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{{Infobox NCAA team season
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#REDIRECT [[LSU Tigers football, 1900–09#1908]]
  
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|Year=1908
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|Team=LSU Tigers
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|image=LSUfootball1908.JPG
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|image_size=300px
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|Conference=Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
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|Division=
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|ShortConference=SIAA
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|CoachRank=
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|APRank=
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|Record=10–0
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|ConfRecord=2–0
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|HeadCoach=[[Edgar Wingard]]
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|HCYear=2nd
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|OffCoach=
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|DefCoach=
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|OScheme=
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|DScheme=
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|Captain=Marshall Gandy
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|StadiumArena=[[State Field]]
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|Champion=Co-national champion ([[National Championship Foundation|NCF]])<br>SIAA champion
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|BowlTourney=
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|BowlTourneyResult=
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}}
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{{1908 SIAA football standings}}
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The '''1908 LSU Tigers football team''' represented the [[LSU Tigers football|LSU Tigers]] of [[Louisiana State University]] during the [[1908 college football season]]. The Tigers were coached by [[Edgar Wingard]] and posted a perfect 10–0 record, outscoring opponents 442 to 11. The team played its home games at [[State Field]] and competed as members of the [[Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association]] (SIAA).
   
  +
[[Triple-threat man|Triple threat]] quarterback [[Doc Fenton]] led the nation in points scored. The Tigers have been recognized as a co-[[Mythical National Championship|national champion]] by the [[National Championship Foundation]], and the NCAA recognizes LSU as national champion for that season along with [[Penn Quakers football|Penn]].<ref name=NCAA>{{cite web |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf |title=National Poll Rankings |author=National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) |year=2015|work=NCAA Division I Football Records |publisher=NCAA |page=108 |accessdate=January 4, 2016 |format=PDF}}</ref> However, LSU does not officially recognize this season as a national championship season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsusports.net/fls/5200/assets/docs/fb/pdf/17guide.pdf|title=2017 LSU Football Media Guide|publisher=LSU Athletic Department|accessdate=January 18, 2018}}</ref>
−
[[Category:College football undefeated seasons]]
  
