1919 Centre Praying Colonels football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1919 Centre Praying Colonels football 1919CentreafterWVU.jpg 285 Centre players after the defeat of West Virginia Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 9–0 1–0 Charley Moran 3rd Single-wing Bo McMillin Cheek Field National champion (Sagarin) 20scentreuniform.png 1918 The 1919 Centre Praying Colonels football team represented Centre College in the 1919 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season.https://newspaperarchive.com/boston-daily-globe-dec-20-1919-p-21/ Boston Daily Globe Newspaper Archives, Dec 20, 1919, p. 21 20 December 1919 The Praying Colonels scored 485 points, leading the nation, while allowing 23 points and finishing their season with a perfect record of 9–0.1919 Centre football scores https://web.archive.org/web/20000928224613/http://www.jhowell.net/cf/scores/Centre.htm 2000-09-28 John Y. Brown, The Legend of the Praying Colonels, J. Marvin Gray & Associates, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky The team was retroactively selected by Jeff Sagarin as national champion for the 1919 season.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 Quarterback Bo McMillin and center James "Red" Weaver were named to Walter Camp's first-team 1919 College Football All-America Team. Just the year before, Georgia's Bum Day had been the first player from the South ever selected to Camp's first team– and Centre thus became the first Southern school with two. Fullback and end James "Red" Roberts was named to Camp's third team. The highlight of the season was the win over West Virginia. McMillin had the team pray before it, forever giving the Centre College Colonels its alternate moniker of "Praying Colonels."School Centre College of Kentucky 428 https://books.google.com/books?id=GmhUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA428 31 1919 Fuller Henry Starkey Schedule September 27 w y 1919 Hanover Panthers Hanover Cheek Field Danville, KY 95–0 October 4 w y y Indiana Jordan Field Bloomington, IN 12–3 October 18 w y St. Xavier Cheek Field Danville, KY 57–0 October 25 w y 1919 Transylvania Crimsons Transylvania Lexington, KY 69–0 November 1 w y y Virginia Lambeth Field Charlottesville, VA 49–7 November 8 w y y West Virginia Charleston, WV 14–6 November 15 w Kentucky Cheek Field Danville, KY rivalry 56–0 November 22 w y y 1919 DePauw Tigers DePauw Louisville, KY 56–0 November 27 w y 1919 Georgetown Tigers Georgetown (KY) Georgetown, KY 77–7 Centre College Football Record (1910-1919) https://sc.centre.edu/sc/digital/football_1910.html Centre College January 3, 2026 A game with 1919 Maryville Scots Maryville was scheduled for October 11 but never played due to Maryville injuries. Before the season Five Centre regulars were natives of Fort Worth, Texas, namely captain and quarterback Bo McMillin, and linemen Bill James, Sully Montgomery, Matty Bell, and Red Weaver.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5194781/new_castle_herald/ 14 November 21, 1919 New Castle Herald May 8, 2016 Newspapers.com Fred Turbyville Centre College Prays and Crys, Then Goes Out And Wins They were accused of being professionals, but the charges were rebuked by season's end.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5398597/the_courierjournal/ 10 Charges Against Centre Men Are Considered Ridiculous The Courier-Journal December 9, 1919 May 27, 2016 Newspapers.com According to one author, "Without Bo it would not be a Centre team."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8823025/the_courierjournal/ Sport Review Charles A. Reinhart The Courier-Journal 50 October 26, 1919 February 8, 2017 Newspapers.com Centre's linemen were known as the "Seven Mustangs".Whitney Martin November 25, 1943 Sarazen Loses Squire Title Sells Property https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19431125&id=dQcwAAAAIBAJ&pg=2890,4501481&hl=en Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Former Centre player and North Side High School head coach Robert L. Myers was to bring McMillin, Weaver, and the above teammates to Centre. However, McMillin and Weaver did not have sufficient credits to enter college, and thus entered Somerset High School for the 1916-17 year, playing with Red Roberts.http://library.centre.edu/ency/w/weaver_red.html Red Weaver 2016-05-30 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070548/http://library.centre.edu/ency/w/weaver_red.html dead Game summaries Week 1: Hanover Hanover at Centre Hanover Centre 0 0 0 0 26 20 21 28 September 27 Cheek FieldDanville, KY Dexheimer (Chattanooga) Sources: On opening day, Centre swamped 1919 Hanover Panthers Hanover, 95–0. Eight different players scored. Roberts was shifted from fullback to tackle, and played well.