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{{Short description|American college football season}}
{{Infobox NCAA team season
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
|Year = 1915
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
|Team = Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
{{Infobox college sports team season
|Image =1915gatech.jpg
|ImageSize = 290px
| year = 1915
| team = Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
|caption =
| sport = football
|Conference = Independent
| image = 1915gatech.jpg
|ShortConference =
| image_size = 285
|Division =
|CoachRank =
| caption =
| conference = Independent
|APRank =
| record = 7–0–1
|BCSRank =
| head_coach = [[John Heisman]]
|Record = 7–0–1
| hc_year = 12th
|ConfRecord =
|HeadCoach = [[John Heisman]]
| off_scheme = [[Jump shift]]
| def_scheme =
|HCYear = 12th
| captain = [[Froggie Morrison]]
|OffCoach =
| stadium = [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]
|DefCoach =
| champion = [[List of independent southern football champions|Southern champion]]
|OScheme = [[Jump shift]]
|DScheme =
|StadiumArena = [[Grant Field]]
|Captain = [[Froggie Morrison]]
|Champion= [[List of independent southern football champions|Southern champion]]
|BowlTourney =
|BowlTourneyResult =
}}
}}
{{1915 college football independents records}}
{{1915 Southern college football independents records}}
The '''1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team''' represented the [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech Golden Tornado]] of the [[Georgia Institute of Technology]] during the [[1915 college football season]]. The Tornado was coached by [[John Heisman]] in his 12th year as head coach, compiling a record of 7–0–1 and outscoring opponents 233 to 24. Georgia Tech played its home games at [[Grant Field]]. The Tech team claims a Southern championship,<ref name=siaa/> and had what was then the greatest season in its history.
The '''1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team''' represented the [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech Golden Tornado]] of the [[Georgia Institute of Technology]] during the [[1915 college football season]]. The Tornado was coached by [[John Heisman]] in his 12th year as head coach, compiling a record of 7–0–1 and outscoring opponents 233 to 24. Georgia Tech played its home games at [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]. The Tech team claims a Southern championship,<ref name=siaa/> and had what was then the greatest season in its history.


==Before the season==
==Before the season==
[[File:Froggiemorrison.jpg|thumb|130px|Froggie Morrison]]
[[File:Froggiemorrison.jpg|thumb|130px|[[Froggie Morrison]]]]
Coach [[John Heisman]]'s backfield used the pre-snap movement of his "[[jump shift]]" offense. The team's captain was [[Froggie Morrison]],{{refn|group=note|He returned to Tech as an assistant coach in 1933 after serving in [[World War I]] and a sixteen-year hiatus from college football.<ref>{{Closed access}} {{cite news|work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|title=Froggy Morrison Slated To Return Tech; Bulldogs Driven| date=September 10, 1933| accessdate=June 8, 2008| url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/1102277872.html?dids=1102277872:1102277872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Sep+10%2C+1933&author=Tobe+Edwards&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution+(1881-2001)&edition=&startpage=3B&desc=Froggy+Morrison+Slated+To+Return+Tech%3B+Bulldogs+Driven}}</ref>}} Tech's first great [[quarterback]].<ref>{{Citation
Coach [[John Heisman]]'s backfield used the pre-snap movement of his "[[jump shift]]" offense. The team's captain was [[Froggie Morrison]],{{refn|group=note|He returned to Tech as an assistant coach in 1933 after serving in [[World War I]] and a sixteen-year hiatus from college football.<ref>{{Closed access}} {{cite news| work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution| title=Froggy Morrison Slated To Return Tech; Bulldogs Driven| date=September 10, 1933| access-date=June 8, 2008| url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/1102277872.html?dids=1102277872:1102277872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Sep+10%2C+1933&author=Tobe+Edwards&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution+(1881-2001)&edition=&startpage=3B&desc=Froggy+Morrison+Slated+To+Return+Tech%3B+Bulldogs+Driven| archive-date=May 24, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524224604/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/1102277872.html?dids=1102277872:1102277872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Sep+10,+1933&author=Tobe+Edwards&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution+(1881-2001)&edition=&startpage=3B&desc=Froggy+Morrison+Slated+To+Return+Tech%3B+Bulldogs+Driven| url-status=dead}}</ref>}} Tech's first great [[quarterback]].<ref>{{Citation
| title = 'Froggy' Started March of Great Quarterbacks
| title = 'Froggy' Started March of Great Quarterbacks
| newspaper = [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]
| newspaper = [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]
Line 36: Line 30:
| date = September 10, 1933}}</ref> Fullback [[Tommy Spence]] was a future [[World War I]] casualty, and halfback [[Kendall J. Fielder|Wooch Fielder]] was later a prominent figure in [[World War II]].
| date = September 10, 1933}}</ref> Fullback [[Tommy Spence]] was a future [[World War I]] casualty, and halfback [[Kendall J. Fielder|Wooch Fielder]] was later a prominent figure in [[World War II]].


