| 1920Georgia Bulldogs football | |
|---|---|
 | |
National champion (Berryman) SIAA co-champion | |
| Conference | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Record | 8–0–1 (7–0 SIAA) |
| Head coach |
|
| Assistant coach | Jimmy DeHart |
| Captain | Bum Day |
| Home stadium | Sanford Field |
Uniform | |
 | |
Seasons | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia + | 7 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 0 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tulane + | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech + | 4 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 6 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 10 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Centre | 4 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Furman | 3 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 3 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | 5 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auburn | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi A&M | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sewanee | 3 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transylvania | 2 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Howard (AL) | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi College | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 1 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clemson | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 1 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chattanooga | 1 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Citadel | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 0 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 0 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgetown (KY) | 0 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Millsaps | 0 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mercer | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wofford | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 8 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The1920 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented theUniversity of Georgia during the1920 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. The Bulldogs had an 8–0–1 record,[1] outscored opponents 250–17, and were also co-champion of theSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, with in-state rivalGeorgia Tech as well asTulane, which were also undefeated in conference play.
This was the Georgia Bulldogs' first season under the guidance of head coachHerman Stegeman and the team's second undefeated season in its history (first since1896 underPop Warner). The Bulldogs were retroactively awarded a national championship byClyde Berryman.[2]
Georgia fielded a strongline during the early 1920s, this season returningAll-Southerns inendOwen Reynolds,tackleArtie Pew, andcenter andcaptainBum Day; as well asguardHugh Whelchel and a youngJoe Bennett. This season, the Bulldogs line was complemented with a strongbackfield, led byquarterbackBuck Cheves and known as the "ten second backfield."[3][a]
Georgia upset rivalAuburn. The Bulldogs also gaveFurman their only loss, and did the same toAlabama in the year's biggest win.[5] The highlight of the Alabama game, Cheves' 87-yard touchdown after a fumble recovery, ranked fourth inThe 50 Greatest Plays In Georgia Bulldogs Football History.
The Bulldogs were led by first-year head coachHerman Stegeman, who attended theUniversity of Chicago and learned football from the legendaryAmos Alonzo Stagg. During the end ofWorld War I, theUnited States Army stationed Stegeman in Athens to create physical training courses for the UGAReserve Officers' Training Corps program.Last season, Stegeman was hired by head coachAlex Cunningham as an assistant. Cunningham then went into the Army, and Stegeman was promoted to head coach. Stegeman was assisted bybackfield coach and Warner discipleJimmy DeHart.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2 | The Citadel | W 40–0 | ||
| October 9 | atSouth Carolina | Columbia, SC (rivalry) | W 37–0 | |
| October 13 | atFurman |
| W 7–0 | |
| October 23 | atOglethorpe* | Atlanta, GA | W 27–3 | |
| October 30 | vs.Auburn | W 7–0 | 7,000 | |
| November 6 | atVirginia* | T 0–0 | 5,000 | |
| November 13 | Florida |
| W 56–0 | |
| November 20 | vs.Alabama | W 21–14 | 11,000 | |
| November 25 | Clemson |
| W 55–0 | 5,000 |
| ||||
The Bulldogs opened the season with a 40–0 defeat ofThe Citadel. Citadel made one first down.[6] The first score was a 60-yard run by Hartley.[6]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Georgia | 10 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 37 |
| S. Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In the second week of play, Georgia easily defeated theSouth Carolina Gamecocks 37–0, "principally through the ability ofHartley andCheves to advance the ball by long runs".[7] Hartley returned the second-half kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown, and had another 75-yard touchdown run two minutes later.[7]
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Anthony (left guard), Day (center), Murray (right guard), Pew (right tackle), Owens (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Echols (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Collings (fullback).[7][8]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Georgia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Furman | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A close-fought game with coachBilly Laval'sSpeedy Speer-ledFurman Purple Hurricane brought the Bulldogs a 7–0 win and Furman's only loss on the year. Georgia scored thanks to a pass fromBuck Cheves toSheldon Fitts. A punting duel withMilton McManaway andDave Collings featured throughout.[9]
Georgia beat theOglethorpe Stormy Petrels 27–3.[10] Oglethorpe's captain Knox scored the season's first points on the Bulldogs.[11]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Georgia | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
The Bulldogs upset theAuburn Tigers 7–0, getting revenge for last year's loss. The only touchdown of the game was a 20-yard pass fromBuck Cheves to Dick Hartley.Frank Stubbs starred for Auburn.[12]Artie Pew was ejected for slugging, and thus missed his chance to go out with an Auburn victory.
