1915 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1915 Vanderbilt Commodores football 1915Vandy.jpg 285 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 9–1 5–0 Dan McGugin 12th Short punt Russ Cohen Dudley Field SIAA champion The 1915 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University during the 1915 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. Dan McGugin served his 12th season as the Commodores' head coach. Vanderbilt was a member of the SIAA. They faced a 10-game schedule. Vanderbilt scored 459 points in its first seven shutout games, and 514 points in 510 minutes of actual playing time by season's end, making it a legitimate "point-a-minute team" leading the nation in scoring with a school record still unequaled today. Several notable players featured on the team. McGugin built his 1915 squad around a 130-pound junior quarterback Irby "Rabbit" Curry. In the line was sophomore tackle Josh Cody, "a fierce tackler and dominating blocker," who was also the team's kicker. Cody was selected third-team All-America by Walter Camp. The team's captain was end Russ Cohen. Schedule September 25 w y Middle Tennessee State Normal Dudley Field Nashville, TN 51–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-vandy-winner-over-no/148344276/ Vandy winner over Normals The Atlanta Journal September 26, 1915 May 29, 2024 Newspapers.com October 2 w y Southwestern Presbyterian Dudley Field Nashville, TN 47–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-spu-loses-to-vande/148344470/ S.P.U. loses to Vanderbilt The Leaf-Chronicle October 4, 1915 May 29, 2024 Newspapers.com October 9 3:15 p.m. w 1915 Georgetown Tigers Georgetown (KY) Dudley Field Nashville, TN 75–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-vanderbilt-in-ru/148344662/ Vanderbilt in runaway The Chattanooga Sunday Times October 10, 1915 May 29, 2024 Newspapers.com October 13 4:00 p.m. w y Cumberland (TN) Dudley Field Nashville, TN 60–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-vandy-good-in-mud/148344819/ Vandy good in mud; Pile up 60 points while keeping Cumberland scoreless The Commercial Appeal October 14, 1915 May 29, 2024 Newspapers.com October 16 w y 1915 Henderson-Brown Reddies Henderson-Brown Dudley Field Nashville, TN 100–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-vanderbilt-goes-wild/148344949/ Vanderbilt goes wild in game with Henderson-Brown The Birmingham News October 17, 1915 May 29, 2024 Newspapers.com October 23 w y Ole Miss Russwood Park Memphis, TN rivalry 91–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-heavy-vanderbi/148345263/ Heavy Vanderbilt eleven swamps Mississippi The Montgomery Advertiser October 24, 1915 May 29, 2024 Newspapers.com October 30 2:45 p.m. w Tennessee Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 35–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82763506/commodores-secure-revenge-on-tennessee/ Nashville Tennessean Commodores secure revenge on Tennessee, 35 to 0 October 31, 1915 August 3, 2021 Newspapers.com November 6 l y y Virginia Lambeth Field Charlottesville, VA 10–35 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-plunging-virginia/148345478/ Plunging Virginia backfield crumbles the frail Vanderbilt defense for overwhelming victory The Birmingham Age-Herald November 7, 1915 May 29, 2024 Newspapers.com November 13 w y Auburn Rickwood Field Birmingham, AL 17–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-and-tribune-vanderbilt-crush/148345608/ Vanderbilt crushes Auburn The Journal and Tribune November 14, 1915 May 29, 2024 Newspapers.com November 25 2:00 p.m. w Sewanee Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 27–3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-and-tribune-commodores-finis/136966801/ The Journal and Tribune Commodores finished strong rolling up a score of 27 points in the last quarter November 26, 1915 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com 2019 Vanderbilt Football Fact Book https://vucommodores.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019VUFBFactBook_History.pdf August 22, 2020 Before the season The outlook for the upcoming 1915 Vanderbilt football season was not promising.http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091609aag.html Bill Traughber Vanderbilt's 1915 point-a-minute team September 16, 2009 November 28, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161129082911/http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091609aag.html November 29, 2016 dead The Commodores were coming off a losing record of 2–8, the first under head coach Dan McGugin, and the second in the school's 25 years of playing football. Additionally, only 10 experienced players from the previous year were returning to the team. Despite the one-platoon system with players featuring on offense, defense, and special teams used in 1915, this meant inexperienced freshmen would be a key to the team's success. Coach McGugin was assisted by doctor and former Vanderbilt athlete Owsley Manier. Game summaries Middle Tennessee State Normal Middle Tennessee Normal at Vanderbilt Normal Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 7 6 32 6 September 26 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee Ed Hamilton Sources: Using conventional football, Vanderbilt opened the season with an easy win over Middle Tennessee Normal (MTSU) 51–0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5173628/daily_arkansas_gazette/ Daily Arkansas Gazette September 26, 1915 Is Easy For Vanderbilt 16 May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com Coach McGugin sent in his substitutes at the beginning of the fourth quarter.