New halfback [[Everett Strupper]] was partially deaf;<ref>{{cite journal|url = http://issuu.com/gtalumni/docs/1950_28_4/19|title = Everett Strupper, Tech Immortal, Passes Suddenly|last = |first = |date = 1950|journal = Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine|accessdate = |doi = |pmid = |volume = 28|number = 4}}</ref> because of his deafness, he called the signals when he played, instead of the team's quarterback.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Tech Great Dies Suddenly: Everett Strupper, Member of Unbeaten Teams, Passes in Atlanta |publisher=The Anniston Star (AP wire story) |date=1950-02-05}}</ref> When "Strupe" tried out for the team, he noticed that the quarterback shouted the signals every time he was to carry the ball. Realizing that the loud signals would be a tip-off to the opposition, Strupper told Heisman: "Coach, those loud signals are absolutely unnecessary. You see when sickness in my kid days brought on this deafness my folks gave me the best instructors obtainable to teach me lip-reading."<ref name=Heis/> Heisman recalled how Strupper overcame his deafness: "He couldn't hear anything but a regular shout. But he could read your lips like a flash. No lad that ever stepped on a football field had keener eyes than Everett had. The enemy found this out the minute he began looking for openings through which to run the ball."<ref name=Heis>{{cite news |author=John Heisman |title=Heisman Tells Inside Story of Strupper's Play |publisher=Atlanta Constitution |date=1923-11-09}}</ref>
New halfback [[Everett Strupper]] was partially deaf;<ref>{{cite journal|url = http://issuu.com/gtalumni/docs/1950_28_4/19|title = Everett Strupper, Tech Immortal, Passes Suddenly|date = 1950|journal = Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine|volume = 28|number = 4}}</ref> because of his deafness, he called the signals when he played, instead of the team's quarterback.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Tech Great Dies Suddenly: Everett Strupper, Member of Unbeaten Teams, Passes in Atlanta |publisher=The Anniston Star (AP wire story) |date=1950-02-05}}</ref> When "Strupe" tried out for the team, he noticed that the quarterback shouted the signals every time he was to carry the ball. Realizing that the loud signals would be a tip-off to the opposition, Strupper told Heisman: "Coach, those loud signals are absolutely unnecessary. You see when sickness in my kid days brought on this deafness my folks gave me the best instructors obtainable to teach me lip-reading."<ref name=Heis/> Heisman recalled how Strupper overcame his deafness: "He couldn't hear anything but a regular shout. But he could read your lips like a flash. No lad that ever stepped on a football field had keener eyes than Everett had. The enemy found this out the minute he began looking for openings through which to run the ball."<ref name=Heis>{{cite news |author=John Heisman |title=Heisman Tells Inside Story of Strupper's Play |publisher=Atlanta Constitution |date=1923-11-09}}</ref>


==Schedule==
==Schedule==
{{CFB Schedule Start
{{CFB schedule

| time =
|{{CFB schedule entry
| rank = no
| tv = no
| attend =yes
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| date = October 2
| date = October 2
| time =
| time =
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[1915 Mercer Baptists football team|Mercer]]
| nonconf =
| site_stadium = [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]
| homecoming =
| site_cityst = [[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[Mercer Bears football|Mercer]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = [[Grant Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Atlanta, GA]]
| tv = no
| score = 52–0
| score = 52–0
| overtime =
| attend =
| gamename=
| attend = &nbsp;
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 9
| date = October 9
| time =
| time =
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[1915 Davidson football team|Davidson]]
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[Davidson Wildcats football|Davidson]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| tv = no
| score = 21–7
| score = 21–7
| overtime =
| attend =
| attend = &nbsp;
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 16
| date = October 16
| time = 3:05 p. m.
| time = 3:05 p.m.
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[1915 Transylvania Pioneers football team|Transylvania]]
| opponent = [[1915 Transylvania Pioneers football team|Transylvania]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| gamename =
| tv = no
| score = 57–0
| score = 57–0
| overtime =
| attend =
| attend = &nbsp;
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 22
| date = October 22
| time =
| time =
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away = y
| away = y
| neutral =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[1915 LSU Tigers football team|LSU]]
| opponent = [[1915 LSU Tigers football team|LSU]]
| site_stadium = [[Heinemann Park]]
| opprank =
| site_cityst = [[New Orleans|New Orleans, LA]]
| site_stadium =[[Heinemann Park]]
| site_cityst = [[New Orleans, LA]]
| gamename =
| tv = no
| score = 36–7
| score = 36–7
| overtime =
| attend = 3,000
| attend = 3,000
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 30
| date = October 30
| time =
| time =
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[1915 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]]
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| tv = no
| score = 23–3
| score = 23–3
| overtime =
| attend =
| attend = &nbsp;
| gamename =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 6
| date = November 6
| time =
| time =
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf = yes
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[1915 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]]
| opponent = [[1915 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| gamename =
| gamename = [[Alabama–Georgia Tech football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv = no
| score = 21–7
| score = 21–7
| overtime =
| attend = 5,000
| attend = 5,000
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 13
| date = November 13
| time =
| time =
| w/l = t
| w/l = t
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[1915 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]]
| opponent = [[1915 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| gamename = [[Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate|Rivalry]]
| gamename = [[Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate]]
| tv = no
| score = 0–0
| score = 0–0
| overtime =
| attend = 9,000
| attend = 9,000
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 25
| date = November 25
| time =
| time =
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[1915 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
| opponent = [[1915 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
| opprank =
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_stadium = Grant Field
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA
| gamename =[[Auburn–Georgia Tech football rivalry|Rivalry]]
| gamename = [[Auburn–Georgia Tech football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv = no
| score = 7–0
| score = 7–0
| overtime =
| attend = 10,000
| attend = 10,000
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule End
| rank = no
| poll = no
| timezone =
| ncg =
| hc = no
}}
}}
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/1915-schedule.html|title=1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/1915-schedule.html|title=1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results}}</ref>


==Season summary==
==Game summaries==

===Week 1: Mercer===
===Week 1: Mercer===
Tech opened the season with a 52–0 defeat of the [[Mercer Bears football|Mercer Baptists]]. The Tech backs plunged through the Baptists line almost at will.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5076848/greensboro_daily_news/|title=Georgia Techs Down Mercer|date=October 3, 1915|page=6|work=Greensboro Daily News|accessdate=April 27, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
Tech opened the season with a 52–0 defeat of the [[1915 Mercer Baptists football team|Mercer Baptists]]. The Tech backs plunged through the Baptists line almost at will.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5076848/greensboro_daily_news/|title=Georgia Techs Down Mercer|date=October 3, 1915|page=6|work=Greensboro Daily News|access-date=April 27, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>


