1912 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1912 Vanderbilt Commodores football Vandy1912Football.jpg 285 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 8–1–1 3–0–1 Dan McGugin 9th Short punt Lewie Hardage Dudley Field SIAA champion The 1912 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University in the 1912 college football season. The 1912 season was Dan McGugin's ninth year as head coach. Members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA), the Commodores won their third straight conference title this year, posting an 8–1–1 win–loss–tie record (3–0–1 SIAA). The team played its home games at Dudley Field. It used the short punt formation as its offensive scheme. Vanderbilt outscored its opponents 391–19. The team scored 100 points in each of the first two contests; the 105–0 victory over 1912 Bethel Warriors Bethel of Russellville, Kentucky was the largest in Vanderbilt history.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3257831/the_tennessean/ Spick Hall Vanderbilt Makes The Largest Score In Her Football History The Tennessean September 29, 1912 35 September 21, 2015 Newspapers.com The team posted seven shutout victories, being scored upon in only three games. The team's only loss came to national champion Harvard. The Commodores also played to a tie with the Auburn Tigers. Several players received postseason honors. Halfback and team captain Lewie Hardage was selected a third-team All-American by Walter Camp, the fourth player from the South ever to receive such recognition, and was a unanimous first-team All-Southern selection. Center Hugh Morgan, end Enoch Brown, tackle Tom Brown, fullback Ammie Sikes, and guard Herman Daves also received All-Southern recognition. Schedule September 28 3:30 p.m. w y 1912 Bethel Warriors Bethel (KY) Dudley Field Nashville, TN 105–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-vanderbilt-smother/147610652/ The Commercial Appeal Vanderbilt smothers Bethel College, 105–0 September 29, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com October 5 w y 1912 Maryville Scots Maryville (TN) Dudley Field Nashville, TN 100–3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-century-mark-is-made/147610739/ The Birmingham News Century mark is made once more by Commodores October 6, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com October 12 w y 1912 Rose Poly Engineers Rose Poly Dudley Field Nashville, TN 54–0 https://www.newspaper.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-vanderbilt-outplay/147610818/ The Indianapolis Star Vanderbilt outplays Rose October 13, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com October 19 w y Georgia Ponce de Leon Park Atlanta, GA rivalry 46–0 4,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-georgia-is-humil/147610938/ The Chattanooga Sunday Times Georgia is humiliated October 20, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com October 26 w Ole Miss Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 24–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-vandy-is-surprise/147611063/ The Birmingham Age-Herald Vandy is surprised by Mississippi in well fought game October 27, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 2 w y Virginia Dudley Field Nashville, TN 13–0 4,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-washington-post-vanderbilt-downs-vir/147611136/ The Washington Post Vanderbilt downs Virginia in grueling contest, 13 to 0 November 3, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 9 l y y Harvard Harvard Stadium Boston, MA 3–9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-vanderbilt-team/147611228/ The Brooklyn Daily Eagle Vanderbilt team worries weak Harvard eleven November 10, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 16 w y Central University Dudley Field Nashville, TN 23–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-vanderbilts-beat-kent/147611289/ The Detroit Free Press Vanderbilts beat Kentuckys November 17, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 23 t y Auburn Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL 7–7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-vanderbilt-is-held/147611364/ The Commercial Appeal Vanderbilt is held to draw by Auburn November 24, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 28 w Sewanee Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 16–0 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-vanderbilt-bea/147611437/ The Montgomery Advertiser Vanderbilt beat Sewanee decisively by 16 to 0 November 29, 1912 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/vanderbilt/1912-schedule.html 1912 Vanderbilt Commodores Schedule and Results sports-reference.com September 16, 2017 Before the season Vanderbilt faced its hardest schedule to date.