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5409856/the_indianapolis_star/ Centre Swamps Hanover 25 September 28, 1919 The Indianapolis Star May 28, 2016 Newspapers.com thumb|left|140px|Red Roberts The starting lineup was King (left end), Roberts (left tackle), Montgomery (left guard), Bell (center), Van Antwerp (right guard), Coleman (right tackle), Whitnell (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Murphy (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Diddle (fullback). Week 2: at Indiana Centre at Indiana Centre Indiana 0 0 0 12 3 0 0 0 October 4 Jordan FieldBloomington, IN Gardner (Cornell) Sources: Centre beat Indiana, 12–3. Indiana was up 3–0 with 2:20 left in the game, when Centre started its comeback victory.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5194786/the_courierjournal/ The Courier-Journal 42 Centre Downs Indiana In Last Two Minutes of Play October 5, 1919 May 8, 2016 Newspapers.com McMillin and Roberts worked it towards the goal, Roberts going over. Indiana was then desperate to even the score, and McMillin intercepted a pass, and returned it for a touchdown, dodging and straight arming the entire Indiana eleven. Indiana's three points came early in the first period, when its quarterback, Mathys, made a 35-yard drop kick. The starting lineup was Whitnell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Garrett (center), Coleman (right guard), James (right tackle), McCullom (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Bittle (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Roberts (fullback). Week 3: St. Xavier St. Xavier at Centre St. Xavier Centre 0 0 0 0 13 12 13 19 October 18 Cheek FieldDanville, KY Sources: The Colonels beat St. Xavier, 57–0. The field was in poor condition due to heavy rains from the past week. Xavier never crossed Centre's 30-yard line.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-mmillan-and-co-wi/124991579/ October 19, 1919 The Lexington Herald M'Millan and Co. win easily Newspapers.com McMillin twice connected with Armstrong for 80-yard forward passes. McMillin also had four runs of greater than 50 yards. Roberts's punts averaged 60 yards in the second half. The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Ford (right guard), James (right tackle), King (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Roberts (fullback). Week 4: at Transylvania Centre at Transylvania Centre Transylvania 20 13 13 23 0 0 0 0 October 25 Lexington, KY Marty (Cincinnati) Sources: In the fourth week of play, the Colonels beat 1919 Transylvania Crimsons Transylvania, 69–0. Transylvania's Milton broken several bones in his foot the week previous.http://homepages.transy.edu/~library/Catalog/HistoryFootballTransylvania.pdf History of Football At Transylvania College 2016-07-01 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160701165813/http://homepages.transy.edu/~library/Catalog/HistoryFootballTransylvania.pdf 2016-07-01 Davis and McMillin each scored three touchdowns. The starting lineup was King (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), James (right tackle), Bell (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Roberts (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald/188295621/ Backfield of Centre Eleven Shows Class The Lexington Herald October 26, 1919 14 Week 5: at Virginia Centre at Virginia Centre Virginia 14 14 14 7 0 7 0 0 November 1 Lambeth FieldCharlottesville, VA Smith (Washington & Lee) Sources: Centre's backfield starred and smashed the Virginia Orange and Blue, 49–7 in the mud. Joe Murphy had a 75-yard touchdown run.