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5610869/the_tennessean/ Blinkey Horn The Tennessean September 26, 1915 Commodores Have Easy Sailing Over Middle Tennessee Normal 46 June 17, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Richardson (left end), Cody (left tackle), Reyer (left guard), Williams (center), Putnam (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Zerfoss (left halfback), Wiggs (right halfback), and King (fullback). Southwestern In the second week of play, Vanderbilt defeated Southwestern 47–0 on a slippery field. All points were scored in the first half.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5173648/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution 8 Vanderbilt 57, S. W. P. U. 0 October 3, 1915 May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com Georgetown Georgetown at Vanderbilt Georgetown Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 14 0 50 11 October 9 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee Bradley Walker Sources: Vanderbilt beat the Georgetown Tigers 75–0. The Commodores racked up 11 touchdowns and 8 field goals, its largest score in three years.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5610716/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean 42 October 10, 1915 Newspapers.com June 17, 2016 Commodores Roll Up Largest Score Made In Past Years Blinkey Horn "Dough" Ray scored four times and Hubert Wiggs three times.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856284/daily_arkansas_gazette/ Daily Arkansas Gazette 19 October 10, 1915 Newspapers.com April 6, 2016 Is Soft For Vanderbilt The starting lineup was Williams (left end), Cody (left tackle), Hamilton (left guard), Reyer (center), Lipscomb (right guard), Putnam (right tackle), Hayes (right end), Curry (quarterback), Friel (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback). Cumberland Cumberland at Vanderbilt Cumberland Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 28 20 12 0 October 13 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee Hord Boensch Sources: With four players out due to injury,https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856154/the_charlotte_news/ The Charlotte News 19 Vandy Vs. Cumberland October 13, 1915 April 6, 2015 Newspapers.com the Commodores still managed to defeat the Cumberland Bulldogs 60–0 in a drizzling rain. Ray again scored four touchdowns. Alf Adams stood out on defense.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5610651/the_tennessean/ Commodores, In Drizzling Rain, Romp Over Cumberland October 14, 1915 12 June 17, 2016 Blinkey Horn The Tennessean Blinkey Horn Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Chester (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Hamilton (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Richardson (right end), Roach (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Ray (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback). thumb|left|160px|Rabbit Curry piloted the "point-a-minute" Commodores. Henderson-Brown Henderson-Brown at Vanderbilt Henderson-Br. Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 26 27 28 19 October 16 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee Bradley Walker Sources: The Commodores beat Henderson-Brown 100–0. The "Rabbit" Curry ran for a 40-yard touchdown with the game barely a minute old, and later had a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown. "Sarah" Turner had an 80-yard run, and a 60-yard end run for a score in the third quarter. Tommy Ridley ran 60 yards on a fake punt. Catching Henderson-Brown exhausted, John Jarrett returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3257837/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean Commodores Make Hundred Points On Henderson – Brown October 17, 1915 19 September 21, 2015 Blinkey Horn Blinkey Horn Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Y. Chester (left end), Cody (left tackle), Hamilton (left guard), Reyer (center), Williams (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Ray (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback). Ole Miss Against Mississippi, the team traveled by train from Nashville to Memphis, Tennessee, where the game was to be played. The train was halted near Dickson by a wreck ahead of it, and the players complained about the lack of food on the train. The team's manager James Stahlman foraged through neighboring orchards near the tracks and picked three or four hatfuls of green apples. Curry ate several of them,https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19341116&id=Uf4wAAAAIBAJ&pg=5368,3719671&hl=en Reading Eagle Today's Choice Football lYarn November 16, 1934 and proceeded to score six touchdowns and kick eight extra points against Ole Miss.