1921 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team

1921 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
SIAA co-champion
Conference	Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
1921 record	8–1 (4–0 SIAA)
Head coach	William Alexander (2nd year)
Offensive scheme	Jump shift
Captain	Judy Harlan
Home stadium	Grant Field
Uniform

1921 SIAA football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Centre +	5	–	0	–	0			10	–	1	–	0
Georgia Tech +	4	–	0	–	0			8	–	1	–	0
Georgia +	6	–	0	–	1			7	–	2	–	1
Vanderbilt +	5	–	0	–	1			7	–	0	–	1
Tennessee	4	–	1	–	1			6	–	2	–	1
Florida	4	–	1	–	2			6	–	3	–	2
Mississippi College	3	–	1	–	1			7	–	2	–	1
Sewanee	4	–	2	–	0			6	–	2	–	0
Furman	4	–	2	–	1			7	–	2	–	1
LSU	2	–	1	–	1			6	–	1	–	1
South Carolina	2	–	1	–	1			5	–	1	–	2
Transylvania	2	–	1	–	0			4	–	4	–	0
Auburn	3	–	2	–	0			5	–	3	–	0
The Citadel	2	–	2	–	1			3	–	3	–	2
Mississippi A&M	2	–	3	–	1			4	–	4	–	1
Tulane	3	–	4	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
Alabama	2	–	4	–	2			5	–	4	–	2
Oglethorpe	2	–	4	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Mercer	2	–	5	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
Chattanooga	1	–	3	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
Louisville	0	–	1	–	0			2	–	2	–	1
Kentucky	0	–	2	–	1			4	–	3	–	1
Clemson	0	–	4	–	2			1	–	6	–	2
Millsaps	0	–	3	–	1			0	–	3	–	1
Ole Miss	0	–	3	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
Georgetown (KY)	0	–	3	–	0			2	–	6	–	0
Wofford	0	–	3	–	0			2	–	7	–	0
Howard	0	–	5	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
+ – Conference co-champions

The 1921 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team^{[note 1]} represented the Georgia Tech Golden Tornado of the Georgia Institute of Technology during the 1921 college football season, competing as members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). The team played its home games at Grant Field, and suffered the season's only loss in the only road game, at the Polo Grounds in New York to undefeated, eastern power Penn State.

The Tornado was coached by William Alexander in his 2nd year as head coach, compiling a record of 8–1 (4–0 SIAA) and outscoring opponents 360 to 56. The team shared a claim to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association title with the Centre Colonels, Georgia Bulldogs, and Vanderbilt Commodores.

Captain Judy Harlan made Walter Camp's third-team All-America. Red Barron led the team in scoring and rushed for 1,459 yards on the season, a then-school record.^[3]

Before the season

In 1921, football used a one-platoon system in which players played both offense, defense, and special teams. The team that scored a touchdown had the option to kickoff or receive. The ball was also much fatter. Coach William Alexander retained his predecessor John Heisman's scheme, using the pre-snap movement of his "jump shift" offense.

The Tornado was captained by senior fullback Judy Harlan,^[4][5] called by some the school's greatest back,^[6] and one of the country's best defensive backs.^[7] Also in the backfield was halfback Red Barron who had just recovered from a broken jaw suffered last season against Vanderbilt.^[8] Gone from last year's team were greats such as Buck Flowers and Bill Fincher, who graduated in 1920.

Future Tech fullback Sam Murray was asked about a certain strong runner in the 1930s, "He's good. But if I were playing again, I would have one wish – never to see bearing down upon me a more fearsome picture of power than Judy Harlan blocking for Red Barron."^[9] In the line, at either end one finds brothers John and Al Staton. At guard was Oscar Davis, who with Barron was later named to an All-Tech Alexander era team.^[10]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance
September 24	Wake Forest*	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA	W 42–0
October 1	Oglethorpe	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA	W 41–0	8,000
October 8	Davidson*	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA	W 70–0
October 15	Furman	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA	W 69–0
October 22	Rutgers*	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA	W 48–14	15,000
October 29	vs. Penn State*	Polo Grounds • New York, NY	L 7–28
November 5	Clemson	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA (Rivalry)	W 48–7
November 12	Georgetown*	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA	W 21–7
November 24	Auburn	Grant Field • Atlanta, GA (Rivalry)	W 14–0	25,000
*Non-conference game.

