1920 Georgia Bulldogs football team

American college football season

1920 Georgia Bulldogs football

National champion (Berryman)
SIAA co-champion

Conference| Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record| 8–0–1 (7–0 SIAA)
Head coach|

* Herman Stegeman (1st season)

Assistant coach| Jimmy DeHart
Captain| Bum Day
Home stadium| Sanford Field

Uniform

Seasons

<- 1919

1921 ->

1920 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

|
|
|
|

Team | W |  | L |  | T |  |  | W |  | L |  | T
Georgia \+  | 7  | - | 0  | - | 0 |  |  | 8  | - | 0  | - | 1
Tulane \+  | 5  | - | 0  | - | 0 |  |  | 6  | - | 2  | - | 1
Georgia Tech \+  | 4  | - | 0  | - | 0 |  |  | 8  | - | 1  | - | 0
Alabama | 6  | - | 1  | - | 0 |  |  | 10  | - | 1  | - | 0
Centre | 4  | - | 1  | - | 0 |  |  | 8  | - | 2  | - | 0
Furman | 3  | - | 1  | - | 0 |  |  | 9  | - | 1  | - | 0
South Carolina | 3  | - | 1  | - | 0 |  |  | 5  | - | 4  | - | 0
Tennessee | 5  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 7  | - | 2  | - | 0
Auburn | 4  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 7  | - | 2  | - | 0
Mississippi A&M | 4  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 5  | - | 3  | - | 0
Sewanee | 3  | - | 3  | - | 1 |  |  | 4  | - | 3  | - | 1
Vanderbilt | 3  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 4  | - | 3  | - | 1
Transylvania | 2  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 3  | - | 4  | - | 0
Howard (AL) | 2  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 3  | - | 5  | - | 1
Mississippi College | 2  | - | 4  | - | 0 |  |  | 3  | - | 5  | - | 0
Florida | 1  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 6  | - | 3  | - | 0
Clemson | 2  | - | 6  | - | 0 |  |  | 4  | - | 6  | - | 1
LSU | 1  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 5  | - | 3  | - | 1
Chattanooga | 1  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 3  | - | 4  | - | 1
The Citadel | 1  | - | 4  | - | 0 |  |  | 2  | - | 6  | - | 0
Ole Miss | 0  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 4  | - | 3  | - | 0
Kentucky | 0  | - | 3  | - | 1 |  |  | 3  | - | 4  | - | 1
Georgetown (KY) | 0  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 0  | - | 3  | - | 0
Millsaps | 0  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 0  | - | 3  | - | 0
Mercer | 0  | - | 4  | - | 0 |  |  | 2  | - | 6  | - | 0
Wofford | 0  | - | 4  | - | 0 |  |  | 0  | - | 8  | - | 1

* \+ - Conference co-champions

The 1920 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the University of Georgia during the 1920 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season. The Bulldogs had an 8–0–1 record,[1] outscored opponents 250–17, and were also co-champion of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, with in-state rival Georgia Tech as well as Tulane, which were also undefeated in conference play.

This was the Georgia Bulldogs' first season under the guidance of head coach Herman Stegeman and the team's second undefeated season in its history (first since 1896 under Pop Warner). The Bulldogs were retroactively awarded a national championship by Clyde Berryman.[2]

Georgia fielded a strong line during the early 1920s, this season returning All-Southerns in end Owen Reynolds, tackle Artie Pew, and center and captain Bum Day; as well as guard Hugh Whelchel and a young Joe Bennett. This season, the Bulldogs line was complemented with a strong backfield, led by quarterback Buck Cheves and known as the "ten second backfield."[3][a]

Georgia upset rival Auburn. The Bulldogs also gave Furman their only loss, and did the same to Alabama in the year's biggest win.[5] The highlight of the Alabama game, Cheves' 87-yard touchdown after a fumble recovery, ranked fourth in The 50 Greatest Plays In Georgia Bulldogs Football History.

