Scoring and receiving the ball back

Throughout the years, college football has made numerous changes in scoring values and also ways of awarding teams.

Case-in-point as an email from fellow college football researcher, Paul Land, presented this question:

I have a question regarding game rules that could have been in place for pre-1900 contests. While researching the 1897 Oregon season, I ran across this game story in the local newspaper. Note that the play by play description appears to imply that Portland kicked off after every Oregon score, which no doubt helped lead to the 95-0 final score.

Was this a regional rule? A game-agreed rule? Or something that was on the books at the time?

A very interesting question. I have only seen one other time that the team that allowed the score give the ball back to the one that the opposing team–only to see it tally more points.  This was in the 1916 Georgia Tech Cumberland  game (222-0).

So without much information on such a play, I sent-out emails to other researchers for assistance and feedback.

Two replied; with different views on “rules of the day.”

Vic Winnek, NCAA Football Official, Instructor of Football Officials was the first to reply:

Tex,

Great to receive your e-mail about the 1897 Kick-off Rule (the play by play description appears to imply that Portland kicked off after every Oregon score,).  This was a rule on the books until the mid 2000s.

I believe the Football rule at play is Rule VII, Section 1(c.) After Scoring:

The teams shall not change goals after a try-at-goal following a touchdown, nor after a goal from the field, but the side just scored upon shall have the option of kicking or having their opponents kick off.

Thus Oregon scored and elected to have Portland kick-off to Oregon.   This was a national rule not a regional rule.  

In the modern NCAA Football Rulebook this is rectified and addressed in Rule 8 section 3 Article 6  which provides after a touchdown the ball shall next be put into play by a kickoff or at the succeeding spot in extra periods. “The field captain of the team against which the six point touchdown was scored shall designate which team shall kickoff.”  Rule 8-4-2-a provides that The field captain of the team against which the 3 point field goal was scored shall designate which team shall kickoff.”

This rule was changed some time between 2003-2007 to take away the option and to mandate the team that had just been scored upon shall receive the kick-off and the scoring team still kick off.

Then, a few days later, another fellow researcher and author, James Herget sent this response.

I don’t know how the 95-0 score was rolled up, but it was probably not due to the kick off rule.  By 1880, when the game was still primarily Rugby, a practice had developed called inch kicking.  Although the rules said that team A had to kick off when team B scored, the practice of inch kicking nullified the rule.  The rule did not say that the kick had to go 10 yards or any particular distance.  Therefore, the kicker could tap the ball with his foot and then pick it up and run with it.  Officials did not object to this practice.  See my book “American Football: How the Game Evolved” at page 39.

Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in learn how the game has progressed from the beginning down through years—without highlighting a respective season, team or player; just how the game has developed, the American Football: How the Game Evolved is a book that would aid in your in journey.

Future postings, after some research, will include the rules of the day–from the 1914 season–along with the scoring accomplishments.

After the fourth weekend of the 2014 college football season, teams are putting-up a high scores, both sides of the scoreboard…just falling short in reaching the combined century mark.

* * *

A Baker’s Dozen

Heading into this weekend’s action, just 14 games have seen teams Light-up the Scoreboard by combing for 100 or more points.

Pouring through the respective division’s composite stats, in this case, scoring; shows the teams that scored the most points in the games listed within this blog, just 4 on within the leaders in Offensive Scoring Averages–with 9  in the Top 25.  Augsburg has registered the lowest ranking–59th–in NCAA III of teams with a game of 100 combined points.

• For the first time this season, all 5 divisions have at least one game listed with the other high-scoring games.

Current Highest Combined Points Scored (through Sept. 20)

Points	2014  Teams and Scores	Division	Current RK	Total Pts	OSA
118	Texas A&M-Commerce 98, East Texas Baptist 20	NCAA II	2	170	56.7
111	East Carolina 70, North Carolina 41	BSD	18	173	43.3
111	Washington 59, Eastern Washington 52	BSD	25* (tied Ole Miss)	165	41.3
110	Waldorf 68, Trinity Bible 42	NAIA	24	166	33.2
107	Faulkner 55, Reihhardt 52	NAIA	5	195	48.8
106	Ottawa 59, Benedictine KS 47	NAIA	29	95	31.7
103	St. Xavier 65, Marian (Ind) 38	NAIA	19	108	36
103	Eastern Washington 52, Montana State 51	CSD	2	201	50.3
102	Morningside 83, Nebraska Wesleyan 19	NAIA	1	211	70.3
102	Pikeville 62, Bluefield 40	NAIA	13	160	40
101	Southeastern Oklahoma State 52, Arkansas-Monticello 49	NCAA II	54* (tied with Kutztown, Walsh, Emporia St.)	98	32.7
100	Augsburg 55, Concordia WI 45	NCAA III	59	100	33.3
100	Reinhardt 52, Lindsay Wilson 48	NAIA	11	167	41.8

 As you read, each division is represented; all but the NAIA have a long way of reaching or surpassing their single-season mark. The NAIA needs 4 such games to tie its 2010 mark of 10.

