1895 Western University of Pennsylvania football team
The 1895 Western University of Pennsylvania football team was an American football team that represented the Western University of Pennsylvania (now known as the University of Pittsburgh) as an independent during the 1895 college football season.
| 1895 Western University of Pennsylvania football | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conference | Independent |
| 1895 record | 1–6 |
| Head coach | J. P. Linn (1st season) |
| 1895 Eastern college football independents records | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn | – | 14 | – | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yale | – | 13 | – | 0 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Princeton | – | 10 | – | 1 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Harvard | – | 8 | – | 2 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lafayette | – | 6 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Syracuse | – | 6 | – | 2 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Army | – | 5 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colgate | – | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tufts | – | 8 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wesleyan | – | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amherst | – | 6 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brown | – | 7 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carlisle | – | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rutgers | – | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Villanova | – | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Penn State | – | 2 | – | 2 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cornell | – | 3 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Hampshire | – | 2 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frankin & Marshall | – | 3 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston College | – | 2 | – | 4 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lehigh | – | 3 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CCNY | – | 2 | – | 5 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Temple | – | 1 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MIT | – | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trinity (CT) | – | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Massachusetts | – | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Univ. Penn. | – | 1 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 5 | Duquesne Country and Athletic Club |
| L 0–36 |
| October 12 | at Greensburg Athletic Association | Greensburg, PA | L 2–42 |
| October 19 | at Emerald Athletic Association | Emerald Park | W 22–0 |
| October 26 | at West Virginia | Morgantown, WV (Backyard Brawl) | L 0–8 |
| November 2 | at Washington & Jefferson | Washington, PA | L 0–28 |
| November 12 | at Carnegie Athletic Club | Braddock, PA | L 6–10 |
| November 28 | at Wheeling Tigers |
| L 0–12 |
Season Recap
The Alumni Athletic Advisory Board led by J.D. Scott, one of Pitt football's founding fathers, and the Athletic Association reenergized the Athletic Department at the Western University of Pennsylvania following the disarray of 1893 and 1894. Their first objective in the fall of 1895 was to place a football team on the field. W. A. Stuart, a former State College fullback, was hired to coach the team.[1] After the first two games coach Stuart was dismissed and J. P. Linn replaced him. Coach Linn had played end at Washington & Jefferson University. He coached the remaining five games of the season and then departed for Seminary School.[2] In its first and only season under head coach J. P. Linn, the team compiled a 1–6 record and was outscored by a total of 136 to 30.[3]
Game Summaries
Duquesne Country and Athletic Club
On October 5 the first game pitted WUP against the Duquesne Country and Athletic Club at Exposition Park. The WUP players were outweighed and outclassed against one of the best club teams in the Pittsburgh area. Five different players scored touchdowns for the Duquesnes. The highlight was an 85 yard kickoff return by Floyd Rose (former WUP quarterback). The final score read 36-0.[4]
at Greensburg Athletic Association
On October 12th the Greensburg Athletic Association ran roughshod over the WUP eleven in Greensburg. The game featured arguments with officials about the rules and accusations of stealing signals. Injuries to Neale and Marshall of the Western U. did not help matters. WUP could only manage a safety and lost the game, 40–2.[5]
at Emerald Athletic Club
On October 19 the first game under the tutelage of J.P. Linn was against the Emerald Athletic Club at Emerald Park. This was Emerald's first game and they were coached by WUP halfback George Neale.[6] WUP showed marked improvement over their previous games and secured a victory by the score of 22–0.[7]
at West Virginia University
The first game of the Backyard Brawl took place October 26, 1895 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Since the Western boys had to catch a train home, the game was two 25-minute halves. The game was hotly contested and not without disputes. Keely of West Virginia scored a touchdown twelve minutes into the game but the goal kick after was missed by Leps. Later in the first half, Rugh of the Universities caught a bad punt by Rankin behind the goal. After some heated discussion, both teams agreed that a safety would be called instead of a touchdown for the Mountaineers. That made the score at halftime 6–0 in favor of the Mountaineers. The second half was scoreless. Hence, The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer has the score 10–0 and the Pittsburgh papers have it as 6–0. The Western University Courant also was disappointed by the boorish behavior of the "semi-civilized" Mountaineer fans. A truly heated rivalry was born.[8] [6]