## Before the season

[edit]

The Bulldogs were led by first-year head coach Herman Stegeman, who attended the University of Chicago and learned football from the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg. During the end of World War I, the United States Army stationed Stegeman in Athens to create physical training courses for the UGA Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. Last season, Stegeman was hired by head coach Alex Cunningham as an assistant. Cunningham then went into the Army, and Stegeman was promoted to head coach. Stegeman was assisted by backfield coach and Warner disciple Jimmy DeHart.

## Schedule

[edit]

Date| Opponent| Site| Result| Attendance

|
|
|
|

October 2| The Citadel|

* Sanford Field
* Athens, GA

| W 40–0|
October 9| at South Carolina| Columbia, SC (rivalry)| W 37–0|
October 13| at Furman|

* Manly Field
* Greenville, SC

| W 7–0|
October 23| at Oglethorpe*| Atlanta, GA| W 27–3|
October 30| vs. Auburn|

* A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium
* Columbus, GA (rivalry)

| W 7–0| 7,000
November 6| at Virginia*|

* Lambeth Field
* Charlottesville, VA

| T 0–0| 5,000
November 13| Florida|

* Sanford Field
* Athens, GA (rivalry)

| W 56–0|
November 20| vs. Alabama|

* Ponce de Leon Park
* Atlanta, GA (rivalry)

| W 21–14| 11,000
November 25| Clemson|

* Sanford Field
* Athens, GA (rivalry)

| W 55–0| 5,000

* *Non-conference game

## Game summaries

[edit]

### Week 1: The Citadel

[edit]

The Bulldogs opened the season with a 40–0 defeat of The Citadel. Citadel made one first down.[6] The first score was a 60-yard run by Hartley.[6]

### Week 2: at South Carolina

[edit]

Week 2: Georgia at South Carolina |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Georgia | 10 | 13| 14| 0 | 37
S. Carolina | 0 | 0| 0| 0 | 0

* Date: October 6
* Location: Columbia, SC

In the second week of play, Georgia easily defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 37–0, "principally through the ability of Hartley and Cheves to advance the ball by long runs".[7] Hartley returned the second-half kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown, and had another 75-yard touchdown run two minutes later.[7]

The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Anthony (left guard), Day (center), Murray (right guard), Pew (right tackle), Owens (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Echols (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Collings (fullback).[7][8]

### Week 3: at Furman

[edit]

Week 3: Georgia at Furman |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Georgia | 0 | 0| 0| 7 | 7
Furman | 0 | 0| 0| 0 | 0

* Date: October 13
* Location: Manly Field
Greenville, SC
* Game attendance: 2,500

A close-fought game with coach Billy Laval's Speedy Speer-led Furman Purple Hurricane brought the Bulldogs a 7–0 win and Furman's only loss on the year. Georgia scored thanks to a pass from Buck Cheves to Sheldon Fitts. A punting duel with Milton McManaway and Dave Collings featured throughout.[9]

### Week 4: at Oglethorpe

[edit]

Georgia beat the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels 27–3.[10] Oglethorpe's captain Knox scored the season's first points on the Bulldogs.[11]

### Week 5: Auburn

[edit]

Week 5: Auburn at Georgia |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Auburn | 0 | 0| 0| 0 | 0
• Georgia | 7 | 0| 0| 0 | 7

* Date: October 30
* Location: McClung Stadium
Columbus, GA
* Game attendance: 7,000
* Referee: Jogger Elcock

The Bulldogs upset the Auburn Tigers 7–0, getting revenge for last year's loss. The only touchdown of the game was a 20-yard pass from Buck Cheves to Dick Hartley. Frank Stubbs starred for Auburn.[12] Artie Pew was ejected for slugging, and thus missed his chance to go out with an Auburn victory.

