1921 Centre vs. Harvard football game

American college football game April 2024 1921 Centre vs. Harvardfootball game Centre Harvard 1921 program cover.png Cover of the official game program 1921 Centre Praying Colonels Centre College Harvard Crimson Harvard University 4–0 5–0–1 Charley Moran Bob Fisher 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 October 29, 1921 Harvard Stadium Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. R. W. Maxwell The 1921 Centre vs. Harvard football game was a regular-season collegiate American football game played on October 29, 1921, at Harvard Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts. The contest featured the undefeated Centre Praying Colonels, representing Centre College, and the undefeated Harvard Crimson, representing Harvard University. Centre won the game 6–0, despite entering as heavy underdogs, and the game is widely viewed as one of the largest upsets in college football history. The game is often referred to by the shorthand C6H0, after a Centre professor's remark that Harvard had been poisoned by this "impossible" chemical formula. The teams had met for the first time in the previous year. Centre, led by Charley Moran, shocked many by taking a tie into halftime but ultimately Bob Fisher's Harvard squad took control in the second half and won the game. Centre played well enough to warrant a rematch the following year, and the Colonels, led by quarterback Bo McMillin and halfback Norris Armstrong, again found themselves tied with the Crimson at halftime. Less than two minutes into the game's third quarter, McMillin rushed for a touchdown, the only score of the game, giving the visitors a 6–0 lead. The conversion failed but the Centre defense held for the remainder of the game. Harvard threatened and even reached the Centre 3-yard line at one point but were unable to score. Regaining possession with several minutes remaining in the game, the Praying Colonels ran out the clock to secure a six-point victory and maintain their perfect record. Once word of the victory arrived in Danville, Kentucky, Centre students began writing the "impossible formula" around campus. When team members returned two days after the game, they were received as heroes and were paraded down Main Street by a party that included Governor Edwin P. Morrow. Harvard lost its game with Princeton the following week and finished the season with a 7 2 1 record, while Centre finished the regular season with four more wins before defeating Arizona in the 1921 San Diego East-West Christmas Classic. Centre's lone defeat came to Texas A&M in the 1922 Dixie Classic on January 2, leaving them with a 10–1 record. Background Recent years Football was played only informally at Harvard in 1917 and 1918 because of World War I.Media Center: Crimson Football – National Championships https://gocrimson.com/sports/2020/5/7/sports-fball-history-Football-National-Championships-Media-Center.aspx Harvard University September 20, 2022 en September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172850/https://gocrimson.com/sports/2020/5/7/sports-fball-history-Football-National-Championships-Media-Center.aspx dead The team returned in 1919 under the leadership of new head coach Bob Fisher. Fisher to coach Harvard The New York Times June 14, 1919 https://www.nytimes.com/1919/06/14/archives/fisher-to-coach-harvard-captain-of-1911-football-team-named-to.html September 20, 2022 July 27, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180727212413/https://www.nytimes.com/1919/06/14/archives/fisher-to-coach-harvard-captain-of-1911-football-team-named-to.html live Harvard finished their 1919 season with an undefeated record; they did not allow a point to be scored against them for the first six games of the season, until a 10–10 tie with Princeton.1919 Harvard Crimson Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/harvard/1919-schedule.html Sports Reference September 20, 2022 en September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172441/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/harvard/1919-schedule.html dead They went on to win the Tournament East-West Football Game against Oregon, 7–6,January 2, 1920 Harvard victorious over Oregon in grid classic, 7 to 6 13 The Fresno Morning Republican https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109863280/the-fresno-morning-republican/ September 20, 2022 Newspapers.com September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173311/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109863280/the-fresno-morning-republican/ live and were retroactively named outright national champions by two selectors, the Helms Athletic Foundation and the Houlgate System.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf National Poll Rankings 2015 Football Bowl Subdivision Records National Collegiate Athletic Association https://web.archive.org/web/20220806220105/https://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf August 6, 2022 105–108 September 20, 2022 The team continued its success in 1920, finishing the season with another undefeated record1920 Harvard Crimson Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/harvard/1920-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference September 20, 2022 en September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173017/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/harvard/1920-schedule.html dead which was similarly blemished only by a tie with Princeton.November 7, 1920 Harvard battles to tie with Tigers Sports 1 The New York Times https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98305310/harvard-battles-to-tie-with-tigers/ December 19, 2023 Newspapers.com September 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220922110813/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98305310/harvard-battles-to-tie-with-tigers/ live The Crimson were again retroactively selected to a share of the national championship, though this time only by one selector, the Boand System, as the majority chose undefeated and untied California instead. After an undefeated start to the decade in 1910, the Centre College football team fell on hard times and went through a stretch of four years with a losing record from 1912 to 1915.Centre College Football Record (1910–1919) http://library.centre.edu/sc/digital/football_1910.html Centre College Special Collections and Digital Archives Centre College September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101146/http://library.centre.edu/sc/digital/football_1910.html April 2, 2015 The team rebounded with a 7 1 campaign in 1917, earning shutouts in every win, in coach Charley Moran's first season.Robertson 2008 19 