1908 LSU Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1908 LSU Tigers football LSUfootball1908.JPG 285 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 10–0 2–0 Edgar Wingard 2nd Marshall H. "Cap" Gandy State Field Co-national champion (NCF)SIAA champion The 1908 LSU Tigers football team represented the LSU Tigers of Louisiana State University during the 1908 college football season. The Tigers were coached by Edgar Wingard and posted a perfect 10–0 record, outscoring opponents 442 to 11. The team played its home games at State Field and competed as members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). Triple threat quarterback Doc Fenton led the nation in points scored. The Tigers were retro-picked as co-national champion by the National Championship Foundation, and the NCAA recognizes LSU as national champion for that season along with Penn.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf National Poll Rankings National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2015 NCAA Division I Football Records NCAA 108 January 4, 2016 However, LSU does not officially recognize this season as a national championship season.http://www.lsusports.net/fls/5200/assets/docs/fb/pdf/17guide.pdf 2017 LSU Football Media Guide LSU Athletic Department January 18, 2018 January 19, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120040/http://www.lsusports.net/fls/5200/assets/docs/fb/pdf/17guide.pdf dead The season was clouded by accusations of professionalism by Grantland Rice and rival school Tulane. The SIAA conducted an investigation that cleared LSU of any wrongdoing, but since many publications voted for the SIAA champion prior to the conclusion of the investigation, they did not recognize LSU's title. Schedule October 3 w y Young Men's Gymnastic Club-New Orleans State Field Baton Rouge, LA 41–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-democrat-lsu-wins-easily/146977601/ The Times-Democrat L.S.U. wins easily October 4, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com October 12 w y Jackson Barracks-New Orleans State Field Baton Rouge, LA 81–5 1,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-democrat-barracks-team-loses/146977685/ The Times-Democrat Barracks team loses October 13, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com October 17 w y y Texas A&M Pelican Park New Orleans, LA rivalry 26–0 1,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fort-worth-record-and-register-texas/146977802/ The Fort Worth Record Texas loses to Louisiana October 18, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com October 26 w y 1908 Southwestern Presbyterian Southwestern Presbyterian State Field Baton Rouge, LA 55–0 1,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-strength-shown-by/146977877/ The Commercial Appeal Strength shown by Louisiana October 27, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com October 31 3:45 p.m. w y Auburn Drill Field Auburn, AL rivalry 10–2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-auburn-lost-to-louis/146977967/ The Atlanta Journal Auburn lost to Louisiana State November 1, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com November 7 w Mississippi A&M State Field Baton Rouge, LA rivalry 50–0 1,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vicksburg-herald-am-beaten/146978068/ The Vicksburg Herald A&M beaten November 8, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com November 10 w y Baylor State Field Baton Rouge, LA 89–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-lsu-smothers-p/146978153/ The Birmingham Age-Herald L.S.U. smothers poor old Baylor November 11, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com November 16 3:30 p.m. w y y Haskell Pelican Park New Orleans, LA 32–0 3,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-downs-the-indi/146978237/ The Montgomery Advertiser Downs the Indians; Louisiana football squad bests Haskell November 17, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com November 23 w y y Louisiana Industrial Ruston, LA 22–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/arkansas-democrat-ruston-beaten-by-louis/146978333/ Arkansas Democrat Ruston beaten by Louisiana November 24, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com November 26 w y y Arkansas West End Park Little Rock, AR rivalry 36–4 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-louisiana-downs-ar/146978425/ The Commercial Appeal Louisiana downs