1927 Georgia Bulldogs football team

The 1927 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the University of Georgia in the sport of American football during the 1927 Southern Conference football season. This was the last season George Cecil Woodruff served as the head coach of the football team and the team's 34th season of college football. The Bulldogs posted a 9–1 record,^[1] and were retroactively selected as the 1927 national champion under the Berryman QPRS, Boand, and Poling systems.^[2] The team was ranked No. 8 in the nation in the Dickinson System ratings released in December 1927.^[3]

1927 Georgia Bulldogs football
National champion (Berryman, Boand, Poling)
Conference	Southern Conference
Record	9–1 (6–1 SoCon)
Head coach	George Cecil Woodruff (5th season)
Offensive scheme	Notre Dame Box
Captain	Ivey Shiver
Home stadium	Sanford Field
Uniform
Seasons ← 1926 1928 →

1927 Southern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		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
No. 8 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	3	–	5	–	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 Rankings from Dickinson System

Called the "dream and wonder team", the Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 in the US with one regular season game remaining, but were upset in the mud by in-state rival Georgia Tech (the next season's national champion).^[4] Georgia did not win the Southern Conference (SoCon) championship in 1927 as a result of its loss to Georgia Tech at season's end. Georgia Tech (7–0–1 SoCon), Tennessee (5–0–1 SoCon), and NC State (4–0–0 SoCon) all finished undefeated in conference play.^[5]

The season featured Georgia's first-ever win against Yale as well as six shutouts. The win over Yale propelled Georgia to the national spotlight.^[6] The team was anchored by two All-American ends, captain Chick Shiver and consensus All-American Tom Nash.

Preseason

At the end of last season, one source described Georgia as "probably the hardest hit team in the Southern Conference, losing 14 letter men with the Thanksgiving game."^[7]

Woodruff resignation

Coach Woodruff said he would quit after this season.^[8] Former Notre Dame back Jim Crowley and Notre Dame lineman Harry Mehre assisted Woodruff with his Notre Dame Box scheme.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
October 1	Virginia	Sanford Field Athens, GA	W 32–0		[9]
October 8	at Yale*	Yale Bowl New Haven, CT	W 14–10	18,000	[10]
October 15	Furman*	Sanford Field Athens, GA	W 32–0		[11]
October 22	vs. Auburn	Memorial Stadium Columbus, GA (rivalry)	W 33–0		[12]
October 29	at Tulane	Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA	W 31–0	10,000	[13]
November 5	at Florida	Barrs Field Jacksonville, FL (rivalry)	W 28–0	16,000	[14]
November 12	Clemson	Sanford Field Athens, GA (rivalry)	W 32–0		[15]
November 19	Mercer*	Sanford Field Athens, GA	W 26–7		[16]
November 24	at Alabama	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)	W 20–7	25,000	[17]
December 3	at Georgia Tech	Grant Field Atlanta, GA (rivalry)	L 0–12	38,000	[18]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Game summaries

Week 1: Virginia

To open the season, Herdis McCrary averaged a touchdown a quarter and the Bulldogs romped over the Virginia Cavaliers 32–0.^[19]

The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Jacobson (left guard), Boland (center), Smith (right guard), Stelling (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), McCrary (fullback)^[20]

Week 2: at Yale

Main article: 1927 Georgia vs. Yale football game

Week 2: Georgia at Yale

1 2 3 4 Total • Georgia 7 7 0 0 14 Yale 7 3 0 0 10 Date: October 8 Location: Yale Bowl New Haven, Connecticut Game attendance: 18,000 Referee: Dexter Very

In the second week of play, Georgia defeated Yale by the score of 14–10, the school's first win over an Eastern power.^[21] Georgia was propelled into the national spotlight.^[6] Bobby Hooks threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Frank Dudley.^[22]

The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Stelling (left tackle), Smith (left guard), Boland (center), Jacobson (right guard), Morris (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), McCrary (fullback)

Week 3: Furman

Week 3: Furman at Georgia

1 2 3 4 Total Furman 0 0 0 0 0 • Georgia 13 6 6 7 32 Date: October 15 Location: Sanford Field Athens, Georgia Referee: Springer (Penn) Source:[23]

Georgia defeated the Furman Purple Hurricane 32–0, giving the Purple Hurricane its only loss this season. Furman twice was within Georgia's 5-yard line.^[23]