  +
  +
The season was clouded by accusations of [[professional sports|professionalism]]
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by [[Grantland Rice]] and [[Battle for the Rag|rival]] school [[1908 Tulane Green Wave football team|Tulane]].<ref name=vault/> The SIAA conducted an investigation that cleared LSU of any wrongdoing, but since many publications voted for the SIAA champion prior to the conclusion of the investigation, they did not recognize LSU's title.<ref name=vault/>
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  +
==Before the season==
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  +
In 1908, football used a [[one-platoon system]], with players featuring on offense, defense, and special teams. Also, the field was 110 yards in length, touchdowns were worth 5 points, and field goals earned 4 points.<ref name=gold/> The team that scored a touchdown had the option to kickoff or receive.<ref name=gold/> The [[Ball (gridiron football)|ball]] was also much fatter.<ref name=gold/>
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The Tigers lost few players from the [[1907 LSU Tigers football team|1907 team]] and prospects were bright.<ref name=gold/> Several members of the team came from Pennsylvania, including [[Doc Fenton]], [[Mike Lally]], [[John Seip]], and coach [[Edgar Wingard]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rPrkseaVX-IC&pg=PA32#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Troy H. Middleton: A Biography|author=Frank J. Price|page=32|publisher=LSU Press|date=March 1, 1999}}</ref><ref name=nola>{{cite web|url=http://blog.nola.com/lsusports/2008/11/the_1908_lsu_football_team_the.html|title=The 1908 LSU football team the first great one in school history|work=NOLA.com}}</ref> [[End (gridiron football)|End]] Rowson "Little" Stovall and [[Center (gridiron football)|center]] [[Robert L. Stovall|Robert L. "Big" Stovall]] were brothers.
  +
  +
Lally and Fenton had both previously played for [[Mansfield University of Pennsylvania|Mansfield Normal School]],<ref name=vault>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1621833|title=From 'The LSU Football Vault': The 1908 Season}}</ref> and Lally was one of the best [[Blocking (American football)|blockers]] for Fenton.<ref name=gold>{{cite web|url=http://goldenrankings.com/lsu1908.htm|title=A Season in Time: LSU Tigers 1908}}</ref><ref name=terror>{{cite journal|url=http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv09/CFHSNv09n3b.pdf|title=The Blond Terror|author=Bob Royce|journal=College Football Historical Society|volume=9|number=3| date=May 1996 }}</ref> One of Fenton's favorite [[American football plays|plays]] was the "tackle over tackle" play. In this play, Fenton faked a [[Hand-off|handoff]] to a back, then gave the ball to a [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|tackle]] and led the blocking behind the other tackle.<ref name=lasport/> "Doc was the [[Bicycle hub|hub]],” recalled captain and tackle Marshall 'Cap' Gandy, "and we were the [[spoke]]s."<ref name=lasport/> Fenton earned the reputation of doing everything well with a football.<ref name=terror/>
  +
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==Schedule==
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{{CFB schedule
  +
  +
|{{CFB schedule entry
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| date = October 3
  +
| time =
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| w/l = w
  +
| nonconf = y
  +
| opponent = Young Men's Gymnastic Club-New Orleans
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| site_stadium = [[State Field]]
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| site_cityst = [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge, LA]]
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| score = 41–0
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| attend =
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}}
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|{{CFB schedule entry
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| date = October 11
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| time =
  +
| w/l = w
  +
| nonconf = y
  +
| opponent = Jackson Barracks-New Orleans
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| site_stadium = State Field
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| site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
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| score = 81–5
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| attend = 1,000
  +
}}
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|{{CFB schedule entry
  +
| date = October 17
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| time =
  +
| w/l = w
  +
| nonconf = y
  +
| opponent = [[1908 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Texas A&M]]
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| gamename = [[LSU–Texas A&M football rivalry|rivalry]]
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| site_stadium = [[Pelican Park (New Orleans)|Pelican Park]]
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| site_cityst = [[New Orleans|New Orleans, LA]]
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| score = 26–0
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| attend = 1,800
  +
}}
  +
|{{CFB schedule entry
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| date = October 26
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| time =
  +
| w/l = w
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| nonconf = y
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| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1908|team=Southwestern Presbyterian|title=Southwestern Presbyterian}}
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| site_stadium = State Field
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| site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
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| score = 55–0
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| attend = 1,500
  +
}}
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|{{CFB schedule entry
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| date = October 31
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| time = 3:45 p.m.
  +
| w/l = w
  +
| away = y
  +
| opponent = [[1908 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
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| gamename = [[Auburn–LSU football rivalry|rivalry]]
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| site_stadium = Drill Field
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| site_cityst = [[Auburn, Alabama|Auburn, AL]]
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| score = 10–2
  +
| attend =
  +
}}
  +
|{{CFB schedule entry
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| date = November 7
  +
| time =
  +
| w/l = w
  +
| opponent = [[1908 Mississippi A&M Aggies football team|Mississippi A&M]]
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| gamename = [[LSU–Mississippi State football rivalry|rivalry]]
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| site_stadium = State Field
  +
| site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
  +
| score = 50–0
  +
| attend = 1,500
  +
}}
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|{{CFB schedule entry
  +
| date = November 10
  +
| time =
  +
| w/l = w
  +
| nonconf = y
  +
| opponent = [[1908 Baylor football team|Baylor]]
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| site_stadium = State Field
  +
| site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
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| score = 89–0
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| attend =
  +
}}
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|{{CFB schedule entry
  +
| date = November 16
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| time = 3:30 p.m.
  +
| w/l = w
  +
| nonconf = y
  +
| opponent = [[1908 Haskell Indians football team|Haskell]]
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| site_stadium = Pelican Park
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| site_cityst = New Orleans, LA
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| score = 32–0
  +
| attend = 3,000
  +
}}
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|{{CFB schedule entry
  +
| date = November 23
  +
| time =
  +
| w/l = w
  +
| nonconf = y
  +
| away = y
  +
| opponent = [[1908 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team|Louisiana Tech]]
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| site_stadium =
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| site_cityst = [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston, LA]]
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| score = 22–0
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| attend =
  +
}}
  +
|{{CFB schedule entry
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| date = November 26
  +
| time =
  +
| w/l = w
  +
| nonconf = y
  +
| away = y
  +
| opponent = [[1908 Arkansas Razorbacks football team|Arkansas]]
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| gamename = [[Arkansas–LSU football rivalry|rivalry]]
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| site_stadium = [[Kavanaugh Field|West End Field]]
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| site_cityst = [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock, AR]]
