1911 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1911 Vanderbilt Commodores football 125 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association SIAA 8–1 5–0 Dan McGugin 8th Short punt Ray Morrison Dudley Field National champion (Billingsley)SIAA champion The 1911 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represented Vanderbilt University in the 1911 college football season. It was Dan McGugin's 8th year as head coach. The team outscored its opponents 259 to 9, winning an undisputed Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) title. Edwin Pope's Football's Greatest Coaches notes: "A lightning-swift backfield of Lew Hardage, Wilson Collins, Ammie Sikes, and Ray Morrison pushed Vandy through 1911 with only a 9–8 loss to Michigan." The Atlanta Constitution voted Vanderbilt's the best backfield in the South. Morrison is considered one of the best quarterbacks in Vanderbilt's long history Schedule September 30 w y Birmingham Dudley Field Nashville, TN 40–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-vanderbilt-in-frol/136956725/ The Commercial Appeal Vanderbilt in frolic October 1, 1911 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com October 7 w y 1911 Maryville Scots Maryville (TN) Dudley Field Nashville, TN 46–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-commodores-swamp-m/136956918/ The Commercial Appeal Commodores swamp Maryville eleven October 8, 1911 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com October 14 w y 1911 Rose Polytechnic Rose Polytechnic Dudley Field Nashville, TN 33–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-vanderbilt-defeats-r/136956963/ The Atlanta Journal Vanderbilt defeats Rose Polytech 33 to 0 October 15, 1911 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com October 21 w Central University Dudley Field Nashville, TN 45–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lexington-herald-vanderbilt-defeats/136957009/ The Lexington Herald Vanderbilt defeats Central team 45 to 0 October 22, 1911 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com October 28 l y y Michigan Ferry Field Ann Arbor, MI 8–9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-michogan-forced-by-vande/136957079/ The Chicago Tribune Michigan forced by Vanderbilt, 9–8 October 29, 1911 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com November 4 w Georgia Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 17–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-vanderbilt-wins-from-g/136957150/ The Tampa Tribune Vanderbilt wins from Georgians November 5, 1911 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com November 11 w Kentucky State College Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 18–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-democrat-vanderbilt-downs-kent/136957212/ The Times-Democrat Vanderbilt downs Kentucky State November 12, 1911 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com November 18 w Ole Miss Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 21–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-vandy-defeats-ole/136957302/ Birmingham Age-Herald Vandy defeats Ole Miss decisively November 19, 1911 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com November 30 w Sewanee Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry 31–0 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-commodores-defeat-tiger/136957387/ Nashville Banner Commodores defeat Tigers on slippery field, 31 to 0 December 1, 1911 December 17, 2023 Newspapers.com Before the season Vanderbilt prepared to face its most difficult schedule to date.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4882831/the_courierjournal/ The Courier-Journal Hard Schedule For The Vanderbilt Football Team 6 February 6, 1911 April 9, 2016 Newspapers.com The halfbacks and fullbacks were new, as Bill Neely and Bo Williams had graduated, and Kent Morrison was shifted to end. Lew Hardage transferred from Auburn and joined the team. Game summaries Week 1: Birmingham The season opened with a 40–0 win over Birmingham on a slippery field. Ammie Sikes and Lew Hardage proved to be the stars of the game.Vanderbilt University 1912 259 The starting lineup was Morrison: (left end), Freeland (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), C. Brown (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end). R. Morrison (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Doherty (fullback).Spick Hall https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5611539/the_tennessean/ Vandy Smothers Birmingham Boys In Opening Day June 17, 2016 Newspapers.com The Tennessean 34 October 1, 1911 Week 2: Maryvillle (TN) The next week, Vanderbilt defeated Maryville 46-0. Ewing Y. Freeland and Zeke Martin played well in the line, but above all the game's star was Tom Brown. The starting lineup was: Morrison (left end), Freeland (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), C. Brown (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end). R. Morrison (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Doherty (fullback).Spick Hall https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5611589/the_tennessean/ Maryville Team Badly Beaten By Commodores June 17, 2016 Newspapers.com The Tennessean 22 October 8, 1911 Week 3: Rose Poly Vanderbilt won 33–0 over Rose Polytechnic, in a game harder than prior weeks. The Tennessean's Spick Hall remarked on Rose's defense, "They all played a vicious game and when they tackled they did it in the good old-fashion way—right from the shoulder."