Moran had been recruited to the college by Robert L. Myers at the request of Centre president William Arthur GanfieldWeston 2019 71 and brought with him several players who went on to be very impactful for Centre, including Bo McMillin, Red Weaver, and Red Roberts.Weston 2019 72 All three players were named All-Americans by Walter Camp,South has two players among All Americans https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald/143640329/ March 18, 2024 New-York Herald December 14, 1919 New York, New York 22 Newspapers.com a sportswriter of the time (and former coach) who introduced the concept of the All-America team and has since been referred to as the "father of American football".Byrne Kerry J. Meet the American who shaped modern football: Walter Camp, pigskin pioneer https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/meet-american-shaped-modern-football-walter-camp-pigskin-pioneer Fox News April 10, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240409181921/https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/meet-american-shaped-modern-football-walter-camp-pigskin-pioneer April 9, 2024 September 9, 2022 live Centre finished the 1919 season undefeated and untied and were retroactively recognized by one selector, Jeff Sagarin, as the season's national champions. thumb|Harvard's 1919 football starters; Arnold Horween, captain in 1920, is shown top center|alt=Illustrated page showing eleven photographs of football players They attracted attention with their win over West Virginia in November 1919;Bernstein 2001 118 the Mountaineers had defeated Princeton, one of the Big Three and among the best teams of the time,Synnott Marcia G. The "Big Three" and the Harvard-Princeton football break, 1926–1934 Journal of Sport History 1976 3 2 188–202 43609161 https://www.jstor.org/stable/43609161 April 10, 2024Bosworth Andrew A look at heated rivalries and the football history of the Big Three https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2023/10/princeton-data-bonfire-history-harvard-yale The Daily Princetonian April 10, 2024 October 25, 2023 in a shutout the week before and went on to finish the season 8–2.1919 West Virginia Mountaineers Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/west-virginia/1919-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference January 4, 2024 April 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230404231248/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/west-virginia/1919-schedule.html live Centre won a further eight games in 1920 and ended the season with a 56-point win over TCU in the Fort Worth Classic.Bee Billy Centre's Colonels beat T. C. U. 63 to 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84085176/fort-worth-star-telegram/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth, Texas January 2, 1921 22 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com August 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210825004840/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84085176/fort-worth-star-telegram/ live Howard Reynolds, the sports editor at The Boston Post, was the first to come up with the idea that Harvard's football team should add Centre College to its schedule; after hearing about their 1919 win against West Virginia, he went with former Harvard halfback Eddie Mahan to scout the Colonels. After watching them defeat Georgetown College by a seventy-point margin, both men were sufficiently impressed and Centre was added to the 1920 schedule.Bernstein 2001 118 1920 meeting thumb|1920 Centre team photograph|alt=A team of football players seated The teams first met on October 23, 1920, at Harvard Stadium in the Boston neighborhood of Allston.Sullivan W. D. Harvard crushes Centre in thrilling game, 31–14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-harvard-crushes-centre/98393070/ The Boston Globe October 24, 1920 Boston, Massachusetts 1 Newspapers.com December 18, 2023 December 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231218021517/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-harvard-crushes-centre/98393070/ live Entering the game, both teams were undefeated and untied and neither Centre, in three games, nor Harvard, in four, had been scored on.1920 Centre Colonels Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/centre/1920-schedule.html December 17, 2023 College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference December 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231218020950/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/centre/1920-schedule.html live Centre's team was called "the scoring machine of the football universe" by The Dayton Herald after totaling 241 points in their first three games combined.Boston is all set for great game today https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dayton-herald-boston-is-all-set-for/136991858/ December 17, 2023 The Dayton Herald October 23, 1920 Dayton, Ohio 15 Newspapers.com December 22, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231222205709/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dayton-herald-boston-is-all-set-for/136991858/ live Attendance was estimated by The Dayton Herald to be at least 37,000 people (and was reported to have been as high as 45,000David skunks Goliath in Harvard https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/10.29.html The New York Times December 18, 2023 October 29, 1921 December 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231218183630/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/10.29.html live ). Ticket sales were stopped the night before when the contest sold out and as many as 10,000 potential attendees were turned away at the gates as a result.Vaugh Wilton Crimson confident of beating Centre https://www.newspapers.com/article/boston-post/136995766/ December 17, 2023 The Boston Post October 23, 1920 Boston, Massachusetts 10 Newspapers.com December 22, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231222205710/https://www.newspapers.com/article/boston-post/136995766/ live In contrast, Centre had never played before a crowd exceeding 8,000 fans.Doyle 2017 485 Harvard was favored to win the game with 8-to-5 odds and had, on average, a 22-pound weight advantage over Centre's squad. Centre president William Arthur Ganfield traveled to attend the game and led the team in prayer before they took the field. The Praying Colonels surprised many by taking a 14–14 tie into halftime. Harvard scored one touchdown in each quarter, adding a field goal in the third quarter, and held Centre scoreless in the second half to win 31–14. McMillin, Centre's quarterback, finished the game having tallied 151 rushing yards