1903 Cumberland Bulldogs football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1903 Cumberland Bulldogs football Cumberland Bulldogs football team (1903).jpg 285 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 6–1–1 4–1–1 A. L. Phillips 2nd W. W. Suddarth SIAA co-champion The 1903 Cumberland Bulldogs football team represented Cumberland University in the 1903 college football season. The team was a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA), compiling a 6–1–1 record. The Bulldogs notably beat Vanderbilt and tied John Heisman's Clemson at year's end in a game billed as the "SIAA Championship Game." They also beat Alabama, LSU, and Tulane in five days. The school claims a share of the SIAA title. It has been called "the best football team in the history of Cumberland."https://archive.org/stream/historyofcumberl00bone#page/260/mode/2up/search/football A History of Cumberland University Winstead Paine Bone 1935 137; 260 The Author https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5280535/the_courierjournal/ The Courier-Journal Fine Football in Southland 25 May 16, 2016 October 25, 1903 Newspapers.com Schedule Central October 3 3:00 p.m. w y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 6–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-vanderbilt-beaten/145808655/ Vanderbilt beaten; Cumberland University team spring surprise on Nashville collegians The Commercial Appeal October 4, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com October 20 3:00 p.m. l y Sewanee Hardee Field Sewanee, TN 0–6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-sewanee-wins-but-it-wa/145809346/ Sewanee wins, but it was the fight of her life Nashville Banner October 21, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com November 2 w y Tennessee Docs Lebanon, TN 86–0 By Large Score https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81147652/the-tennessean/ Nashville American Nashville, Tennessee November 3, 1903 7 July 10, 2021 Newspapers.com November 7 w y 1903 Grant University of Athens Grant University of Athens Lebanon, TN 92–0 Cumberland, 92; Grant, 0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81147918/chattanooga-daily-times/ Chattanooga Daily Times Chattanooga, Tennessee November 8, 1903 3 July 10, 2021 Newspapers.com November 14 w y Alabama The Quad Tuscaloosa, AL 44–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71240159/cumberland-too-heavy-defeats/ The Montgomery Advertiser Cumberland too heavy, Defeats University of Alabama, 44 to 0 November 15, 1903 February 16, 2021 Newspapers.com November 16 3:00 p.m. w y LSU State Field Baton Rouge, LA 41–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-cumberland-keeps-up/145795716/ The Atlanta Journal Cumberland keeps up great winning streak November 17, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com November 18 3:30 p.m. w y Tulane Athletic Park New Orleans, LA 28–0 Football! https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81147043/the-times-democrat/ The Times-Democrat New Orleans, Louisiana November 18, 1903 8 July 9, 2021 Newspapers.com November 26 t y Clemson Oak Park Montgomery, AL 11–11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-right-royal-fo/145809629/ The Montgomery Advertiser Right royal football game between Cumberland–Clemson resulted in tie November 27, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/cumberland/1903-schedule.html 1903 schedulehttps://archive.org/stream/bulletin1904cumb#page/32/mode/2up Cumberland University Bulletin 32 Athletics Games with Kentucky State College and Kentucky University were canceled.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7954775/the_courierjournal/ 8 November 3, 1903 No Game At Lexington. The Courier-Journal December 21, 2016 Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7954824/the_courierjournal/ Kentucky University Game Cancelled 8 The Courier-Journal October 27, 1903 December 21, 2016 Newspapers.com Before the season For the 1903 season, point values were different from those used in contemporary games. In 1903 a touchdown was worth five points, a field goal was worth five points and a conversion (PAT) was worth one point.http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html Scoring values RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics November 19, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111125000700/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html November 25, 2011 Game summaries At Vanderbilt Cumberland at Vanderbilt Cumberland 6 0 Vanderbilt 0 0 October 3 3:00 p. m. Nashville, Tennessee Wreidt Cumberland upset the Vanderbilt Commodores 6–0. Four minutes after the game started, Waterhouse had the decisive touchdown. M. O. Bridges had his right collarbone broken.