1928 Florida Gators football team

Head coach Charlie Bachman succeeded Tom Sebring, his former player at Kansas State. Bachman had attended Notre Dame and used Knute Rockne's system.{{cite book|url=http://www.stetson.edu/law/lawreview/media/remebering-a-great-dean-harold-l-tom-sebring.pdf|pages=83–84, 103–106|title=Remembering A Great Dean: Harold L. "Tom" Sebring|author=Bruce R. Jacob}} Sebring graduated from the University of Florida's College of Law,{{refn|group=n|He later became a circuit court judge and chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court.}} and left Bachman several recruits.{{Harvnb|Carlson|2007|page=33}}

Players not returning from the previous season included: Horse Bishop, Cecil Beck, Speedy Walker, Tom Fuller, Charlie Tucker, and Bill Middlekauff.{{Harvnb|McEwen|1974|page=90}} Practice was opened on September 3.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19280823&id=EeBPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2451,1019842&hl=en|title=New Gator Grid Mentor Prepares For Opening of Football Training Work Early Next Month|work=The Evening Independent|date=August 23, 1928|access-date=August 24, 2016|pages=9, 11}}{{cite news|work=The Miami News|date=August 24, 1928|title=Coaches Worry Over Material For New Season}} A wealth of talented players from Florida high schools was expected.{{cite news|work=The Miami News|date=August 9, 1928|title=New Material To Help Team Better Lineup}} After spending just two weeks with the team, while many players were engaged in other sports, Bachman declared his backfield material as the finest he ever had.{{cite news|work=The Miami News|date=August 21, 1928|title=Coach Bachman Outlines Hopes of the Season}}

John J. Tigert became UF president in 1928, and began a drive to construct a new and larger stadium upon his arrival.{{Harvnb|Pleasants|2006|pages=31–32}}

{{CFB schedule

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 6

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Southern College

| site_stadium = Fleming Field

| site_cityst = Gainesville, FL

| score = 26–0

| attend = 4,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/orlando-evening-star-brumbaugh-stars-as/136474233/|work=The Sunday Reporter-Star|title=Brumbaugh stars as Gators walk over Southern|date=October 7, 1928|accessdate=December 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 13

| w/l = w

| opponent = Auburn

| site_stadium = Fleming Field

| site_cityst = Gainesville, FL

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 27–0

| attend = 6,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-auburn-tigers-ou/89287257/|work=The Selma Times-Journal|title=Auburn Tigers outclassed by Florida Gators|date=October 14, 1928|accessdate=December 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 20

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| homecoming = y

| opponent = Mercer

| site_stadium = Fleming Field

| site_cityst = Gainesville, FL

| score = 73–0

| attend = 8,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86089517/gators-run-wild-over-mercer-73-to-0/|work=The Tampa Tribune|title=Gators run wild over Mercer, 73 to 0|date=October 21, 1928|accessdate=December 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 27

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = NC State

| site_stadium = Fairfield Stadium

| site_cityst = Jacksonville, FL

| score = 14–7

| attend = 13,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-florida-gators/136474380/|work=The Asheville Citizen-Times|title=Florida 'Gators whip State, 14–7|date=October 28, 1928|accessdate=December 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 3

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Sewanee

| site_stadium = Fairfield Stadium

| site_cityst = Jacksonville, FL

| score = 71–6

| attend = 6,500

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99910993/gators-slaughter-sewanee-by-716/|work=Tampa Sunday Tribune|title=Gators slaughter Sewanee by 71–6|date=November 4, 1928|accessdate=December 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 10

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Georgia

| site_stadium = Municipal Stadium

| site_cityst = Savannah, GA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 26–6

| attend = 16,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-georgia-bulldog/136474491/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Georgia Bulldogs trampled by fighting 'Gators eleven, 6 to 26|date=November 11, 1928|accessdate=December 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 17

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Clemson

| site_stadium = Fairfield Stadium

| site_cityst = Jacksonville, FL

| score = 27–6

| attend = 15,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-florida-rallies-to-w/136474551/|work=The Birmingham News|title=Florida rallies to wallop Clemson, 27 to 6|date=November 18, 1928|accessdate=December 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 29

