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1901 Georgia Tech football team

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1901 Georgia Tech football
ConferenceIndependent
Record4–0–1
Head coach
CaptainHope Hudson[a]
Home stadiumPiedmont Park
Seasons
← 1900
1902 →
1901 Southern college football independents records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Southwestern Louisiana Industrial   –   2 – 0 – 0
Stetson   –   1 – 0 – 0
Georgia Tech   –   4 – 0 – 1
Marshall   –   2 – 0 – 1
Kentucky University   –   7 – 1 – 1
VPI   –   6 – 1 – 0
Nashville   –   6 – 1 – 1
Virginia   –   8 – 2 – 0
Texas   –   8 – 2 – 1
Davidson   –   4 – 2 – 0
Baylor   –   5 – 3 – 0
Gallaudet   –   4 – 2 – 2
Sewanee   –   4 – 2 – 2
William & Mary   –   2 – 1 – 1
Navy   –   6 – 4 – 1
VMI   –   4 – 3 – 0
Oklahoma   –   3 – 2 – 0
West Virginia   –   3 – 2 – 0
Delaware   –   5 – 4 – 0
Georgetown   –   3 – 3 – 2
Kendall   –   2 – 2 – 0
Spring Hill   –   0 – 0 – 1
Wilmington Conference Academy   –   2 – 2 – 0
Oklahoma A&M   –   2 – 3 – 0
South Carolina   –   3 – 4 – 0
Arkansas   –   3 – 5 – 0
Add-Ran   –   1 – 2 – 1
Furman   –   1 – 2 – 1
Chilocco   –   2 – 5 – 0
North Carolina A&M   –   1 – 2 – 0
Texas A&M   –   1 – 4 – 0
Maryland   –   1 – 7 – 0
Richmond   –   1 – 7 – 0
Florida Agricultural   –   0 – 1 – 0
Louisiana Industrial   –   0 – 2 – 0
Tusculum   –     –  

The 1901 Georgia Tech football team represented the Georgia School of Technology during the 1901 college football season. The team was known as the Blacksmiths during the season.[1]

On May 16, Georgia Tech notified that it had been suspended by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association amidst charges of professionalism during the 1901 baseball season.[2] While Georgia Tech disagreed that it had done anything against the association's rules, its president, Lyman Hall, proposed that the faculty would take hold of the management of the athletic teams to get reinstated to the SIAA.[3] However, the SIAA would not make a permanent decision until following the football season, which meant that SIAA teams were unable to schedule football games against Georgia Tech until the matter was decided. The SIAA did not approve Georgia Tech's full reinstatement into the association until at its annual meeting on December 21.[4]

Georgia Tech entered the 1901 season on a fourteen-game losing streak. The previous year was a financial failure, raising concerns that Tech would not be able to field a baseball or football team in 1901.[5] However, money raised by The Atlanta Journal and through the Georgia Tech Athletic Association made it possible to secure the upcoming season.[5][6] In a January 1901 meeting, Andrew Pittman was picked to continue as football manager and Hudson, 1900's left guard, was named as captain.[6] However, by March, Pittman resigned and Stephen Snowden was elected in his place.[7] By the time the season started, B. R. Pringle would become the team's manager.[8]

On July 31, John McKee, former player at North Carolina and coach at North Carolina A&M, was announced as Georgia Tech's new head coach.[9] McKee arrived in Atlanta on September 15 and the team began practice two days later. Expectations were high that McKee would keep tight control of the team and that the season would be a success.[10] Georgia Tech was considered to have a heavy team, a strong line, and fast backs.[11]

Coach McKee said of the team late in the season, "you may say that Tech has the strongest team she has ever put on the gridiron".[12] The season was a great success following three straight winless seasons. The Blacksmiths finished with a 4–0–1 record and was scored against only one time. However, low attendance was still an issue, which led to the program being in debt, though not as extensively as the previous two seasons.

Following the end of Georgia Tech's season, Coach McKee accepted an invitation to assist the Georgia team in preparing for its game against Auburn.[13] A dispute with Georgia Tech over his salary payment continued into the next summer and was only resolved after McKee threatened to file a lawsuit and the supporters of Tech's athletic association raised money to settle the matter.[14] He did not return to the team in 1902.

