1926 Florida Gators football team

American college football season

1926 Florida Gators football

Conference| Southern Conference
Record| 2–6–2 (1–4–1 19th SoCon)
Head coach|

* Harold Sebring (2nd season)

Offensive scheme| Notre Dame Box
Captain| Lamar Sarra
Home stadium| Fleming Field

Uniform

Seasons

← 1925

1927 →

1926 Southern Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

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Team | W |   | L |   | T |  |  | W |   | L |   | T
No. 7 Alabama $  | 8  | – | 0  | – | 0 |  |  | 9  | – | 0  | – | 1
Tennessee | 5  | – | 1  | – | 0 |  |  | 8  | – | 1  | – | 0
Vanderbilt | 4  | – | 1  | – | 0 |  |  | 8  | – | 1  | – | 0
South Carolina | 4  | – | 2  | – | 0 |  |  | 6  | – | 4  | – | 0
Georgia | 4  | – | 2  | – | 0 |  |  | 5  | – | 4  | – | 0
Virginia | 4  | – | 2  | – | 1 |  |  | 6  | – | 2  | – | 2
VPI | 3  | – | 2  | – | 1 |  |  | 5  | – | 3  | – | 1
Washington and Lee | 3  | – | 2  | – | 1 |  |  | 4  | – | 3  | – | 2
Georgia Tech | 4  | – | 3  | – | 0 |  |  | 4  | – | 5  | – | 0
North Carolina | 3  | – | 3  | – | 0 |  |  | 4  | – | 5  | – | 0
Auburn | 3  | – | 3  | – | 0 |  |  | 5  | – | 4  | – | 0
LSU | 3  | – | 3  | – | 0 |  |  | 6  | – | 3  | – | 0
Ole Miss | 2  | – | 2  | – | 0 |  |  | 5  | – | 4  | – | 0
Mississippi A&M | 2  | – | 3  | – | 0 |  |  | 5  | – | 4  | – | 0
VMI | 2  | – | 4  | – | 0 |  |  | 5  | – | 5  | – | 0
Tulane | 2  | – | 4  | – | 0 |  |  | 3  | – | 5  | – | 1
Maryland | 1  | – | 3  | – | 1 |  |  | 5  | – | 4  | – | 1
Clemson | 1  | – | 3  | – | 0 |  |  | 2  | – | 7  | – | 0
Florida | 1  | – | 4  | – | 1 |  |  | 2  | – | 6  | – | 2
Kentucky | 1  | – | 4  | – | 1 |  |  | 2  | – | 6  | – | 1
NC State | 0  | – | 4  | – | 0 |  |  | 4  | – | 6  | – | 0
Sewanee | 0  | – | 5  | – | 0 |  |  | 2  | – | 6  | – | 0

* $ – Conference champion

Rankings from Dickinson System

The 1926 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1926 college football season. The season was Harold Sebring's second and least successful campaign as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Sebring's 1926 Florida Gators finished 2–6–2 overall,[1] and 1–4–1 in the Southern Conference, placing nineteenth of twenty-two teams in the conference standings.[2]

The highlights of the season were the Gators' two victories home field over the Southern College Moccasins and Clemson Tigers, which were interspersed among four close losses to the Chicago Maroons (6–12), the Ole Miss Rebels (7–12), the Mercer Bears (3–7) and the Kentucky Wildcats (13–18), crushing defeats by the Georgia Bulldogs (9–32) and coach Wallace Wade's undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide (0–49), and two low-scoring ties with the Hampden–Sydney Tigers (0–0) and the Washington & Lee Generals.

## Before the season

[edit]

Florida was set to play one of its hardest schedules.[3] Former fullback Ray Dickson assisted Sebring.[4]

Bill Middlekauff, a fullback who played on the 1923 and 1924 teams, returned to the squad.[5] Key losses from the previous year included Edgar C. Jones.

## Schedule

[edit]

Date| Opponent| Site| Result| Attendance| Source

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September 25| Southern College*|

* Fleming Field
* Gainesville, FL

| W 16–0| | [6]
October 2| at Chicago*|

* Stagg Field
* Chicago, IL

| L 6–12| 30,000| [7]
October 6| Ole Miss|

* Fleming Field
* Gainesville, FL

| L 7–12| | [8]
October 16| at Mercer*|

* Centennial Stadium
* Macon, GA

| L 3–7| 6,000| [9]
October 23| vs. Kentucky|

* Durkee Field
* Jacksonville, FL (rivalry)

| L 13–18| | [10]
October 30| at Georgia|

* Sanford Field
* Athens, GA (rivalry)

| L 9–32| | [11]
November 6| Clemson|

* Fleming Field
* Gainesville, FL

| W 33–0| | [12]
November 13| at Alabama|

* Cramton Bowl
* Montgomery, AL (rivalry)

| L 0–49| | [13]
November 20| vs. Hampden–Sydney*|

* Plant Field
* Tampa, FL

| T 0–0| 4,500| [14]
November 27| vs. Washington & Lee|

* Durkee Field
* Jacksonville, FL

| T 7–7| | [15]

* *Non-conference game
* Homecoming

[1]

## Game summaries

[edit]

### Southern College

[edit]

The season opened with a 16–0 home victory over Southern College.