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5611664/the_tennessean/ June 17, 2016 Newspapers.com October 15, 1911 34 Vandy's Backs Battered Down Rose's Defense Spick Hall The Tennessean The starting lineup was: Metzger (left end), Freeland (left tackle), Covington (left guard), Morgan (center), C. Brown (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end). R. Morrison (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback). Week 4: Central University Vanderbilt drubbed Central University, 45–0. Central and Vanderbilt were both undefeated the previous year, and Central also had claimed a Southern title, on the grounds that Vanderbilt would not play them. Lew Hardage and Ray Morrison and Rabbi Robins all had two touchdowns each. Ammie Sikes and Murrah had one each.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5053405/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean Central of KY. Badly Drubbed By Vanderbilt Spick Hall 39 October 22, 1911 April 25, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup was: Morrison (left end), Freeland (left tackle), Huffman (left guard), Morgan (center), C. Brown (right guard), Covington (right tackle), E. Brown (right end). R. Morrison (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback). Week 5: at Michigan Week 5: Vanderbilt at Michigan Vanderbilt Michigan 0 0 3 5 0 0 3 6 October 28 Ferry Field • Ann Arbor, Michigan Bradley Walker Sources:Vanderbilt University 1912 259–260 The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Commodores 9 to 8. The game matched Michigan head coach Fielding H. Yost against his former player and brother-in-law, Dan McGugin. Because of the relationship between Yost and McGugin, the two teams played nine times between 1905 and 1923, with Michigan winning eight games and tying one.Michigan vs Vanderbilt College Football Data Warehouse http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=3363 April 25, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20111023101031/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/michigan/opponents_records.php?teamid=3363 October 23, 2011 dead thumb|left|240px|Ray Morrison running against Michigan. Before the game, Coach Yost reminded reporters that Vanderbilt's 1911 team included the same veteran line that had held Yale scoreless in 1910. Yost predicted a hard game.Yost Looking For Hard Game With Vanderbilt Today: Coach McGugin's Team Is Made Up of Veterans of Tried and True Line That Held Yale Scoreless Last Year--Wolverine Leader, However, Believes His Charges Can Swing the Verdict to Michigan's Banner Again Detroit Free Press October 28, 1911 9 https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/1767431592.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+28%2C+1911&author=Sepical+to+The+Free+Press&pub=Detroit+Free+Press+(1858-1922)&edition=&startpage=9&desc=YOST+LOOKING+FOR+HARD+GAME+WTH+VANDERBILT+TODAY July 5, 2017 January 31, 2013 https://archive.today/20130131182535/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/1767431592.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+28,+1911&author=Sepical+to+The+Free+Press&pub=Detroit+Free+Press+(1858-1922)&edition=&startpage=9&desc=YOST+LOOKING+FOR+HARD+GAME+WTH+VANDERBILT+TODAY dead thumb|280px|Lew Hardage circling left end. After a scoreless first half, Zach Curlin made a drop kick to put the Commodores up 3 to 0 in the third quarter. The Vanderbilt University Quarterly notes "when the score was 3 to 0 in our favor the situation in the Michigan grandstands was heartrending." Yost said after the game: "It was one of the most exciting games I have ever witnessed."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5053484/the_tennessean/ Michigan Beats Vanderbilt In A Great Contest Spick Hall The Tennessean 1 October 29, 1911 April 25, 2016 Newspapers.com Michigan tied up the score with a field goal of its own, then Stanfield Wells scored a touchdown and Frederick L. Conklin kicked goal. Morrison scored a touchdown for Vanderbilt, but put too much energy into the kick-out and missed the crucial extra point. Walter Eckersall served as the umpire and covered the game for the Chicago Daily Tribune. Eckersall wrote that Michigan's offense suffered from "an air of overconfidence", its tackling was poor, and the team was completely fooled on forward passes. He opined that the game was a reversal for Michigan, which would need "vast improvement" to defeat Penn and Cornell.Michigan Forced by Vanderbilt: Wolverines Uncover Everything to Defeat Southern Champions; Lucky to Escape a Tie; Morrison's Poor Puntout After Touchdown, Preventing Fair Catch, Is Costly Walter Eckersall Chicago Daily Tribune October 29, 1911 C1 https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/387035011.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+29%2C+1911&author=WALTER+H+ECKERSALL&pub=Chicago+Daily+Tribune+(1872-1922)&edition=&startpage=C1&desc=MICHIGAN+FORCED+BY+VANDERBILT%2C+9-8 July 5, 2017 January 31, 2013 https://archive.today/20130131184142/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/387035011.