1913 Auburn Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1913 Auburn Tigers football Auburn Tigers football team (1913).jpg 285 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 8–0 8–0 Mike Donahue 9th 7–2–2 Kirk Newell Drake FieldRickwood Field National champion (Billingsley MOV) SIAA champion 10sauburnuniform.png The 1913 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1913 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. The team was coached by Mike Donahue and was undefeated at 8–0, outscoring opponents 224–13. Auburn was the champion of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The team played just two games at home.http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-footbl/history_and_tradition_1913_champions.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140520130112/http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-footbl/history_and_tradition_1913_champions.html dead May 20, 2014 AUBURNTIGERS.COM :: Auburn University Official Athletic Site Auburn University Official Athletic Site :: Football Richard Billingsley is the only NCAA-recognized "major selector" to select Auburn as 1913 national champion.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf National Poll Rankings National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2015 NCAA Division I Football Records NCAA 108 January 4, 2016 http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/auburn/national_champs.php Auburn Recognized National Championships 2013-11-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20131109010129/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/auburn/national_champs.php 2013-11-09 dead The retroactive selection of the 1913 Tigers first appeared in the 2000 NCAA records book, as the Billingsley Report revised its math system for the BCS computer rankings. In the 1996 NCAA records book, under his primary methodology, he had selected Chicago for 1913.Billingsley Report selections first appeared in the 1995 https://archive.org/details/1995-ncaa-football-records-book-national-champions 1995 NCAA Football Records Book National Collegiate Athletic Association 1995 54–58 July 15, 2023 edition of the NCAA records book, listing champions since 1960. In the 1996https://archive.org/details/1996-ncaa-football-records-book-national-champions 1996 NCAA Football Records Book National Collegiate Athletic Association 1996 54–59 July 15, 2023 Billingsley Report (1960–present), a mathematically based power rating system developed by Richard Billingsley of Nashville, Tennessee. His work is published annually as the Billingsley Report through his own company, the College Football Research Center. In 1996, he finished his three-year research project ranking the national champions from 1869–95. Predated national champions from 1869–1959. book these champions were joined with retrospective selections all the way back to 1869. This original set of champions was last printed in the 1999https://archive.org/details/1999-ncaa-football-records-book-national-champions 1999 NCAA Football Records Book National Collegiate Athletic Association 1999 58–65 July 15, 2023 NCAA records book. In 1998 Billingsley adjusted his formula in order to participate as a computer poll in the Bowl Championship Series rankings. He re-ranked all past seasons with this new formula; these new champions were printed in the 2000http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/DI/2000/FBS.pdf 2000 NCAA Football Division I-A Records National Collegiate Athletic Association 2000 May 10, 2023 –2003 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/DI/2003/2003RB.pdf Official 2003 NCAA Football Records 73–80 The National Collegiate Athletic Association August 2003 Indianapolis May 10, 2023 Billingsley Report (1970-present), a mathematically based power rating system developed by Richard Billingsley of Nashville, Tennessee. His work is published annually as the Billingsley Report through his own company, the College Football Research Center. In 1996, he finished his three-year research project ranking the national champions from 1869-95. The research is located on the World Wide Web at www.CFRC.com. Predated national champions from 1869-1970. Member of 2002 BCS. NCAA records books. It was in this set of selections that the 1913 Auburn Tigers first appeared. 2008 http://www.cfrc.com/Archives/NC_Year.htm Billingsley's National Champions by Year College Football Research Center 2009-01-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20021011112956/http://www.cfrc.com/Archives/NC_Year.htm 2002-10-11 dead Auburn did not claim the title until 2025, but did acknowledge it in its official media guide before then.Rauterkus Peter Auburn football recognizing seven additional national championships https://www.al.com/auburnfootball/2025/08/auburn-football-recognizing-seven-additional-national-championships.html August 19, 2025 AL.com August 19, 2025 Before the season Since Auburn's tie with Vanderbilt last year, teams other than Vanderbilt had a chance to win a title, and newspapers covered football more than the World Series for the first time.Woodruff 1928 276 Coach Donahue built his team around his defense, which played out of