1903 Clemson Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1903 Clemson Tigers football 1903 Clemson Tigers football team (Oconeean 1904).png 285 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 4–1–1 2–0–1 John Heisman 4th Hope Sadler Bowman Field SIAA co-champion The 1903 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson Agricultural College—now known as Clemson University—as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) during the 1903 college football season. Led by John Heisman in his fourth and final season as head coach, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 4–1–1 with mark of 2–0–1 in SIAA play.2016 Football Media Guide http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/28500/pdf/football/2016-17/Guide.pdf?SPSID=935314&SPID=160208&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500 ClemsonTigers.com Clemson Athletics December 14, 2016 PDF 200–208 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161220115651/http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/28500/pdf/football/2016-17/Guide.pdf?SPSID=935314&SPID=160208&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=28500 December 20, 2016 deadSpalding's Football Guide https://books.google.com/books?id=3gs7AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA93 93 Foot Ball in the South John de Saulles John de Saulles 1904 The team competed in an early conference championship game, tying the Cumberland Bulldogs, 11–11; in the contest. The Tigers thrashed Georgia Tech, 73–0, leading to Heisman's job offer at Tech. Clemson played all its games on the road. Before the season For the 1903 season, point values were different from those used in contemporary games. In 1903 a touchdown was worth five points, a field goal was worth five points and a conversion (PAT) was worth one point.http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html Scoring values RollTide.com University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics November 19, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111125000700/http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-results-archive.html November 25, 2011 The team's captain was Hope Sadler. This was the last season with both Sadler and Carl Sitton at ends. One writer recalls, "Sitton and Hope Sadler were the finest ends that Clemson ever had perhaps."The Anderson Daily-Intelligencer http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn93067669/1915-01-21/ed-1/seq-2/print/image_681x648_from_3411%2C3430_to_4381%2C4354/ Vetter Sitton Clemson Coach January 21, 1915 Schedule October 10 w y Georgia Herty Field Athens, GA rivalry 29–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-clemson-won/145806949/ Clemson won The Birmingham News October 12, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com October 17 3:30 p. m. w y Georgia Tech Piedmont Park Atlanta, GA rivalry 73–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-savannah-morning-news-tremendous-sco/145797533/ Tremendous score piled up by Clemson against Techs yesterday The Savannah Morning News October 18, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com October 28 w y y North Carolina A&M Columbia, SC rivalry 24–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-clemson-tigers-again-victoriou/145810156/ The State Clemson Tigers again victorious October 29, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 l y y North Carolina Campus Athletic Field Chapel Hill, NC 6–11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-n-carolina-is-victo/145810294/ The Atlanta Journal N. Carolina is victor over Clemson November 15, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 w y y Davidson Latta Park Charlotte, NC 24–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5206940/the_charlotte_observer/ Clemson defeats Davidson The Charlotte Observer November 22, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com November 26 t y Cumberland (TN) Oak Park Montgomery, AL SIAA Championship 11–11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-right-royal-fo/145809629/ The Montgomery Advertiser Right royal football game between Cumberland–Clemson resulted in tie November 27, 1903 April 21, 2024 Newspapers.com https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/clemson/1903-schedule.html sports-reference.com 1903 Clemson Tigers Schedule and Results Game summaries Week 1: at Georgia The season opened with a defeat of the Georgia Bulldogs 29–0. Clemson fumbled on a number of plays.