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Washington & Lee

| site_stadium = Fairfield Stadium

| site_cityst = Jacksonville, FL

| score = 60–6

| attend = 14,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-journal-florida-gators-tro/136474608/|work=The Knoxville Journal|title=Florida Gators trounce Generals, 60–6, to continue bid for championship|date=November 30, 1928|accessdate=December 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 8

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Tennessee

| site_stadium = Shields–Watkins Field

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 12–13

| attend = 13,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2877343/manitowoc_heraldtimes/|work=Manitowoc Herald-Times|page=9|title=Tennessee upsets Florida|date=December 10, 1928|accessdate=December 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

}}

.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 1: Southern College at Florida

| Visitor = Southern

| Host = Florida

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

| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 26| H4 = 0

| Date = October 6

| Location = Fleming Field
Gainesville, Florida

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =4,000

| Weather =

| Referee =Ted Arnold

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

In the first game of the 1928 season, the Gators posted a 26–0 victory overSouthern College, whose quarterback weighed just {{convert|98|lb|kg}}.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19741218&id=caROAAAAIBAJ&pg=5949,5354888&hl=en|author=John Valerine|title=Moccasins Have Had Their Ups and Downs|date=December 18, 1974|work=Lakeland Ledger|page=3B|access-date=August 24, 2016}} The Gators were held scoreless in the first half of the game, and achieved only two first downs; but then scored 26 points in the third quarter.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZLwwAAAAIBAJ&pg=6202%2C593348|date=October 7, 1928|title=Goodbread Scores First Touchdown During Late Rally|work=St. Petersburg Times|page=1|access-date=August 24, 2016}}

The starting lineup was: W. DeHoff (left end), Norfleet (left tackle), Grandoff (left guard), Clemons (center), Perry (right guard), Hicks (right tackle), Green (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Bethea (left halfback), Owens (right halfback), and Sauls (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 2: Auburn at Florida

| Visitor = Auburn

| Host = Florida

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

| H1 = 0| H2 = 27| H3 = 0| H4 = 0

| Date = October 13

| Location = Fleming Field
Gainesville, Florida

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =6,000

| Weather =Rain

| Referee =

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

In the second week of play, the Gators easily defeated the Auburn Tigers 27–0. Carl Brumbaugh ran for three touchdowns in a single quarter, including one scoring run of 85 yards.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3028243/kingsport_times/|work=Kingsport Times|date=October 14, 1928|page=3|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|title=Florida Gators Crush Auburn U}} {{Open access}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3029732/the_circleville_herald/|author=William J. Dunn|title=Sportsmatter|work=The Circleville Herald|page=2|date=December 3, 1928|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The other touchdown occurred near the start of the second quarter, when Royce Goodbread carried a pass from Clyde Crabtree 16 yards to the goal. Dutch Stanley kicked the extra point.

In less than three quarters of play, Crabtree had directed 8 touchdowns.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19281019&id=b7wwAAAAIBAJ&pg=5571,2111014&hl=en|title=Bachman Lauds Clyde Crabtree|date=October 19, 1928|work=St. Petersburg Times|page=2}} Crabtree was an ambidextrous triple threat,{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1929/11/1/lining-them-up-pbflorida-comes-to/|title=Lining Them Up|publisher=The Harvard Crimson|date=November 1, 1929}} able to pass with either arm and punt with either foot, and both while on the run.{{Harvnb|McEwen|1974|pages=92, 98}} Crabtree said he learned this technique "from sheer fright."{{Harvnb|McEwen|1974|page=98}} Assistant Nash Higgins added "he played by instinct." "He was a double-quadruple option." said coach Bachman.

File:Clydecrabtree.jpg

It began to rain as the third quarter started, and the Gators' substitutes were on the field. This hampered play and prevented a larger score. The rain sent the 6,000 spectators seeking shelter.