### Chicago

[edit]

Week 2: Florida at Chicago

Team | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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Florida | 6 | 0| 0| 0 | 6
• Chicago | 6 | 3| 0| 3 | 12

* Date: October 2
* Location: Stagg Field, Chicago, IL
* Game attendance: 20,000

Amos Stagg's Chicago Maroons defeated Florida 12–6. A 60-yard forward pass from Wally Marks to Laurie Apitz scored first for Chicago. Stanley Rouse added two more field goals.[16][17]

### Ole Miss

[edit]

Week 3: Ole Miss vs. Florida

Team | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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• Ole Miss | 6 | 0| 0| 6 | 12
Florida | 0 | 0| 0| 7 | 7

* Date: October 6
* Location: Gainesville, FL

Ole Miss beat Florida with a "lucky pass."[18] from Petty to Ap Applewhite.[19]

The starting lineup was Stanley (left end), Davis (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Sarra (center), Tucker (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Oosterhoudt (right end), Walker (quarterback), Owens (left halfback), Merrin (right halfback), Bishop (fullback).[19]

### Mercer

[edit]

Week 4: Florida at Mercer

Team | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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• Florida | 6 | 0| 0| 0 | 6
Mercer | 0 | 3| 0| 0 | 3

* Date: October 9
* Location: Macon, GA
* Referee: Herman Stegeman

The Mercer Bears surprised and beat Florida in a close loss, 7–3.[20] Florida's Bishop made a 30-yard field goal.[20] The game's umpire was Buck Flowers.[20]

The starting lineup was Oosterhoudt (left end), Davis (left tackle), J. Stewart (left guard), Sarra (center), Tucker (right guard), Clemmons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Owens (left halfback), Beck (right halfback), Bishop (fullback).[20]

### Kentucky

[edit]

Week 5: Kentucky at Florida

Team | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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• Kentucky | 12 | 0| 0| 6 | 18
Florida | 7 | 6| 0| 0 | 13

* Date: October 20
* Location: Jacksonville, FL
* Game weather: Hot
* Referee: Alex Cunningham

Once after three days practice, Sebring took his men to Kingsley Lake.[21][22] Injuries plagued the season.[23] Florida lost to Kentucky 13–18. The game was hot, "with the thermometer standing in the eihties. A spectator, J. D. Alverman, 50, dropped dead during an exciting moment of the game.[24]

Kentucky scored first, when captain Frank Smith bucked across the goal line.[24] The extra point was missed. Florida took the lead after a Kentucky fumble on a punt was recovered by Tommy Owens.[24] Beck went over, and Owens added the extra point. By a series of forward passes, Kentucky got another touchdown.[24] Owens went right around end for Florida to regain the lead.[24] After a scoreless third period, Kentucky put together a winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.[24]

The starting lineup was Oosterhoudt (left end), Clemons (left tackle), Tucker (left guard), Harris (center), Stewart (right guard), Chaplin (right tackle), Dehoff (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Beck (left halfback), Owens (right halfback), Ihrig (fullback).[23]

### Georgia

[edit]

Week 6: Florida at Georgia

Team | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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Florida | 0 | 2| 7| 0 | 9
• Georgia | 6 | 13| 13| 0 | 32

* Date: October 30
* Location: Athens, GA
* Game attendance: 5,000
* Game weather: Warm
* Referee: Hull

Georgia crushed the Gators 32–9. The weather was too warm, and the game suffered from several penalties.[25]

The starting lineup was Oosterhoudt (left end), Clemons (left tackle), Ripley (left guard), Sarra (center), Tucker (right guard), Chaplin (right tackle), Trogden (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Owens (left halfback), Larson (right halfback), Davis (fullback).[25]

### Clemson

[edit]

At home, Florida defeated the Clemson Tigers 33–0. Willie DeHoff caught two touchdowns.[26]

### Alabama

[edit]

Wallace Wade's undefeated national champion Alabama Crimson Tide rolled over the Gators 49–0.[27]

The starting lineup was Stanley (left end), Green (left tackle), Tucker (left guard), Sarra (center), Allen (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Oosterhoudt (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Owens (left halfback), Livingston (right halfback), Ihrig (fullback).[28]

### Hampden–Sydney

[edit]

Week 9: Hampden–Sydney vs. Florida

Team | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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Hampden–Sydney | 0 | 0| 0| 0 | 0
Florida | 0 | 0| 0| 0 | 0

* Date: November 20
* Location: Plant Field
Tampa, FL
* Game attendance: 10,000[29]

The Gators and the Hampden–Sydney Tigers fought to a scoreless tie. Tommy Owens suffered a broken collarbone.[30]

### Washington & Lee

[edit]

Coach Pat Herron's Washington and Lee Generals tied Florida 7–7.

