1927 Florida Gators football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1927 Florida Gators football Southern Conference SoCon 7–3 5–2 Harold Sebring 3rd Notre Dame Box Bill Middlekauff Fleming Field 20Gatorsuniform.png The 1927 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 1927 Southern Conference football season. The season was Harold Sebring's third and last season as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. After suffering a 0–12 upset loss at the hands of the Davidson College Wildcats, the Gators rallied to defeat the Auburn Tigers 33–6, defeating the Tigers for the first time and ending a six-game losing streak, and to upset coach Wallace Wade's Alabama Crimson Tide 13–6. Sebring's 1927 Florida Gators finished 7–3 overall, and 5–2 in the Southern Conference, placing sixth of twenty-two teams in the conference standings. 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, 2015.2009 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 loss to Davidson featured captain Frank Oosterhoudt, who was later declared ineligible, and replaced at captain by Bill Middlekauff.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19271111&id=xJUcAAAAIBAJ&pg=4396,6235288 Crimson Tide Big Favorite Over Florida Sarasota Herald-Tribune November 11, 1927 March 15, 2015 Google news https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1996051// The Ogden Standard-Examiner Grid Star Gets Good Study Mars November 20, 1927 17 March 15, 2015 Newspapers.com With Middlekauff at captain, the Gators suffered just two further losses: to conference co-champions NC State; and to Georgia's "Dream and Wonder team". NC State was led by Hall of Famer and Gainesville native Jack McDowall. Before the season The 1926 season was the worst since the war. "The wolves began to clamor for Sebring's scalp as the 1926 season ended" wrote Pete Norton.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19341223&id=NhVPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6420,98800&hl=en St. Petersburg Times December 23, 1934 Sport Outlook Pete Norton With several newcomers, Sebring organized an Orange and Blue game.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19270319&id=AJccAAAAIBAJ&pg=6605,3811478&hl=en U. of Florida Gators Finish Early Training March 19, 1927 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Schedule September 24 w y 1927 Southern College Moccasins Southern College Fleming Field Gainesville, FL 26–7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-gators-defeat-southern-t/136527622/ St. Petersburg Times Gators defeat Southern team by 26–7 count September 25, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com October 1 l y Davidson Fleming Field Gainesville, FL 0–12 7,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108914425/davidson-wildcats-turn-back-florida-elev/ St. Petersburg Times Davidson Wildcats turn back Florida eleven, 12 to 0 October 2, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com October 8 w y Auburn Drake Field Auburn, AL rivalry 33–6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119713287/gators-upset-auburn-homecoming-by-33-to/ The Palm Beach Post Gators upset Auburn homecoming by 33 to 6 October 9, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com October 15 w y Kentucky rivalry Durkee Field Jacksonville, FL 27–6 10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-journal-gators-score-276/136527730/ The Knoxville Journal Gators score 27–6 triumph on Kentucky October 16, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com October 23 l y NC State Plant Field Tampa, FL 6–12 7,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-mcdowell-former-flori/136525878/ Tampa Sunday Tribune McDowell, former Floridian, leads North Carolina State to victory over Gator, 12–6 October 23, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com October 30 w y y Mercer Fleming Field Gainesville, FL 32–6 9,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86048895/nine-thousand-fans-see-florida-beat-smit/ The Pensacola Journal Nine thousand fans see Florida beat Smith and Mercer October 30, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com November 6 l y Georgia Durkee Field Jacksonville, FL rivalry 0–28 16,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-georgia-swamps-fl/136527270/ The Pensacola Journal Georgia swamps Florida November 6, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com November 12 w y Alabama Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL rivalry 13–6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71660392/florida-gators-make-crimson-tide-recede/ The Birmingham News Florida Gators make Crimson Tide recede November 13, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com November 24 w y Washington & Lee Durkee Field Jacksonville, FL 20–7 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-washington-and-l/136527856/ Richmond Times-Dispatch Washington and Lee bows to Florida in final game by 20–7 count November 25, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com December 3 w y Maryland Durkee