The 1915 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1915 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. The season was C. J. McCoy's second as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. McCoy's 1915 Florida Gators completed their tenth varsity football season with an overall record of 4–3[1] and their sixth year in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) with a conference record of 3–3.[2]
| 1915 Florida Gators football | |
|---|---|
 Florida Gators c. 1915 | |
| Conference | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Record | 4–3 (3–3 SIAA) |
| Head coach |
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| Captain | A. A. "Daddy" Lotspeich |
| Home stadium | University Athletic Field |
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanderbilt $ | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alabama | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LSU | 4 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transylvania | 3 | – | 0 | – | 1 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auburn | 5 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia | 3 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 2 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chattanooga | 3 | – | 1 | – | 2 | 5 | – | 2 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi A&M | 4 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kentucky | 2 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 6 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Florida | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clemson | 2 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 4 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Carolina | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Furman | 1 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mercer | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mississippi College | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Citadel | 1 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sewanee | 1 | – | 2 | – | 2 | 4 | – | 3 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tennessee | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tulane | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Central University | 0 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Louisville | 0 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Howard (AL) | 0 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wofford | 0 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ole Miss | 0 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Before the season
editLast year, first-year head coach Charles J. McCoy had churned out a Florida team in the top half of the SIAA.[3] McCoy this year was also the school's first basketball coach.
The team's captain was tackle A. A. "Daddy" Lotspeich. At the guards were Ham Dowling, future Georgia Tech transfer, and Everett Yon, future Gator athletic director. Leading the backfield was Rammy Ramsdell, "the Gators' first quarterback of note,"[4] and first scholarship athlete at the University of Florida.[4]
Assisting the team was Z. J. Stanley, the head coach of the Maryville Scots the previous year.[5]
Schedule
edit| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 9 | at Auburn | L 0–7 | [6] | ||
| October 16 | 3:25 p.m. | vs. Sewanee | L 0–7 | [7] | |
| October 30 | Florida Southern* | W 45–0 | [8] | ||
| November 6 | vs. Georgia |
| L 0–37 | [9] | |
| November 13 | The Citadel |
| W 6–0 | [10] | |
| November 18 | Tulane |
| W 14–7 | [11] | |
| November 25 | at Mercer |
| W 34–7 | [12] | |
| |||||
Game summaries
editAuburn
edit
|
The season opened with a 7–0 loss to Auburn. Florida played hard for three quarters, until Wren scored the winning touchdown in the final period.[13]
The starting lineup was Henderson (left end), Lotspiech (left tackle), Callen (left guard), Farrin (center), Yon (right guard), Goldsby (right tackle), Roble (right end), Ramsdell (quarterback), Thompson (left halfback), Fuller (right halfback), Sparkman (fullback).[13]
Sewanee
edit
|
Florida lost to coach Harris Cope's Sewanee Tigers 7–0, continuing the losing streak against the Tigers. The Sewanee game was then the largest crowd to see a game in Jacksonville.[15]
"After scoring one touchdown Sewanee was content to allow Florida to exhaust herself in vain attempts to find the weak spot in the Purple defense."[14] Sewanee's Ellerbe scored the game's only touchdown.[14]
The starting lineup was Henderson (left end), Lotspeich (left tackle), Dowling (left guard), Farrior (center), Yon (right guard), Goldsby (right tackle), Robles (right end), Ramsdell (quarterback), Sparkman (left halfback), Thompson (right halfback), Fuller (fullback).[14]
Florida Southern
editThe Gators lengthened their winning streak against Florida Southern with an easy 45–0 victory.[16]
Georgia
edit
|
The Gators lost their first-ever game against coach Alex Cunningham's Georgia Bulldogs 0–37 in Jacksonville, at a larger crowder than at the Sewanee game.[17] The Gators carried the ball to Georgia's 15-yard line in the first period, but never threatened afterwards.[18] Georgia put across two touchdowns in the second quarter, and had a strong second half.[17]
The starting lineup was Henderson (left end), Lotspeich (left tackle), Dowling (left guard), Farrior (center), Robles (right guard), Goldsby (right tackle), Lovell (right end), Ramsdell (quarterback), Sparkman (left halfback), Thompson (right halfback), Fuller (fullback).[17]
The Citadel
edit
|
Florida beat The Citadel 6–0 in a game "marked by frequent fumbling."[19] Florida scored when, in the third quarter, Sparkman rushed for an 8-yard touchdown.[19]
Tulane