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5609757/the_tennessean/ Spick Hall 19 June 17, 2016 Newspapers.com The Tennessean September 15, 1912 Commodores Face The Hardest Schedule For Many Long Years The team lost several varsity letter winners to graduation, including quarterback Ray Morrison, tackle Ewing Y. Freeland, and guards Charles H. Brown and Will Metzger.https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn89053729/1912-09-09/ed-3/seq-10/ September 9, 1912 Vanderbilt Loses Stars; New Rules Hurt Chances McGugin To Have Real Team, However, As Usual Atlanta Georgian Percy H. Whiting 10Vanderbilt University 259 Aside from Morrison, Vanderbilt retained the rest of its backfield of the previous year, then voted best in the South by the Atlanta Constitution.https://books.google.com/books?id=NPQ8AwAAQBAJ&q=%22ammie+sikes%22+vanderbilt&pg=PA13 Wilson Collins Charles Weatherby 13 The Miracle Braves of 1914: Boston's Original Worst-to-First World Series 2 April 2014 9781933599700 It included halfbacks Lew Hardage (the team's captain) and Wilson Collins and fullback Ammie Sikes. Replacing Morrison at quarterback was renowned drop kicker Zach Curlin.Vanderbilt University 260 The 1912 season saw the NCAA implement several rule changes to increase scoring. These included: the value of a touchdown increased from 5 points to 6, the length of the field was reduced to 100 yards, 10-yard end zones were added, the onside kick was eliminated, and unlimited use of the forward pass was introduced. Game summaries Bethel (KY) The season started with the largest win in school history, a 105–0 victory over 1912 Bethel Warriors Bethel of Russellville, Kentucky. Future Vanderbilt star Josh Cody played for Bethel.Walsh 2006 121 The game began at 3:30 p.m. in pouring rain. Vanderbilt Plays Bethel Today on Dudley Field at 3:30 p. m. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105913687/the-tennessean/ Nashville Tennessean and The Nashville American Nashville, Tennessee September 28, 1912 10 July 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Vanderbilt Smothered Bethel on Dudley Field---Other Results https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105913977/the-tennessean/ Nashville Tennessean and The Nashville American Nashville, Tennessee September 29, 1912 35 July 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Wilson Collins began the scoring when he took a punt 45 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown. Substitute quarterback Rabbi Robins was better suited to the mud than starter Zach Curlin. At one point during the game, Robins returned a kick 70 yards for a touchdown. Collins had five touchdowns, Enoch Brown three, Hardage, Robins and Morrison two each, and Reyer and Chester one each.Traughber 2011 57 The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Turner (left end), Covington (left tackle), Daves (left guard), Morgan (center), Huffman (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Curlin (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback). Maryville (TN) Maryville at Vanderbilt Maryville Vanderbilt 0 0 0 3 27 16 28 29 October 5 Dudley Field • Nashville, Tennessee Sources: The Commodores then won by a 100–3 score against the Maryville Scots. Despite the first two games being like practice games, the large scores were a surprise, for in both the substitutes replaced the regulars by the second quarter.Vanderbilt University 261 Maryville's Badgett scored on a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. One of Vanderbilt's scores was a 40-yard forward pass from Hardage to Brown.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5609988/the_tennessean/ 2 June 17, 2016 Newspapers.com October 6, 1912 The Tennessean Details of Scores Made Yesterday The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Turner (left end), Covington (left tackle), Daves (left guard), Morgan (center), Huffman (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Curlin (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5609806/the_courierjournal/ 35 June 17, 2016 Newspapers.com October 6, 1912 The Courier-Journal Commodores Win Rose Polytechnic Rose Polytechnic at Vanderbilt Rose Poly Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 20 20 7 7 October 12 Dudley Field • Nashville, Tennessee Bradley Walker Sources: The game with Rose Polytechnic was seen as the first real test of the season. The Commodores still managed a 54–0 victory, with substitutes replacing the regulars by the end of the first half. The first score came on a 35-yard interception return by Lew Hardage. During the game's opening drive, Rose Poly tried a trick play with a player in civilian clothes and satchel receiving the ball.