Arkansas boys November 27, 1908 May 10, 2024 Newspapers.com http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/schedules/lsu-games/1908-lsu-season/ 1908 LSU Football Schedule Saturday Down South August 24, 2014 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/1908-schedule.html 1908 Louisiana State Fighting Tigers College Football at Sports-Reference.com Before the season In 1908, football used a one-platoon system, with players featuring on offense, defense, and special teams. Also, the field was 110 yards in length, touchdowns were worth 5 points, and field goals earned 4 points. The team that scored a touchdown had the option to kickoff or receive. The ball was also much fatter. The Tigers lost few players from the 1907 team and prospects were bright. Several members of the team came from Pennsylvania, including Doc Fenton, Mike Lally, John Seip, and coach Edgar Wingard.https://books.google.com/books?id=rPrkseaVX-IC&pg=PA32 Troy H. Middleton: A Biography Frank J. Price 32 LSU Press March 1, 1999 9780807124673http://blog.nola.com/lsusports/2008/11/the_1908_lsu_football_team_the.html https://web.archive.org/web/20111112073934/http://blog.nola.com/lsusports/2008/11/the_1908_lsu_football_team_the.html dead November 12, 2011 The 1908 LSU football team the first great one in school history NOLA.com End Rowson "Little" Stovall and center Robert L. "Big" Stovall were brothers. Lally and Fenton had both previously played for Mansfield Normal School,http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1621833 From 'The LSU Football Vault': The 1908 Season 2015-07-16 2015-07-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20150714084737/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1621833 dead and Lally was one of the best blockers for Fenton.https://goldenrankings.com/lsu1908.htm A Season in Time: LSU Tigers 1908http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv09/CFHSNv09n3b.pdf The Blond Terror Bob Royce College Football Historical Society 9 3 May 1996 2016-05-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20160911232539/http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv09/CFHSNv09n3b.pdf 2016-09-11 dead One of Fenton's favorite plays was the "tackle over tackle" play. In this play, Fenton faked a handoff to a back, then gave the ball to a tackle and led the blocking behind the other tackle. "Doc was the hub," recalled captain and tackle Marshall 'Cap' Gandy, "and we were the spokes." Fenton earned the reputation of doing everything well with a football. Game summaries LSU opened the season with two warm-up games, one against the Young Men's Gymnastic Club and the other Jackson Barracks-New Orleans. Y. M. G. C. YMGC 0 0 LSU 12 29 State FieldBaton Rouge, LA LSU beat Tad Gormley's Young Men's Gymnastic Club, winning 41–0. The starting lineup was: Seip (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Fenton (right end), Gill (quarterback), Stovall (left halfback), C. Smith (right halfback), and Lally (fullback). Jackson Barracks-New Orleans Soldiers 0 5 LSU 31 50 State FieldBaton Rouge, LA 1,000 LSU swamped the Jackson Barracks-New Orleans 81–5. Fenton was switched to quarterback, swapping places at end with Reuben Gill. One account reads: "In Lally and Fenton the University has a pair that can hardly be equaled. In the game Fenton showed that he has lost none of his ability to dodge, his swiftness as a runner, his power as a punter and kicker, and his cool hard work. ... The two work splendidly together." The soldiers at Jackson Barracks made the only touchdown scored all season on the Tigers, when their halfback Culligan picked up a fumble and ran it back 105 yards. Captain Gandy once had a 40-yard touchdown, and Lally had one score of 60 yards. Texas A&M Texas A&M 0 0 LSU 15 11 Pelican ParkNew Orleans, LA 1,800 Rain James Halligan The Tigers beat the Texas A&M Aggies 26–0 at Pelican Park in New Orleans in the rain. The Aggies once ran the wrong way. thumb|left|180px|Rooters at the Texas A&M game The first scoring drive was highlighted by a 14-yard pass from Fenton to Little Stovall, and ended with a Stovall touchdown run around left end. On LSU's second scoring drive, Lally had a 25-yard run, and Fenton eventually went around left end for the score. Before the half ended, Fenton kicked a 25-yard field goal from placement. LSU's next touchdown came on a fumble recovery by Willie Hillman. The final touchdown was the most exciting, as Mike Lally had