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| score = 36–4
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| attend = 5,000
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}}
  +
}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/schedules/lsu-games/1908-lsu-season/|title=1908 LSU Football Schedule|work=Saturday Down South}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/1908-schedule.html|title=1908 Louisiana State Fighting Tigers|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>
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==Season summary==
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LSU opened the season with two warm-up games, one against the Young Men's Gymnastic Club and the other Jackson Barracks-New Orleans.<ref name=gold/>
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===Y. M. G. C.===
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{{AFB game box start
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|Title=
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|Visitor=YMGC
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|V1= 0
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|V2= 0
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|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= '''LSU'''
  +
|H1= 12
  +
|H2= 29
  +
|H3=
  +
|H4=
  +
|Location= State Field<br>Baton Rouge, LA
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|StartTime=
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|TimeZone=
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|ElapsedTime=
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|Attendance=
  +
|Weather=
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|Referee=
  +
|TVAnnouncers=
  +
|TVStation=
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}}
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{{AFB game box end}}
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LSU beat [[Tad Gormley]]'s Young Men's Gymnastic Club, winning 41–0.<ref name=gold/>
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The starting lineup was: Seip (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Fenton (right end), Gill (quarterback), Stovall (left halfback), C. Smith (right halfback), and Lally (fullback).<ref name=gold/>
  +
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===Jackson Barracks-New Orleans===
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{{AFB game box start
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|Title=
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|Visitor=Soldiers
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|V1= 0
  +
|V2= 5
  +
|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= '''LSU'''
  +
|H1= 31
  +
|H2= 50
  +
|H3=
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|H4=
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|Location= State Field<br>Baton Rouge, LA
  +
|StartTime=
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|TimeZone=
  +
|ElapsedTime=
  +
|Attendance=1,000
  +
|Weather=
  +
|Referee=
  +
|TVAnnouncers=
  +
|TVStation=
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}}
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{{AFB game box end}}
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LSU swamped the Jackson Barracks-New Orleans 81–5. Fenton was switched to [[quarterback]], swapping places at [[End (American football)|end]] with Reuben Gill.<ref name=gold/> One account reads: "In Lally and Fenton the University has a pair that can hardly be equaled. In the game Fenton showed that he has lost none of his ability to dodge, his swiftness as a runner, his power as a punter and kicker, and his cool hard work. ... The two work splendidly together."<ref name=gold/> The soldiers at Jackson Barracks made the only touchdown scored all season on the Tigers, when their halfback Culligan picked up a fumble and ran it back 105 yards.<ref name=gold/> Captain Gandy once had a 40-yard touchdown, and Lally had one score of 60 yards.<ref name=gold/>
  +
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===Texas A&M===
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{{AFB game box start
  +
|Title=
  +
|Visitor= Texas A&M
  +
|V1= 0
  +
|V2= 0
  +
|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= '''LSU'''
  +
|H1= 15
  +
|H2= 11
  +
|H3=
  +
|H4=
  +
|Location= Pelican Park<br>New Orleans, LA
  +
|StartTime=
  +
|TimeZone=
  +
|ElapsedTime=
  +
|Attendance= 1,800
  +
|Weather= Rain
  +
|Referee= [[James Halligan (American football)|James Halligan]]
  +
|TVAnnouncers=
  +
|TVStation=
  +
}}
  +
{{AFB game box end}}
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The Tigers beat the [[1908 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Texas A&M Aggies]] 26–0 at Pelican Park in New Orleans in the rain.<ref name=aandm/> The Aggies once ran the wrong way.<ref name=terror/>
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[[File:LSU-Texas A&M crowd (1908).jpg|thumb|left|180px|Rooters at the Texas A&M game]]
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The first scoring drive was highlighted by a 14-yard pass from Fenton to Little Stovall, and ended with a Stovall touchdown run around left end.<ref name=aandm/> On LSU's second scoring drive, Lally had a 25-yard run, and Fenton eventually went around left end for the score.<ref name=aandm/> Before the half ended, Fenton kicked a 25-yard field goal from placement.<ref name=aandm/>
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LSU's next touchdown came on a fumble recovery by [[Willie Hillman]].<ref name=aandm/> The final touchdown was the most exciting, as Mike Lally had a 40-yard touchdown run around right end.<ref name=aandm/>
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The starting lineup was: Gill (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), Hillman (center), Thomas (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Stovall (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).<ref name=aandm>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5199936/the_timesdemocrat/|work=The Times-Democrat|title=Yellow and Purple Win; Texas A. & M. Defeated|page=15|date=October 18, 1908|accessdate=May 8, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
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===Southwestern Presbyterian===
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{{AFB game box start
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|Title=
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|Visitor=SWPU
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|V1= 0
  +
|V2= 0
  +
|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= '''LSU'''
  +
|H1= 18
  +
|H2= 37
  +
|H3=
  +
|H4=
  +
|Location= State Field<br>Baton Rouge, LA
  +
|StartTime=
  +
|TimeZone=
  +
|ElapsedTime=
  +
|Attendance= 1,500
  +
|Weather=
  +
|Referee= James Halligan
  +
|TVAnnouncers=
  +
|TVStation=
  +
}}
  +
{{AFB game box end}}
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[[Rhodes Lynx football|Southwestern Presbyterian]] (today known as Rhodes College) fell to LSU 55–0. SWPU did not make ten yards all day.<ref name=swpu/>
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The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), Hillman (center), Thomas (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Gill (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).<ref name=swpu>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205733/the_tennessean/|title=Big Score|work=The Tennessean|accessdate=May 9, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=6|date=October 27, 1908}} {{Open access}}</ref>
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===Auburn===
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{{AFB game box start
  +
|Title=
  +
|Visitor= '''LSU'''
  +
|V1= 5
  +
|V2= 5
  +
|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= Auburn
  +
|H1= 2
  +
|H2= 0
  +
|H3=
  +
|H4=
  +
|Location= Drill Field<br>Auburn, Alabama
  +
|StartTime=3:45 pm
  +
|TimeZone=
  +
|ElapsedTime=
  +
|Attendance=
  +
|Weather= 70°, Fair
  +
|Referee= James Halligan
  +
|TVAnnouncers=
  +
|TVStation=
  +
}}
  +
{{AFB game box end}}
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  +
Undefeated LSU met undefeated [[1908 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]] for the top spot in the SIAA at the Auburn athletic field.<ref name=terror/> LSU won 10–2, the only game it did not win by more than 20 points.<ref name=lasport/>
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[[File:Johnseip.jpg|thumb|left|130px|Seip]]
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The first touchdown came on a run from John Seip.<ref name=aub/> Later in the half, Auburn's [[T. C. Locke]] blocked an LSU punt which was recovered by Fenton behind his own goal for a safety.<ref name=aub/> According to one source, Fenton was knocked unconscious by a spectator's cane as he tried to get out of the [[end zone]].<ref name=lasport>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasportshall.com/inductees/football/george-doc-fenton/|title=George Doc Fenton}}</ref> LSU made the second score using conventional football.<ref name=aub>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205416/the_atlanta_constitution/|work=The Atlanta Constitution|title=Auburn Loses To L. S. U. Team|date=November 1, 1908|page=3|accessdate=May 9, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