and 131 passing yards.Story Mark 'The Upset of the Century' turns 100: Centre celebrates 'moment that still defines us' https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/mark-story/article255343201.html Lexington Herald-Leader January 4, 2024 October 28, 2021 October 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221014210941/https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/mark-story/article255343201.html live During the game, Harvard used nine of its substitutes while Centre used three.Woodruff 1928 120 Following the game, Harvard captain Arnold Horween offered the game ball to McMillin, who declined the ball and promised "We'll be back next year to take it home with us."Bernstein 2001 118 The Boston Globe described the game as the most interesting to watch in Harvard Stadium's history.Harvard wins over Centre by 31 to 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-centre-harvard-1920-rec/136996904/ December 17, 2023 The Boston Globe October 24, 1920 Boston, Massachusetts 14 Newspapers.com December 22, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231222205713/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-centre-harvard-1920-rec/136996904/ live Centre was praised by The Boston Globe for its resiliency and unwillingness to give up. After the game, the Harvard team hosted Centre's team, coaches, and president for dinner. The visitors earned $6,000 (US 6000 1920 eq -3) from the game.Doyle 2017 488 Despite this loss, Centre was still seen as a strong team by the sportswriter Fuzzy Woodruff, who said that they entered their next game against Georgia Tech as an "unbeatable team".Woodruff 1928 123 Despite this, Centre ultimately lost that game 24–0.Robertson 2008 139 McMillin and captain Norris Armstrong played basketball for Centre in the offseason, during which the Colonels defeated Harvard by five points.Old Centre 1921 1921 Centre College Danville, Kentucky 137 https://centre.omeka.net/items/show/1147 January 4, 2024 February 11, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230211015028/https://centre.omeka.net/items/show/1147 live McMillin was made a Kentucky Colonel by governor Edwin P. Morrow around the same time. Starting the 1921 season Both Centre and Harvard entered their 1921 meeting undefeated. The Colonels began their season with an October 1 home contest against Clemson, which they won 14–0;https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-centre-defeats-clemson-by-two/136886790/ The State Columbia, South Carolina Centre defeats Clemson by two touchdowns 10 October 2, 1921 December 15, 2023 Newspapers.com December 16, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231216024134/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-centre-defeats-clemson-by-two/136886790/ live it was initially uncertain as to whether Moran, also an umpire for baseball's National League,Bucknell alumni to honor umpire Moran, new coach https://www.nytimes.com/1924/04/25/archives/bucknell-alumni-to-honor-umpire-moran-new-coach.html February 6, 2024 The New York Times April 25, 1924 New York, New York 14 would make it to Danville in time for the start of his season, though he arrived several days prior on September 28.Robertson 2008 193 Centre defeated VPI at home by the same score the following week before traveling to Cincinnati to take on St. Xavier College, a 28–6 Centre win.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-centre-college-downs-v/136886853/ The Roanoke Times Roanoke, Virginia Centre College downs Virginia "Gobblers" in desperate contest 17 October 9, 1921 December 15, 2023 Newspapers.com December 16, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231216024133/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-centre-college-downs-v/136886853/ live https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-owensboro-messenger-old-centre-wins/124972558/ The Owensboro Messenger Owensboro, Kentucky Old Centre wins from St. Xavier by 28 to 6 score 4 October 16, 1921 December 15, 2023 Newspapers.com May 19, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230519204958/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-owensboro-messenger-old-centre-wins/124972558/ live Centre's final game before the Harvard contest was in Lexington against the Transylvania Crimsons; the visitors led 60–0 at halftime and ultimately won by a 98–0 score.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-crimson-team-is-cru/136886923/ Lexington Herald-Leader Lexington, Kentucky Crimson team is crushed by mighty Centre 4 October 23, 1921 December 15, 2023 Newspapers.com December 16, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231216024132/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-crimson-team-is-cru/136886923/ live The Harvard game was Centre's third consecutive road game and the team entered with a 4–0 record. Harvard began their season with shutout defeats of Boston University and Middlebury College as part of a doubleheader on September 24.Harvard starts football season with double win https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier/138078301/ January 5, 2024 Buffalo Courier September 25, 1921 Buffalo, New York 61 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040212/https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier/138078301/ live Their next game was a 3–0 defeat of Holy Cross which saw Charles Buell score the lone points of the game on a drop kick field goal in the third quarter.Charlie Buell's swell drop kick won for Harvard https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier-express/138078412/ January 5, 2024 Buffalo Courier-Express October 2, 1921 Buffalo, New York 58 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040214/https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier-express/138078412/ live The last of Harvard's four consecutive shutout victories came against Indiana by a nineteen-point margin,Harvard defeats Indiana eleven https://www.newspapers.com/article/brazil-daily-times/138078549/ January 5, 2024 Brazil Daily Times October 10, 1921 Brazil, Indiana 2 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040349/https://www.newspapers.com/article/brazil-daily-times/138078549/ live and they continued their winning ways against Georgia the following week by a score of 10–7.