| Year: | 1893 |
| Team: | Western University of Pennsylvania |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 1–4 |
| Head Coach: | Anson Harrold |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
The 1893 Western University of Pennsylvania football team was an American football team that represented the Western University of Pennsylvania (now known as the University of Pittsburgh) as an independent during the 1893 college football season.
American football in 1893 was a variant of rugby football, played with a rugby ball and making use of rules closely derived from the original sport. The field of play was 110 yards long and 53-1/3 yards wide, with chalk lines every five yards to help the referee determine necessary distances.[1] Forward passing was prohibited; only lateral passing or running with the ball was allowed.[2] Teams of eleven were divided into seven "rushers or forwards" positioned at the line of scrimmage, with four backs behind the line — a quarterback just behind the line, two halfbacks located about two yards behind him, and a fullback or "goal-tend," who stood about a dozen yards behind the halfbacks.[3]
Kickoffs were generally executed by kicking the ball forward slightly for a self-recovery and quick lateral pass to a teammate who carried the ball in the middle of a V-shaped blocking wedge of his teammates.[4] When the ball was brought to a standstill, the runner would cry "down" and a line of scrimmage formed, with the "center-rusher" (also called the "snap-back") hiking the ball to the quarterback. The quarterback would generally pitch the ball to one of the three backs behind him to attempt to run forward, while the defenders would "endeavor by all lawful means to retard that advance."[5]
The offense would retain the ball if it was able to gain 5 yards in three downs — or by retreating 20 yards towards their own goal line.[6] The ball would generally be punted away after two downs "if the prospects of completing the 5-yard gain appear small."
A touchdown counted as 4 points and allowed the scoring team the opportunity to add 2 more points by kicking the ball over the crossbar and through the goal posts, which were planted at the goal line.[7] After a touchdown, the scoring team had the option of bringing out the ball as far as desired at a right angle from the point at which the ball crossed the goal line (as in modern rugby) and attempting a place kick, or by executing a "punt out" from the end zone to a teammate making a fair catch, from which spot a drop-kick for the extra points could be attempted.[8]
A drop kick through the goal posts from the field counted as 5 points. As with the contemporary game, safties counted for 2 points.[9]
The game consisted of two 45-minute halves with an intermission of 10 minutes, although duration of the game could be shortened by mutual consent. No coaching was allowed from the sidelines, all game decisions had to be made by the players on the field.[10] Once removed from the game for a substitute, a player could not return to the game (as in modern soccer).[11]
The 1893 Western University of Pennsylvania (WUP) football team started the season with a seven game schedule arranged by manager Robert C. Brown. This was the first year the WUP contingent had a coach. Anson Harrold, a tackle on the Franklin & Marshall and later the Princeton football eleven, took on the assignment. Joe Trees was appointed captain. In its first and only season under head coach Anson Harrold, the team compiled a 1–4 record and was outscored by a total of 70 to 14.[12]
According to Edwin V. D. Johnston (Mechanical Engineering, 1897) in a February 16, 1921 Pitt Weekly article: "The 1893 team was managed by R. C. Brown and was considered very good for those times, including such men as 'Joe' Trees, Floyd Rose, the Fiscus brothers and 'Ted' Boden, a fellow who had the spiral punt down to perfection. We also had a good second team which I believe won every game it played. I was proud to be manager and right end for that team and we were greatly shocked when W. & J. beat our first team."[13]
The opener was played October 7 against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club (PAC) in front of a thousand fans on the East End Club grounds. The game started as a defensive struggle but after twenty minutes of play PAC halfback Grant Dibert was able to score on a thirty yard run. Reed kicked the goal and the tally was 6-0 in favor of PAC at halftime. The second half was again a defensive struggle. Captain Burt Aull finally broke through the line from three yards out and scored another touchdown for PAC. The kick for goal failed and the score stood at 10-0 in favor of the PAC when the game came to an end.
The WUP lineup for the Pittsburgh A.C. game was Jesse Price (left end), A.F. Harrold (left tackle), Ross Fiscus (left guard), Ruben Rose (center), Newell Fiscus (right guard), Joe Trees (right tackle), Al Marshall (right end), Floyd Rose (quarterback), George Neale (left Halfback), L. Marchand (right halfback) and Ted Boden (fullback). Ross Fiscus replaced Coach Harrold at left tackle and Samuel Hill replaced Ross Fiscus at left guard.
On a rainy October 14, the Allegheny Athletic Association and the WUP elevens played in the mud. Due to the muddy conditions, this game was a defensive struggle with fumbles occurring frequently. Price, Flowers, Neale and Harrold all played well for the WUP. Their offense advanced the ball to the 15 yard line as time expired in the first half. Midway through the second half George Neale was able to skirt the end for thirty-five yards and score a touchdown. Coach Harrold's try for goal failed and the score read 4-0 in favor of the Western U. The Alleghenies continued to battle with Valentine, Wright and Van Cleve gaining good yardage, but the WUP defense prevailed for the 4-0 victory.
