1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

American college football season August 2022 August 2022 1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football 1915gatech.jpg 285 Independent 7–0–1 John Heisman 12th Jump shift Froggie Morrison Grant Field Southern champion The 1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Tech Golden Tornado of the Georgia Institute of Technology during the 1915 college football season. The Tornado was coached by John Heisman in his 12th year as head coach, compiling a record of 7–0–1 and outscoring opponents 233 to 24. Georgia Tech played its home games at Grant Field. The Tech team claims a Southern championship, and had what was then the greatest season in its history. Before the season thumb|130px|Froggie Morrison Coach John Heisman's backfield used the pre-snap movement of his "jump shift" offense. The team's captain was Froggie Morrison,note He returned to Tech as an assistant coach in 1933 after serving in World War I and a sixteen-year hiatus from college football. Atlanta Journal-Constitution Froggy Morrison Slated To Return Tech; Bulldogs Driven September 10, 1933 June 8, 2008 https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/1102277872.html?dids=1102277872:1102277872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Sep+10%2C+1933&author=Tobe+Edwards&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution+(1881-2001)&edition=&startpage=3B&desc=Froggy+Morrison+Slated+To+Return+Tech%3B+Bulldogs+Driven May 24, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110524224604/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/1102277872.html?dids=1102277872:1102277872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Sep+10,+1933&author=Tobe+Edwards&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution+(1881-2001)&edition=&startpage=3B&desc=Froggy+Morrison+Slated+To+Return+Tech%3B+Bulldogs+Driven dead Tech's first great quarterback. 'Froggy' Started March of Great Quarterbacks Atlanta Journal-Constitution 3B September 10, 1933 Fullback Tommy Spence was a future World War I casualty, and halfback Wooch Fielder was later a prominent figure in World War II. New halfback Everett Strupper was partially deaf; http://issuu.com/gtalumni/docs/1950_28_4/19 Everett Strupper, Tech Immortal, Passes Suddenly 1950 Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine 28 4 because of his deafness, he called the signals when he played, instead of the team's quarterback.Ex-Tech Great Dies Suddenly: Everett Strupper, Member of Unbeaten Teams, Passes in Atlanta The Anniston Star (AP wire story) 1950-02-05 When "Strupe" tried out for the team, he noticed that the quarterback shouted the signals every time he was to carry the ball. Realizing that the loud signals would be a tip-off to the opposition, Strupper told Heisman: "Coach, those loud signals are absolutely unnecessary. You see when sickness in my kid days brought on this deafness my folks gave me the best instructors obtainable to teach me lip-reading." Heisman recalled how Strupper overcame his deafness: "He couldn't hear anything but a regular shout. But he could read your lips like a flash. No lad that ever stepped on a football field had keener eyes than Everett had. The enemy found this out the minute he began looking for openings through which to run the ball."John Heisman Heisman Tells Inside Story of Strupper's Play Atlanta Constitution 1923-11-09 Schedule October 2 w Mercer Grant Field Atlanta, GA 52–0 October 9 w Davidson Grant Field Atlanta, GA 21–7 October 16 3:05 p.m. w Transylvania Grant Field Atlanta, GA 57–0 October 22 w y LSU Heinemann Park New Orleans, LA 36–7 3,000 October 30 w North Carolina Grant Field Atlanta, GA 23–3 November 6 w Alabama Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 21–7 5,000 November 13 t Georgia Grant Field Atlanta, GA Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate 0–0 9,000 November 25 w Auburn Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 7–0 10,000 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/1915-schedule.html 1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results Game summaries Week 1: Mercer Tech opened the season with a 52–0 defeat of the Mercer Baptists. The Tech backs plunged through the Baptists line almost at will.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5076848/greensboro_daily_news/ Georgia Techs Down Mercer October 3, 1915 6 Greensboro Daily News April 27, 2016 Newspapers.com Week 2: Davidson Week 2: Davidson at Georgia Tech Davidson Ga. Tech 0 7 0 0 0 0 14 7 October 9 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA Sandy Beaver In the second week of play, Davidson had the upper hand for three quarters, but Tech managed to pull ahead in the third quarter, and won 21–7. In the first quarter, Davidson scored on a punt fumbled by Everett Strupper.