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5189378/the_atlanta_constitution/ Crimson Beats Red and Black by lonely goal Cliff Wheatley The Atlanta Constitution Atlanta, Georgia 3 October 16, 1921 January 5, 2024 Newspapers.com June 3, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160603001610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5189378/the_atlanta_constitution/ live Their final game before hosting Centre was a matchup with Penn State, in which they played to a 21–21 tie.Webb Jr. Melville E. Harvard ties Penn State, 21–21, by forward pass near finish https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/138078682/ January 5, 2024 The Boston Globe October 23, 1921 Boston, Massachusetts 1 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040402/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/138078682/ live The Centre–Harvard matchup captivated media attention in the weeks leading up to the game. On October 21, Boston Post reporter Howard Reynolds arrived in Danville. He sent reports back to Boston by telegram regularly detailing Centre's preparation and rode with the team from Danville to Boston. During the buildup, numerous publications assigned reporters to Boston, including the Louisville Herald, Louisville Evening Post, Courier Journal, Louisville Times, Kentucky Advocate, Daily Messenger, Lexington Herald, and Lexington Leader.Robertson 2008 chpt. 40 Players and personnel right|thumb|upright|Bo McMillin, 1921|alt=A young man facing camera wearing a suit coat and tie Harvard, in the third season of Bob Fisher's tenure as head coach, was captained by R. Keith Kane.All-time Captains https://gocrimson.com/documents/2021/1/6/Football_Record_Book_Captains.pdf Harvard Football Record Book Harvard University 2020 September 20, 2022 September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220920200654/https://gocrimson.com/documents/2021/1/6/Football_Record_Book_Captains.pdf dead The starting offensive line for the contest with Centre consisted of left tackle Alexander Ladd, left guard Charles Hubbard, center Francis Kernan, right guard Fiske Brown, and right tackle Philip Kunhardt. Henry Janin started for the Crimson at left end and Charles Macomber started at right end. Harvard started two halfbacks: Francis Rouillard on the left and Vinton Chapin on the right. Erwin Gehrke was the starting fullback and the team's starting quarterback was Frank Johnson.All-Time Letterwinners https://gocrimson.com/documents/2021/1/6/Football_Record_Book_All_Time_Letterwinners.pdf Harvard Football Record Book Harvard University 2020 September 20, 2022 September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220920200645/https://gocrimson.com/documents/2021/1/6/Football_Record_Book_All_Time_Letterwinners.pdf dead Kernan, Kunhardt, Rouillard, and Gehrke were the four changes to Harvard's lineup against Penn State the previous week; they took the field against Centre in the place of Henry Clark, Alexander Ladd, George Owen, and Winthrop Churchill, respectively.Robertson 2008 233 Fisher's varsity coaching staff included only former Harvard players, a practice he had implemented from the time he took the head coaching position. In total, the team had 17 coaches, including 11 assistants for the varsity squad and five coaches assigned to the freshman team. Tommy Campbell, the former North Carolina head coach and a Harvard alumnus, was the new freshman team head coach for the 1921 season. These numbers were in contrast to Centre's coaching staff, which totaled two (or three, including director of athletics Robert Myers).Robertson 2008 185 Centre was led by fifth-year head coach Charley Moran; the team captain was starting right halfback Norris Armstrong.Ziegler Valarie H. C6-H0: The Centre Harvard Game of 1921 http://www.centre.edu/web/library/sc/special/C6h0/ziegler.html Centre College September 20, 2022 1995 August 28, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080828181448/http://www.centre.edu/web/library/sc/special/C6h0/ziegler.html dead Centre's offensive line was anchored by Ed Kubale at center, with Ben Cregor and Buck Jones at tackle and guard to his left, and Minos Gordy alongside William Shadoan filling the same positions to his right. Red Roberts started at left end and Bill James was the right end. Terry Snoddy was the left halfback, alongside Armstrong at right halfback, and Hump Tanner was the fullback. The Praying Colonels offense was led by quarterback Bo McMillin. In all, 28 players made the trip and suited up for Centre.Robertson 2008 218–219 The train carrying the Centre team left Danville early on the morning of Wednesday, October 26,Robertson 2008 213 and saw crowds at their stops in Lexington,Robertson 2008 223–224 Cincinnati, and Columbus.Robertson 2008 224 They arrived in Boston on Thursday afternoon.Robertson 2008 226 The Colonels experienced some changes in their squad compared to the year prior, including the departure of center Red Weaver, a 1919 consensus All-American, for a coaching job at New River State College (now West Virginia Tech).Maxymuk 2012 401 Additionally, Centre was unable to field punter and end Ed "Lefty" WhitnellDoyle 2017 486 for the contest due to his poor grades; rather than travel with the team anyway, he stayed in Danville and announced game updates at a local theater as they were received from Boston. Several weeks before the game, Ganfield announced that he was resigning as president so that he could take the presidency of Carroll College. However, his Carroll contract stipulated that he would not leave Centre before the Harvard game and so his resignation took effect on December 1, 1921.Robertson 2008 188Doyle 2017 502 Game summary thumb|right|Centre players on the sideline|alt=A group of football players standing on the sideline of a football field before a large crowd seated in the stadium The contest was refereed by R. W. Maxwell. He was assisted by a crew of three other officials: umpire W. R. Crowley, linesman J. J. Tigert, and field judge W. G. Crowell.Official Program: Football Game, Harvard vs. Centre http://library.centre.edu/sc/digital/pdf/30301_04.pdf Irwin Score Board September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20150221144559/http://library.centre.edu/sc/digital/pdf/30301_04.pdf February 21, 2015 1–3 October 29, 1921 Maxwell and Crowell, both from Swarthmore College, had also been part of the officiating crew for the Centre–Harvard game the year prior.Hoeck Tom Colonels ready for great battle with Harvard today; Bo and company warmly received https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald/145047989/ April 9, 2024 The Boston Globe October 23, 1920 Boston, Massachusetts 6 Newspapers.com Entering the contest, sportswriters and pundits gave Harvard 3-to-1 odds to win,Jackson 2015 22 though some felt that Centre had a better chance to win than they had the year prior,Reynolds Howard G. Centre's chances to beat Harvard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-advocate-messenger/143633380/ March 18, 2024 The Advocate-Messenger October 28, 1921 Danville, Kentucky 