a 40-yard touchdown run around right end. The starting lineup was: Gill (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), Hillman (center), Thomas (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Stovall (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5199936/the_timesdemocrat/ The Times-Democrat Yellow and Purple Win; Texas A. & M. Defeated 15 October 18, 1908 May 8, 2016 Newspapers.com Southwestern Presbyterian SWPU 0 0 LSU 18 37 State FieldBaton Rouge, LA 1,500 James Halligan Southwestern Presbyterian (today known as Rhodes College) fell to LSU 55–0. SWPU did not make ten yards all day. The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), Hillman (center), Thomas (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Gill (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205733/the_tennessean/ Big Score The Tennessean May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com 6 October 27, 1908 Auburn LSU 5 5 Auburn 2 0 Drill FieldAuburn, Alabama 3:45 pm 70°, Fair James Halligan Undefeated LSU met undefeated Auburn for the top spot in the SIAA at the Auburn athletic field. LSU won 10–2, the only game it did not win by more than 20 points. thumb|left|130px|Seip The first touchdown came on a run from John Seip. Later in the half, Auburn's T. C. Locke blocked an LSU punt which was recovered by Fenton behind his own goal for a safety. According to one source, Fenton was knocked unconscious by a spectator's cane as he tried to get out of the end zone.https://www.lasportshall.com/inductees/football/george-doc-fenton/ George Doc Fenton LSU made the second score using conventional football.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205416/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution Auburn Loses To L. S. U. Team November 1, 1908 3 May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com "We won every game that fall except LSU," Auburn star Walker Reynolds told Clyde Bolton in 1973. "But LSU had a pro team."http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2013/09/auburns-1908-team-goes-undefeated-despite-losing-to-professional-lsu-team/ Auburn's 1908 team went undefeated despite losing to professional LSU team Jeremy Henderson The War Eagle Reader September 25, 2013 The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Hillman (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Thomas (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), Tally (left halfback), C. Smith (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback). Mississippi A&M Miss. A&M 0 0 LSU 34 16 State FieldBaton Rouge, LA 1,500 Joe Pritchard LSU won easily over the Mississippi Aggies 50–0, using substitutes by the end of the game. The first score occurred after five and-a-half minutes had passed, Clarence Smith going through right tackle. LSU then scored a safety by tackling the Aggies punter. Seip then went around end for another touchdown. On the next drive, Seip went 20 yards on a cross play, Fenton hit Seip with a forward pass for 8 yards, and Bob Smith then scored on a trick play. Clarence Smith then got another touchdown, of 25 yards. The highlight of the game followed as Fenton had a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205366/the_timesdemocrat/ The Times-Democrat L. S. U. Takes Another 16 November 8, 1908 May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com In the second half, Fenton went 30 yards for another touchdown on a return. Gill went around left end for another touchdown. Fenton went 40 yards for the next touchdown. The last touchdown came from Clarence Smith. thumb|left|130px|Mike Lally The starting lineup was: Seip (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Hillman (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Pollock (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Stovall (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback). Baylor Baylor 0 0 LSU 33 56 State FieldBaton Rouge, LA James Halligan The Tigers romped 89–0 over Baylor, the second highest score in school history.https://issuu.com/lsuathletics/docs/15fbguide_secpdf 2015 LSU Football Media Guide Issuu July 8, 2015 The highlight of the contest was Mike Lally's 105-yard return for a touchdown. Pat Ryan also had a 75-yard touchdown run. After the game, Baylor's coach Enoch J. Mills said: "You have, without any doubt, the strongest team in the South by far. The playing of your team here was something wonderful. We were simply badly beaten. You could run up as large a score on Tulane as you did against us without any trouble." The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Neblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), I. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and C. Smith (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5200028/the_timesdemocrat/ L.S.U. Football Team Defeats Baylor 89 To 0 11 The Times-Democrat November 11, 1908 May 8, 2016 Newspapers.com Haskell Haskell 0 0 LSU 10 22 Pelican ParkNew Orleans, LA 3:30 p. m. 3,000 James Halligan LSU defeated the Haskell Indians, 32–0, outweighing the Indians and needing little strategy.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5199776/lawrence_daily_world/ Lawrence Daily World 1 November 17, 1908 Haskell Lost Second Game of Their Trip May 8, 2016 Newspapers.com Clarence Smith bucked the line for 15 yards and the first touchdown. Fenton later added a 30-yard field goal. In the second half, Gandy made a touchdown on the "tackle over tackle" play; Bob Smith made another. Clarence Smith made his second touchdown of the day around right end. The final score was a 32-yard end run by Mike Lally. The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Neblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5199791/the_timesdemocrat/ The Times-Democrat 12 November 17, 1908 Tigers Trounce Redmen Thirty-Two To Nothing May 8, 2016 Newspapers.com Louisiana Industrial LSU 11 11 LII 0 0 Ruston, LA Smith The Tigers beat Louisiana Industrial of Ruston, 22–0. Fenton was the star of the game, with two interceptions for touchdowns.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205746/the_timesdemocrat/ 10 The Times-Democrat Victory May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com November 24, 1908 The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Thomas (left guard), Hillman (center), Pollock (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback). Arkansas LSU 31 5 Arkansas 4 0 West End ParkLittle Rock, Arkansas 5,000 James Halligan LSU defeated Arkansas 36–4, with Fenton's runs and kicks featuring throughout.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205143/daily_arkansas_gazette/ Daily Arkansas Gazette 8 November 27, 1908 Louisiana Beats Arkansas 36-4 May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com The crowd was the largest ever to see a football game in Arkansas. LSU made three touchdowns in the game's first four minutes. On the Tigers' first possession, Fenton went 22 yards around right end and Lally then went 40 yards for a touchdown. On the ensuing Arkansas possession, Fenton intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for the score. Big Stovall made the third touchdown on an onside kick from scrimmage. LSU also had touchdowns using a triple pass and a double pass. Arkansas got its points after a 35-yard pass from a fake field goal led to a field goal from the 30-yard line. Fenton had the lone score of the second half, on a 55-yard run and fake pass. The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Thomas (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback). After the season thumb|130px|Doc Fenton Disputed title The season was clouded by accusations of professionalism by Grantland Rice and rival school Tulane. Rice claimed V. Smith, C. Smith, Seip, Fenton, Lally, and Gandy were all paid salaries to play football, and that Clarke was a former All-Western player.Woodruff 1928 221 Amidst fears of many players being ineligible under SIAA rules, most sportswriters instead gave the Southern title to Auburn,Woodruff 1928 223 and left LSU players off their All-Southern team.Spalding's Football Guide 1909 75 Shawnee Mission, Kansas, NCAA Publishing Service https://archive.org/stream/officialfootball1909nati#page/75 A subsequent SIAA investigation cleared LSU of any wrongdoing, but since many publications voted for the SIAA champion prior to the conclusion of the investigation, they did not recognize LSU's title. Awards and honors Fans presented coach Wingard and referee James Halligan with gold-handled umbrellas.15 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205353/the_monroe_newsstar/ September 12, 1947 The Monroe News-Star Tiger Tintype May 9, 2016 Newspapers.com Fenton's 125 points (132 by modern rules) led the nation in scoring. He had a school record 36 extra points and 6 field goals.