Field Jacksonville, FL 7–6 2,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-gators-beat/136527921/ The Knoxville News-Sentinel Gators beat Maryland by 1 point December 4, 1927 December 9, 2023 Newspapers.com Game summaries thumb|150px|Captain Middlekauff. Week 1: Southern College The first game of the season occurred on September 24 at Fleming Field in Gainesville. The Gators defeated Southern College 26–7. Week 2: Davidson The second week brought the low point of the season–an upset by the Davidson Wildcats. Favored to win by two touchdowns and of superior weight, the Gators lost 12–0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3155038/the_indexjournal/ The Index-Journal Davidson Surpasses Florida In Battle October 2, 1927 7 September 4, 2015 Newspapers.com They came within scoring just once, held at the 1-yard line. Despite a limp, Clyde Crabtree was twice sent into the game at crucial moments in hopes of a score. In his first year on the varsity and with a broken wrist, Rainey Cawthon played against Davidson.https://books.google.com/books?id=brUVAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA71 16 2 The Rattle of Theta Chi 71 Tau Banquets Sixteen Pledges 1927 On October 4, captain Frank Oosterhoudt was declared ineligible; his replacement by unanimous vote was Bill Middlekauff.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3155161/the_anniston_star/ The Anniston Star [No title] October 8, 1927 September 4, 2015 Newspapers.com 2 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19271007&id=DRhPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2664,4050006&hl=en October 7, 1927 Gators Select New Grid Pilot St. Petersburg Timeshttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19271007&id=k81PAAAAIBAJ&pg=5356,5571280&hl=en The Evening Independent Gator Mentor Grooms Kirchner For Center-Goodbread at Half October 7, 1927 Week 3: at Auburn Spurred on by a new captain, the Gators traveled to Auburn and beat the rival Auburn Tigers for the first time 33–6. Bill Middlekauff and Clyde Crabtree were both cited as players of the game.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19351121&id=cw9QAAAAIBAJ&pg=2412,1266129&hl=en The Evening Independent November 21, 1935 Gator Hoodoo Hovers Over Auburn-Works Seven Times In Eight Everett Clay Everett Strupper was referee.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3155167/the_anniston_star/ The Anniston Star 16 Gators Romp Over Auburn In 33-6 Time September 4, 2015 October 8, 1927 Newspapers.com Crabtree scored two touchdowns and Middlekauff one Goof Bowyer made the first touchdown, a 44-yard run. Tommy Owens also had a touchdown. Auburn coach Dave Morey resigned.Woodruff 1928 215 The Gators' freshmen team also beat Auburn's freshmen team that week.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19271012&id=q5UcAAAAIBAJ&pg=4770,3945145&hl=en Sarasota Herald-Tribune October 12, 1927 Gator Varsity and Freshmen Practice After Double Wins The starting lineup was: Hodges (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Brumbaugh (quarterback), Bowyer (left halfback), Bishop (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback). Week 4: Kentucky Week 4: Kentucky at Florida Kentucky Florida 0 6 0 0 7 0 13 7 October 15, 1927 Fairfield StadiumJacksonville, FL 10,000 The Gators avenged last year's loss to the Kentucky Wildcats with a 27–6 victory in Jacksonville, outplaying the Wildcats in all but the second quarter.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3155153/the_anniston_star/ The Anniston Star Florida 'Gators Defeat Kentucky With Ease, 27 to 6 8 October 16, 1927 September 4, 2015 Newspapers.com Carl Brumbaugh was sidelined with an injury.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19271014&id=rZUcAAAAIBAJ&pg=5901,4090998&hl=en October 14, 1927 Brumbaugh Out of Grid Battle Sarasota Herald-Tribune Florida's first touchdown came after some six minutes of play when Bill Middlekauff went over. Florida's final touchdown was on a triple-pass play of Middlekauff to Clyde Crabtree to Dale Van Sickel. In the last half, the Gators made 17 first downs to Kentucky's 11.http://exploreuk.uky.edu/catalog/xt7h445hbg1t_5/viewer The Kentucky Kernel Florida 'Gators Annex Game By 27 to 6 John W. Dundon, Jr October 21, 1927 Goof Bowyer scored a touchdown and drop kicked two extra points to seal the first victory over the Wildcats.http://floridagators.com/news/2006/9/21/10914.aspx Rivalries and Series: Florida-Kentucky September 21, 2006 Norm Carlson The starting lineup was: DeHoff (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Reeves (left guard), Kirschner (center), Allen (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Beck (left halfback), Bishop (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).Woodruff 1928 224 Week 5: North Carolina State Week 5: North Carolina State at Florida NC State Florida 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 6 October 23, 1927 Plant FieldTampa, FL Springer (Penn) In the fifth week of play, the Gators faced coach Gus Tebell's North Carolina State Wolfpack on Plant Field in Tampa, losing 12–6. Neither team scored until the final period.