1921 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1921 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 8–1 5–0 William Alexander 2nd Jump shift Judy Harlan Grant Field SIAA co-champion 200 The 1921 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football teamnote 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.Van Brimmer Rice 2011 147 It may have been coined by Morgan Blake.January 28, 2015 http://livinghistory.gatech.edu/new/traditions/tradition/tornado.html Golden Tornadoes represented the Georgia Tech Golden Tornado of the Georgia Institute of Technology during the 1921 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. The Golden Tornado played its home games at Grant Field. The Golden Tornado was coached by William Alexander in his second year as head coach, compiling an 8–1 record (5–0 against Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) teams) and outscoring opponents 360 to 56. The team beat Rutgers and its only loss was its only road game, at the Polo Grounds in New York City, to undefeated eastern power Penn State. Defeating the rival Auburn Tigers secured a sharing of the SIAA title with the Georgia Bulldogs and Vanderbilt Commodores, though "no championship was ever won with less effort or achievement." noted sportswriter Fuzzy Woodruff. Captain Judy Harlan made Walter Camp's third-team All-America. Red Barron led the team in scoring and rushed for 1,459 yards during the season, a school record at the time.http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/geot/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/71stats.pdf Tech's "Old Time" Football Records February 3, 2017 March 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304130457/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/geot/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/71stats.pdf dead Harlan, Barron, brothers John and Al Staton, and Oscar Davis made All-Southern. Before the season thumb|left|160px|alt=A player running in front of the ball-carrier|Harlan running interference for Barron In 1921, football used a one-platoon system in which players played offense, defense, and special teams. A team which scored a touchdown had the option to kick-off or receive, and the ball was much rounder. Coach William Alexander retained his predecessor John Heisman's scheme, using the pre-snap movement of his jump shift offense. Also in the backfield was junior halfback Red Barron, who had just recovered from a broken jaw received the previous season in a game against Vanderbilt. Future Tech fullback Sam Murray said about a strong runner during the 1930s, "He's good. But if I were playing again, I would have one wish – never to see bearing down upon me a more fearsome picture of power than Judy Harlan blocking for Red Barron."http://issuu.com/gtalumni/docs/1973_51_4/20 Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine 51 They Walked Away Into Legend... Lynn Hogan 4 1973 15–19 Junior starting quarterback Jack McDonough missed the final four games last year due to an ankle injury caused by Pitt's fullback Orville Hewitt. Another halfback was Jimmy Brewster, known as the "side stepping wonder". In the line at either end were the brothers John and Al Staton. At guard was Oscar Davis, who (with Barron) was listed on an All-Tech Alexander-era team.http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/geot/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/HONORS.pdf 155 2007 Georgia Tech's All Era Teams Georgia Tech Football 2016-05-07 2018-10-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20181008073817/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/geot/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/HONORS.pdf dead At center was sophomore Dad Amis. Schedule September 24 w y Wake Forest Grant Field Atlanta, GA 42–0 October 1 w Oglethorpe Grant Field Atlanta, GA 41–0 8,000 October 8 w y Davidson Grant Field Atlanta, GA 70–0 October 15 w Furman Grant Field Atlanta, GA 69–0 October 22 w y Rutgers Grant Field Atlanta, GA 48–14 15,000 October 29 l y y Penn State Polo Grounds New York, NY 7-28 30,000 November 5 w Clemson Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 48–7 November 12 w Georgetown Grant Field Atlanta, GA 21–7 November 24 w Auburn Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 14–0 25,000 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/1921-schedule.html sports-reference.com February 4, 2017 1921 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results Game summaries Wake Forest Wake Forest at Georgia Tech Wake Ga. Tech 0 0 0 0 14 14 7 7 September 24 Grant Field Atlanta, GA Hot Ed Finlay Sources: The season opened with a 42–0 shutout of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who were hold to just one first down. The intense heat made for many substitutions, and a number of Tech players starred. Despite the weather, Harlan still smashed into the line. Brewster got the season's first touchdown, a 25-yard run around left end. Barron later got a touchdown on a 60-yard run.