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156841/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution Vanderbilt Wallops "Ole Miss", 91 to 0 3 October 24, 1915 May 4, 2016 Newspapers.com The final score was 91–0.Today's Grid Story Kingsport Times 1934-11-16 The starting lineup was Hayes (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Putnam (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback). Tennessee Tennessee at Vanderbilt Tennessee Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 7 0 7 21 October 30 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee 2:45 p. m. Sources: The Tennessee Volunteers were the first real test for the Commodores, coming to Nashville as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) defending champions and loaded with confidence. They were swamped, 35–0 as Curry and Turner ran for several yards. Curry once got away for 50 yards, the only touchdown of the first half. In the third quarter, Johnny Floyd ripped off 47 yards and Hubert Wiggs took it over.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856342/the_tennessean/ Play for Play In Vandy-Tennessee Grid Battle 23 October 31, 1915 The Tennessean April 6, 2016 Newspapers.com Then Turner entered the game and his first run was 35 yards to the 6-yard line, where Wiggs again scored.Traughber 2011 59 The next time he ran 60 yards himself for the touchdown, and the last score came on a 20-yard dash by Cutter Northcutt, Curry's substitute. The victory was overshadowed by a most unfortunate spine injury to Bennett Jared, who died a few months later.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856414/the_atlanta_constitution/ Blinkey Horn Blinkey Horn Commodores Wipe Out 1914 Defeat Atlanta Constitution 3 October 31, 1915 April 6, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Adams (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Putnam (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback). thumb|180px|left|Virginia's Buck Mayer (pictured) was the South's first consensus All-American. Virginia Vanderbilt at Virginia Vanderbilt Virginia 3 0 7 0 0 28 7 0 November 6 Charlottesville, Virginia Barry (Georgetown) Sources: The Commodores ended the Tennessee game with a 7–0 record, having racked up 459 points with no points scored against them.Traughber 2011 58 A road game at Charlottesville, Virginia to face the University of Virginia was next on the schedule. The high-flying Commodores were overwhelmed, 10–35 by the Orange and Blue. Virginia gained 495 yards to Vanderbilt's 198. Buck Mayer, the South's first consensus All-American, starred for Virginia.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157042/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean Buck Mayer Sounds Commodores' Doom November 7, 1915 38 May 4, 2016 Newspapers.com Zerfoss entered the game with an injury.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6578911/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean 14 November 4, 1915 September 10, 2016 Blinkey Horn Blinkey Horn Newspapers.com Twenty Commodores To Leave For Virginia This Morning Curry ran for 80 yards to score a touchdown on a fumbled punt. Cody booted a 20-yard field goal for the only other Commodores' score. Vanderbilt could only manage five first downs in the contest. The starting lineup was Adams (left end), Lipscomb (left tackle), Putnam (left guard), Reyer (center), Williams (right guard), Cody (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback). Auburn Vanderbilt at Auburn Vanderbilt Auburn 0 7 7 3 0 0 0 0 November 13 Rickwood FieldBirmingham, Alabama Bradley Walker Sources: Next was the Auburn game, which McGugin had been pointing to since before the season began, as Auburn had dominated Southern football for the past two seasons, without a single team crossing its line.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4856210/the_wilmington_morning_star/ The Wilmington Morning Star Vanderbilt Captures Contest From Auburn 3 November 14, 1915 April 6, 2016 Newspapers.com The game was played in Birmingham at Rickwood Field."n" Birmingham's Rickwood Field (built in 1910) still exists today and has been certified as the oldest ballpark in America. It was home to the Birmingham Red Barons of the old Southern Association for decades until 1987.Traughber 2011 59–60 Vanderbilt jumped out to a 17–0 lead on a rain-soaked field. A Curry pass to captain Cohen opened the scoring. Josh Cody took over himself from that point. In one of the greatest exhibitions of punt covering, Cody smothered the receiver every time, recovering two fumbles, one across the goal line for a touchdown. Then, in the last ten seconds of play, Cody drop kicked a three-pointer from the 33-yard line. Tom Zerfoss and Friel punted well. Curry's leadership was superb, and late in the game the Vanderbilt line rose as one to throw back three Auburn charges on the five-yard line.