1906 College Football Summary

FORWARD with the PASS…The forward pass was legalized this season and despite the various early rules that were enacted and coaches stating they were not for it; it would forever change how the game would be played and for the better.

Other key rule changes, truly effecting how the games would be played:

A neutral zone, which would separate the offensive and defensive lines; with the former now requiring at least 6 on its front wall; while teams would now need 10-yards (instead of 5) for a first down.

Harvard would return to its winning way, finishing with a 10-1-0 slate; allowing 20 points including 6 in the finale against Yale.

Yale also would allow the opposition just 6 points, all coming in a 10-6 victory over the Cadets of Army.

Princeton and Yale would meet for the championship; but when the score would show a 0-0 tally; the two teams would also share the crown.

Over a 31-year period, which began in 1906, head coach Gil "Gloomy Gil" Dobie won 170 games, while compiling a winning percentage of .793. But what was more remarkable was the fact that from this season through the game 1 of the 1917 season, his teams never tasted defeat. During this span, his teams would play 69 games (66-0-3).

Illinois would lose 3 of 4 games this season; with the worse coming at the hands of up state rival, Chicago a 63-0 winner. The Maroons' Wally Steffen, would haul-in 5 passes good for 210 yards.

Another star for Amos Alonzo Stagg' eleven was Walter Eckersall. In his team's 38-5 victory over Nebraska, he booted-home 5 field goals at distances of: 38-34-34-30-20 yards away.

St. Louis, the school being credited as the one that through the initial forward pass; would also have an outstanding kicker in Fred Acker. This season, he would convert 64 of 67 extra points.

1906 Leaders (min. of 4 games) show:

• Offensive Scoring Leader (Most Scored)
  Vanderbilt (9)     278
• Defensive Scoring Leader (Least Allowed)
  Washington State, (6-0-0) 0 points
• National Champions (Retroactive)
  Princeton and Yale, (9-0-1)
  

Yale was named No. 1 by Caspar Whitney, with the New York Sun naming Princeton and Yale, co-champions.

Top of This Page