| 1927Georgia Bulldogs football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Southern Conference |
| Record | 9–1 (6–1 SoCon) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive scheme | Notre Dame Box |
| Captain | Ivey Shiver |
| Home stadium | Sanford Field |
Uniform | |
 | |
Seasons | |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech + | 7 | – | 0 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee + | 5 | – | 0 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 0 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NC State + | 4 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 5 | – | 0 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 8Georgia | 6 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 5 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virginia | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clemson | 2 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 3 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 2 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi A&M | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington and Lee | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VPI | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maryland | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VMI | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tulane | 2 | – | 5 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina | 2 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sewanee | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auburn | 0 | – | 6 | – | 1 | 0 | – | 7 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The1927 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented theUniversity of Georgia in the sport ofAmerican football during the1927 Southern Conference football season. This was the last seasonGeorge Cecil Woodruff served as the head coach of the football team and the team's 34th season ofcollege football. The Bulldogs posted a 9–1 record,[1] and were retroactively selected as the 1927national champion under theBerryman QPRS,Boand, andPoling systems.[2] The team was ranked No. 8 in the nation in theDickinson System ratings released in December 1927.[3]
Called the "dream and wonder team", the Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 in the US with one regular season game remaining, but were upset in the mud by in-state rivalGeorgia Tech (the next season's national champion).[4] Georgia did not win theSouthern Conference (SoCon) championship in 1927 as a result of its loss to Georgia Tech at season's end. Georgia Tech (7–0–1 SoCon),Tennessee (5–0–1 SoCon), andNC State (4–0–0 SoCon) all finished undefeated in conference play.[5]
The season featured Georgia's first-ever win againstYale as well as sixshutouts. The win over Yale propelled Georgia to the national spotlight.[6] The team was anchored by twoAll-Americanends,captainChick Shiver and consensusAll-AmericanTom Nash.
At the end of last season, one source described Georgia as "probably the hardest hit team in the Southern Conference, losing 14letter men with theThanksgiving game."[7]
Coach Woodruff said he would quit after this season.[8] Former Notre Dame backJim Crowley and Notre Dame linemanHarry Mehre assisted Woodruff with hisNotre Dame Box scheme.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1 | Virginia | W 32–0 | [9] | ||
| October 8 | atYale* | W 14–10 | 18,000 | [10] | |
| October 15 | Furman* |
| W 32–0 | [11] | |
| October 22 | vs.Auburn | W 33–0 | [12] | ||
| October 29 | atTulane | W 31–0 | 10,000 | [13] | |
| November 5 | atFlorida | W 28–0 | 16,000 | [14] | |
| November 12 | Clemson |
| W 32–0 | [15] | |
| November 19 | Mercer* |
| W 26–7 | [16] | |
| November 24 | atAlabama | W 20–7 | 25,000 | [17] | |
| December 3 | atGeorgia Tech | L 0–12 | 38,000 | [18] | |
| |||||
To open the season,Herdis McCrary averaged a touchdown a quarter and the Bulldogs romped over theVirginia Cavaliers 32–0.[19]
The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Jacobson (left guard), Boland (center), Smith (right guard), Stelling (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), McCrary (fullback)[20]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Georgia | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Yale | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
In the second week of play, Georgia defeatedYale by the score of 14–10, the school's first win over an Eastern power.[21] Georgia was propelled into the national spotlight.[6]Bobby Hooks threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Frank Dudley.[22]
The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Stelling (left tackle), Smith (left guard), Boland (center), Jacobson (right guard), Morris (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), McCrary (fullback)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furman | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Georgia | 13 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 32 |
Georgia defeated theFurman Purple Hurricane 32–0, giving the Purple Hurricane its only loss this season. Furman twice was within Georgia's 5-yard line.[23]
However, Georgia's backs also ran well.[23] Frank Dudley had a 55-yard run for a score shortly after the start of the second quarter, and Roy Estes placed the ball in scoring position in the third with a 52-yard run.[23]
The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Haley (left guard), Boland (center), Jacobson (right guard), Paitz (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), McCrary (fullback).[23]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Georgia | 0 | 26 | 0 | 7 | 33 |
In the fourth week of play, Georgia beatAuburn 33–0. Four touchdowns were scored in the second period, when coach Woodruff sent in his first-string backfield.[24] A long pass from Hooks to McCrary got one touchdown.[24]
The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Haley (left guard), Boland (center), Jacobson (right guard), Lautzenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), Hooks (right halfback), McCrary (fullback).[24]
