1910 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1910 Vanderbilt Commodores football Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 8–0–1 5–0 Dan McGugin 7th Short punt Bill Neely Dudley Field SIAA co-champion The 1910 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University in the sport of American football during 1910 college football season. In Dan McGugin's 7th year as head coach, the Commodores as members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) compiled an 8–0–1 record (5–0 SIAA) and outscored their opponents 165 to 8, winning a conference championship. The only blemish on Vanderbilt's record was a scoreless tie with defending national champion Yale, the first time Yale had been held scoreless at home, and the South's first great showing against an Eastern power. James Howell's computer rating system retroactively named Vanderbilt a national champion.https://www.jhowell.net/cf/cf1910.htm 1910 NCAA Division IA Football Power Ratings www.jhowell.net The team was led by lineman Will Metzger,https://books.google.com/books?id=RS4VAAAAQBAJ&q=w+e+metzger+vanderbilt&pg=PA120 Where Football Is King: A History of the SEC Christopher J. Walsh Taylor Trade Publishing 2006 120 9781461734772 and piloted in the backfield by quarterback Ray Morrison. Metzger was selected third-team All-American by Walter Camp, the third player from the South ever to receive such and honor. Schedule October 1 w y Mooney School Dudley Field Nashville, TN 34–0 1,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-vanderbilt-swamp/136937340/ Chattanooga Daily Times Vanderbilt swamps Mooeny School team October 2, 1910 December 16, 2023 Newspapers.com October 8 w y Rose Polytechnic Dudley Field Nashville, TN 23–0 3,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-rose-poly-goes-dow/136937418/ The Indianapolis Star Rose Poly goes down to defeat before Vanderbilt October 9, 1910 December 16, 2023 Newspapers.com October 12 w y Castle Heights Dudley Field Nashville, TN 14–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-sad-showing-by-the-comm/136937507/ Nashville Banner Sad showing by the Commodores October 13, 1910 December 16, 2023 Newspapers.com October 15 w Tennessee Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 18–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82695469/commodores-win-after-the-fiercest-sort-o/ Nashville Tennessean Commodores win after the fiercest sort of battle October 16, 1910 August 2, 2021 Newspapers.com October 22 t y y Yale Yale Field New Haven, CT 0–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-yale-outplayed-by-vande/136937611/ The Boston Sunday Globe Yale outplayed by Vanderbilt October 23, 1910 December 16, 2023 Newspapers.com October 29 w Ole Miss Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 9–2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-morrisons-brilli/136937745/ Birmingham Age-Herald Morrison's brilliant run saved the Commodores October 30, 1910 December 16, 2023 Newspapers.com November 5 w LSU Dudley Field Nashville, TN 22–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-vandy-swamps-lsu/136937861/ The Atlanta Journal Vandy swamps L.S.U. in rather poor game November 6, 1910 December 16, 2023 Newspapers.com November 12 w y Georgia Tech Tech Flats Atlanta, GA rivalry 22–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-tech-couldnt-hold/136937933/ The Commercial Appeal Tech couldn't hold pace with Vandy November 13, 1910 December 16, 2023 Newspapers.com November 24 w Sewanee Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 23–6 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-and-tribune-no-chance-for-se/136938018/ The Journal and Tribune No chance for Sewanee against Commodores November 25, 1910 December 16, 2023 Newspapers.comhttps://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/vanderbilt/1910-schedule.html 1910 Vanderbilt Commodores Schedule and Results March 11, 2015 Before the season Former Vanderbilt player Bob Blake received a law degree and returned to Vanderbilt for one season as an assistant for head coach Dan McGugin.http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112311aaa.html Bill Traughber Vandy's gridiron Rhodes Scholars November 23, 2011 May 10, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160702062445/http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112311aaa.html July 2, 2016 dead The team's captain was Bill Neely, the older brother of Jess Neely. Newcomers on the line were the Brown brothers from Gallatin, guard Charles and tackle Tom. In 1910, football used a one-platoon system, with players featuring on both offense, defense, and special teams. Also, the field was 110 yards in length, touchdowns were 5 points, and field goals earned 4 points. The team that scored a touchdown had the option to kickoff or receive. Game summaries Mooney Vanderbilt opened the season on September 24 with a defeat of Mooney School 34–0."n" Mooney School was a preparatory school for boys in Murfreesboro.https://rutherfordtnhistory.org/harbers-history-lesson-mooneys-brought-high-standards-for-education/ Harber's History Lesson: Mooneys brought high standards for education - Rutherford County Tennessee Historical Society 6 July 2014 It was named for William Drumgoole Mooney, the first headmaster of Battle Ground Academy in Franklin.June 2021 Ray Morrison and Bill Neely starred in the backfield. Despite the excessive heat,Vanderbilt University 1910 302 newcomers Kent Morrison, Enoch Brown, and Hugh Morgan played well. The starting lineup was E. Brown (left