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+29,+1911&author=WALTER+H+ECKERSALL&pub=Chicago+Daily+Tribune+(1872-1922)&edition=&startpage=C1&desc=MICHIGAN+FORCED+BY+VANDERBILT,+9-8 dead The starting lineup was: Morrison (left end), Freeland (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), C. Brown (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end). R. Morrison (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4882867/pittsburgh_postgazette/ 20 October 29, 1911 Michigan Is Winner Over Vanderbilt The Gazette Times Pittsburgh April 9, 2016 Newspapers.com Week 6: Georgia Week 6: Georgia at Vanderbilt Georgia Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 0 12 5 0 November 4 Dudley Field • Nashville, Tennessee Peter Hauser Sources: Vanderbilt easily defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 17–0 under a "cold, leaden sky" with splashes of rain. After a scoreless first quarter, Lew Hardage called for a fair-catch at Georgia's 28-yard line, starting Vanderbilt's first scoring drive. It ended with an Ammie Sikes touchdown from 2 yards out. Hardage ran around right end for 45 yards, down to the 17-yard line. Vanderbilt then worked the ball to the goal with an 8-yard pass from Hardage to Wilson Collins, followed by Ray Morrison going over for a 4-yard touchdown. On one play later in the period, Hardage's left shoulder and arm were badly sprained, threatening his status for the season.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4882761/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean 22 Georgia Puts Up A Game Fight, But Is Beaten Spick Hall November 5, 1911 April 9, 2016 Newspapers.com In the third quarter, Morrison made 22 yards on a fake punt, Sikes went 35 yards through line. Sikes then made 5 more, Collins 1, and Morrison finished with a 4-yard touchdown. The starting lineup was: K. Morrison (left end), Covington (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), C. Brown (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), R. Morrison (quarterback), Hardage (left halfback), Collins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback). Week 7: Kentucky State College Week 7: Kentucky State College at Vanderbilt Kentucky St. Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 6 0 6 6 November 11 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee Bradley Walker Sources: The Commodores beat Kentucky State College, 18–0. The Wildcats were expected to lose by a larger margin.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5053441/the_tennessean/ April 25, 2016 Newspapers.com November 12, 1911 22 The Tennessean Kentucky State Puts Up Great Game Vs. Vandy The first touchdown came on "a pretty forward pass" from Robins to Nuck Brown. The next score came in the third quarter, on a 7-yard run from Ray Morrison. Just after the start of the fourth quarter, Zach Curlin made an 8-yard field goal. He later made another 10-yard field goal from a difficult angle. The starting lineup was: K. Morrison (left end), Covington (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), C. Brown (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), R. Morrison (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Robins (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback). Week 8: Ole Miss Week 8: Ole Miss at Vanderbilt Miss. Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 November 18 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee Sources: Vanderbilt beat Ole Miss, 21–0, and claimed the championship of the South.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4882873/the_inter_ocean/ The Inter Ocean 27 November 29, 1911 Vanderbilt Lands Honor of South April 9, 2016 Newspapers.com "This was easily the greatest southern game of the season". In the second quarter, a long trick pass was caught by Ammie Sikes, who ran to Ole Miss's 5-yard line. Ray Morrison then got the score. At one point Morrison had a 70-yard run.Vanderbilt University 1912 261 Zach Curlin later made a field goal. In the second half, Morrison ran 75 yards on a fake punt and went out of bounds at the 30-yard line. On the next play, Lew Hardage started around left end, then reversed right, and was again crowded out, reversing field back around left end. He seemed to break a tackle by every Ole Miss player. Vanderbilt scored a final touchdown in the last quarter. The starting lineup was: K. Morrison (left end), Covington (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), C. Brown (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), R. Morrison (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hardage (right halfback), and Sikes (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5611698/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean 27 November 19, 1911 Commodores Win Football Championship June 17, 2016 Newspapers.com Week 9: Sewanee and Ty Cobb Ty Cobb traveled to Nashville on the Monday of the week of the Sewanee game to act in the play The College Widow."n" Cobb was coming off an American League MVP season with a .420 batting average. He was taken for an automobile ride around the