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 123:30 p.m.Gordon
W 29–0 [15]
October 153:30 p.m.Furman
  • Piedmont Park
  • Atlanta, GA
W 17–0[16]
October 17Saint Albans
  • Piedmont Park
  • Atlanta, GA
Cancelled[b] [17]
October 19WoffordAugusta, GACancelled[c] [19]
October 25at WoffordSpartanburg, SCW 33–0[20]
October 263:00 p.m.at FurmanGreenville, SCT 5–5[21]
November 93:00 p.m.South Carolina
  • Piedmont Park
  • Atlanta, GA
W 13–0300[22]
November 163:00 p.m.Davidson
  • Piedmont Park
  • Atlanta, GA
Cancelled[d] [23]

A game was also planned with Georgia on October 12, but it did not materialize because Tech was not reinstated into the SIAA.[24][25] Games was also considered against a local teams from Macon and Savannah, Georgia, and Columbia, South Carolina, but Tech eventually declined these games as it felt playing professionals would hurt its chances of SIAA reinstatement.[26] Later in the season, the team again tried to schedule a game with Georgia and explored matches with Sewanee and North Carolina.[27] A game was also proposed against Alabama on Thanksgiving, but this game did not take place.

Game summaries

[edit]
Gordon Cadets (0–0–0) at Georgia Tech Blacksmiths (0–0–0)
Quarter 1 2 Total
Gordon 0 0 0
Georgia Tech 23 6 29

at Piedmont Park • Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: Saturday, October 12, 1901
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: Unknown
  • Referee: Unknown
  • Source:[28][15][29]

Georgia Tech's first game of the season was against Gordon. It was the first time the two schools had played. The game was played in a heavy rain and the field soon became muddy and slippery. The conditions dampened the mood of the crowd who sat "in depressing silence" throughout the game.[28] The first half was played for fifteen minutes and the second half for only ten.[15]

Gordon started with the ball but turned it over on downs. On Tech's first possession, it made several quick gains before Wayne Holman scored a touchdown two minutes into the game. Tech scored at will through the rest of the half with Don Towers scoring twice and Oliver Huie scoring once. Gordon's quarterback, Covington, ran into the goal post and broke his nose forcing him to leave the game. At halftime, Tech led by a score of 23 to 0.[15]

In the second half, the Blacksmiths made substitutions to give the more players the practice. Gordon started off the half with runs up the center and looked like they would score, but Georgia Tech's defense prevented a touchdown. Tech made one touchdown in the shortened second half by Towers. The game ended with Georgia Tech winning 29 to 0, its first victory since 1897.[15]

Furman Baptists (0–0–0) at Georgia Tech Blacksmiths (1–0–0)
Quarter 1 2 Total
Furman 0 0 0
Georgia Tech 11 6 17

at Piedmont Park • Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: Tuesday, October 15, 1901
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: Unknown
  • Referee: Reynolds Tichenor
  • Source:[16]

This was Furman's first game of the season and the first time the two schools had faced each other. The game was played with a twenty-minute first half and a fifteen-minute second half.[16][30][31][32][33]

Georgia Tech won the toss and immediately had two successive runs of twenty-yards each. On the next run, Oliver Huie scored a touchdown from the 5-yard line. On its next possession, Huie made a forty-yard run for a touchdown. Georgia Tech received the next kickoff, but the half ended with the Blacksmith's on Furman's 30-yard line and Tech leading 11 to 0. The second half was marked by multiple fumbles by Furman, due, in part, by its inexperienced center. Huie scored his third touchdown in the second half. Georgia Tech won the game 17 to 0.[16] This marked the first time Georgia Tech won back-to-back games.

Georgia Tech Blacksmiths (2–0–0) at Wofford Spartans (1–0–0)
Quarter 1 2 Total
Georgia Tech 22 11 33
Wofford 0 0 0

at Unknown Field • Spartanburg, South Carolina

  • Date: Friday, October 25, 1901
  • Game time: Afternoon
  • Game attendance: Unknown
  • Referee: Unknown
  • Source:[20][34][35][36]

Georgia Tech was originally scheduled to play Wofford in Augusta, Georgia, a week earlier, but the game was cancelled due to concerns overt low attendance and a lack of financial viability.[19] A game in Spartanburg, South Carolina, was added as part of Georgia Tech's travel to play a rematch with Furman in Greenville, South Carolina, the next day. This was the first time Georgia Tech and Wofford met in football. The ground was so hard that every time the men hit it, "it took the skin off".[37]

Georgia Tech started off with the ball and immediately made a 25-yard run followed by Huie's 70-yard run for a touchdown. On its next possession, Huie made two more long runs of over twenty yards, but Tech fumbled the ball on the Wofford's 5-yard line. Wofford made two small runs and then had to punt the ball, which Georgia Tech scored another touchdown on its succeeding possession. Wofford kicked the ball off, which led to Huie running the ball down to the 2-yard line and then a run over the center for a touchdown. The Blacksmiths scored another touchdown a few minutes later. At halftime, Tech led 22 to 0.[20]

