1929 Florida Gators football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1929 Florida Gators football 1929 Florida Gators football team.png 285 Southern Conference SoCon 8–2 6–1 Charlie Bachman 2nd Notre Dame Box Rainey Cawthon Fleming Field Late20Gatorsuniform.png The 1929 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1929 college football season. The season was Charlie Bachman's second as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Bachman's 1929 Florida Gators finished with an overall record of 8–2,2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide https://web.archive.org/web/20151208143532/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2015/media_guide.pdf 2015-12-08 , University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 108 & 115 (2015). Retrieved August 15, 2015. and a conference record of 6–1, placing fourth of twenty-three conference teams.2009 Southern Conference Football Media Guide, Year-by-Year Standings https://web.archive.org/web/20120220164221/http://www.soconsports.com/fls/4000/socon/files/09fbguide/74-77standings.pdf?SPSID=35576&SPID=1781&DB_OEM_ID=4000 February 20, 2012 , Southern Conference, Spartanburg, South Carolina, p. 74 (2009). Retrieved August 30, 2010. The highlights of the year included Southern Conference victories over the Virginia Military Institute Keydets, Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Clemson Tigers, South Carolina Gamecocks and Washington & Lee Generals, and a 20–6 intersectional upset over coach John McEwan's Oregon Webfoots in a neutral site game played at the old Madison Square Garden stadium in Miami, Florida. Before the season Former player Edgar Jones became athletic director and Joe Bedenk left. James Van Fleet returned to help assist Bachman. Coach Bachman began the season's intensive practices on the beach at Anastasia Island, about ten miles from Saint Augustine.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3142979/the_anniston_star/ Anniston Star September 23, 1929 Florida 'Gators Train On Beach 8 September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com A fierce battle amongst the eleven running backs featured.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19290904&id=aqULAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B1UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2006,3505210&hl=en The Evening Independent Joe Holsinger Eleven Halves Seeking Berths On Gator Team September 4, 1929 A good backfield was expected.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19290820&id=7WlIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B1UDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2682,2001250&hl=en The Evening Independent Wealth of Backfield Talent Awaits Gator Grid Coach This Fall August 20, 1929 Bachman later said the 1929 team "was as good as the 1928 team and would have been better had we not lost Carl Brumbaugh from the year before. He was our passer, and he was our thinker. He could get the ball to Van Sickel. In those days the halfbacks passed more than the quarterback. And boy did we pass. In the flats a lot, like they do now."Tom McEwen, The Gators: A Story of Florida Football, The Strode Publishers, Huntsville, Alabama, p. 102 (1974). Schedule September 28 w y 1929 Southern College Moccasins Southern College Fleming Field Gainesville, FL 54–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-florida-alligators-beat-s/136401709/ Miami Daily News Florida Alligators beat Southern 54 to 0 September 29, 1929 December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com October 5 w y VMI Plant Field Tampa, FL 12–7 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90872274/florida-gators-repulse-closing-threat-of/ Tampa Sunday Tribune Florida Gators repulse closing threat of V.M.I. to win 12–7 victory here October 6, 1929 December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com October 11 w y Auburn Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL rivalry 19–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-gators-flash-p/136401854/ The Atlanta Constitution 'Gators flash power to beat Auburn, 19–0 October 12, 1929 December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com October 19 l y Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA 6–19 7,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-journal-georgia-tech-blast/136401997/ The Knoxville Journal Georgia Tech blasts Florida's championship hopes with 19 to 7 victory October 20, 1929 December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com October 26 w y Georgia Fairfield Stadium Jacksonville, FL rivalry 18–6 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-bulldogs-swept-off-their/136402129/ The Tennessean Bulldogs swept off their feet by Alligators October 27, 1929 December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 2 l y y Harvard Harvard Stadium Boston, MA 0–14 35,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-southern-foe-fa/136402233/ The Brooklyn Daily Eagle Southern foe falls before Harvard, 14–0 November 3, 1929 December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 16 w y Clemson Fleming Field Gainesville, FL 13–7 