a 7–2–2 scheme. The team was led by senior captain Kirk Newell. One source reads "Coach Donahue loved the fullback dive and would run the play over and over again before sending the elusive Newell wide on a sweep."http://auburnsunclaimed.com/2013/06/28/100-year-anniversary-the-top-10-players-on-auburns-1913-national-championship-team/ 100 Year Anniversary: The Top 10 Players on Auburn's 1913 National Championship Team June 28, 2013 Schedule October 4 w Mercer Drake Field Auburn, AL 53–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121087757/mercers-eleven-no-match-for-auburn/ Mercer's eleven no match for Auburn The Montgomery Advertiser October 5, 1913 March 17, 2023 Newspapers.com October 11 w Florida Drake Field Auburn, AL rivalry 55–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-auburn-swamps-florid/147642505/ The Atlanta Journal Auburn swamps Florida team October 12, 1913 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 w y Clemson Bowman Field Calhoun, SC rivalry 20–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-auburn-forced-to-f/147642799/ The Commercial Appeal Auburn forced to fight October 19, 1913 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com October 25 w Mississippi A&M Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL 34–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-auburn-eleven-s/140894278/ The Atlanta Constitution Auburn eleven scores at will October 26, 1913 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 w y LSU Monroe Park Mobile, AL rivalry 7–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5184742/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution Auburn's line plunging wins from Louisiana State team; Kirk Newell stars again G. J. Flournoy 7 November 2, 1913 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 w y Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 20–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-auburn-romps-on-tech/147642974/ The Nashville Tennessean Auburn romps on Tech November 9, 1913 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 w Vanderbilt Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL 14–6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-auburn-triumphs-o/147643123/ The Birmingham Age-Herald Auburn triumphs over Commodores November 16, 1913 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 w y Georgia Ponce de Leon Park Atlanta, GA rivalry 21–7 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-auburn-proves-claim/147643307/ The Birmingham News Auburn proves claim to title November 23, 1913 May 18, 2024 Newspapers.com Game summaries Mercer A.P.I. began its season with a 53-0 blowout against visiting Mercer on Drake Field. Florida Florida at Auburn Florida Auburn 0 0 0 0 13 21 7 14 October 11 Drake Field • Auburn, Alabama John Counselman Hot Sources: The week before, the Florida Gators had the largest win in their history, a 144–0 win over Southern College. Auburn crushed the Gators 55–0. Auburn scored five touchdowns in the first half. Captain Kirk Newell retired in the third period due to the heat.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5968159/the_atlanta_constitution/ 8 October 12, 1913 July 22, 2016 Newspapers.com Florida Is Easy For Auburn Team The Atlanta Constitution The starting lineup was Wynne (left end), Esslinger (left tackle), Lockwood (left guard), Pitts (center), Thigpen (right guard), Louisell (right tackle), Robinson (right end), Arnold (quarterback), Newell (left halfback), Sparkman (right halfback), Harris (fullback). Mississippi A&M The second place Mississippi A&M Aggies fell to Auburn 34–0 after years of close games between the two schools.Woodruff 1928 280 Clemson Clemson was defeated 20–0 with coach Donahue using his fullback.Woodruff 1928 278 The starting lineup was Wynne (left end), Esslinger (left tackle), Lockwood (left guard), Pitts (center), Thigpen (right guard), Louisell (right tackle), Robinson (right end), Arnold (quarterback), Newell (left halfback), Sparkman (right halfback), Harris (fullback). LSU LSU at Auburn LSU Auburn 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 November 1 Mobile, Alabama 2:30 p. m. Innis Brown Sources: In a close game of conventional football, Auburn beat the LSU Tigers 7–0, with Tom Dutton standing out at center of defense.Woodruff 1928 281 Kirk Newell starred with end runs, and in the third quarter brought the ball to the 12-yard line with a 40-yard run. Red Harris eventually made the deciding score.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5184742/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution Auburn's Line Plunging Wins From Louisiana State Team; Kirk Newell Stars Again G. J. Flournoy 7 November 2, 1913 May 7, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Taylor (left end), Louisell (left tackle), Thigpen (left guard), Pitts (center), Lockwood (right guard), Esslinger (right tackle), Robinson (right end), Arnold (quarterback), Newell (left halfback), Kearley (right halfback), Harris (fullback). Georgia Tech Auburn beat Georgia Tech 20–0, Auburn's sixth straight shutout. After the first half, Tech's line was beaten down by Auburn's.Woodruff 1928 282 Vanderbilt Auburn at Vanderbilt Auburn Vanderbilt 7 0 0 7 6 0 0 0 Nashville, Tennessee Sources: In "one of the most spectacular games the South ever saw",Woodruff 1928 283 Auburn beat Dan McGugin's Vanderbilt Commodores 14–6. Auburn scored with fullback Hart. Vanderbilt responded quickly with a 30-yard pass from Ammie Sikes to Hord Boensch. Using four different fullbacks on one drive, Auburn drove 80 yards to win.Woodruff 1928 284 Georgia Auburn at Georgia Auburn Georgia 0 7 7 7 7 0 0 0 November 22 Ponce de Leon ParkAtlanta 12,000 Innis Brown Sources: The Tigers defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 21–7 to claim the SIAA title. Many prominent persons, including the governor, saw the contest.