1925 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team
1925 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football | |
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Conference | Southern Conference |
Record | 6–2–1 (4–1–1 SoCon) |
Head coach |
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Offensive scheme | Jump shift |
Captain | Doug Wycoff |
Home stadium | Grant Field |
Uniform | |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 2 Alabama + | 7 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 6 Tulane + | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 0 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Carolina | 4 | – | 0 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington and Lee | 5 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia | 4 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia Tech | 4 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kentucky | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auburn | 3 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VPI | 3 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vanderbilt | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tennessee | 2 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Carolina | 2 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sewanee | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi A&M | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VMI | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LSU | 0 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NC State | 0 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ole Miss | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clemson | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maryland | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1925 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team
The team most notably beat Penn State. It suffered losses to national champion Alabama and the defending national champion Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It also had a surprise tie with rival Auburn.
Before the season
1925 saw the south's widespread use of the
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 26 | Oglethorpe* | W 13–7 | 10,000 | [8] | |
October 3 | VMI |
| W 33–0 | [9] | |
October 10 | vs. Penn State* | W 16–7 | 8,000 | [10] | |
October 17 | Florida |
| W 23–7 | [11] | |
October 24 | Alabama |
| L 0–7 | 20,000 | [12] |
October 31 | Notre Dame* |
| L 0–13 | 10,000 | [13] |
November 7 | Vanderbilt | W 7–0 | 15,000 | [14] | |
November 14 | Georgia |
| W 3–0 | 35,000 | [15] |
November 26 | Auburn |
| T 7–7 | 17,000 | [16] |
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Game summaries
Week 1: Oglethorpe
Sources:[18] |
The season opened with a 13–7 defeat of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) champion Oglethorpe.[note 2] Neither team scored in the first quarter, but in the second Wycoff went over for a 4-yard touchdown. The second Tech score came in the final quarter, when Carter Barron ran it in from 6 yards out following a long drive. A forward pass, Walsh to Campbell, got Oglethorpe's touchdown.[18]
The starting lineup was Merkle (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Godwin (left guard), Poole (center), Forrester (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Williams (quarterback), Barron (left halfback), Wycoff (right halfback), S. Murray (fullback).[19]
Week 2: VMI
Sources:[5] |
Tech beat VMI 33–0. In the second quarter, a pass from Murray to Wycoff added 24 yards. Carter Barron got it in from the 1-yard line some plays later.[5] The next touchdown drive was highlighted by a 34-yard touchdown run. Murray scored yet another touchdown.[5] A 26-yard pass was caught by Johnny Marshall, and Tech drove down to the 1-yard line when the final quarter started.[5] Ike Williams went across for a touchdown. With substitutes in the backfield for most of the final period, John Brewer scored a touchdown on another triple pass play,[3] this time from the 6-yard line.[5]
The starting lineup was Irwin (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Godwin (left guard), Poole (center), Forrester (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Williams (quarterback), Barron (left halfback), Wycoff (right halfback), S. Murray (fullback).[5]
Week 3: vs. Penn State
Sources:[20] |
The third week brought the highlight of the year — a defeat of Hugo Bezdek's previously undefeated Penn State Nittany Lions 16–7 in a howling wind in Yankee Stadium.[20][21] Tech utilized its shift on nearly every play.[22] Penn State scored first after a punt by Doug Wycoff into the wind gave them the ball at Tech's 30-yard line. From here, Penn State threw a forward pass from a cross buck formation. Dangerfield shook off three tacklers on his way to the goal just as the half ended.[20]
A similar thing happened to start the second half and give Tech its score. Penn State's Gray got off a bad punt into the wind, nearly over his own goal line.[20] Using its shift to perfection,[23] Wycoff eventually got over the tying touchdown. After a fumble recovery,[24] an 80-yard drive utilizing Wycoff and Sam Murray[25] ended in a Carter Barron touchdown for the third score. After an interception, Ike Williams also added a 25-yard field goal.[20][25]