The starting lineup was: Green (left end), Norfleet (left tackle), McRae (left guard), Clemons (center), Houser (right guard), Hicks (right tackle), Nolan (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Bethea (left halfback), Van Sickel (right halfback), and Brumbaugh (fullback).{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3929870/the_anniston_star/|title=Gators Score Four Times in Second Period|date=October 14, 1928|page=12|work=The Anniston Star|access-date=December 31, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 3: Mercer at Florida

| Visitor = Mercer

| Host = Florida

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

| H1 = 14| H2 = 28| H3 = 19| H4 = 12

| Date = October 20

| Location = Fleming Field
Gainesville, Florida

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =8,000

| Weather =

| Referee = Arthur R. Hutchins

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

During Florida's homecoming celebrations, the Gators played coach Bernie Moore's Mercer Bears, winning 73–0, and setting a scoring mark that remains the fifth-highest single-game scoring total in team history. Tommy Owens scored four touchdowns, tying a school record; Brumbaugh scored three touchdowns; and Bowyer, Sauls, McEwan, and Stanley had one each. The Mercer Cluster wrote: "The student body is laughing at the football team."{{cite news|url=http://libraries.mercer.edu/ursa/handle/10898/1890|work=Mercer Cluster|title=Why Complain?|date=October 26, 1928|page=2|access-date=August 24, 2016}} This was the last time Florida played Mercer.{{Harvnb|Wilder|2011|page=75}}

The starting lineup was: Green (left end), Norfleet (left tackle), Grandoff (left guard), Bono (center), Houser (right guard), Hicks (right tackle), Nolan (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), McEwen (left halfback), Owens (right halfback), and Sauls (fullback).{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cbwwAAAAIBAJ&pg=5918%2C2356232|work=St. Petersburg Times|title=Fighting Gators Overwhelm Mercer By 73 to 0 Score|date=October 21, 1928|page=1|access-date=August 24, 2016}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 4: North Carolina State at Florida

| Visitor = NC State

| Host = Florida

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

| H1 = 0| H2 = 6| H3 = 6| H4 = 2

| Date = October 27

| Location = Fairfield Stadium
Jacksonville, Florida

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =13,000

| Weather =

| Referee = Arthur R. Hutchins

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

Because of the hot autumn weather in Gainesville, the Gators had begun practicing at night.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3023618/the_bee/|work=The Bee|page=6|title='Gators Stage Night Practice|date=October 23, 1928|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In a closely contested game,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3028936/kingsport_times/|work=Kingsport Times|page=6|date=October 28, 1928|title=Florida Defeats North Carolina By Score 14 to 7|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} the Gators defeated coach Gus Tebell's North Carolina State Wolfpack 14–7 in Jacksonville, Florida, in front of an audience of 13,000.

Both of Florida's touchdowns were scored by Royce Goodbread on 70-yard runs. One of those was around left end, and the other was a punt return. Dutch Stanley missed both extra points after the Gators' two touchdowns, but Rainey Cawthon made up for it when he netted a safety. The Wolfpack scored on the return of a punt blocked off the toe of Gators team captain Goof Bowyer. Just before the game ended, the Wolfpack missed on a long pass to a receiver with a clear field to the goal.

The starting lineup was: Green (left end), Waters (left tackle), McRae (left guard), Bono (center), Houser (right guard), Allen (right tackle), Nolan (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), McEwen (left halfback), Owens (right halfback), and Sauls (fullback).{{cite news|url=http://d.lib.ncsu.edu/collections/catalog/technician-v9n7-1928-11-03/pages/technician-v9n7-1928-11-03_0003#p|title=Stubborn State 'Pack Loses One To Florida Team|page=3|work=The Technician}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 5: Sewanee at Florida

| Visitor = Sewanee

| Host = Florida

| V1 = 0| V2 = 6| V3 = 0| V4 =0

| H1 = 6| H2 = 25| H3 = 27| H4 = 13

| Date = November 3

| Location = Fairfield Stadium
Jacksonville, Florida

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather =

| Referee =Walter Powell (Wisconsin)

}}

• Sources:{{cite news|title=Jinx Follows Tigers To Florida; Score 71 to 6|work=The Sewanee Purple|pages=2–3|volume=46|date=November 7, 1928|hdl = 11005/1307}}

{{AFB game box end}}

In the fifth week, Florida crushed the mismatched Sewanee Tigers 71–6 in Jacksonville despite Sewanee's highly publicized aerial attack.{{refn|group=n|Florida had not played Sewanee since 1915.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19281102&id=H8pPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5752,2593476&hl=en|work=The Evening Independent|title=Bachman Shifts Gator Gridders For Tiger Game|date=November 2, 1928|page=10A|access-date=August 24, 2016}}}} Clyde Crabtree and Tommy Owens had to sit out with injuries. Goof Bowyer, Red Bethea, and Broward McClellan were seen as the stars of the game. The Gators played substitutes throughout the second half, putting the first stringers back in by the middle of the fourth quarter. Florida's center, Frank Clark, also drew praise for his play on the line. This score placed the Gators in first place for scoring within the Southern Conference,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6360544/lincoln_evening_journal/|page=16|title=Georgetown Top Scoring List In Collegiate Race|work=Lincoln Evening Journal|date=November 5, 1928|access-date=August 24, 2016|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} and still remains one of the seven highest single-game scoring totals in Gators team history.