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5184744/the_atlanta_constitution/ 6 November 23, 1913 Thousands Of Enthusiasts See Auburn Football Team Win South's Championship The Atlanta Constitution May 7, 2016 Newspapers.com Kirk Newell of Auburn and Bob McWhorter of Georgia played their last games. At the 25-yard line, from a freak formation, Georgia's David Paddock pass the ball to Logan who caught it on the run and into the endzone for the first score of the game. Red Harris got over a score in the second period. In the third quarter, Auburn had driven to the 11-yard line, and Donahue pulled Harris for Christopher. The Georgia team expected a buck, and committed to stopping it. Newell skirted around right end for 7 yards. Christopher eventually plunged in from the 4-yard line. Later, from the 35-yard line, Newell had a run to the 7-yard line, chased out of bounds by McWhorter. Christopher again got the touchdown. The starting lineup was Kearley (left end), Louisell (left tackle), Thigpen (left guard), Pitts (center), Lockwood (right guard), Esslinger (right tackle), Robinson (right end), Arnold (quarterback), Newell (left halfback), Prendergast (right halfback), Harris (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5184795/the_atlanta_constitution/ Dick Jemison Dick Jemison 7 November 23, 1913 Auburn Wins Southern Title; Georgia Beaten Decisively; Harris Star of Fierce Game The Atlanta Constitution May 7, 2016 Newspapers.com Postseason Newell gained 1,707 yards that year, 46% of the team's entire offensive output; http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2013/08/football-rankings-guru-richard-billingsley-says-auburn-should-crown-century-old-champions-my-national-championship-for-auburn-in-1913-is-a-very-valid-national-championship/#.VF81IcnYqqk Football rankings guru Richard Billingsley says Auburn should claim century-old crown: 'My national championship for Auburn in 1913 is a very valid national championship' August 21, 2013 Henderson Jeremy and 5,800 yards rushing, 350 yards receiving, and 1,200 yards on punt returns for his career.https://books.google.com/books?id=oG2pd4M-TsAC&pg=PA60 58–61 Hidden History of Auburn Kelly Kazek 2011 The History Press 9781609492922 One writer claims "Auburn had a lot of great football teams, but there may not have been one greater than the 1913–1914 team."Brady Ethan Auburn's 1913 undefeated team http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/genrel/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/1913_team.pdf Auburn Tigers Football https://web.archive.org/web/20181001214548/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/genrel/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/1913_team.pdf October 1, 2018 65, 69 dead Newell went on to be a World War I hero and member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.http://ashof.org/index.php?src=directory&view=company&refno=252&srctype=company_detail Alabama Sports Hall of Fame – Birmingham, Alabama – Where Heroes Live Forever – Newell 1913 Auburn football team Champions of South.jpg 450px Black & white image illustrating the 1913 Auburn University American football players in their uniforms. The Champions of the South Roster Starters Line Auburn Tigers Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeM. S. EsslingerTackle4Bull KearleyEnd2Franklin, Alabama 18022Tubby LockwoodGuard4Montgomery, Alabama 22023Lou LouisellTackle4 18Boozer PittsCenter4 Pittsview, Alabama 19019Robbie RobinsonEnd4 170Baby TaylorEnd1Birmingham, Alabama 6'2"19421Big ThigpenGuard4 200Jack WynneEnd2 Backfield Auburn Tigers Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeTed ArnoldQuarterback4 156 Red HarrisFullback4 148Kirk NewellHalfback4Dadeville, Alabama 15022Homer PrendergastHalfback1S. S. SparkmanHalfback3 Subs Auburn Tigers Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeE. C. AdkinsHalfbackBedie BidezFullbackChris ChristopherFullbackClevelandHalfbackC. W. CulpepperTackleRoland FricksGuardLucy HairstonEnd/back Crawford, MississippiFrank HartFullback Eufaula, Alabama 19C. B. MartinTackleC. S. NobleQuarterbackGeorge SteedTackle Staff Mike Donahue, coach George Penton, assistant Ed Bragg, alumni coach Jonathan Bell Lovelace, manager Thomas Bragg, graduate manager Dean Cliff Hare, faculty chairman of athletics Notes References Additional sources A History of Southern Football 1890–1928 Woodruff Fuzzy 1928 1 Auburn Category:Auburn Tigers football seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Auburn Tigers football