Listed by most games, here are each division’s highest scoring season of Lighting-up the Scoreboard.

*NCAA III, 29, 2010

* Stars-Era (1900-1936), 22, 1920

*NCAA 1-A/BSD, 20, 2012

*NCAA II, 2007 & 2012

*NCAA 1AA/CSD, 10, 1999

*NAIA, 10, 2010

*Stars-Era (1884-1899), 4, 1890 & 91

There is an excellent chance that at least one more game could be added to the NAIA’s 2014 season.

Alan Grosbach, NAIA Manager of Communications and Sports Information writes in 

NAIA Football Weekly Update

• No. 4 Faulkner (Ala.) looks to continue its best start in program history when the Eagles host No. 17 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) Saturday afternoon in the NAIA Football Game of the Week.
• Saturday marks the third all-time meeting between the two programs. The all-time series is knotted at 1-1, as each team owns a home victory.
• Dominant offense has been the standard when Faulkner and Lindsey Wilson meet, as the two squads have combined for 1,943 yards and 151 points in their two prior meetings.

* * *

NAIA  Schools Trade Scores; establish standards

In 2011, Faulkner (AL) and Union (KY) combined for 184 points; in the process  made Scoring StatHistory.

Faulkner held on for the shootout triumph, 95-89. In the process became the fifth highest combined points since scoring values were introduced in 1883-as well, the winners are the only team on the highest combined point list that failed to reach the century mark and not register a shutout.

Top 10 Highest Scoring Games, 1883-2013

222	1916	Georgia Tech 222, Cumberland 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
206	1922	King 206, Lenoir 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
205	1916	St. Viator 205, Lane Tech HS 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
187	1922	Roanoke 187, Randolph-Macon Academy 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
184	2011	Faulkner 95, Union (Ky.) 89	NAIA
183	1916	Central State Normal 183, Methodist Univ. 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
179	1917	Oklahoma 179, Kingfisher 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
178	1919	Albion 178, River Rouge Navy 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
171	1920	North Georgia Agricultural 171, Lanier 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
167	1920	Arizona 167, Camp Jones 0	Stars-era, 1900-36

Ottawa University (Kans.) Lights up this week’s Scoreboard

This weekend (Sept 20), college football begins in fourth week.

While a number of games have produced high-scoring contest; just 8 games have produced a total that would Light-up the Scoreboard–with just 1 in the sport’s top division and 0 in CSD.

Since 2010, there have been 253 games with teams combing for 100+ points–80 just a year ago.

So, who is to blame for the “lack of scoring?”  It could be the Offensive Coordinator who ‘call off the dogs’ instead of running up the score!  Maybe it’s the Defensive Coordinator who has devised a scheme to stop the opposing team.

Regardless who is at fault–please stop…y’all are not making my blog do what it was intend for–the highlighting of high scoring offenses.

Despite the overall lack of finding the end zone by college football teams as a whole, there is one division that shone brightly in 2014; the NAIA.

Last season, teams from within this association recorded 5 games where its members combined for at least 100 points. Through the first three weeks of the current season, their teams have equaled the mark.

Of the 10 games involved with the high-scoring NAIA Teams, one team, Ottawa University (Kansas) has recorded three such games–giving the school 4 high scoring games–three victories.

Previous Games Ottawa combined for 100+ points

112	1999	Sterling (Kans.) 70, Ottawa 42
106	2014	Ottawa 59, Benedictine (Kans.) 47
103	2013	Ottawa 69, Bethel (Kans.) 34
103	2013	Ottawa 82, Southwestern (Kans.) 21

There must be “something in the water” in the State of Kansas–as you read, all of the Braves’ games were against team from within the state.