===Week 2: Davidson===
===Week 2: Davidson===
Line 218: Line 134:
| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 14| H4 =7
| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 14| H4 =7
| Date =October 9
| Date =October 9
| Location = [[Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta, GA]]
| Location = [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
| StartTime =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| ElapsedTime =
Line 226: Line 142:
}}
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
In the second week of play, [[Davidson Wildcats football|Davidson]] had the upper hand for three quarters, but Tech managed to pull ahead in the third quarter, and won 21–7. In the first quarter, Davidson scored on a punt fumbled by [[Everett Strupper]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747911/the_charlotte_observer/|title=Davidson Makes Techs Go Some|page=11|date=October 10, 1915|work=The Charlotte Observer|accessdate=March 27, 2015|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Froggie Morrison]] hit Jim Senter with a 35-yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter.<ref name=jacket/> Tech managed to score again, and the third quarter ended with the Yellow Jackets at the 1-yard line.<ref name=jacket>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747831/the_charlotte_news/|title=Outplaying Georgia Tech For Three Quarters Lapsed In the Third, The Yellow Jackets Winning|page=11|work=The Charlotte News|date=October 10, 1915|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate=March 27, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Tommy Spence]] carried over on the first play of the fourth quarter.<ref name=jacket/>
In the second week of play, [[1915 Davidson football team|Davidson]] had the upper hand for three quarters, but Tech managed to pull ahead in the third quarter, and won 21–7. In the first quarter, Davidson scored on a punt fumbled by [[Everett Strupper]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747911/the_charlotte_observer/|title=Davidson Makes Techs Go Some|page=11|date=October 10, 1915|work=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=March 27, 2015|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Froggie Morrison]] hit Jim Senter with a 35-yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter.<ref name=jacket/> Tech managed to score again, and the third quarter ended with the Yellow Jackets at the 1-yard line.<ref name=jacket>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747831/the_charlotte_news/|title=Outplaying Georgia Tech For Three Quarters Lapsed In the Third, The Yellow Jackets Winning|page=11|work=The Charlotte News|date=October 10, 1915|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=March 27, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Tommy Spence]] carried over on the first play of the fourth quarter.<ref name=jacket/>


The starting lineup for Tech against Davidson: Goree (left end), Alexander (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=jacket/>
The starting lineup for Tech against Davidson: Goree (left end), Alexander (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=jacket/>
Line 238: Line 154:
| H1 = 10| H2 = 7| H3 =14| H4 =26
| H1 = 10| H2 = 7| H3 =14| H4 =26
| Date =October 16
| Date =October 16
| Location = [[Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta, GA]]
| Location = [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
| StartTime = 3:05 p. m.
| StartTime = 3:05 p. m.
| ElapsedTime =
| ElapsedTime =
Line 247: Line 163:
'''Sources:'''<ref name=tarh/>
'''Sources:'''<ref name=tarh/>
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
The Yellow Jackets romped over [[1915 Transylvania Pioneers football team|Transylvania]] 57–0. Tech made 333 yards on [[end run]]s to 7 for Transy, and 31 first downs to 5.<ref name=romp/> Heisman used most of his subs. [[Everett Strupper]] was the star of the game, scoring four touchdowns. Duncan also played well.<ref name=romp>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747949/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|page=3|date=October 17, 1915|title=Yellow Jackets Win In A Romp|accessdate=March 27, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|author=[[Dick Jemison]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
The Yellow Jackets romped over [[1915 Transylvania Pioneers football team|Transylvania]] 57–0. Tech made 333 yards on [[end run]]s to 7 for Transy, and 31 first downs to 5.<ref name=romp/> Heisman used most of his subs. [[Everett Strupper]] was the star of the game, scoring four touchdowns. Duncan also played well.<ref name=romp>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4747949/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|page=3|date=October 17, 1915|title=Yellow Jackets Win In A Romp|access-date=March 27, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|author=Dick Jemison|author-link=Dick Jemison}} {{Open access}}</ref>
[[File:Everett Strupper.jpg|130px|thumb|left|Strupper]]
[[File:Everett Strupper.jpg|130px|thumb|left|[[Everett Strupper]]]]
The starting lineup for Tech: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Preas (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=romp/>
The starting lineup for Tech: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Preas (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=romp/>


===Week 4: LSU===
===Week 4: LSU===
The season's lone road game was in [[New Orleans, LA|New Orleans]]. Georgia Tech handily defeated the [[1915 LSU Tigers football team|LSU Tigers]] 36–7 using conventional football, at the expense of Heisman being ejected from the game for arguing with an official.<ref>{{cite book |last=Vincent |first=Herb |date=2008 |title=LSU Football Vault: The History of the Fighting Tigers |publisher=Whitman Publishing, LLC |isbn=0794824285 |page=27}}</ref> Tech repeatedly hammered LSU's left end.<ref name=atlc/> "Except for a brief period in the second quarter, when Louisiana executed three consecutive passes for average gains of 25 yards, the Tigers practically were helpless".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156712/waco_morning_news/|title=Georgia Tech Beats Louisiana|work=Waco Morning News|page=13|date=October 24, 1915|accessdate=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Just before the game ended, [[Tommy Spence]] returned an [[interception]] 85 yards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156730/the_charlotte_news/|work=The Charlotte News|title=Georgia Techs Walloped Tigers of Louisiana|page=10|date=October 24, 1915|accessdate=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Everett Strupper]] was injured, blaming [[Phillip Cooper]].<ref name=atlc>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156784/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=Atlanta Constitution|title=Jackets Win Over Louisiana 36 to 7; Strupper Injured|page=3|date=October 24, 1915|accessdate=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
The season's lone road game was in [[New Orleans]]. Georgia Tech handily defeated the [[1915 LSU Tigers football team|LSU Tigers]] 36–7 using conventional football, at the expense of Heisman being ejected from the game for arguing with an official.<ref>{{cite book |last=Vincent |first=Herb |date=2008 |title=LSU Football Vault: The History of the Fighting Tigers |publisher=Whitman Publishing, LLC |isbn=978-0794824280 |page=27}}</ref> Tech repeatedly hammered LSU's left end.<ref name=atlc/> "Except for a brief period in the second quarter, when Louisiana executed three consecutive passes for average gains of 25 yards, the Tigers practically were helpless".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156712/waco_morning_news/|title=Georgia Tech Beats Louisiana|work=Waco Morning News|page=13|date=October 24, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Just before the game ended, [[Tommy Spence]] returned an [[interception]] 85 yards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156730/the_charlotte_news/|work=The Charlotte News|title=Georgia Techs Walloped Tigers of Louisiana|page=10|date=October 24, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Everett Strupper]] was injured, blaming [[Phillip Cooper]].<ref name=atlc>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5156784/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=Atlanta Constitution|title=Jackets Win Over Louisiana 36 to 7; Strupper Injured|page=3|date=October 24, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>