The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), Pew (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), J. Bennett (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Hartley (left halfback), Collings (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[12][13]

### Week 6: at Virginia

[edit]

Week 6: Georgia at Virginia |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Georgia | 0 | 0| 0| 0 | 0
Virginia | 0 | 0| 0| 0 | 0

* Date: November 6
* Location: Lambeth Field
Charlottesville, VA
* Game attendance: 5,000

The aerial attack of the Virginia Orange and Blue met a staunch Georgia defense as the two teams fought to a scoreless tie in Charlottesville. Owen Reynolds and Paige Bennett starred for Georgia.[14]

The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), Pew (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), Anthony (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Cheves (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Tanner (fullback).[14][15]

### Week 7: Florida

[edit]

Week 7: Florida at Georgia |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Florida | 0 | 0| 0| 0 | 0
• Georgia | 7 | 28| 14| 7 | 56

* Date: November 13
* Location: Sanford Field
Athens, GA
* Referee: W. R. Tichenor

Georgia rolled up a large 56–0 score on the Florida Gators. Florida put up a hard fight until Georgia got its first touchdown across, pouring it on from there. Quarterback Sheldon Fitts was the star of the contest.[16][17] Fitts and Bohren scored two touchdowns. Paige Bennett, Hartley, Echols, and Collings had one each. Owen Reynolds starred again.[18]

The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Vandiver (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (right end), Pitts (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[16][19]

Photo from the Alabama game. Artie Pew is attempting to tackle Riggs Stephenson. Behind Pew is Puss Whelchel.

### Week 8: Alabama

[edit]

Week 8: Alabama at Georgia |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Alabama | 0 | 7| 7| 0 | 14
• Georgia | 14 | 0| 0| 7 | 21

* Date: November 20
* Location: Poncey
Atlanta, GA
* Game attendance: 11,000
* Referee: W. R. Tichenor

The key win for the conference title was the 21–14 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. None of Georgia's touchdowns were scored by the offense.[20]

Paige Bennett recovered a Mullie Lenoir fumble and ran 40 yards for a touchdown. Artie Pew kicked goal. On the next possession, Hugh Whelchel blocked a Riggs Stephenson punt , and Pew picked up the ball running 24 yards to score, kicking his own goal. On the next drive, Lenoir scored. In the third quarter, Al Clemens caught a tipped ball, and ran down the sidelines with a wall of blockers for the tying score. Late in the final period, Georgia's O'Connor tried a drop kick which was blocked by Whelchel. Buck Cheves recovered the ball and ran 87 yards for the touchdown[21] Again Pew converted goal.[20] The recovery by Cheves ranked fourth in The 50 Greatest Plays In Georgia Bulldogs Football History.[22]

The starting lineup was: Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Vandiver (left guard), Day (center), Whelchel (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (Right end), Pitts (quarterback), Collins (left halfback), Hartley (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[23][24]

### Week 9: Clemson

[edit]

Week 9: Clemson at Georgia |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Clemson | 0 | 0| 0| 0 | 0
• Georgia | 14 | 6| 21| 14 | 55

* Date: November 25
* Location: Sanford Field
Athens, GA
* Game attendance: 5,000

Cheves and Hartley starred again in a 55–0 romp over Clemson to end the season. Dave Collings was the star of the contest scoring two touchdowns.[25] The starting lineup was Reynolds (left end), J. Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Day (center), Anthony (right guard), Pew (right tackle), P. Bennett (Right end), Cheves (quarterback), Hartley (left halfback), Collings (right halfback), Echols (fullback).[25]

## Post season

[edit]

Owen Reynolds was elected captain for next year.[26] Reynolds, Pew, and Day were all composite All-Southern selections. Whelchel also made several selections, and Joe Bennett made one.[27]

Rooters on either side of Georgia were happy as both the Bulldogs and Georgia Tech claimed SIAA titles.[28] The Bulldogs were retroactively named the national champion for 1920 under the Berryman QPRS methodology.[29]

## Personnel

[edit]

### Roster

[edit]

#### Line

[edit]

Number  | Player  | Position  | Games
started  | Hometown  | Prep school  | Height  | Weight  | Age