In the second half, Wofford lost the ball on a fumble on its first possession. Georgia Tech scored on its next drive and then scored another touchdown ten minutes later. The game ended with Georgia Tech winning 33 to 0, Tech's third win in a row.[20]

Georgia Tech Blacksmiths (3–0–0) at Furman Baptists (0–1–0)
Quarter 1 2 Total
Georgia Tech 5 0 5
Furman[e] 5 0 5

at Unknown Field • Greenville, South Carolina

  • Date: Saturday, October 26, 1901
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: A large crowd
  • Referee: Unknown
  • Source:[21][37]

Georgia Tech had shutout Furman in Atlanta 17–0 earlier in the season. Georgia Tech played Wofford the day before in Spartanburg; a game that the Furman coach attended. Entering the game, Georgia Tech was quite banged up from its game against Wofford the day before.[37]

The game was a hard-fought contest with both teams playing very well. Georgia Tech had the ball first and in the first two minutes, Huie scored a touchdown, but failed to kick the point after. Tech's left end, Wharton, was injured and had to leave the game. Hope Hudson, Tech's captain, Brinson, and Waddell also played well for the Blacksmiths. Furman scored a touchdown as well and the game ended in a tie game, 5–5.[21]

South Carolina Gamecocks (2–2–0) at Georgia Tech Blacksmiths (3–0–1)
Quarter 1 2 Total
South Carolina 0 0 0
Georgia Tech 6 7 13

at Piedmont Park • Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia Tech and South Carolina were considered evenly matched coming into the game, their first ever meeting. South Carolina had won two games, including a 12–0 victory over Furman, and two close losses to Georgia and Davidson. In the lead-up to the game, Coach McKee altered the line-up to replace Wayne Holman, Tech's star right tackle who graduated and was no longer able to play.[12] The game was originally slated to be played at Brisbine Park, but the team decided to move the match to Piedmont Park.[40]

For the most part, the first half was an even match with both teams trading the ball. Georgia Tech won the toss and received the ball but immediately fumbled it away. South Carolina then lost the ball on a foul interference. Both teams followed with a series of punts and fumbles until about one minute to go in the first half. South Carolina fumbled the ball on its own 12-yard line. After a series of runs, Don Towers scored a 5-yard touchdown through the center of the line, and Wharton kicked the extra point. On the ensuing kickoff, the Blacksmiths lost the ball on its own 20-yard line on a foul interference call, but the time was then called. At halftime, Georgia Tech led 6 to 0.[22]

In the second half, the teams continued to trade the ball without gaining much momentum. At one point, South Carolina's quarterback, Lee, punted the ball from its 5-yard line, but the ball went back over his head into the endzone. Georgia Tech attempted to recover it for a touchdown but fumbled to South Carolina who downed it for a safety. The teams then punted the ball back and forth several more times until Cannon scored a 65-yard touchdown around the right end with two minutes to go in the game. Georgia Tech won 13 to 0.[22]

Players

[edit]
Georgia Tech Techs 1901 game starters
Gordon[15] Furman[16] Wofford[41] Furman[42] South Carolina[43]
Left End Roy Wharton Roy Wharton Roy Wharton Roy Wharton Roy Wharton
Left Tackle Don Towers Don Towers Don Towers Don Towers Don Towers
Left Guard Bully Young Bully Young Bully Young Bully Young Moore
Center Hope Hudson (C) Hope Hudson (C) Hope Hudson (C) Hope Hudson (C) Hope Hudson (C)
Right Guard Lucas Lucas Lucas Lucas Lucas
Right Tackle Wayne Holman Wayne Holman Wayne Holman Wayne Holman Bully Young
Right End Cannon Cannon Cannon Cannon Cannon
Quarterback Paul Brinson Paul Brinson Paul Brinson Paul Brinson Paul Brinson
Left Halfback Oliver Huie Oliver Huie Oliver Huie Oliver Huie Oliver Huie
Right Halfback Caserley Caserley Caserley Caserley Caserley
Fullback Waddell Waddell Waddell Waddell Waddell
Substitutes
Frank Bell • Reddy McDaniel • George Merritt • Pendleton • Reynolds • Son Towers

