1913 Florida Gators football team

The 1913 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1913 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. The season was George Pyle's fifth and last as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Pyle's 1913 Florida Gators completed their eighth varsity football season with an overall record of 4–3[1] and their fourth year in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) with a conference record of 2–2.[2]

1913 Florida Gators football
ConferenceSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record4–3 (2–2 SIAA)
Head coach
CaptainLouis Tenney
Home stadiumUniversity Athletic Field
Seasons
← 1912
1914 →
1913 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
Auburn $800800
Mississippi A&M511611
Georgia310620
Vanderbilt310530
Georgia Tech520720
Alabama430630
LSU112612
Sewanee220430
Florida220430
Clemson240440
Mississippi College120630
Tennessee130630
The Citadel031342
Mercer041251
Kentucky010620
Texas A&M011342
Central University020250
Tulane040350
  • $ – Conference champion

The 144–0 defeat of Florida Southern is the largest in school history.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
October 6Florida Southern*W 144–0[3]
October 11at AuburnL 0–55[4]
October 18Maryville (TN)*
  • University Field
  • Gainesville, FL
W 39–0[5]
October 25vs. Georgia TechL 3–13[6]
November 8at South Carolina*L 0–13[7]
November 15The Citadel
  • University Field
  • Gainesville, FL
W 18–13[8]
November 27Mercer
  • University Field
  • Gainesville, FL
W 24–0[9]
  • *Non-conference game

[1]

Game summaries

Florida Southern

The highlight of the Gators' 1913 campaign was an incredible 144–0 victory over Florida Southern. Back Harvey Hester played under an assumed name and scored 7 touchdowns.[10][11] Former Gator William A. Shands refereed the contest. Louis Tenney scored five touchdowns; Swanson three, Moseley, J. B. Sutton, James Miller, Puss Hancock, Sam Buie, and Rex Farrior had one each.[12] It was freshman Farrior's first game at Florida.

Auburn

Florida at Auburn
1234Total
Florida00000
Auburn132171455

The defeat of Florida Southern was followed five days later by a 55–0 loss to an Auburn Tigers team that finished its season undefeated and untied. Auburn scored five touchdowns in the first half.[13] Captain Kirk Newell retired in the third period due to the heat.[13]

The starting lineup was Henderson (left end), Coarsey (left tackle), Sutton (left guard), Price (center), Bullock (right guard), Ward (right tackle), Buie (right end), Swanson (quarterback), Lawler (left halfback), Hester (right halfback), Tenney (fullback).[13]

Maryville

In the third week of play, Florida overwhelmed Maryville, 39–0, using several forward passes.[14] Price made two field goals, including one of 40 yards.[14]

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech at Florida
1234Total
Ga. Tech007613
Florida30003

Coach John Heisman's Georgia Tech team defeated Florida 3–13. Heisman said the Gators played the best football he'd seen a Florida squad play.[16] Florida scored first with a 30-yard placekick field goal from Price.[15] In the third quarter, a 25-yard pass from Homer Cook to Cushman netted a touchdown for the Yellow Jackets.[15] Cook scored again in the final period.[15]

The starting lineup was Buie (left end), Coarsey (left tackle), Sutton (left guard), Price (center), Lotspeich (right guard), Hancock (right tackle), Henderson (right end), Mosley (quarterback), Tenney (left halfback), Hester (right halfback), Swanson (fullback).[15]

South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks beat Florida 13–0 in a steady rain. The Gamecocks resorted to using trick plays.[17]

The Citadel

The Citadel at Florida
1234Total
The Citadel070613
Florida1206018

The Gators defeated The Citadel 18–13 in a close game.[18] Buie and Hester scored in the first period. Citadel came back in the second quarter with a long pass from Weeks to Bolton.[18] In the third quarter, Buie blocked a Citadel kick, leading to another touchdown.[18] Another pass got Citadel's final touchdown.[18]

Mercer

The Gators also defeated the Mercer Baptists, 24–0, for their first win in six games against the Baptists. Captain Tenney was the feature of the contest.[19]

Postseason

George Pyle finished his five-year tenure as the coach of the Florida Gators with an overall record of 26–7–3.[20] After leaving Florida, Pyle became the athletic director of the West Virginia Mountaineers.[21] John Sutton was elected captain for next season.

Personnel

Line

PlayerPositionGames
started
High schoolHeightWeightAge
Sam Buieend
Capplemanguard
James Coarseytackle
W. H. Cromguard
Rex FarriorguardHillsborough5'9"16817
Henry Freemanend
Roy Hancocktackle
W. B. Hendersonend
Daddy Lotspiechguard5'10"16522
J. A. Millerend
T. E. Pricecenter
John Suttontackle6'0"18522
F. M. Swansoncenter

Backfield

PlayerPositionGames
started
High schoolHeightWeightAge
Trux Bullockfullback
Paul Burnetthalfback
Harvey Hesterhalfback
Jack Lawlessfullback
George Moseleyquarterback
Rammy RamsdellquarterbackHillsborough5'10"14819
Alex Shawhalfback
Joe Swansonfullback6'0"16520
Louis E. Tennyhalfback

References

Bibliography

  • Horne, Larry E. (2012). Florida Gators IQ. ISBN 1-4499-8947-0.
  • McEwen, Tom (1974). The Gators: A Story of Florida Football. Huntsville, Alabama: The Strode Publishers. ISBN 0-87397-025-X.