1908 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season

Last updated

1908 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season
League NCAA
Sport College football
DurationSeptember 26, 1908
through November 29, 1908
Number of teams13
Regular Season
Season champions LSU
Auburn
Football seasons
←  1907
1909  →
1908 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
LSU + 2 –0 –010 –0 –0
Auburn + 4 –1 –06 –1 –0
Vanderbilt 3 –0 –17 –2 –1
Tennessee 3 –2 –07 –2 –0
Georgia Tech 4 –3 –06 –3 –0
Georgia 2 –2 –15 –2 –1
Alabama 1 –1 –16 –1 –1
Sewanee 1 –1 –14 –1 –3
Mississippi A&M 1 –3 –03 –4 –0
Ole Miss 0 –2 –03 –5 –0
Mercer 0 –3 –03 –4 –0
Howard (AL) 0 –3 –02 –4 –0
Clemson 0 –4 –01 –6 –0
Nashville  –  – 
  • + – Conference co-champions

The 1908 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the college football games played by the member schools of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association as part of the 1908 college football season. The season began on September 26.

Contents

LSU won the SIAA championship, but amidst fears of many players being ineligible under SIAA rules most sportswriters did not include them for consideration. [1] [n 1] Its season was clouded by accusations of professionalism from Grantland Rice and rival school Tulane which was also undefeated in southern play. Despite this, the SIAA eventually cleared LSU of any wrongdoing. [2] LSU featured Hall of Fame quarterback Doc Fenton.

Auburn and Vanderbilt were among those listed as alternative SIAA champions. The newspapers unanimously handed the title to Auburn. [3] Auburn featured first-year halfback Lew Hardage. Vanderbilt had a down year with a wealth of sophomores; guided shrewdly by McGugin to its success. [4]

The Tennessee Volunteers compiled four wins in SIAA play, the most in team history. It was widely considered the best Tennessee football season up to that point. [5] Vanderbilt coach Dan McGugin noted "All things considered, Leach was perhaps the best football player of the year in Dixie." [1]

Results and team statistics

Conf. RankTeamHead coachOverall recordConf. recordPPGPAG
1 (tie) LSU Edgar Wingard 10–02–044.31.1
1 (tie) Auburn Mike Donahue 6–15–122.61.4
3 Vanderbilt Dan McGugin 7–2–13–0–120.76.1
4 Tennessee George Levene 7–23–213.83.9
5 Georgia Tech John Heisman 6–34–316.38.2
6 Georgia Branch Bocock 5–3–12–2–19.05.6
7 (tie) Alabama Doc Pollard 6–1–11–1–113.53.9
7 (tie) Sewanee Harry Van Surdam 4–1–31–1–111.82.5
9 Mississippi A&M Fred Furman 3–41–315.416.1
10 Mississippi Frank Kyle 3–50–212.415.6
11 Mercer Frank Blake 3–40–318.78.4
12 Howard John Counselman2–40–3
12 Clemson Stein Stone 1–60–43.714.9
13Nashville

Key

PPG = Average of points scored per game
PAG = Average of points allowed per game [6]

Regular season

Index to colors and formatting
Non-conference matchup; SIAA member won
Non-conference matchup; SIAA member lost
Non-conference matchup; tie
Conference matchup

SIAA teams in bold.

Week One

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
September 26 Gordon ClemsonBowman Field • Calhoun, SC W 15–0 [7]
September 26 Southwestern Presbyterian Vanderbilt Dudley Field • Nashville, TN W 11–5 [8]

Week Two

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
October 3 Memphis University School Ole Miss Oxford, MS W 30–0 [9]
October 3MooneySewanee Hardee Field • Sewanee, TN W 29–0 [10]
October 3Wetumpka Agricultural SchoolAlabama The Quad • Tuscaloosa, AL W 27–0 [11]
October 3 Howard (AL) AuburnWest End Park • Birmingham, AL W 18–0 [12]
October 3 North Georgia Georgia Herty Field • Athens, GA W 16–0 [13]
October 3GordonGeorgia Tech Ponce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GA W 32–0 [14]
October 3 Locust Grove Institute MercerCentral City Park • Macon, GA W 56–0 [15]
October 3 North Carolina Tennessee Waite Field • Knoxville, TN W 12–0 [16]
October 3New Orleans Gym ClubLSU State Field • Baton Rouge, LA W 41–0 [17]
October 3 Maryville (TN) VanderbiltDudley Field • Nashville, TNW 32–0 [18]