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

| Thurston Anthony | Tackle |  |  |  |  |  |
11 | Joe Bennett | Tackle |  | Statesboro, Georgia |  |  | 180 | 19
13 | Paige Bennett | End |  |  |  |  |  |
1 | Bum Day | Center |  | Nashville, Georgia | Porter Military Academy | 5'10" | 190 | 22
| W. Mercer Murray | Guard |  | Fort Valley, Georgia | Georgia Military Academy | 5'11" | 170 | 19
3 | Owen Reynolds | End |  | Douglasville, Georgia |  | 6'3" | 170 |
9 | Artie Pew | Tackle |  | Damascus, Georgia |  |  | 195 | 22
| Jim Taylor | Tackle |  | Hazlehurst, Georgia |  |  |  |
4 | Nemo Vandiver | Guard |  |  |  |  |  |
45 | Hugh Whelchel | Guard |  | Dahlonega, Georgia |  |  | 200 | 20

#### Backfield

[edit]

Number  | Player  | Position  | Games
started  | Hometown  | Prep school  | Height  | Weight  | Age

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

19 | Buck Cheves | Quarterback |  | Richwood, Georgia | Georgia Military College |  | 145 | 21–22
5 | Dave Collings | Halfback |  | Atlanta, Georgia | Boys High School (Atlanta) |  |  | 18–19
29 | Roy Echols | Fullback |  |  | Darlington Academy |  |  |
31 | Sheldon Fitts | Halfback |  | Jemison, Alabama | Georgia Military College |  |  | 20–21
23 | Dick Hartley | Halfback |  | Fort Valley, Georgia | Georgia Military Academy |  |  | 19–20
| Goat Tanner | Halfback |  |  |  |  |  |

#### Unlisted

[edit]

Player

Paul Anderson
Dan Bennett
Joe Blackmon
Bill Campbell

[3][30]

### Scoring leaders

[edit]

The following is an incomplete list of statistics and scores, largely dependent on newspaper summaries.

Player  | Touchdowns  | Extra points  | Field goals  | Points

|
|
|
|

Dick Hartley | 11 | 0 | 0 | 66
Sheldon Fitts | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42
Artie Pew | 2 | 28 | 0 | 40
Buck Cheves | 5 | 0 | 0 | 30
Dave Collings | 3 | 0 | 1 | 21
Bohran | 3 | 0 | 0 | 18
Joe Bennett | 2 | 3 | 0 | 15
Paige Bennett | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6
Bum Day | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6
Roy Echols | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6
Total | 36 | 31 | 1 | 250

## See also

[edit]

* 1920 College Football All-Southern Team

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The term "ten second backfield" generally refers to players capable (or thought to be capable) of running a 100-yard dash in 10 seconds—that is, fast runners.[4]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "1920 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
2. ^ 2017 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. July 2017. p. 111. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
3. ^ a b Garbin, Patrick (2008). About Them Dawgs!. ISBN 9780810860407.
4. ^ "Advent has ten-second backfield". The Cincinnati Post. November 11, 1913. p. 6. Retrieved September 9, 2024 - via newspapers.com.
5. ^ "Great defense of Georgia is Alabama's end". The Ledger. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers. November 21, 1920. p. 2.
6. ^ a b "Georgia Defeats Citadel". Atlanta Constitution. October 3, 1920. p. 2. Retrieved April 27, 2016 - via Newspapers.com.
7. ^ a b c "Georgia Defeats Carolina". The Atlanta Constitution. October 10, 1920. p. 4. Retrieved March 21, 2016 - via Newspapers.com.
8. ^ Woodruff 1928, p. 111
9. ^ "Ga. Barely Overcome Furman Crew". The Red and Black. October 22, 1920. p. 8.
10. ^ John H. Mahoney (October 24, 1920). "Georgia Emerges Winner". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved April 27, 2016 - via Newspapers.com.
11. ^ "Georgia University Wins From Oglethorpe". The Tennessean. October 24, 1920. p. 16. Retrieved April 27, 2016 - via Newspapers.com.
12. ^ a b Gene Hinton (October 31, 1920). "Georgia Upsets Dope and Defeats Auburn By A Single Touchdown". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2016 - via Newspapers.com.
13. ^ Woodruff 1928, p. 125
14. ^ a b "Georgia and Virginia Battle To Scoreless Tie In Death Grapple". The Atlanta Constitution. November 7, 1920. Retrieved March 21, 2016 - via Newspapers.com.
15. ^ Woodruff 1928, p. 128
16. ^ a b "'Gators Lose To Georgia In One-Sided Bout". The Florida Alligator. Vol. 9\. November 19, 1920.
17. ^ "'Gators Are Beaten By Red and Black In One-Sided Game". The Red and Black. November 19, 1920. p. 8.
18. ^ John H. Mahoney (November 14, 1920). "Georgia Bulldogs Enjoys Feast Of Choice Florida 'Gator Meat, Winning Game By Great Margin". Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved March 21, 2016 - via Newspapers.com.
19. ^ Woodruff 1928, p. 131
20. ^ a b "1920 Season" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2018.
21. ^ "Longest Plays" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
22. ^ Patrick Garbin (August 5, 2008). The 50 Greatest Plays in Georgia Bulldogs Football History.
23. ^ Cliff Wheatley (November 21, 1920). "Blocked Punt Enables Bulldog To Defeat Alabama In Final Five Minutes of Annual Game". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved September 8, 2015 - via Newspapers.com.
24. ^ Woodruff 1928, pp. 133–136
25. ^ a b John Mahoney (November 26, 1920). "Georgia Bulldogs' Offensive Bowls Over Clemson Tiger, and Athenians Rull Up 55 Points On Carolinian". p. 14. Retrieved March 21, 2016 - via newspapers.com.
26. ^ "Reynolds To Lead Bulldog". The Atlanta Constitution. November 28, 1920. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2016 - via Newspapers.com.
27. ^ "All-Southern Grid Eleven Is Named". December 6, 1920. p. 12. Retrieved March 2, 2015 - via Newspapers.com.
28. ^ "Conference Championships - Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
29. ^ National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (2015). "National Poll Rankings" (PDF). NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA. p. 108. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
30. ^ "GEORGIADOGS.COM - University of University of Georgia Official Athletic Site - Football". Archived from the original on January 1, 2011.