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5409549/the_courierjournal/ 47 May 28, 2016 November 2, 1919 Newspapers.com Centre College Smashed Vaunted Virginia Eleven The Courier-Journal Soon after, McMillin went 70 yards for a touchdown. Kuyk scored Virginia's points. The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), James (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Roberts (fullback). Week 6: at West Virginia Centre at West Virginia Centre West Virginia 0 0 7 7 6 0 0 0 November 8 Charleston, WV Mike Thompson Sources: The sixth week of play brought the highlight of the season — a 14–6 comeback win over West Virginia, a team which beaten Eastern power Princeton the week before, and had the nation's leading scorer Ira Rodgers. McMillin had the team pray before the game, forever giving the Centre College Colonels its alternate moniker of "Praying Colonels."https://books.google.com/books?id=UHLOAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA417 416 Come On, You Praying Kentuckians Frank G. Weaver Association Men 1919 45https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5398655/arizona_daily_star/ November 28, 1919 7 Kentucky Colonels Have Phenomenal Record; Always Pray Before Battle Arizona Daily Star May 27, 2016 Newspapers.com Rodgers came out passing and West Virginia scores first early when he bucked it over. Later, a 25-yard pass from McMillin to Terry Snoddy brought the ball near the goal. Roberts eventually scored. Centre had another touchdown drive in the last quarter, ending in McMillin sidestepping for a touchdown.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5194780/the_courierjournal/ The Courier-Journal Centre College Victorious Over West Virginia Team 43 November 9, 1919 May 8, 2016 Newspapers.com Murphy was in a flimsy track suit and track shoes.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19371117&id=T1AsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4103,1478942&hl=en November 17, 1937 Spartanburg Herald-Journal It Really Happened In Football thumb|left|140px|Bo McMillin The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), Jones (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Armstrong (right halfback), Roberts (fullback). Week 7: Kentucky Kentucky at Centre Kentucky Centre 0 0 0 0 14 7 7 28 November 15 Cheek FieldDanville, KY Marty (Kenyon) Sources: With a large crowd at home on Cheek Field, the Colonels beat rival Kentucky, 56–0, giving the Wildcats their worst loss on the season. Roberts had three touchdowns.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5409734/the_courierjournal/ 53 Sam H. McMeekin Colonels Are Triumphant In Big Game At Danville The Courier-Journal November 16, 1919 May 28, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), James (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Armstrong (right halfback), Roberts (fullback). Week 8: vs. DePauw DePauw vs. Centre DePauw Centre 0 0 0 0 7 14 21 14 November 22 Louisville, KY Marty (Kenyon) Sources: The Colonels defeated the 1919 DePauw Tigers DePauw in Louisville 56–0. McMillin's passes "aroused the wonderment of the crowd." The first touchdown came on an 18-yard pass to Army Armstrong. The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), James (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Davis (right halfback), Roberts (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5409178/the_courierjournal/ The Courier-Journal 44 November 23, 1919 Centre College Overwhelms Depauw Football Eleven May 28, 2016 Newspapers.com Sam H. McMeekin Week 9: at Georgetown Centre at Georgetown Centre Georgetown 14 21 28 14 0 0 7 0 November 27 Georgetown, KY Marty (Kenyon) Sources: Centre rolled up a 77–7 score on the 1919 Georgetown Tigers Georgetown Tigers. Georgetown's one score came off a 65-yard fumble return.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5426290/the_courierjournal/ 8 November 28, 1919 The Courier-Journal Colonels Romp Over Georgetown May 30, 2016 Newspapers.com Weaver made 11 straight extra points. The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Montgomery (left tackle), Van Antwerp (left guard), Weaver (center), Cregor (right guard), James (right tackle), Snoddy (right end), McMillin (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Armstrong (right halfback), Roberts (fullback). After the season Legacy thumb|150px|Red Weaver Red Weaver reportedly scored 46 extra point field goals in a row,https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5432467/the_atlanta_constitution/ 18 November 28, 1919 How About This? The Atlanta Constitution May 30, 2016 Newspapers.com though it was in fact 43, and held the NCAA record with a reported 99 consecutive points after touchdowns in the 1919 and 1920 seasons.