  +
  +
“We won every game that fall except LSU,” Auburn star [[Walker Reynolds]] told Clyde Bolton in 1973. “But LSU had a pro team.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2013/09/auburns-1908-team-goes-undefeated-despite-losing-to-professional-lsu-team/|title=Auburn’s 1908 team went undefeated despite losing to professional LSU team|author=Jeremy Henderson|work=The War Eagle Reader}}</ref>
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  +
The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Hillman (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Thomas (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), Tally (left halfback), C. Smith (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).<ref name=aub/>
  +
  +
===Mississippi A&M===
  +
{{AFB game box start
  +
|Title=
  +
|Visitor= Miss. A&M
  +
|V1= 0
  +
|V2= 0
  +
|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= '''LSU'''
  +
|H1= 34
  +
|H2= 16
  +
|H3=
  +
|H4=
  +
|Location=State Field<br>Baton Rouge, LA
  +
|StartTime=
  +
|TimeZone=
  +
|ElapsedTime=
  +
|Attendance=1,500
  +
|Weather=
  +
|Referee= [[Joe Pritchard (American football)|Joe Pritchard]]
  +
|TVAnnouncers=
  +
|TVStation=
  +
}}
  +
{{AFB game box end}}
  +
LSU won easily over the [[1908 Mississippi A&M Aggies football team|Mississippi Aggies]] 50–0, using [[Substitution (sport)|substitutes]] by the end of the game.<ref name=missam/>
  +
  +
The first score occurred after five and-a-half minutes had passed, Clarence Smith going through right tackle.<ref name=missam/> LSU then scored a safety by tackling the Aggies punter.<ref name=missam/> Seip then went around end for another touchdown.<ref name=missam/> On the next drive, Seip went 20 yards on a cross play, Fenton hit Seip with a forward pass for 8 yards, and Bob Smith then scored on a trick play.<ref name=missam/> Clarence Smith then got another touchdown, of 25 yards.<ref name=missam/> The highlight of the game followed as Fenton had a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown.<ref name=missam>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205366/the_timesdemocrat/|work=The Times-Democrat|title=L. S. U. Takes Another|page=16|date=November 8, 1908|accessdate=May 9, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
  +
  +
In the second half, Fenton went 30 yards for another touchdown on a return.<ref name=missam/> Gill went around left end for another touchdown. Fenton went 40 yards for the next touchdown.<ref name=missam/> The last touchdown came from Clarence Smith.<ref name=missam/>
  +
[[File:Mikelally.jpg|thumb|left|130px|Mike Lally]]
  +
The starting lineup was: Seip (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Hillman (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Pollock (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Stovall (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).<ref name=missam/>
  +
  +
===Baylor===
  +
{{AFB game box start
  +
|Title=
  +
|Visitor= Baylor
  +
|V1= 0
  +
|V2= 0
  +
|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= '''LSU'''
  +
|H1= 33
  +
|H2= 56
  +
|H3=
  +
|H4=
  +
|Location=State Field<br>Baton Rouge, LA
  +
|StartTime=
  +
|TimeZone=
  +
|ElapsedTime=
  +
|Attendance=
  +
|Weather=
  +
|Referee= James Halligan
  +
|TVAnnouncers=
  +
|TVStation=
  +
}}
  +
{{AFB game box end}}
  +
The Tigers romped 89–0 over [[1908 Baylor football team|Baylor]], the second highest score in school history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/lsuathletics/docs/15fbguide_secpdf|title=2015 LSU Football Media Guide|work=Issuu}}</ref> The highlight of the contest was Mike Lally's 105-yard return for a touchdown.<ref name=bayl/> Pat Ryan also had a 75-yard touchdown run.<ref name=bayl/>
  +
  +
After the game, Baylor's coach [[Enoch J. Mills]] said: "You have, without any doubt, the strongest team in the South by far. The playing of your team here was something wonderful. We were simply badly beaten. You could run up as large a score on Tulane as you did against us without any trouble."<ref name=bayl/>
  +
  +
The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Neblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), I. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and C. Smith (fullback).<ref name=bayl>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5200028/the_timesdemocrat/|title=L.S.U. Football Team Defeats Baylor 89 To 0|page=11|work=The Times-Democrat|date=November 11, 1908|accessdate=May 8, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
  +
  +
===Haskell===
  +
{{AFB game box start
  +
|Title=
  +
|Visitor= Haskell
  +
|V1= 0
  +
|V2= 0
  +
|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= '''LSU'''
  +
|H1= 10
  +
|H2= 22
  +
|H3=
  +
|H4=
  +
|Location=Pelican Park<br>New Orleans, LA
  +
|StartTime=3:30 p. m.
  +
|TimeZone=
  +
|ElapsedTime=
  +
|Attendance=3,000
  +
|Weather=
  +
|Referee= James Halligan
  +
|TVAnnouncers=
  +
|TVStation=
  +
}}
  +
{{AFB game box end}}
  +
LSU defeated the [[1908 Haskell Indians football team|Haskell Indians]], 32–0, outweighing the Indians and needing little strategy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5199776/lawrence_daily_world/|work=Lawrence Daily World|page=1|date=November 17, 1908|title=Haskell Lost Second Game of Their Trip|accessdate=May 8, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
  +
  +
Clarence Smith bucked the line for 15 yards and the first touchdown. Fenton later added a 30-yard field goal.<ref name=hask/>
  +
  +
In the second half, Gandy made a touchdown on the "tackle over tackle" play;<ref name=hask/> Bob Smith made another. Clarence Smith made his second touchdown of the day around right end. The final score was a 32-yard end run by Mike Lally.<ref name=hask/>
  +
  +
The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Neblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).<ref name=hask>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5199791/the_timesdemocrat/|work=The Times-Democrat|page=12|date=November 17, 1908|title=Tigers Trounce Redmen Thirty-Two To Nothing|accessdate=May 8, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
  +
  +
===Louisiana Tech===
  +
{{AFB game box start
  +
|Title=
  +
|Visitor= '''LSU'''
  +
|V1= 11
  +
|V2= 11
  +
|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= LII
  +
|H1= 0
  +
|H2= 0
  +
|H3=
  +
|H4=
  +
|Location= [[Ruston, LA]]
  +
|StartTime=
  +
|TimeZone=
  +
|ElapsedTime=
  +
|Attendance=
  +
|Weather=
  +
|Referee= Smith
  +
}}
  +
{{AFB game box end}}
  +
The Tigers beat the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Louisiana Industrial Institute]] of [[Ruston, LA|Ruston]] 22–0. Fenton was the star of the game, with two interceptions for touchdowns.<ref name=Latech>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205746/the_timesdemocrat/|page=10|work=The Times-Democrat|title=Victory|accessdate=May 9, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 24, 1908}} {{Open access}}</ref>
  +
  +
The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Thomas (left guard), Hillman (center), Pollock (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).<ref name=Latech/>
  +
  +
===Arkansas===
  +
{{AFB game box start
  +
|Title=
  +
|Visitor= '''LSU'''
  +
|V1= 31
  +
|V2= 5
  +
|V3=
  +
|V4=
  +
|Host= Arkansas
  +
|H1= 4
  +
|H2= 0
  +
|H3=
  +
|H4=
  +
|Location= [[Kavanaugh Field|West End Park]]<br>[[Little Rock, Arkansas]]
  +
|StartTime=
  +
|TimeZone=
  +
|ElapsedTime=
  +
|Attendance=5,000
  +
|Weather=
  +
|Referee= James Halligan
  +
|TVAnnouncers=
  +
|TVStation=
  +
}}
  +
{{AFB game box end}}
  +
LSU defeated [[1908 Arkansas Razorbacks football team|Arkansas]] 36–4, with Fenton's runs and kicks featuring throughout.<ref name=ark>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205143/daily_arkansas_gazette/|work=Daily Arkansas Gazette|page=8|date=November 27, 1908|title=Louisiana Beats Arkansas 36-4|accessdate=May 9, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The crowd was the largest ever to see a football game in Arkansas.<ref name=ark/>
  +
  +
LSU made three touchdowns in the game's first four minutes. On the Tigers' first possession, Fenton went 22 yards around right end and Lally then went 40 yards for a touchdown.<ref name=ark/> On the ensuing Arkansas possession, Fenton intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for the score.<ref name=ark/> Big Stovall made the third touchdown on an [[onside kick]] from scrimmage.<ref name=ark/> LSU also had touchdowns using a triple pass and a double pass.<ref name=ark/>
  +
  +
Arkansas got its points after a 35-yard pass from a fake field goal led to a field goal from the 30-yard line.<ref name=ark/> Fenton had the lone score of the second half, on a 55-yard run and fake pass.<ref name=ark/>
  +
  +
The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Thomas (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).<ref name=ark/>
  +
  +
==Postseason==
  +
[[File:DocFenton.JPG|thumb|130px|Doc Fenton.]]
  +
  +
===Disputed title===
  +