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747911/the_charlotte_observer/ Davidson Makes Techs Go Some 11 October 10, 1915 The Charlotte Observer March 27, 2015 Newspapers.com Froggie Morrison hit Jim Senter with a 35-yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter. Tech managed to score again, and the third quarter ended with the Yellow Jackets at the 1-yard line.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747831/the_charlotte_news/ Outplaying Georgia Tech For Three Quarters Lapsed In the Third, The Yellow Jackets Winning 11 The Charlotte News October 10, 1915 Newspapers.com March 27, 2016 Tommy Spence carried over on the first play of the fourth quarter. The starting lineup for Tech against Davidson: Goree (left end), Alexander (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback). Week 3: Transylvania Week 3: Transylvania at Georgia Tech Transy Ga. Tech 0 0 0 0 10 7 14 26 October 16 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA 3:05 p. m. Ed Hamilton Sources: The Yellow Jackets romped over Transylvania 57–0. Tech made 333 yards on end runs to 7 for Transy, and 31 first downs to 5. Heisman used most of his subs. Everett Strupper was the star of the game, scoring four touchdowns. Duncan also played well.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747949/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution 3 October 17, 1915 Yellow Jackets Win In A Romp March 27, 2016 Newspapers.com Dick Jemison Dick Jemison 130px|thumb|left|Everett Strupper The starting lineup for Tech: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Preas (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback). Week 4: LSU The season's lone road game was in New Orleans. Georgia Tech handily defeated the LSU Tigers 36–7 using conventional football, at the expense of Heisman being ejected from the game for arguing with an official.Vincent Herb 2008 LSU Football Vault: The History of the Fighting Tigers Whitman Publishing, LLC 978-0794824280 27 Tech repeatedly hammered LSU's left end. "Except for a brief period in the second quarter, when Louisiana executed three consecutive passes for average gains of 25 yards, the Tigers practically were helpless".https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156712/waco_morning_news/ Georgia Tech Beats Louisiana Waco Morning News 13 October 24, 1915 May 4, 2016 Newspapers.com Just before the game ended, Tommy Spence returned an interception 85 yards.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156730/the_charlotte_news/ The Charlotte News Georgia Techs Walloped Tigers of Louisiana 10 October 24, 1915 May 4, 2016 Newspapers.com Everett Strupper was injured, blaming Phillip Cooper.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156784/the_atlanta_constitution/ Atlanta Constitution Jackets Win Over Louisiana 36 to 7; Strupper Injured 3 October 24, 1915 May 4, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tacle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback). Week 5: North Carolina Week 5: North Carolina at Georgia Tech UNC Ga. Tech 0 3 0 0 13 0 0 10 November 13 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA Brown Sources: Tech beat the North Carolina Tar Heels 23–3.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5076661/the_charlotte_news/ Possessing No Offense and a Weak Defense, Carolina Proved Easy For The Jackets Charlotte News April 27, 2016 October 31, 1915 12 Early in the first quarter, Wooch Fielder circled end for 40 yards and a touchdown. Next, two forward passes set up a Tommy Spence run for a touchdown. Conventional football got the last touchdown, a score by Mathias. The last score was a 40-yard drop kick field goal by Spence. Only Yank Tandy and Roy Homewood played well for the Tar Heels. Tandy's field goal was Carolina's only score. He was injured in the third quarter. The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Duncan (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback). Week 6: Alabama Week 6: Alabama at Georgia Tech Alabama Ga. Tech 0 0 0 7 7 7 7 0 November 6 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA Innis Brown Sources: Tech beat Alabama 21–7. Wooch Fielder scored first. In the second period, Everett Strupper had a 7-yard touchdown run. Tommy Spence scored on a 5-yard run in the third. Alabama's lone score came on the first play of the fourth quarter on an elaborate trick play, a 30-yard forward pass from Bully Van de Graaff, Alabama's first All-American, to Stevenson.