1924 Florida Gators football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1924 Florida Gators football Fleming_Field_1920s.jpg 285 A field goal on Fleming Field Southern Conference SoCon 6–2–2 2–0–1 James Van Fleet 2nd Notre Dame Box Ark Newton Fleming Field 20Gatorsuniform.png The 1924 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1924 Southern Conference football season. This was Major James Van Fleet's second and final year as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Van Fleet's 1924 Florida Gators finished 6–2–2 overall, 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. 107–108 (2015). Retrieved August 15, 2015. and 2–0–1 in the Southern Conference, placing second of twenty-two teams in the conference standings.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 Gators traveled further during the 1924 season than any other college football team in the country, and received national recognition for a controversial tie with the Texas Longhorns and the close loss to Army. The season also involves a tie with southern power Georgia Tech. Before the season Coach Van Fleet's assignment was changed to the Panama Canal Zone, but he coached the team on an unpaid basis during four months of leave.Carlson 2007 30 More than 100 players took part in the game between the varsity and freshmen.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19240930&id=DxRPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5049,3389396&hl=en St. Petersburg Times September 30, 1924 Gator Varsity Defeats Frosh A 4-month old Florida black bear captured by a freshman wandered onto the field on October 1. Some fan placed a Gator banner on its back, and it never caused much trouble.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3142480/miami_tribune/ Miami Tribune October 4, 1924 8 Nice Black Bear May Help Florida Gators As Mascot During the Football Season September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00001624/00011/1x?vo= University of Florida student Ralph Gower photograph collection - MS Coll 84 Schedule October 4 w y 1924 Rollins Tars Rollins Fleming Field Gainesville, FL 77–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-gators-wallop-tars-o/136665944/ The Palm Beach Post Gators wallop Tars on flooded gridiron October 5, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com October 11 t y Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA 7–7 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-georgia-tech-and-flo/136666063/ The Birmingham News Georgia Tech and Florida battle to 7–7 tie October 12, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com October 18 w y y Wake Forest Plant Field Tampa, FL 34–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-gators-trample-demon-d/136666190/ Tampa Sunday Tribune Gators trample Demon Deacons, score 34 to 0 October 19, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com October 25 t y y Texas Clark Field Austin, TX 7–7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123473079/florida-and-texas-play-77-tie-when-long/ Pensacola News Journal Florida and Texas play 7–7 tie when Longhorns display magnificent defense in final October 26, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com November 1 w y 1924 Southern College Moccasins Southern College Fleming Field Gainesville, FL 27–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-alligators-easi/136666330/ The Atlanta Constitution Alligators easily beat Southern November 2, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com November 8 l y y Army Michie Stadium West Point, NY 7–14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-spectacular-runs-featur/136666445/ The Hartford Courant Spectacular runs feature Army's win over Florida November 9, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com November 14 l y y Mercer Alumni Field Macon, GA 0–10 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85995418/cripples-gators-go-down-to-defeat-before/ The Tampa Tribune Crippled Gators go down to defeat before Mercer Bears by 10 to 0 score November 15, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com November 22 w y Mississippi A&M Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL 27–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-alligators-bum/136666616/ The Montgomery Advertiser Alligators bump Aggie eleven by score of 27 to 0 November 23, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com November 27 w y y Drake Fleming Field Gainesville, FL 10–0 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-crippled-drake-b/136666749/ The Des Moines Register Crippled Drake Bulldogs bow to Florida 10 to 0 November 28, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com December 6 w y Washington & Lee Barrs Field Jacksonville, FL 16–6 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-gators-defeat-gener/136666863/ Orlando Morning Sentinel Gators defeat Generals, 16–6 December 7, 1924 December 11, 2023 Newspapers.com Game summaries Week 1: Rollins Week 1: Rollins at Florida Rollins Florida 0 0 0 0 6 21 28 22 October 4 Fleming FieldGainesville, FL Rain Arthur R. Hutchins At the "newly completed" Fleming Field in Gainesville the Gators rolled up a 77–0 score on the Rollins Tars. The game was played mostly in the rain.