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19271022&id=GxhPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6586,5822006&hl=en Game Stands Out As Both Elevens Remain Unbeaten St. Petersburg Times October 22, 1927 A drive brought the Wolfpack to the 3-yard line, the feature play of which was a 30-yard pass from their Hall of Fame captain, Gainesville native Jack McDowall to Childress. A pass from McDowall to Frank Goodwin got the score.T. A. Vernon The Technician 8 6 October 28, 1927 3 http://d.lib.ncsu.edu/collections/catalog/technician-v8n6-1927-10-28/pages/technician-v8n6-1927-10-28_0003 State Wolves Invade Florida And Win 12-6 The Gators then began passing desperately in an attempt to win. A pass bounced off the hands of a Florida back and into McDowall's, who returned the ball 75 yards for the deciding score.https://books.google.com/books?id=P11LAAAAYAAJ&q=1928+gators 239 Fuzzy Woodruff Fuzzy Woodruff A History of Southern Football, 1890-1928 1928 On the ensuing kickoff, Gator back Tommy Owens ran it back for an 88-yard touchdown.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3155058/the_bee/ The Bee Statistics Indicate Any Conference Team Able To Beat Leaders October 23, 1927 9 September 4, 2015 Newspapers.com https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19271028&id=IBhPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5565,6599910&hl=en Frank Wright Gator Grunts St. Petersburg Times Since McDowall had been turned down by his native University of Florida, legend has it just afterwards he mailed Sebring the game ball.2014 NC State Athletic Hall of Fame: Jack McDowall The starting lineup was: Van Sickel (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Beck (left halfback), Yancey (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).Woodruff 1928 239 Week 6: Mercer For homecoming, some 9,000https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19271030&id=upUcAAAAIBAJ&pg=5160,5288627&hl=en Sarasota Herald-Tribune Grads On Deck As Gators Cop Mercer battle October 30, 1927 watched Florida beat the Mercer Bears 32–6. Rainey Cawthon once completed a 53-yard pass during the game. Florida's five touchdowns were scored by: Bill Middlekauff, Willie DeHoff, Cecil Beck, Spic Stanley, and Goof Bowyer. Mercer's Phoney Smith had a 65-yard touchdown run. Middlekauff made the first score of the contest.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19271103&id=BCtPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7426,313058&hl=en St. Petersburg Times November 3, 1927 Middlekauff Scores First Florida Touchdown Week 7: Georgia Week 7: Florida vs. Georgia Florida Georgia 0 0 0 0 0 7 14 7 November 5, 1927 Barrs FieldJacksonville, FL 16,000 The "Dream and wonder team" beat the Gators 28–0 after leading just 7 to 0 at the half. "It was made by Georgia's famous touchdown pass that later wrecked Alabama and had wrecked Yale. This pass started out like a cross buck but finished with Johnson having tossed the ball to McCrary over the goal line." Quarterback Goof Bowyer broke his leg in the game.St. Petersburg Times Ernest Bowyer Given Highest Florida Honor 3 Frank S. Wright December 8, 1927 Middlekauff entered the game with an injury, and aggravated it further.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19271130&id=HStPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7172,3773332&hl=en St. Petersburg Times November 30, 1927 6 Gators Will Close Careers At University The starting lineup was: Dehoff (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirchner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Brumbaugh (left halfback), Bishop (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).Woodruff 1928 250 Week 8: at Alabama Week 8: Florida at Alabama Florida Alabama 0 7 0 6 0 0 0 6 November 12, 1927 Cramton BowlMontgomery, AL The Gators upset coach Wallace Wade's Alabama Crimson Tide 13–6 in Montgomery.http://bryantmuseum.com/TLGDetails.asp?GameDate=11/12/1927 Alabama vs.Florida bryantmuseum.com February 3, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20160306011206/http://bryantmuseum.com/TLGDetails.asp?GameDate=11%2F12%2F1927 March 6, 2016 deadhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19271111&id=xJUcAAAAIBAJ&pg=4396,6235288&hl=en Sarasota Herald-Tribune November 11, 1927 Crimson Tide Big Favorite Over Florida Florida's yearbook remarked: "The South rocked under the great Orange and Blue victory." Clyde Crabtree returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter.http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/27-m-footbl-recaps.pdf 1927 recap February 3, 2017 October 20, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161020115223/http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/27-m-footbl-recaps.pdf dead Alabama's Molton Smith intercepted Crabtree's pass in the fourth quarter and ran for a 45-yard touchdown. After an Alabama penalty, Carl Brumbaugh ran across for the second and decisive touchdown. Crabtree also had two 55-yard kickoff returns, and gained more from scrimmage that afternoon than did the Tide. Crabtree accounted for 271 yards. The starting lineup was: Stanley (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Dehoff (right end), Van Sickle (quarterback), Crabtree (left halfback), Brumbaugh (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).Woodruff 1928 260 Week 9: Washington & Lee Before a crowd of some 12,000 in Jacksonville, Florida beat coach Pat Herron's Washington & Lee Generals 20–7. Dale Van Sickel scored Florida's three touchdowns. The Gators 75-piece band made the trip.