The NAIA high scoring games from 2013 and 14 show:

2013	122	Southwestern (Kans.) 86, Bethel (Kans.) 36
	103	Ottawa 82, Southwestern (Kans.) 21
	103	Ottawa 69, Bethel (Kans.) 34
	100	Belhaven 55, Bethel (Tenn.) 45
	100	St. Ambrose 80, Waldorf 20
2014	110	Waldorf 68, Trinity Bible 42
	106	Ottawa 59, Benedictine KS 47
	103	St. Xavier 65, Marian (Ind) 38
	102	Pikeville 62, Bluefield 40
	100	Reinhardt 52, Lindsay Wilson 48

The mark for single-season games over 100 combined points in NAIA football is 10; established in 2010.

In NCAA III, Augsburg (55) and Concordia [Wis.] (45); thus becoming the 22 time that two NAIA teams tallied 100 even–included in this mark is a 1995 tie between Catholic and Randolph-Macon (at 50-all).

This accomplishment was the first time that the winner had combined to score 100 with its opposition.  The 55-45 score equaled the same tally as the 2003 clash between Wheaton (Ill.) and Hope (Mich.) met.

In a battle of NCAA II schools, Southeastern Oklahoma clipped Arkansas-Monticello by the difference of a Field Goal, 52-49.

For the second time in three weeks, Trinity Valley CC (Athens, Texas) and its Southwest Junior College Football Conference foe combined of for a total over the century mark. TVCC stopped Cisco 77-28. (The Cardinals just missed the mark in week 2.)

Small College statistics were first kept, officially, during the 1948 season.

This doesn’t mean teams didn’t score points prior to that season; in fact, from 1913-47, 36 times a Small College recorded games of over 100 combined points.

The Top 10:

		UNOFFICIAL STATS ERA SMALL COLLEGE COMPOSITE 36 Games 1913-47
205	1916	St. Viator 205, Lane Tech HS 0
178	1919	Albion 178, River Rouge Navy 0
165	1915	Christian Brothers 165, Marvin College 0
159	1913	Newberry 159, Bailey Military Instutite 0
154	1913	Spearfish Normal 147, Rapid City Business 7
133	1920	Cal Poly-SLO 133, Bakersfield HS 0
132	1913	Western Kansas Normal 125, Salina All-Stars 7
132	1927	American Osteopath 132, Jackson Univ. 0
129	1914	Lenox 129, Epworth Seminary 0
127	1912	Howard Payne 127, John Tarleton 0

Since 1948 through the 2013 season, the number of teams combining for at least 100 points has nearly doubled…with the teams from 2014, this tally has been surpassed.

		OFFICIAL STATS ERA SMALL COLLEGE COMPOSITE=70 Games 1948-2013
184*	2011	Faulkner 95, Union (Ky.) 89
161	2008	Abilene Christian 93, West Texas A & M 68
149	2007	Chadron State 76, Abilene Christian 73
147	2009	West Liberty 84, Edinboro 63
147	2013	West Texas A & M 90, McMurry 57
142	2007	Hartwick 72, Utica 70
141	1994	Southwestern (Kans.) 79, Sterling 62
141	2007	Weber State 73, Portland State 68
139	2010	Union (Ky.) 84, Bethel (Tenn.) 55
138	2008	Brockport State 70, Hartwick 68

*Fifth highest team in College Football StatHistory/teams combing for 100 points–and the only team that did reach 100 points; and would allow its opponents to also score.

With over 1300 such games were played between 1884-2013.

A Top 10 Shows:

222	1916	Georgia Tech 222, Cumberland 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
206	1922	King 206, Lenoir 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
205	1916	St. Viator 205, Lane Tech HS 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
187	1922	Roanoke 187, Randolph-Macon Academy 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
184	2011	Faulkner 95, Union (Ky.) 89	NAIA
183	1916	Central State Normal 183, Methodist Univ. 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
179	1917	Oklahoma 179, Kingfisher 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
178	1919	Albion 178, River Rouge Navy 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
171	1920	North Georgia Agricultural 171, Lanier 0	Stars-era, 1900-36
167	1920	Arizona 167, Camp Jones 0	Stars-era, 1900-36

Scoreboards burn bright for some teams…goes dark for Michgan

 

Written back in 1941, by June Hershey and arranged by Don Swander [1]…the song Deep in the Heart  of Texas was penned.

A year later, the song would, indirectly, have a football theme.

The song’s title was borrowed for the name of a 1942 Western film starring Johnny Mack Brown as a man instrumental in restoring Texas to the United States following the American Civil War. It featured Tex Ritter and the Jimmy Wakely Trio singing the title song. [2]

Brown was a star running back for the University of Alabama; appearing in the Rose Bowl.