Week Three

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
October 10Howard (AL)AlabamaWest End Park • Birmingham, ALW 17–0 [19]
October 10GordonAuburnDrill Field • Auburn, AL W 42–0 [20]
October 10 Castle Heights SewaneeHardee Field • Sewanee, TNW 35–2 [21]
October 10 Florida MercerCentral City Park • Macon, GAW 24–0 [22]
October 10 Louisiana Industrial Mississippi A&MHardy Field • Starkville, MS W 47–0 [23]
October 10Ole Miss Arkansas The Hill • Fayetteville, AR L 33–0 [24]
October 10MooneyGeorgia TechPonce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GAW 30–0 [25]
October 10Maryville (TN)TennesseeWaite Field • Knoxville, TNW 39–5 [26]
October 10 VPI ClemsonBowman Field • Calhoun, SCL 6–0 [27]
October 10 Rose Polytechnic VanderbiltDudley Field • Nashville, TNW 32–0 [28]
October 11Jackson Barracks-New OrleansLSUState Field • Baton Rouge, LAW 81–51,000 [29]

Week Four

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
October 17AuburnMercerCentral City Park • Macon, GAAUB 23–0 [30]
October 17 Cincinnati AlabamaState Fairgrounds • Birmingham, ALW 16–0 [31]
October 17Mississippi A&MGeorgia TechPonce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GAGT 23–0 [32]
October 17 South Carolina GeorgiaHerty Field • Athens, GAW 29–6 [33]
October 17Sewanee Virginia Lafayette Field • Norfolk, VA T 0–05,000 [34]
October 17 Texas A&M LSU Pelican Park • New Orleans, LA W 26–0 [35]
October 17 Kentucky State College TennesseeWaite Field • Knoxville, TNW 7–0 [36]
October 17ClemsonVanderbiltDudley Field • Nashville, TNVAN 41–0 [33]
October 17 Cape Girardeau Normal Ole MissEdgewood Park • Memphis, TN W 17–0 [37]

Week Five

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
October 23Southwestern PresbyterianMississippi A&MColumbus Fairgrounds • Columbus, MS W 6–04,000 [38]
October 2412:00 p. m.SewaneeAuburnWest End Park • Birmingham, ALAUB 6–03,000 [39]
October 24GeorgiaTennesseeWaite Field • Knoxville, TNTENN 10–0 [40]
October 24AlabamaGeorgia TechPonce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GAGT 11–6 [40]
October 24Ole MissVanderbiltDudley Field • Nashville, TNVAN 29–0 [41]
October 26Southwestern PresbyterianLSUState Field • Baton Rouge, LAW 55–0 [42]

Week Six

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
October 28 Davidson ClemsonState Fair Grounds • Columbia, SC L 0–13 [43]
October 29 Mississippi College Ole MissState Fairgrounds • Jackson, MS W 41–0 [44]
October 31 Chattanooga AlabamaThe Quad • Tuscaloosa, ALW 23–6 [45]
October 31GeorgisMercerCentral City Park • Macon, GAUGA 11–0 [46]
October 31LSUAuburnDrill Field • Auburn, ALLSU 10–2 [47]
October 31Vanderbilt Michigan Ann Arbor, MI L 6–24 [48]
October 31 Kentucky University Mississippi A&MHardy Field • Starkville, MSW 12–5 [49]
October 31SewaneeKentucky State CollegeState Athletic Field • Lexington, KY W 12–0 [47]
October 31TennesseeGeorgia TechPonce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GATENN 6–5 [50]
October 31Ole MissTulanePelican Park • New Orleans, LAL 0–10 [51]

Week Seven

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
November 5ClemsonGeorgia Augusta, GA UGA 8–0 [52]
November 7AuburnGeorgia TechPonce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GAAUB 44–0 [53]
November 7Mississippi A&MLSUState Field • Baton Rouge, LALSU 50–0 [53]
November 7Sewanee Saint Louis Sportsman's Park • St. Louis, MO T 6–6 [54]
November 7TennesseeVanderbiltDudley Field • Nashville, TNVAN 16–9 [53]

Week Eight

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
November 10 Baylor LSUState Field • Baton Rouge, LAW 89–0 [55]
November 10Southwestern PresbyterianOle MissOxford, MSL 5–9 [56]
November 14GeorgiaAlabamaState Fairgrounds • Birmingham, ALT 6–6 [53]
November 14SewaneeGeorgia TechPonce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GASEW 6–0 [53]
November 14Mississippi A&MTulanePelican Park • New Orleans, LAL 23–0 [57]
November 14 Ohio State VanderbiltDudley Field • Nashville, TNL 6–17 [58]
November 14ClemsonTennesseeWaite Field • Knoxville, TNTENN 6–5 [59]
November 16 Haskell LSUPelican Park • New Orleans, LAW 33–0 [60]