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19271114&id=DStPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4788,1494770&hl=en St. Petersburg Times Refreshed 'Gator Fighters Return To Plan Offensive For Classic With Generals November 14, 1927 The starting lineup was: VanSickel (left end), Dehoff (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Crabtree (quarterback), Owens (left halfback), Brumbaugh (right halfback), Cawthon (fullback).Woodruff 1928 269 Week 10: Maryland Week 10: Maryland at Florida Maryland Florida 0 6 0 0 0 7 0 0 December 3, 1927 Barrs FieldJacksonville, FL 2,000 Cold rain Ernest C. Quigley In a cold and driving rain, a placekick for extra point by Dutch Stanley proved the difference in a 7–6 win over coach Curley Byrd's Maryland Terrapins. Six Gators played their final game.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19271130&id=HStPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7172,3773332&hl=en St. Petersburg Times 6 Gators Will Close Careers At University November 30, 1927https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19271201&id=YLUeAAAAIBAJ&pg=3736,1201577&hl=en Sarasota Herald-Tribune December 1, 1927 Florida Plans For Maryland "Playing on a sodden field, unfamiliar to both teams,"https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3155053/the_indexjournal/ The Index-Journal Florida Wins Contest With One Lone Kick December 3, 1927 6 September 4, 2015 Newspapers.com Florida scored after Clyde Crabtree returned a punt to Maryland's 38-yard line. He and Carl Brumbaugh worked the ball further towards the goal, and Bill Middlekauff carried it over the goal line in the captain's final game. Roberts of Maryland had a 38-yard touchdown run through tackle. The pass for extra point failed, however. The starting lineup was: Stanley (left end), Clemons (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Bryan (right tackle), Van Sickel (right end), Crabtree (quarterback), Brumbaugh (left halfback), Bishop (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback). Postseason Goof Bowyer was elected captain for next year. In no two seasons had Florida won as many conference contests as in 1927. Sebring resigned to get married and practice law.Carlson 2007 33 He graduated from the university's College of Law in 1928, and later became a circuit court judge and chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Many sports commentators believe that the team that Sebring recruited for 1928 would become the greatest Gators football squad until at least the 1960s. Players Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Florida's lineup during the 1927 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a Notre Dame Box on offense. LE Willie DeHoff (2) Dutch Stanley (2) Dale Van Sickel (2) Hodges (1) LT LG C RG RT Joe Bryan (5)Chester Allen (6) Tubby Kirchner (7) Rip Reeves (6) Jus Clemons (6) Jus Clemons (1)Rip Reeves (1) Chester Allen (1)Joe Bryan (1) Willie DeHoff (1)   RE Dutch Stanley (5) Willie DeHoff (1) Dale Van Sickel (1)  QB Goof Bowyer (3) Clyde Crabtree (2)Carl Brumbaugh (1)Dale Van Sickel (1) RHB Horse Bishop (4) Carl Brumbaugh (2)Harvey Yancey (1) LHB Cecil Beck (2) Carl Brumbaugh (2)Goof Bowyer (1)Clyde Crabtree (1)Tommy Owens (1) FBBill Middlekauff (6) Rainey Cawthon (1) Line Florida Gators Player Position Gamesstarted High school Height Weight AgeChester Allen guard Lakeland 6'0"18523Louis Bono center Duval5'10"17822Joe Bryan tackle Duval5'11"18222Jus Clemons tackle Plant City6'0"18421Donald DeHoffWillie DeHoff end Spring Hill6'0" 17021Goldy Goldstein guard Duval6'3"21023Hodges endTubby Kirchner centerGlenn PlessAlex "Rip" Reeves guard Alabama5'8"18421Mills SmithDutch Stanley end Hillsborough5'8"18121Charlie TuckerDale Van Sickel end Gainesville5'11"17019 Backfield Florida Gators Player Position Gamesstarted High school Height Weight AgeCecil Beck halfbackHorse Bishop halfbackGoof Bowyer quarterback Lakeland5'10"17023Carl Brumbaugh halfback West Milton 5'10"16420Rainey Cawthon fullback Leon 5'11"18019Clyde Crabtree quarterback J. Sterling Morton5'8"14720Tom "Bull" Fuller fullbackRoyce Goodbread halfback St. Petersburg 6'0"19019Bill Middlekauff fullback 6'2"20022Tommy Owens halfback Quincy5'11"14621Speedy Walker halfback Hillsborough 133 Coaching staff Head coach: Tom Sebring Assistants: Joe Bedenk (assistant), Brady Cowell (freshmen), Nash Higgins (chief scout), Alvin Pierson, George Weber See also 1927 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