The scoring started in the first period after some three minutes when Red Bethea caught a 25-yard pass from Goof Bowyer and ran the additional 10 yards for a touchdown.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3029058/the_anniston_star/|work=The Anniston Star|title=Florida Swamps Sewanee, 71 to 6|page=12|date=November 4, 1928|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Bethea also had a 14-yard touchdown run in the second period, and a 58-yard touchdown run in the third. Royce Goodbread had two touchdowns, on end runs around the Sewanee line of 15 and 25 yards. Ed Sauls also had two touchdowns, including the second-half kickoff return for 75 yards and a score. Bowyer, Cawthon, Clark, and McClellan all had one touchdown each. Bowyer netted four extra points, and the Gators had another conversion due to a Sewanee penalty.

The starting lineup was: Green (left end), Waters (left tackle), Grandoff (left guard), Clark (center), Houser (right guard), Hicks (right tackle), Nolan (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Bethea (left halfback), Yancey (right halfback), and Sauls (fullback).{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19281103&id=frwwAAAAIBAJ&pg=6299,3848367&hl=en|page=1|work=St. Petersburg Times|title=Gators Favored To Cop Victory From Sewanee|date=November 3, 1928|access-date=August 24, 2016}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 6: Florida at Georgia

| Visitor = Florida

| Host = Georgia

| V1 = 6| V2 = 7| V3 = 7| V4 = 6

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

| Date = November 10

| Location = Municipal Stadium
Savannah, Georgia

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 16,000

| Weather =

| Referee = Arthur R. Hutchins

}}

• Sources:{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3018116/the_anniston_star/|title='Gator Eleven Sweeps Over Bulldogs 26–0 (sic)|page=11|access-date=August 15, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 11, 1928|work=The Anniston Star}} {{Open access}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Before the 1928 Florida–Georgia game, Georgia fans trumpeted the return of center Ike Boland to bolster its defense.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3018066/the_bee/|title=Gators-Bulldogs and Ga.Tech-Commodores Tilts Feature Program|author=Morgan M. Beatty|access-date=August 15, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Bee|date=November 9, 1928|page=11}} {{Open access}} Florida's defense, however, rendered the Georgia Bulldogs' running game, including that of fullback Herdis McCrary, ineffective en route to a 26–6 victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3018238/the_anniston_star/|title=Georgia Tech Heads List in Dixie Football|access-date=August 15, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 12, 1928|page=8|work=The Anniston Star}} {{Open access}} This was Florida's first victory over Georgia in seven match-ups and solidified the Gators as legitimate contenders for their first-ever conference title.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3018084/the_waco_newstribune/|work=Waco News-Tribune|date=November 11, 1928|access-date=August 15, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|title=Georgia Overwhelmed|page=11}} {{Open access}} Two Bulldogs' fumbles, and two Gators pass plays, accounted for Florida's four touchdowns.

The first score came after Rip Reeves recovered a Georgia fumble at the 30-yard line. On the second play after this, Red Bethea ran off left tackle for a touchdown. Goof Bowyer missed the extra point. By the second quarter Georgia had failed to consistently move the ball on the ground against Florida's line and tried to pass. Bulldogs' quarterback H. F. Johnson completed a 10-yard pass to back Frank Dudley, who ran 30 additional yards for a touchdown. Johnson missed the extra point and the score was tied. A 16-yard touchdown run by Florida's Clyde Crabtree, starting around right end, then reversing field, broke the tie.{{Harvnb|Kerasotis|2005|page=5}} Carl Brumbaugh converted the extra point.