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19241005&id=ExRPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7144,4068541&hl=en St. Petersburg Times Gators Drown Rollins Tars October 5, 1924 Every man on the Gator squad saw playing time. Owen Pittman scored three touchdowns; Tiny Chaplin, Ark Newton, Spic Stanley, and Bob Brumby scored two each, and Dick Brown scored one. Chaplin contributed a field goal. Newton had five extra points; Brown two, and Brumby one. The starting lineup for the Gators against Rollins: Todd (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Davis (right tackle), Oosterhoudt (right end), Murphree (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback). Week 2: at Georgia Tech thumb|Ark Newton with football about to be tackled by Ivan Williams of Georgia Tech Week 2: Florida at Georgia Tech Florida Ga. Tech 0 7 0 0 7 0 0 0 October 11 Grant FieldAtlanta, GA W. R. Tichenor The Gators and Bill Alexander's Georgia Tech Golden Tornado fought to a 7–7 tie, the second tie with Tech in two years. Within the first few minutes, Tech scored when Gus Merkle launched at Edgar C. Jones, causing him to crash into the approaching Cy Williams and fumble. Doug Wycoff picked it up and ran 35 yards for the score.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3140550/the_indexjournal/ The Index-Journal Yellow Jackets Tie With Gators Associated Press October 12, 1924 6 September 1, 2015 Newspapers.com Florida once fumbled at Tech's 1-yard line. Again the Gators drove to the goal, and a Jones to Ark Newton pass tied the game. The starting lineup for the Gators against Georgia Tech: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Oosterhoudt (right end), Jones (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3143667/miami_tribune/ Miami Tribune Missed Field Goals Cost Each Team Win October 12, 1924 11 September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com thumb|left|240px|Florida football c. 1924 Week 3: Wake Forest Week 3: Wake Forest at Florida Wake Florida 0 0 0 0 7 7 13 7 October 18 Plant FieldTampa, FL 11,000 Rain Arthur R. Hutchins On Plant Field in a drizzling rain, Florida defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 34–0, a surprising score.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3140460/miami_tribune/ Miami Tribune Damon Runyon Additional Sports October 22, 1924 12 September 1, 2015 Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3277584/the_daily_times/ The Daily Times Deacon Hopes Killed By 'Gator 2 October 21, 1924 September 22, 2015 Newspapers.com Fullback Tiny Chaplin was the star of the day; as well as the forward passes of captain Ark Newton, Edgar C. Jones on punt returns, and Cy Williams in the line.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3140557/miami_tribune/ Miami Tribune Miamian Is Big Star Florida's 34-0 Victory 14 October 19, 1924 September 1, 2015 Newspapers.com Bill Middlekauff was kept out of the lineup due to injures sustained versus Tech.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19241016&id=hKMLAAAAIBAJ&pg=6424,2650344&hl=en The Evening Independent October 16, 1924 'Gators May Lac Star Plunger In Battle at Tampa The starting lineup for the Gators against Wake: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Jones (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback). Week 4: at Texas Week 4: Florida at Texas Florida Texas 7 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 October 25 Clark FieldAustin, TX Both Florida and the Texas Longhorns faced one of their season's stiffest tests when the Gators traveled to Austin.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3140467/the_waco_newstribune/ The Waco News-Tribune Stiffest Test For Longhorsn To Be In Florida Game October 22, 1924 9 September 1, 2015 Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3140437/miami_tribune/ Miami Tribune Florida Is Expecting To Have Hard Battle 5 October 25, 1924 September 1, 2015 Newspapers.com The game ended a 7–7 draw, and was a controversial one. Van Fleet explained that Texas coach Doc Stewart did not like Florida's former coach William G. Kline, and thus accused Florida of harboring a pro team, demanding verification of ages and accusing Ark Newton of being a professional. Florida scored on an illegal play which went unnoticed, a pass from Edgar Jones to Spec Lightsey, who had lined up at tackle. Texas scored on the last of the first half, after the clock had run out already and officials ruled to give Texas another play. Week 5: Southern College Upon return from the Texas game, the Gators got some time off practice to attend the circus in town.