1916 Cumberland vs. Georgia Tech football game

1916 Cumberland vs. Georgia Tech football game

The 1916 Cumberland vs. Georgia Tech football game was the most lopsided in the history of college football, with Georgia Tech winning 222–0. Cumberland College, a Presbyterian school in Lebanon, Tennessee, had discontinued its football program before the season but was not allowed to cancel its game against the Engineers. GeorgiaTech scored a total of 32 touchdowns and Georgia Tech’s left end James Preas kicked 18 extra points.

About 1916 Cumberland vs. Georgia Tech football game in brief

Summary 1916 Cumberland vs. Georgia Tech football gameThe 1916 Cumberland vs. Georgia Tech football game was the most lopsided in the history of college football, with Georgia Tech winning 222–0. Cumberland College, a Presbyterian school in Lebanon, Tennessee, had discontinued its football program before the season but was not allowed to cancel its game against the Engineers. The fact that Cumberland’s baseball team had crushed Georgia Tech earlier that year 22–0 probably accounted for Georgia Tech coach John Heisman’s running up the score on the Bulldogs. It is speculated that Heisman may have deliberately aimed for a score of exactly 222 as a numerically significant retaliation to Cumberland’s 22. Several myths have developed around the game, including that Georgia Tech scored on every offensive play, but the play-by-play account of the game refutes this, as Cumberland made 15 first downs and committed nine fumbles and six interceptions in the entire game.

Despite scoring 32 touchdowns, the Engineers did not complete or attempt a forward pass: all their yardage came on rushes, returns or defensive plays. Several players on the heavily-outmatched Cumberland side suffered serious injuries during the game,. including quarterback Edwards, who was thrice carted off with concussions. George E. Allen put together a team of 12–16 players, most of whom were his fraternity brothers, to travel to Atlanta as Cumberlands’ football team. GeorgiaTech scored a total of 32 touchdowns and Georgia Tech’s left end James Preas kicked 18 extra points.