The 1908 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the college football games played by the member schools of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association as part of the 1908 college football season . The season began on September 26.
1908 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season League NCAA Sport College football Duration September 26, 1908 through November 29, 1908 Number of teams 13 Season champions LSU Auburn
LSU won the SIAA championship, but amidst fears of many players being ineligible under SIAA rules most sportswriters did not include them for consideration.[ 1] [ n 1] Its season was clouded by accusations of professionalism from Grantland Rice and rival school Tulane which was also undefeated in southern play. Despite this, the SIAA eventually cleared LSU of any wrongdoing.[ 2] LSU featured Hall of Fame quarterback Doc Fenton .
Auburn and Vanderbilt were among those listed as alternative SIAA champions. The newspapers unanimously handed the title to Auburn.[ 3] Auburn featured first-year halfback Lew Hardage . Vanderbilt had a down year with a wealth of sophomores; guided shrewdly by McGugin to its success.[ 4]
The Tennessee Volunteers compiled four wins in SIAA play, the most in team history. It was widely considered the best Tennessee football season up to that point.[ 5] Vanderbilt coach Dan McGugin noted "All things considered, Leach was perhaps the best football player of the year in Dixie."[ 1]
Results and team statistics
edit
Key
PPG = Average of points scored per game
PAG = Average of points allowed per game[ 6]
Index to colors and formatting
Non-conference matchup; SIAA member won
Non-conference matchup; SIAA member lost
Non-conference matchup; tie
Conference matchup
SIAA teams in bold .
Date
Visiting team
Home team
Site
Result
Attendance
Reference
October 3
Memphis University School
Ole Miss
Oxford, MS
W 30–0
[ 9]
October 3
Mooney
Sewanee
Hardee Field • Sewanee, TN
W 29–0
[ 10]
October 3
Wetumpka Agricultural School
Alabama
The Quad • Tuscaloosa, AL
W 27–0
[ 11]
October 3
Howard (AL)
Auburn
West End Park • Birmingham, AL
W 18–0
[ 12]
October 3
North Georgia
Georgia
Herty Field • Athens, GA
W 16–0
[ 13]
October 3
Gordon
Georgia Tech
Ponce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GA
W 32–0
[ 14]
October 3
Locust Grove Institute
Mercer
Central City Park • Macon, GA
W 56–0
[ 15]
October 3
North Carolina
Tennessee
Waite Field • Knoxville, TN
W 12–0
[ 16]
October 3
New Orleans Gym Club
LSU
State Field • Baton Rouge, LA
W 41–0
[ 17]
October 3
Maryville (TN)
Vanderbilt
Dudley Field • Nashville, TN
W 32–0
[ 18]
Date
Visiting team
Home team
Site
Result
Attendance
Reference
October 10
Howard (AL)
Alabama
West End Park • Birmingham, AL
W 17–0
[ 19]
October 10
Gordon
Auburn
Drill Field • Auburn, AL
W 42–0
[ 20]
October 10
Castle Heights
Sewanee
Hardee Field • Sewanee, TN
W 35–2
[ 21]
October 10
Florida
Mercer
Central City Park • Macon, GA
W 24–0
[ 22]
October 10
Louisiana Industrial
Mississippi A&M
Hardy Field • Starkville, MS
W 47–0
[ 23]
October 10
Ole Miss
Arkansas
The Hill • Fayetteville, AR
L 33–0
[ 24]
October 10
Mooney
Georgia Tech
Ponce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GA
W 30–0
[ 25]
October 10
Maryville (TN)
Tennessee
Waite Field • Knoxville, TN
W 39–5
[ 26]
October 10
VPI
Clemson
Bowman Field • Calhoun, SC
L 6–0
[ 27]
October 10
Rose Polytechnic
Vanderbilt
Dudley Field • Nashville, TN
W 32–0
[ 28]
October 11
Jackson Barracks-New Orleans
LSU
State Field • Baton Rouge, LA
W 81–5
1,000
[ 29]
Date
Visiting team
Home team
Site
Result
Attendance
Reference
October 17
Auburn
Mercer
Central City Park • Macon, GA
AUB 23–0
[ 30]
October 17
Cincinnati
Alabama
State Fairgrounds • Birmingham, AL
W 16–0
[ 31]
October 17
Mississippi A&M
Georgia Tech
Ponce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GA
GT 23–0
[ 32]
October 17
South Carolina
Georgia
Herty Field • Athens, GA
W 29–6
[ 33]
October 17
Sewanee
Virginia
Lafayette Field • Norfolk, VA
T 0–0
5,000
[ 34]
October 17
Texas A&M
LSU
Pelican Park • New Orleans, LA
W 26–0
[ 35]
October 17
Kentucky State College
Tennessee
Waite Field • Knoxville, TN
W 7–0
[ 36]
October 17
Clemson
Vanderbilt
Dudley Field • Nashville, TN
VAN 41–0
[ 33]
October 17
Cape Girardeau Normal
Ole Miss
Edgewood Park • Memphis, TN
W 17–0
[ 37]
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
Result
Attendance
Reference
October 23
Southwestern Presbyterian
Mississippi A&M
Columbus Fairgrounds • Columbus, MS
W 6–0
4,000
[ 38]
October 24
12:00 p. m.