The Bulldogs traveled toNew Orleans and beatTulane 31–0. McCrary was kept on the bench as the halfbacks provided most of the scoring.[25]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Georgia | 0 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 28 |
Georgia beat theFlorida Gators 28–0 after leading just 7–0 at the half. Florida quarterbackGoof Bowyer broke his leg.[26] The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Jacobson (left guard), Boland (center), Smith (right guard), Lautzenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), Rothstein (fullback).[27]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Georgia | 13 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 32 |
McCrary scored three of the five touchdowns in the 32–0 victory overClemson.[28]
McTigue ran in the first score.Roy Estes threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to H. F. Johnston. McCrary replaced Rothstein and added two touchdowns.[28] The second team went in the second half, in which McCrary added another touchdown.[28]
The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Jacobson (left guard), Boland (center), Haley (right guard), Lautenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), Rothstein (fullback).[29]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| •Georgia | 7 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 26 |
Georgia started the Mercer game with its second string and won 26–7.[30] One report before the game reads: "Mercer's football team has about as much chance of beating Georgia as The Cluster has of having compulsory chapel abolished."[31]
Mercer'sPhoney Smith was the first southern player to cross the goal line against Georgia, on an 80-yard punt return.[32][30]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Georgia | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 20 |
| Alabama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
The game on November 24 against theAlabama Crimson Tide was the first game played in the newly completedLegion Field. The 20–7 Bulldog victory snapped a five-game losing streak against Alabama.[n 1]
Estes passed to Nash for the first score, and Estes ran the second score in himself. Another pass to Nash got a touchdown in the third quarter. In the final period, Alabama's Brasfield went back to pass, but saw no one open, and took off running. In the game's most sensational play, he dodged three tacklers behind the line, and evaded three more on his way to the endzone.[33]
The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), C. Smith (left guard), Boland (center), Jacobson (right guard), Lautenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Johnson (quarterback), McTigue (left halfback), Estes (right halfback), Hill (fullback).[34]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| •Ga. Tech | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
Georgia was ranked number 1 by theDickinson system.Grant Field was expected to be filled to capacity, the largest crowd ever in the south.[37] One account read "And never in the history of athletics in the Southland has there been an occasion so momentous as this. The football championship of the South and as some may justifiably figure, the nation, will be decided on Saturday in the capital city and native sons will decide it."[38]
In the rain, the Bulldogs were defeated by rivalGeorgia Tech for the SoCon championship 12–0. For the first time this year, neither Nash nor Shiver played particularly well.[39]
Tech's first touchdown came on a pass fromWarner Mizell to quarterback Bob Durant. The second one came shortly afterStumpy Thomason returned aninterception 57 yards to Georgia's 22-yard line.[35][36] Thomason scored on a 13-yardend run.[36]
The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Jacobson (left guard), Boland (center), Smith (right guard), Lautenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Johnson (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), Dudley (right halfback), McCrary (fullback).[36]
By season's end, both Georgia and Yale were national champions according to various selectors. Despite the loss to Tech, the Bulldogs were retroactively selected as the 1927national champion under theBoand,Poling, andBerryman QPRS systems.[2]Walter Eckersall noted the progress of southern football as he reflected on Georgia's victory over Yale; "Old Eli, with its running attack, could do nothing against Georgia, which is represented by two of the finest ends in the country.Nash andShiver would be valuable assets on any football team."[40]
The following chart provides a visual depiction of Georgia's lineup during the 1927 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics aNotre Dame Box on offense.
|
| Number | Player | Position | Games started | Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Ike Boland | Center | 8 | 175 | ||||
| 33 | Theodore Frisbie | Tackle | ||||||
| 32 | Eugene S. Haley | Guard | ||||||
| 17 | J. Hill | Guard | ||||||
| 16 | Roy H. Jacobson | Guard | 8 | |||||
| 1 | Glenn Lautzenhiser | Tackle | 5 | Tech High | ||||
| 25 | J. Robert Morris | Tackle | 8 | |||||
| 19 | Tom Nash | End | 8 | Washington, Georgia | 6'3" | 205 | ||
| 27 | Henry G. Palmer | End | ||||||
| 26 | Chick Shiver | End | 8 | Sylvester, Georgia | 6'1" | 190 | ||
| 10 | Gene Smith | Guard | 5 | Montgomery, Alabama | 5'9" | 190 | ||
| 23 | H. Cree Stelling | Tackle |
| Number | Player | Position | Games started | Hometown | Prep school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Johnny Broadnax | Quarterback | University School for Boys | |||||
| 7 | Cook | Halfback | ||||||
| 9 | Frank Dudley | Halfback | ||||||
| 3 | Roy Estes | Halfback | ||||||
| 28 | Harvey Hill | Fullback | ||||||
| 29 | Bobby Hooks | Halfback | ||||||
| 30 | H. F. Johnson | Quarterback | ||||||
| 12 | Herdis McCrary | Fullback | Bicknell, Indiana | 6'0" | 200 | |||
| 4 | Robert McTigue | Halfback | ||||||
| 24 | Tommy Paris | Quarterback | ||||||
| 6 | Bennie Rothstein | Fullback |
| Number | Player |
|---|---|
| 2 | Davidson |
| 5 | Cox |
| 11 | Buchanan |
| 13 | Bradley |
| 14 | Martin |
| 15 | Nixon |
| 20 | Collins |
| 21 | Sanford |
| 22 | Stewart |
| 31 | Greenfield |
| 34 | Reigle |
| 38 | Eubanks |
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