1 Newspapers.com especially given the improved play of their offensive line.Perry Lawrence Will the South teach East a football lesson? inquires Lawrence Perry https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal/143637925/ March 18, 2024 The Atlanta Journal October 28, 1921 Atlanta, Georgia 27 Newspapers.com The Crimson entered on a 25-game undefeated streak, having last lost a varsity-level non-informal game on November 25, 1916.1916 Harvard Crimson Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/harvard/1916-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference December 22, 2022 en September 27, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220927095053/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/harvard/1916-schedule.html live streak Excludes losses by the "Harvard Informals" to the Newport Naval Reserves (November 17, 1917) and Brown (November 30, 1918).http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/fball/history/Media_Center_Football_Yearly_Results Harvard Football Yearly Records Harvard Crimson Athletics Harvard University December 22, 2023 August 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140814061951/http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/fball/history/Media_Center_Football_Yearly_Results dead Tickets sold for $2 apiece (US 2 1921 eq). The stadium was sold out and attendance was expected to be around 45,000 people.Expect great throng to view Centre-Harvard grid battle https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier/143638863/ March 18, 2024 The Buffalo Courier October 27, 1921 Buffalo, New York 10 Newspapers.com The game began at 2:30 p.m. ET. Centre won the ceremonial pre-game coin toss and chose to defend the north goal. As a result, Harvard received possession of the ball first.Centre defeats Harvard in great game: M'Millin makes touchdown early in third period https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader/138066644/ January 4, 2024 Lexington Herald-Leader October 29, 1921 Lexington, Kentucky 1 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040326/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader/138066644/ live In the early stages of the game, neither team was able to sustain an offensive attack. Harvard's opening kickoff resulted in a touchback, giving Centre the ball for the first offensive series of the game at their own 20-yard line. The visitors punted but forced a fumble, recovered by Bill James, and regained possession quickly.Robertson 2008 246 From there, the teams traded punts and Centre failed on a field goal attempt of around 40 yards by Raymond Class, the only play of the game in which he participated.Robertson 2008 247 The first quarter ended scoreless with Harvard in possession around midfield.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4306646/the_courierjournal/ Courier Journal Louisville, Kentucky How Centre Colonels defeated the Crimson in Cambridge Stadium 49 October 30, 1921 February 13, 2016 Newspapers.com August 19, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160819045236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4306646/the_courierjournal/ live In the Crimson's first possession of the second quarter, they reached the Centre 11-yard line by way of a forward pass followed by a series of repeated dives.Robertson 2008 250 Unable to reach the end zone, they settled for a 22-yard field goal attempt from Charles Buell which was too low. Centre fumbled soon after but regained possession following another failed field goal attempt by Buell, this time from a distance of 37 yards.Robertson 2008 251 The Praying Colonels did not have sufficient time to complete an entire series before the end of the second quarter, and the halftime score was 0–0. thumb|right|McMillin's third-quarter touchdown rush; he is shown on the right side of the picture with an arrow Centre kicked off to begin the third quarter and Harvard returned the kick to their own 15-yard line; the Crimson punted shortly after. Centre's Tom Bartlett took the return to the Harvard 45-yard line, and the ball was further advanced down the field after the Crimson were penalized for tripping. On the next play from scrimmage, less than two minutes into the quarter, McMillin scored the game's first and only points on a rushing touchdown when he faked a pass,Doyle 2017 495 followed Roberts, who was blocking in front of him, and evaded several members of Harvard's secondary by cutting back just before he reached the goal line.Robertson 2008 254BoTD Bartlett attempted the extra point kick but failed, keeping the score 6–0. After the teams traded punts, Centre's Norris Armstrong intercepted a pass from Frank Johnson, giving the Colonels possession. Centre reached the Harvard 30-yard line after several plays but soon after threw an interception of their own. Harvard was unable to capitalize on the miscue and punted. Centre reached the Harvard 11-yard line by the end of the third quarter. Armstrong left the game due to an injury late in the third quarter, leaving McMillin as the team's captain; Herb Covington replaced him at left halfback. Centre's ensuing drive ended with a turnover after McMillin's pass fell incomplete in the end zone. Under the rules in place at the time, this resulted in a touchback, and Harvard took the ball on its own 20-yard line.Robertson 2008 263 After each team punted once, Harvard threatened to score, going so far as to reach Centre's 3-yard line, but failed to do so after lining up offside. Several plays later they were intercepted again, this time by Bartlett. That drive was Harvard's last on offense; rushes by McMillin, Covington, Terry Snoddy, and Red Roberts were sufficient to maintain Centre's drive and end the game with a 6–0 score in favor of the visitors. Maxwell personally handed the game ball to McMillin upon the game's conclusion.Comments on Centre-Harvard game https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-advocate-messenger/145051563/ April 9, 2024 Danville Daily Messenger October 31, 1921 Danville, Kentucky 1 Newspapers.com It was then handed to future Kentucky governor Happy Chandler,Doyle 2017 495 a former Transylvania University football player attending the game while a student at Harvard Law School,Doyle 2017 495 who carried it safely away from the crowd.Doyle 2017 495 Around ten thousand fans descended from the stands and gathered on the field after the game. The goal posts were torn down in celebration by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,Robertson 2008 269 who were in attendance to support Centre.Robertson 2008 269 Aftermath Game analysis thumb|230px|1921 Centre team with a pennant alluding the game McMillin was praised