/20574 |title=UGA's "Ma" Hale |author=Rebecca Evans Stone |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210122840/http://www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/site/heritage/c/103/20574 |archive-date=2013-02-10 }} Herdis McCrary and captain George Morton made the touchdowns.
The starting lineup was Crowley (left end), Hood (left tackle), Martin (left guard), Poole (center), Angley (right guard), Tharpe (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Brewer (quarterback), Parham (left halfback), Horn (right halfback), Murray (fullback).{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=179}}
=Auburn=
In the annual rivalry matchup, Tech beat Auburn 20–7. The starting lineup was Erwin (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Martin (left guard), Poole (center), Drennon (right guard), Hood (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Brewer (quarterback), Parham (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Murray (fullback).{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=190}}
Players
=Depth chart=
The following chart provides a visual depiction of Tech's lineup during the 1924 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics the offense after the jump shift has taken place.
| style="text-align:center;"|
{| style="width:100%" | align="left" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! LE |
| Ed Crowley (4) |
| Bull Irwin (2) |
| Johnny Marshall (1) |
|
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||
| Mack Tharpe (5) | Firpo Martin (5) | Owen Poole (6) | Tom Angley (4) | Papa Hood (5) |
| Gaston (1) | Peter Pund (1) | Raleigh Drennon (2) | Mack Tharpe (1) | |
| Papa Hood (1) | John Lillard (1) |
|
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! RE |
| Johnny Marshall (5) |
| Ed Crowley (1) |
| Tiny Hearn (1) |
|-
|
| align="right" |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! QB |
| Finley McRae (4) |
| John Brewer (3) |
| Bob Randolph (1) |
|-
|
| align="right" |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! RHB |
| Carter Barron (4) |
| Bob Horn (1) |
| Bob Parham (1) |
| Reed (1) |
|-
|
| align="right" |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! FB |
| Sam Murray (6) |
| Ralph Holland (1) |
|-
|
| align="center" |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! LHB |
| Bob Parham (3) |
| Shorty Smith (2) |
| John Brewer (1) |
| Bob Horn (1) |
|-
| style="height:3em" |
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|
|}
|}
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
Endnotes
{{Reflist|30em}}
References
- {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tfMjFXHLfZwC&pg=PT147|title=100 Things Yellow Jackets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die|last1=Van Brimmer | first1=Adam | last2=Rice | first2=Homer |date=2011|location=Chicago|publisher=Triumph Books|isbn=978-1-61749-703-2}}
- {{cite book|title=A History of Southern Football 1890–1928|last=Woodruff|first=Fuzzy|year=1928|volume=3}}
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