However, Georgia's backs also ran well.^[23] Frank Dudley had a 55-yard run for a score shortly after the start of the second quarter, and Roy Estes placed the ball in scoring position in the third with a 52-yard run.^[23]

The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Haley (left guard), Boland (center), Jacobson (right guard), Paitz (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), McCrary (fullback).^[23]

Week 4: Auburn

Week 4: Auburn at Georgia

1 2 3 4 Total Auburn 0 0 0 0 0 • Georgia 0 26 0 7 33 Date: October 22 Location: Columbus, Georgia Source:

In the fourth week of play, Georgia beat Auburn 33–0. Four touchdowns were scored in the second period, when coach Woodruff sent in his first-string backfield.^[24] A long pass from Hooks to McCrary got one touchdown.^[24]

The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Haley (left guard), Boland (center), Jacobson (right guard), Lautzenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), Hooks (right halfback), McCrary (fullback).^[24]

Week 5: at Tulane

The Bulldogs traveled to New Orleans and beat Tulane 31–0. McCrary was kept on the bench as the halfbacks provided most of the scoring.^[25]

Week 6: at Florida

Week 6: Florida vs. Georgia

1 2 3 4 Total Florida 0 0 0 0 0 • Georgia 0 7 14 7 28 Date: November 5, 1927 Location: Barrs Field Jacksonville, Florida Game attendance: 16,000

Georgia beat the Florida Gators 28–0 after leading just 7–0 at the half. Florida quarterback Goof Bowyer broke his leg.^[26] The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Jacobson (left guard), Boland (center), Smith (right guard), Lautzenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), Rothstein (fullback).^[27]

Week 7: Clemson

Week 7: Clemson at Georgia

1 2 3 4 Total Clemson 0 0 0 0 0 • Georgia 13 13 0 6 32 Date: November 12 Location: Athens, Georgia

McCrary scored three of the five touchdowns in the 32–0 victory over Clemson.^[28]

McTigue ran in the first score. Roy Estes threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to H. F. Johnston. McCrary replaced Rothstein and added two touchdowns.^[28] The second team went in the second half, in which McCrary added another touchdown.^[28]

The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Jacobson (left guard), Boland (center), Haley (right guard), Lautenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Broadnax (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), McTigue (right halfback), Rothstein (fullback).^[29]

Week 8: Mercer

Week 8: Mercer at Georgia

1 2 3 4 Total Mercer 0 7 0 0 7 • Georgia 7 6 0 13 26 Date: November 19, 1927 Location: Athens, Georgia

Georgia started the Mercer game with its second string and won 26–7.^[30] One report before the game reads: "Mercer's football team has about as much chance of beating Georgia as The Cluster has of having compulsory chapel abolished."^[31]

Mercer's Phoney Smith was the first southern player to cross the goal line against Georgia, on an 80-yard punt return.^[32][30]

Week 9: at Alabama

Week 9: Georgia at Alabama

1 2 3 4 Total • Georgia 7 7 6 0 20 Alabama 0 0 0 7 7 Date: November 24 Location: Athens, Georgia Game attendance: 25,000

The game on November 24 against the Alabama Crimson Tide was the first game played in the newly completed Legion Field. The 20–7 Bulldog victory snapped a five-game losing streak against Alabama.^{[n 1]}

Estes passed to Nash for the first score, and Estes ran the second score in himself. Another pass to Nash got a touchdown in the third quarter. In the final period, Alabama's Brasfield went back to pass, but saw no one open, and took off running. In the game's most sensational play, he dodged three tacklers behind the line, and evaded three more on his way to the endzone.^[33]

The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), C. Smith (left guard), Boland (center), Jacobson (right guard), Lautenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Johnson (quarterback), McTigue (left halfback), Estes (right halfback), Hill (fullback).^[34]

Week 10: at Georgia Tech

Week 10: Georgia at Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Georgia 0 0 0 0 0 • Ga. Tech 0 6 6 0 12 Date: December 3 Location: Grant Field Atlanta Game attendance: 38,000 Referee: Gardner (Cornell) Sources:[35][36]