The season was clouded by accusations of professionalism by [[Grantland Rice]] and [[Battle for the Rag|rival]] school [[1908 Tulane Green Wave football team|Tulane]].<ref name=vault/> Rice claimed V. Smith, C. Smith, Seip, Fenton, Lally, and Gandy were all paid salaries to play football, and that Clarke was a former All-Western player.<ref>{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=221}}</ref> Amidst fears of many players being ineligible under SIAA rules, most sportswriters instead gave the Southern title to Auburn,<ref>{{Harvnb|Woodruff|1928|page=223}}</ref> and left LSU players off their [[College Football All-Southern Team|All-Southern]] team.<ref>{{cite book|title=Spalding's Football Guide|date=1909|page=75|url=https://archive.org/stream/officialfootball1909nati#page/75}}</ref> A subsequent SIAA investigation cleared LSU of any wrongdoing, but since many publications voted for the SIAA champion prior to the conclusion of the investigation, they did not recognize LSU's title.<ref name=vault/>
  +
  +
===Awards and honors===
  +
Fans presented coach Wingard and referee James Halligan with gold-handled umbrellas.<ref>{{cite news|page=15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205353/the_monroe_newsstar/|date=September 12, 1947|work=The Monroe News-Star|title=Tiger Tintype|accessdate=May 9, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
  +
  +
Fenton's 125 points (132 by modern rules) led the nation in scoring.<ref name=terror/> He had a school record 36 extra points and 6 field goals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4955784/lake_charles_americanpress/|work=Lake Charles American Press|date=January 18, 1967|page=31|title=Fenton and Flournoy in La. Hall of Fame|accessdate=April 15, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>{{refn|group="n"|The six field goals were surpassed in [[1965 LSU Tigers football team|1965]] by [[Doug Moreau]].<ref name=lasport/>}} Fenton, Lally, and Willie Hillman were selected All-Southern by [[Nash Buckingham]] in the ''[[Memphis Commercial Appeal]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://atlnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/atlnewspapers/view?docId=news/aga1909/aga1909-4620.xml&query=%22All%20southern%22%20football&query-prox=10&brand=atlnewspapers-brand |work=Atlanta Georgian |title=All SIAA Teams of Past Six Years |date=November 27, 1909}}</ref>
  +
  +
====Legacy====
  +
The 1908 team is said to be LSU's first great team,<ref name=nola/> and was considered the greatest until [[1958 LSU Tigers football team|1958]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsusports.net/src/data/lsu/assets/docs/fb/pdf/01fb296-306.pdf|publisher=lsusports.net|title=National Champions|accessdate=August 23, 2016}}</ref>
  +
  +
Fenton and Seip were nominated, though not selected, for an [[Associated Press]] All-Time Southeast 1869–1919 era team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1242&dat=19690731&id=TkdTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YoYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2604,3160960|newspaper=Kingsport Post|title=U-T Greats On All-Time Southeast Team|date=July 31, 1969}}</ref> Fenton, Lally, Seip, and Noblett made the first-team of an all-time LSU team selected in 1935.{{refn|group="n"|Hillman and Gandy made the second team.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16313coll13/id/218 |journal=Tulane University Football Program-The Greenie; L.S.U. vs. Tulane |author=George Trevor |title=All-Time All-Star Team Louisiana State University |date=November 30, 1935 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223103449/http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16313coll13/id/218 |archivedate=December 23, 2014 |df= }}</ref>}} According to [[Tony Barnhart]], Fenton is considered the first great football player in LSU history.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vaduAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT177#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Southern Fried Football|author=Tony Barnhart|page=177}}</ref> The [[National Football Foundation]] selected Fenton as the retroactive [[Heisman Trophy]] winner of 1908.<ref>{{cite journal|publisher=National Football Foundation|url=http://www.footballfoundation.org/Portals/7/nff/file_file/2009_footballetter_issue_3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126011919/http://www.footballfoundation.org/Portals/7/nff/file_file/2009_footballetter_issue_3.pdf|dead-url=yes|archive-date=2013-01-26|volume=51|number=3|year=2009|page=4|title=Before There Was A Heisman}}</ref>
  +
  +
==Personnel==
  +
===Roster===
  +
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="margin: left; text-align:right; width:650px;"
  +
|-
  +
!style="background-color:#461d7c; color:#FDD023;" colspan="6" |Roster
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
! style="background:#461d7c;" align="center"| <span style="color:#FDD023;">Player
  +
! style="background:#461d7c;" align="center"| <span style="color:#FDD023;">Position
  +
! style="background:#461d7c;" align="center"| <span style="color:#FDD023;">Height
  +
! style="background:#461d7c;" align="center"| <span style="color:#FDD023;">Weight
  +
! style="background:#461d7c;" align="center"| <span style="color:#FDD023;">Hometown
  +
! style="background:#461d7c;" align="center"| <span style="color:#FDD023;">High School
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
|[[Doc Fenton]] || [[Quarterback]] || 5'9" || 165 || [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]] || [[Scranton High School (Pennsylvania)|Scranton]]
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| [[Willie Hillman]] || [[Guard (American football)|Guard]]/[[Center (American football)|Center]] || - || 172 || [[Minden, Louisiana]] || [[Minden High School (Minden, Louisiana)|Minden]]
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| [[Mike Lally]] || [[Halfback (American football)|Halfback]] || - || - || [[Jessup, Pennsylvania]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| [[John Seip]] || [[End (American football)|End]] || 6'1" || 185|| [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
|[[Robert L. Stovall]] || Center || - || - || [[Dodson, Louisiana]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Oren Noblett || Tackle || - || 230 || [[Denham Springs, Louisiana]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Judge Pollock || Guard || - || 173 || [[Bernice, Louisiana]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Marshall Gandy || Tackle || 6'1" || 175 || [[Negreet, Louisiana]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Reuben Gill || End/Quarterback || - || - || [[Ruston, Louisiana]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Rowson Stovall || Halfback || - || - || [[Dodson, Louisiana]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Clarence Smith || Halfback || - || 178 || [[Albion, Michigan]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
|Bob Smith||Fullback || - ||171 || Albion, Michigan || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| - || - || - || - || - || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Pat Ryan || Halfback || 6'1" || - || [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Jonnie Albright|| Quarterback || - || - ||[[Memphis, Tennessee]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Harvey || Halfback || - || - || - || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| O'Bannon || End || - || - || - || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Arthur Thomas || Guard || - || 176 || [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]] || -
  +
|- style="text-align:center;"
  +
| Sentelle || Guard || - || - || - || -
  +
|}
  +
Roster from LSU: The Louisiana Tigers<ref>Hardesty, Dan. "LSU: The Louisiana Tigers". The Strode Publishers. Huntsville, Alabama. 1975. P. 334-345.</ref>
  +
  +
===Scoring leaders===
  +
The following is an incomplete list of statistics and scores, largely dependent on newspaper summaries.
  +
{|class="wikitable"
  +
|-
  +
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=LSU Tigers|Player | Touchdowns|Extra points |Field goals|Safeties|Points}}
  +
|-
  +
| [[Doc Fenton]]||13||36||6||0 ||125
  +
|-
  +
|[[Mike Lally]]||14||7||1||0 ||81
  +
|-
  +
|Clarence Smith||8||0||0||0 ||40
  +
|-
  +
|Bob Smith||7||0||0|| 0||35
  +
|-
  +
|Cap Gandy||6||0||0|| 0||30
  +
|-
  +
|Reuben Gill||4||0||0||0 ||20
  +
|-
  +
|Little Stovall||4||0||0|| 0||20
  +
|-
  +
|[[Willie Hillman]]||3||1||0||0 ||16
  +
|-
  +
|Pat Ryan||3||1||0||0 ||16
  +
|-
  +
|Oren Noblett||3||0||0||0 ||15
  +
|-
  +
|[[John Seip]]||3||0||0||0 ||15
  +
|-
  +
|[[Robert L. Stovall|Big Stovall]]||3||0||0|| 0||15
  +
|-
  +
|Unaccounted for v. SWPU||2||0||0|| 0||10
  +
|-
  +
|N/A|| 0|| 0|| 0||2 ||4
  +
|-
  +
!TOTAL||73||45||7||2||442
  +
|-
  +
|}
  +
  +
==Staff==
  +
*Coach: [[Edgar Wingard]]
  +
*Manager: R. L. Himes
  +
  +
==See also==
  +
* [[List of undefeated NCAA Division I football teams]]
  +
  +
==Notes==
  +
{{reflist|group=n}}
  +
  +
==References==
  +
{{Reflist|2}}
  +
*{{cite book|title=A History of Southern Football 1890–1928|last=Woodruff|first=Fuzzy|volume=1|year=1928|ref=harv}}
  +
  +
==External links==
  +
*[http://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/lsu-p120701coll24%3A122 Arkansas game program]
  +
{{1908 LSU Tigers football navbox}}
  +
{{LSU Tigers football navbox}}
  +
{{SIAA football champions}}
  +
{{College Football National Champion pre-AP Poll navbox}}
  +
  +
[[Category:1908 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season|LSU Tigers]]
  +
[[Category:LSU Tigers football seasons]]
 