Sewanee
Auburn
West End Park • Birmingham, AL
AUB 6–0
3,000
[ 39]
October 24
Georgia
Tennessee
Waite Field • Knoxville, TN
TENN 10–0
[ 40]
October 24
Alabama
Georgia Tech
Ponce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GA
GT 11–6
[ 40]
October 24
Ole Miss
Vanderbilt
Dudley Field • Nashville, TN
VAN 29–0
[ 41]
October 26
Southwestern Presbyterian
LSU
State Field • Baton Rouge, LA
W 55–0
[ 42]
Date
Visiting team
Home team
Site
Result
Attendance
Reference
October 28
Davidson
Clemson
State Fair Grounds • Columbia, SC
L 0–13
[ 43]
October 29
Mississippi College
Ole Miss
State Fairgrounds • Jackson, MS
W 41–0
[ 44]
October 31
Chattanooga
Alabama
The Quad • Tuscaloosa, AL
W 23–6
[ 45]
October 31
Georgis
Mercer
Central City Park • Macon, GA
UGA 11–0
[ 46]
October 31
LSU
Auburn
Drill Field • Auburn, AL
LSU 10–2
[ 47]
October 31
Vanderbilt
Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
L 6–24
[ 48]
October 31
Kentucky University
Mississippi A&M
Hardy Field • Starkville, MS
W 12–5
[ 49]
October 31
Sewanee
Kentucky State College
State Athletic Field • Lexington, KY
W 12–0
[ 47]
October 31
Tennessee
Georgia Tech
Ponce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GA
TENN 6–5
[ 50]
October 31
Ole Miss
Tulane
Pelican Park • New Orleans, LA
L 0–10
[ 51]
Date
Visiting team
Home team
Site
Result
Attendance
Reference
November 5
Clemson
Georgia
Augusta, GA
UGA 8–0
[ 52]
November 7
Auburn
Georgia Tech
Ponce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GA
AUB 44–0
[ 53]
November 7
Mississippi A&M
LSU
State Field • Baton Rouge, LA
LSU 50–0
[ 53]
November 7
Sewanee
Saint Louis
Sportsman's Park • St. Louis, MO
T 6–6
[ 54]
November 7
Tennessee
Vanderbilt
Dudley Field • Nashville, TN
VAN 16–9
[ 53]
Date
Visiting team
Home team
Site
Result
Attendance
Reference
November 10
Baylor
LSU
State Field • Baton Rouge, LA
W 89–0
[ 55]
November 10
Southwestern Presbyterian
Ole Miss
Oxford, MS
L 5–9
[ 56]
November 14
Georgia
Alabama
State Fairgrounds • Birmingham, AL
T 6–6
[ 53]
November 14
Sewanee
Georgia Tech
Ponce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GA
SEW 6–0
[ 53]
November 14
Mississippi A&M
Tulane
Pelican Park • New Orleans, LA
L 23–0
[ 57]
November 14
Ohio State
Vanderbilt
Dudley Field • Nashville, TN
L 6–17
[ 58]
November 14
Clemson
Tennessee
Waite Field • Knoxville, TN
TENN 6–5
[ 59]
November 16
Haskell
LSU
Pelican Park • New Orleans, LA
W 33–0
[ 60]
Date
Visiting team
Home team
Site
Result
Attendance
Reference
November 17
Mercer
The Citadel
Charleston, SC
L 5–10
[ 61]
November 19
Georgia Tech
Mercer
Central City Park • Macon, GA
GT 16–6
[ 62]
November 20
Haskell
Alabama
The Quad • Tuscaloosa, AL
W 9–8
[ 63]
November 21
Davidson
Georgia
Herty Field • Athens, GA
W 2–0
[ 64]
November 21
Chattanooga
Tennessee
Waite Field • Knoxville, TN
W 35–0
[ 65]
November 21
Vanderbilt
Washington University
Francis Field • St. Louis, MO
W 28–0
6,000
[ 66] [ 67]
November 23
LSU
Louisiana Industrial
Ruston, LA
W 22–0
[ 68]
Date
Visiting team
Home team
Site
Result
Attendance
Reference
November 26
Tennessee
Alabama
State Fairgrounds • Birmingham, AL
ALA 4–0
[ 3]
November 26
Clemson
Georgia Tech
Ponce de Leon Park • Atlanta, GA
GT 30–6
[ 53]
November 26
Georgia
Auburn
Montgomery Baseball Park • Montgomery, AL
AUB 23–0
[ 69]
November 26
LSU
Arkansas
West End Park • Little Rock, AR
W 36–4
5,000
[ 70]
November 26
Howard (AL)
Mercer
Central City Park • Macon, Georgia
W 45–0
[ 71]
November 26
Ole Miss
Mississippi A&M
State Fairgrounds • Jackson, MS
MSA&M 44–6
[ 72]
November 26
Sewanee
Vanderbilt
Dudley Field • Nashville, TN
T 6–6
[ 3]
The consensus All-Southern team:
Position
Name
First-team Selectors
Team
QB
Ray Morrison
NB
Vanderbilt
HB
Walker Leach
H, DM, NB
Tennessee
HB
Lew Hardage
DM
Auburn
FB
Lawrence Markley
H, DM, NB
Sewanee
E
Vaughn Blake
H, DM, NB
Vanderbilt
T
Frank Faulkinberry
H, DM, NB
Sewanee
G
Louis Hasslock
H, DM, NB
Vanderbilt
C
C. C. Countess
Alabama
G
James L. Harris
Sewanee
T
J. R. Davis
H, DM
Georgia Tech
E
Walker Reynolds
Auburn
Selectors include John Heisman (H), Dan McGugin (DM), and Nash Buckingham (NB).
^ LSU is recognized as national champions by the National Championship Foundation for this season; however, LSU does not officially recognize this season as a national championship season.
^ a b Spalding's Football Guide . Shawnee Mission, Kansas, NCAA Publishing Service. 1909. p. 75.