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5521437/the_atlanta_constitution/ Cliff Wheatley June 8, 2016 Attack of Alex's Great Outfit Too Much for Wake Forest Team Newspapers.com 3 September 25, 1921 The Atlanta Constitution The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), McIntyre (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), Hunt (quarterback), Brewster (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), and Harlan (fullback). Oglethorpe Oglethorpe at Georgia Tech Oglethorpe Ga. Tech 0 0 0 0 14 7 13 7 October 1 Grant Field Atlanta, GA 8,000 Ed Finlay Sources: In the second week of play, Red Barron starred as the Tornado defeated the neighboring Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels 41–0. Just prior to the game Oglethorpe had lost its star Johnny Knox.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5521471/the_atlanta_constitution/ Fuzzy Woodruff June 8, 2016 "Red" Barron Is Brilliant Star As Tornado Sweeps to Victory Newspapers.com 3 October 2, 1921 The Atlanta Constitution Fuzzy Woodruff The Tornado had 363 yards from scrimmage to Oglethorpe's four. The "right side of the Oglethorpe line was a wide open as the gap of Gehenna." A crowd of about 8,000 attended. Dewey Scarboro scored Tech's first touchdown, and the second came on a 25-yard run by Barron, the star of the contest. In the third quarter, Tech sent in a substitute backfield which was even more successful. The starting lineup was Nabelle (left end), Johnson (left tackle), Lebey (left guard), Frye (center), Davis (right guard), Fincher (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Scarboro (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), and Harlan (fullback). Davidson Davidson at Georgia Tech Davidson Ga. Tech 0 0 0 0 7 21 7 35 October 8 Grant Field Atlanta, GA Ed Finlay Sources: Tech shut out Davidson 70–0, with 22 first downs; Davidson had none.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5521423/the_charlotte_observer/ 15 October 9, 1921 Tech's Golden Tornado Roars Across Field To Victory Over Davidson The Charlotte Observer June 8, 2016 Newspapers.com For the first touchdown, Barron threw a pass and Staton ran 35 yards for the score. The final score came when Barron had a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown,Camp 1922 26 and Judy Harlan had four touchdowns. The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), Frye (left guard), Amis (center), Borum (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), and Harlan (fullback). Furman Furman at Georgia Tech Furman Ga. Tech 0 0 0 0 7 18 32 12 October 15 Grant Field Atlanta, GA Rip Major Sources: The Tech backfield, led by Barron, defeated Billy Laval's Furman Purple Hurricane, 69–0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5182892/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution 3 Golden Tornado Overwhelms Furman, 69-0 October 16, 1921 May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com Fuzzy Woodruff Fuzzy Woodruff Milton McManaway played for Furman."note" The previous week, Georgia had defeated Furman 27–7. Barron had a 55-yard touchdown run. A punt return for a touchdown, with Barron reversing field, was disallowed due to an offside penalty. Judy Harlan received praise for his work as a defensive back. The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), Lebey (left guard), Amis (center), Frye (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), and Harlan (fullback). Rutgers Rutgers at Georgia Tech Rutgers Ga. Tech 7 0 0 7 14 14 13 7 October 22 Grant Field Atlanta, GA 15,000 Frank Birch Sources: The Tornado defeated Rutgers in an inter-sectional contest, 48–14. Tech's shift was at its peak,Camp 1922 57 and Red Barron was the game's star.