1916 Florida Gators football team
The 1916 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 1916 college football season. The season was C. J. McCoy's third and last as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Depleted of first-string football talent and lacking depth, McCoy's 1916 Florida Gators suffered through a disastrous season in which they posted an overall record of 0–5 and a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) conference record of 0–4 while scoring a total of three points, leading to the head coach's dismissal.[1][2]
| 1916 Florida Gators football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| 1916 record | 0–5 (0–4 SIAA) |
| Head coach |
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| Captain | Rex Farrior |
| Home stadium | University Athletic Field |
| 1916 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia Tech + | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 0 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee + | 6 | – | 0 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 0 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt | 4 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 3 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Citadel | 3 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tulane | 2 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 2 | – | 1 | – | 2 | 4 | – | 1 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auburn | 6 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 5 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sewanee | 2 | – | 2 | – | 2 | 5 | – | 2 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Centre | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 1 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgetown (KY) | 1 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi A&M | 3 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi College | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clemson | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wofford | 1 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisville | 1 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transylvania | 1 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Furman | 1 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chattanooga | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Howard (AL) | 0 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mercer | 0 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 0 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 0 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Florida football's first losing season was notable for the first meetings with future Southeastern Conference rivals Tennessee and Alabama.
Before the season
Florida had posted a 9-5 record over the previous two seasons under Coach McCoy. Believing that he had the makings of a great squad, he arranged the most ambitious and difficult football schedule to date.[3] McCoy's plans were thwarted, however, by a series of injuries and academic ineligibility problems, beginning when the Gators' starting quarterback, Rammy Ramsdell, broke his leg playing on Florida's baseball team and missed the entire football season.[4]
The team suffered the transfer of guard Ham Dowling, and tackle Everett Yon was called by the National Guard to defend the Mexican border.[5] Due to a shortage of men, captain Rex Farrior, previously a center, moved to fullback.[note 1]
Mercer scheduled a game with Florida, but several Mercer linemen were behind in their studies, and the game was canceled.[7]
Schedule and results
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 14 | at Georgia | L 0–21 | ||
| October 21 | vs. Alabama | L 0–16 | ||
| October 28 | vs. Tennessee | L 0–24 | ||
| November 11 | vs. Auburn | Jacksonville, FL (rivalry) | L 0–20 | |
| November 18 | at Indiana* |
| L 3–14 | 5,000 |
| ||||
Primary source: 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide.[2]
Season summary
Georgia
|
The season opened with a 21–0 loss to Georgia in Athens. The contest was scoreless in the first half.[8] Georgia had to send in two stars who were resting with dislocated shoulders.[8] Walter Neville scored the game's first touchdown.[8]
The starting lineup was F. Henderson (left end), Baker (left tackle), Duvan (left guard), Robles (center), Golsby (right guard), Perry (right tackle), Wilkinson (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Wilson (left halfback), Hatcher (right halfback), Farrier (fullback).[8]
Alabama
Led by Cecil Creen, the Crimson Tide beat the Gators 16–0 in the two's first ever meeting.[9] Creen twice tackled Florida's Ward from behind with a clear field ahead.[9] It was the Gators' first loss at University Field.[10]
