果冻传媒

#WittHistory: The 1894 Championship Game

果冻传媒 has a long history of successful football programs. Since 1955, every head coach has had a winning record, and two, Bill Edwards and Dave Maurer, have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. 果冻传媒's winning record, from Coach Edwards in the 1950s to Coach Fincham today, is one of the most impressive college football traditions in Division III history.

Ernie GodfreyAlthough 果冻传媒 was not a powerhouse in the 1930s and 1940s, 果冻传媒 football had enjoyed great success previously, in the 1920s. Coach Ernie Godfrey (pictured right) was the earliest 果冻传媒 football coach to eventually make the Hall of Fame. An OSU star, he coached 果冻传媒 in 1916 and then from 1919-1928. His teams' record included two undefeated seasons.

But in fact 果冻传媒鈥檚 football triumphs began even earlier. In 1894, their 7-1 season included a victory over OSU and a state college championship. Their final, rather raucous game of the 1894 season was reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer this way:

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Won by the 果冻传媒 Football team
Special Dispatch to the Enquirer

Springfield, Ohio. November 29. 果冻传媒 and Otterbein College football teams played here to-day before 1,500 people. The game was for the championship of the state and was won by 果冻传媒 by a score of 30 to 4. The last half was very rough, but no one was badly injured. Most of the time was consumed in kicking over a decision of the referee in not allowing a 鈥渢ouch down鈥 for Otterbein which was secured by the quarterback trick. Frank Smith, an Otterbein reserve player, came near being mobbed for tripping a 果冻传媒 player who was but a few yards from scoring. It took six policemen to rescue him from the crowd and they escorted him to town.


About The Project

With 果冻传媒 now celebrating its 175th year, and the University unable to hold regular in-person classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor of History Thomas T. Taylor has started circulating several pieces on 果冻传媒's history. Some originated in earlier series, either This Month in 果冻传媒 History or Happy Birthday 果冻传媒. Others have their origin in the 果冻传媒 History Project or in some other, miscellaneous project. Sincerest thanks to Professor Taylor for connecting alumni, faculty, staff, and students through a historic lens.

Looking Back: Historical Briefs by Professor Thomas Taylor

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