^ "From 'The LSU Football Vault': The 1908 Season" . Archived from the original on July 14, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015 .
^ a b c Woodruff 1928 , p. 223
^ Edwin Pope (1956). Football's Greatest Coaches . pp. 340, 342.
^ Fields, Bud; Bertucci, Bob (1982). Big Orange: a pictorial history of University of Tennessee football . p. 34. ISBN 9780880110716 .
^ "1908 Independent Year Summary" .
^ "Clemson is winner from Gordon squad" . The Atlanta Journal . September 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Close call for the Commodores" . The Nashville American . September 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "U of M too heavy; Memphis University School eleven beaten 30 to 0 in opening clash" . The Commercial Appeal . October 5, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tigers open season by easily defeating Mooney, score 29 to 0" . The Nashville Tennessean . October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Wetumpka is easy, varsity football team plays its first game" . The Montgomery Advertiser . October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Auburn 18, Howard 0" . The Atlanta Constitution . October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Georgia 16, Dahlonega 0" . The Atlanta Constitution . October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tech defeats Gordon Institute in first game of season" . The Atlanta Journal . October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Mercer 56; Locust Grove 0" . The Atlanta Constitution . October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tennessee 12, Carolina 0 - Tar Heels unable to score against their strong opponents at Knoxville" . Charlotte Daily Observer . October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "L.S.U. wins easily" . The Times-Democrat . October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Walkover for Vandy with Maryville team" . The Atlanta Journal . October 4, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Howard is downed" . The Montgomery Advertiser . October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Auburn crushes Gordon" . The Birmingham Age-Herald . October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Sewanee runs up big score on C.H." Nashville Banner . October 13, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Mercer 24; Florida 0" . The Atlanta Constitution . October 11, 1908. p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2016 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "A&M shows strength; Starkville squad runs through Louisianans 47 to 0 in their first game of season" . The Commercial Appeal . October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Mississippi 0, Arkansas 33; State University eleven plays rings around University of Mississippi" . The Arkansas Gazette . October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Inman Bell's arm broken in scrimmage" . The Atlanta Journal . October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tennessee's easy victory - had no trouble in running up score on Maryville" . The Sunday Times . October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Woodruff 1928 , p. 213
^ "Vanderbilt is held to 32 to 0 score by Poly" . The Indianapolis Star . October 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Barracks team loses" . The Times-Democrat . October 13, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Auburn 23; Mercer 0" . The Atlanta Constitution . October 18, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Blanked in the South, U. of C. eleven failed to score on Alabama" . The Cincinnati Enquirer . October 18, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Woodruff 1928 , p. 214
^ a b Woodruff 1928 , p. 216
^ "No score at Norfolk" . Evening Star . October 18, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Yellow and Purple Win; Texas A. & M. Defeated" . The Times-Democrat . October 18, 1908. p. 15. Retrieved May 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Woodruff 1928 , p. 215
^ "Rah Rah Boys Are In Town" . The Commercial Appeal . Memphis, Tennessee . October 17, 1908. p. 11. Retrieved October 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Columbus sees excellent game" . The Birmingham Age-Herald . October 24, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Auburn's Greatest Victory In Many Years" . Orange and Blue : 204. November 11, 1908.