[[Category:College football national champions]]
  
[[Category:College football national champions]]
  +
[[Category:College football undefeated seasons]]
  +
[[Category:1908 in sports in Louisiana|LSU Tigers football]]

Latest revision as of 21:15, 25 July 2019

1908 LSU Tigers football
Co-national champion (NCF)
SIAA champion
ConferenceSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
1908 record10–0 (2–0 SIAA)
Head coachEdgar Wingard (2nd season)
CaptainMarshall Gandy
Home stadiumState Field
Seasons
← 1907
1909 →
1908 SIAA football standings
v · d · e Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
LSU § 2 – 0 – 0     10 – 0 – 0
Auburn § 4 – 1 – 0     6 – 1 – 0
Vanderbilt 3 – 0 – 1     7 – 2 – 1
Tennessee 3 – 2 – 0     7 – 2 – 0
Georgia Tech 4 – 3 – 0     6 – 3 – 0
Georgia 2 – 2 – 1     5 – 2 – 1
Alabama 1 – 1 – 1     6 – 1 – 1
Sewanee 1 – 1 – 1     4 – 1 – 3
Mississippi A&M 1 – 3 – 0     3 – 4 – 0
Ole Miss 0 – 2 – 0     3 – 5 – 0
Mercer 0 – 3 – 0     3 – 4 – 0
Clemson 0 – 4 – 0     1 – 6 – 0
Nashville   –         –  
§ – Conference co-champions

The 1908 LSU Tigers football team represented the LSU Tigers of Louisiana State University during the 1908 college football season. The Tigers were coached by Edgar Wingard and posted a perfect 10–0 record, outscoring opponents 442 to 11. The team played its home games at State Field and competed as members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA).

Triple threat quarterback Doc Fenton led the nation in points scored. The Tigers have been recognized as a co-national champion by the National Championship Foundation, and the NCAA recognizes LSU as national champion for that season along with Penn.[1] However, LSU does not officially recognize this season as a national championship season.[2]

The season was clouded by accusations of professionalism by Grantland Rice and rival school Tulane.[3] The SIAA conducted an investigation that cleared LSU of any wrongdoing, but since many publications voted for the SIAA champion prior to the conclusion of the investigation, they did not recognize LSU's title.[3]

Before the season

In 1908, football used a one-platoon system, with players featuring on offense, defense, and special teams. Also, the field was 110 yards in length, touchdowns were worth 5 points, and field goals earned 4 points.[4] The team that scored a touchdown had the option to kickoff or receive.[4] The ball was also much fatter.[4]

The Tigers lost few players from the 1907 team and prospects were bright.[4] Several members of the team came from Pennsylvania, including Doc Fenton, Mike Lally, John Seip, and coach Edgar Wingard.[5][6] End Rowson "Little" Stovall and center Robert L. "Big" Stovall were brothers.

Lally and Fenton had both previously played for Mansfield Normal School,[3] and Lally was one of the best blockers for Fenton.[4][7] One of Fenton's favorite plays was the "tackle over tackle" play. In this play, Fenton faked a handoff to a back, then gave the ball to a tackle and led the blocking behind the other tackle.[8] "Doc was the hub,” recalled captain and tackle Marshall 'Cap' Gandy, "and we were the spokes."[8] Fenton earned the reputation of doing everything well with a football.[7]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendance
October 3Young Men's Gymnastic Club-New Orleans*
W 41–0
October 11Jackson Barracks-New Orleans*
  • State Field
  • Baton Rouge, LA
W 81–51,000
October 17Texas A&M*
W 26–01,800
October 26[[{{{school}}}|Southwestern Presbyterian]]*
  • State Field
  • Baton Rouge, LA
W 55–01,500
October 313:45 p.m.at Auburn
W 10–2
November 7Mississippi A&M
  • State Field
  • Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)
W 50–01,500
November 10Baylor*
  • State Field
  • Baton Rouge, LA
W 89–0
November 163:30 p.m.Haskell*
  • Pelican Park
  • New Orleans, LA
W 32–03,000
November 23at Louisiana Tech*Ruston, LAW 22–0
November 26at Arkansas*
W 36–45,000
  • *Non-conference game

[9][10]

Season summary

LSU opened the season with two warm-up games, one against the Young Men's Gymnastic Club and the other Jackson Barracks-New Orleans.[4]

Y. M. G. C.

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
YMGC 0 0 0
• LSU 12 29 41
  • Location: State Field
    Baton Rouge, LA

LSU beat Tad Gormley's Young Men's Gymnastic Club, winning 41–0.[4]

The starting lineup was: Seip (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Fenton (right end), Gill (quarterback), Stovall (left halfback), C. Smith (right halfback), and Lally (fullback).[4]

Jackson Barracks-New Orleans

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Soldiers 0 5 5
• LSU 31 50 81
  • Location: State Field
    Baton Rouge, LA
  • Game attendance: 1,000

LSU swamped the Jackson Barracks-New Orleans 81–5. Fenton was switched to quarterback, swapping places at end with Reuben Gill.[4] One account reads: "In Lally and Fenton the University has a pair that can hardly be equaled. In the game Fenton showed that he has lost none of his ability to dodge, his swiftness as a runner, his power as a punter and kicker, and his cool hard work. ... The two work splendidly together."[4] The soldiers at Jackson Barracks made the only touchdown scored all season on the Tigers, when their halfback Culligan picked up a fumble and ran it back 105 yards.[4] Captain Gandy once had a 40-yard touchdown, and Lally had one score of 60 yards.[4]

Texas A&M

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Texas A&M 0 0 0
• LSU 15 11 26
  • Location: Pelican Park
    New Orleans, LA
  • Game attendance: 1,800
  • Game weather: Rain
  • Referee: James Halligan

The Tigers beat the Texas A&M Aggies 26–0 at Pelican Park in New Orleans in the rain.[11] The Aggies once ran the wrong way.[7]

File:LSU-Texas A&M crowd (1908).jpg

Rooters at the Texas A&M game

The first scoring drive was highlighted by a 14-yard pass from Fenton to Little Stovall, and ended with a Stovall touchdown run around left end.[11] On LSU's second scoring drive, Lally had a 25-yard run, and Fenton eventually went around left end for the score.[11] Before the half ended, Fenton kicked a 25-yard field goal from placement.[11]

LSU's next touchdown came on a fumble recovery by Willie Hillman.[11] The final touchdown was the most exciting, as Mike Lally had a 40-yard touchdown run around right end.[11]

