1927 Florida Gators football team

The 1927 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 1927 Southern Conference football season. The season was Harold Sebring's third and last season as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. After suffering a 0–12 upset loss at the hands of the Davidson College Wildcats, the Gators rallied to defeat the Auburn Tigers 33–6, defeating the Tigers for the first time and ending a six-game losing streak, and to upset coach Wallace Wade's Alabama Crimson Tide 13–6. Sebring's 1927 Florida Gators finished 7–3 overall, and 5–2 in the Southern Conference, placing sixth of twenty-two teams in the conference standings.[1][2]

1927 Florida Gators football
Conference	Southern Conference
1927 record	7–3 (5–2 SoCon)
Head coach	Harold Sebring (3rd season)
Offensive scheme	Notre Dame Box
Captain	Bill Middlekauff
Home stadium	Fleming Field
Uniform

1927 Southern Conference football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Georgia Tech +	7	–	0	–	1			8	–	1	–	1
Tennessee +	5	–	0	–	1			8	–	0	–	1
NC State +	4	–	0	–	0			9	–	1	–	0
Vanderbilt	5	–	0	–	2			8	–	1	–	2
Georgia	6	–	1	–	0			9	–	1	–	0
Florida	5	–	2	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
Ole Miss	3	–	2	–	0			5	–	3	–	1
Virginia	4	–	4	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Clemson	2	–	2	–	0			5	–	3	–	1
Alabama	3	–	4	–	1			5	–	4	–	1
LSU	2	–	3	–	1			4	–	4	–	1
Mississippi A&M	2	–	3	–	0			5	–	3	–	0
Washington and Lee	2	–	3	–	0			4	–	4	–	1
VPI	2	–	3	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Maryland	2	–	3	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
South Carolina	2	–	4	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
VMI	2	–	4	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Tulane	2	–	5	–	1			2	–	5	–	1
North Carolina	2	–	5	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
Sewanee	1	–	4	–	0			2	–	6	–	0
Kentucky	1	–	5	–	0			3	–	6	–	1
Auburn	0	–	6	–	1			0	–	7	–	2
+ – Conference co-champions

The loss to Davidson featured captain Frank Oosterhoudt, who was later declared ineligible, and replaced at captain by Bill Middlekauff.[3][4] With Middlekauff at captain, the Gators suffered just two further losses: to conference co-champions NC State; and to Georgia's "Dream and Wonder team". NC State was led by Hall of Famer and Gainesville native Jack McDowall.

Before the season

The 1926 season was the worst since the war. "The wolves began to clamor for Sebring's scalp as the 1926 season ended" wrote Pete Norton.[5] With several newcomers, Sebring organized an Orange and Blue game.[6]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance
September 24	Florida Southern*	Fleming Field Gainesville, FL	W 26–7
October 1	Davidson*	Fleming Field Gainesville, FL	L 0–12	7,000
October 8	at Auburn	Drake Field Auburn, AL (rivalry)	W 33–6
October 15	vs. Kentucky	Durkee Field Jacksonville, FL	W 27–6	10,000
October 23	vs. North Carolina State	Plant Field Tampa, FL	L 6–12
October 30	Mercer*	Fleming Field Gainesville, FL (HC)	W 32–6	9,000
November 6	vs. Georgia	Durkee Field Jacksonville, FL (rivalry)	L 0–28	16,000
November 12	at Alabama	Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL	W 13–6
November 24	vs. Washington & Lee	Durkee Field Jacksonville, FL	W 20–7	12,000
December 3	vs. Maryland	Durkee Field Jacksonville, FL	W 7–6	2,000
*Non-conference game

Primary source: 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide.[1]

Season summary

Captain Middlekauff.

Week 1: Florida Southern

The first game of the season occurred on September 24 at Fleming Field in Gainesville. The Gators defeated Florida Southern 26–7.

Week 2: Davidson

The second week brought the low point of the season–an upset by the Davidson Wildcats. Favored to win by two touchdowns and of superior weight, the Gators lost 12–0.[7] They came within scoring just once, held at the 1-yard line.[7] Despite a limp, Clyde Crabtree was twice sent into the game at crucial moments in hopes of a score.[7] In his first year on the varsity and with a broken wrist, Rainey Cawthon played against Davidson.[8]

On October 4, captain Frank Oosterhoudt was declared ineligible; his replacement by unanimous vote was Bill Middlekauff.[9][10][11]

Week 3: at Auburn

Spurred on by a new captain, the Gators traveled to Auburn and beat the rival Auburn Tigers for the first time 33–6. Bill Middlekauff and Clyde Crabtree were both cited as players of the game.[12] Everett Strupper was referee.[13] Crabtree scored two touchdowns and Middlekauff one Goof Bowyer made the first touchdown, a 44-yard run. Tommy Owens also had a touchdown. Auburn coach Dave Morey resigned.[14]