at Washington & Jefferson College
On November 2 WUP traveled to Washington, Pennsylvania to take on the Washington & Jefferson University Presidents. The WUP eleven was outweighed and unable to stop the rushes of the Presidents backfield. Frye and Fiscus scored for the Presidents in the first half and the score stood 10–0 at halftime. In the second half the Presidents continued to run through the WUP defense as Brownlee, Fiscus, Frye and Ely each scored a touchdown. The final score read 28–0. The Pittsburgh Daily Post summed it up best "The W.U.P. played a clean, fast game but could do nothing with the W. &. J. line."[9]
at Carnegie Athletic Club
On November 16 the WUP eleven took on the Carnegie Athletic Club in Braddock, Pennsylvania. The Western University played their best game of the season but came up short on the scoreboard. In front of 1500 fans, WUP quarterback Frazier received the opening kick and ran it back for a touchdown. He followed that with the goal kick after and WUP was ahead 6–0 one minute into the game. The University boys did not score again. Carnegie was able to score two touchdowns and a goal kick after against the WUP defense. The final score read 10–6 in favor of Carnegie.[10]
at Wheeling Tigers
On Thanksgiving Day, the Wheeling Tigers hosted the WUPs' final game of the 1895 season at the State Fairgrounds in Wheeling, West Virginia. The WUP defense played well in the first half and held the Tigers to a late touchdown by John Edwards. Robert Edwards kicked the goal after. Early in the second half the Wheeling offense advanced the ball deep into WUP territory. Cal McAninch finally scored from the three yard line. Robert Edwards kicked the goal after and the Tigers were ahead 12–0. The WUP offense was able to move the ball into Tiger territory on several possessions but the Tiger defense would stiffen and get the ball back on downs. The Tigers were again close to scoring as time ran out. The 2,500 spectators were treated to a good turkey day football game.[11]
Roster
The roster of the 1895 Western University of Pennsylvania football team:[12]
- Dr. William M. Bigger (left end) previously played football at Westminster College. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1897.
- George Neale (left tackle) received his Associate degree from the college in 1895 and lived in Pittsburgh.
- Cohen (left guard)
- Dr. Charles Burheim (center) received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1899.
- Smith (right guard)
- Dr. Morris J. Gelb (right tackle) earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1897 and lived in Pittsburgh.
- Al Marshall (right end/team captain) received his Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1894.
- Kittner (quarterback)
- J. P. Linn (left halfback/coach) previously played football at Washington & Jefferson University.
- Dr. Edward Mayer (right halfback) was a true student. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1895, his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1897 and his Masters of Arts degree in 1899. He lived in Pittsburgh.
- Dr. J. Wightman Frazier (fullback) received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1900 and lived in Freedom, Pennsylvania. He succumbed to typhoid fever at the age of 28.
- Johnston (left end) earned his Mechanical Engineering degree in 1897 and lived in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
- Young (center)
- Dr. John B. Rugh (right tackle) earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1897 and lived in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania.
- Davis (right end)
- Thomas (fullback)
- Dr. Charles Rankin (fullback) earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1896 and lived in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.
- Murray (left tackle)
- Dr. Joseph K. Scott (right tackle) received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1899 and lived in Pittsburgh.
- Montgomery (left end)
- Hall (left tackle)
References
- "Athletics". The Western University Courant. Vol. 11 no. 1. The Courant Publishing Association. September 1895. p. 13. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- "Athletics". The Western University Courant. Vol. 11 no. 2. The Courant Publishing Association. October 1895. p. 12. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- "2019 Pitt Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Pittsburgh. 2019. p. 147. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- "Battles on the Gridiron". Pittsburgh Daily Post. October 6, 1895. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- "W. U. P.'S Beaten". Pittsburgh Daily Post. October 13, 1895. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Athletics". The University Courant. Vol. 11 no. 2. The Courant Publishing Association. October 1895. p. 12. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- "Victory for Western University". Pittsburgh Daily Post. October 20, 1895. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- "The World of Sport". The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer. October 28, 1895. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Battles on the Gridiron". Pittsburgh Daily Post. November 3, 1895. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Frazier's Great Run". Pittsburgh Daily Post. November 17, 1895. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- "The Tigers Win". The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer. November 29, 1895. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- "General Directory of Alumni". Alumni Directory University of Pittsburgh 1787-1916. Vol. II. Smith Bros. Company Inc. of Pittsburgh. 1916. pp. 67–204. Retrieved November 14, 2019.