The starting lineup was Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tacle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=atlc/>
The starting lineup was Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tacle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=atlc/>
Line 264: Line 180:
| H1 = 13| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =10
| H1 = 13| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =10
| Date =November 13
| Date =November 13
| Location = [[Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta, GA]]
| Location = [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
| StartTime =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| ElapsedTime =
Line 273: Line 189:
'''Sources:'''<ref name=tarh/>
'''Sources:'''<ref name=tarh/>
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
Tech beat the [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|Tar Heels]] 23–3.<ref name=tarh>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5076661/the_charlotte_news/|title=Possessing No Offense and a Weak Defense, Carolina Proved Easy For The Jackets|work=Charlotte News|accessdate=April 27, 2016|date=October 31, 1915|page=12}} {{Open access}}</ref> Early in the first quarter, [[Kendall J. Fielder|Wooch Fielder]] circled end for 40 yards and a touchdown.<ref name=tarh/> Next, two forward passes set up a [[Tommy Spence]] run for a touchdown.<ref name=tarh/> Conventional football got the last touchdown, a score by Mathias. The last score was a 40-yard drop kick [[field goal]] by Spence.<ref name=tarh/>
Tech beat the [[1915 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina Tar Heels]] 23–3.<ref name=tarh>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5076661/the_charlotte_news/|title=Possessing No Offense and a Weak Defense, Carolina Proved Easy For The Jackets|work=Charlotte News|access-date=April 27, 2016|date=October 31, 1915|page=12}} {{Open access}}</ref> Early in the first quarter, [[Kendall J. Fielder|Wooch Fielder]] circled end for 40 yards and a touchdown.<ref name=tarh/> Next, two forward passes set up a [[Tommy Spence]] run for a touchdown.<ref name=tarh/> Conventional football got the last touchdown, a score by Mathias. The last score was a 40-yard drop kick [[field goal]] by Spence.<ref name=tarh/>


Only [[Yank Tandy]] and [[Roy Homewood]] played well for the Tar Heels.<ref name=tarh/> Tandy's field goal was Carolina's only score. He was injured in the third quarter.<ref name=tarh/>
Only [[Yank Tandy]] and [[Roy Homewood]] played well for the Tar Heels.<ref name=tarh/> Tandy's field goal was Carolina's only score. He was injured in the third quarter.<ref name=tarh/>


The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Duncan (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=tarh/>
The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Duncan (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=tarh/>


===Week 6: Alabama===
===Week 6: Alabama===
Line 287: Line 203:
| H1 = 7| H2 = 7| H3 =7| H4 =0
| H1 = 7| H2 = 7| H3 =7| H4 =0
| Date =November 6
| Date =November 6
| Location = [[Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta, GA]]
| Location = [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
| StartTime =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| Attendance =
| Attendance =
| Weather =
| Weather =
| Referee =[[Innis Brown]]
| Referee = [[Innis Brown]]
}}
}}
'''Sources:'''<ref name=bama/>
'''Sources:'''<ref name=bama/>
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
Tech beat Alabama 21–7. [[Wooch Fielder]] scored first. In the second period, [[Everett Strupper]] had a 7-yard touchdown run. [[Tommy Spence]] scored on a 5-yard run in the third. Alabama's lone score came on the first play of the fourth quarter on an elaborate trick play, a 30-yard [[forward pass]] from [[Bully Van de Graaff]], Alabama's first All-American, to Stevenson.<ref name=bama>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157231/the_atlanta_constitution/|title=Tech Team Wins Fiercely Fought Game|work=Atlanta Constitution|date=November 7, 1915|accessdate=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=5}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/alab/graphics/docs/15-m-footbl-recap.pdf</ref>
Tech beat Alabama 21–7. [[Wooch Fielder]] scored first. In the second period, [[Everett Strupper]] had a 7-yard touchdown run. [[Tommy Spence]] scored on a 5-yard run in the third. Alabama's lone score came on the first play of the fourth quarter on an elaborate trick play, a 30-yard [[forward pass]] from [[Bully Van de Graaff]], Alabama's first All-American, to Stevenson.<ref name=bama>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157231/the_atlanta_constitution/|title=Tech Team Wins Fiercely Fought Game|work=Atlanta Constitution|date=November 7, 1915|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=5}} {{Open access}}</ref>