The Gators' freshmen team also beat Auburn's freshmen team that week.[15]

The starting lineup was: Hodges (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Brumbaugh (quarterback), Bowyer (left halfback), Bishop (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).[13]

Week 4: Kentucky

Week 4: Kentucky at Florida

1 2 3 4 Total Kentucky 0 6 0 0 6 • Florida 7 0 13 7 27 Date: October 15, 1927 Location: Fairfield Stadium Jacksonville, FL Game attendance: 10,000

The Gators avenged last year's loss to the Kentucky Wildcats with a 27–6 victory in Jacksonville, outplaying the Wildcats in all but the second quarter.[16] Carl Brumbaugh was sidelined with an injury.[17]

Florida's first touchdown came after some six minutes of play when Bill Middlekauff went over. Florida's final touchdown was on a triple-pass play of Middlekauff to Clyde Crabtree to Dale Van Sickel.[16] In the last half, the Gators made 17 first downs to Kentucky's 11.[18] Goof Bowyer scored a touchdown and drop kicked two extra points to seal the first victory over the Wildcats.[19]

The starting lineup was: DeHoff (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Reeves (left guard), Kirschner (center), Allen (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Beck (left halfback), Bishop (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).[20]

Week 5: North Carolina State

Week 5: North Carolina State at Florida

1 2 3 4 Total • NC State 0 0 0 12 12 Florida 0 0 0 6 6 Date: October 23, 1927 Location: Plant Field Tampa, FL Referee: Springer (Penn)

In the fifth week of play, the Gators faced coach Gus Tebell's North Carolina State Wolfpack on Plant Field in Tampa, losing 12–6. Neither team scored until the final period.[21]

A drive brought the Wolfpack to the 3-yard line, the feature play of which was a 30-yard pass from their Hall of Fame captain, Gainesville native Jack McDowall to Childress. A pass from McDowall to Frank Goodwin got the score.[22] The Gators then began passing desperately in an attempt to win. A pass bounced off the hands of a Florida back and into McDowall's, who returned the ball 75 yards for the deciding score.[23] On the ensuing kickoff, Gator back Tommy Owens ran it back for an 88-yard touchdown.[22][24][25]

Since McDowall had been turned down by his native University of Florida, legend has it just afterwards he mailed Sebring the game ball.[26]

The starting lineup was: Van Sickel (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Beck (left halfback), Yancey (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).[22][27]

Week 6: Mercer

For homecoming, some 9,000[28] watched Florida beat the Mercer Bears 32–6. Rainey Cawthon once completed a 53-yard pass during the game. Florida's five touchdowns were scored by: Bill Middlekauff, Willie DeHoff, Cecil Beck, Spic Stanley, and Goof Bowyer. Mercer's Phoney Smith had a 65-yard touchdown run. Middlekauff made the first score of the contest.[29]

Week 7: Georgia

Week 7: Florida vs. Georgia

1 2 3 4 Total Florida 0 0 0 0 0 • Georgia 0 7 14 7 28 Date: November 5, 1927 Location: Barrs Field Jacksonville, FL Game attendance: 16,000

The "Dream and wonder team" beat the Gators 28–0 after leading just 7 to 0 at the half. "It was made by Georgia's famous touchdown pass that later wrecked Alabama and had wrecked Yale. This pass started out like a cross buck but finished with Johnson having tossed the ball to McCrary over the goal line."[30]

Quarterback Goof Bowyer broke his leg in the game.[31] Middlekauff entered the game with an injury, and aggravated it further.[32]

The starting lineup was: Dehoff (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirchner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Bowyer (quarterback), Brumbaugh (left halfback), Bishop (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).[22][30]

Week 8: at Alabama

Week 8: Florida at Alabama

1 2 3 4 Total • Florida 0 7 0 6 13 Alabama 0 0 0 6 6 Date: November 12, 1927 Location: Cramton Bowl Montgomery, AL

The Gators upset coach Wallace Wade's Alabama Crimson Tide 13–6 in Montgomery.[33][34] Florida's yearbook remarked: "The South rocked under the great Orange and Blue victory." Clyde Crabtree returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter.[35] Alabama's Molton Smith intercepted Crabtree's pass in the fourth quarter and ran for a 45-yard touchdown. After an Alabama penalty, Carl Brumbaugh ran across for the second and decisive touchdown.[35] Crabtree also had two 55-yard kickoff returns, and gained more from scrimmage that afternoon than did the Tide. Crabtree accounted for 271 yards.[35]