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3140503/miami_tribune/ Miami Tribune Circus Cuts Practice Session Quite Short Virgil M. Newton October 31, 1924 12 September 1, 2015 Newspapers.com Mostly reserves defeated Southern College 27–0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5683202/miami_tribune/ Pittman and Chaplin Star For Winning Team Virgil M. Newton Miami Tribune 18 November 2, 1924 June 25, 2016 Newspapers.com The starting lineup for the Gators against Southern: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Peter (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Davis (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Murphee (quarterback), Pittman (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback). Week 6: at Army Week 6: Florida at Army Florida Army 0 0 7 0 7 0 0 7 November 8 Michie StadiumWest Point, NY The Gators traveled to West Point to play coach John McEwan's Army Cadets and lost 14 to 7. The close loss was felt bitterly. The Gators were expected to lose 16 to 0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3140627/the_decatur_herald/ The Decatur Herald 5 November 8, 1924 Grid Forecast Larry Daily September 1, 2015 Newspapers.com Army's Harry Wilson scored the first touchdown. Ark Newton ran the second half kickoff for a 102-yard touchdown.http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/27/Sports/100_things_about_100_.shtml 100 Things About 100 Years of Gator Football dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160904141255/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/27/Sports/100_things_about_100_.shtml 2016-09-04 A second third quarter Gator touchdown was waved off, and Army scored in the final moments to evade the tie.https://books.google.com/books?id=LOjUBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA107 West Point 1915: Eisenhower, Bradley, and the Class the Stars Fell On Michael Haskew 17 October 2014 107 9780760346525 Coach Van Fleet kvetched about the officiating favoring his alma mater: "I hate to say it but they robbed us. Twice we scored, our backs pushing across the goal line, but the officials would not blow the whistle until our boys were pushed back...Then, later in the game on an important play, Bill Middlekauff was clipped right in front of our bench, and they did not call it. He was clipped so severely it broke his left leg. It was a disgrace." Of Newton's kick return, Van Fleet said thereby Newton "carved his name in the football hall of fame."McEwen, Tom, The Gators: A Story of Florida Football, The Strode Publishers, Huntsville, Alabama (1974). 0-87397-025-X. The starting lineup was: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Oosterhoudt (right end), Jones (quarterback), Brown (left halfback), Pittman (right halfback), Middlekauf (fullback).Woodruff 1928 46 Week 7: at Mercer Week 7: Florida at Mercer Florida Mercer 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 3 November 15 Macon, GA 6,000 The Gators returned south, and after much travel (over 5,000 miles in three weeks), coach Stanley L. Robinson's Mercer Bears defeated Florida 10 to 0. Mercer's Crook Smith starred.http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/mercercluster/id:mer1924-0120 Mercer Cluster Alligators Surprised By Ferocious Bruins 8 November 21, 1924 The touchdown came on a dextrous twist, catch, and run by Kid Cecil. The game caused Morgan Blake, sportswriter for the Atlanta Journal, to remark "the Mercer Alumni would do well to name their children after "Crook" Smith and Sid Ellison." Week 8: vs. Mississippi A&M Week 8: Mississippi A&M vs. Florida Miss. A&M Florida 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 21 November 22 Cramton BowlMontgomery, AL Bitter after the untimely loss to Mercer and last year's tie with Mississippi A&M, the Gators unleashed their second win in the state of Alabama when they defeated coach Earl Abell's Mississippi Aggies 27–0 in Montgomery.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3153896/the_bee/ The Bee Florida Alligators Beat Mississippi Associated Press 10 November 24, 1924 September 3, 2015 Newspapers.com After a scoreless first quarter, Dick Brown and Spic Stanley led the Gator attack from the backfield. The starting lineup was: Lightsey (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Cornwall (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Jones (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback).Woodruff 1928 60 Week 9: Drake Week 9: Drake at Florida Drake Florida 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 November 27 Fleming FieldGainesville, FL Ted Arnold At homecoming,https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19361030&id=oPVPAAAAIBAJ&pg=3251,4129754&hl=en October 30, 1936 Will No. 13 be Jinx To Gator Saturday The Evening Independent Florida's ability to break up passes and hot weather helped the Gators to a 10–0 intersectional victory over the Drake Bulldogs.http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1924/11/28/page/24/article/drake-travels-long-way-to-get-florida-licking Chicago Tribune Drake Travels Long Way To Get Florida Licking November 28, 1924 Florida's Dick Brown was the game's standout performer.