^[11]

Season summary

Wake Forest

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Wake 0 0 0 0 0 • Ga. Tech 14 14 7 7 42 Date: September 24 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Game weather: Hot Referee: Ed Finlay Sources:[8]

The season opened with a defeat of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 42–0. The intense heat made for many substitutions, and so multiple Tech players starred.^[8] Despite the heat, Harlan still smashed into the line.^[8]

Harlan running interference for Barron.

The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), McIntyre (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), Hunt (quarterback), Brewster (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Harlan (fullback).^[8]

Oglethorpe

Oglethorpe at Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Oglethorpe 0 0 0 0 0 • Ga. Tech 14 7 13 7 41 Date: October 1 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Game attendance: 8,000 Referee: Ed Finlay Sources:[12]

In the second week of play, Red Barron starred as the Tornado beat the local Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels 41–0. Dewey Scarboro scored Tech's first touchdown.^[12] The second came on a 25-yard run from Barron.^[12]

In the third quarter, Tech sent in a substitute backfield, and seemed to have even more success.^[12] Tech had 363 yards from scrimmage to Oglethorpe's 4.^[12]

The starting lineup was Nabelle (left end), Johnson (left tackle), Lebey (left guard), Frye (center), Davis (right guard), Fincher (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Scarboro (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Harlan (fullback).^[12]

Davidson

Davidson at Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Davidson 0 0 0 0 0 • Ga. Tech 7 21 7 35 70 Date: October 8 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Referee: Ed Finlay Sources:[13]

Tech roared over Davidson 70–0, netting 22 first downs to Davidson's none.^[13]

Tech scored first when Barron threw a pass for a touchdown, Staton running 35 yards for the score.^[14] The final score came when Barron had a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown.^[15] Judy Harlan had four touchdowns.^[13]

The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), Frye (left guard), Amis (center), Borum (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Harlan (fullback).^[13]

Furman

Furman at Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Furman 0 0 0 0 0 • Ga. Tech 7 18 32 12 69 Date: October 15 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Referee: Rip Major Sources:[16]

The Tech backfield, led by Barron, ran all over coach Billy Laval's Furman Purple Hurricane in a 69–0 win.^[16] Milton McManaway played for Furman.^{[16][note 2]}

Barron had a 55-yard touchdown run.^[15] A punt return for a touchdown with Barron reversing field was wiped off from an offside penalty.^[16] Judy Harlan drew praise for his work as a defensive back.^[16]

The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), Lebey (left guard), Amis (center), Frye (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Harlan (fullback).^[16]

Rutgers

Rutgers at Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Rutgers 7 0 0 7 14 • Ga. Tech 14 14 13 7 48 Date: October 22 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Game attendance: 15,000 Referee: Frank Birch (Chicago) Sources:[17]

The Tornado had an intersectional victory over Rutgers 48–14. Tech's shift was at its peak,^[18] and Red Barron was the game's star.^[17] Rutgers' Carl Waite threw a 30-yard touchdown to Heinie Benkert.^[14]

Barron's touchdown on Penn State.

The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), Frye (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Brewster (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Harlan (fullback).^[17]

Penn State

Georgia Tech vs. Penn State

1 2 3 4 Total Ga. Tech 7 0 0 0 7 • Penn State 7 7 7 7 28 Date: October 29 Location: Polo Grounds New York, NY Referee: C. J. McCarty (Germantown) Sources:[19]

The Penn State Nittany Lions undefeated "Mystery Team" defeated Georgia Tech 28–7 at the Polo Grounds.^[20][21][22] Both teams used a shift.^[23]

Red Barron scored Tech's only touchdown. The feature of the game followed immediately after, an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Glenn Killinger.^[19] Penn State's defense stiffened after that.^[23]

The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), McRee (left tackle), Frye (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Barron (left halfback), Brewster (right halfback), Harlan (fullback).^[19]

Clemson

Clemson at Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Clemson 7 0 0 0 7 • Ga. Tech 7 7 14 20 48 Date: November 5 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Referee: W. R. Tichenor Sources:[24]