Week Nine

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
November 17Mercer The Citadel Charleston, SC L5–10 [61]
November 19Georgia TechMercerCentral City Park • Macon, GAGT 16–6 [62]
November 20HaskellAlabamaThe Quad • Tuscaloosa, ALW 9–8 [63]
November 21DavidsonGeorgiaHerty Field • Athens, GAW 2–0 [64]
November 21ChattanoogaTennesseeWaite Field • Knoxville, TNW 35–0 [65]
November 21Vanderbilt Washington University Francis Field • St. Louis, MOW 28–06,000 [66] [67]
November 23LSULouisiana Industrial Ruston, LA W 22–0 [68]

Week Ten

DateVisiting teamHome teamSiteResultAttendanceReference
November 26TennesseeAlabamaState Fairgrounds • Birmingham, ALALA 4–0 [3]
November 26ClemsonGeorgia TechPonce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GAGT 30–6 [53]
November 26GeorgiaAuburnMontgomery Baseball Park • Montgomery, AL AUB 23–0 [69]
November 26LSUArkansas West End Park • Little Rock, AR W 36–45,000 [70]
November 26Howard (AL)MercerCentral City Park • Macon, GeorgiaW 45–0 [71]
November 26Ole MissMississippi A&MState Fairgrounds • Jackson, MSMSA&M 44–6 [72]
November 26SewaneeVanderbiltDudley Field • Nashville, TNT 6–6 [3]

Awards and honors

All-Southern team

The consensus All-Southern team:

PositionNameFirst-team SelectorsTeam
QB Ray Morrison NB Vanderbilt
HB Walker Leach H, DM, NB Tennessee
HB Lew Hardage DM Auburn
FB Lawrence Markley H, DM, NB Sewanee
E Vaughn Blake H, DM, NB Vanderbilt
T Frank Faulkinberry H, DM, NB Sewanee
G Louis Hasslock H, DM, NB Vanderbilt
C C. C. Countess Alabama
G James L. Harris Sewanee
T J. R. Davis H, DM Georgia Tech
E Walker Reynolds Auburn

Selectors include John Heisman (H), Dan McGugin (DM), and Nash Buckingham (NB).

Notes

  1. ↑ LSU is recognized as national champions by the National Championship Foundation for this season; however, LSU does not officially recognize this season as a national championship season.