editIn a torrential rain,[5] Florida met Tulane for the first time and upset the Olive and Blue 14–7, the highlight of the season.[20] Rammy Ramsdell scored the game-winning touchdown, "crashing through center" and zig-zagging 60 yards to the endzone.[21]
The starting lineup was Henderson (left end), Lotspeich (left tackle), Yon (left guard), Farrior (center), Robles (right guard), Goldsby (right tackle), Wilkinson (right end), Ramsdell (quarterback), Sparkman (left halfback), Thompson (right halfback), Fuller (fullback).[21]
Mercer
edit
|
The Gators defeated the Mercer Baptists 34–7. Rammy Ramsdell had a then-school record of four touchdowns.[23][24][25][26][27]
According to one account, Ramsdell in fact scored three touchdowns but set up all five. The first was a Sparkman touchdown set up by a 25-yard end run from Ramsdell, the second was a 5-yard run by Fuller set up by a 40-yard pass from Ramsdell to Henderson.[22]
The starting lineup was Henderson (left end), Lotspeich (left tackle), Robles (left guard), Farrior (center), Yon (right guard), Goldsby (right tackle), Wilkinson (right end), Ramsdell (quarterback), Thomson (left halfback), Sparkman (right halfback), Fuller (fullback).[22]
Personnel
editLine
edit| Player | Position | Games started |
High school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ham Dowling | Guard | Duval | 5'9" | 185 | 20 | |
| Rex Farrior | Center | Hillsborough | 5'8" | 170 | 19 | |
| Jack Goldsby | Tackle | 5'9" | 185 | 20 | ||
| B. Henderson | End | 5'8" | 150 | 20 | ||
| Daddy Lotspeich | Tackle | 5'10" | 175 | 23 | ||
| Liza Robles | Tackle | 5'11" | 180 | 21 | ||
| Bill Wilkinson | End | 5'8" | 145 | 22 | ||
| Everett Yon | Guard | 5'11" | 175 | 20 |
Backfield
edit| Player | Position | Games started |
High school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bush Bushnell | Halfback | 5'8" | 150 | 21 | ||
| Ed Embry | Halfback | 5'11" | 170 | 22 | ||
| Artie Fuller | Fullback | 5'11" | 158 | 20 | ||
| Rammy Ramsdell | Quarterback | Hillsborough | 5'10" | 150 | 21 | |
| Jim Sparkman | Halfback | 5'8" | 167 | 19 | ||
| Harry K. Thompson | Halfback | 5'7" | 150 | 24 |
Subs
edit| Player | Position | Games started |
High school | Height | Weight | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Collins | Line | 5'10" | 175 | 22 | ||
| Fat DeVane | Guard | 6'0" | 205 | 20 | ||
| Stock Stockton | 5'9" | 160 | 21 |
Coaching staff
edit- Head coach: Charles J. McCoy
- Assistant coach: Z. J. Stanley
- Manager: T. J. Swanson
References
edit- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Roger Saylor, "Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Archived 2011-05-23 at the Wayback Machine," College Football Historical Society, The LA84 Foundation (1993). Retrieved September 11, 2010.
- ^ University of Florida 1916, p. 87
- ^ a b 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 October 2, 2011.
- ^ a b University of Florida 1916, p. 95
- ^ "Auburn changes tactics; Defense plan fails and Donahue resorts to drive to beat Florida". The Commercial Appeal. October 10, 1915. Retrieved May 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "U. of Florida beaten 7 to 0 by Sewanee". The Morning Sentinel. October 17, 1915. Retrieved December 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Florida's easy victory". The Chattanooga Daily Times. October 31, 1915. Retrieved May 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Georgia hands 'Gators beating". The Atlanta Journal. November 7, 1915. Retrieved May 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gators' fumbles save Citadel severest drubbing of season". The Tampa Tribune. November 14, 1915. Retrieved May 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Florida beats Tulane". Knoxville Sentinel. November 19, 1915. Retrieved May 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Swann's 80-yard zigzag run, features for Mercer in game won by Florida". The Macon Telegraph. November 26, 1915. Retrieved May 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Auburn Makes Single Touchdown On Fla". The Tennessean. October 10, 1915. p. 44. Retrieved July 11, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Sewanee Defeats Florida". Sewanee Purple. October 21, 1915. hdl:11005/1052.
- ^ "The Game owes it all to Sewanee". November 2, 1997.
- ^ University of Florida 1916, p. 94
- ^ a b c d "Georgia Victorious Over Aligators---Score: 37-0". The Red and Black. Vol. 22, no. 6. November 19, 1915.
- ^ "Georgia Easily Beat Florida". Greensboro Daily News. November 7, 1915. p. 6. Retrieved July 11, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Florida 6, Citadel 0". The Atlanta Constitution. November 14, 1915. p. 2. Retrieved July 11, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McEwen 1974, p. 59
- ^ a b "Florida Wallops Tulane Warriors". The Tampa Tribune. November 19, 1915. p. 7. Retrieved November 7, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Former Terriers Show The Way To Comrades". The Tampa Tribune. November 26, 1915. p. 10. Retrieved November 8, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Rachel George (September 26, 2010). "Where Florida freshman Trey Burton's six-touchdown game ranks".
- ^ Mark Stewart (July 30, 2010). The Florida Gators. p. 36. ISBN 9781599533339.
- ^ "Tebow Leads Football to Victory at South Carolina, 51-31". November 11, 2007. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ "Making His Mark".
- ^ "Sports: Spurrier ire directed at fourth-down conversions".
- ^ University of Florida 1916, pp. 88–95
Bibliography
edit- McEwen, Tom (1974). The Gators: A Story of Florida Football. Huntsville, Alabama: The Strode Publishers. ISBN 0-87397-025-X.
- University of Florida (1916). The Seminole. Vol. 7.