The starting lineup against Alabama: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=bama/>
The starting lineup against Alabama: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=bama/>
Line 308: Line 224:
| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =0
| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 =0
| Date =November 13
| Date =November 13
| Location = [[Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta, GA]]
| Location = [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
| StartTime =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| ElapsedTime =
Line 316: Line 232:
}}
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
The year's only blemish was a scoreless tie against the rival [[1915 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia Bulldogs]] in inches of mud.<ref name=mud>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157107/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Tech Outplayed By Georgia Is Held To Scoreless Tie|date=November 14, 1915|page=33|accessdate=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[John G. Henderson]] headed a group of three men, one behind the other with his hands upon the shoulders of the one in front, to counter Heisman's [[jump shift]] offense.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.prideofthetide.com/programs%20pdf/1937%20tulane.pdf|pages=5; 11|title=Alabama vs. Tulane|date=November 6, 1937}}</ref> Georgia outplayed Tech throughout.<ref name=mud/> Georgia was once on Tech's 8-yard line, in the first quarter, but [[Walter Neville]] fumbled and [[Tommy Spence]] recovered.<ref name=mud/>
The year's only blemish was a scoreless tie against the rival [[1915 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia Bulldogs]] in inches of mud.<ref name=mud>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5157107/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Tech Outplayed By Georgia Is Held To Scoreless Tie|date=November 14, 1915|page=33|access-date=May 4, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[John G. Henderson]] headed a group of three men, one behind the other with his hands upon the shoulders of the one in front, to counter Heisman's [[jump shift]] offense.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.prideofthetide.com/programs%20pdf/1937%20tulane.pdf|pages=5; 11|title=Alabama vs. Tulane|date=November 6, 1937}}</ref> Georgia outplayed Tech throughout.<ref name=mud/> Georgia was once on Tech's 8-yard line, in the first quarter, but [[Walter Neville]] fumbled and [[Tommy Spence]] recovered.<ref name=mud/>


The starting lineup against Georgia: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Johnston (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=mud/>
The starting lineup against Georgia: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Johnston (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=mud/>
Line 328: Line 244:
| H1 = 0| H2 = 7| H3 = 0| H4 =0
| H1 = 0| H2 = 7| H3 = 0| H4 =0
| Date =November 25
| Date =November 25
| Location = [[Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta, GA]]
| Location = [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]<br>[[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
| StartTime =
| StartTime =
| ElapsedTime =
| ElapsedTime =
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}}
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
[[File:Partial view of the crowd at the 1915 Auburn vs. Georgia Tech football game at Grant Field.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Partial view of the crowd at the Auburn game]]
Tech closed what was then the greatest season in its history with a 7–0 defeat of the [[1915 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn Plainsmen]].<ref name=yellow>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4493917/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=Atlanta Constitution|page=9|date=November 26, 1915|title=Yellow Jackets Earn Tie To Football Championship By Defeating Plainsmen|author=[[Dick Jemison]]|accessdate=March 2, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> To begin the second quarter, [[Everett Strupper]] had two key plays, the last of which was the game-deciding touchdown.<ref name=siaa>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3278394/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Georgia Tech Claims S.I.A.A. Championship|date=November 26, 1915|page=8|accessdate=March 27, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=yellow/> First he made 20 yards around with a pass from Morrison<ref>[https://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/13188?show=full Blue Print, 1916]</ref> before being forced out of bounds. Next was the 19-yard touchdown. Strupper started around left end, then cut back into the center of the field, away from his blockers.<ref name=yellow/> He [[juke (football move)|juked]] and eluded "every man on the Auburn team." On the last move Strupper faked right and then dove left underneath the outstretched arms of [[Baby Taylor]] into the endzone.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?ei=T_OOVK2KJMedgwSXj4KQBg&id=p1g4AQAAIAAJ&dq=%22babe+taylor%22+auburn&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=%22big+babe+taylor%22 |journal=The Volta Review |pages=102–105 |year=1925 |publisher=Volta Bureau |title=A Lip-Reading Football Star}}</ref>
Tech closed what was then the greatest season in its history with a 7–0 defeat of the [[1915 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn Plainsmen]].<ref name=yellow>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4493917/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=Atlanta Constitution|page=9|date=November 26, 1915|title=Yellow Jackets Earn Tie To Football Championship By Defeating Plainsmen|author=Dick Jemison|author-link=Dick Jemison|access-date=March 2, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> To begin the second quarter, [[Everett Strupper]] had two key plays, the last of which was the game-deciding touchdown.<ref name=siaa>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3278394/the_tennessean/|work=The Tennessean|title=Georgia Tech Claims S.I.A.A. Championship|date=November 26, 1915|page=8|access-date=March 27, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=yellow/> First he made 20 yards around with a pass from Morrison<ref>[https://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/13188?show=full Blue Print, 1916]</ref> before being forced out of bounds. Next was the 19-yard touchdown. Strupper started around left end, then cut back into the center of the field, away from his blockers.<ref name=yellow/> He [[juke (football move)|juked]] and eluded "every man on the Auburn team." On the last move Strupper faked right and then dove left underneath the outstretched arms of [[Baby Taylor]] into the endzone.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p1g4AQAAIAAJ&q=%22big+babe+taylor%22 |journal=The Volta Review |pages=102–105 |year=1925 |publisher=Volta Bureau |title=A Lip-Reading Football Star}}</ref>


The starting lineup against Auburn: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=yellow/>
The starting lineup against Auburn: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).<ref name=yellow/>
Line 342: Line 259:
==Post season==
==Post season==
[[File:1915TechPennant.png|thumb|260px|The pennant at the annual banquet.]]
[[File:1915TechPennant.png|thumb|260px|The pennant at the annual banquet.]]
Tech claimed the right to dispute the [[Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association]] (SIAA) title with [[1915 Vanderbilt Commodores football team|Vanderbilt]], despite no longer being a member.<ref name=siaa/> The ''[[Atlanta Constitution]] ''declared it a tie between Vanderbilt and Tech.<ref>{{Harvnb|Traughber|2011|page=61}}</ref> The Tech team was awarded a 17 x 45 foot [[pennant (sports)|pennant]] as Southern champion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2703297/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|date=December 5, 1915|page=3|accessdate=June 28, 2015|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|title=Talley Johnston Named Captain 1916 Jackets; Carpenter Is Alternate|author=[[Dick Jemison]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
Tech claimed the right to dispute the [[Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association]] (SIAA) title with [[1915 Vanderbilt Commodores football team|Vanderbilt]], despite no longer being a member.<ref name=siaa/> The ''[[Atlanta Constitution]] ''declared it a tie between Vanderbilt and Tech.<ref>{{Harvnb|Traughber|2011|page=61}}</ref> The Tech team was awarded a 17 x 45 foot [[pennant (sports)|pennant]] as Southern champion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2703297/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|date=December 5, 1915|page=3|access-date=June 28, 2015|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|title=Talley Johnston Named Captain 1916 Jackets; Carpenter Is Alternate|author=Dick Jemison|author-link=Dick Jemison}} {{Open access}}</ref>