The starting lineup was: Stanley (left end), Bryan (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Dehoff (right end), Van Sickle (quarterback), Crabtree (left halfback), Brumbaugh (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).[36]

Week 9: Washington & Lee

Before a crowd of some 12,000 in Jacksonville, Florida beat coach Pat Herron's Washington & Lee Generals 20–7. Dale Van Sickel scored Florida's three touchdowns. The Gators 75-piece band made the trip.[37]

The starting lineup was: VanSickel (left end), Dehoff (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Clemons (right tackle), Stanley (right end), Crabtree (quarterback), Owens (left halfback), Brumbaugh (right halfback), Cawthon (fullback).[38]

Week 10: Maryland

Week 10: Maryland at Florida

1 2 3 4 Total Maryland 0 6 0 0 6 • Florida 0 7 0 0 7 Date: December 3, 1927 Location: Barrs Field Jacksonville, FL Game attendance: 2,000 Game weather: Cold rain Referee: Ernest C. Quigley

In a cold and driving rain, a placekick for extra point by Dutch Stanley proved the difference in a 7–6 win over coach Curley Byrd's Maryland Terrapins. Six Gators played their final game.[39][40]

"Playing on a sodden field, unfamiliar to both teams,"[41] Florida scored after Clyde Crabtree returned a punt to Maryland's 38-yard line. He and Carl Brumbaugh worked the ball further towards the goal, and Bill Middlekauff carried it over the goal line in the captain's final game. Roberts of Maryland had a 38-yard touchdown run through tackle. The pass for extra point failed, however.[41]

The starting lineup was: Stanley (left end), Clemons (left tackle), Allen (left guard), Kirschner (center), Reeves (right guard), Bryan (right tackle), Van Sickel (right end), Crabtree (quarterback), Brumbaugh (left halfback), Bishop (right halfback), Middlekauff (fullback).[41]

Postseason

Goof Bowyer was elected captain for next year.[31] In no two seasons had Florida won as many conference contests as in 1927. Sebring resigned to get married and practice law.[42] He graduated from the university's College of Law in 1928, and later became a circuit court judge and chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court. Many sports commentators believe that the team that Sebring recruited for 1928 would become the greatest Gators football squad until at least the 1960s.

Players

Depth chart

The following chart provides a visual depiction of Florida's lineup during the 1927 season with games started at the position reflected in parenthesis. The chart mimics a Notre Dame Box on offense.

LE Willie DeHoff (2) Dutch Stanley (2) Dale Van Sickel (2) Hodges (1) LT LG C RG RT Joe Bryan (5) Chester Allen (6) Tubby Kirchner (7) Rip Reeves (6) Jus Clemons (6) Jus Clemons (1) Rip Reeves (1) Chester Allen (1) Joe Bryan (1) Willie DeHoff (1)   RE Dutch Stanley (5) Willie DeHoff (1) Dale Van Sickel (1)   QB Goof Bowyer (3) Clyde Crabtree (2) Carl Brumbaugh (1) Dale Van Sickel (1) RHB Horse Bishop (4) Carl Brumbaugh (2) Harvey Yancey (1) LHB Cecil Beck (2) Carl Brumbaugh (2) Goof Bowyer (1) Clyde Crabtree (1) Tommy Owens (1) FB Bill Middlekauff (6) Rainey Cawthon (1)

Line

Player	Position	Games started	High school	Height	Weight	Age
Chester Allen	guard		Lakeland	6'0"	185	23
Louis Bono	center		Duval	5'10"	178	22
Joe Bryan	tackle		Duval	5'11"	182	22
Jus Clemons	tackle		Plant City	6'0"	184	21
Donald DeHoff
Willie DeHoff	end		Spring Hill	6'0"	170	21
Goldy Goldstein	guard		Duval	6'3"	210	23
Hodges	end
Tubby Kirchner	center
Glenn Pless
Alex "Rip" Reeves	guard		Alabama	5'8"	184	21
Mills Smith
Dutch Stanley	end		Hillsborough	5'8"	181	21
Charlie Tucker
Dale Van Sickel	end		Gainesville	5'11"	170	19

Backfield

Player	Position	Games started	High school	Height	Weight	Age
Cecil Beck	halfback
Horse Bishop	halfback
Goof Bowyer	quarterback		Lakeland	5'10"	170	23
Carl Brumbaugh	halfback		West Milton	5'10"	164	20
Rainey Cawthon	fullback		Leon	5'11"	180	19
Clyde Crabtree	quarterback		J. Sterling Morton	5'8"	147	20
Tom "Bull" Fuller	fullback
Royce Goodbread	halfback		St. Petersburg	6'0"	190	19
Bill Middlekauff	fullback			6'2"	200	22
Tommy Owens	halfback		Quincy	5'11"	146	21
Speedy Walker	halfback		Hillsborough		133