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5194654/the_tennessean/ 7 October 4, 1903 The Tennessean Cumberland Wins May 8, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Waterhouse (left end), M. L. Bridges (left tackle), James (left guard), Smith (center), Cragwall (right guard), Suddarth (right tackle), Spencer (right end), Smiser (quarterback), Head (left halfback), Newton (right halfback), M. O. Bridges (fullback). Sewanee Cumberland at Sewanee Cumberland 0 0 Sewanee 0 6 October 20 3:00 p. m. Sewanee, Tennessee Roszel Cumberland suffered the season's only loss to the Sewanee Tigers. Henry D. Phillips plowed through the line for the deciding score. The Varsity Triumphs Over Cumberland Sewanee Purple October 27, 1903 20 8 11005/766 The starting lineup was Waterhouse (left end), M. L. Bridges (left tackle), James (left guard), Smith (center), Cragwall (right guard), Suddarth (right tackle), Spencer (right end), Smiser (quarterback), Head (left halfback), Anderson (right halfback), Minton (fullback). Tennessee Medical College Cumberland defeated Tennessee Medical College 86–0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3013244/the_atlanta_constitution/ 9 November 11, 1903 The Atlanta Constitution Clemson Team Much Crippled December 22, 2016 Newspapers.com Spencer scored three touchdowns. Grant University Cumberland then walloped Grant University of Athens 92–0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7954886/the_courierjournal/ 4 November 8, 1903 The Courier-Journal Cumberland's Easy Victory December 21, 2016 Newspapers.com Alabama To close the regular season, Cumberland beat Alabama, LSU, and Tulane all by shutout in five days. Red Smith and Head starred in the 44–0 defeat of Alabama.http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/recaps/1903-season.pdf Archived copy 2016-05-05 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160508205702/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/recaps/1903-season.pdf 2016-05-08 Cumberland outweighed Alabama by an average of nearly 30 pounds. The starting lineup was Waterhouse (left end), M. L. Bridges (left tackle), M. O. Bridges (left guard), Smith (center), Cragwall (right guard), Suddarth (right tackle), Spencer (right end), Smiser (quarterback), Head (left halfback), Anderson (right halfback), Minton (fullback).Woodruff 1928 150 LSU Cumberland at LSU Cumberland 18 23 LSU 0 0 November 16 3:00 p. m. Baton Rouge, Louisiana Connell Just two days later, Cumberland beat W. S. Borland's LSU Tigers 41–0. The starting lineup was Ashley (left end), M. O. Bridges (left tackle), Lieper (left guard), Smith (center), Cragwall (right guard), Suddarth (right tackle), Sanders (right end), Smiser (quarterback), Head (left halfback), Anderson (right halfback), Minton (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8151761/the_timesdemocrat/ 11 November 17, 1903 The Times-Democrat Louisiana Is Very Easy January 3, 2017 Newspapers.com Tulane Two days later still, Cumberland outweighed and defeated Tulane 28–0.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal/192631167/ The Commercial Appeal November 19, 1903 Tennesseans Win Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Waterhouse (left end), M. L. Bridges (left tackle), M. O. Bridges (left guard), Smith (center), Lieper (right guard), Suddarth (right tackle), Spencer (right end), Smiser (quarterback), Anderson (left halfback), Head (right halfback), Minton (fullback). Postseason "SIAA championship game" Clemson vs. Cumberland Clemson 0 11 Cumberland 11 0 November 26 Montgomery, Alabama W. R. Tichenor Cumberland tied John Heisman's Clemson Tigers in a game billed as the SIAA championship. Cumberland rushed out to an early 11 to 0 lead. Wiley Lee Umphlett in Creating the Big Game: John W. Heisman and the Invention of American Football writes, "During the first half, Clemson was never really in the game due mainly to formidable line play of the Bridges brothers–giants in their day at 6 feet 4 inches–and a big center named "Red" Smith, was all over the field backing up the Cumberland line on defense. Clemson had been outweighed before, but certainly not like this." A contemporary account reads "The Clemson players seemed mere dwarfs as they lined up for the kickoff. To the crowd on the sidelines it didn't seem that Heisman's charges could possibly do more than give a gallant account of themselves in a losing battle." A touchdown was scored by fullback E. L. Minton (touchdowns were worth 