"Just as we used to bring in a load of stove wood at nightfall, feed the pigs and milk the cows, so do football teams of note have their chores to perform year in and year out. Georgia Tech performed one of its accustomed tasks Saturday afternoon, when Clemson was decidedly thrashed, but the task was not performed in the usual manner, for Clemson scored a touchdown. The score was 48 to 7."^[24]

Tech started the game with a second-string backfield.^[24] Clemson scored first, Burton running in a touchdown.^[24] The first score for Tech came six seconds before the end of the first quarter when Red Barron went around tackle for a touchdown.^[24] The second came on a 20-yard Barron run.^[24] Pinkey Hunt got the first score of the second half.^[24] The next touchdown came from Jimmy Brewster gaining 28 yards down the field, but almost 100 yards in all.^[24] He later scored. Brewster also scored the next touchdown on a 15-yard run, after gathering an 18-yard pass.^[24] Barron and Harlan returned to the lineup late, making for two additional touchdowns, one by each.^[24]

The starting lineup was Cornell (left end), Johnson (left tackle), Barnett (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), Lyman (right tackle), A. Staton (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Farnsworth (fullback).^[24]

Georgetown

Georgetown at Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Georgetown 0 0 0 7 7 • Ga. Tech 0 7 14 0 21 Date: November 24 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Sources:[25]

The Tornado beat Georgetown Hilltoppers 21–7. Tech's first score came from Judy Harlan on a 2-yard run behind right tackle.^[25] The second score came in the second half, when Red Barron skirted left end for 20 yards and a touchdown.^[25] Barron made his team's last score on a 2-yard run behind left guard.^[25] Georgetown's score came on a 95-yard return after DuFour recovered a Jack McDonough fumble.^[25]

A pass during the Tech-Auburn game

The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), Johnson (left tackle), Frye (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), A. Staton (right tackle), Mitchell (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Harlan (fullback).^[26]

Auburn

Auburn at Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Auburn 0 0 0 0 0 • Ga. Tech 0 0 0 14 14 Date: November 24 Location: Grant Field Atlanta, GA Game attendance: 25,000 Referee: Ed Finlay Sources:[27]

Georgia Tech beat Auburn 14–0. More than 21,000 people, the largest crowd of the Southern football season, saw the contest.^[28]

After a scoreless first half, Tech opened a drive to start the second half with runs from Barron, Harlan, and Ferst. Just as Barron was about to score, he fumbled, and McDonough recovered the ball in the endzone. Barron later scored the second touchdown.^[27]

The starting lineup was J. Staton (left end), Johnson (left tackle), Lebey (left guard), Amis (center), Davis (right guard), A. Staton (right tackle), Mitchell (right end), McDonough (quarterback), Ferst (left halfback), Barron (right halfback), Harlan (fullback).^[27]

Postseason

Awards and honors

Barron rushed for 1,459 yards on the season.^[29] He also led the team in scoring with 90 points.^[30] Harlan, Barron, and Al Staton were composite All-Southern. Davis and John Staton also made some All-Southern teams.^[31] Harlan made Walter Camp's third-team All-America,^[32] and Barron made Jack Veiock's third team as well.^[33]

Championships

For yet another season, neither Tech nor the Bulldogs of Georgia lost to a Southern team. Tech tied with Centre, Georgia, and Vanderbilt for claims of the SIAA title.^[28] For Georgia coach Herman Stegeman, the contest for the theoretical title of greatest Southern team was between Centre, Georgia Tech, and Georgia.^[28]

Personnel

Depth chart

The following chart provides a visual depiction of Tech's lineup during the 1921 season with games started at the position reflected in parenthesis. The chart mimics the offense after the jump shift has taken place.

LE John Staton (7) Cornell (1) Nabelle (1)   LT LG C RG RT J. P. McCrea (5) Claire Frye (4) Dad Amis (8) Oscar Davis (7) W. P. Lyman (6) Johnson (4) Dummy Lebey (3) Claire Frye (1) Borum (1) Albert Staton (2) Barnett (1) Claire Frye (1) Jesse Fincher (1) John McIntyre (1) RE Albert Staton (7) Mitchell (2)     QB Jack McDonough (8) Pinkey Hunt (1) RHB Red Barron (8) Jimmy Brewster (1) FB Judy Harlan (8) Farnsworth (1) LHB Frank Ferst (5) Jimmy Brewster (2) Red Barron (1) Dewey Scarboro (1)