Part of the lyrics say: …”Stars are big and bright, clap clap clap…deep in the heart of Texas.”

After last weekend’s college football games, this classic song could have easily been modified to say: the scoreboards lights burn bright in the Lone Star State.

Texas A&M-Commerce was two points shy of the century mark; stopping East Texas Baptist, 98-20; becoming the became16th team, since 1937 to score at least 90 points in a game –without surpassing the century mark.

		90+ Points Since 1937
118	98	Texas A&M-Commerce 98, East Texas Baptist 20	2014	NCAA II
105	98	Western Illinois 98, Cheyney 7	2004	NCAA 1AA
104	97	Tennessee-Martin 97, Bethel (Tenn.) 7	1995	NCAA 1AA
103	97	Concordia (Moorhead) 97, Macalester 6	1977	NCAA III
184*	95	Faulkner 95, Union (Ky.) 89	2011	NAIA
116	95	Houston 95, Southern Methodist 21	1989	NCAA 1A
111	94	Fresno State 94, New Mexico 17	1991	NCAA 1A
161	93	Abilene Christian 93, West Texas A & M 68	2008	NCAA II
100	93	Portland State 93, Cal Poly-Pomona 7	1980	CSD
119	91	West Alabama 91, Central State (Ohio) 28	2013	NCAA II
118	91	Pittsburg State 91, Missouri-Rolla 27	2004	NCAA 1AA
103	91	Wayne State (Neb.) 91, Mayville State 12	1993	NCAA II
147	90	West Texas A & M 90, McMurry 57	2013	NCAA II
118	90	Pittsburg State 90, Southwest Minnesota State 28	2013	NCAA II
111	90	West Texas A & M 90, New Mexico Highlands 21	2005	NCAA II
109	90	Lindenwood 90, Culver-Stockton 19	2010	NAIA
*5th Highest combined points; only team in All-College Top 10 not to score 100 and allowed opponent to score.

Over the same time period, just 6 times a scoreboard would display 100 or more points for the winner.

		100+ Points Since 1937
105	105	Rockford 105, Trinity Bible 0	2003	NCAA III
101	101	Central State (Ohio) 101, Lane 0	1989	NCAA II
105	105	Portland State 105, Delaware State 0	1980	CSD
103	103	San Jose State 103, University of Mexico 0	1949	Major College
103	103	Wyoming 103, Colorado State College 0	1949	Major College
106	100	Houston 100, Tulsa 6	1968	Major College

 

In comparison, during the STARS-era (1884-1936) reveals: 29 times a team would surpass the mark, 1884-1899; then from 1900-36, 262 times the winner reached triple digits—and 3 over 200 points.

Based on available data on NJCAA Teams, Tyler Junior College would out last Blinn 72-65; a combined 137 points—just a week after TJC lost its season opener to defending Southwestern Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) Champion Trinity Valley CC, by a 59-45 margin,

Top 5 JUNIOR COLLEGE COMBINED SCORES…

137	2014	Tyler 72, Blinn 65
133	2009	Grand Rapids CC 77, Ellsworth CC 56
133	2013	Scottsdale CC 77, New Mexico Military Inst. 56
125	2010	Glendale CC 69, New Mexico Military Inst. 56
124	2013	Iowa Western CC 84, Arkansas Baptist 40
124	2012	Tyler JC 65, Northeastern Oklahoma A & M 59

 

 Six other teams combined for the century mark last weekend.

59	111	Washington 59, Eastern Washington 52	BSD
52	100	Reinhardt 52, Lindsay Wilson 48	NAIA
65	103	St. Xavier 65, Marian (Ind) 38	NAIA

While the above teams were scoring at will; the University of Michigan saw its side of a scoreboard display 0 for the first time, since Iowa’s 26-0 victory in game 11 during the 1984.

Worth noting: It was the game that the Hawkeyes’ had blanked opponent since the 1981 season; as they shutout Northwestern—in the fourth game—64-0.

Was Notre Dame’s Defense this good or did Michigan forget the show-up with the rest of the team.   The Wolverines never reached the Red Zone and only made four trips across midfield—and not reach further than the Irish 22-yard line.

Fellow researcher and friend Keith Meador of http://www.collegepollarchive.com/  has compiled a list of 39 major teams and the number of consecutive games scored.