by The Danville Daily Messenger in their recap of the game.Harvard gets a shock https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-advocate-messenger/145051870/ April 9, 2024 Danville Daily Messenger October 31, 1921 Danville, Kentucky Newspapers.com 1 Harvard ran only four different plays on offense, all described as having been "not at all intricate", and did not change their strategy even after falling behind.Dope has Tigers and Harvard washed up for third 50–50 tilt https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-public-ledger/137015101/ December 18, 2023 Evening Public Ledger November 4, 1921 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 26 December 22, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231222205715/https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-public-ledger/137015101/ live They started more of their bench players than usual, though all except three of their usual starters ended up recording game time; this was due to several injuries sustained by players during their game the week prior against Penn State, who were likely taking extra precaution to rest so that they would be ready to play against Princeton the following week.Robertson 2008 chpt. 40 Centre surprised sportswriters with its own offensive plan, involving far more rushing and fewer passes than were expected in spite of their fewer numbers and smaller size. This was intentional, as Centre had intended to conceal some of the more elaborate parts of their gameplan until the second half so as to avoid giving Harvard the opportunity to make adjustments at halftime.Robertson 2008 213 McMillin, in his own analysis of the game, complemented the performance of his offense. He praised the offensive linemen as "heroes" and said that "no better blockers ever played football". Immediate impact and reactions thumb|right|upright|The front page of the Danville Daily Messenger on October 31, two days after the game|alt=A newspaper front page with a headline reading "Centre heroes welcomed home" Once the game ended, McMillin was carried off of the field on the shoulders of fans in celebration.Jackson 2015 23 On their way back to their hotel, the Centre team was met by large crowds, as they had during their previous visit to Harvard. After the game, Harvard coach Bob Fisher said, "In Bo McMillin, Centre has a man who is probably the hardest in the country to stop."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4306631/st_louis_postdispatch/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis, Missouri McMillin's brilliant sprint gives Centre victory over Harvard 6 October 30, 1921 February 13, 2016 Newspapers.com August 18, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160818221653/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4306631/st_louis_postdispatch/ live Centre's win brought profit to its team in addition to pride; McMillin and several other players had placed large bets on themselves in the days before the game and had sent another Centre student, Gus King, to Boston the week prior to do the same. A reporter with the Courier Journal said that McMillin had more money with him on the train home than would have been present in a small bank, and lineman George Chinn remarked that he had never seen so much money in one place. The Centre team returned to Danville on October 31 and were greeted by a homecoming party which included Governor Morrow, the Danville Chamber of Commerce,Whole town meets gridiron warriors at station today https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-advocate-messenger/145050388/ December 17, 2023 Danville Daily Messenger October 31, 1921 Danville, Kentucky 1 Newspapers.com the Superintendent of Education, and 10,000 local residents.Hill 2009 97 Upon exiting their train, the team paraded down Main Street. Classes were cancelled at Centre and the local school district on the day of the team's return and "Victory Day" was observed in nearby Harrodsburg on November 6, where another parade was held for the team.Jackson 2015 24Colonels to be honored: will be presented loving cup by Mercer citizens https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald/137014772/ December 18, 2023 The Lexington Herald November 7, 1921 Lexington, Kentucky 6 Newspapers.com December 22, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231222205714/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald/137014772/ live Morrow later remarked that he would "rather be Bo McMillin at this moment than the governor of Kentucky" and The Advocate-Messenger declared McMillin the "hero of [the] football world" the following week."Bo" slated to get married here this week https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-advocate-messenger/138053550/ January 4, 2024 The Advocate-Messenger November 3, 1921 1 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040350/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-advocate-messenger/138053550/ live The phrase by which the game is most commonly known, "C6H0", originated from a comment made by a Centre professor shortly following the game: that Harvard had been "poisoned" by the organic compound with that formula.Gardner Hayes 'C6H0' — Kentucky school beat Harvard in major college football upset 100 years ago today https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/football/2021/10/29/centre-college-upset-harvard-100-years-ago-today/8440391002/ Courier Journal September 20, 2022 October 29, 2021 March 9, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230309171324/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/football/2021/10/29/centre-college-upset-harvard-100-years-ago-today/8440391002/ live It stuck, and students painted the so-called "impossible formula" all around Danville, including on various buildings around campus and on the flank of a cow.Doyle 2017 501 Concluding the season and final meeting The Centre victory was a shock, but perhaps not a fluke; the team finished the 1921 regular season 9–0, with shutout defeats of Kentucky, Auburn, Washington and Lee, and Tulane. This last game was scheduled as a replacement for their original opponent, Georgetown, who backed out before the season after determining they would be too outmatched.Robertson 2008 183 DePauw was Centre's first choice for a replacement, but they declined and Tulane offered to join the Colonels' schedule as a substitute.Robertson 2008 315 Before announcing Tulane as their opponent, the school had received a $7,500 offer (US 7500 1921 eq -3) from the University of Detroit team to travel to Michigan for a Thanksgiving Day game, but Centre declined.Robertson 2008 290 By the time Centre played Washington and Lee, the