Scoring leaders

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

Player	Touchdowns	Extra points	Points
Red Barron	15	0	90
Judy Harlan	12	0	72
Jimmy Brewster	10	0	60
Farnsworth	3	0	18
Frank Ferst	3	0	18
Jack McDonough	3	0	18
Dewey Scarboro	3	0	18
Albert Staton	1	11	17
W. P. Lyman	0	14	14
Granger	0	10	10
Carter	1	0	6
Caldwell	1	0	6
Pinkey Hunt	1	0	6
John Staton	0	6	6
Oscar Davis	0	1	1
Total	53	42	360

See also

• 1921 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season
• 1921 College Football All-America Team

Notes

1. Although Georgia Tech's teams are officially known as the "Yellow Jackets", northern writers called the team the "Golden Tornado" in 1917; the name was commonly used until 1928 and for many years afterwards as an alternate nickname.^[1] It may have been coined by Morgan Blake.^[2]
2. Last week, Georgia had beaten Furman 27–7.^[16]

Endnotes

1. Van Brimmer & Rice 2011, p. 147
2. "Golden Tornadoes". Retrieved January 28, 2015.
3. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/geot/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/71stats.pdf
4. "To Judy Harlan, Leader of Tech". Atlanta Constitution. November 27, 1921. p. 19. Retrieved May 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Judy Harlan". Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. 54. 1973.
6. "Another Judy Harlan". Ironwod Daily Globe. October 19, 1927. p. 7. Retrieved May 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Eight Stars of Constitution's All-Southern". Atlanta Constitution. November 28, 1920. p. 3. Retrieved May 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Cliff Wheatley (September 25, 1921). "Attack of Alex's Great Outfit Too Much for Wake Forest Team". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved June 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Lynn Hogan (1973). "They Walked Away Into Legend...". Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. 51 (4): 15–19.
10. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/geot/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/HONORS.pdf
11. "1921 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results".
12. Fuzzy Woodruff (October 2, 1921). ""Red" Barron Is Brilliant Star As Tornado Sweeps to Victory". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved June 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Tech's Golden Tornado Roars Across Field To Victory Over Davidson". The Charlotte Observer. October 9, 1921. p. 15. Retrieved June 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
14. Camp 1922, p. 27
15. Camp 1922, p. 26
16. Fuzzy Woodruff (October 16, 1921). "Golden Tornado Overwhelms Furman, 69-0". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved May 6, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Barron Is Star For Tornado". The Atlanta Constitution. October 23, 1921. p. 3. Retrieved May 6, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
18. Camp 1922, p. 57
19. "Penn State Tears Georgia Techites' Line Into Shreds". Pittsburgh Daily Post. October 30, 1921. p. 20. Retrieved May 6, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "100 Things Penn State Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die".
21. "Football games played at The Polo Grounds, New York".
22. "Penn State in the Polo Grounds – Part 2 « JoePa's Doghouse".
23. Camp 1922, p. 51
24. Paul Warwick (November 6, 1921). "Clemson Rushes Over Touchdown Against Tech, But Is Swamped". Atlanta Constitution. p. 3. Retrieved May 6, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Tech-Georgetown Play by Detail". Atlanta Constitution. November 13, 1921. p. 4. Retrieved May 6, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
26. "Georgetown Defense Smashed By Tech". Atlanta Constitution. November 13, 1921. p. 4. Retrieved May 6, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
27. "Techs Beat Alabama In Final 14 To 0". Greensboro Daily News. November 25, 1921. p. 12. Retrieved May 6, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
28. Camp 1922, p. 85
29. "Georgia Tech statistics" (PDF).
30. Camp 1922, p. 165
31. "All-Southern Football Team". Charlotte Observer. December 4, 1921.
32. "Walter Camp's All-America Selections for 1921". The New York Times. December 21, 1921. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
33. "Players from Coast to Coast Put on All-American Team by Veiock". Tulsa Daily World. 1921-12-04.

References

• Camp, Walter (1922). National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Rules: Official Intercollegiate Football Guide. 45 Rose St, New York: American Sports: Spalding's Athletic Library.
• Van Brimmer, Adam; Rice, Homer (2011). 100 Things Yellow Jackets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die. Chicago: Triumph Books. ISBN 978-1-61749-703-2.