The list…

Games	Team	FYear	LYear	Ended By	Verified
365	Michigan	1984	2014	at Notre Dame (31-0)	yes
361	BYU	1975	2003	vs Utah (3-0)	yes
323	Florida	1988	present		yes
282	Texas	1980	2004	vs Oklahoma (12-0)
280	Washington State	1984	2008	vs USC (69-0)
271	Washington	1981	2004	at USC (38-0)
268	TCU	1991	present		yes
267	Oregon	1985	2007	at UCLA (16-0)
261	Air Force	1993	present		yes
257	Ohio State	1993	present		yes
249	Tennessee	1994	present		yes
245	Virginia Tech	1995	present		yes
242	Colorado	1988	2008	at Missouri (58-0)
238	Georgia	1995	present		yes
234	Nebraska	1996	present		yes
233	UCLA	1971	1992	vs Arizona State (20-0)
233	Nebraska	1974	1991	at Miami (FL) (22-0)
232	Florida State	1988	2006	vs Wake Forest (30-0)
219	Hawaii	1976	1995	at Colorado State (22-0)
213	Boise State	1997	present		yes
212	Georgia Tech	1997	present		yes
209	Texas Tech	1997	present		yes
203	Oklahoma	1998	present		yes
195	Virginia	1984	2000	at Georgia Tech (35-0)
187	Nevada*	1992	2007	at New Mexico (23-0)
186	USC	1967	1983	at Washington (24-0)
181	Oklahoma	1966	1982	vs USC (12-0)	yes
176	Mississippi	1998	2013	at Alabama (25-0)	yes
174	Louisville	2000	present		yes
167	Alabama	2001	present		yes
165	Central Michigan	1982	1998	at Iowa (38-0)
150	West Virginia	2001	2013	at Maryland (37-0)	yes
149	Auburn	1980	1992	vs Alabama (17-0)	yes
142	Clemson	2003	present		yes
135	Northwestern	2003	present		yes
130	Texas A&M	2003	present		yes
126	Texas	2004	present		yes
121	LSU	2002	2011	vs Alabama (21-0)	yes
109	Ohio	2005	2013	at Bowling Green (49-0)	yes
http://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/research/scoring_streaks.cfm

 

As another friend/fellow researcher will point out….there is nothing like taking an early lead.

Daniel Durnay pointed out that the opening kick-off by Wisconsin and muffed by Western Illlinois’ Kyle Hammonds in the end zone set the mark.

Hammonds thought he had down the ball for a touchback on the kick; which was the initial ruling on the field. A reply review showed that the Leatherneck player had possession and then went back into the end zone for the safety—after just a second had ticked off the first period clock.

14:59     SAFETY, Kyle Hammonds return for -1 yds.         

2013 College Football Season Opens with 2 Games Surpassing 100 or more Combined Points

Now that the opening weekend—with games being played over the Labor Day Holiday—just a pair of games that saw the scoreboard surpassed triple digits.

 

While all four teams scored, seemingly at will; neither game would crack the NAIA Top 10 Single Game Scoring list.

 

Waldorf and Trinity Bible became the fourth pair of NAIA schools to surpass combined for 110 points in a game. In the Pikeville-Bluefield contest,  the teams collectively place 102 markers on the scoreboard—the 10^th time it has happened in NAIA football Scoring history. 

2 NAIA teams over 100+Combined Points

 

110       Waldorf 68, Trinity Bible 42

 

Others…

110       2010     Lindenwood 77, Graceland 33

110       2010     Jamestown 56, Peru State 54

110       2011     Bethel (Tenn.) 62, Faulkner 48

 

 

102       Pikeville 62, Bluefield 40

 

Others…

102       1975     Western State 61, Mesa College 41

102       1989     Pacific Lutheran 52, Southern Oregon State 50

102       1992     Greenville 56, Eureka 46

102       1993     South Dakota State 60, Mankato State 42

102       1996     Rocky Mountain 53, Carroll (Mont.) 49

102       1996     Cumberland 64, Tusculum 38

102       1998     Southwestern (Kans.) 67, Sterling 35

102       2001     Southwestern (Kans.) 74, Saint Mary 28

102       2008     Virginia-Wise 61, Campbellsville 41

 

Very little on the way of history on junior college football is available; thought through the efforts of a few men and their dedication to this level of college football; it is slowly becoming made available.

 

Often, in the early years of college football history, four-year schools would play against junior colleges; with the former, winning—and winning by a large score…often surpassing the century mark itself, while the JC school would be held scoreless.