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2002262// Boston Post October 24, 1920 56 Detail Story of Stadium Game March 16, 2015 Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2002285// The Wichita Beacon December 24, 1920 4 Kicks 90 Goals, "Red Weaver's Toe Stuff May Be Useless Next Year March 16, 2015 Newspapers.com Weaver was put at the placekicker position on 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 The season brought national attention to the small town of Danville.http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/cgi-bin/illinois?a=d&d=DKD19191201.1.2# The Dekaly Daily Chronicle Kentucky School Wins 21 1 December 1, 1919 Awards and honors Due to the dispute over professionalism, most writers picked Auburn as SIAA champion. The team was retroactively selected by Jeff Sagarin as the national champion for the 1919 season.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 McMillin and Weaver were named to Walter Camp's first-team 1919 College Football All-America Team. Just the year before Bum Day was the first Southern player ever selected to Camp's first team – and Centre became the first school with two. Fullback and end Red Roberts was named to Camp's third team. Players Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Centre's lineup during the 1919 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a single wing on offense. LE Matty Bell (6) Gus King (2) Edwin Whitnell (1)   LG H. Van Antwerp (8) S. Montgomery (1)     C Red Weaver (7)Matty Bell (1)William Garrett (1)   RG Ben Cregor (6) Coleman (1)Clayton Ford (1)H. Van Antwerp (1)  LT S. Montgomery (8) Red Roberts (1)    RT Bill James (8) Coleman (1)     RE Terry Snoddy (5)Matty Bell (1)Gus King (1) McCullom (1) Edwin Whitnell (1) QB Bo McMillin (9) RHB Allen Davis (6) N. Armstrong (3) FB Red Roberts (8) Edgar Diddle (1) LHB N. Armstrong (4) Allen Davis (3) Edgar Diddle (1) Joe Murphy (1) Starters Line Centre Colonels Jersey number Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight Age1 Matty BellEnd7 Fort Worth, TX North Side H. S. 163204 Ben CregorGuard6 Springfield, KYSpringfield H. S. 5'11" 175205 Bill JamesTackle 8Fort Worth, TX North Side H. S. 169212 Sully MontgomeryTackle 9Fort Worth, TX North Side H. S. 6'3"210186 Terry SnoddyEnd 5Owensboro, KYOwensboro H. S. 5'10"173193 Howard Van AntwerpGuard 8Mt. Sterling, KYMt. Sterling H. S. 1732011 Red WeaverCenter 7Fort Worth, TXNorth Side H. S.5'10" 15821 Backfield Centre Colonels Jersey number Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight Age 9Norris ArmstrongHalfback 7Fort Smith, ARFort Smith H. S.5'10" 15421 8Allen DavisHalfback 9Danville, KYDanville H. S. 14820 7Bo McMillinQuarterback9 Fort Worth, TX North Side H. S.5'9" 1752112 Red RobertsFullback9 Somerset, KYSomerset H. S. 6'2"19319 Subs Line Centre Colonels Jersey number Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight Age ColemanTackle2 17 Clayton FordGuard1 Danville, KY 1902018 William GarrettCenter 1Columbus, OHWest H. S. 1552116 Gus KingEnd 3Oak Cliff, TX 1552013 McCullomEnd1 155 Edwin "Lefty" WhitnellEnd 2Fulton, KYFulton H. S. 16019 Backfield Centre Colonels Jersey number Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight Age15 Edgar DiddleHalfback 1 Gradyville, KYCastle Heights 16621 10Joe "Chick" MurphyHalfback1 Columbus, OHEast H. S. 13020https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5398782/pittsburgh_postgazette/ 13 December 3, 1919 May 27, 2016 The Centre College Football Squad The Gazette Times Pittsburgh Newspapers.com Scoring leaders thumb|220px|Terry Snoddy The following is a list of statistics and scores, largely dependent on newspaper summaries. Centre Colonels Player Touchdowns Extra points Field Goals Safeties Points Bo McMillin 167 103Red Roberts15 4 94Terry Snoddy9 54Allen Davis82 50Red Weaver143 49Norris Armstrong7 42Joe Murphy7 42Edwin Whitnel3 18Matty Bell2 12Hump Tanner2 12Edgar Diddle1 6Safety v. Transy 12Howard Van Antwerp 1 1 Total7157 1485 See also 1919 College Football All-Southern Team References Centre Category:Centre Colonels football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:College football undefeated seasons Centre Praying Colonels football