A touchdown pass reception by end Dale Van Sickel of more than 30 yards provided another score in the third period, followed by Brumbaugh's extra point kick. To close the third quarter, fullback Rainey Cawthon made a 40-yard broken field run. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Crabtree passed to Brumbaugh for another score, but Brumbaugh's extra point attempt was blocked by the Bulldogs. In the middle of the fourth quarter, Gator fans rushed the field to tear down the goal posts, and fist fights broke out between Georgia and Florida fans.

The starting lineup was: Van Sickel (left end), J. Clemons (left tackle), Steele (left guard), Clark (center), Reeves (right guard), Bryan (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Goodbread (left halfback), Bethea (right halfback), and Sauls (fullback).File:Leroy "Red" Bethea (1931 Seminole).png

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 7: Clemson at Florida

| Visitor = Clemson

| Host = Florida

| V1 = 6| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 =0

| H1 = 0| H2 = 7| H3 = 6| H4 = 14

| Date = November 17

| Location = Fairfield Stadium
Jacksonville, Florida

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =15,000

| Weather =

| Referee =Severance (Oberlin)

}}

• Sources:{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3029185/the_anniston_star/|work=The Anniston Star|date=November 18, 1928|page=8|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|title=Fast Florida Team Sweeps Over Clemson}} {{Open access}}

{{AFB game box end}}

Coach Josh Cody's Clemson Tigers, captained by O. K. Pressley, held extra practices to prepare for the undefeated Gators.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3023661/the_anniston_star/|work=The Anniston Star|title=Along the Sidelines|date=November 13, 1928|page=8|author=United Press|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Clemson scored first on a 30-yard pass, leading 6–0 after the first quarter.{{cite news|title=Tie May Not Be Broken Until Early December|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3023656/the_monroe_newsstar/|page=11|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Monroe News-Star|author=Morgan M Beatty}} {{Open access}} From then on the Gators dominated, winning 27 to 6. Brumbaugh, Van Sickel, and Bethea were cited as players of the game.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3023653/the_anniston_star/|title=Florida Swamps Clemson|page=10|work=The Anniston Star|date=November 19, 1928|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In the second quarter, Florida's Owens went around end and Brumbaugh finished the drive with a touchdown.

Florida used both the run and the pass effectively, as Bethea "looked for all the world like the famous Red Grange" according to Associated Press (AP) staff writer Benton E. Jacobs.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3018078/kingsport_times/|page=3|title=Florida Continues March Toward Southern Victory|author=Benton E. Jacobs|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com|work=Kingsport Times}} {{Open access}} Florida's second touchdown occurred in the second half, when Bethea caught a pass that went 25 yards in the air, and when he gathered it ran 36 yards more for the score. The third score came in the fourth quarter on a pass from Crabtree to Cawthon. The Gators' fourth and final score was on a pass from Brumbaugh to Van Sickel.

The starting lineup was: Green (left end), Waters (left tackle), McRae (left guard), B. Clemons (center), Allen (right guard), Hicks (right tackle), Nolan (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Bethea (left halfback), Goodbread (right halfback), and Sauls (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 8: Washington & Lee at Florida

| Visitor = W&L

| Host = Florida

| V1 = 6| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 = 0

| H1 = 21| H2 = 7| H3 = 26| H4 = 6

| Date = November 29

| Location = Fairfield Stadium
Jacksonville, Florida

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 14,000

| Weather =

| Referee = Buck Flowers

}}

• Sources:

{{AFB game box end}}

The 60–6 victory over coach Pat Herron's Washington & Lee Generals made the Gators the highest-scoring team in the entire nation in total points scored.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91861/aaron_sinton_ymca_race/|title=Florida 'Gators Sock W. & L. For 60–6 Row!|page=26|date=November 30, 1928|work=Reading Times|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In front of 14,000 fans, Tommy Owens scored two touchdowns, as did Brumbaugh and Goodbread; while Bethea, Crabtree, and McEwan had one each. Morgan Blake wrote: "At this writing, it is a matter for serious debate as to which is the dizziest—the Washington and Lee football team or this groggy sports scribe from Atlanta ... Florida's great football team—magnificent in the fullest sense of the word, keen, alert, fast, and powerful—gave Washington and Lee the most crushing defeat it has encountered in many years." The Gators tallied 590 total yards.{{Harvnb|McEwen|1974|page=100}}