 

As the old cliché states: “There is one in every bunch.”  This holds in Scoring Stat History as well; only this time there were a pair of two-year colleges that surpassed the century mark—and won their game.

 

Playing between the 1913-51 seasons, there were six games were between a college eleven and junior college team.

• There may be more; but as previously stated: this is all that I am aware of. (If you see any other such games, please make me aware of them.)

 

 

POINTS	SEASON	GAMES
103	1913	Gallaudet 103, Baltimore City College 0
101	1918	Marion Military Institute 101, Howard (Ala.) 0
110	1921	Arizona 110, New Mexico Military Inst. 0
110	1922	Alabama 110, Marion Military Institute 0
107	1933	New Mexico Military Inst. 107, Wayland Baptist 0
111	1951	Paul Quinn 111, Mary Allen JC 0

For historical purposes, here’s the Top 10 highest scoring games; with teams combining for over 100 Points.

 

POINTS	SEASON	GAMES
133	2009	Grand Rapids CC 77, Ellsworth CC 56
133	2013	Scottsdale CC 77, New Mexico Military Inst. 56
125	2010	Glendale CC 69, New Mexico Military Inst. 56
124	2012	Tyler JC 65, Northeastern Oklahoma A & M 59
124	2013	Iowa Western CC 84, Arkansas Baptist 40
119	2004	Dixie State 68, Arizona Western CC 51
118	2009	Snow 64, New Mexico Military Inst. 54
115	2010	Mississippi Gulf Coast 62, Grand Rapids 53
114	1969	Independence JC 98, Haskell 16
112	2013	Tyler JC 63, Northeastern Oklahoma A & M 49

 

In last Saturday’s opener, my junior Alma Mater, Trinity Valley (Athens, Texas) entered the JUCO list for the second time—as they stopped Tyler JC, 59-45; as the was the sixth game for teams combing to 104 points in a contest.

 

Others were:

 

104	1983	Ricks JC 67, Dixie College 37
104	1999	New Mexico Military Institute 55, Arizona Western CC 49
104	2009	Kilgore 68, Northeastern Oklahoma A & M 36
104	2011	Grand Rapids CC 56, Iowa Western CC 48
104	2011	Grand Rapids CC 63, Georgia Military College 41

College Football’s Highest Scoring Teams–Combing for 100 or more points

College football’s 145th season has begun.

By flipping through the pages of the many histories that has been written through the years, will provide the reader, historian and countless fans memories of the game has progressed.

Early college football was more like soccer–as the ball could only be advanced by kicking it down the field.

Author Melvin I. Smith, in his book, ‘Evolvements of Early American Foot Ball: Through The 1890/91 Season’ (published in 2008): states early American foot-ball was played under three basics forms: the kicking game (now soccer), beginnings to the present; the carrying game (now rugby), 1858 to the present; and the ball-possession game (now football), 1882 to the present. [1]

During a pre-game meeting between captains of both schools, Rutgers and Princeton, it was decided that for a team to claim a victory it would have to register six games–(goals)–as it was called in 1869.

Rutgers College claimed that legendary first victory; by scoring games. A week later, the two teams would square-off again. In the second game it was decided that the winner would be required to make 8 of 15 games (goals). Princeton scored 8 unanswered games/goals and evened the series at a 1-1.

As football fans know, the games were played Nov. 6 and 13…and thus, the first college football games were in the books.

History was almost made two weeks before, on Oct. 23. But because of heavy rains fell on the state of Virginia that day, the contest between Washington & Lee and Virginia Military was canceled.

I what was suppose to be year three in 1871; only two entries produced a team that season; as Princeton and the Princeton Seminary met for a pair games. The former won both scoring 8 goals (4 in each)…as listed in Smith’s book.

Historians claim that since no games were schedule against outside opponents, the results should not be tallied.

However, one can only look back to the 1869 season. Princeton, known then as the College of New Jersey and Rutgers only had only each other as opponents.

 

 And in 1873, Washington & Lee and Virginia Military played each other and no outside opponents.

 

Thus it makes sense for the 1871 Princeton-Princeton Seminary clashes to be also be included in the not only annual scoring history; but also in the sport’s history itself a well. [2]

 In a future issue of Lighting-up the Scoreboard, various a histories of scoring values will be presented

 Fast forward to Nov. 1882….

After years of presenting his case to the Rules Committees Walter Camp The Father  of Football would finally see his plan being accepted.

