The 1929 Purdue Boilermakers football team was an American football team that represented Purdue University in the 1929 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth and final year under head coach James Phelan, the Boilermakers compiled an undefeated 8–0 record (5–0 in conference games), won the Big Ten championship, and outscored their opponents by a total of 187 to 44. They were ranked second nationally in the final Dickinson rankings, 1.40 points behind national champion Notre Dame and 1.60 points ahead of third place Pittsburgh.
Fullback Ralph Welch, commonly known as "Pest" Welch, and tackle Elmer Sleight were consensus first-team picks on the 1929 All-America team. Welch, Sleight, and quarterback Glen Harmeson were consensus first-team picks on the 1929 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Harmeson was the team's leading scorer with 48 points on seven touchdowns and six extra-point kicks. Purdue's four starting backs, Welch, Harmeson, Alex Yunevich and John White were known as the "Four Riveters".
One month after the end of Purdue's season, Phelan accepted the head football coach position at the University of Washington. Phelan compiled a 35–22–5 record in eight years at Purdue.
Schedule
Players
Horace J. Buttner, guard, No. 88, 188 pounds Paul R. Calvert, end, No. 73, 165 pounds Elbert Caraway, end, No. 38, 169 pounds J. M. Christman, guard, No. 78, 173 pounds Richard A. Chubb, center, No. 80, 192 pounds Harold Cloud Al E. Deutch, fullback, No. 21, 182 pounds Livy E. Eward, tackle, No. 71, 196 pounds William A. Fulton, quarterback, No. 17, 153 pounds Glen Harmeson, halfback, No. 32, 167 pounds Harry L. Huntsinger, end, No. 91, 162 pounds Howard Kissell William F. Mackle, end, No. 79, 167 pounds Ookie Miller, center, No. 76, 185 pounds E. A. Moon, end, No. 75, 175 pounds Lew Pope, halfback, No. 82, 182 pounds James C. Purvis, halfback, No. 24, 171 pounds Eddie Risk, halfback, No. 23, 172 pounds Les S. Sherbeck, center, No. 36, 182 pounds Elmer Sleight, tackle, No. 31, 193 pounds Don D. Trimble, guard, No. 70, 167 pounds George Van Bibber, tackle, No. 86, 186 pounds Sam Voinoff, guard, No. 66, 165 pounds Ralph Welch, halfback/fullback, No. 33, 189 pounds John A. White, quarterback, No. 27, 168 pounds Bill C. Woerner, end, No. 28, 155 pounds Alex Yunevich, fullback, No. 39
Coaches and administrators Head coach: James Phelan Assistant coaches: Noble Kizer (line coach), Earl Martineau (backfield coach), Mel Alward (ends coach), Cotton Wilcox (freshman coach) Athletic director: Nelson A. Kellogg
References