The 1900 Western University of Pennsylvania football team was an American football team that represented Western University of Pennsylvania (now known as the University of Pittsburgh) as an independent during the 1900 college football season.
Schedule
Season recap With regards to football coaching in 1900, W.U.P. revamped its coaching system. On July 15, The Pittsburg Post indicated that Dr. Roy Jackson would be the team coach. Three days later, Pittsburgh Press elaborated that Jackson would act as coach and a player for the team from Duquesne Country and Athletic Club (D.C. & A.C.), while he would provide coaching to W.U.P., depending on his time. In this regard, W.U.P. practiced together with the team from D.C. & A.C.. The practices started on September 3rd with all the candidates eligible to become part of the varsity team as there was no second team for the sophomores. Only the lettermen could wear the "P" badge. During the matches, the team played under the leadership of the captain named Richard Wallace. Over the season coached by Roy Jackson, the team had achieved 5 wins and 4 losses with a score of 110 to 33 against its opponents.
Game summaries
At Penn State
On a rainy Saturday, the 29th of September, the Western University of Pennsylvania football team opened their season at the Driving Park grounds in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, against the State College eleven. In the first half (20 minutes), the WUP contingent held their own against the heavier Staties. After 15 minutes of back-and-forth possessions dominated by line plunges, fullback Cummings of State College managed to score a touchdown. Martin was successful on the goal kick after, and the score at halftime was 6–0 in favor of State College. In the second half (15 minutes), the WUP offense managed to advance the ball to the five-yard line of State College but could get no closer. The State defense held and punted the ball out of danger. After an exchange of possessions and WUP fumbles, the Staties offense found themselves on the WUP 10-yard line. Two plays later, State guard Scholl scored. Martin was again successful with the goal kick after and the final score was a respectable 12–0. Coach Jackson was impressed with the play of his charges. Penn State finished the season with a 4–6–1 record.
The WUP lineup for the game against Penn State was John Miller (left end), Richard Wallace (left tackle), Wilbur Hockensmith (left guard), Emil Fryer (center), William Sterrett (right guard), John Martin (right tackle), Herman Blevins (right end), William Cullers (quarterback), William Hansen (left halfback), Earl Paul (right halfback) and Charles Cook (fullback). James Chessrown replaced Emil Fryer at center.
At West Virginia
The WUP team spent the week scrimmaging against D.C. & A.C. in preparation for their trip to Morgantown, West Virginia. Starting back Earl Paul and lineman James Chessrown were nursing injuries from the State College game and D.C. & A.C. scrimmage, but Parke Bachman and Herman Blevins were able replacements. The team boarded the steamer Edgar Cherry on 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon and arrived in Morgantown on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. The arduous 20 plus hour trip did not leave the WUP squad adequately rested. The Mountaineers kicked off and WUP fullback Edmund Graham returned the ball to the 40-yard line and fumbled. West Virginia recovered and advanced the ball offensively. Their end McGregor ultimately scored the touchdown. The goal after was successful and the score was 6–0 in favor of West Virginia less than five minutes into the game. The WUP kicked off and their defense was able to secure the ball on downs. The WUP offense used a "guards back" formation and methodically penetrated the West Virginia defense. Captain Richard Wallace was able to score four minutes prior to halftime. Wheeler missed the goal kick after and West Virginia led 6–5 at halftime. This game also consisted of a 20-minute first half and a 15-minute second half. The second half was a defensive battle. The WUP kicked off and the Mountaineer offense was stymied. The Mountaineers punted and the WUP offense slowly advanced the ball to the West Virginia 15-yard line. Here the Mountaineer defense stiffened and the Western U. turned the ball over on downs. The game ended moments later. The Mountaineers finished the season with a 4–3 record. The WUP lineup for the West Virginia game was Wheeler (left end), Richard Wallace (left tackle), Wilbur Hockensmith (left guard), Parke Bachman (center), William Sterrett (right guard), John Martin (right tackle), Clyde Sample (right end), William Cullers (quarterback), Herman Blevins (left halfback), William Hansen (right halfback) and Edmund Graham (fullback). Earl Paul replaced Herman Bevins at left halfback.
Duquesne Country and Athletic Club
On Tuesday, October 9, the WUP eleven played a game against the team (D.C. & A.C.) it had been practicing against for the past two weeks. Also, they were playing against their own coach (Dr. Roy Jackson), who played left halfback for the Duquesnes in addition to coaching them. The University eleven fooled the experts and played a strong game against the heavier more experienced "pro" team. The Duquesnes scored on a line plunge by their guard Smith in the first half. The goal kick after was unsuccessful and the score stood 5–0 in favor of D.C. & A.C. There was no scoring in the second half as the Duquesnes were able to move the ball against the Universities but would fumble and the WUP would recover. The University eleven could not move the ball consistently on offense even though, they changed their normal signals to confuse Coach Jackson. WUP fullback Edmund Graham was kept busy punting the ball out of danger. The Western U. team gained a lot of confidence for their next game against Grove City College. The WUP lineup for the game against the Duquesnes was Wheeler (left end), Richard Wallace (left tackle), Wilbur Hockensmith (left guard), James Chessrown (center), Herman Watt (right guard), Parke Bachman (right tackle), John Martin (right end), William Cullers (quarterback), Earl Paul (right halfback), William Hansen (left halfback) and Edmund Graham (fullback). William Sterrett replaced Richard Wallace at left tackle. The game consisted of one twenty minute half and one fifteen minute half.