Scene from the Georgia Tech game

Georgia was ranked number 1 by the Dickinson system. Grant Field was expected to be filled to capacity, the largest crowd ever in the south.^[37] One account read "And never in the history of athletics in the Southland has there been an occasion so momentous as this. The football championship of the South and as some may justifiably figure, the nation, will be decided on Saturday in the capital city and native sons will decide it."^[38]

In the rain, the Bulldogs were defeated by rival Georgia Tech for the SoCon championship 12–0. For the first time this year, neither Nash nor Shiver played particularly well.^[39]

Tech's first touchdown came on a pass from Warner Mizell to quarterback Bob Durant. The second one came shortly after Stumpy Thomason returned an interception 57 yards to Georgia's 22-yard line.^[35][36] Thomason scored on a 13-yard end run.^[36]

The starting lineup was: Nash (left end), Morris (left tackle), Jacobson (left guard), Boland (center), Smith (right guard), Lautenheizer (right tackle), Shiver (right end), Johnson (quarterback), Estes (left halfback), Dudley (right halfback), McCrary (fullback).^[36]

Postseason

Legacy

By season's end, both Georgia and Yale were national champions according to various selectors. Despite the loss to Tech, the Bulldogs were retroactively selected as the 1927 national champion under the Boand, Poling, and Berryman QPRS systems.^[2] Walter Eckersall noted the progress of southern football as he reflected on Georgia's victory over Yale; "Old Eli, with its running attack, could do nothing against Georgia, which is represented by two of the finest ends in the country. Nash and Shiver would be valuable assets on any football team."^[40]

Players

Depth chart

The following chart provides a visual depiction of Georgia's lineup during the 1927 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a Notre Dame Box on offense.

LE Tom Nash (8) Henry G. Palmer (0)       LT LG C RG RT J. Robert Morris (7) Roy Jacobson (4) Ike Boland (8) Roy Jacobson (4) Glenn Lautzenhiser (5) H. Cree Stelling (1) Gene Haley (2) Gene Smith (3) J. Robert Morris (1) Theodore Frisbie (0) Gene Smith (2) Gene Haley (1) Paitz (1) J. Hill (0) J. Hill (0) H. Cree Stelling (1)   RE Chick Shiver (8) Henry G. Palmer (0)       QB Johnny Broadnax (6) H. F. Johnson (2) Tommy Paris (0) RHB Robert McTigue (5) Frank Dudley (1) Roy Estes (1) Bobby Hooks (1) LHB Roy Estes (7) Robert McTigue (1) Cook (0) FB Herdis McCrary (5) Bennie Rothstein (2) Harvey Hill (1)

Line

Number	Player	Position	Games started	Hometown	Prep school	Height	Weight	Age
18	Ike Boland	Center	8				175
33	Theodore Frisbie	Tackle
32	Eugene S. Haley	Guard
17	J. Hill	Guard
16	Roy H. Jacobson	Guard	8
1	Glenn Lautzenhiser	Tackle	5		Tech High
25	J. Robert Morris	Tackle	8
19	Tom Nash	End	8	Washington, Georgia		6'3"	205
27	Henry G. Palmer	End
26	Chick Shiver	End	8	Sylvester, Georgia		6'1"	190
10	Gene Smith	Guard	5	Montgomery, Alabama		5'9"	190
23	H. Cree Stelling	Tackle

Backfield

Number	Player	Position	Games started	Hometown	Prep school	Height	Weight	Age
8	Johnny Broadnax	Quarterback			University School for Boys
7	Cook	Halfback
9	Frank Dudley	Halfback
3	Roy Estes	Halfback
28	Harvey Hill	Fullback
29	Bobby Hooks	Halfback
30	H. F. Johnson	Quarterback
12	Herdis McCrary	Fullback		Bicknell, Indiana		6'0"	200
4	Robert McTigue	Halfback
24	Tommy Paris	Quarterback
6	Bennie Rothstein	Fullback

Unlisted

Number	Player
2	Davidson
5	Cox
11	Buchanan
13	Bradley
14	Martin
15	Nixon
20	Collins
21	Sanford
22	Stewart
31	Greenfield
34	Reigle
38	Eubanks

^[41]

Staff

• Head coach: Kid Woodruff
• Manager: Keith Lewis, James M. Roberts

See also

• 1927 College Football All-America Team
• 1927 College Football All-Southern Team

Notes

1. Alabama's loss to Georgia Tech prior in the season snapped their own 24-game unbeaten streak.