The starting lineup was Marshall (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Godwin (left guard), Poole (center), Forrester (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Merkle (right end), Williams (quarterback), Wycoff (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), S. Murray (fullback).[20]
Week 4: Florida
Sources:[26] |
Tech beat Florida 23–7. The Gators made just five first downs to Tech's 15.[26]
Doug Wycoff scored two touchdowns. Wycoff scored first, and Ike Williams added the extra point. In the second period, Williams made a 12-yard field goal. Wycoff and Sam Murray scored in the third period, with one extra point converted by Williams.[26][27][28]
The starting lineup was Merkle (left end), Carpenter (left tackle), Forrester (left guard), Poole (center), Godwin (right guard), Tharpe (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Williams (quarterback), Wycoff (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), S. Murray (fullback).[26]
Week 5: Alabama
Sources:[29] |
The national champion Alabama Crimson Tide beat Georgia Tech 7–0 on a Johnny Mack Brown punt return for a touchdown.[30] Pooley Hubert cleared two Tech players out of the way.[31] "Hubert played the greatest game of his career and was called the greatest defensive back ever to appear on Grant Field". Tech turned the ball over on downs at the Alabama 28 and again at the Alabama 21.[29] Star tackle Six Carpenter was injured.[32] Tech was the only team all year to rush for more yardage and gain more first downs than Alabama.[3]
The starting lineup was Merkle (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Godwin (left guard), Poole (center), Forrester (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Williams (quarterback), Wycoff (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), S. Murray (fullback).[30]
Week 6: Notre Dame
Sources:[33] |
Resembling its old form,[34] Knute Rockne's defending national champion Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated Georgia Tech 13–0. The game was played in a cold rain,[35] and Tech played its substitutes aside from Walt Godwin.[34][36] All scores were made in the first half.[36]
An interception by Red Edwards set up the first score.[33] Christie Flanagan was the star for the Irish.[34]
The starting lineup was Irwin (left end), Hood (left tackle), Godwin (left guard), Elliott (center), Angley (right guard), Hearn (right tackle), Crowley (right end), Morse (quarterback), Vaughan Connelly (left halfback), Brewer (right halfback), Holland (fullback).[33]
Week 7: at Vanderbilt
Sources:[37] |
Describing the most spectacular play he ever saw, coach
The starting lineup was Merkle (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Godwin (left guard), Poole (center), Forrester (right guard), Cooper (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Williams (quarterback), Wycoff (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), S. Murray (fullback)[38]
Week 8: Georgia
Sources:[39] |
Rivals Georgia and Georgia Tech met for the first time since 1916.[3] A third-quarter field goal by Ike Williams was the only scoring in the game, giving Georgia Tech a 3–0 victory.[40]
Georgia end Smack Thompson would yell out in his sleep, and had said "Kill the SOB" in reference to Doug Wycoff leading up to the game. Once during the game, the two collided with each other, knocking each unconscious.[41]
The starting lineup was Merckle (left end), Tharpe (left tackle), Godwin (left guard), Poole (center), Forrester (right guard), Fair (right tackle), Marshall (right end), Williams (quarterback), Wycoff (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), S. Murray (fullback).[39]
Week 9: Auburn
Auburn surprised with a 7–7 tie in the final week.[42] Doug Wycoff scored Tech's touchdown.[43] Pea Green caught a 9-yard pass from Frank Tuxworth on Auburn's score, after a blocked Wycoff punt.[44]
Postseason
Awards and honors
Doug Wycoff received 21 of a possible 32 first-team All-Southern selections of the Associated Press composite.
Godwin was named to Knute Rockne's All-America team. Wycoff and end Gus Merkle made Billy Evans's "National Honor Roll."
Legacy
Coach Alexander recalled "The work of Douglas Wycoff against
"We have reference to Doug Wycoff of Tech who, for three straight years, was practically the unanimous all-Southern football choice, despite the fact that Georgia Tech had very lean years during his period of play at this institution. If Wycoff had been flanked by such a pair of halfbacks as Red Barron and Buck Flowers, or Thomason and Mizell while he was with the Jackets, he would have been an all-American. As it was he had to carry all of the offensive load and on the defense he was a wheelhorse. He was a great punter and passer. If Wycoff was not the best all-around player the South had produced then he was very close to the peak."[49]
Personnel
Depth chart
The following chart depicts Tech's lineup during the 1925 season with games started at the position shown in parentheses. The chart mimics the offense after the jump shift has taken place.
