1895 College Football Summary

After completing the previous season at 13-0-0, what would the Pennsylvania Quakers do for an encore this season?

With some of the greatest number of talented players playing together, the George Woodruff-led charges won their National Championship.

Only one of the tradition Big Three, Harvard was on the Quakers' schedule this season aided their run for the crown.

Two missed goals after touchdowns and a goal from the field gave Penn a 17-14 triumph.

The only coach to win over 300 games in the Pre-1937 era, Pop Warner, defeated Wofford in the first game of his career; but would finish the season at 3-4-0. In 1896, he would register his first perfect record season, going 4-0-0; his last such season until 1915 where he double his victory total in his first year as head coach at Pittsburgh.

Georgia's second and third games of the campaign was against North Carolina, which would be the eventual Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion.

In game one, North Carolina won 8-0 on a scoring pass from the punter to a teammate who made his way into the end zone.

BUT WAIT!!! In 1895, forward passing was against the rules.

The score was allowed as the official failed to see the play.

In the season finale, Auburn met Georgia; it would be a battle of coaches that would become legendary.

Besides the afore mention Warner; the Tigers were coached by a man whose name lives on from the trophy that bears his name, The Heisman Trophy.

Auburn, with the win, finished 2-1-0, was victorious, 10-6.

Notre Dame' didn't play a college opponent this year; but finished 3-10, with its end-of the year 32-0 over the Physicians and Surgeons, was highlighted by Bob Brown's three fumble recoveries.

H. Suter, while playing for Princeton in 1895, picked-up a fumble, and returned the miscue 95 yards; but failed to score; but it didn't matter as his team was victorious, 12-4.

An organizational meeting took place in Chicago this season for a new conference, the Western Conference, aka Big 10. Teams would begin play the following season.

1895 Leaders:

  • Offensive Scoring Leader (Most Points Scored)    
    Pennsylvania, (14-0-0), 480 points
  • Defensive Scoring Leader (Least Points Allowed)
    Michigan (8-1-0) and Kansas (6-1-0) each would allow 14 points
  • National Champions (Retroactive)
    Pennsylvania (16-0-0) and Yale (10-0-1)

Writer J. Parmly Paret/The Outing Magazine named Pennsylvania and Yale as co-National Champions.  Hasting Hoyloke would name Pennsylvania while noted sportswriter, Caspar Whitney selecting Yale.

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