Rule 27.—The following shall be the value of each point in the scoring.

Goal obtained by touch-down…6

Goal from field-kick…5

Touch-down failing goal…2

Safety by opponents…1

In case of tie in other points it shall require two safeties to decide. [3]

 Historian Mel Smith offers his input of the above rules.

That is a great find for these reasons.

Apparently it was written and published in November 1882, one month after the series of downs rule went into effect on Oct. 14, 1882. The point scoring seems the same to me in that since a ‘td failing a goal=2 and a goal obtained by a td=6; that means a goal after td must equal 4. How else could it total to 6? Maybe some people would total 8 for a td plus goal? Everybody was doing different totaling in those days.

The note that is new to me is the last paragraph line after safety by opponents=1. It states, ‘In case of tie in other points it shall require two safeties to decide’.

It would not take long, after scoring vales were inaugurated, that the first two game when the participating teams would surpass a  combined total of 100 points.

Both coming in the 1884 season

140         1884       Princeton 140, Lafayette 0

113         1884       Yale 113, Dartmouth 0

This would only be the beginning for high-scoring games in the history of college football.

One question that could be raised…but, really no one has produced an solid answer: Early scoring values were  far less in terms of amount per each of them; yet the teams in the 1880-90s and early 1900s and later would put high combined point totals few teams would burn bright on the scoreboards.

You’re thoughts?

Back during the 2011 season, a pair of NAIA Schools were scoring at will…and ended-up as the fifth highest combined point total in StatHistory/100 combined points…Faulkner (Ala.) would hang-on to defeat Union (Ky.) 95-89.

In fact, teams in the Top 10 combined points this game marks the only time that the team lost would score.

Listed below will be the highest scoring combined point teams per era and division…plus the total number such games.

Check back during the season; as schools Light-up the Scoreboard in 2014, a weekly update will be available.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

Stars-Era 1884-1899=30 Games

 

158	1886	Harvard 158, Phillips-Exeter Academy 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899
146	1891	Rochester 146, Brockport Normal 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899
142	1890	Williams 142, Laureates Boat Club 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899
140	1884	Princeton 140, Lafayette 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899
136	1886	Yale 136, Wesleyan 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899
136	1890	Virginia 136, Randolph-Macon 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899
132	1892	Iowa College 132, Des Moines YMCA 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899
130	1889	Williams 130, Union (N.Y.) 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899
124	1889	Cornell 124, Rochester 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899
124	1891	Harvard 124, Wesleyan 0	Stars-era, 1884-1899

Stars-Era 1900-1936=232 Games

222	1916	Georgia Tech 222, Cumberland 0	Stars-era, 1900-1936
206	1922	King 206, Lenoir 0	Stars-era, 1900-1936
205	1916	St. Viator 205, Lane Tech HS 0	Stars-era, 1900-1936
187	1922	Roanoke 187, Randolph-Macon Academy 0	Stars-era, 1900-1936
183	1916	Central State Normal 183, Methodist Univ. 0	Stars-era, 1900-1936
179	1917	Oklahoma 179, Kingfisher 0	Stars-era, 1900-1936
178	1919	Albion 178, River Rouge Navy 0	Stars-era, 1900-1936
171	1920	North Georgia Agricultural 171, Lanier 0	Stars-era, 1900-1936
167	1920	Arizona 167, Camp Jones 0	Stars-era, 1900-1936

Major College 1937-2013 194 Games  

136	2007	Boise State 69, Nevada 67	BSD
136	2007	Navy 74, North Texas 62	BSD
134	2003	Arkansas 71, Kentucky 63	NCAA 1A
133	2004	San Jose State 70, Rice 63	NCAA 1A
133	2012	West Virginia 70, Baylor 63	BSD
132	2010	Michigan 67, Illinois 65	BSD
129	2011	Toledo 66, Western Michigan 63	BSD
127	2001	Akron 65, Eastern Michigan 62	NCAA 1A
125	2001	Marshall 64, East Carolina 61	NCAA 1A
124	1980	Oklahoma 82, Colorado 42	NCAA 1A
124	2012	East Carolina 65, Marshall 59	BSD