The starting lineup was: Gill (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), Hillman (center), Thomas (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Stovall (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).[11]

Southwestern Presbyterian

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
SWPU 0 0 0
• LSU 18 37 55
  • Location: State Field
    Baton Rouge, LA
  • Game attendance: 1,500
  • Referee: James Halligan

Southwestern Presbyterian (today known as Rhodes College) fell to LSU 55–0. SWPU did not make ten yards all day.[12]

The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), Hillman (center), Thomas (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Gill (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).[12]

Auburn

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
• LSU 5 5 10
Auburn 2 0 2
  • Location: Drill Field
    Auburn, Alabama
  • Game start: 3:45 pm
  • Game weather: 70°, Fair
  • Referee: James Halligan

Undefeated LSU met undefeated Auburn for the top spot in the SIAA at the Auburn athletic field.[7] LSU won 10–2, the only game it did not win by more than 20 points.[8]

File:Johnseip.jpg

Seip

The first touchdown came on a run from John Seip.[13] Later in the half, Auburn's T. C. Locke blocked an LSU punt which was recovered by Fenton behind his own goal for a safety.[13] According to one source, Fenton was knocked unconscious by a spectator's cane as he tried to get out of the end zone.[8] LSU made the second score using conventional football.[13]

“We won every game that fall except LSU,” Auburn star Walker Reynolds told Clyde Bolton in 1973. “But LSU had a pro team.”[14]

The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Hillman (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Thomas (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), Tally (left halfback), C. Smith (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).[13]

Mississippi A&M

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Miss. A&M 0 0 0
• LSU 34 16 50
  • Location: State Field
    Baton Rouge, LA
  • Game attendance: 1,500
  • Referee: Joe Pritchard

LSU won easily over the Mississippi Aggies 50–0, using substitutes by the end of the game.[15]

The first score occurred after five and-a-half minutes had passed, Clarence Smith going through right tackle.[15] LSU then scored a safety by tackling the Aggies punter.[15] Seip then went around end for another touchdown.[15] On the next drive, Seip went 20 yards on a cross play, Fenton hit Seip with a forward pass for 8 yards, and Bob Smith then scored on a trick play.[15] Clarence Smith then got another touchdown, of 25 yards.[15] The highlight of the game followed as Fenton had a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown.[15]

In the second half, Fenton went 30 yards for another touchdown on a return.[15] Gill went around left end for another touchdown. Fenton went 40 yards for the next touchdown.[15] The last touchdown came from Clarence Smith.[15]

File:Mikelally.jpg

Mike Lally

The starting lineup was: Seip (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Hillman (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Pollock (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Stovall (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).[15]

Baylor

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Baylor 0 0 0
• LSU 33 56 89
  • Location: State Field
    Baton Rouge, LA
  • Referee: James Halligan

The Tigers romped 89–0 over Baylor, the second highest score in school history.[16] The highlight of the contest was Mike Lally's 105-yard return for a touchdown.[17] Pat Ryan also had a 75-yard touchdown run.[17]

After the game, Baylor's coach Enoch J. Mills said: "You have, without any doubt, the strongest team in the South by far. The playing of your team here was something wonderful. We were simply badly beaten. You could run up as large a score on Tulane as you did against us without any trouble."[17]

The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Neblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), I. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and C. Smith (fullback).[17]

Haskell

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Haskell 0 0 0
• LSU 10 22 32
  • Location: Pelican Park
    New Orleans, LA
  • Game start: 3:30 p. m.
  • Game attendance: 3,000
  • Referee: James Halligan

LSU defeated the Haskell Indians, 32–0, outweighing the Indians and needing little strategy.[18]

Clarence Smith bucked the line for 15 yards and the first touchdown. Fenton later added a 30-yard field goal.[19]

In the second half, Gandy made a touchdown on the "tackle over tackle" play;[19] Bob Smith made another. Clarence Smith made his second touchdown of the day around right end. The final score was a 32-yard end run by Mike Lally.[19]

The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Pollock (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Neblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).[19]

Louisiana Tech

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
• LSU 11 11 22
LII 0 0 0
  • Location: Ruston, LA
  • Referee: Smith

The Tigers beat the Louisiana Industrial Institute of Ruston 22–0. Fenton was the star of the game, with two interceptions for touchdowns.[20]

The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Thomas (left guard), Hillman (center), Pollock (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).[20]

Arkansas

by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
• LSU 31 5 36
Arkansas 4 0 4

LSU defeated Arkansas 36–4, with Fenton's runs and kicks featuring throughout.[21] The crowd was the largest ever to see a football game in Arkansas.[21]

LSU made three touchdowns in the game's first four minutes. On the Tigers' first possession, Fenton went 22 yards around right end and Lally then went 40 yards for a touchdown.[21] On the ensuing Arkansas possession, Fenton intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for the score.[21] Big Stovall made the third touchdown on an onside kick from scrimmage.[21] LSU also had touchdowns using a triple pass and a double pass.[21]

Arkansas got its points after a 35-yard pass from a fake field goal led to a field goal from the 30-yard line.[21] Fenton had the lone score of the second half, on a 55-yard run and fake pass.[21]

The starting lineup was: Stovall (left end), Gandy (left tackle), Thomas (left guard), R. L. Stovall (center), Hillman (right guard), Noblett (right tackle), Seip (right end), Fenton (quarterback), C. Smith (left halfback), Lally (right halfback), and B. Smith (fullback).[21]

Postseason

File:DocFenton.JPG

Doc Fenton.

Disputed title

The season was clouded by accusations of professionalism by Grantland Rice and rival school Tulane.[3] Rice claimed V. Smith, C. Smith, Seip, Fenton, Lally, and Gandy were all paid salaries to play football, and that Clarke was a former All-Western player.[22] Amidst fears of many players being ineligible under SIAA rules, most sportswriters instead gave the Southern title to Auburn,[23] and left LSU players off their All-Southern team.[24] A subsequent SIAA investigation cleared LSU of any wrongdoing, but since many publications voted for the SIAA champion prior to the conclusion of the investigation, they did not recognize LSU's title.[3]

Awards and honors

Fans presented coach Wingard and referee James Halligan with gold-handled umbrellas.[25]

Fenton's 125 points (132 by modern rules) led the nation in scoring.[7] He had a school record 36 extra points and 6 field goals.[26][n 1] Fenton, Lally, and Willie Hillman were selected All-Southern by Nash Buckingham in the Memphis Commercial Appeal.[27]

Legacy

The 1908 team is said to be LSU's first great team,[6] and was considered the greatest until 1958.[28]

Fenton and Seip were nominated, though not selected, for an Associated Press All-Time Southeast 1869–1919 era team.[29] Fenton, Lally, Seip, and Noblett made the first-team of an all-time LSU team selected in 1935.[n 2] According to Tony Barnhart, Fenton is considered the first great football player in LSU history.[31] The National Football Foundation selected Fenton as the retroactive Heisman Trophy winner of 1908.[32]

Personnel

Roster

Roster from LSU: The Louisiana Tigers[33]

Scoring leaders

The following is an incomplete list of statistics and scores, largely dependent on newspaper summaries.