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3142399/joplin_globe/ Joplin Globe November 28, 1924 6 September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com Florida Beats Drake Florida had eight first downs and Drake seven. Scores came on a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brown and a 25-yard Ark Newton field goal from placement.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3142403/the_cedar_rapids_republican/ Drake Eleven Is Defeated By Florida U. November 28, 1924 9 September 2, 2015 Newspapers.com Cedar Rapids Republican DrakeFlorida.png 500px Photo of Drake-Florida game. The starting lineup for the Gators against Drake: Oosterhoudt (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Sarra (center), Goldstein (right guard), Stewart (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Jones (quarterback), Newton (left halfback), Brown (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback). Week 10: Washington & Lee Week 10: Washington & Lee at Florida W&L Florida 0 6 0 0 3 7 0 6 December 8 Jacksonville, FL Rip Major The Gators defeated coach James DeHart's South Atlantic champion Washington & Lee Generals 16–6 in Jacksonville. Jacksonville natives Edgar C. Jones and Dick Brown ran well; and Ark Newton punted 13 times for an average of 55 yards. Florida made numerous substitutions in the fourth quarter.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3140511/the_bee/ The Bee 8 December 8, 1924 Florida "Gators" Beat Their Old Rival, The Generals, 16-6 September 1, 2015 Newspapers.com Neither team had before suffered a conference loss, and the win secured Florida a second-place finish.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3140479/the_galveston_daily_news/ Galveston Daily News 15 December 7, 1924 Florida 'Gators Trounce Washington And Lee Team Associated Press September 1, 2015 Newspapers.com The starting lineup for the Gators against Washington & Lee: Rose (left end), Williams (left tackle), Norton (left guard), Sarra (center), Goldstein (right guard), Smith (right tackle), Merrin (right end), Jones (quarterback), Brown (left halfback), Newton (right halfback), Chaplin (fullback). Postseason thumb|120px|Edgar C. Jones Awards and honors Goldy Goldstein and Edgar C. Jones made composite All-Southern. Van Fleet's departure The U.S. Army transferred Van Fleet to the Panama Canal Zone after the 1924 season, and he would later become a regimental, divisional and corps commander during World War II and the commander of all United States and United Nations armed forces during the Korean War. Personnel Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Florida's lineup during the 1924 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a Notre Dame Box on offense. LE Spec Lightsey (5)Frank Oosterhoudt (1)J. R. Rose (1)Edgar Todd (1) LT LG C RG RT Cy Williams (8)Clyde Norton (7) Sam Cornwall (6) Goldy Goldstein (8) Horse Smith (5) Peter (1)Lamar Sarra (2) Clyde Davis (2) Jack Stewart (1)  RE Joe Merrin (5) Frank Oosterhoudt (3)   QB Edgar C. Jones (6)Johnnie Murphree (2) RHB Dick Brown (5) Ark Newton (1) Owen Pittman (1) LHB Ark Newton (5) Dick Brown (2) Owen Pittman (1) FB Tiny Chaplin (6)Bill Middlekauff (2) Line Starters Florida Gators Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeSam Cornwall centerGoldy Goldstein guard Jacksonville, Florida Duval High6'3"21019Spec Lightsey endJoe Merrin endClyde Norton guardFrank Oosterhoudt endJ. R. Rose endLamar Sarra centerHorse Smith tackleJack Stewart guardCy Williams tackle Sopchoppy, Florida 6'0"200 Subs Florida Gators Player Position Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeW. F. "Stonebruise" Anderson guardRalph Champlain tackleClyde Davis tackleCadillac Harry tackleCarl Price guardEzra Raasch tackleEdgar Todd endWilson end Backfield thumb|140px|Captain Newton. Starters Florida Gators Player Position Gamesstarted Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeDick Brown halfbackTiny Chaplin fullbackEdgar C. Jones quarterback Jacksonville, FloridaBill Middlekauff fullback Miami, Florida 6'2"200Johnnie Murphree quarterbackArk Newton halfback Camden, ArkansasCamden High6'1"18521 Subs Florida Gators Player Position Hometown Prep school Height Weight AgeBob Brumby quarterbackGeorge Merrin halfbackOwen Pittman halfbackSpic Stanley halfbackhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19241101&id=kKMLAAAAIBAJ&pg=1708,6081271&hl=en The Evening Independent November 1, 1924 Gator's Who Who Is Book of State's Gridiron Stars Coaching staff Head coach: James Van Fleet Assistants: Tom Sebring, A. C. Tipton, Everett Yon, J. H. Atkinson, Herbert Bunker, Brady Cowell (freshmen) Manager: John Bond See also 1924 College Football All-Southern Team References Additional sources Carlson Norm University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators Whitman Publishing, LLC Atlanta, Georgia 2007 978-0-7948-2298-9 A History of Southern Football 1890–1928 Woodruff Fuzzy 1928 3 Florida Category:Florida Gators football seasons Florida Gators football