end), Stegall (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), Ridgeway (right guard), Freeland (right tackle), Covington (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Neely (left halfback), Williams (right halfback), Robbins (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5616414/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean 6 October 2, 1910 Commodores Test The "New Game" June 18, 2016 Newspapers.com Grantland Rice Grantland Rice Rose Polytechnic Vanderbilt won over Rose Polytechnic, 23–0. Morrison and Neely again starred in the swift backfield. Ted Ross re-injured his knee. Taking Ross's place in the line was Tom Brown. The starting lineup was E. Brown (left end), Freeland (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), Ross (right guard), Brown (right tackle), Stewart (right end), Morrison (quarterback), K. Morrison (left halfback), Neely (right halfback), Williams (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5616402/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean 6 October 9, 1910 Commodores Pluck Rose June 18, 2016 Newspapers.com Grantland Rice Grantland Rice Castle Heights In the third week of play, the Commodores beat Castle Heights Military Academy 14–0. The contest was billed as practice for the upcoming game with Tennessee. The low score was a bit of a let down.Vanderbilt University 1910 303 Tennessee Tennessee at Vanderbilt Tennessee Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 6 October 15 Curry FieldNashville, Tennessee Bradley Walker Sources: Vanderbilt then won a tough match 18–0 over the Tennessee Volunteers. After a blocked punt, Vanderbilt's Bo Williams went across for the game's first touchdown. The second score came when Neely went around right-end for 15 yards and a touchdown. Neely had another touchdown in the fourth quarter, running 25 yards. Several fights between players nearly broke out during the game. thumb|130px|left|Captain Neely The starting lineup was Anderson (left end), T. Brown (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), Steagal (right guard), Freeland (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Robins (quarterback), K. Morrison (left halfback), Neely (right halfback), Williams (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5216518/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean 9 October 16, 1910 Commodores Win After The Fiercest Sort of Battle May 10, 2016 Newspapers.com Grantland Rice Grantland Rice Yale Vanderbilt at Yale Vanderbilt Yale 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 October 22 Yale FieldNew Haven, Connecticut Dave Fultz Sources: October 22 brought the highlight of the year: a scoreless tie with the defending national champion, coach Ted Coy's Yale Bulldogs.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1944523// Atlanta Constitution Brown Calls Vanderbilt '06 Best Eleven South Ever Had February 19, 1911 March 8, 2015 52 Newspapers.com It was the first time Yale had been held scoreless at home,http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110905aab.html Commodores Shock Powerful Yale in 1910 Bill Traughber November 9, 2005 March 11, 2015 February 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150212003320/http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110905aab.html dead and the south's first great showing against an Eastern power.https://archive.org/stream/fottballsgreates00pope#page/342/mode/2up Football's Greatest Coaches 343 Edwin Pope Edwin Pope The game was played in a pouring rain. One account reads "Four times brilliant rushes around end by Capt. Neely brought the ball well into Yale territory, only to be lost because of penalties against the visitors. Vanderbilt did not substitute a single player."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2306640/chicago_daily_tribune/ Chicago Daily Tribune Yale and Vanderbilt Tie 3 October 23, 1910 April 28, 2015 Newspapers.com Neely, recalling the game said "The score tells the story a good deal better than I can. All I want to say is that I never saw a football team fight any harder at every point that Vanderbilt fought today – line, ends, and backfield. We went in to give Yale the best we had and I think we about did it."https://books.google.com/books?id=-GEVBAAAQBAJ&q=%22bill+neely%22+&pg=PA44 Vanderbilt Football:Tales of Commodore Gridiron History Bill Traughber 44 2011 9781625842312 thumb|left|140px|Ray Morrison The starting lineup was Stewart (left end), Freeland (left tackle), F. Brown (left guard), Morgan (center), Metzger (right guard), Noel (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), R. Morrison (quarterback), Neely (left halfback), . Morrison (right halfback), Williams (fullback). Mississippi Mississippi at Vanderbilt Miss. Vanderbilt 2 0 0 0 6 3 0 0 October 29 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee Grantland Rice Sources: Vanderbilt won a close game over Mississippi 9–2. Late in the first quarter, Ray Morrison ran 90 yards for Vanderbilt's touchdown on a punt return. On the ensuing drive, Neely set up to punt, and the ball got away from him. Attempting to recover it, he booted the ball behind his own goal line, netting a safety for Mississippi.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5183584/the_houston_post/ Vandy Outlucked Them 19 October 30, 1910 The Houston Post May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com Neely later made a 22-yard field goal.