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5206850/the_atlanta_constitution/ October 11, 1903 6 Clemson Tigers Win In A Walk The Atlanta Constitution May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Sitton (left end), Forsythe (left tackle), McKeown (left guard), Garrison (center), Derrick (right guard), Cogburn (right tackle), Sadler (right end), Maxwell (quarterback), Furtick (left halfback), Wood (right halfback), Hanvey (fullback). Week 2: at Georgia Tech Clemson at Georgia Tech Clemson 51 22 Ga. Tech 0 0 October 17 3:30 p. m. Atlanta W. R. Tichenor The Bulldogs offered Clemson a bushel of apples for every point over 29 it scored against rival Georgia Tech. Clemson won 73 to 0 on a mud-soaked field,Woodruff 1928 143–144 leading to Heisman's later job at Tech.http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=205505872 Clemson-Georgia Tech Series October 31, 2000 Mandle Parrish 2015-07-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20150721222605/http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28500&ATCLID=205505872 2015-07-21 dead Sitton had to sit out the game.http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210404499 Tiger-Tech Tales Sam Blackman October 8, 2015 clemsontigers.com December 15, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160914064355/http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210404499 2016-09-14 dead thumb|left|130px|Jock Hanvey Clemson as a team rushed for 615 yards, and fullback Jock Hanvey rushed for 104 yards in the first half.Clemson University Football Programs – Clemson Vs Duke October 17, 1987 https://archive.org/stream/clemsonuniversit00cle_31i/clemsonuniversit00cle_31i_images#page/n81/mode/2up/search/Hanvey This Day in Tiger Football Foster Senn 81 The first score came on a 20-yard run by Hanvey. The starting lineup was Ellison (left end), Cogburn (left tackle), Derrick (left guard), Garrison (center), Forsythe (right guard), McKeown (right tackle), Sadler (right end), Maxwell (quarterback), Furtick (left halfback), Wood (right halfback), Hanvey (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1959429/the_atlanta_constitution/ Tech Slaughtered By Clemson Tigers May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com The Atlanta Constitution 7 October 18, 1903 Week 3: North Carolina A&M In the third week of play, North Carolina A&M was beaten by Clemson 24 to 0. While A&M gained much using conventional football, Clemson had to use many trick plays.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5207009/news_and_observer/ Eighteen To Naught News and Observer 1 October 29, 1903 May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com Oliver Gardner played for A&M. Heisman got married soon after the game.Blackman 2016 49 Week 4: at North Carolina Clemson at North Carolina Clemson 6 0 UNC 11 0 November 14 Chapel Hill, North Carolina The North Carolina Tar Heels handed Clemson its only loss of the season, 11–6. Carolina's Newton scored first, with a bloody nose. He also scored the second touchdown. Clemson had one touchdown by Johnny Maxwell called back due to an offside penalty.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5162938/news_and_observer/ For Carolina The Tide Has Turned News and Observer 1 November 15, 1903 May 5, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Sitton (left end), Cogburn (left tackle), Derrick (left guard), Garrison (center), Forsythe (right guard), McKeown (right tackle), Sadler (right end), Maxwell (quarterback), Wood (left halfback), Furtick (right halfback), Hanvey (fullback). Week 5: at Davidson Clemson at Davidson Clemson 18 6 Davidson 0 0 November 21 Latta ParkCharlotte, North Carolina Clemson won easily over Davidson, 24–0. One writer noted "Clemson playing against eleven wooden men, would attract attention." Carl Sitton had a 60-yard touchdown run.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5206940/the_charlotte_observer/ Clemson Defeats Davidson The Charlotte Observer 5 November 22, 1903 May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Sitton (left end), Cogburn (left tackle), Derrick (left guard), Garrison (center), Forsythe (right guard), McKeown (right tackle), Sadler (right end), Maxwell (quarterback), Wood (left halfback), Furtick (right halfback), Hanvey (fullback). Postseason "SIAA championship game" Clemson vs. Cumberland Clemson 0 11 Cumberland 11 0 November 26 Montgomery, Alabama W. R. Tichenor Clemson tied Cumberland 11–11 in a game billed as the "SIAA Championship Game." Cumberland rushed out to an early 11–0 lead. Wiley Lee Umphlett in Creating the Big Game: John W. Heisman and the Invention of American Football writes, "During the first half, Clemson was never really in the game due mainly to formidable line play of the Bridges brothers–giants in their day at 6 feet 4 inches–and a big center named "Red" Smith, was all over the field backing up the Cumberland line on defense. Clemson had been outweighed before, but certainly not like this." thumb|left|150px|Quarterback John Maxwell returned a kickoff for a touchdown. A contemporary account reads "The Clemson players seemed mere dwarfs as they lined up for the kickoff. To the crowd on the sidelines it didn't seem that Heisman's charges could possibly do more than give a gallant account of themselves in a losing battle." A touchdown was scored by fullback E. L. Minton (touchdowns were worth 5 points).http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209808914 Clemson's "First Bowl Game" Sam Blackman December 15, 2014 July 19, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222204/http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209808914 September 23, 2015 dead Guard M. O. Bridges kicked the extra point. Halfback J. A. Head made another touchdown, but Bridges missed the try. After halftime, Clemson quarterback John Maxwell