Coaching staff

• Head coach: Tom Sebring
• Assistants: Joe Bedenk (assistant), Brady Cowell (freshmen), Nash Higgins (chief scout), Alvin Pierson, George Weber

See also

• History of Florida Gators football
• 1927 Southern Conference football season
• 1927 College Football All-Southern Team

References

1. 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 107–108 (2015). Retrieved August 15, 2015.
2. 2009 Southern Conference Football Media Guide, Year-by-Year Standings, Southern Conference, Spartanburg, South Carolina, p. 74 (2009). Retrieved August 30, 2010.
3. "Crimson Tide Big Favorite Over Florida". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 11, 1927. Retrieved March 15, 2015 – via Google news.
4. "Grid Star Gets Good Study Mars". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. November 20, 1927. p. 17. Retrieved March 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Pete Norton (December 23, 1934). "Sport Outlook". St. Petersburg Times.
6. "U. of Florida Gators Finish Early Training". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. March 19, 1927.
7. "Davidson Surpasses Florida In Battle". The Index-Journal. October 2, 1927. p. 7. Retrieved September 4, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Tau Banquets Sixteen Pledges". The Rattle of Theta Chi. 16 (2): 71.
9. "[No title]". The Anniston Star. October 8, 1927. p. 2. Retrieved September 4, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Gators Select New Grid Pilot". St. Petersburg Times. October 7, 1927.
11. "Gator Mentor Grooms Kirchner For Center-Goodbread at Half". The Evening Independent. October 7, 1927.
12. Everett Clay (November 21, 1935). "Gator Hoodoo Hovers Over Auburn-Works Seven Times In Eight". The Evening Independent.
13. "Gators Romp Over Auburn In 33-6 Time". The Anniston Star. October 8, 1927. p. 16. Retrieved September 4, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
14. Woodruff 1928, p. 215
15. "Gator Varsity and Freshmen Practice After Double Wins". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 12, 1927.
16. "Florida 'Gators Defeat Kentucky With Ease, 27 to 6". The Anniston Star. October 16, 1927. p. 8. Retrieved September 4, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Brumbaugh Out of Grid Battle". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 14, 1927.
18. John W. Dundon, Jr (October 21, 1927). "Florida 'Gators Annex Game By 27 to 6". The Kentucky Kernel.
19. Norm Carlson (September 21, 2006). "Rivalries and Series: Florida-Kentucky".
20. Woodruff 1928, p. 224
21. "Game Stands Out As Both Elevens Remain Unbeaten". St. Petersburg Times. October 22, 1927.
22. T. A. Vernon (October 28, 1927). "State Wolves Invade Florida And Win 12-6". The Technician. 8 (6). p. 3.
23. Fuzzy Woodruff. A History of Southern Football, 1890-1928. p. 239.
24. "Statistics Indicate Any Conference Team Able To Beat Leaders". The Bee. October 23, 1927. p. 9. Retrieved September 4, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
25. Frank Wright. "Gator Grunts". St. Petersburg Times.
26. 2014 NC State Athletic Hall of Fame: Jack McDowall
27. Woodruff 1928, p. 239
28. "Grads On Deck As Gators Cop Mercer battle". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 30, 1927.
29. "Middlekauff Scores First Florida Touchdown". St. Petersburg Times. November 3, 1927.
30. Woodruff 1928, p. 250
31. Frank S. Wright (December 8, 1927). "Ernest Bowyer Given Highest Florida Honor". St. Petersburg Times. p. 3.
32. "6 Gators Will Close Careers At University". St. Petersburg Times. November 30, 1927.
33. "Alabama vs.Florida". bryantmuseum.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
34. "Crimson Tide Big Favorite Over Florida". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 11, 1927.
35. "1927 recap" (PDF). Retrieved February 3, 2017.
36. Woodruff 1928, p. 260
37. "Refreshed 'Gator Fighters Return To Plan Offensive For Classic With Generals". St. Petersburg Times. November 14, 1927.
38. Woodruff 1928, p. 269
39. "6 Gators Will Close Careers At University". St. Petersburg Times. November 30, 1927.
40. "Florida Plans For Maryland". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. December 1, 1927.
41. "Florida Wins Contest With One Lone Kick". The Index-Journal. December 3, 1927. p. 6. Retrieved September 4, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
42. Carlson 2007, p. 33

• Carlson, Norm (2007). University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators. Atlanta, Georgia: Whitman Publishing, LLC. ISBN 0-7948-2298-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Woodruff, Fuzzy (1928). A History of Southern Football 1890–1928. 3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)