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3263539/the_atlanta_constitution/ Atlanta Constitution November 14, 1915 3 Auburn's Goal Line Crossed; Defeat Is Administered by Rejuvenated Commodores September 21, 2015 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Hayes (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Hamilton (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback). Sewanee The final game of the season for the 8–1 Commodores was on Thanksgiving Day in Nashville against their rival Sewanee.Traughber 2011 60 The SIAA championship was at stake. A shutout over the "Men From the Mountain" would complete the SIAA schedule of being unscored upon. Thoroughly outplayed the first two quarters as Captain Bob Dobbins and Hek Clark led the Tiger attack, intermission found the Commodores behind 3–0, the result of "Red" Herring's field goal from the 20-yard line. thumb|130px|Josh Cody was selected third-team All-American. Dan McGugin took the team over by Engineering Hall for a little talk. The Commodores came back playing hard, but at the start of the fourth quarter the score was still 3–0. Finally a sustained drive got underway that ended with "Dough" Ray plunging in for a touchdown from the four-yard line. Then Tom Lipscomb and Cody blocked a punt and Pud Reyer recovered on the five-yard line. Again Ray scored. Later Zerfoss skirted end for 26 yards, and Curry followed with a 34-yard dash and a third touchdown. Curry was hurt, with three broken ribs,https://tshf.net/halloffame/curry-irby-rice-rabbit/ Curry, Irby Rice “Rabbit” « Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame from the terrible pounding by Sewanee, but he still managed the top run of the day, 80 yards for a touchdown with Cody clearing his path.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3257691/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean Rabbit Curry Lifts Black and Gold Above The Purple Banner 8 November 26, 1915 May 4, 2016 Newspapers.com The final count was 28–3, and another SIAA championship. Sewanee coach Harris Cope said: "I think Curry is one of the greatest players I have ever seen." The starting lineup was Hayes (left end), Cody (left tackle), Williams (left guard), Reyer (center), Hamilton (right guard), Lipscomb (right tackle), Cohen (right end), Curry (quarterback), Floyd (left halfback), Zerfoss (right halfback), and Wiggs (fullback). After the season The 1915 Vanderbilt football team scored a grand total of 514 points in 510 minutes of actual playing time, thus ranking them as a legitimate "point-a-minute" team. Vanderbilt averaged 51.4 points a game. Vanderbilt led the nation in scoring, then one of few stats kept. During the season Curry accounted for 118 of Vanderbilt's season total of 514 points. Seven out of eight newspapers voted the SIAA championship to the Commodores. The Atlanta Constitution declared it a tie between Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech. Curry (unanimously), Cohen and Cody were named All-Southern.Traughber 2011 61 In 1975, the team's manager, James G. Stahlman, organized a 60th reunion the weekend of the Georgia game. Seven lettermen were present: Cohen, Dough Ray, Hubert Wiggs, Kent Morrison, Alf Adams, and Tom Zerfoss. Players Varsity letterwinners Line Vanderbilt Commodores Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeAlfred T. Adamsend2Nashville, Tennessee 17517Yunk Chesterend2Josh Codytackle9 Franklin, TennesseeBattle Ground Academy 6'4"21223Russ Cohen end 7Augusta, Georgia 16822C. M. Hamiltonguard5Frank Hayesend4Tom Lipscombtackle 8 6'0"205George "Pud" Reyercenter8Pryor Williamsguard 7Athens, Alabama 6'1"21021 Backfield Vanderbilt Commodores Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeIrby Curryquarterback 8Marlin, TexasMarlin High 12821Johnny Floyd halfback7Murfreesboro, TennesseeMiddle Tennessee State Normal 24Kent Morrisonhalfback0 McKenzie, Tennessee McTyeire School Henry "Dough" Rayhalfback2Bob "Sarah" Turnerhalfback0Hubert Wiggs fullback9Tullahoma, Tennessee 22Tom Zerfoss halfback7Ashland, KentuckyUniversity of Kentucky 15520 Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Vanderbilt's lineup during the 1915 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a short punt formation while on offense, with the quarterback under center. LE Frank Hayes (3) Yunk Chester (2) Alf Adams (2) Richardson (1) Williams (1) LT LG C RG RT Josh Cody (8) Pryor Williams (5) Pud Reyer (8) C. M. Hamilton (3) Tom Lipscomb (7) Tom Lipscomb (1) C. M. Hamilton (2)Pryor Williams (1) Putnam (3)Josh Cody (1) Putnam (1) Pryor Williams (2)Putnam (1) Pud Reyer (1) Tom Lipscomb (1) C. Brown (0) RE Russ Cohen (7) Frank Hayes (1) Richardson (1)    QB Irby Curry (8) Roach (1) Cutter Northcutt (0) LHBRHB Johnny Floyd (7)Tom Zerfoss (6) Tom Zerfoss (1)Dough Ray (2) Friel (1)Hubert Wiggs (1) Sarah Turner (0)K. Morrison (0) FB Hubert Wiggs (8) King (1) Bennett Jared (0) - Notes n Endnotes Bibliography Traughber Bill Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History 978-1-60949-423-0 The History Press 2011 Vanderbilt Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football seasons Vanderbilt Commodores football