|
Lettermen
Line
Number
|
Player | Position | Games started |
Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
64 | Tom Angley | Guard | 1 | Baltimore, Maryland |
University School | 5'8" | 190 | 21 |
5 | Six Carpenter | Tackle | 4 | Newnan, Georgia | ||||
17 | Bus Cooper | Tackle | 1 | |||||
21 | Ed Crowley | End | 1 | Watkinsville, Georgia | 6'1" | 180 | 19 | |
11 | Red Elliott | Center | 1 | Minnesota | ||||
53 | Dick Fair | Tackle | 1 | Atlanta, Georgia |
||||
15 | Wally Forrester | Guard | 5 | Leesburg, Georgia | Gordon Institute | |||
22 | Gaston | Tackle | ||||||
36 | Walt Godwin | Guard | 6 | 5'7" | 200 | 27 | ||
23 | Papa Hood | Tackle | 1 | 220 | ||||
10 | Tiny Hearn | Tackle | 1 | GMA | ||||
49 | Bull Irwin | End | 2 | Atlanta, Georgia | ||||
3 | John Lillard | Guard | ||||||
54 | Johnny Marshall | End | 5 | Jacksonville, Florida | Duval High School |
21 | ||
6 | Firpo Martin | Guard | GMA | |||||
14 | Gus Merkle | End | 3 | |||||
12 | John Murray | End | ||||||
13 | Owen Poole |
Center | 5 | Boys High School |
155 | |||
24 | Mack Tharpe | Tackle | 4 | Moultrie, Georgia | 22 | |||
2 | Ken Thrash | Tackle | Orlando, Florida | 19 |
Backfield
Number | Player | Position | Games started |
Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carter Barron | Halfback | 6 | Clarkesville, Georgia | 20 | |||
19 | John Brewer | Quarterback, halfback | 1 | Griffin, Georgia | 6'0" | 185 | 19 | |
33 | Vaughan Connelly | Halfback | 1 | Atlanta, Georgia | 23 | |||
62 | Ralph Holland | Fullback | 1 | Atlanta, Georgia | ||||
12 | Sam Murray | Fullback | 5 | |||||
4 | Finley McRae | Quarterback | ||||||
39 | Ike Williams | Quarterback | 5 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Central H. S. | 5'10" | 180 | 22 |
70 | Dick Wright | Halfback | Sumter, South Carolina | |||||
27 | Doug Wycoff | Halfback | 8 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Central H. S. | 6'2" | 195 | 22 |
Substitutes
Unlisted
Number | Player |
---|---|
18 | Read |
28 | Williamson |
34 | Sprick |
41 | Kid Carson |
42 | Rauber |
44 | McDaniell |
50 | Jamieson |
51 | Diamond |
81 | Harlow |
84 | Ralph Bullard |
See also
- 1925 Southern Conference football season
- 1925 College Football All-Southern Team
- 1925 College Football All-America Team
Notes
- ^ 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.[1] It may have been coined by Morgan Blake.[2]
- ^ Tech was in the SIAA before 1922.
Endnotes
- ^ Van Brimmer & Rice 2011, p. 147
- ^ "Golden Tornadoes". Retrieved January 28, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Blue Print. 1926.
- ISBN 9780815608868.
- ^
- ^ "1925 Football Captains". The Stanford Daily. Vol. 68. October 27, 1925.
- ^ Schmidt, Ray. "The Golden Tornado" (PDF). library.la84.org. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1925 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^
- ^ Woodruff 1928, p. 71
- ^
- ISBN 9780815608868.
- ^ Ray Schmidt (1998). "The Golden Tornado" (PDF). College Football Historical Society. 11 (3): 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ^
- ^
- ^ Universal Service (October 18, 1925). "Florida Beaten In Great Battle By Gold Tornado". St. Petersburg Times.
- ^ a b "1925 Alabama recap" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 19, 2017.
- ^
- ISBN 9781582612775.
- ^ Griffin, Will (December 1925). "Chapter News - Georgia Delta, Georgia School of Tecnhology" (PDF). The Scroll - Phi Delta Theta. Vol. L, no. 3. p. 175.
- ^
- ^
- ^ a b "Notre Dame Backs Skirt Jackets Ends To Win 13-0" (PDF). The Technique. November 6, 1925. p. 4.
- ^ a b W. A. Alexander (1926). "Forty-Five Yards for Georgia Tech" (PDF). Kansas City Star. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 13, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^
- The Atlanta Constitution. November 15, 1925. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
- ISBN 9781461734772.
- ^ "Jackets and Tigers Fight to 7-7 Score In Annual Thanksgiving Classic". The Technique. November 27, 1925.
- ^ Ed White (November 25, 1926). "Gleanings From Grant Field" (PDF). The Technique.
- ^ "All Southern Grid Team Compiled By The Associated Press". Kingsport Times. November 30, 1925.
- W. A. Alexander (1926). "Forty-Five Yards for Georgia Tech" (PDF). Kansas City Star. Archived from the original(PDF) on February 13, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ "Famous Footballers". Times-Picayune. January 30, 1932.
- ^ "Technique [Volume 15, Issue 08]".
References
- Van Brimmer, Adam; Rice, Homer (2011). 100 Things Yellow Jackets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die. Chicago: Triumph Books. ISBN 978-1-61749-703-2.
- Woodruff, Fuzzy (1928). A History of Southern Football 1890–1928. Vol. 3.