1927 NC State Wolfpack football team

The 1927 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 1927 Southern Conference football season. They played their home games in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Wolfpack were coached by Gus Tebell in his third year as head coach, compiling a record of 9–1 and outscoring opponents 216 to 69.

1927 NC State Wolfpack football
SoCon co-champion
ConferenceSouthern Conference
1927 record9–1 (4–0 SoCon)
Head coach
CaptainNick Nicholson
Home stadiumRiddick Stadium
Uniform
1927 Southern Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW 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
Georgia 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 2 –3 –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
  • + – Conference co-champions

NC State tied with Georgia Tech and Tennessee for the Southern Conference title, including the only unbeaten and untied conference record. Also in the conference were Bill Spears-led Vanderbilt (giving both Tech and Tennessee their ties) and Georgia's "dream and wonder team." NC State was led by All-Southern running back and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Jack McDowall.[1]

Schedule
DateOpponentSiteResult
September 24Elon*
W 39–0
September 30at Furman*
L 20–0
October 8Clemson
W 18–6
October 13Wake Forest*
  • Riddick Stadium
  • Raleigh, NC (rivalry)
W 30–7
October 22at Florida
W 12–6
October 29North Carolina
  • Riddick Stadium
  • Raleigh, NC (rivalry)
W 19–6
November 5vs. Davidson*
W 25–6
November 12at Duke*
W 20–18
November 29at South Carolina
W 34–0
December 3Michigan State*
  • Riddick Stadium
  • Raleigh, NC
W 19–0
  • *Non-conference game

[2]

Game summaries

Week 1: Elon

The Wolf Pack opened the season with a 39–0 victory over Elon.

Week 2: at Furman

In the second week, NC State suffered the season's only loss on the road to the Furman Purple Hurricane 0–20. Furman quarterback Whitey Rawl scored three touchdowns.[3]

Week 3: Clemson
Week 3: Clemson at North Carolina State
1 234Total
Clemson 0 060 6
• NC State 6 606 18

The Wolfpack beat the Clemson Tigers 18–6. Though Jack McDowall did not score any of the touchdowns his play resulted in all the scores, including passes to Childress and Goodwin.[4]

The starting lineup for the Wolfpack against Florida: Goodwin (left end), Evans (left tackle), Vaughan (left guard), Metts (center), Nicholson (right guard), Lepo (right tackle), Childress (right end), Adams (quarterback), Outen (left halfback), McDowall (right halfback), Warren (fullback). Herman Stegeman was umpire.[4][5]

Week 4: Wake Forest

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons were defeated 30–7.[6] McDowall threw several passes, and returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown.[6]

Week 5: at Florida
Week 5: North Carolina State at Florida
1 234Total
• NC State 0 0012 12
Florida 0 006 6

In the fifth week of play, the Wolfpack faced captain Jack McDowall's native Florida Gators in Tampa, winning 12–6. Neither team scored until the final period. Since McDowall had been turned down by the University of Florida, legend has it just afterwards he mailed coach Tom Sebring the game ball.[7]

A drive brought the Wolfpack to the 3-yard line, the feature play of which was a 30-yard pass from McDowall to Childress. A pass from McDowall to Frank Goodwin got the score.[8] The Gators then began passing desperately in an attempt to win. A pass bounced off the hands of a Florida back and into McDowall's, who returned the ball 75 yards for the deciding score.[9] On the ensuing kickoff, Gator back Tommy Owens ran it back for an 88-yard touchdown.[8][10]

The starting lineup for the Wolfpack against Florida: Goodwin (left end), Lepo (left tackle), Nicholson (left guard), Metts (center), Vaughan (right guard), Evans (right tackle), Childress (right end), Adams (quarterback), McDowall (left halfback), Cram (right halfback), Warren (fullback).[8]

Week 6: North Carolina
Week 6: North Carolina at North Carolina State
1 234Total
N. Carolina 0 006 6
• NC State 7 606 19
  • Date: October 30
  • Location: Riddick Stadium
    Raleigh, NC
  • Game attendance: 18,000
  • Referee: Rip Major

NC State defeated the in-state rival North Carolina Tar Heels 19 to 6.[11]

The first score came after a 30-yard pass from Jack McDowall to Hunsucker set up a 9-yard end run from McDowall for touchdown. The third touchdown was a 4-yard touchdown pass the width of the field from McDowall to Hunsucker.[12]

The starting lineup for the Wolfpack against North Carolina: Goodwin (left end), Evans (left tackle), Vaughan (left guard), Metts (center), Nicholson (right guard), Lepo (right tackle), Childress (right end), Adams (quarterback), McDowall (left halfback), Hunsucker (right halfback), Lipscomb (fullback).[12][13]