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5180968/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution 3 Barron Is Star For Tornado October 23, 1921 May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com The first score was when Barron broke away for a 20-yard touchdown run around end. Rutgers' Carl Waite threw a 30-yard touchdown to Heinie Benkert.Camp 1922 27 The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), Frye (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Brewster (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), and Harlan (fullback). thumb|left|280px|alt=Red Barron scoring a touchdown|Barron's touchdown against Penn State Penn State Georgia Tech vs. Penn State Ga. Tech Penn State 7 0 0 0 7 7 7 7 October 29 Polo Grounds New York, NY C. J. McCarty (Germantown) Sources: On October 29, the Penn State Nittany Lions' undefeated "Mystery Team" defeated Georgia Tech 28–7 at the Polo Grounds.Prato 2015 335http://www.luckyshow.org/football/pg.htm Football games played at The Polo Grounds, New York luckyshow.org February 4, 2017http://joepasdoghouse.com/?p=1166 Penn State in the Polo Grounds – Part 2 https://web.archive.org/web/20160611010718/http://joepasdoghouse.com/?p=1166 June 11, 2016 joepasdoghouse.com Both teams used a shift.Camp 1922 51 Tech started strong, and Red Barron scored Tech's only touchdown.Woodruff 1928 126–127 The game's star play immediately followed: an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Glenn Killinger. Penn State's defense stiffened after that. The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), Frye (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Barron (left halfback), Brewster (right halfback), and Harlan (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5180865/pittsburgh_daily_post/ Pittsburgh Daily Post 20 October 30, 1921 Penn State Tears Georgia Techites' Line Into Shreds May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com Clemson Clemson at Georgia Tech Clemson Ga. Tech 7 0 0 0 7 7 14 20 November 5 Grant Field Atlanta, GA W. R. Tichenor Sources: "Just as we used to bring in a load of stove wood at nightfall, feed the pigs and milk the cows, so do football teams of note have their chores to perform year in and year out. Georgia Tech performed one of its accustomed tasks Saturday afternoon, when Clemson was decidedly thrashed, but the task was not performed in the usual manner, for Clemson scored a touchdown. The score was 48 to 7."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5182809/the_atlanta_constitution/ Atlanta Constitution Clemson Rushes Over Touchdown Against Tech, But Is Swamped May 6, 2016 November 6, 1921 3 Newspapers.com Paul Warwick Tech started the game with a second-string backfield. Clemson scored first, with Burton running in a touchdown. Tech's first score came six seconds before the end of the first quarter, when Red Barron went around the tackle for a touchdown. The second touchdown came after a 20-yard Barron run. Pinkey Hunt got the first score of the second half. The fourth touchdown came when Jimmy Brewster gained 28 yards down field and almost 100 yards in all. Brewster also scored the next touchdown on a 15-yard run after completing an 18-yard pass. Barron and Harlan returned to the lineup late, scoring an additional touchdown apiece. The starting lineup was Cornell (left end), Johnson (left tackle), Barnett (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), and Farnsworth (fullback). Georgetown Georgetown at Georgia Tech Georgetown Ga. Tech 0 0 0 7 0 7 14 0 November 24 Grant Field Atlanta, GA Sources: The Tornado defeated the Georgetown Blue and Gray, 21–7. Tech's first score came from Judy Harlan on a two-yard run behind right tackle. The second score was in the second half, when Red Barron skirted the left end for 20 yards and a touchdown. Barron made his team's final touchdown on a two-yard run behind left guard. Georgetown scored on a 95-yard return after DuFour recovered a Jack McDonough fumble.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5181134/the_atlanta_constitution/ Atlanta Constitution 4 November 13, 1921 Tech-Georgetown Play by Detail May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com thumb|left|230px|alt=Player preparing to pass, with another player preparing to catch|A pass during the Tech-Auburn game The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), Johnson (left tackle), Frye (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), A. Staton (right tackle), Mitchell (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), and Harlan (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5181194/the_atlanta_constitution/ Atlanta Constitution 4 November 13, 1921 Georgetown Defense Smashed By Tech May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com Auburn Auburn at Georgia Tech Auburn Ga. Tech 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 November 24 Grant