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4955784/lake_charles_americanpress/ Lake Charles American Press January 18, 1967 31 Fenton and Flournoy in La. Hall of Fame April 15, 2016 Newspapers.com "n" The six field goals were surpassed in 1965 by Doug Moreau. Fenton, Lally, and Willie Hillman were selected All-Southern by Nash Buckingham in the Memphis Commercial Appeal.http://atlnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/atlnewspapers/view?docId=news/aga1909/aga1909-4620.xml&query=%22All%20southern%22%20football&query-prox=10&brand=atlnewspapers-brand Atlanta Georgian All SIAA Teams of Past Six Years November 27, 1909 December 13, 2014 May 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20141213010419/http://atlnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/atlnewspapers/view?docId=news%2Faga1909%2Faga1909-4620.xml&query=%22All dead Legacy The 1908 team is said to be LSU's first great team, and was considered the greatest until 1958.http://www.lsusports.net/src/data/lsu/assets/docs/fb/pdf/01fb296-306.pdf lsusports.net National Champions August 23, 2016 Fenton and Seip were nominated, though not selected, for an Associated Press All-Time Southeast 1869–1919 era team.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1242&dat=19690731&id=TkdTAAAAIBAJ&pg=2604,3160960 Kingsport Post U-T Greats On All-Time Southeast Team July 31, 1969 Fenton, Lally, Seip, and Noblett made the first-team of an all-time LSU team selected in 1935."n" Hillman and Gandy made the second team.http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16313coll13/id/218 Tulane University Football Program-The Greenie; L.S.U. Vs. Tulane George Trevor All-Time All-Star Team Louisiana State University November 30, 1935 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141223103449/http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16313coll13/id/218 December 23, 2014 According to Tony Barnhart, Fenton is considered the first great football player in LSU history.https://books.google.com/books?id=vaduAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT177 Southern Fried Football Tony Barnhart August 2008 177 Triumph Books 9781623684884 The National Football Foundation selected Fenton as the retroactive Heisman Trophy winner of 1908.The Footballetter National Football Foundation http://www.footballfoundation.org/Portals/7/nff/file_file/2009_footballetter_issue_3.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20130126011919/http://www.footballfoundation.org/Portals/7/nff/file_file/2009_footballetter_issue_3.pdf dead 2013-01-26 51 3 Summer 2009 4 Before There Was A Heisman Personnel Roster Roster Player Position Height Weight Hometown High SchoolDoc Fenton Quarterback 5'9" 165 Scranton, Pennsylvania Scranton Willie Hillman Guard/Center - 172 Minden, Louisiana Minden Mike Lally Halfback - - Jessup, Pennsylvania - John Seip End 6'1" 185 Allentown, Pennsylvania -Robert L. Stovall Center - - Dodson, Louisiana - Oren Noblett Tackle - 230 Denham Springs, Louisiana - Judge Pollock Guard - 173 Bernice, Louisiana - Marshall Gandy Tackle 6'1" 175 Negreet, Louisiana - Reuben Gill End/quarterback - - Ruston, Louisiana - Rowson Stovall Halfback - - Dodson, Louisiana - Clarence Smith Halfback - 178 Albion, Michigan -Bob SmithFullback - 171 Albion, Michigan - - - - - - - Pat Ryan Halfback 6'1" - New Orleans, Louisiana - Jonnie Albright Quarterback - - Memphis, Tennessee - Claude Harvey Halfback - - Bunkie, Louisiana - O'Bannon End - - - - Arthur Thomas Guard - 176 Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Sentelle Guard - - - - Roster from LSU: The Louisiana TigersHardesty, Dan. "LSU: The Louisiana Tigers". The Strode Publishers. Huntsville, Alabama. 1975. P. 334-345. Scoring leaders The following is an incomplete list of statistics and scores, largely dependent on newspaper summaries. LSU Tigers Player Touchdowns Extra points Field goals Safeties Points Doc Fenton133660 125Mike Lally14710 81Clarence Smith8000 40Bob Smith700 035Cap Gandy600 030Reuben Gill4000 20Little Stovall400 020Willie Hillman3100 16Pat Ryan3100 16Oren Noblett3000 15John Seip3000 15Big Stovall300 015Unaccounted for v. SWPU200 010N/A 0 0 02 4TOTAL734572442 Staff Coach: Edgar Wingard Manager: R. L. Himes See also List of undefeated NCAA Division I football teams Notes n References Additional sources A History of Southern Football 1890–1928 Woodruff Fuzzy 1 1928 LSU Category:LSU Tigers football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:College football undefeated seasons LSU Tigers football