Player Touchdowns Extra points Field goals Safeties Points
Doc Fenton 13 36 6 0 125
Mike Lally 14 7 1 0 81
Clarence Smith 8 0 0 0 40
Bob Smith 7 0 0 0 35
Cap Gandy 6 0 0 0 30
Reuben Gill 4 0 0 0 20
Little Stovall 4 0 0 0 20
Willie Hillman 3 1 0 0 16
Pat Ryan 3 1 0 0 16
Oren Noblett 3 0 0 0 15
John Seip 3 0 0 0 15
Big Stovall 3 0 0 0 15
Unaccounted for v. SWPU 2 0 0 0 10
N/A 0 0 0 2 4
TOTAL 73 45 7 2 442

Staff

See also

  • List of undefeated NCAA Division I football teams

Notes

  1. ↑ National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (2015). "National Poll Rankings" (PDF). NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA. p. 108. http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  2. ↑ "2017 LSU Football Media Guide". LSU Athletic Department. http://www.lsusports.net/fls/5200/assets/docs/fb/pdf/17guide.pdf. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "From 'The LSU Football Vault': The 1908 Season". http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1621833.
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 "A Season in Time: LSU Tigers 1908". http://goldenrankings.com/lsu1908.htm.
  5. ↑ Frank J. Price (March 1, 1999). Troy H. Middleton: A Biography. LSU Press. p. 32. https://books.google.com/books?id=rPrkseaVX-IC&pg=PA32#v=onepage&q&f=false.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "The 1908 LSU football team the first great one in school history". NOLA.com. http://blog.nola.com/lsusports/2008/11/the_1908_lsu_football_team_the.html.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Bob Royce (May 1996). "The Blond Terror". College Football Historical Society 9 (3). http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv09/CFHSNv09n3b.pdf.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "George Doc Fenton". http://www.lasportshall.com/inductees/football/george-doc-fenton/.
  9. ↑ "1908 LSU Football Schedule". Saturday Down South. http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/schedules/lsu-games/1908-lsu-season/.
  10. ↑ "1908 Louisiana State Fighting Tigers". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/1908-schedule.html.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 "Yellow and Purple Win; Texas A. & M. Defeated". The Times-Democrat: p. 15. October 18, 1908. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5199936/the_timesdemocrat/. Retrieved May 8, 2016. open access
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Big Score". The Tennessean: p. 6. October 27, 1908. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205733/the_tennessean/. Retrieved May 9, 2016. open access
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Auburn Loses To L. S. U. Team". The Atlanta Constitution: p. 3. November 1, 1908. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205416/the_atlanta_constitution/. Retrieved May 9, 2016. open access
  14. ↑ Jeremy Henderson. "Auburn’s 1908 team went undefeated despite losing to professional LSU team". The War Eagle Reader. http://www.thewareaglereader.com/2013/09/auburns-1908-team-goes-undefeated-despite-losing-to-professional-lsu-team/.
  15. ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 "L. S. U. Takes Another". The Times-Democrat: p. 16. November 8, 1908. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205366/the_timesdemocrat/. Retrieved May 9, 2016. open access
  16. ↑ "2015 LSU Football Media Guide". Issuu. https://issuu.com/lsuathletics/docs/15fbguide_secpdf.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 "L.S.U. Football Team Defeats Baylor 89 To 0". The Times-Democrat: p. 11. November 11, 1908. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5200028/the_timesdemocrat/. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Haskell Lost Second Game of Their Trip". Lawrence Daily World: p. 1. November 17, 1908. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5199776/lawrence_daily_world/. Retrieved May 8, 2016. open access
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 "Tigers Trounce Redmen Thirty-Two To Nothing". The Times-Democrat: p. 12. November 17, 1908. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5199791/the_timesdemocrat/. Retrieved May 8, 2016. open access
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Victory". The Times-Democrat: p. 10. November 24, 1908. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205746/the_timesdemocrat/. Retrieved May 9, 2016. open access
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 "Louisiana Beats Arkansas 36-4". Daily Arkansas Gazette: p. 8. November 27, 1908. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205143/daily_arkansas_gazette/. Retrieved May 9, 2016. open access
  22. ↑ Woodruff 1928, p. 221
  23. ↑ Woodruff 1928, p. 223
  24. ↑ Spalding's Football Guide. 1909. p. 75. https://archive.org/stream/officialfootball1909nati#page/75.
  25. ↑ "Tiger Tintype". The Monroe News-Star: p. 15. September 12, 1947. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5205353/the_monroe_newsstar/. Retrieved May 9, 2016. open access
  26. ↑ "Fenton and Flournoy in La. Hall of Fame". Lake Charles American Press: p. 31. January 18, 1967. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4955784/lake_charles_americanpress/. Retrieved April 15, 2016. open access
  27. ↑ "All SIAA Teams of Past Six Years". Atlanta Georgian. November 27, 1909. http://atlnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/atlnewspapers/view?docId=news/aga1909/aga1909-4620.xml&query=%22All%20southern%22%20football&query-prox=10&brand=atlnewspapers-brand.
  28. ↑ "National Champions". lsusports.net. http://www.lsusports.net/src/data/lsu/assets/docs/fb/pdf/01fb296-306.pdf. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  29. ↑ "U-T Greats On All-Time Southeast Team". Kingsport Post. July 31, 1969. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1242&dat=19690731&id=TkdTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YoYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2604,3160960.
  30. ↑ George Trevor (November 30, 1935). "All-Time All-Star Team Louisiana State University". Tulane University Football Program-The Greenie; L.S.U. vs. Tulane. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141223103449/http://louisdl.louislibraries.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16313coll13/id/218.
  31. ↑ Tony Barnhart. Southern Fried Football. p. 177. https://books.google.com/books?id=vaduAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT177#v=onepage&q&f=false.
  32. ↑ Before There Was A Heisman. 51. National Football Foundation. 2009. p. 4. http://www.footballfoundation.org/Portals/7/nff/file_file/2009_footballetter_issue_3.pdf.
  33. ↑ Hardesty, Dan. "LSU: The Louisiana Tigers". The Strode Publishers. Huntsville, Alabama. 1975. P. 334-345.

References

  • Woodruff, Fuzzy (1928). A History of Southern Football 1890–1928. 1.

External links

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