Tennessee
|
The SIAA champion Tennessee Volunteers blanked the Gators in Tampa 24 to 0 in the two rivals first-ever meeting. Buck Hatcher's punts were the feature of the contest.[11]
The starting lineup was F. Henderson (left end), Baker (left tackle), Perry (left guard), Robles (center), O. DeVane (right guard), Goldsby (right tackle), Wood (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Sparkman (left halfback), Wilson (right halfback), Farrier (fullback).[11]
Auburn
|
The Auburn Plainsmen beat the Gators 20–0. Auburn's fullback Scott was the star of the contest. The second touchdown was a 50-yard interception return by Godwin.[12]
The starting lineup was F. Henderson (left end), Bankston (left tackle), Rosenthal (left guard), Robles (center), Stockton (right guard), Goldsby (right tackle), Wood (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Sparkman (left halfback), Hatcher (right halfback), Farrier (fullback).[12]
at Indiana
|
Captain Rex Farrior broke his leg in the final two minutes of the final game, a 14–3 loss at Indiana, the only game in which the Gators scored when Paul Baker made a field goal.[13] Up at the half 3–0, Florida lineman Orryl Robles was ejected, and Florida never recovered.[10]
The starting lineup was F. Henderson (left end), Baker (left tackle), Rosenthal (left guard), Robles (center), Stockton (right guard), Goldsby (right tackle), Wood (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Sparkman (left halfback), Hatcher (right halfback), Farrier (fullback).[13]
Postseason
C. J. McCoy finished his three-year tenure as the Gators' coach with an overall record of 9–10.[2]
Personnel
Line
| Player | Position | Games started |
High school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bake Baker | Tackle | 4 | 6'2" | 205 | 22 | |
| Paul Collins | Line | 5'10" | 185 | 24 | ||
| Fats DeVane | Guard, center | 2 | 6'0" | 205 | 23 | |
| Jack Goldsby | Tackle | 4 | 5'9" | 185 | 23 | |
| W. B. Henderson | End | 4 | 5'9" | 155 | 23 | |
| Tootie Perry | Guard | 2 | 5'8" | 235 | 21 | |
| Liza Robles | Center | 4 | 5'11" | 180 | 23 | |
| Jew Rosenthal | Tackle | 2 | 5'10" | 176 | 21 | |
| Stock Stockton | Guard | 2 | 5'9" | 160 | 23 | |
| Tuck Tucker | End | 6'1" | 158 | 19 | ||
| Rowdy Bill Wilkinson | End | 1 | 5'8" | 145 | 24 | |
| G. P. Wood | End | 3 | 6'1" | 170 | 21 |
Backfield
| Player | Position | Games started |
High school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bush Bushnell | Halfback | 5'8" | 150 | 21 | ||
| Rex Farrior | Fullback | 4 | Hillsborough | 5'8" | 170 | 20 |
| Artie Fuller | Quarterback | 4 | 5'11" | 158 | 21 | |
| Fritz Hatcher | Halfback | 3 | 5'8" | 155 | 22 | |
| Raymond Rood | Halfback | 6'0" | 155 | 20 | ||
| Jim Sparkman | Halfback | 3 | 5'8" | 167 | 22 | |
| Leo Wilson | Halfback | 2 | 5'9" | 155 | 20 |
Coaching staff
- Head coach: Charles J. McCoy
- Manager: W. D. Payne[14]
Notes
- Rex Farrior became a name partner in a prominent Tampa law firm with 1910 quarterback Bob Shackleford, and remained one of the biggest boosters of the Gators sports program until his death.[6]
References
- Roger Saylor, "Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Archived 2011-05-26 at WebCite," College Football Historical Society, The LA84 Foundation (1993). Retrieved September 11, 2010.
- 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- McEwen 1974, p. 59
- Joey Johnston, "Tampa Bay's All-Century Team: No. 98 Rammy Ramsdell Archived 2012-03-07 at the Wayback Machine," The Tampa Tribune (September 22, 1999). Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- McEwen 1974, p. 60
- "Rex Farrior". National Football Foundation.
- "Game With Florida Cancelled By Mercer". The Atlanta Constitution. October 30, 1916. p. 6. Retrieved July 23, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Florida Eleven Worried Georgia". The Atlanta Constitution. October 15, 1916. p. 3. Retrieved July 10, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1916 Recap
- McEwen 1974, p. 62
- "Tennessee 24, Florida 0". Atlanta Constitution. October 29, 1916. p. 5. Retrieved May 7, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Auburn Is Victor Over Florida Team". The Atlanta Constitution. November 12, 1916. p. 3. Retrieved July 10, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- D. C. Miller (November 19, 1916). "Florida Put Out 14-3, by Stiehm Men". The Indianapolis Star. p. 33. Retrieved August 23, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- University of Florida 1917, pp. 94–101
Bibliography
- McEwen, Tom (1974). The Gators: A Story of Florida Football. Huntsville, Alabama: The Strode Publishers. ISBN 0-87397-025-X.
- University of Florida (1917). The Seminole. 8.