raced 100 yards for a touchdown. Clemson missed the try. Cumberland fumbled a punt and Clemson recovered. Cumberland expected a trick play when Fritz Furtick simply ran up the middle and scored.Sahadi 2014 98 One account of the play reads "Heisman saw his chance to exploit a weakness in the Cumberland defense: run the ball where the ubiquitous Red Smith wasn't. So the next time Sitton started out on one of his slashing end runs, at the last second he tossed he ball back to the fullback who charges straight over center (where Smith would have been except that he was zeroing in on the elusive Sitton) and went all the way for he tying touchdown."Umphlett 1992 66–67 Jock Hanvey kicked the extra point and the game ended in an 11–11 tie. thumb|160px|Fritz Furtick The winning team was to be awarded the ball. Captain W. W. Suddarth of Cumberland wanted captain Hope Sadler of Clemson to get the ball, and Sadler insisted Suddarth should have it. Some ten minutes of bickering was resolved when the ball was given to patrolman Patrick J. Sweeney, for warning the media and fans to stay down in front and allow spectators to see the game. The school claims a share of the title;http://www.gocumberlandathletics.com/football/history/ Footballhttp://www.realclearsports.com/lists/october_5_12/epic_defeat_cumberland_georgia_tech.html?state=stop Cumberland Blues May 17, 2013 July 19, 2015 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085232/http://www.realclearsports.com/lists/october_5_12/epic_defeat_cumberland_georgia_tech.html?state=stop dead Heisman pushed for Cumberland to be named SIAA champions at year's end.Langum 2010 95 It was Heisman's last game as Clemson head coach, who was hired at Georgia Tech.Heisman 2012 138 The starting lineup was Sitton (left end), Cogburn (left tackle), Derrick (left guard), Garrison (center), Forsythe (right guard), McKeown (right tackle), Sadler (right end), Maxwell (quarterback), Wood (left halfback), Furtick (right halfback), Hanvey (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3013134/the_atlanta_constitution/ 1 The Atlanta Constitution Clemson Tigers Tie Cumberland May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com Florida coaches Marvin Bridges and Clemson players Jock Hanvey and Jack Forsythe all coached at Florida colleges the next season. Bridges coached at the University of Florida at Lake City, and Forsythe was the head coach of the Florida State College with Hanvey as his assistant. Forsythe went on in 1906 to be the first coach of the Florida Gators. Personnel Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Clemson's lineup during the 1903 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics the offense in a T formation LE Carl Sitton (4) Gil Ellison (1) LT LG C RG RT H. L. Cogburn (4) Puss Derrick (1) Bill Garrison (5) Pee Wee Forsythe (4)Max McKeown (4) Pee Wee Forsythe (1) J. A. McKeown (1) Puss Derrick (1)H. L. Cogburn (1) RE Hope Sadler (5)  QB John Maxwell (5) LHB FBRHB L. S. Wood (3)Jock Hanvey (5)Fritz Furtick (3) Fritz Furtick (2) L. S. Wood (2) - Line Clemson Tigers Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeH. L. Cogburntackle5Puss Derrickguard 2 Chapin, South Carolina 195 Gil Ellisonend1Jack Forsythetackle 5 Brevard, North Carolina Bill Garrison center5Max McKeownguard5Hope Sadler end 5York Co., South Carolina 154 Carl Sittonend 4Pendleton, South Carolina 5'10" 170 Backfield Clemson Tigers Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeFritz Furtickhalfback 5Sandy Run, South Carolina 170 Jock Hanveyfullback5 Abbeville Co., South Carolina John Maxwellquarterback5Anderson, South Carolina5'9"149L. S. Wood halfback52008 Clemson Football http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/clem/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/08_mg_suppl072-142.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20160507003826/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/clem/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/08_mg_suppl072-142.pdf May 7, 2016 dead References 30em Books https://books.google.com/books?id=zPugTuXMEq8C&pg=PA4 2001 Clemson: Where the Tigers Play Sam Blackman 9781582613697 https://books.google.com/books?id=GYC7DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT46 If These Walls Could Talk Sam Blackman 2016 Triumph Books 9781633196896 Google Books Heisman John M. https://archive.org/details/heismanmanbehind0000heis registration Heisman: The Man Behind the Trophy Simon and Schuster 2012 9781451682915 https://books.google.com/books?id=8McdQD3SY00C From Maverick to Mainstream: Cumberland School of Law, 1847-1997 Langum David J 2010 9780820336183 https://books.google.com/books?id=mhJwBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT136 Lou Sahadi 2014 100 Things Clemson Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die 9781623689490 https://archive.org/details/creatingbiggamej00umph registration Creating the Big Game: John W. Heisman and the Invention of American Football Greenwood Publishing Group Wiley Lee Umphlett 1992 9780313284045 A History of Southern Football 1890–1928 Woodruff Fuzzy 1928 1 Clemson Category:Clemson Tigers football seasons Clemson Tigers football