1924 Florida Gators football team
1924 Florida Gators football | |
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Conference | Southern Conference |
Record | 6–2–2 (2–0–1 SoCon) |
Head coach |
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Offensive scheme | Notre Dame Box |
Captain | Ark Newton |
Home stadium | Fleming Field |
Uniform | |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alabama $ | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida | 2 | – | 0 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 2 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia | 5 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tulane | 4 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington and Lee | 4 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Carolina | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sewanee * | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi A&M | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia Tech | 3 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vanderbilt * | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VPI | 2 | – | 2 | – | 3 | 4 | – | 2 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VMI | 2 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kentucky | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Carolina | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auburn | 2 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maryland | 1 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 3 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NC State | 1 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 4 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LSU | 0 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ole Miss | 0 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clemson | 0 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tennessee | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1924 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1924 Southern Conference football season. This was Major James Van Fleet's second and final year as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Van Fleet's 1924 Florida Gators finished 6–2–2 overall,[1] and 2–0–1 in the Southern Conference, placing second of twenty-two teams in the conference standings.[2]
The Gators traveled further during the 1924 season than any other college football team in the country, and received national recognition for a controversial tie with the Texas Longhorns and the close loss to Army. The season also involves a tie with southern power Georgia Tech.
Before the season
Coach Van Fleet's assignment was changed to the Panama Canal Zone, but he coached the team on an unpaid basis during four months of leave.[3] More than 100 players took part in the game between the varsity and freshmen.[4]
A 4-month old Florida black bear captured by a freshman wandered onto the field on October 1. Some fan placed a Gator banner on its back, and it never caused much trouble.[5][6]
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
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October 4 | Rollins* | W 77–0 | [7] | ||
October 11 | at Georgia Tech | T 7–7 | 20,000 | [8] | |
October 18 | vs. Wake Forest* | W 34–0 | [9] | ||
October 25 | at Texas* | T 7–7 | [10] | ||
November 1 | Florida Southern* |
| W 27–0 | [11] | |
November 8 | at Army* | L 7–14 | [12] | ||
November 14 | at Mercer* |
| L 0–10 | 6,000 | [13] |
November 22 | vs. Mississippi A&M | W 27–0 | [14] | ||
November 27 | Drake* |
| W 10–0 | [15] | |
December 6 | vs. Washington & Lee | W 16–6 | 8,000 | [16] | |
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Game summaries
Week 1: Rollins
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At the "newly completed"
The starting lineup for the Gators against Rollins: Todd (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Davis (right tackle), Oosterhoudt (right end), Murphree (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback).[18]
Week 2: at Georgia Tech
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The Gators and
Within the first few minutes, Tech scored when Gus Merkle launched at Edgar C. Jones, causing him to crash into the approaching Cy Williams and fumble. Doug Wycoff picked it up and ran 35 yards for the score.[19] Florida once fumbled at Tech's 1-yard line. Again the Gators drove to the goal, and a Jones to Ark Newton pass tied the game.
The starting lineup for the Gators against Georgia Tech: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Oosterhoudt (right end), Jones (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).[20]
Week 3: Wake Forest
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On Plant Field in a drizzling rain, Florida defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 34–0, a surprising score.[21][22] Fullback Tiny Chaplin was the star of the day; as well as the forward passes of captain Ark Newton, Edgar C. Jones on punt returns, and Cy Williams in the line.[23] Bill Middlekauff was kept out of the lineup due to injures sustained versus Tech.[24]
The starting lineup for the Gators against Wake: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Jones (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback).[23]
Week 4: at Texas
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Both Florida and the
The game ended a 7–7 draw, and was a controversial one.Van Fleet explained that Texas coach
Week 5: Florida Southern
Upon return from the Texas game the Gators got some time off practice to attend the circus in town.[27] Mostly reserves defeated the Florida Southern Moccasins 27–0.[28]
The starting lineup for the Gators against Southern: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Peter (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Davis (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Murphee (quarterback), Pittman (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback).[28]
Week 6: at Army
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The Gators traveled to
Army's Harry Wilson scored the first touchdown. Ark Newton ran the second half kickoff for a 102-yard touchdown.[30] A second third quarter Gator touchdown was waved off, and Army scored in the final moments to evade the tie.[31]
Coach Van Fleet kvetched about the officiating favoring his alma mater: "I hate to say it but they robbed us. Twice we scored, our backs pushing across the goal line, but the officials would not blow the whistle until our boys were pushed back...Then, later in the game on an important play, Bill Middlekauff was clipped right in front of our bench, and they did not call it. He was clipped so severely it broke his left leg. It was a disgrace." Of Newton's kick return, Van Fleet said thereby Newton "carved his name in the football hall of fame."[17]
The starting lineup was: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Oosterhoudt (right end), Jones (quarterback), Brown (left halfback), Pittman (right halfback), Middlekauf (fullback).[32]
Week 7: at Mercer
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The Gators returned south, and after much travel (over 5,000 miles in three weeks), coach Stanley L. Robinson's Mercer Bears defeated Florida 10 to 0. Mercer's Crook Smith starred.[33] The touchdown came on a dextrous twist, catch, and run by Kid Cecil.[33]
The game caused Morgan Blake, sportswriter for the Atlanta Journal, to remark "the Mercer Alumni would do well to name their children after "Crook" Smith and Sid Ellison."[33]
Week 8: vs. Mississippi A&M
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Bitter after the untimely loss to Mercer and last year's tie with
After a scoreless first quarter, Dick Brown and Spic Stanley led the Gator attack from the backfield.