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The Georgia Tech football information guide lists A. B. Hoilson as captain; however, there is no record of such a person on the team and is probably a typo.
  2. ^ Saint Albans asked do be released from its contract due to an inability to travel.
  3. ^ Georgia Tech cancelled its travel to Augusta over concerns that the game would have low attendance and would not be financially viable after the slim attendance at an early match between Georgia and South Carolina.[18]
  4. ^ The teams originally contracted for Davidson to receive a $200 guarantee, but after seeing the lackluster crowds, Georgia Tech sent a second letter recalling the original agreement and offering 85% of the gate receipts instead. No response was received from Davidson so the game was still advertised. However, Davidson did not show up to the game and no announcement was made. The crowd arrived to find the gates locked and waited until someone arrived to inform them that the game had been called off.[23]
  5. ^ Furman's scoring in each half is not known.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Techs to Meet Gordon Cadets This Afternoon". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. October 12, 1901.
  2. ^ "Fight on the Techs Comes from Nashville". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. May 16, 1901.
  3. ^ "Yow May Return to Tech and Good Team Expected". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. August 26, 1901.
  4. ^ "Tech Is Reinstated by the Association". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. December 21, 1901.
  5. ^ a b "Journal Heads Subscription to Aid the Tech's Athletics". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. December 7, 1900.
  6. ^ a b "Techs Elect Their New Athletic Officers: Great Dramatic Benefit to Pay Old Debts". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. January 14, 1901.
  7. ^ "Tech Student Body Elects Athletic Officials". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. March 11, 1901.
  8. ^ "First Game Will Be October 12". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. September 26, 1901.
  9. ^ "Tech Will Return Many Old Football Players". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. July 31, 1901.
  10. ^ "Under Coach McGee Tech Commences Practice Today". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. September 17, 1901.
  11. ^ "A Surprise Will Be Tech". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. October 1, 1901.
  12. ^ a b "New Men in Tech's Line-Up Play Good Practice Game". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. November 7, 1901.
  13. ^ "Coach McKee Goes to Athens to Help Train Georgia Team". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. November 23, 1901.
  14. ^ "Coach M'Kee Paid and Suit Is Withdrawn". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. June 25, 1902.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Techs Show Team Work in Game with Gordon Cadets". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. October 14, 1901.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Tech Scored 17 Furman Boys 0". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. October 16, 1901 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "St. Albans Cancels Game". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. October 16, 1901.
  18. ^ "Short Items Concerning Men and Public Affairs". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. October 19, 1901.
  19. ^ a b "Tech Team Did Not Go to Augusta Yesterday". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. October 19, 1901.
  20. ^ a b c d "Tech Defeated Wofford by Big Score of 33 to 0". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. October 26, 1901.
  21. ^ a b c "Techs 5, Furman 5". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. October 27, 1901 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b c d "Techs Defeat the South Carolinans". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. November 10, 1901 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ a b "Big Crowd Waited in Vain for Game". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. November 17, 1901.
  24. ^ "University Will Have Strong Football Team". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. August 12, 1901.
  25. ^ "Georgia Will Make Trip Through the Southwest". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. August 30, 1901.
  26. ^ "Macon Will Play Jacksonville". The Macon News. Macon, Georgia. October 8, 1901.
  27. ^ "Tech in Condition for Game with Carolina Saturday". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. November 4, 1901.
  28. ^ a b "Techs Won in Football". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. October 13, 1901.
  29. ^ "Tech to Play Tomorrow". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. October 14, 1901.
  30. ^ "Tech Played Hard Ball and Won by Good Score". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. October 16, 1901.
  31. ^ "Ga. Techs 16, Furman 0". The Greenville News. Greenville, South Carolina. October 16, 1901.
  32. ^ "Furman Team in Atlanta". The Greenville News. Greenville, South Carolina. October 18, 1901.
  33. ^ "Tech Defeats Furman". The Tuskaloosa Gazette. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. October 17, 1901.
  34. ^ "The Techs Defeat Wofford". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. October 26, 1901.
  35. ^ "Georgia Techs vs Wofford". The Greenville News. Greenville, South Carolina. October 26, 1901.
  36. ^ "Wofford Beaten Badly". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. October 26, 1901.
  37. ^ a b c "Tech Team Has Returned from Trip to Carolina". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. October 28, 1901.
  38. ^ "Superior and Swifter". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. November 10, 1901.
  39. ^ "Tech Beat South Carolina Easily by Better Playing". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. November 11, 1901.
  40. ^ "Will Line Up Saturday at Piedmont Park". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. November 6, 1901.
  41. ^ "Tech Team Leaves Today to Play Furman and Wofford". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. October 24, 1901.
  42. ^ "A Hot Football Game". The Greenville News. Greenville, South Carolina. October 26, 1901.
  43. ^ "Tech and South Carolina to Play at Piedmont Park". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. November 8, 1901.
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