The starting lineup was: Baldwin (left end), Hicks (left tackle), Houser (left guard), Clark (center), Grandoff (right guard), Waters (right tackle), Green (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Bethea (left halfback), Goodbread (right halfback), and Sauls (fullback).{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PThPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6071%2C193388|author=Oliver S. Morton|date=November 30, 1928|work=St. Petersburg Times|title=Fighting Gators Lead Nation For Soring Honors|page=1|access-date=August 24, 2016}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Week 9: Florida at Tennessee

| Visitor = Florida

| Host = Tennessee

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 6| V4 = 6

| H1 = 0| H2 = 7| H3 = 0| H4 = 6

| Date = December 8

| Location = Shields–Watkins Field
Knoxville, Tennessee

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 13,000

| Weather =Mud

| Referee = Lambert (Ohio State)

}}

• Sources:{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2877393/the_anniston_star/|title=Dope Upset As Vols Win 13–12 In Fast Game|access-date=July 24, 2015|page=12|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 9, 1928|work=The Anniston Star}} {{Open access}}

{{AFB game box end}}

The 1928 Gators played their final game against coach Robert Neyland's Tennessee Volunteers on the Vols' home field in Knoxville, Tennessee. Neyland was sick with the flu.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3048711/abilene_reporternews/|title=Volunteers of Tennessee Whip Florida|work=Abilene Reporter- News|date=December 9, 1928|page=4|access-date=August 19, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The game was played on a soft, wet field, following a hard rain, and both teams scored two touchdowns on the muddy field. The Volunteers missed one of their two extra-point conversion attempts after touchdowns, but the Gators missed two conversion attempts and lost the game by a single point, 12–13.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2877343/manitowoc_heraldtimes/|work=Manitowoc Herald-Times|page=9|title=Tennessee Upsets Florida|date=December 10, 1928|access-date=July 24, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In what would become a trend in the series, controversy swirled around the contest. By all accounts, the playing surface had been a muddy mess. Some Gators claimed that the home team had watered down the field in an effort to slow down the speedy Gator backs.e. g. {{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/florida/article/16-games-that-shaped-the-football-history-of-the-florida-gators-78410/|title=16 games that shaped UF history|publisher=247sports.com|date=June 22, 2012|author=Franz Beard|access-date=August 24, 2016}} The Vols protested that the sloppy conditions were simply the result of heavy rain the night before the game.{{cite web|author=Pat Dooley|url=http://www.gatorsports.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?p=1&tc=pg&AID=/20050913/GATORS24/209130325|title=Coach Meyer: Here's a primer on rivalry vs. UT|publisher=The Gainesville Sun|date=September 13, 2005|access-date=September 16, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226124956/http://www.gatorsports.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?p=1&tc=pg&AID=%2F20050913%2FGATORS24%2F209130325|archive-date=February 26, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-10-13/sports/9002190253_1_gators-tennessee-bowl|title=1928 Gators Fell Into Watery Grave|date=October 13, 1990|author=Craig Davis|publisher=SunSentinel|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061622/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-10-13/sports/9002190253_1_gators-tennessee-bowl|url-status=dead}} One contemporary sportswriter called the game "the biggest upset of the year down South."{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2877290/the_anniston_star/|work=The Anniston Star|date=December 9, 1928|page=12|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 24, 2015|title=Southern Grid Title Goes To Yellow Jackets}} {{Open access}} Tennessee's usual quarterback, Roy Witt, was out with an injury, and was replaced by Bobby Dodd.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3023613/lubbock_avalanchejournal/|work=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal|title=Hopes of Florida of Championship are Ruined, 13–12|page=6|date=December 9, 1928|access-date=August 16, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

File:Charles Bachman (1931 Seminole).png

Prior to the contest, coach Bachman used a motivational trick learned from Knute Rockne and waved a telegram in front of his players, telling them a win over Tennessee meant an invitation to the Rose Bowl, the only postseason bowl in those days, even though conference champion Georgia Tech was already invited. The loss curtailed Florida's hopes of its first conference title, and fans and players have long since mourned the missed chance at a Rose Bowl. Coach Bachman later added: "We would have beaten California in the Rose Bowl. Worse than Tech did on a dry field."{{Harvnb|McEwen|1974|page=96}}

File:Bobby Dodd football card.jpg

Tennessee led the scoring for most of the game; Florida only making it close with late rallies. Early in the second quarter, Tennessee made the half's lone score. It was set up by a "bullet-like" 25-yard pass from Dodd, who was on the run to evade tacklers, to Paul Hug, who was downed at the 2-yard line. After Florida's defense held for three downs, Gene McEver scored between the center's legs on fourth down. The ensuing extra point on a pass from Dodd to Herc Alley would decide the game.