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157231/the_atlanta_constitution/ Tech Team Wins Fiercely Fought Game Atlanta Constitution November 7, 1915 May 4, 2016 Newspapers.com 5 The starting lineup against Alabama: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback). Week 7: Georgia Week 7: Georgia at Georgia Tech Georgia Ga. Tech 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 November 13 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA 9,000 Nichols (Oberlin) The year's only blemish was a scoreless tie against the rival Georgia Bulldogs in inches of mud.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157107/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean Tech Outplayed By Georgia Is Held To Scoreless Tie November 14, 1915 33 May 4, 2016 Newspapers.com John G. Henderson headed a group of three men, one behind the other with his hands upon the shoulders of the one in front, to counter Heisman's jump shift offense.http://www.prideofthetide.com/programs%20pdf/1937%20tulane.pdf 5; 11 Alabama vs. Tulane November 6, 1937 Georgia outplayed Tech throughout. Georgia was once on Tech's 8-yard line, in the first quarter, but Walter Neville fumbled and Tommy Spence recovered. The starting lineup against Georgia: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Johnston (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).thumb|300x300px|Partial view of the crowd at the Auburn game|left Week 8: Auburn Week 8: Auburn at Georgia Tech Auburn Ga. Tech 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 November 25 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA 10,000 Innis Brown Tech closed what was then the greatest season in its history with a 7–0 defeat of the Auburn Plainsmen.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4493917/the_atlanta_constitution/ Atlanta Constitution 9 November 26, 1915 Yellow Jackets Earn Tie To Football Championship By Defeating Plainsmen Dick Jemison Dick Jemison March 2, 2016 Newspapers.com To begin the second quarter, Everett Strupper had two key plays, the last of which was the game-deciding touchdown.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3278394/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean Georgia Tech Claims S.I.A.A. Championship November 26, 1915 8 March 27, 2016 Newspapers.com First he made 20 yards around with a pass from MorrisonBlue Print, 1916 before being forced out of bounds. Next was the 19-yard touchdown. Strupper started around left end, then cut back into the center of the field, away from his blockers. He juked and eluded "every man on the Auburn team." On the last move Strupper faked right and then dove left underneath the outstretched arms of Baby Taylor into the endzone.https://books.google.com/books?id=p1g4AQAAIAAJ&q=%22big+babe+taylor%22 The Volta Review 102–105 1925 Volta Bureau A Lip-Reading Football Star The starting lineup against Auburn: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback). Postseason thumb|260px|The pennant at the annual banquet. Tech claimed the right to dispute the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) title with Vanderbilt, despite no longer being a member. The Atlanta Constitution declared it a tie between Vanderbilt and Tech.Traughber 2011 61 The Tech team was awarded a 17 x 45 foot pennant as Southern champion.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2703297/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution December 5, 1915 3 June 28, 2015 Newspapers.com Talley Johnston Named Captain 1916 Jackets; Carpenter Is Alternate Dick Jemison Dick Jemison Wooch Fielder and Bob Lang made composite All-Southern. Jim Senter, Froggie Morrison and Everett Strupper also made some All-Southern teams. Atlanta Constitution Composite All-Southern Of Ten Of The Dopesters Dick Jemison Dick Jemison November 30, 1915 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1924630// March 5, 2015 10 Newspapers.com Personnel Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Tech's lineup during the 1915 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics the offense after the jump shift has taken place. LE A. W. Goree (6) Si Bell (1) H. R. Dunwoody (0) Ray (0) LT LG C RG RT Si Bell (3) Bully Reynolds (6) Pup Phillips (7) Bob Lang (7) Walker Carpenter (5) Hugh Mauck (2)Jim Preas (1)Pug Bryant (0)Hip West (0) Julian Barnwell (2) Canty Alexander (1) Brandes (0) F. G. Duncan (1) RE Jim Senter (7) Shorty Guill (0) Pete Beard (0)   QB Froggie Morrison (6) Talley Johnston (1) RHB Wooch Fielder (7) Everett Strupper (0) Al Hill (0) FB Tommy Spence (7) R. G. Glover (0) LHB Talley Johnston (5) W. J. Mathias (2) Gardner (0) Notes note References Bibliography Traughber Bill Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History 978-1-60949-423-0 The History Press 2011 Georgia Tech Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football seasons Georgia Tech Football