[[Kendall J. Fielder|Wooch Fielder]] and [[Bob Lang]] made composite [[College Football All-Southern Team|All-Southern]]. [[Jim Senter]], [[Froggie Morrison]] and [[Everett Strupper]] also made some All-Southern teams.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper = Atlanta Constitution|title = Composite All-Southern Of Ten Of The Dopesters|author = [[Dick Jemison]]|date = November 30, 1915|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1924630//|accessdate=March 5, 2015|page=10|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
[[Kendall J. Fielder|Wooch Fielder]] and [[Bob Lang]] made composite [[College Football All-Southern Team|All-Southern]]. [[Jim Senter]], [[Froggie Morrison]] and [[Everett Strupper]] also made some All-Southern teams.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper = Atlanta Constitution|title = Composite All-Southern Of Ten Of The Dopesters|author = Dick Jemison|author-link = Dick Jemison|date = November 30, 1915|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1924630//|access-date=March 5, 2015|page=10|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>


==Personnel==
==Personnel==

===Depth chart===
===Depth chart===
The following chart provides a visual depiction of Tech's lineup during the 1915 season with games started at the position reflected in parenthesis. The chart mimics the offense after the [[jump shift]] has taken place.
The following chart provides a visual depiction of Tech's lineup during the 1915 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics the offense after the [[jump shift]] has taken place.
{|
{|
|-
|-
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{| style="width:100%"
{| style="width:100%"
| align="left" |
| align="left" |

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! [[End (American football)|LE]]
! [[End (American football)|LE]]
|-
|-
|A. W. Goree (6)
|A. W. Goree (6)
|-
|-
Line 368: Line 284:
|Ray (0)
|Ray (0)
|}
|}

|
|

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! [[Offensive Tackle|LT]] !! [[Guard (American football)|LG]] !! [[Center (American football)|C]] !! [[Guard (American football)|RG]] !! [[Offensive Tackle|RT]]
! [[Offensive tackle|LT]] !! [[Guard (American football)|LG]] !! [[Center (American football)|C]] !! [[Guard (American football)|RG]] !! [[Offensive tackle|RT]]
|-
|-
|Si Bell (3) ||Bully Reynolds (6)|| [[Pup Phillips]] (7)|| [[Bob Lang]] (7)|| [[Walker Carpenter]] (5)
|Si Bell (3) ||Bully Reynolds (6)|| [[Pup Phillips]] (7)|| [[Bob Lang]] (7)|| [[Walker Carpenter]] (5)
Line 394: Line 310:
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|}
|}

|-
|-
|
|
| align="right" |
| align="right" |

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! [[Quarterback|QB]]
! [[Quarterback|QB]]
Line 432: Line 348:
|
|
| align="center" |
| align="center" |

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! [[Halfback (American football)|LHB]]
! [[Halfback (American football)|LHB]]
Line 443: Line 359:
|}
|}
|-
|-
| style="height:3em" |
| style="height:3em" |
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|
| style="text-align:center;"|
Line 450: Line 366:


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}
{{Reflist|group=note}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last=Traughber|first=Bill|title=Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History|isbn=978-1-60949-423-0|publisher=The History Press|ref=harv|year=2011}}
* {{cite book|last=Traughber|first=Bill|title=Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History|isbn=978-1-60949-423-0|publisher=The History Press|year=2011}}


{{Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football navbox}}
{{Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football navbox}}
{{Independent southern football champions}}
{{Independent southern football champions}}


[[Category:1915 NCAA football season|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets]]
[[Category:1915 college football season|Georgia Tech]]
[[Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football seasons]]
[[Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football seasons]]
[[Category:1915 in sports in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:1915 in sports in Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia Tech Football]]

Latest revision as of 01:23, 15 November 2023

1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
ConferenceIndependent
Record7–0–1
Head coach
Offensive schemeJump shift
CaptainFroggie Morrison
Home stadiumGrant Field
Seasons
← 1914
1916 →
1915 Southern college football independents records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Georgia Tech   –   7 – 0 – 1
Ouachita Baptist   –   7 – 1 – 0
Dallas   –   6 – 1 – 0
Spring Hill   –   6 – 1 – 0
North Texas State Normal   –   5 – 1 – 1
West Virginia   –   5 – 1 – 1
Jonesboro Aggies   –   4 – 1 – 1
Johns Hopkins   –   6 – 2 – 0
VMI   –   6 – 2 – 1
Southwestern Louisiana Industrial   –   5 – 2 – 1
Delaware   –   6 – 3 – 0
Maryland   –   6 – 3 – 0
Louisiana Normal College   –   4 – 2 – 0
Southwest Texas State   –   5 – 3 – 2
Davidson   –   4 – 3 – 1
Mississippi Normal   –   4 – 3 – 0
West Tennessee State Normal   –   4 – 3 – 0
Guilford   –   1 – 1 – 0
Middle Tennessee State Normal   –   3 – 3 – 1
Presbyterian   –   4 – 4 – 0
Henderson-Brown   –   3 – 4 – 1
TCU   –   4 – 5 – 0
Wake Forest   –   3 – 4 – 0
Navy   –   3 – 5 – 1
Western Kentucky State Normal   –   1 – 4 – 2
Louisville   –   1 – 5 – 1
Marshall   –   1 – 7 – 0

The 1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Tech Golden Tornado of the Georgia Institute of Technology during the 1915 college football season. The Tornado was coached by John Heisman in his 12th year as head coach, compiling a record of 7–0–1 and outscoring opponents 233 to 24. Georgia Tech played its home games at Grant Field. The Tech team claims a Southern championship,[1] and had what was then the greatest season in its history.