football team had earned a gross sum of $66,000 (equivalent to $US .066 1921 2 million in US) for the school.Doyle 2017 503–504 The Praying Colonels were inundated with offers of postseason games and had to decline invitations from the Polo Grounds, Yale, Princeton, the Rose Bowl, and Notre Dame; the last of these invitations was delivered in person in Danville by Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne. Ultimately, Centre opted to take part in two postseason contests. The first was played in San Diego as the San Diego East-West Christmas Classic and saw Centre defeat Arizona by a score of 38–0.Centre overwhelms Arizona on muddy field, 38 to 0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star/138048743/ January 4, 2024 Arizona Daily Star December 27, 1921 Tucson, Arizona 9 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040256/https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star/138048743/ live Their second postseason contest was the Dixie Classic to be played against Texas A&M at Fair Park Stadium in Dallas.First half Aggies 2-to-0 over Centre https://www.newspapers.com/article/bryan-college-station-eagle-1922-dixie-c/4207855/ January 4, 2024 Bryan-College Station Eagle January 2, 1922 Bryan, Texas 1 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040402/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bryan-college-station-eagle-1922-dixie-c/4207855/ live McMillin was married on the morning of that game; the wedding was attended by members of the Centre team who afterwards went to the stadium to play. A&M held a 2–0 lead through halftime and scored three touchdowns in the second half to secure a 22–14 victory which itself was called "one of the biggest upsets of the football season" by the New-York Tribune.Centre suffers first defeat in bowing to Texas eleven https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/138049885/ January 4, 2024 New-York Tribune January 3, 1922 New York, New York 14 Newspapers.com This game is also remembered as the birth of Texas A&M's "12th man" tradition after a former member of the A&M football team who was in the press box was called down to suit up by head coach Dana X. Bible, though he ultimately did not play.History of the 12th Man https://www.tamu.edu/campus-community/traditions/gameday/12th-man.html Texas A&M University January 4, 2024 December 30, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231230015540/https://www.tamu.edu/campus-community/traditions/gameday/12th-man.html live Centre concluded their season with a 10–1 record and cumulatively outscored their opponents by a margin of 334 to 28.1921 Centre Colonels Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/centre/1921-schedule.html December 19, 2023 College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference December 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231218020953/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/centre/1921-schedule.html live Harvard's loss to Centre turned out to be the first of back-to-back defeats for the Crimson, as they fell by a seven-point margin to Princeton the following week in their first and only game of the season played away from Harvard Stadium. Their schedule concluded with wins over Brown, by two points, and Yale, by seven, leaving them with a record of 7–2–1. They finished having outscored their opponents 101 to 54.1921 Harvard Crimson Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/harvard/1921-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference January 4, 2024 September 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220922042239/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/harvard/1921-schedule.html live In the locker room after the game, Harvard graduate manager Fred Moore offered Moran $10,000 (US 10000 1921 eq -3) to return to Boston in 1922 for a third game.Robertson 2008 270 Moran accepted, and Centre and Harvard met for a third and final time on October 21, 1922, again at Harvard Stadium. Harvard jumped out to an early advantage and had a 21–0 lead after the first quarter. Despite their offense finding little success after this,McMeekin Sam H. Harvard held by Centre to 24–10 victory https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/138069302/ January 4, 2024 The Courier-Journal October 22, 1922 Louisville, Kentucky 1 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040845/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/138069302/ live they held the lead after each team scored a field goal in the second quarter. Centre managed a fourth-quarter touchdown but could not score further, and the game concluded 24–10 in favor of Harvard.https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-harvard-defeats-centre/136886108/ New-York Tribune New York, New York 16 Harvard defeats Centre, 24–10, thus winning odd game of 3-year series with Southerners October 22, 1922 January 4, 2024 Newspapers.com December 16, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231216021350/https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-harvard-defeats-centre/136886108/ live Legacy thumb|right|The "impossible formula" painted on the side of a building at Centre, pictured in 2024. In the days after the game, the formula was painted by students all around Danville.|alt="C6 H0" painted in white on the side of a brick building The game is generally viewed as one of the largest upsets in the history of college football.Doyle 2017 471 In 1950, the Associated Press named it the greatest sports upset of the first half of the 20th century,Bernstein 2001 118 and The New York Times proclaimed it the "upset of the century". ESPN named it the third-biggest upset in the history of college football in 2006,Morris Hal Upset for the ages: ESPN ranks 1921 Centre-Harvard game among college football's greatest upsets https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-advocate-messenger/145052833/ April 9, 2024 The Advocate-Messenger June 25, 2006 Danville, Kentucky 9 Newspapers.com and the game was ranked fourth in a similar list published by Bleacher Report in 2011.Hodkowski Ryne The 50 greatest upsets in college football history https://bleacherreport.com/articles/905273-the-50-greatest-upsets-in-college-football-history Bleacher Report September 20, 2022 en October 23, 2011 September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220920174215/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/905273-the-50-greatest-upsets-in-college-football-history dead The game also ranked No. 126 on an ESPN list of the 150 greatest college football games of all time, released in 2019.The 150 greatest games in college football's 150-year history