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), Pew (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), J. Bennett (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Hartley (left halfback), Collings (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[12][13]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Virginia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The aerial attack of theVirginia Orange and Blue met a staunch Georgia defense as the two teams fought to a scoreless tie in Charlottesville.Owen Reynolds and Paige Bennett starred for Georgia.[14]
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), Pew (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), Anthony (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Tanner (fullback).[14][15]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Georgia | 7 | 28 | 14 | 7 | 56 |
Georgia rolled up a large 56–0 score on theFlorida Gators. Florida put up a hard fight until Georgia got its first touchdown across, pouring it on from there. QuarterbackSheldon Fitts was the star of the contest.[16][17] Fitts and Bohren scored two touchdowns. Paige Bennett, Hartley, Echols, and Collings had one each.Owen Reynolds starred again.[18]
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Pitts (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[16][19]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| •Georgia | 14 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
The key win for the conference title was the 21–14 victory over theAlabama Crimson Tide. None of Georgia's touchdowns were scored by the offense.[20]
Paige Bennett recovered aMullie Lenoir fumble and ran 40 yards for a touchdown.Artie Pew kicked goal. On the next possession,Hugh Whelchel blocked aRiggs Stephenson punt, and Pew picked up the ball running 24 yards to score, kicking his own goal. On the next drive, Lenoir scored. In the third quarter,Al Clemens caught a tipped ball, and ran down the sidelines with a wall of blockers for the tying score. Late in the final period, Georgia's O'Connor tried a drop kick which was blocked by Whelchel.Buck Cheves recovered the ball and ran 87 yards for the touchdown[21] Again Pew converted goal.[20] The recovery by Cheves ranked fourth inThe 50 Greatest Plays In Georgia Bulldogs Football History.[22]
The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Vandiver (left guard), Day (center), Whelchel (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (Right end), Pitts (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[23][24]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Georgia | 14 | 6 | 21 | 14 | 55 |
Cheves and Hartley starred again in a 55–0 romp overClemson to end the season. Dave Collings was the star of the contest scoring two touchdowns.[25] The starting lineup was Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Anthony (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (Right end), Cheves (quarterback), Hartley (left halfback), Collings (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[25]
Owen Reynolds was elected captain for next year.[26] Reynolds, Pew, and Day were all compositeAll-Southern selections. Whelchel also made several selections, and Joe Bennett made one.[27]
Rooters on either side of Georgia were happy as both the Bulldogs andGeorgia Tech claimed SIAA titles.[28] The Bulldogs were retroactively named the national champion for 1920 under theBerryman QPRS methodology.[29]
| Number | Player | Position | Games started | Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thurston Anthony | Tackle | |||||||
| 11 | Joe Bennett | Tackle | Statesboro, Georgia | 180 | 19 | |||
| 13 | Paige Bennett | End | ||||||
| 1 | Bum Day | Center | Nashville, Georgia | Porter Military Academy | 5'10" | 190 | 22 | |
| W. Mercer Murray | Guard | Fort Valley, Georgia | Georgia Military Academy | 5'11" | 170 | 19 | ||
| 3 | Owen Reynolds | End | Douglasville, Georgia | 6'3" | 170 | |||
| 9 | Artie Pew | Tackle | Damascus, Georgia | 195 | 22 | |||
| Jim Taylor | Tackle | Hazlehurst, Georgia | ||||||
| 4 | Nemo Vandiver | Guard | ||||||
| 45 | Hugh Whelchel | Guard | Dahlonega, Georgia | 200 | 20 |
| Number | Player | Position | Games started | Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Buck Cheves | Quarterback | Richwood, Georgia | Georgia Military College | 145 | 21–22 | ||
| 5 | Dave Collings | Halfback | Atlanta, Georgia | Boys High School (Atlanta) | 18–19 | |||
| 29 | Roy Echols | Fullback | Darlington Academy | |||||
| 31 | Sheldon Fitts | Halfback | Jemison, Alabama | Georgia Military College | 20–21 | |||
| 23 | Dick Hartley | Halfback | Fort Valley, Georgia | Georgia Military Academy | 19–20 | |||
| Goat Tanner | Halfback |
| Player |
|---|
| Paul Anderson |
| Dan Bennett |
| Joe Blackmon |
| Bill Campbell |
The following is an incomplete list of statistics and scores, largely dependent on newspaper summaries.
| Player | Touchdowns | Extra points | Field goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Hartley | 11 | 0 | 0 | 66 |
| Sheldon Fitts | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
| Artie Pew | 2 | 28 | 0 | 40 |
| Buck Cheves | 5 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Dave Collings | 3 | 0 | 1 | 21 |
| Bohran | 3 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Joe Bennett | 2 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Paige Bennett | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Bum Day | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Roy Echols | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Total | 36 | 31 | 1 | 250 |