Before the season

[edit]
Froggie Morrison

Coach John Heisman's backfield used the pre-snap movement of his "jump shift" offense. The team's captain was Froggie Morrison,[note 1] Tech's first great quarterback.[3] Fullback Tommy Spence was a future World War I casualty, and halfback Wooch Fielder was later a prominent figure in World War II.

New halfback Everett Strupper was partially deaf;[4] because of his deafness, he called the signals when he played, instead of the team's quarterback.[5] When "Strupe" tried out for the team, he noticed that the quarterback shouted the signals every time he was to carry the ball. Realizing that the loud signals would be a tip-off to the opposition, Strupper told Heisman: "Coach, those loud signals are absolutely unnecessary. You see when sickness in my kid days brought on this deafness my folks gave me the best instructors obtainable to teach me lip-reading."[6] Heisman recalled how Strupper overcame his deafness: "He couldn't hear anything but a regular shout. But he could read your lips like a flash. No lad that ever stepped on a football field had keener eyes than Everett had. The enemy found this out the minute he began looking for openings through which to run the ball."[6]

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendance
October 2Mercer
W 52–0
October 9Davidson
  • Grant Field
  • Atlanta, GA
W 21–7
October 163:05 p.m.Transylvania
  • Grant Field
  • Atlanta, GA
W 57–0
October 22at LSU
W 36–73,000
October 30North Carolina
  • Grant Field
  • Atlanta, GA
W 23–3
November 6Alabama
W 21–75,000
November 13Georgia
T 0–09,000
November 25Auburn
W 7–010,000

[7]

Game summaries

[edit]

Week 1: Mercer

[edit]

Tech opened the season with a 52–0 defeat of the Mercer Baptists. The Tech backs plunged through the Baptists line almost at will.[8]

Week 2: Davidson

[edit]
Week 2: Davidson at Georgia Tech
1 234Total
Davidson 0 700 7
• Ga. Tech 0 0147 21

In the second week of play, Davidson had the upper hand for three quarters, but Tech managed to pull ahead in the third quarter, and won 21–7. In the first quarter, Davidson scored on a punt fumbled by Everett Strupper.[9] Froggie Morrison hit Jim Senter with a 35-yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter.[10] Tech managed to score again, and the third quarter ended with the Yellow Jackets at the 1-yard line.[10] Tommy Spence carried over on the first play of the fourth quarter.[10]

The starting lineup for Tech against Davidson: Goree (left end), Alexander (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).[10]

Week 3: Transylvania

[edit]
Week 3: Transylvania at Georgia Tech
1 234Total
Transy 0 000 0
• Ga. Tech 10 71426 57

Sources:[11]

The Yellow Jackets romped over Transylvania 57–0. Tech made 333 yards on end runs to 7 for Transy, and 31 first downs to 5.[12] Heisman used most of his subs. Everett Strupper was the star of the game, scoring four touchdowns. Duncan also played well.[12]

Everett Strupper

The starting lineup for Tech: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Preas (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).[12]

Week 4: LSU

[edit]

The season's lone road game was in New Orleans. Georgia Tech handily defeated the LSU Tigers 36–7 using conventional football, at the expense of Heisman being ejected from the game for arguing with an official.[13] Tech repeatedly hammered LSU's left end.[14] "Except for a brief period in the second quarter, when Louisiana executed three consecutive passes for average gains of 25 yards, the Tigers practically were helpless".[15] Just before the game ended, Tommy Spence returned an interception 85 yards.[16] Everett Strupper was injured, blaming Phillip Cooper.[14]

The starting lineup was Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tacle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).[14]

Week 5: North Carolina

[edit]
Week 5: North Carolina at Georgia Tech
1 234Total
UNC 0 300 3
• Ga. Tech 13 0010 23

Sources:[11]

Tech beat the North Carolina Tar Heels 23–3.[11] Early in the first quarter, Wooch Fielder circled end for 40 yards and a touchdown.[11] Next, two forward passes set up a Tommy Spence run for a touchdown.[11] Conventional football got the last touchdown, a score by Mathias. The last score was a 40-yard drop kick field goal by Spence.[11]

Only Yank Tandy and Roy Homewood played well for the Tar Heels.[11] Tandy's field goal was Carolina's only score. He was injured in the third quarter.[11]

The starting lineup was Bell (left end), Duncan (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarterback), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).[11]

Week 6: Alabama

[edit]
Week 6: Alabama at Georgia Tech
1 234Total
Alabama 0 007 7
• Ga. Tech 7 770 21

Sources:[17]

Tech beat Alabama 21–7. Wooch Fielder scored first. In the second period, Everett Strupper had a 7-yard touchdown run. Tommy Spence scored on a 5-yard run in the third. Alabama's lone score came on the first play of the fourth quarter on an elaborate trick play, a 30-yard forward pass from Bully Van de Graaff, Alabama's first All-American, to Stevenson.[17]

The starting lineup against Alabama: Goree (left end), Bell (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Carpenter (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).[17]

Week 7: Georgia

[edit]
Week 7: Georgia at Georgia Tech
1 234Total
Georgia 0 000 0
Ga. Tech 0 000 0

The year's only blemish was a scoreless tie against the rival Georgia Bulldogs in inches of mud.[18] John G. Henderson headed a group of three men, one behind the other with his hands upon the shoulders of the one in front, to counter Heisman's jump shift offense.[19] Georgia outplayed Tech throughout.[18] Georgia was once on Tech's 8-yard line, in the first quarter, but Walter Neville fumbled and Tommy Spence recovered.[18]

The starting lineup against Georgia: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Johnston (quarter), Mathias (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).[18]

Week 8: Auburn

[edit]
Week 8: Auburn at Georgia Tech
1 234Total
Auburn 0 000 0
• Ga. Tech 0 700 7
Partial view of the crowd at the Auburn game

Tech closed what was then the greatest season in its history with a 7–0 defeat of the Auburn Plainsmen.[20] To begin the second quarter, Everett Strupper had two key plays, the last of which was the game-deciding touchdown.[1][20] First he made 20 yards around with a pass from Morrison[21] before being forced out of bounds. Next was the 19-yard touchdown. Strupper started around left end, then cut back into the center of the field, away from his blockers.[20] He juked and eluded "every man on the Auburn team." On the last move Strupper faked right and then dove left underneath the outstretched arms of Baby Taylor into the endzone.[22]

The starting lineup against Auburn: Goree (left end), Mauck (left tackle), Reynolds (left guard), Phillips (center), Lang (right guard), Barnwell (right tackle), Senter (right end), Morrison (quarter), Johnston (left halfback), Fielder (right halfback), Spence (fullback).[20]

Post season

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The pennant at the annual banquet.