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5126539/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean 8 Vanderbilt Smeared It On Rose Poly In Fine Form October 13, 1912 May 2, 2016 Newspapers.com He was caught by Vanderbilt defenders before he reached his own 30-yard line. The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Turner (left end), Shipp (left tackle), Daves (left guard), Morgan (center), Swofford (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Robins (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Chester (fullback). Georgia The Commodores easily defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 46–0 in the rain. Coaching the Bulldogs was McGugin product Alex Cunningham. The game was played on the infield and part of the right outfield of Ponce de Leon Park.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5123285/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean October 20, 1912 Vandy Played A Great Game May 1, 2016 Newspapers.com 8 Percy Whiting According to Vanderbilt University Quarterly, the score would have been higher but for the water and mud. Georgia star Bob McWhorter was held in check; his best run went for 12 yards. thumb|140px|Center Hugh Morgan The first score of the game came when Wilson Collins got away for a 20-yard run, but fumbled. The ball was picked up by Zach Curlin and run in for a touchdown. When the game ended, Georgia men tried to steal the ball, and a fight broke out, broken up by coach McGugin and umpire Ted Coy. The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Turner (left end), Shipp (left tackle), Daves (left guard), Morgan (center), Huffman (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Robins (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Shea (right halfback), and Chester (fullback). Ole Miss Vanderbilt beat Ole Miss 24–0, the visitors showing a strong defense.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5257933/the_tennessean/ Miss. Men Showed A Fierce Defense Spick Hall The Tennessean May 14, 2016 Newspapers.com 8 October 27, 1912 Morgan, Collins, and Sikes were on the sidelines for the whole game. Multiple times, the Commodores fumbled near the goal line.Vanderbilt University 262thumb|left|200px|Game action from Vanderbilt vs. Virginia, 1912 The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Milholland (left end), Shipp (left tackle), Daves (left guard), T. Brown (center), Swafford (right guard), Covington (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Robins (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Shea (right halfback), and Turner (fullback). Virginia Virginia at Vanderbilt Virginia Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 6 7 0 0 November 2 Dudley Field • Nashville, Tennessee 4,000 Selden (Sewanee) Sources: Vanderbilt met Virginia for the first time since 1898.Vanderbilt University 29 It also won for the first time, 13–0. Ammie Sikes scored first, after runs of 35 and 28 yards by Lew Hardage paved the way. A 30-yard forward pass from Hardage to Enoch Brown got the second touchdown. In the last period, Sikes broke loose, down to the 5-yard line when he was caught from behind by Buck Mayer.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5257881/the_tennessean/ 8 Vanderbilt Victor Over Old Virginia The Tennessean Spick Hall May 14, 2016 Newspapers.com November 3, 1912 The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Turner (left end), Daves (left tackle), Huffman (left guard), Morgan (center), Covington (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), Milholland (right end), Curlin (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback). thumb|left|135px|Zach Curlin drop kicked a field goal against Harvard. Harvard Vanderbilt at Harvard Vanderbilt Harvard 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 3 November 9 Harvard Stadium • Boston, Massachusetts J. B. Pendleton (Bowdoin) Sources: Vanderbilt suffered its only loss of the season on the road to coach Percy Haughton's national champion Harvard Crimson 9–3. Only Dartmouth played the Crimson closer. "As usual Harvard tried out the strength of its defense