The WUP lineup for the A.A.A. game was Jesse Price (left end), A.F. Harrold (left tackle), Samuel Hill (left guard), Ruben Rose (center), Ross Fiscus (right guard), Joe Trees (right tackle), Al Marshall (right end), Floyd Rose (quarterback), George Neale (left Halfback), L. Marchand (right halfback) and John Flowers (fullback).
In a strange twist of events, coach Anson Harrold, Joseph Trees and Ross Fiscus promised to play for the Allegheny Athletic Association on Oct. 21 and were not available for the WUP contest with the Greensburg Athletic Association. This predicament would become a recurring problem for the WUP football teams for the next ten years. Manager Brown cancelled the game rather than play without three of the WUP's best players in the line-up.
The WUP eleven was at full strength for the second match versus the PAC. The weather was again a factor, with rain causing slippery playing conditions. Dibert of the PAC scored three minutes into the game, and Read kicked the goal after for an early 6-0 lead. Midway through the half Dibert again raced toward the goal, but was tackled by Boden on the one yard line. Bert Aull scored on the next play. Read missed the goal after kick and the PAC led 10-0. On the ensuing drive the WUP offense successfully moved the ball down the field with McNeal and Boden doing most of the ball carrying. Neale finally pushed the ball over the goal for a WUP touchdown, which was the first score against the PAC in the 1893 season. Boden kicked the goal after and the score stood 10-6 in favor of the PAC at the halftime break. After an exchange of possessions in the second half, Martin and Dibert of the PAC moved the ball close to the WUP goal line and Ritchie carried it into the end zone. Read's kick after was successful and the score was 16-6 in favor of the PAC. The PACs were on the move again but Martin fumbled and Joe Trees picked up the ball and raced 65 yards for the WUP score. The final tally stood at 16-10 in favor of the PAC.
The WUP lineup for the Pittsburgh A.C. rematch was Jesse Price (left end), A.F. Harrold (left tackle), Samuel Hill (left guard), Ruben Rose (center), Ross Fiscus (right guard), Joe Trees (right tackle), Al Marshall (right end), Floyd Rose (quarterback), George Neale (left Halfback), McNeil (right halfback) and Ted Boden (fullback).
See also: 1893 Penn State Nittany Lions football team. The first game played between the Western University of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State College was scheduled for November 4, but “Mother Nature” decided to deposit a heavy coat of snow on the borough of State College. The game was rescheduled for Monday the 6th. The State College eleven were wonderful hosts for the weekend, but they totally outplayed the University eleven on their new football field - Beaver Stadium. The Lions scored five touchdowns and offensively spent most of the game on the WUP end of the field. The WUP squad had no answer and lost 32-0.[14]
The WUP lineup for the Penn State game was Jesse Price (left end),L. Marchand (left tackle), Samuel Hill (left guard), Hall (center), Ross Fiscus (right guard), Joe Trees (right tackle), Al Marshall (right end), Floyd Rose (quarterback), George Neale (left Halfback), McNeil (right halfback) and John Flowers(fullback). Ted Boden replaced John Flowers at fullback.
On November 11 the WUP team again failed to appear for their scheduled game. They were supposed to be in Beaver Falls to battle the Geneva College football team. Geneva was able to play a game with the Y.M.C.A. but The Pittsburgh Press criticized the behavior of the Western University. The actions of the three WUP students playing for the Club team and not the University team caused the manager to again forfeit a game.
The WUP eleven concluded their 1893 season with a trip to Washington, Pennsylvania to take on the Washington & Jefferson. The Western U. boys moved the ball on the opening drive to the Washington & Jefferson five yard line where Ross Fiscus fumbled. The WUP offense would not get that close again. The scoreless first half ended with W & J on the one yard line about to score. Five minutes into the second half, W. & J. fullback Brownlee scampered thirty yards into the end zone for a touchdown. The kick after was good and Washington & Jefferson led 6-0. When W. & J. got the ball back they moved it steadily downfield and scored again. The final tally was 12–0.
The WUP lineup for the Washington & Jefferson game was Jesse Price (right end), L. Marchand (left tackle), Samuel Hill (left guard), Ruben Rose (center), Ross Fiscus (left halfback), Joe Trees (right guard), Al Marshall (left end), Floyd Rose (quarterback), George Neale (right tackle), McNeil (right halfback) and Ted Boden(fullback). George Neale was disqualified for slugging and replaced by John Cherry. The Western University of Pennsylvania finished the season with one win and four losses.
The roster of the 1893 Western University of Pennsylvania football team:[15]