Week 7: vs. Davidson
Week 7: North Carolina State at Davidson
1 234Total
• NC State 6 6013 25
Davidson 0 060 6
  • Date: November 5, 1927
  • Location: Greensboro, NC
  • Referee: Gooch (Virginia)

The Wolf Pack beat the Davidson Wildcats 25–6. McDowall had a run of 65 yards.[14]

The starting lineup was: Goodwin (left end), Evans (left tackle), Vaughan (left guard), Metts (center), C. Nicholson (right guard), Lepo (right tackle), Childress (right end), Adams (quarterback), Hunsucker (left halfback), McDowall (right halfback), Warren (fullback).[14]

Week 8: at Duke

NC State defeated Duke in Durham 20–18 "in one of the most thrilling football battles ever staged in N. C."[15][16] After the Blue Devils rushed out to an early 12–0 lead, McDowall's two drop kicks proved the difference.[15]

Week 9: at South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks were shutout 34–0.

Week 10: Michigan State
Week 10: Michigan State at North Carolina State
1 234Total
Mich. State 0 000 0
• NC State 6 076 19

In the season's final game, NC State hosted a northern opponent, the Michigan Aggies. On a muddy, waterlogged field,[18] the Wolfpack won 19 to 0.[19]

Captain Jack McDowall was cited as the best player in his final game, despite his only scoring play being a pass for an extra point.[17]

Awards and honors

Players

Line
Player Position Games
started		 Hometown Prep school Height Weight Age
Bob Evanstackle
Childressend
John Fordguard
Floydtackle
Frank Goodwinend
Joseph Hardencenter
Jordanend
John Lepotackle
Mettscenter
Nick Nicholsonguard
Fred VaughanguardRoanoke Rapids, North Carolina196

Backfield
Player Position Games
started		 Hometown Prep school Height Weight Age
Sparky Adamsquarterback
Fred Crumhalfback
George Hunsuckerhalfback
Robert Jeffriesfullback
Jack McDowallhalfbackGainesville, FloridaRockingham High6'1"17522
Bill "Chink" Outenhalfback
Clarence Ridenhourquarterback
Bob Warrenfullback

Coaching staff
  • Head coach: Gus Tebell
  • Assistants: Butch Slaughter, Doc Sermon

References
  1. "2014 NC State Athletic Hall of Fame Class Announced". April 16, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  2. "1927 NC State Wolfpack Football Schedule". Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  3. "Furman Trounces North Carolina In Opening Game". Anniston Star. October 1, 1927. p. 6. Retrieved September 5, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "M'Dowall Passes, Punts, Runs Over Clemson Gridmen". October 9, 1927. p. 6. Retrieved September 5, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "'Pack Revenges Defeat of Last Year By 18-6" (PDF). The Technician. October 13, 1927. p. 3.
  6. "State Wins From Wake Forest 30-8" (PDF). The Technician. 8 (4). October 15, 1927.
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ki2f9GJ298
  8. T. A. Vernon (October 28, 1927). "State Wolves Invade Florida And Win 12-6". The Technician. 8 (6). p. 3.
  9. Woodruff 1928, p. 239
  10. "Statistics Indicate Any Conference Team Able To Beat Leaders". The Bee. October 23, 1927. p. 9. Retrieved September 4, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. T. A. Vernon (November 5, 1927). "Wolves Beat Carolina" (PDF). The Technician.
  12. "N. C. State Gets Sweet Revenge In Tar Heel Game". The Index-Journal. October 30, 1927. p. 6. Retrieved September 5, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. Woodruff 1928, p. 243
  14. "N. C. State Hits Davidson Severe Setback 23 to 6". the Index-Journal. November 6, 1927. p. 6. Retrieved January 13, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Henry Lenesne (November 12, 1927). "Wolfpack Captures N.C. Title By Winning From Duke In Thrilling Game". The Bee. p. 6. Retrieved April 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Wolves Win State Title" (PDF). The Technician. 8 (8). November 12, 1927.
  17. "State Wins From Michigan Aggies" (PDF). The Technician. 8 (4). December 10, 1927. p. 7.
  18. "Waterlogged Field Faces Elevens In North Carolina". The Index-Journal. December 3, 1927. p. 4. Retrieved August 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "WolfPack Wins Final Game 19 To 0" (PDF). The Technician. December 10, 1927. p. 7.

Sources
  • Woodruff, Fuzzy (1928). A History of Southern Football 1890–1928. 2.
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