References

  1. 1 2 Spalding's Football Guide. Shawnee Mission, Kansas, NCAA Publishing Service. 1909. p. 75.
  2. ↑ "From 'The LSU Football Vault': The 1908 Season". Archived from the original on July 14, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Woodruff 1928 , p. 223
  4. ↑ Edwin Pope (1956). Football's Greatest Coaches. pp. 340, 342.
  5. ↑ Fields, Bud; Bertucci, Bob (1982). Big Orange: a pictorial history of University of Tennessee football. p. 34. ISBN   9780880110716.
  6. ↑ "1908 Independent Year Summary".
  7. ↑ "Clemson is winner from Gordon squad". The Atlanta Journal. September 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Close call for the Commodores". The Nashville American. September 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "U of M too heavy; Memphis University School eleven beaten 30 to 0 in opening clash". The Commercial Appeal. October 5, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Tigers open season by easily defeating Mooney, score 29 to 0". The Nashville Tennessean. October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Wetumpka is easy, varsity football team plays its first game". The Montgomery Advertiser. October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Auburn 18, Howard 0". The Atlanta Constitution. October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Georgia 16, Dahlonega 0". The Atlanta Constitution. October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Tech defeats Gordon Institute in first game of season". The Atlanta Journal. October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Mercer 56; Locust Grove 0". The Atlanta Constitution. October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Tennessee 12, Carolina 0 - Tar Heels unable to score against their strong opponents at Knoxville". Charlotte Daily Observer. October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "L.S.U. wins easily". The Times-Democrat. October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Walkover for Vandy with Maryville team". The Atlanta Journal. October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Howard is downed". The Montgomery Advertiser. October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "Auburn crushes Gordon". The Birmingham Age-Herald. October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Sewanee runs up big score on C.H." Nashville Banner. October 13, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Mercer 24; Florida 0". The Atlanta Constitution. October 11, 1908. p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2016– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  23. ↑ "A&M shows strength; Starkville squad runs through Louisianans 47 to 0 in their first game of season". The Commercial Appeal. October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "Mississippi 0, Arkansas 33; State University eleven plays rings around University of Mississippi". The Arkansas Gazette. October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "Inman Bell's arm broken in scrimmage". The Atlanta Journal. October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ "Tennessee's easy victory - had no trouble in running up score on Maryville". The Sunday Times. October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ Woodruff 1928 , p. 213
  28. ↑ "Vanderbilt is held to 32 to 0 score by Poly". The Indianapolis Star. October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "Barracks team loses". The Times-Democrat. October 13, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "Auburn 23; Mercer 0". The Atlanta Constitution. October 18, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ "Blanked in the South, U. of C. eleven failed to score on Alabama". The Cincinnati Enquirer. October 18, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ Woodruff 1928 , p. 214
  33. 1 2 Woodruff 1928 , p. 216
  34. ↑ "No score at Norfolk". Evening Star. October 18, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ "Yellow and Purple Win; Texas A. & M. Defeated". The Times-Democrat. October 18, 1908. p. 15. Retrieved May 8, 2016– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  36. ↑ Woodruff 1928 , p. 215
  37. ↑ "Rah Rah Boys Are In Town". The Commercial Appeal . Memphis, Tennessee. October 17, 1908. p. 11. Retrieved October 3, 2023– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  38. ↑ "Columbus sees excellent game". The Birmingham Age-Herald. October 24, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ "Auburn's Greatest Victory In Many Years". Orange and Blue: 204. November 11, 1908.
  40. 1 2 Woodruff 1928 , p. 217
  41. ↑ Woodruff 1928 , p. 218
  42. ↑ "Big Score". The Tennessean. October 27, 1908. p. 6. Retrieved May 9, 2016– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  43. ↑ "Davidson downs Clemson Tigers". Charlotte Daily Observer. October 29, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  44. ↑ "Clinton was very easy; University team won signal victory at Fair Grounds". Jackson Daily News. October 30, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ "Touchdown for locals, University of Chattanooga made good showing". Chattanooga Daily Times. November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  46. ↑ "Much fumbling in Georgia". The Commercial Appeal. November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  47. 1 2 Woodruff 1928 , p. 221
  48. ↑ "Michigan crushes the dreaded Vanderbilt team". The Detroit Free Press. November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  49. ↑ "Transylvania loses to Mississippi team". The Lexington Herald. November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  50. ↑ Woodruff 1928 , p. 220
  51. ↑ "Tulane defeats Mississippi by score of 10 to 0". The Daily Democrat. November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  52. ↑ "Clemson Tigers were defeated". The State. November 6, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  53. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Woodruff 1928 , p. 222
  54. ↑ "St. Louis baffled by Sewanee attack". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. November 8, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  55. ↑ "L.S.U. Football Team Defeats Baylor 89 To 0". The Times-Democrat. November 11, 1908. p. 11. Retrieved May 8, 2016– via Newspapers.com.
  56. ↑ "Mississippi beaten 9–5". The Commercial Appeal. November 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  57. ↑ "Tulane wins by big score". The Shreveport Times. November 15, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  58. ↑ "Ohio State varsity defeats Vanderbilt". The State. November 15, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  59. ↑ "Clemson defeated by one point, that's all". The Journal and Tribune. November 15, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  60. ↑ "Haskell Lost Second Game of Their Trip". Lawrence Daily World. November 17, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved May 8, 2016– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  61. ↑ "New style football won for The Citadel". The State. November 18, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  62. ↑ "Tech's line crossed; Fumble gave Mercer touchdown unlooked for in game at Macon". The Commercial Appeal. November 20, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  63. ↑ "Crimson-White triumphs over Haskell Indians". Tuscaloosa Times-Gazette. November 21, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  64. ↑ "Georgia defeats Davidson". The News and Observer. November 22, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  65. ↑ "Tennessee gets fright when Green rushes across goal with pigskin". The Sunday Times. November 22, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  66. ↑ "Cayou's Eleven In Shape For Great Battle". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . St. Louis, Missouri. November 21, 1908. p. 8. Retrieved July 17, 2023– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  67. ↑ "Washington U. Beaten by the Forward Pass". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . St. Louis, Missouri. November 22, 1908. p. 1S. Retrieved July 17, 2023– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  68. ↑ "Ruston beaten by Louisiana". Arkansas Democrat. November 24, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  69. ↑ "Orange and Blue Waves triumphant over plucky Georgia eleven and Auburn takes the championship". The Montgomery Advertiser. November 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  70. ↑ "Louisiana downs Arkansas boys". The Commercial Appeal. November 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  71. ↑ "Mercer 45, Howard 0". The Atlanta Constitution. November 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  72. ↑ "Cadets march over Varsity". The Commercial Appeal. November 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
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