https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/CFB150games/the-150-greatest-games-college-football-150-year-history ESPN September 20, 2022 en November 4, 2019 September 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220920175314/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/CFB150games/the-150-greatest-games-college-football-150-year-history dead In recaps of the game from the early 21st century, Centre's win over Harvard has been compared to upsets of programs such as USC and Alabama.http://www.centre.edu/web/news/2005/c6h0_05.html C6-H0 plays a prominent part in nation's sports lexicon November 3, 2005 Centre College August 7, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080705164924/http://www.centre.edu/web/news/2005/c6h0_05.html July 5, 2008 deadHill 2009 80 In a 2011 article, The Harvard Crimson compared it to Appalachian State's 2007 upset of Michigan. McMillin was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. Centre coach Charley Moran was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 1963, and McMillin received the same honor on November 12, 2015. On the latter occasion the Lexington Herald-Leader called McMillin "Kentucky's first college sports mega-star" and said his touchdown rush was "arguably the most significant [touchdown] ever registered by a Kentucky college football player". A Fort Worth native, he had previously been inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. Centre has proposed a rematch on multiple occasions, including the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the 1921 contest, but such a game has never happened due to logistical issues and the difference in strength that has developed between Harvard, now a member of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, and Centre, a member of NCAA Division III.Samuels E. Benjamin Remembering a forgotten upset https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/10/28/centre-harvard-1921/?page=single The Harvard Crimson Harvard University December 18, 2023 October 28, 2011 December 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231218164814/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/10/28/centre-harvard-1921/?page=single live When asked about the prospect of a rematch, Harvard head coach Tim Murphy did not show interest, saying that his team would have "nothing to gain and everything to lose".Jackson 2015 26 Notes BoTD Sources disagree as to the exact distance of McMillin's rushing touchdown; 30,Kentucky whirlwind sweeps Harvard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-austin-american/138066470/ January 4, 2024 The Austin American October 30, 1921 Austin, Texas 22 Newspapers.com February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040811/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-austin-american/138066470/ live 31,Story Mark Centre legend Bo McMillin finally gets the call from the hall (of fame) https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/football/article44428500.html Lexington Herald-Leader December 18, 2023 November 12, 2015 February 6, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240206040823/https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/football/article44428500.html live Newman 1969 290 32,Alvin Nugent "Bo" McMillin https://www.tshof.org/store/p225/Alvin_Nugent_%22Bo%22_McMillin.html Texas Sports Hall of Fame December 18, 2023 December 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231218180851/https://www.tshof.org/store/p225/Alvin_Nugent_%22Bo%22_McMillin.html live Reed Billy I'd rather be Bo McMillin than governor https://vault.si.com/vault/1968/11/11/id-rather-be-bo-mcmillin-than-governor Sports Illustrated December 18, 2023 November 11, 1968 December 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231218182137/https://vault.si.com/vault/1968/11/11/id-rather-be-bo-mcmillin-than-governor dead Swezey Christian Shake 'n Bake https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/11/01/shake-n-bake/4ac3c424-8374-4d27-bd03-41a856984cb8/ The Washington Post December 18, 2023Robertson 2008 253 33,Schwartz Larry Centre of attention ends Harvard winning streak http://www.espn.com/classic/s/moment001029centreupsetsharvard.html ESPN Classic ESPN December 18, 2023 October 21, 2005 December 18, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231218165857/http://www.espn.com/classic/s/moment001029centreupsetsharvard.html live and 35-yardInductees: Alvin Nugent McMillin https://www.cfbhall.com/about/inductees/inductee/bo-mcmillin-1951/ College Football Hall of Fame December 18, 2023 October 6, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231006212119/https://www.cfbhall.com/about/inductees/inductee/bo-mcmillin-1951/ live rushes are all listed by various sources, both contemporary and modern. References Bibliography Bernstein Mark F. Football: The Ivy League Origins of an American Obsession University of Pennsylvania Press Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2001 0-8122-3627-0 46506102 n3i4KOu7MiEC yes Doyle Andrew Defeated by the Accreditors: The Rise and Fall of Big-Time Football at Centre College, 1915–1926 Register of the Kentucky Historical Society 2017 115 4 471–524 10.1353/khs.2017.0077 44981258 159973554 https://www.jstor.org/stable/44981258 8151318908 subscription Hill Bob Hardin C. Thomas Our Standard Sure: Centre College since 1819 2009 Centre College 978-0615211213 Danville, Kentucky 457778960 Jackson Carlton Kentucky Maverick: The Life and Adventures of Colonel George M. Chinn 2015 The University Press of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky 978-0-8131-6105-1 ZJn8CQAAQBAJ yes 911665838 Maxymuk John NFL Head Coaches: A Biographical Dictionary, 1920–2011 2012 McFarland & Company Jefferson, North Carolina 978-0-7864-6557-6 https://archive.org/details/nflheadcoachesbi0000maxy/page/401 864825768 Newman Zipp The Impact of Southern Football 1969 Morros-Bell Publishing Company Montgomery, Alabama 978-1-8845-3299-3 298116073 Robertson Robert W. The Wonder Team: The Story of the Centre College Praying Colonels and their Rise to the Top of the Football World, 1917–1924 Butler Books Louisville, Kentucky 2008 978-1-8845-3299-3 298116073 Weston William J. Centre College: A Bicentennial History Centre College Danville, Kentucky 2019 978-1-6943-5863-9 1142930784 Woodruff Fuzzy Fuzzy Woodruff A History of Southern Football, 1890–1928, in Three Volumes II 1928 Walter W. Brown Publishing Company Atlanta, Georgia 1987326 Category:1921 college football season Category:1920s in Boston vs. Harvard 1921 vs. Centre 1921 Category:October 1921 sports events in the United States Category:1921 in sports in Massachusetts Category:American football competitions in Boston