^ a b Woodruff 1928 , p. 217
^ Woodruff 1928 , p. 218
^ "Big Score" . The Tennessean . October 27, 1908. p. 6. Retrieved May 9, 2016 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Davidson downs Clemson Tigers" . Charlotte Daily Observer . October 29, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Clinton was very easy; University team won signal victory at Fair Grounds" . Jackson Daily News . October 30, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Touchdown for locals, University of Chattanooga made good showing" . Chattanooga Daily Times . November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Much fumbling in Georgia" . The Commercial Appeal . November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ a b Woodruff 1928 , p. 221
^ "Michigan crushes the dreaded Vanderbilt team" . The Detroit Free Press . November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Transylvania loses to Mississippi team" . The Lexington Herald . November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Woodruff 1928 , p. 220
^ "Tulane defeats Mississippi by score of 10 to 0" . The Daily Democrat . November 1, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Clemson Tigers were defeated" . The State . November 6, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ a b c d e f Woodruff 1928 , p. 222
^ "St. Louis baffled by Sewanee attack" . St. Louis Globe-Democrat . November 8, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "L.S.U. Football Team Defeats Baylor 89 To 0" . The Times-Democrat . November 11, 1908. p. 11. Retrieved May 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Mississippi beaten 9–5" . The Commercial Appeal . November 11, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tulane wins by big score" . The Shreveport Times . November 15, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Ohio State varsity defeats Vanderbilt" . The State . November 15, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Clemson defeated by one point, that's all" . The Journal and Tribune . November 15, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Haskell Lost Second Game of Their Trip" . Lawrence Daily World . November 17, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved May 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "New style football won for The Citadel" . The State . November 18, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tech's line crossed; Fumble gave Mercer touchdown unlooked for in game at Macon" . The Commercial Appeal . November 20, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Crimson-White triumphs over Haskell Indians" . Tuscaloosa Times-Gazette . November 21, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Georgia defeats Davidson" . The News and Observer . November 22, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Tennessee gets fright when Green rushes across goal with pigskin" . The Sunday Times . November 22, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Cayou's Eleven In Shape For Great Battle" . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . St. Louis, Missouri . November 21, 1908. p. 8. Retrieved July 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Washington U. Beaten by the Forward Pass" . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . St. Louis, Missouri . November 22, 1908. p. 1S. Retrieved July 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Ruston beaten by Louisiana" . Arkansas Democrat . November 24, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Orange and Blue Waves triumphant over plucky Georgia eleven and Auburn takes the championship" . The Montgomery Advertiser . November 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Louisiana downs Arkansas boys" . The Commercial Appeal . November 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Mercer 45, Howard 0" . The Atlanta Constitution . November 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Cadets march over Varsity" . The Commercial Appeal . November 27, 1908. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
Woodruff, Fuzzy (1928). A History of Southern Football 1890–1928 . Vol. 1.