in the first period, kicking usually on the second down." Harvard used mostly substitutes and scored a touchdown five minutes after the second period began.https://www.newspapers.com/image/?spot=5122833 The Tennessean November 10, 1912 Vandy Played A Great Game May 1, 2016 Newspapers.com 8 Lew Hardage was injured and taken off the field. Vanderbilt's lone score was a 28-yard field goal from Zach Curlin early in the third quarter, after Harvard muffed a punt. The Crimson added another field goal in the final period. In the last ten minutes, the Commodores tried their full repertoire of tricks, including a delayed forward pass in which the ball was handled by four men and netted a 22-yard gain from Rabbi Robins.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5122843/the_courierjournal/ The Courier-Journal Crimson Team Is Victorious November 10, 1912 35 May 1, 2016 Newspapers.com The International News Service reported: "Although defeated, Vanderbilt was not outplayed; for never was a gamer team seen in the Stadium."Vanderbilt University 263 The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Turner (left end), Shipp (left tackle), Swafford (left guard), Morgan (center), Daves (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Curlin (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback). Central University Vanderbilt playing with just four regulars and a new backfield beat Central University, 23–0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5250966/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean Central Had Lot of Grit and Vim 8 November 17, 1912 May 13, 2016 Newspapers.com Spick Hall Hardage stayed home in Decatur, Alabama due to an injury. The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Chester (left end), Daves (left tackle), Reyer (left guard), Huffman (center), Swafford (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), Reams (right end), Robins (quarterback), Luck (left halfback), Shea (right halfback), and Milholland (fullback). thumb|140px|left|Ammie Sikes Auburn Vanderbilt at Auburn Vanderbilt Auburn 0 7 0 0 0 0 7 0 November 23 Rickwood Field • Birmingham, Alabama Bradley Walker Sources: The Auburn Tigers upset expectations and tied the Commodores 7–7. Ammie Sikes scored first for Vanderbilt. Auburn scored after a Sikes fumble. The ball was kicked some fifteen yards down field clear of the melee, picked up by Kirk Newell, and run 55 yards to the end zone.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5123289/the_tennessean/ Spick Hall 14 Auburn Holds Vandy To A Tie November 24, 1912 May 1, 2016 Newspapers.com The Tennessean The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Reams (left end), Shipp (left tackle), Daves (left guard), Moody (center), Covington (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Curlin (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Turner (fullback). Sewanee Sewanee at Vanderbilt Sewanee Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 14 November 28 Dudley Field • Nashville, Tennessee 10,000 Bradley Walker Sources: Vanderbilt defeated rival Sewanee 16–0. In the first period, Sewanee had to punt from its own end zone. The pass to Jenks Gillem went wide, and before he could recover it he was downed by Enoch Brown for a safety.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5125984/the_wilmington_morning_star/ Wilmington Morning Star November 29, 1912 Vanderbilt Downs Sewanee May 1, 2016 Newspapers.com 12 Gillem had one punt of 58 yards that day."n" Gillem was later selected as the punter for the Associated Press All-Time Southeast 1869–1919 era team.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19690727&id=2eRGAAAAIBAJ&pg=2256,3526388 Gadsden Times July 27, 1969 All-Time Football Team Lists Greats Of Past, Present Vanderbilt's game seemed to stagnate until Wilson Collins was hurt and replaced by Tom Shea in the third quarter.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5126067/detroit_free_press/ Detroit Free Press November 29, 1912 Commodores On The Desired End May 1, 2016 Newspapers.com 8 Then two touchdowns came in the fourth period, one by Robins and another Turner. In his last game, Lew Hardage played well despite his hurt left ankle.