Tech claimed the right to dispute the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) title with Vanderbilt, despite no longer being a member.[1] The Atlanta Constitution declared it a tie between Vanderbilt and Tech.[23] The Tech team was awarded a 17 x 45 foot pennant as Southern champion.[24]

Wooch Fielder and Bob Lang made composite All-Southern. Jim Senter, Froggie Morrison and Everett Strupper also made some All-Southern teams.[25]

Personnel

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Depth chart

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The following chart provides a visual depiction of Tech's lineup during the 1915 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics the offense after the jump shift has taken place.

LE
A. W. Goree (6)
Si Bell (1)
H. R. Dunwoody (0)
Ray (0)
LT LG C RG RT
Si Bell (3) Bully Reynolds (6) Pup Phillips (7) Bob Lang (7) Walker Carpenter (5)
Hugh Mauck (2) Jim Preas (1) Pug Bryant (0) Hip West (0) Julian Barnwell (2)
Canty Alexander (1) Brandes (0)
F. G. Duncan (1)
RE
Jim Senter (7)
Shorty Guill (0)
Pete Beard (0)
 
QB
Froggie Morrison (6)
Talley Johnston (1)
RHB
Wooch Fielder (7)
Everett Strupper (0)
Al Hill (0)
FB
Tommy Spence (7)
R. G. Glover (0)
LHB
Talley Johnston (5)
W. J. Mathias (2)
Gardner (0)

Notes

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  1. ^ He returned to Tech as an assistant coach in 1933 after serving in World War I and a sixteen-year hiatus from college football.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Georgia Tech Claims S.I.A.A. Championship". The Tennessean. November 26, 1915. p. 8. Retrieved March 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ Closed access icon "Froggy Morrison Slated To Return Tech; Bulldogs Driven". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 10, 1933. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2008.
  3. ^ "'Froggy' Started March of Great Quarterbacks", Atlanta Journal-Constitution, pp. 3B, September 10, 1933
  4. ^ "Everett Strupper, Tech Immortal, Passes Suddenly". Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. 28 (4). 1950.
  5. ^ "Ex-Tech Great Dies Suddenly: Everett Strupper, Member of Unbeaten Teams, Passes in Atlanta". The Anniston Star (AP wire story). February 5, 1950.
  6. ^ a b John Heisman (November 9, 1923). "Heisman Tells Inside Story of Strupper's Play". Atlanta Constitution.
  7. ^ "1915 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results".
  8. ^ "Georgia Techs Down Mercer". Greensboro Daily News. October 3, 1915. p. 6. Retrieved April 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. ^ "Davidson Makes Techs Go Some". The Charlotte Observer. October 10, 1915. p. 11. Retrieved March 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ a b c d "Outplaying Georgia Tech For Three Quarters Lapsed In the Third, The Yellow Jackets Winning". The Charlotte News. October 10, 1915. p. 11. Retrieved March 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Possessing No Offense and a Weak Defense, Carolina Proved Easy For The Jackets". Charlotte News. October 31, 1915. p. 12. Retrieved April 27, 2016. Open access icon
  12. ^ a b c Dick Jemison (October 17, 1915). "Yellow Jackets Win In A Romp". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved March 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  13. ^ Vincent, Herb (2008). LSU Football Vault: The History of the Fighting Tigers. Whitman Publishing, LLC. p. 27. ISBN 978-0794824280.
  14. ^ a b c "Jackets Win Over Louisiana 36 to 7; Strupper Injured". Atlanta Constitution. October 24, 1915. p. 3. Retrieved May 4, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  15. ^ "Georgia Tech Beats Louisiana". Waco Morning News. October 24, 1915. p. 13. Retrieved May 4, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  16. ^ "Georgia Techs Walloped Tigers of Louisiana". The Charlotte News. October 24, 1915. p. 10. Retrieved May 4, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  17. ^ a b c "Tech Team Wins Fiercely Fought Game". Atlanta Constitution. November 7, 1915. p. 5. Retrieved May 4, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  18. ^ a b c d "Tech Outplayed By Georgia Is Held To Scoreless Tie". The Tennessean. November 14, 1915. p. 33. Retrieved May 4, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  19. ^ Alabama vs. Tulane (PDF). November 6, 1937. pp. 5, 11.
  20. ^ a b c d Dick Jemison (November 26, 1915). "Yellow Jackets Earn Tie To Football Championship By Defeating Plainsmen". Atlanta Constitution. p. 9. Retrieved March 2, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  21. ^ Blue Print, 1916
  22. ^ "A Lip-Reading Football Star". The Volta Review. Volta Bureau: 102–105. 1925.
  23. ^ Traughber 2011, p. 61
  24. ^ Dick Jemison (December 5, 1915). "Talley Johnston Named Captain 1916 Jackets; Carpenter Is Alternate". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved June 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  25. ^ Dick Jemison (November 30, 1915). "Composite All-Southern Of Ten Of The Dopesters". Atlanta Constitution. p. 10. Retrieved March 5, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon

Bibliography

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  • Traughber, Bill (2011). Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History. The History Press. ISBN 978-1-60949-423-0.
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