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-florida-gators-brus/136402349/ The Orlando Sentinel Florida Gators brush aside Clemson by 13 to 7 November 17, 1929 December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 23 w y South Carolina Melton Field Columbia, SC 20–7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3142967/ The Anniston Star 12 November 24, 1929 Gators battle way to victory over Carolina December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com November 28 w y Washington and Lee Fairfield Stadium Jacksonville, FL 25–7 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56857283/ Tampa Bay Times Florida Gators easily defeat Washington and Lee November 29, 1929 December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com December 7 w y y Oregon Madison Square Garden Stadium Miami, FL 20–6 17,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-webfoots-are-defeated/136402599/ The Oregon Statesman Webfoots are defeated 20–6 December 8, 1929 December 6, 2023 Newspapers.com Game summaries Week 1: Southern College The Gators opened the season with a 54–0 romp of Southern College. The Gators made 19 first downs and 8 touchdowns; Southern College made no first downs.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3143654/the_bee/ The Bee September 30, 1929 5 'Gators Down Southern September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com Week 2: VMI Week 2: VMI at Florida VMI Florida 0 0 7 0 0 6 6 0 October 5 Plant FieldTampa, Florida 10,000 Prior to the game, Royce Goodbread and Ed Sauls stood out in preparations.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19291004&id=E5AxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yE0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6344,3730141&hl=en St. Petersburg Times Bachman Looks For Hard Title Against Cadets October 4, 1929 Florida won a close game in Tampa over the V. M. I. Keydets 12 to 7.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3142982/the_anniston_star/ Anniston Star 'Gators Barely Win Over V. M. I., 12 To 7 October 6, 1929 12 September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com VMI frequently used the forward pass; and the Gators used a new huddle system. The first score came from Royce Goodbread after many exchanges of punts. Rainey Cawthon made a 25-yard pass into another touchdown. The Keydets touchdown was scored on a 2-yard run by Dunn. thumb|left|130px|Captain Cawthon on the beach. Week 3: at Auburn Week 3: Florida at Auburn Florida Auburn 7 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 October 11 Cramton BowlMontgomery, Alabama In Florida's first night game, the Gators defeated the Auburn Tigers 19 to 0. Florida's first touchdown came on a 30-yard run from Clyde Crabtree through tackle. A 10-yard pass from Red Bethea to Dale Van Sickel brought the second touchdown. The last score was a 15-yard pass from Red McEwen to Jimmy Nolan.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3143687/the_anniston_star/ 'Gators Defeat Auburn 19 to 0 In Night Game October 12, 1929 6 Anniston Star September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com After the game, acting under orders of Governor Graves, law enforcement officers seized and destroyed some 75 pints of liquor which had been brought to the contest.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3143686/the_brooklyn_daily_eagle/ Brooklyn Daily Eagle Dry Search At Football Game Reveals 75 Pints 6 October 14, 1929 September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com The starting lineup for the Gators against Harvard: Green (left end), Waters (left tackle), McRae (left guard), Haines (center), Houser (right guard), Dedge (right tackle), Hall (right end), Crabtree (quarterback), Bethea (left halfback), Goodbread (right halfback), Cawthon (fullback). Week 4: at Georgia Tech Week 4: Florida at Georgia Tech Florida Ga. Tech 0 0 6 0 7 6 6 0 October 19 Grant FieldAtlanta Florida lost to coach Bill Alexander's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Grant Field 19–6. Fumbles cost Florida dearly. Georgia Tech's ability to stop the Gator backfield was surprising.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19291021&id=PupPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BlUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2182,2841824&hl=en October 21, 1929 Playing Square Jeff Moshier Evening Independent A 30-yard pass, Earl Dunlap to Warner Mizell, and 7 yards after the catch from Mizell, got the first touchdown for the Yellow Jackets. A 25-yard pass from Dunlap to Vance Maree got the second. The final score for Tech came on a pass from Mizell to Stumpy Thomason. A pitch to Rainey Cawthon got the lone Gator score. Week 5: Georgia Week 5: Georgia at Florida Georgia Florida 0 0 0 6 0 6 6 6 October 26 Fairfield StadiumJacksonville, Florida 20,000 thumb|Royce Goodbread running the ball for a long gain. The Gators upset the Georgia Bulldogs for the second year in a row, by a score of 18 to 6,https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3148502/the_anniston_star/ Anniston Star October 27, 1929 10 Gators Upset Dope And Win From Bulldogs September 3, 2015 Newspapers.com just two days after the Stock Market Crash.Carlson 2007 38 Georgia had already defeated Yale. A long pass from Red Bethea to Green started things going in the second quarter, down to Georgia's 14-yard line. After driving down to the 3, Bethea scored on a wide end run. Dale Van Sickel recovered a blocked punt in the third quarter inside the 30-yard line. Rainey Cawthon and company drove the ball inside the 10-yard line. A pass from Clyde Crabtree to Van Sickel got a touchdown. Crabtree later returned an interception for a touchdown. In the final minutes, Ed Sauls ran 60 yards through the Georgia defense, the highlight of the contest. Georgia quarterback Austin Downes broke his arm during the game. Florida running back Royce Goodbread also suffered an injury.