1917 Florida Gators football team explained

Year:1917
Team:Florida Gators
Sport:football
Conference:Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Short Conf:SIAA
Record:2–4
Conf Record:1–3
Head Coach:Alfred L. Buser
Hc Year:1st
Captain:Artie Fuller, Rowdy Bill Wilkinson
Stadium:University Athletic Field

The 1917 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1917 college football season. The season was Alfred L. Buser's first of three as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. The 1917 season was a disappointment; the team completed their football season with an SIAA conference record of 1–3[1] and an overall record of 2–4.[2]

Before the season

Coach Buser was a former All-American lineman for the Wisconsin Badgers, and promised to bring a Midwestern power football style of play to revive the Gators after the winless 1916 season. Captain "Rowdy Bill" Wilkinson was the team's only returning letterman.

Schedule

[2]

Game summaries

South Carolina

On opening day, Florida came from behind with three touchdowns in the third quarter to beat South Carolina 21 - 13.[3]

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wurtrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Wells (center), Swink (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Lightsey (fullback).[3]

Tulane

Tulane overwhelmed the Gators 52 - 0,[4] several times skirting the ends for long gains.[5] The Gators were frequently penalized for offsides and hurdling.[5]

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wurtrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Wells (center), Otto (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Lightsey (fullback).[4]

Florida Southern

The Gators extended their winning streak over the to four games, winning 19 - 7.[6] After the first ten minutes, Florida replaced its backfield with second-string men.[6]

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wutrich (left tackle), Swink (left guard), Dye (center), Cornell (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Marshall (left halfback), Leifeste (right halfback), Lightsey (fullback).[6]

Auburn

Florida endured its sixth-straight loss to coach Mike Donahue's Auburn team. The Plainsmen had their biggest win on the season over Florida, 68 - 0.[7]

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wutrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Dye (center), Otto (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Fernald (fullback).[7]

Clemson

Clemson defeated the Gators 55 - 7.[9] Florida's only score came on a forward pass, Loomis to Thomas.[9]

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wutrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Dye (center), Otto (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Loomis (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Lightsey (fullback).[9]

Kentucky

On Thanksgiving, in the school's first-ever game against the Kentucky Wildcats, Florida lost 52 - 0.[10] Kentucky used its substitutes by the second half.[11]

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wuthrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Dye (center), Gunn (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Loomis (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Fernald (fullback).[10]

Personnel

Line

Cutie BrannonTackle6Gainesville5'7"17021
Gordon ClemmonsEnd6Plant City5'10"14019
Harvey ConnellGuard6Orlando6'0"18019
Colonel DyeCenter4Bradentown5'11"17019
Rat Paul HaymanEndPunta Gorda5'7"15021
P. C. SwinkGuard, tackle2Spartanburg, SC5'10"15520
Clarence ThomasEnd6Gainesville5'11"16018
Fats WuthrichTackle6 Brewster5'8"17020

Backfield

Heinie BallHalfback5 5'5"15520
Billy CanovaQuarterbackLake City5'6"15019
Fernie FernaldFullback2Tarpon Springs5'9"15518
Horace LoomisQuarterback2 Plant City5'9"13519
Alf MarshallHalfback1 Clearwater5'7"14521
Rowdy Bill WilkinsonHalfback5Gainesville5'8"14525

Coaching staff

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Roger Saylor, " Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association," College Football Historical Society, The LA84 Foundation (1993). Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  2. 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide , University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  3. News: Gators Smash Carolina Defense And Win Brilliant 21-13 Victory. The Florida Alligator. October 17, 1917.
  4. News: Tulane Swamps The Alligators. The Florida Alligator. October 24, 1917.
  5. News: Tulane 52, Florida 0.. 4. The Atlanta Constitution. October 21, 1917. July 26, 2016. Newspapers.com.
  6. News: Southern Puts Up A Stiff Fight But Gators Prove Too Strong. The Florida Alligator. October 31, 1917.
  7. News: Auburn Had Little Trouble Defeating The Light Gator Eleven. The Florida Alligator. November 7, 1917.
  8. News: . Clemson Defeats Florida's Eleven . . . November 18, 1917 . 8 . April 12, 2022 . .
  9. News: Superior Weight of Clemson Eleven Enabled Them To Defeat Florida Team. The Florida Alligator. November 21, 1917. Roy L. Bishop.
  10. News: Florida Loses To Kentucky 52-0. The Florida Alligator. December 5, 1917.
  11. News: State Wins Final Game. The Courier Journal. 7. November 30, 1917. July 26, 2016. Newspapers.com.