## Postseason

[edit]

"The wolves began to clamor for Sebring's scalp as the 1926 season ended" wrote Pete Norton.[31]

## Players

[edit]

### Depth chart

[edit]

The following chart provides a visual depiction of Florida's lineup during the 1926 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a Notre Dame Box on offense.

|  | LE

Frank Oosterhoudt (3)
Dutch Stanley (2)

| LT | LG | C | RG | RT

|
|
|
|

Jus Clemons (2) | Tucker (2) | Lamar Sarra (4) | Tucker (3) | Jus Clemons (3)
Davis (2) | Allen (1) | Harris (1) | Allen (1) | Tiny Chaplin (2)
Green (1) | Ripley (1) |  | Stewart (1) |
| Stewart (1) |  |  |
| RE

Frank Oosterhoudt (2)
Willie DeHoff (1)
Dutch Stanley (1)
Trogden (1)
|  | QB

Goof Bowyer (4)
Speedy Walker (1)
| RHB

Tommy Owens (4)
Cecil Beck (1)
|  | LHB

Cecil Beck (1)
Larson (1)
Livingston (1)
Joe Merrin (1)
Tommy Owens (1)
| FB

Horse Bishop (2)
Elmer Ihrig (2)
Davis (1)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida (2015).
2. ^ 2009 Southern Conference Football Media Guide, Year-by-Year Standings, Southern Conference, Spartanburg, South Carolina, pp. 74–77 (2009).
3. ^ "Florida Gators to Play Through Strenuous Grid Schedule in 1926 Sport". St. Petersburg Times. August 10, 1926.
4. ^ "Dickson Takes Hand in Gator Training Work". The Miami News.
5. ^ "Middlekauff Cheers Gator Football Men". St. Petersburg Times. September 17, 1926.
6. ^ "Gators trample on Southern in listless affray". The Orlando Morning Sentinel. September 26, 1926. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
7. ^ Harvey Woodruf (October 3, 1926). "Chicago's Aerial Attack Beats Florida, 12 to 6". Chicago Tribune. p. II-1 – via Newspapers.com.
8. ^ "Ole Miss romps over Florida". The Atlanta Constitution. October 10, 1926. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
9. ^ "Mercer surprises Gators to take 6 to 3 game". The Tampa Times. October 17, 1926. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
10. ^ "Wildcats edge out Florida in thrilling game". St. Petersburg Times. October 24, 1926. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
11. ^ "Georgia Downs Gators By Huge Score In Athens". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 21, 1926.
12. ^ "Florida Gators defeat Clemson by big margin". The Miami News. November 7, 1926. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
13. ^ "Florida swamped by Alabama 49–0". The Orlando Sentinel. November 14, 1926. Retrieved December 9, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
14. ^ "Virginians battle Florida Gators to 0–0 tie". Tampa Sunday Tribune. November 21, 1926. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
15. ^ "Fighting Gators play Generals of Virginia to seven to seven tie". The Pensacola Journal. November 26, 1926. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
16. ^ "Chicago Maroons Take Measure of Florida Gators". The Anniston Star. October 3, 1926. p. 8. Retrieved January 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
17. ^ "Floridians Lose 12 to 6 and Gain Esteem of Fans". Sarasota Herald. October 3, 1926.
18. ^ "Lucky Pass Gives Ole Miss Victory In Florida Clash". The Anniston Star. October 10, 1926. p. 8. Retrieved January 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
19. ^ a b Woodruff 1928, p. 140
20. ^ a b c d "Mercer Wins Over Gators In Close One". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 17, 1926.
21. ^ "Gators Relax After Drills". St. Petersburg Times. October 22, 1926.
22. ^ "Crippled Gators To Meet Kentucky Wildcats Today". The Evening Independent. October 23, 1926.
23. ^ a b "Crippled Gators To Meet Kentucky Wildcats Today". Evening Independent. October 23, 1926.
24. ^ a b c d e f "'Gators Lose To Kentucky On Hot Field". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 24, 1926.
25. ^ a b "Georgia Downs Gators By Huge Score In Athens". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 21, 1926.
26. ^ "'Gators Take Easy One From Clemson Tiger". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 7, 1926.
27. ^ "1926 Recap" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
28. ^ "Alabama Beats 'Gators Badly In Montgomery". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 14, 1926.
29. ^ Kaleidoscope. Vol. 1927\. Hampden–Sydney, VA: Hampden–Sydney College. 1927. p. 93. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
30. ^ "'Gators Fight Virginians To Scoreless Tie". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 21, 1926.
31. ^ Pete Norton (December 23, 1934). "Sport Outlook". St. Petersburg Times.

### Additional sources

[edit]

* Woodruff, Fuzzy (1928). A History of Southern Football 1890–1928. Vol. 3.

* v
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Florida Gators football

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* The Baseball Park (1906–1910)
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*[v]: View this template
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*[Conf.]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
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*[No.]: Number