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5217011/the_tennessean/ Grantland Rice 8 October 30, 1910 Morrison's Brilliant Ninety-Yard Dash The Main Factor In Mississippi's 9-2 Defeat The Tennessean May 10, 2016 Newspapers.com John Heisman was field judge, and McGugin did not want to show too much, playing Heisman's Georgia Tech in two weeks.Vanderbilt University 1910 305 The starting lineup was Stewart (left end), T. Brown (left tackle), Brown (left guard), Morgan (center), Metzger (right guard), Freeland (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Neely (left halfback), K. Morrison (right halfback), Williams (fullback). Louisiana State Louisiana State at Vanderbilt LSU Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 11 6 5 0 November 5 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee Bradley Walker Sources: The Commodores overwhelmed the Louisiana State Tigers 22–0. Vanderbilt's first score came on a 12-yard Kent Morrison run. He also scored the second touchdown. Neely made the third score, and the last was from an Enoch Brown run of 60 yards.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5183706/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean 6 November 6, 1910 May 6, 2016 Newspapers.com Commodores Trounce L. S. U. Glenn A. Hall Subs were sent in by game's end. thumb|left|130px|Enoch Brown The starting lineup was Stewart (left end), T. Brown (left tackle), Brown (left guard), Morgan (center), Metzger (right guard), Freeland (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Neely (left halfback), K. Morrison (right halfback), Martin (fullback). Georgia Tech Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech Vanderbilt Ga. Tech 0 0 11 11 0 0 0 0 November 12 Tech FlatsAtlanta Bradley Walker Sources: Vanderbilt beat Heisman's Georgia Tech 22–0. Sewanee's coach Harris Cope was at the game, and again McGugin took to conventional football, resulting in a scoreless first half. The first score came on a pass from Bill Neely to Enoch Brown. Two minutes later, Ray Morrison got away for another touchdown, and the game opened up from there.Vanderbilt University 1910 306 Morrison was considered the game's star. After an illegal forward pass, Vanderbilt had another touchdown (Bradley Walker's officiating drew criticism throughout). The last score came after a 25-yard run from Neely and was scored by a dodging Morrison. The starting lineup was Stewart (left end), Freeland (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), Stegall (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Morrison (quarterback), K. Morrison (left halfback), Neely (right halfback), Williams (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5216553/the_atlanta_constitution/ The Atlanta Constitution November 13, 1910 2 Ray Morrison Licks Jackets May 10, 2016 Newspapers.com Sewanee The Commodores defeated the Sewanee Tigers 23–6. By the second quarter, Sewanee's defense was "completely dismantled" by Vanderbilt's rushing attack. Sewanee had one first down all game – an 85-yard run by Aubrey Lanier. The starting lineup was Stewart (left end), T. Brown (left tackle), Stegall (left guard), Morgan (center), Metzger (right guard), Freeland (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Morrison (quarterback), K. Morrison (left halfback), Neely (right halfback), Williams (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5216566/the_courierjournal/ The Courier-Journal November 25, 1910 7 Vanderbilt Wins From Sewanee Team May 10, 2016 Newspapers.com After the season thumb|160px|Will Metzger Morrison, Metzger, Freeland, and Neely made composite All-Southern. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/HistArchive/?p_product=EANX&p_theme=ahnp&p_nbid=Y4ET4ESEMTQxMDI3Njg5OC40Mjc3NTE6MToxMzoxMzIuMTk4LjUwLjEz&p_action=doc&s_lastnonissuequeryname=30&d_viewref=search&p_queryname=30&p_docnum=8&p_docref=v2:1223BCE5B718A166@EANX-122ACF8107A1BC40@2419014-1228336458E2E538@11-13204451DD2BE891@All%20S.%20I.%20A.%20A.%20Team.%20Consensus%20of%20Opinion%20Gives%20Places%20to%20Players.%20Vanderbilt%2C%20Sewanee All S. I. A. A. Team. December 8, 1910 Times-Picayune Metzger was selected third-team All-American by Walter Camp, the third player from the South ever to receive such an honor.https://books.google.com/books?id=uZhOAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA211 On the Gridiron and Diamond 211 The Kappa Alpha Journal 30 2 Order Kappa Alpha 1913 Legacy Both Metzger and Morrison were selected for an Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869–1919 era.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19690727&id=2eRGAAAAIBAJ&pg=2256,3526388 Gadsden Times July 27, 1969 All-Time Football Team Lists Greats Of Past, Present Personnel Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Vanderbilt's lineup during the 1910 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 Slick Stewart (5) Enoch Brown (2) Anderson (1)  LT LG C RG RT Tom Brown (4) Will Metzger (4) Hugh Morgan (8) Will Metzger (4) Ewing Y. Freeland (5) Ewing Y. Freeland (3) Charles H. Brown (3) Steagall (2) Tom Brown (2) Steagall (1)Steagall (1) Ridgeway (1) Oscar Noel (1) Ted Ross (1) RE Enoch Brown (6) Covington (1) Slick Stewart (1) Oscar Noel (0) QB Ray Morrison (7) Rabbi Robins (1) LHBRHB Kent Morrison (4)Bill Neely (4) Bill Neely (4) Kent Morrison (3) Bo Williams (1) FB Henry "Bo" Williams (6) Martin (1) Rabbi Robins (1) - Notes n References 30em Bibliography Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University Quarterly 1910 https://books.google.com/books?id=nmomAQAAIAAJ&q=football 10 Vanderbilt Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Vanderbilt Commodores football