Field Atlanta, GA 25,000 Ed Finlay Sources: Georgia Tech defeated Auburn, 14–0. More than 21,000 fans, the largest crowd of the Southern football season, watched the game.Camp 1922 85 After a scoreless first half, Tech opened a drive to start the second half with runs from Barron, Harlan, and Ferst. As Barron was about to score, he fumbled and McDonough recovered the ball in the end zone. Barron later scored the second touchdown. The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), Johnson (left tackle), Lebey (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), A. Staton (right tackle), Mitchell (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), and Harlan (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5180749/greensboro_daily_news/ Greensboro Daily News 12 November 25, 1921 Techs Beat Alabama In Final 14 To 0 May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com Postseason Awards and honors Barron rushed for 1,459 yards during the season, and led the team in scoring with 90 points.Camp 1922 165 Harlan, Barron, and Al Staton were composite All-Southerns, and Davis and John Staton made some All-Southern teams. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/HistArchive/?p_product=EANX&p_theme=ahnp&p_nbid=H4FY52QIMTQxMDAyMDYwMi44NTUwNzE6MToxMzoxMzIuMTk4LjUwLjEz&p_action=doc&s_lastnonissuequeryname=9&d_viewref=search&p_queryname=9&p_docnum=7&p_docref=v2:11260DC9BB798E30@EANX-115836CCEE0B46F8@2423028-115836D42B0D29F8@32-115836E305E0E9D0@All-Southern%20Football%20Team All-Southern Football Team Charlotte Observer December 4, 1921 Harlan made Walter Camp's third All-America team,https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1921/12/21/107038291.pdf Walter Camp's All-America Selections for 1921 The New York Times December 21, 1921 March 6, 2013 and Barron made Jack Veiock's third team.Players from Coast to Coast Put on All-American Team by Veiock Tulsa Daily World December 4, 1921 Championships For yet another season, neither Tech nor the Bulldogs of Georgia lost to a Southern team. Tech tied with independent Centre, Georgia, and Vanderbilt for claims of the SIAA title. For Georgia coach Herman Stegeman, the contest for the mythical title of greatest Southern team was between Centre, Georgia Tech, and Georgia. Sportswriter Fuzzy Woodruff in his History of Southern Football explained Tech was picked as champion "through force of habit";Woodruff 1928 183 though "no championship was ever won with less effort or achievement." Personnel Depth chart The following chart depicts Tech's lineup during the 1921 season, with games started at the position in parentheses. It mimics the offense after the jump shift. LE John Staton (7) Cornell (1) Nabelle (1)   LT LG C RG RT J. P. McCrea (5) Claire Frye (4) Dad Amis (8) Oscar Davis (7) W. P. Lyman (6) Johnson (4)Dummy Lebey (3)Claire Frye (1) Borum (1)Albert Staton (2) Barnett (1) Claire Frye (1) Jesse Fincher (1) John McIntyre (1) RE Albert Staton (7) Mitchell (2)     QB Jack McDonough (8) Pinkey Hunt (1) RHB Red Barron (8) Jimmy Brewster (1) FB Judy Harlan (8) Farnsworth (1) LHB Frank Ferst (5) Jimmy Brewster (2) Red Barron (1) Dewey Scarboro (1) Scoring leaders The following is an incomplete list of statistics and scores, largely dependent on newspaper summaries. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Player Touchdowns Extra points PointsRed Barron150 90Judy Harlan12 072Jimmy Brewster10060Bip Farnsworth3018Frank Ferst3018Jack McDonough3018Dewey Scarboro3018Albert Staton11117W. P. Lyman01414Granger01010Carter106Caldwell106Pinkey Hunt106John Staton066Oscar Davis011 Total5342360 See also 1921 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season 1921 College Football All-America Team Notes note Endnotes 30em References Camp Walter https://archive.org/details/officialnational07nation National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Rules: Official Intercollegiate Football Guide New York 1922 Spalding's Athletic Library https://books.google.com/books?id=-gCKCgAAQBAJ 100 Things Penn State Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die Prato Lou 2015 9781633193635 https://books.google.com/books?id=tfMjFXHLfZwC&pg=PT147 100 Things Yellow Jackets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die Van Brimmer Adam Rice Homer 2011 Chicago Triumph Books 978-1-61749-703-2 A History of Southern Football 1890–1928 Woodruff Fuzzy 1928 2 Georgia Tech Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football seasons Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football Category:1920s in Atlanta