Down 7–0 at the half, the Gators seemed to begin a comeback and scored two minutes into the third quarter. On a similar play to Tennessee's score, a 16-yard pass from Royce Goodbread was caught by Dale Van Sickel, down at the 1-yard line. Goodbread went over left tackle for the touchdown the very next play. Dodd deflected Carl Brumbaugh's pass for the extra point attempt. After the beginning of the fourth quarter, Florida had the ball inside its own 15-yard line after Tennessee turned it over on downs. Clyde Crabtree ran instead of punting, and was tackled just as he tried to execute a lateral to Goodbread near the 30-yard line. The lateral was intercepted by Tennessee's Buddy Hackman, who out-sprinted Brumbaugh to the goal.

The Gators later drove to the 4-yard line before they were held on downs. After Dodd's punt to midfield, the Gators' engineered their final scoring drive. A 27-yard pass from Brumbaugh to Van Sickel got the Gators out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Crabtree ran it in for the touchdown, but Brumbaugh's place kick for the extra point was wide and short. Some sources, such as Peter Golenbock's Go Gators!, claim it was blocked.{{Harvnb|Golenbock|2002|page=3}}

The starting lineup was: Van Sickel (left end), Waters (left tackle), Steele (left guard), Clark (center), Reeves (right guard), Hicks (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Bethea (left halfback), Owens (right halfback), and Sauls (fullback).

The Gators scored 336 points, then one of few stats kept, the most of any team in the nation.{{cite web|url=http://floridagators.com/news/2006/8/10/10739.aspx|title=Great Teams and Eras: 1920s|author=Norm Carlson|date=August 10, 2006|access-date=August 30, 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/27/Sports/100_things_about_100_.shtml |title=100 things about 100 years of Gator football |last=English |first=Antonya |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=August 27, 2006 |access-date=September 10, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904141255/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/27/Sports/100_things_about_100_.shtml |archive-date=September 4, 2016 }} After the conclusion of the 1928 season, seven Gator players were tabbed for postseason honors by major media outlets: the "Phantom Four" as well as end Dale Van Sickel, and linemen Jimmy Steele and William McRae.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3029727/joplin_globe/|work=Joplin Globe|title=Florida 'Gators Deserve a Hand|page=10|date=December 2, 1928|access-date=August 17, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

File:Dale Van Sickle (1930 Seminole).png

Junior end Van Sickel was chosen a first-team, All-American, the first in Gators' team history, by the AP, Collier's Weekly, and the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA).Associated Press, "[https://select.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F20717FC395A127A93CBA91789D95F4C8285F9 South-West Gain On All-U.S. Eleven]", The New York Times, p. S3 (December 9, 1928). Retrieved August 18, 2015.Henry L. Farrell, "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/47186031/?terms=%22All-America%22 East Gets All-America Backfield]", Reading Times, p. 18 (December 3, 1928). Retrieved August 18, 2015.Grantland Rice, "The All-America Football Team", Collier's Weekly, pp. 5–7 (December 22, 1928). Retrieved August 18, 2015. Sophomore guard Steele was a second-team, All-American selection by the NEA, and received honorable mention honors from the AP. Sophomore guard McRae was a second-team, All-American selection by United Press (UP).Frank Getty, "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=13VFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=obwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=7149,5326988&dq=all-america+team&hl=en Three Big Ten Men On All-American]", Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal (December 4, 1928). Retrieved January 19, 2013. Junior back Clyde Crabtree received third-team, All-American honors from each of the AP, the NEA, and UP.Alan J. Gould, "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AstNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OYoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3615,4676056&dq=clyde-crabtree+football+died&hl=en All-American Selections for 1928]", The Free Lance-Star, p. 6 (December 8, 1928). Retrieved June 20, 2011.