Grove City
On October 19, the Grove City College eleven came to Exposition Park to take on the WUP. Pregame drama arose when Western U. captain Wallace argued that Grove City coach Lowrey was a professional and should not be in the lineup. Grove City countered that since the WUP squad had played a game against the D.C.& A.C. their argument was moot. Coach Lowrey played. On the opening drive, the WUP backs were able to move the ball steadily downfield. Finally, halfback Beach scored the touchdown on a five yard dash around the end. Wheeler kicked the goal after and the Western U. lads led 6–0. For the remainder of the first half, the teams alternated possessions and fumbled away opportunities. The WUP defense did not allow Grove City to penetrate their side of the field in the second half. Offensively, the WUP offense had one sustained drive that ended with Wilbur Hockensmith plunging over from the three for their second touchdown. William Sterrett kicked the goal after and the game ended 12–0 in favor of the University eleven. The WUP lineup for the game against Grove City was Wheeler (left end), John Martin (left tackle), Wilbur Hockensmith (left guard), James Chessrown (center), William Sterrett (right guard), Parke Bachman (right tackle), Victor King (right end), William Cullers (quarterback), Beach (left halfback), William Hansen (right halfback) and Edmund Graham (fullback). The substitutions made during the game were: G. A. Jelly replaced Victor King at right end; Earl Paul replaced William Hansen at right halfback; Jacob Benner replaced G. A. Jelly at right end; and Richard Wallace replaced Jacob Benner at right end. The game was played in 15-minute halves.
At California State Normal (PA)
On October 24, the Western University squad traveled to California, Pennsylvania, to play the football team of the California Normal School. The WUP was in control throughout this game and leading 12–0 with 10 minutes to play in the second half when the officials mercifully ended the game. The hard physical play had injured too many of the California players. The WUP lineup for the game against California Normal was Wheeler (left end), Emil Fryer (left tackle), Wilbur Hockensmith (left guard), James Chessrown (center), William Sterrett (right guard), John Martin (right tackle), G. A. Jelly (right end), William Cullers (quarterback), William Hansen (left halfback), Earl Paul (right halfback) and Edmund Graham (fullback).
At Buchtel
On October 27 the WUP team resumed its physical style of football in Akron, Ohio against Buchtel College. The 25-minute first half lasted an hour and fifteen minutes due to many injury timeouts. Consequently, the second half was reduced to 10 minutes of play. Both teams were able to move the ball. Buchtel got near the WUP goal line three times but were thwarted by the WUP defense each time. In the rugged first half, Washer attempted a field goal for the Normals but the WUP defense blocked it. End Abram Barclay picked it up and raced 96 yards for the WUP touchdown. The WUP offense was able to methodically advance the ball in the second half, with End Wheeler and fullback Edmund Graham both scoring touchdowns. The final score was 17–0 in favor of the visitors. The WUP lineup for the game against Buchtel was Wheeler (left end), Richard Wallace (left tackle), Wilbur Hockensmith (left guard), James Chessrown (center), William Sterrett (right guard), Emil Fryer (right tackle), Abram Barclay (right end), William Cullers (quarterback), William Hansen (left halfback), Beach (right halfback) and Edmund Graham (fullback). The substitutions made during the game were: John Martin replaced Wheeler at left end and Wheeler replaced Beach at right halfback.
Thiel
On November 1, the Thiel College football team came south from Greenville, Pennsylvania, to Exposition Park to battle the WUP. There was some concern with the University lineup because the Buchtel game was so physical. Starters Barclay, Paul, Graham and captain Wallace were all injured so the lineup had to be adjusted. The concern turned out to be unfounded as the WUP contingent ran roughshod over the Thiel eleven and won the game by a 47–0 margin. Five different WUP players scored touchdowns – Hockensmith (2), Martin (2), Beach (2), Sterrett and Wheeler. Martin made the longest run of the game on his 43-yard touchdown jaunt. Thiel only had the ball four times on offense and was unable to sustain any offense. However, Thiel never gave up and played hard to the bitter end. The WUP offense advanced the ball easily and lost it once on downs and once on a fumble. The large crowd of noisy students and bands helped make the day a total success. The WUP lineup for the game against Thiel was John Martin (left end), Parke Bachman (left tackle), Wilbur Hockensmith (left guard), James Chessrown (center), William Sterrett (right guard), Emil Fryer (right tackle), Paul McClain (right end), William Cullers (quarterback), William Hansen (right halfback), Beach (left halfback) and Wheeler (fullback). The substitutions made during the game were: Herman Watt replaced Parke Bachman at left tackle; William Mitchell replaced Freyer at right tackle; and G. A. Jelly replaced Paul McClain at right end. The game consisted of one twenty-five minute half and one twenty minute half.
Westminster (PA)