### Additional sources

[edit]

* Woodruff, Fuzzy (1928). A History of Southern Football 1890–1928. Vol. 2.

* v
* t
* e

1920 Georgia Bulldogs football--national champions

* 1 Bum Day
* 3 Owen Reynolds
* 5 Dave Collings
* 9 Artie Pew
* 11 Joe Bennett
* 19 Buck Cheves
* 23 Dick Hartley
* 31 Sheldon Fitts
* 45 Hugh Whelchel
* T. L. Anthony
* Jim Taylor

* Head coach: Herman Stegeman
* Assistant coaches: Jimmy DeHart

*selected national champion by Clyde Berryman

* v
* t
* e

Georgia Bulldogs football

Venues|

* Herty Field (1892–1910)
* Sanford Field (1911–1928)
* Sanford Stadium (1929–present)

Bowls & rivalries|

* Bowl games
* Alabama
* Auburn: Deep South's Oldest Rivalry
* Clemson
* Florida
* Georgia Tech: Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate
* South Carolina
* Tennessee
* Vanderbilt

Culture & lore|

* History
* Hairy Dawg
* Uga
* "Glory, Glory"
* Georgia Redcoat Marching Band
* First forward pass
* 1927 Yale game
* Prayer at Jordan-Hare

People|

* Head coaches
* Steadman V. Sanford
* Georgia Joker
* Larry Munson
* Morgan Blake
* NFL draftees
* Starting quarterbacks
* Statistical leaders

Seasons|

* 1892
* 1893
* 1894
* 1895
* 1896
* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917–1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

National championship seasons in bold

* v
* t
* e

College football national champions (pre-AP Poll)

1869–1879|

* 1869: Princeton / Rutgers
* 1870: Princeton
* 1871: None
* 1872: Princeton / Yale
* 1873: Princeton
* 1874: Harvard / Princeton / Yale
* 1875: Columbia / Harvard / Princeton
* 1876: Yale
* 1877: Princeton / Yale
* 1878: Princeton
* 1879: Princeton

1880s|

* 1880: Princeton / Yale
* 1881: Princeton / Yale
* 1882: Yale
* 1883: Yale
* 1884: Princeton / Yale
* 1885: Princeton
* 1886: Princeton / Yale
* 1887: Yale
* 1888: Yale
* 1889: Princeton