Crabtree and Van Sickel were both first-team, All-Southern selections of the AP and UP composite teams. Steele was a first-team, UP, All-Southern selection. Dutch Stanley, Dale Waters, Steele, Carl Brumbaugh, Royce Goodbread, and Rainey Cawthon received All-Southern honorable mention honors from the AP.{{cite news|title=All Southern Selections|newspaper=The Kingsport Times|date=December 7, 1928|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3034470/kingsport_times/|access-date=August 17, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Seniors graduating included captain Goof Bowyer, Tommy Owens, Dutch Stanley, Jus Clemons, Willie DeHoff, and Chester Allen.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19290819&id=7GlIAAAAIBAJ&pg=5519,1869165&hl=en|date=August 19, 1929|title=Gators Entering Grid Spotlight With Great Eleven For This Fall|work=The Evening Independent|author=Frank S. Wright}} All but DeHoff played all three years for the Florida varsity.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3023619/reading_times/|title=Florida 'Gators Lose Six Stars of Gridiron|work=Reading Times|date=December 25, 1928|page=18|access-date=August 18, 2015|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} Despite this, hopes were high for the team and its backs in 1929.

Four 1928 Gators would later play professional football in the National Football League (NFL): halfback/quarterback Carl Brumbaugh, halfback/quarterback Clyde Crabtree, halfback Royce Goodbread, and tackle Dale Waters.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/florida/|title=Florida Players/Alumni|publisher=profootballreference|access-date=August 24, 2016}} Brumbaugh went on to win multiple NFL Championships with the Chicago Bears in 1932 and 1933.{{refn|group=n|In the Bears' backfield with Brumbaugh were Bronko Nagurski and Red Grange.{{cite news|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1986/01/10/page/25/article/in-1932-bears-broke-ground-indoors/|work=Chicago Tribune|date=January 10, 1986|title=In 1932, Bears broke ground indoors|author=Rudolph Unger|pages=1, 6|access-date=August 24, 2016}}}}

The following chart provides a visual depiction of Florida's lineup during the 1928 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a Notre Dame Box on offense.

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File:1928Gatorsline.jpg

File:Florida Gators football team (1928 backfield).png

{{Harvnb|McEwen|1974|pages=101–102}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19281107&id=I8pPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4980,3196898&hl=en|title=Fifteen Gators Playing First Years Varsity Men At Florida|work=The Evening Independent|date=November 7, 1928|page=5A|access-date=August 24, 2016}}

• Head coach: Charlie Bachman
• Assistants: Joe Bedenk (line), Chigger Browne (director of intramurals), Brady Cowell (freshmen), L. G. Haskell (director of physical education), Nash Higgins (varsity assistant and chief scout), Joe Holsinger (backfield), Alvin Pierson (freshmen assistant), John Piombo (trainer), George Weber (freshmen assistant), Frank Wright (direct of publicity)
• Varsity manager: Bill Bond
• Graduate manager: James R. Boyd
• Athletic director: Everett Yon

• History of the University of Florida
• 1928 College Football All-Southern Team
• 1928 College Football All-America Team

{{reflist|group=n}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book|last=Carlson|first=Norm|title=University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators|publisher=Whitman Publishing, LLC|location=Atlanta, Georgia|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7948-2298-9}}
• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fzsYAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA23|year=2002|isbn=1-4617-0340-9|last=Chastain|first=Bill|publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing|location=Lanham, Maryland|title=The Steve Spurrier Story}}
• {{cite book|last=Golenbock|first=Peter|title=Go Gators! An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory|publisher=Legends Publishing, LLC|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|year=2002|isbn= 0-9650782-1-3}}
• {{cite book|title=Stadium Stories: Florida Gators|first=Peter|last=Kerasotis|isbn=0-7627-3777-8|publisher=Globe Pequot|date=September 1, 2005}}
• {{cite book|first=Julian M.|last=Pleasants|title=Gator Tales: An Oral History of the University of Florida|publisher=University of Florida|location=Gainesville, Florida|year=2006|isbn=0-8130-3054-4}}
• {{cite book|last=McEwen|first=Tom|title=The Gators: A Story of Florida Football|publisher=The Strode Publishers|location=Huntsville, Alabama|year=1974|isbn=0-87397-025-X}}
• {{cite book|title=Gridiron Glory Days: Football at Mercer, 1892–1942|first=Robert E. |last=Wilder|publisher=Mercer University Press|year=2011|isbn=978-0-88146-267-8}}

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