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5126127/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean November 29, 1912 Commodores Are Again Victorious May 1, 2016 Newspapers.com 10 Woodruff 1928 275 Vanderbilt had clamored for a rematch to decide a champion after its tie with Auburn, but Auburn was upset by Georgia 12–6, meaning Vanderbilt's victory over Sewanee secured the SIAA title.Woodruff 1928 274 The starting lineup for Vanderbilt was: Reams (left end), Shipp (left tackle), Daves (left guard), Morgan (center), Swofford (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Robins (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback). After the season thumb|130px|Lew Hardage Awards and honors Lew Hardage was selected third-team All-American by Walter Camp, the fourth ever Southern player to get such a recognition.https://books.google.com/books?id=uZhOAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA211 On the Gridiron and Diamond 211 The Kappa Alpha Journal 30 2 Order Kappa Alpha 1913n Camp's teams had been historically loaded with players from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Penn, and other Northeastern colleges.Joe Williams, "Joe Williams Says", El Paso Herald-Post, p. 10 (November 12, 1935). Retrieved August 20, 2014. He was a unanimous All-Southern selection. Innis Brown wrote: "Hardage has been rated as probably the most successful man in the south at making forward passes."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1917811// Newspapers.com March 4, 2015 Atlanta Constitution Innis Brown's All-Southern December 1, 1912 Ammie Sikes, Hugh Morgan, Tom Brown, and Enoch Brown all made composite All-Southern. Championships Vanderbilt won the SIAA title in football, baseball, and track.Vanderbilt University 210 According to Nathan Stauffer, Texas A&M was Vanderbilt's nearest challenger for best football team in the South.Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide https://archive.org/stream/officialnational08nati#page/64/mode/2up/search/%22all+southern%22 Nathan Stauffer All-Southern Football Team of 1912 65 Personnel Varsity letterwinners thumb|150px|Tom Brown The lettermen were dubbed "Wearers of the V."Vanderbilt University 213 Team manager Frank Gilliland was also a letterman. LineVanderbilt Commodores Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeTom Browntackle 10Gallatin, Tennessee Unknown6'2"18022Joe Covingtonguard5UnknownUnknownUnk.Unk.Unk.Zeke Martinend 0 Mobile, AlabamaUniversity Military School Unk.Unk.Unk.Hugh Morgancenter 8Nashville, Tennessee Unknown Unk.21619Kent Morrisonend 0 Unknown McTyeire SchoolUnk.Unk.Unk. BackfieldVanderbilt Commodores Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeWilson Collinshalfback7Pulaski, TennesseeMassey School 5'9"165 23Zach Curlinhalfback5 Luxora, Arkansas Webb SchoolUnk. Unk. 22Lew Hardagehalfback9 Decatur, AlabamaUnknown Unk. 16521Rabbi Robinshalfback5Tupelo, Mississippi McTyeire School Unk.Unk.21 Scoring leadersVanderbilt Commodores Player Touchdowns Extra points Field goals Safeties PointsLew Hardage11271096Wilson Collins1100066Rabbi Robins700042Enoch Brown610037Zach Curlin214025Kent Morrison330021Yunk Chester300018Glen Reams300018Tom Shea300018Ammie Sikes200012Tom Brown140010Malcolm Luck10006Whitey Milholland10006Pud Reyer10006Peck Turner10006N/A00024Total563652391 Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Vanderbilt's lineup during the 1912 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a short punt formation while on offense, with the quarterback under center. LE Peck Turner (6) Glen Reams (2) Yunk Chester (1) Whitey Milholland (1) Zeke Martin (0) LT LG C RG RT Cleveland Shipp (6) Herman Daves (7)Hugh Morgan (8) Swofford (4)Tom Brown (9) Joe Covington (2)Chester Huffman (1)Tom Brown (1) Chester Huffman (3) Joe Covington (1) Herman Daves (2)Swofford (1) Chester Huffman (1) Joe Covington (2)R. E. Lowe (0) Pud Reyer (1) Herman Daves (1) Darwin (0) RE Enoch Brown (8) Glen Reams (1) Whitey Milholland (1) Kent Morrison (0)   QB Zach Curlin (5) Rabbi Robins (5) LHBRHB Lew Hardage (9)Wilson Collins (7) Malcolm Luck (1)Tom P. Shea (3) FB Ammie Sikes (5) Yunk Chester (2) Peck Turner (2) Whitey Milholland (1) - Notes n References Bibliography Traughber Bill Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History 978-1-60949-423-0 The History Press 2011 https://books.google.com/books?id=QSHOAAAAMAAJ&q=editions:rtM-OQi1g0kC Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University Quarterly 12 Vanderbilt University 1912 https://books.google.com/books?id=RS4VAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA121 2006 Where Football Is King: A History of the SEC Christopher J. Walsh 9781461734772 A History of Southern Football 1890–1928 Woodruff Fuzzy 1 1928 Vanderbilt Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football seasons Vanderbilt Commodores football