1890s|

* 1890: Harvard
* 1891: Yale
* 1892: Yale
* 1893: Princeton / Yale
* 1894: Penn / Princeton / Yale
* 1895: Penn / Yale
* 1896: Lafayette / Princeton
* 1897: Penn / Yale
* 1898: Harvard / Princeton
* 1899: Harvard / Princeton

1900s|

* 1900: Yale
* 1901: Harvard / Michigan / Yale
* 1902: Michigan / Yale
* 1903: Michigan / Princeton
* 1904: Michigan / Minnesota / Penn
* 1905: Chicago / Yale
* 1906: Princeton / Yale
* 1907: Yale
* 1908: Harvard / LSU / Penn
* 1909: Yale

1910s|

* 1910: Harvard / Pittsburgh
* 1911: Penn State / Princeton
* 1912: Harvard / Penn State
* 1913: Auburn / Chicago / Harvard
* 1914: Army / Illinois / Texas
* 1915: Cornell / Minnesota / Oklahoma / Pittsburgh
* 1916: Army / Georgia Tech / Pittsburgh
* 1917: Georgia Tech
* 1918: Michigan / Pittsburgh
* 1919: Centre / Harvard / Illinois / Notre Dame / Texas A&M

1920s|

* 1920: California / Georgia / Harvard / Notre Dame / Princeton
* 1921: California / Cornell / Iowa / Lafayette / Washington & Jefferson / Vanderbilt
* 1922: California / Cornell / Princeton / Vanderbilt
* 1923: California / Cornell / Illinois / Michigan / Yale
* 1924: Notre Dame / Penn
* 1925: Alabama / Dartmouth / Michigan
* 1926: Alabama / Lafayette / Michigan / Navy / Stanford
* 1927: Georgia / Illinois / Notre Dame / Texas A&M / Yale
* 1928: Detroit / Georgia Tech / USC
* 1929: Notre Dame / Pittsburgh / USC

1930s|

* 1930: Alabama / Notre Dame
* 1931: Pittsburgh / Purdue / USC
* 1932: Colgate / Michigan / USC
* 1933: Michigan / Ohio State / Princeton / USC
* 1934: Alabama / Minnesota
* 1935: LSU / Minnesota / Princeton / SMU / TCU

* v
* t
* e

Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football champions

Pre-SoCon|

* Georgia & LSU (1896)
* Vanderbilt (1897)
* Sewanee (1898)
* Sewanee (1899)
* Clemson (1900)
* Vanderbilt (1901)
* Clemson & LSU (1902)
* Clemson & Cumberland (1903)
* Auburn & Vanderbilt (1904)
* Vanderbilt (1905)
* Clemson & Vanderbilt (1906)
* Vanderbilt (1907)
* Auburn or LSU (1908)
* Sewanee (1909)
* Auburn & Vanderbilt (1910)
* Vanderbilt (1911)
* Vanderbilt (1912)
* Auburn (1913)
* Auburn & Tennessee (1914)
* Vanderbilt (1915)
* Georgia Tech & Tennessee (1916)
* Georgia Tech (1917)
* Georgia Tech (1918)
* Auburn (1919)
* Georgia, Georgia Tech & Tulane (1920)
* Centre, Georgia, Georgia Tech & Vanderbilt (1921)

Post-SoCon|

* Furman (1922)
* Furman (1923)
* Centre & Oglethorpe (1924)
* Oglethorpe (1925)
* Centenary & Chattanooga (1926)
* Centenary, Furman, Chattanooga & Mississippi College (1927)
* Chattanooga (1928)
* Chattanooga (1929)
* Presbyterian (1930)
* Chattanooga (1931)
* Western Kentucky State Teachers (1932)
* Murray State (1933)
* Furman (1934)
* Middle Tennessee State Teachers (1935)
* Middle Tennessee State Teachers (1936)
* Murray State (1937)
* West Tennessee State Teachers (1938)
* Louisiana Normal (1939)
* Rollins (1940)
* Presbyterian (1941)

National championships in bold
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Conf.]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[T]: Ties