town by Nashville Vols president William G. Hirsig. Cobb watched the team practice and donned a Vanderbilt uniform to practice with the team during the week, including punts and drop-kicks.Traughber 2011 51–52 thumb|left|130px|Ty Cobb (pictured) practiced as a Vanderbilt football player in 1911. Week 9: Sewanee at Vanderbilt Sewanee Vanderbilt 0 0 0 0 6 11 8 6 November 30 Dudley FieldNashville, Tennessee 2:15 p. m. 6,000 Bradley Walker Sources: Vanderbilt defeated the Sewanee Tigers 31 to 0. Vanderbilt's first score came on a 3-yard end run from Ray Morrison. In the next period, Will Metzger and Tom Brown blocked a kick. Brown then picked up the ball and ran it in for a touchdown. The next score came on a pass from Morrison to Hardage. After the half, Wilson Collins had a touchdown run over tackle. In the same period, Sewanee had a bad pass from center for a safety. In the final period, Collins had another touchdown behind tackle. Vanderbilt had 455 total yards to Sewanee's 69.Vanderbilt University 1912 261–263 The starting lineup was: K. Morrison (left end), Freeland (left tackle), Metzger (left guard), Morgan (center), C. Brown (right guard), T. Brown (right tackle), E. Brown (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Curlin (right halfback), Hardage (left halfback), and Sikes (fullback). The umpire was Ted Coy. After the season Awards and honors Vanderbilt claimed an undisputed SIAA and Southern title. "Usually Texas and Arkansas have entered strong claims for the coveted honor, but little Sewanee this year disposed of Texas and in turn Texas disposed of Arkansas."https://archive.org/stream/officialfootball19111nati#page/64/mode/2up/search/%22all+southern%22 The official football guide Shawnee Mission, Kansas, NCAA Publishing Service The Atlanta Constitution voted Vanderbilt's the best backfield in the South.https://books.google.com/books?id=NPQ8AwAAQBAJ&q=%22ammie+sikes%22+vanderbilt&pg=PA13 Wilson Collins Charles Weatherby 13 The Miracle Braves of 1914: Boston's Original Worst-to-First World Series 2 April 2014 9781933599700 Ewing Freeland, Will Metzger, Hugh Morgan, Morrison, and Hardage were all consensus All-Southern selections.Atlanta Constitution Heisman Picks 5 Commodores On His All-Southern Eleven https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1958051// 1 December 3, 1911 March 10, 2015 Morrison is considered one of the best quarterbacks in Vanderbilt's long history.Traughber 2011 46–50 He won Bachelor of Ugliness for the class of 1912, and both Morrison and Metzger were later 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 Departures Assistant coach Dr. Owsley Manier left the team to spend the winter of 1911 practicing medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3262600/the_tennessean/ The Tennessean December 3, 1911 47 Dr. Manier Leaves For Philadelphia September 20, 2015 Newspapers.com As well as Morrison graduating, Freeland went to Texas and Metzger entered into business. Personnel Coaching staff Dan McGugin, head coach Owsley Manier, assistant Sam Costen, assistant Frank Gilliland, manager Varsity letterwinners "Wearers of the V"Vanderbilt University 1912 202–203 Line Vanderbilt Commodores Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeCharles H. BrownGuard9 Gallatin, Tennessee 24Enoch BrownEnd9Franklin, Tennessee Battle Ground Academy5'8" 160 Tom BrownTackle8 Gallatin, Tennessee 6'2"180 21Joe CovingtonGuard, tackle5 Ewing Y. FreelandTackle6 Turnersville, TexasMooney School 19624Zeke MartinEnd0 Mobile, AlabamaUniversity Military School Will MetzgerGuard8 Nashville, Tennessee Wallace University School6'1" 175 21Hugh MorganCenter9 Nashville, Tennessee Branham & Hughes School 216 18Kent MorrisonEnd8 McKenzie, Tennessee McTyeire School Backfield Vanderbilt Commodores Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeWilson CollinsHalfback8 Pulaski, Tennessee 5'9"165 22Zach CurlinHalfback1 Luxora, Arkansas Webb School 21Lew HardageHalfback8 Decatur, Alabama 165 20Ray MorrisonQuarterback9 McKenzie, TennesseeMcTyeire School 159 26Rabbi RobinsQuarterback, halfback1Tupelo, Mississippi McTyeire School Ammie SikesFullback7 Smyrna, Tennessee Battle Ground Academy 16419 Substitutes Vanderbilt Commodores Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeDohertyFullback2 Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Vanderbilt's lineup during the 1911 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 Kent Morrison (8) Will Metzger (1) Zeke Martin (0) LT LG C RG RT Ewing Y. Freeland (6) Will Metzger (7) Hugh Morgan (9) Charles H. Brown (9) Tom Brown (8) Joe Covington (3)Joe Covington (1) Joe Covington (1) Cecil Huffman (1) RE Enoch Brown (9)     QB Ray Morrison (9) Rabbi Robins (0) LHBRHB Lew Hardage (7)Wilson Collins (6) Wilson Collins (2)Zach Curlin (1) Lew Hardage (1) Rabbi Robins (1) FB Ammie Sikes (7) Doherty (2) - Notes n References Bibliography Traughber Bill Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History 978-1-60949-423-0 The History Press 2011 https://books.google.com/books?id=QSHOAAAAMAAJ&q=editions:rtM-OQi1g0kC Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University Quarterly 12 1912 Vanderbilt Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football seasons Vanderbilt Commodores football