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19291108&id=72kxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zE0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4676,1056233&hl=en November 8, 1929 St. Petersburg Times Link Silsby Is Good Fullback Frank S. Wright Week 6: at Harvard Week 6: Florida at Harvard Florida Harvard 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 7 November 2 Harvard StadiumBoston, Massachusetts 35,000 Dr. Eddie O' Brien (Tufts) thumb|The players of Florida Gators's expected starting-line for their November 2, 1929, football game against the Harvard Crimson pose for group photograph at Harvard Stadium in advance of the game.Backfield (in rear) left to right: Clyde Crabtree (quarterback); Rainey Cawthon (fullback and team captain); Smith (left halfback); Red Bethea (right halfback)Linemen (in foreground) left to right: Jimmy Nolan (right end), Carlos Proctor (right tackle), William McRae (right guard), Ben Clemons (center), Jimmy Steele (left guard), Dale Waters (left tackle), Dale Van Sickel (left end) Coach Arnold Horween's Harvard Crimson defeated the Florida Gators 14 to 0 in front of a crowd of 35,000.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3055217/the_brooklyn_daily_eagle/ Southern Foe Falls Before Harbard, 14-0 41 November 3, 1929 The Brooklyn Daily Eagle August 20, 2015 Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3055214/the_anniston_star/ The Anniston Star 10 November 3, 1929 Harvard Beats Florida, 14-0 In Close Fight August 20, 2015 Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3142980/altoona_tribune/ Altoona Tribune November 2, 1929 12 Florida Gators Will Snap At Harvard Line September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com Michigan coach Fielding Yost watched the game from the stands.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3055230/the_escanaba_daily_press/ August 20, 2015 Newspapers.com Yost Watching As Harvard Smashes Through Florida William R. King 15 November 3, 1929 The Escanaba Daily Press The starting lineup for the Gators against Harvard: Nolan (left end), Proctor (left tackle), Reeves (left guard), Clemons (center), Steele (right guard), Waters (right tackle), Van Sickel (right end), Crabtree (quarterback), Bethea (left halfback), Dorsett (right halfback), Cawthon (fullback). Week 7: Clemson Week 7: Clemson at Florida Clemson Florida 0 0 7 0 0 6 0 7 November 16 Fleming FieldGainesville, Florida The Gators beat Josh Cody's Clemson Tigers 13–7 at homecoming. The first Florida score came on a 9-yard pass from Red Bethea to Dale Van Sickel. The second came on a short run by Rainey Cawthon after a 28-yard run by Bethea. Week 8: at South Carolina Week 8: Florida at South Carolina Florida S. Carolina 7 0 7 6 0 7 0 0 November 23 Columbia, South Carolina Powell (Wisconsin) The Gators defeated coach Billy Laval's South Carolina Gamecocks 20 to 7. Florida substitutes started the game, coming in some 5 minutes in after a blocked punt on the 18-yard line. Six runs at the line later, Rainey Cawthon scored.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3143637/the_indexjournal/ The Index-Journal Gamecocks Fail To Show Power November 24, 1929 6 September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com A pass from Clyde Crabtree to Dale Van Sickel got the extra point. Early in the second quarter, South Carolina blocked another punt. This time they capitalized with a 15-yard touchdown pass, Rhame to Stoddard. Boineau added the extra point from placement.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3142967/the_anniston_star/ Anniston Star 12 November 24, 1929 Gators Battle Way To Victory Over Carolina September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com The same Boineau later fumbled a punt, recovered by Florida. A pass from Crabtree to Red Bethea gained 12 and a run around right end from Bethea got a touchdown. Crabtree passed to Van Sickel for the conversion. A Van Sickel interception ended South Carolina's fiercest threat, which eventually turned into another Cawthon touchdown. The final touchdown drive caused injuries to both Van Sickel and Bethea. The try was missed. The starting lineup for the Gators against South Carolina: L. Greene (left end), Phiel (left tackle), McRae (left guard), Clark (center), James (right guard), Dedge (right tackle), Vickery (right end), McEwen (quarterback), Dorsett (left halfback), Goodbread (right halfback), Silsby (fullback). Week 9: Washington & Lee Week 9: Washington & Lee at Florida W&L Florida 0 0 0 7 7 6 12 0 November 28 Jacksonville, Florida 12,000 The Gators defeated coach Gene Oberst's Washington & Lee Generals 25–7 in their annual Thanksgiving matchup. Sophomore halfback Monk Dorsett was the star of the game, scoring two touchdowns. Week 10: Oregon Week 10: Oregon at Florida Oregon Florida 0 0 0 6 0 14 6 0 December 7 Madison Square Garden StadiumMiami 25,000+ Birch (Earlham) At the old Madison Square Garden Stadium in Miami on December 7, in front of more than 25,000,https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3142969/the_brainerd_daily_dispatch/ The Brainerd Daily Dispatch 5 December 7, 1929 Oregon Plays Florida Gators In Hot Sun Today September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com the Gators had a major inter-sectional victory over coach John McEwan's Oregon Webfoots 20 to 6. The Gators had a light drill on Fleming Field on the afternoon of the 5th. At 9:30 they embarked on a special train, which transferred to the train bearing the Oregon players at Palatka.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19291206&id=OYQcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MmQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1380,5302941&hl=en Sarasota Herald-Tribune Gators End Training December 6, 1929 The heat forced many Oregon players to take off their jerseys. Clyde Crabtree, in his final game, had a touchdown on a punt return of 80 yards,https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19291208&id=oksbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DksEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4816,5942687&hl=en December 8, 1929 Florida Wins Over Oregon The Pittsburgh Press Ed Sauls had one on a run through the line of 38 yards.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3048699/the_oregon_statesman/ Webfoots Are Defeated 20-6 Rex Saffer 18 December 8, 1929 Oregon Statesman August 19, 2015 Newspapers.com The other score came on 10-yard run by Red McEwen. The starting lineup for the Gators against Oregon: Parnell (left end), Waters (left tackle), Steele (left guard), Clemons (center), Reeves (right guard), Proctor (right tackle), Nolan (right end), Crabtree (quarterback), Dorsett (left halfback), Goodbread (right halfback), Cawthon (fullback). Postseason Red Bethea was elected captain of next year's team.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19291217&id=DspPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=f1QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4276,4610787&hl=en The Evening Independent Halfback Elected Captain December 17, 1929 Personnel Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Florida's lineup during the 1929 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a Notre Dame Box on offense. LE Harry Green (2) Jimmy Nolan (1) Ed Parnell (1)   LT LG C RG RT Muddy Waters (2) Bill McRae (2) Ben Clemons (2) Mike Houser (1) Al Dedge (2) Scabby Phiel (1)Rip Reeves (1) Frank Clark (1)Wilbur James (1) Carlos Proctor (1) Carlos Proctor (1) Jimmy Steele (1) Weber Haines (1)Rip Reeves (1) Muddy Waters (1) Jimmy Steele (1) RE Joe Hall (1) Jimmy Nolan (1) Dale Van Sickel (1) Charlie Vickery (1) QB Clyde Crabtree (3) Red McEwen (1) RHB Royce Goodbread (3) Monk Dorsett (1) Homer Seay (0) LHB Red Bethea (2) Monk Dorsett (2) Loyd Baldwin (0) FBRainey Cawthon (3) Link Silsby (1) Ed Sauls (0) Line Starters Florida Gators Player Position Gamesstarted High school Height Weight AgeFrank Clark center Culver6'1"17020Ben Clemons center Leon6'2"18523Harry Green end Gainesville6'2"18224Bill McRae guard West Palm Beach6'1"17220Jimmy Nolan end Duval5'10"17021Scabby Phiel tackle St. Petersburg Carlos Proctor tackle Hillsborough 22Alex "Rip" Reeves tackle Alabama5'8"18423Jimmy Steele guard Hillsborough 6'0"18520Dale Van Sickel end Gainesville5'11"17020Dale Waters tackle Gainesville5'11"17020 Subs Florida Gators Player Position High school Height Weight AgeAl Dedge tackleWeber Haines centerJoe Hall endMike Houser guardDuval5'7"17023Wilbur James guardOrlando5'11"18620Charlie Vickery endPanama City Backfield Starters Florida Gators Player Position Gamesstarted High school Height Weight AgeRed Bethea halfback Riverside5'9"17222Clyde Crabtree quarterback J. Sterling Morton5'8"14722Rainey Cawthon fullback Leon 5'11"18021Monk Dorsett halfback DuvalRoyce Goodbread halfback St. Petersburg 6'0"19021Ed Sauls fullback Leon 5'11"18521 Subs Florida Gators Player Position High school Height Weight AgeLloyd Baldwin backMiami5'11"18021J. Milton "Red" McEwen quarterbackWauchula 5'8"15520Homer Seay halfbackLincoln "Link" Silsby fullbackHere's Intro To the Gator First String and Subs Frank Wright Miami Daily News and Metropolis December 6, 1929 15 Coaching staff Head coach: Charlie Bachman Assistants: James Van Fleet, Nash Higgins (line), Joe Holsinger (backfield), Brady Cowell (freshmen), George Weber, A. P. Pierson. See also 1929 College Football All-Southern Team Notes References Additional sources Carlson Norm University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators Whitman Publishing, LLC Atlanta, Georgia 2007 0-7948-2298-3 Florida Category:Florida Gators football seasons Florida Gators football