5 points).http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209808914 Clemson's "First Bowl Game" Sam Blackman December 15, 2014 January 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222204/http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209808914 September 23, 2015 dead Guard M. O. Bridges kicked the extra point. Halfback J. A. Head made another touchdown, but Bridges missed the try. thumb|140px|M. O. Bridges After halftime, Clemson quarterback John Maxwell raced 100 yards for a touchdown. Clemson missed the try. Cumberland fumbled a punt and Clemson recovered. Cumberland expected a trick play when Fritz Furtick simply ran up the middle and scored.https://books.google.com/books?id=mhJwBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT136 24. 1903 Game With Cumberland Lou Sahadi 100 Things Clemson Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die October 2014 Triumph Books 9781623689490 One account of the play reads "Heisman saw his chance to exploit a weakness in the Cumberland defense: run the ball where the ubiquitous Red Smith wasn't. So the next time Sitton started out on one of his slashing end runs, at the last second he tossed he ball back to the fullback who charges straight over center (where Smith would have been except that he was zeroing in on the elusive Sitton) and went all the way for he tying touchdown."https://books.google.com/books?id=QWv3BlnItIEC&pg=PA67 Creating the Big Game: John W. Heisman and the Invention of American Football Wiley Lee Umphlett 1992 67 Bloomsbury Academic 9780313284045 Jock Hanvey kicked the extra point and the game ended in an 11–11 tie. The winning team was to be awarded the ball. Captain W. W. Suddarth of Cumberland wanted captain Hope Sadler of Clemson to get the ball, and Sadler insisted Suddarth should have it. Some ten minutes of bickering was resolved when the ball was given to patrolman Patrick J. Sweeney, for warning the media and fans to stay down in front and allow spectators to see the game. Heisman pushed for Cumberland to be named SIAA champions at year's end,https://books.google.com/books?id=8McdQD3SY00C&q=%22m+l+bridges%22+cumberland+football&pg=PA95 From Maverick to Mainstream: Cumberland School of Law, 1847-1997 Langum, David J January 2010 95 University of Georgia Press 9780820336183 and the school claims a share of the title.http://www.gocumberlandathletics.com/football/history/ Footballhttp://www.realclearsports.com/lists/october_5_12/epic_defeat_cumberland_georgia_tech.html?state=stop Cumberland Blues May 17, 2013 January 20, 2015 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085232/http://www.realclearsports.com/lists/october_5_12/epic_defeat_cumberland_georgia_tech.html?state=stop dead It was Heisman's last game as Clemson head coach.https://books.google.com/books?id=JtMzy76xerMC&pg=PA138 Heisman: The Man Behind The Trophy John M. Heisman 2 October 2012 138 Simon and Schuster 9781451682939 The starting lineup was Waterhouse (left end), M. L. Bridges (left tackle), M. O. Bridges (left guard), Smith (center), Cragwall (right guard), Suddarth (right tackle), Spencer (right end), Smiser (quarterback), Head (left halfback), Anderson (right halfback), Minton (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3013134/the_atlanta_constitution/ 1 The Atlanta Constitution Clemson Tigers Tie Cumberland May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com Players Line Cumberland Bulldogs Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeMilton L. Bridges tackle Cornersville, Tennessee 6'4"225Marvin O. Bridges guard Cornersville, Tennessee 6'4"200 25William Cragwell guard 175E. C. Lieperguard 186Red Smith center Mooney6'0"17022Collis M. Spencer end 136W. W. Suddarth tackle Castle Heights 17023Clarence E. Waterhouse end 150 Backfield Cumberland Bulldogs Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeJ. C. Anderson halfback 170J. Allen Head halfback Mooney 160E. L. Minton fullback Jackson 165Booker Smiser quarterback Mooney 150https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner/192630991/ How Cumberland Came To Have Its Great Team November 4, 1903 Nashville Banner Newspapers.com Awards and honors Captain: W. W. Suddarth All-Southern: M. O. Bridges, W. W. Suddarth, Red Smith, J. C. Anderson. Sources A History of Southern Football 1890–1928 Woodruff Fuzzy 1928 1 The Phoenix Students of Cumberland University Lebanon, Tennessee Football Team: Team of '03 118–121 1904 Internet Archive https://archive.org/details/phoenix1904cumb/page/118/mode/2up December 6, 2024 References Cumberland Category:Cumberland Phoenix football seasons Cumberland Bulldogs football