1908 College Football Summary

A new rule would be enacted this fall. A forfeited game should be 1-0 in favor of the offended side
 
Harvard finished its season 9-0-1, its first season without a loss since the 1901 elevens finished 12-0-0.

But school was only warming-up as over the next 8 seasons under the tutelage of Percy Haughton, Harvard rarely tasted defeat as it compiled a 71-7-5 and handled the school's biggest rivalry, Yale a 4-2-2 mark. This season, a 4-0 victory was Harvard's first since '01 over its rival, 22-0. Yale had won 6 straight, all by shutouts.

Harvard's Vic Kennard kicked a 25 yard field goal, giving Harvard the triumph before 35,000 fans.

The city of "Brotherly Love" (Philadelphia) was the stage between a pair of unbeatens Penn and Carlisle.

The home standing Quakers jumped-out to an early 6-0 lead; before Carlisle rallied in the second half to knot-up then score at-all, on a Jim Thorpe touchdown and conversion. But the budding star missed three goals from the field, as the game would end all tied up, 6-6.

Navy jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the opening quarter and held the margin until late in the game. As so often happens, a turnover would lead to a score. Harvard, with its undefeated season on the line, recovered a Midshipmen fumble and turned it into a game-tying score at 6-6.

In a battle of Hoosier state football teams, Notre Dame avenged the tie with Indiana the year before, winning 11-0 in a game that was played in the capital city of Indianapolis.

The triumph, the first for the Irish since 1902 (11-5) and would ignite a 14-game winning streak against the team from South Central Indiana last through the 1949 season.

Cornell on its way to a 7-1-1 season met Oberlin in the second game of the season, winning 23-10.

A missed field goal attempt by Cornell led to a score by Oberlin Oberlin would capitalized on a missed goal from the field by Cornell and turn it into a score; as G. Grassey would return the attempt 109 yards.

In Oklahoma's first win and shutout since 1905 (by a safety) the Sooners rambled for 778 yards in a 50-0 whitewashing of the Texas Longhorns.

Two Big 10 teams would fill the air with football balls.

In its 64-9 win over Northwestern, Illinois passers; while in a season-opening loss to Purdue, Chicago would complete 21 forward passing attempts.

1908 Leaders (min. of 4 games) show:

• Offensive Scoring Leader (Most Scored)
  LSU (10-0-0), 442 points
• Defensive Scoring Leader (Least Allowed)
  Harvard (9-0-1), 8 points
• National Champions (Retroactive)
  Harvard, LSU, Pennsylvania (11-0-1)
  

Harvard was named No. 1 by Caspar Whitney.

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