The starting lineup was: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Jones (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback).[35]
Week 9: Drake
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At homecoming,[36] Florida's ability to break up passes and hot weather helped the Gators to a 10–0 intersectional victory over the Drake Bulldogs.[37] Florida's Dick Brown was the game's standout performer.[38] Florida had eight first downs and Drake seven.[39]
Scores came on a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brown and a 25-yard Ark Newton field goal from placement.[39]
The starting lineup for the Gators against Drake: Oosterhoudt (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Sarra (center), Goldstein (right guard), Stewart (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Jones (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback).[39]
Week 10: Washington & Lee
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The Gators defeated coach
The starting lineup for the Gators against Washington & Lee: Rose (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Sarra (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Jones (quarterback), Brown (left halfback), Newton (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback).[40]
Postseason
Awards and honors
Goldy Goldstein and Edgar C. Jones made composite All-Southern.
Van Fleet's departure
The U.S. Army transferred Van Fleet to the Panama Canal Zone after the 1924 season, and he would later become a regimental, divisional and corps commander during World War II and the commander of all United States and United Nations armed forces during the Korean War.
Personnel
Depth chart
The following chart provides a visual depiction of Florida's lineup during the 1924 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a Notre Dame Box on offense.
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Line
Starters
Player | Position | Games started |
Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
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Sam Cornwall | center | ||||||
Goldy Goldstein | guard | Jacksonville, Florida | Duval High | 6'3" | 210 | 19 | |
Spec Lightsey | end | ||||||
Joe Merrin | end | ||||||
Clyde Norton | guard | ||||||
Frank Oosterhoudt | end | ||||||
J. R. Rose | end | ||||||
Lamar Sarra | center | ||||||
Horse Smith | tackle | ||||||
Jack Stewart | guard | ||||||
Cy Williams | tackle | Sopchoppy, Florida | 6'0" | 200 |
Subs
Player | Position | Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
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W. F. "Stonebruise" Anderson | guard | |||||
Ralph Champlain | tackle | |||||
Clyde Davis | tackle | |||||
Cadillac Harry | tackle | |||||
Carl Price | guard | |||||
Ezra Raasch | tackle | |||||
Edgar Todd | end | |||||
Wilson | end |
Backfield
Starters
Player | Position | Games started |
Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dick Brown | halfback | ||||||
Tiny Chaplin | fullback | ||||||
Edgar C. Jones | quarterback | Jacksonville, Florida | |||||
Bill Middlekauff | fullback | Miami, Florida |
6'2" | 200 | |||
Johnnie Murphree | quarterback | ||||||
Ark Newton | halfback | Camden, Arkansas | Camden High | 6'1" | 185 | 21 |
Subs
Player | Position | Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bob Brumby | quarterback | |||||
George Merrin | halfback | |||||
Owen Pittman | halfback | |||||
Spic Stanley | halfback |
Coaching staff
- Head coach: James Van Fleet
- Assistants: Tom Sebring, A. C. Tipton, Everett Yon, J. H. Atkinson, Herbert Bunker, Brady Cowell(freshmen)
- Manager: John Bond
See also
References
- ^ a b 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 107–108 (2015). Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ^ 2009 Southern Conference Football Media Guide, Year-by-Year Standings, Southern Conference, Spartanburg, South Carolina, p. 74 (2009). Retrieved August 30, 2010.
- ^ Carlson 2007, p. 30
- ^ "Gator Varsity Defeats Frosh". St. Petersburg Times. September 30, 1924.
- ^ "University of Florida student Ralph Gower photograph collection - MS Coll 84".
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ ISBN 0-87397-025-X.
- ^ a b c "Gators Drown Rollins Tars". St. Petersburg Times. October 5, 1924.
- ^
- ^ "'Gators May Lac Star Plunger In Battle at Tampa". The Evening Independent. October 16, 1924.
- ^
- ^ "100 Things About 100 Years of Gator Football". Archived from the original on September 4, 2016.
- ISBN 9780760346525.
- ^ Woodruff 1928, p. 46
- ^ a b c "Alligators Surprised By Ferocious Bruins". Mercer Cluster. No. 8. November 21, 1924.
- ^ Woodruff 1928, p. 60
- ^ "Will No. 13 be Jinx To Gator Saturday". The Evening Independent. October 30, 1936.
- ^ "Drake Travels Long Way To Get Florida Licking". Chicago Tribune. November 28, 1924.
- ^
- ^
- ^ "Gator's Who Who Is Book of State's Gridiron Stars". The Evening Independent. November 1, 1924.
Additional sources
- Carlson, Norm (2007). University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators. Atlanta, Georgia: Whitman Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-0-7948-2298-9.
- Woodruff, Fuzzy (1928). A History of Southern Football 1890–1928. Vol. 3.