NCAA 1-AA/CSD 1978-2013 131 Games

141	2007	Weber State 73, Portland State 68	CSD
131	2010	Murray State 72, Missouri State 59	CSD
128	2001	Middle Tennessee State 70, Idaho 58	NCAA 1AA
128	2012	Hardin-Simmons 86, Sul Ross State 42	CSD
125	2000	Sacramento State 64, Cal State-Northridge 61	NCAA 1AA
125	2010	Montana State 64, Sacramento State 61	CSD
125	2012	Tennessee-Martin 66, Murray State 59	CSD
125	2012	Old Dominion 64, New Hampshire 61	CSD
124	2005	Bethune-Cookman 63, Norfolk State 61	NCAA 1AA
123	2010	Nebraska-Omaha 62, Truman State 61	CSD

NCAA II 1973-2013 194 Games

161	2008	Abilene Christian 93, West Texas A & M 68	NCAA II
149	2007	Chadron State 76, Abilene Christian 73	NCAA II
147	2009	West Liberty 84, Edinboro 63	NCAA II
147	2013	West Texas A & M 90, McMurry 57	NCAA II
133	2007	Abilene Christian 70, Tarleton State 63	NCAA II
133	2002	Fort Lewis College 67, Western New Mexico 66	NCAA II
132	2009	Eastern New Mexico 76, Texas A & M-Commerce 56	NCAA II
132	2010	Lewis & Clark 68, Puget Sound 64	NCAA II
131	2008	Eastern Oregon 76, Rocky Mountain 55	NCAA II
129	2012	Grand Valley State 83, Notre Dame (Ohio) 46	NCAA II

NCAA III 1973-2013 231 Games

142	2007	Hartwick 72, Utica 70	NCAA III
139	2010	Union (Ky.) 84, Bethel (Tenn.) 55	NCAA III
138	2008	Brockport State 70, Hartwick 68	NCAA III
135	2012	Sul Ross State 70, Texas Lutheran 65	NCAA III
132	2009	Crown 69, Eureka 63	NCAA III
131	2005	Earlham 69, Manchester 62	NCAA III
131	2012	Iowa Wesleyan 66, Waldorf 65	NCAA III
131	2013	Methodist 69, North Carolina Wesleyan 62	NCAA III
130	2009	MacMurray 68, Crown 62	NCAA III
129	2003	Coe 66, Cornell (Iowa) 63	NCAA III

NAIA 1973-2013 87 Games

184	2011	Faulkner 95, Union (Ky.) 89	NAIA
141	1994	Southwestern (Kans.) 79, Sterling 62	NAIA
129	1993	Tusculum 80, Union (Ky.) 49	NAIA
128	1991	Dakota Wesleyan 73, Black Hills State 55	NAIA
128	2010	Georgetown (Ky.) 70, Pikeville 58	NAIA
122	2005	Campbellsville 62, Cumberland 60	NAIA
122	2013	Southwestern (Kans.) 86, Bethel (Kans.) 36	NAIA
120	2010	Kansas Wesleyan 72, Southwestern (Kans.) 48	NAIA
119	2007	Virginia-Wise 63, Georgetown (Ky.) 56	NAIA
119	2012	Union (Ky.) 60, Pikeville 59	NAIA

I am sure the entire college football community; the media and NCAA and NAIA Statistical Services would be in total shock…if any team would open their season that would equal a team with the most points scored in the first game of the season.

Andrew McKillop (Football Geography.com via College Data Warehouse) found the following:

 

Most Dominating Opening Game Victories in College Football History (All Levels) [4 and 5]

Season	Team		Opponent	Score
1923	Dayton (OH)	vs.	Central Normal (IN)	161-0
1919	Tulsa (OK)	vs.	Oklahoma Baptist	152-0
1917	Detroit (MI)	vs.	Toledo (OH)	145-0
1913	Florida	vs.	Florida Southern	144-0
1919	Utah St.	vs.	Idaho St.	136-0
1914	Oklahoma St.	vs.	Phillips (OK)	134-0
1920	Montana	vs.	Carroll (MT)	133-0
1912	Cincinnati (OH)	vs.	Transylvania (KY)	124-0
1919	Chicago (IL)	vs.	Great Lakes (IL)	123-0
1901	Clemson (SC)	vs.	Guilford (NC)	122-0

The individual  mentioned also publish interesting and informative college football statistics…visit their sites to see what you can learn on your favorite game. I visit them often.

Sources:

[1] Mel Smith’s book, Evolvements of Early American Foot Ball: Through The 1890/91 Season

[2] ibid

[3] Spalding’s 1883 Official Foot Ball Guide

[4] Football Geography

[5] College Football Data Warehouse

Stars of an Earlier Autumn

Richard Topp, College Football Database