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{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Infobox NCAA team season
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
| Year = 1931
{{Infobox college sports team season
| Team = Florida Gators
| year = 1931
| Image = 31Gators.jpg
| team = Florida Gators
| image_size = 290px
| sport = football
| Conference = Southern Conference
| image = Florida Gators football team (1931).jpg
| ShortConference = SoCon
| image_size = 285
| Record = 2–6–2
| conference = [[Southern Conference]]
| ConfRecord = 2–4–2
| short_conf = SoCon
| HeadCoach = [[Charlie Bachman]]
| record = 2–6–2
| HCYear = 4th
| conf_record = 2–4–2
| OScheme = [[Notre Dame Box]]
| head_coach = [[Charlie Bachman]]
| DScheme =
| hc_year = 4th
| Captain = Ed N. Parnell
| off_scheme = [[Notre Dame Box]]
| StadiumArena = [[Ben Hill Griffin Stadium|Florida Field]]<br>(Capacity: 22,000)<ref>{{cite web|last1=University of Florida Sports Information Department|title=Florida 2006 Media Guide|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gatorzone.com/documents/2016/2/11/2006_FB_media_guide.pdf|website=floridagators.com|publisher=University Athletic Association, Inc.|accessdate=15 March 2018}}</ref>
| def_scheme =
| uniform = 31Gatorsuniform.png
| captain = Ed N. Parnell
| stadium = [[Ben Hill Griffin Stadium|Florida Field]]
| uniform = 31Gatorsuniform.png
}}
}}
{{1931 Southern Conference football standings}}
{{1931 Southern Conference football standings}}
The '''1931 Florida Gators football team''' represented the [[University of Florida]] during the [[1931 college football season]]. The season was the fourth of [[Charlie Bachman]] as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Bachman's 1931 Florida Gators finished with an overall record of 2–6–2<ref name=ufmediaguide>''[http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2015/media_guide.pdf 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208143532/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2015/media_guide.pdf |date=2015-12-08 }}'', University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015.</ref> and a Southern Conference record of 2–4–2, placing fifteenth of twenty-three teams in the conference standings—Bachman's second worst conference record in five seasons.<ref name=soconrecords>''2009 Southern Conference Football Media Guide'', [http://www.soconsports.com/fls/4000/socon/files/09fbguide/74-77standings.pdf?SPSID=35576&SPID=1781&DB_OEM_ID=4000 Year-by-Year Standings], Southern Conference, Spartanburg, South Carolina, p. 74 (2009). Retrieved August 30, 2010.</ref>
The '''1931 Florida Gators football team''' represented the [[University of Florida]] as a member of the [[Southern Conference]] (SoCon) during the [[1931 college football season]]. The season was the fourth of [[Charlie Bachman]] as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Bachman's 1931 Florida Gators finished with an overall record of 2–6–2<ref name=ufmediaguide>''[http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2015/media_guide.pdf 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208143532/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2015/media_guide.pdf |date=2015-12-08 }}'', University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015.</ref> and a Southern Conference record of 2–4–2, placing fifteenth of twenty-three teams in the conference standings—Bachman's second worst conference record in five seasons.<ref name=soconrecords>''2009 Southern Conference Football Media Guide'', [http://www.soconsports.com/fls/4000/socon/files/09fbguide/74-77standings.pdf?SPSID=35576&SPID=1781&DB_OEM_ID=4000 Year-by-Year Standings], Southern Conference, Spartanburg, South Carolina, p. 74 (2009). Retrieved August 30, 2010.</ref>


The season's highlights included the Gators' only victories over the [[NC State Wolfpack football|North Carolina State]] (31–0) in Raleigh, North Carolina and the [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn Tigers]] (13–12) in Jacksonville, Florida, both of which were fellow [[Southern Conference]] members. [[Tom McEwen (sportswriter)|Tom McEwen]] relays "The handwriting was on the wall during that dismal 1931 season. The Gators lost five of their last six games, tying the other. During that streak the Florida offense – [[1928 Florida Gators football team|three years earlier]] the best in the country&mdash;managed only two touchdowns and a safety."<ref>{{Harvnb|McEwen|pages=104–105}}</ref>
The season's highlights included the Gators' only victories over the [[1931 NC State Wolfpack football team|NC State]] (31–0) in [[Raleigh, North Carolina]] and the [[1931 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn Tigers]] (13–12) in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], both of which were fellow SoCon members. [[Tom McEwen (sportswriter)|Tom McEwen]] relays "The handwriting was on the wall during that dismal 1931 season. The Gators lost five of their last six games, tying the other. During that streak the Florida offense – [[1928 Florida Gators football team|three years earlier]] the best in the country&mdash;managed only two touchdowns and a safety."<ref>{{Harvnb|McEwen|1974|pages=104–105}}</ref>


==Before the season==
==Before the season==
Captain-elect [[Monk Dorsett]] did not return.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IfpPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=glQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4041%2C2342383|date=June 9, 1931|title=Florida Football Captain May Quit State University|work=The Evening Independent}}</ref> The next captain-elect [[Carlos Proctor]] was expelled.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19310313&id=vB0hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NGQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6563,5389371&hl=en|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=March 13, 1931|title=Tampa Youth Let Out For Exam Frauds}}</ref> The team's captain was then end Ed Parnell.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qeUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ImQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2872%2C1162888|date=November 19, 1931|title=Galloping Parnell Given Praise As Greatest End|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune}}</ref>
Captain-elect [[Monk Dorsett]] did not return.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IfpPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=glQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4041%2C2342383|date=June 9, 1931|title=Florida Football Captain May Quit State University|work=The Evening Independent}}</ref> The next captain-elect [[Carlos Proctor]] was expelled.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1787&dat=19310313&id=vB0hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NGQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6563,5389371&hl=en|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=March 13, 1931|title=Tampa Youth Let Out For Exam Frauds}}</ref> The team's captain was then end Ed Parnell.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qeUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ImQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2872%2C1162888|date=November 19, 1931|title=Galloping Parnell Given Praise As Greatest End|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune}}</ref>


The Gators lost both [[Ben Clemons]] and Frank Clark.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_98cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JGQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4773%2C1481328|title=Gator Center Line Weakest For Grid Year|author=Frank S. Wright|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=August 28, 1931}}</ref> "Scabby" Pheil was one promising newcomer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-d8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JGQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2069%2C1145384|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=August 21, 1931|title='Scabby' Pheil Looks Good To Gators' Coach|author=Frank S. Wright}}</ref> Florida was to have a tough schedule.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19310729&id=JXoLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m1QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3140,283806&hl=en|title=Syracuse Game Only One of Several Hard Spots On Gator Card|work=The Evening Independent|date=July 29, 1931}}</ref>
The Gators lost both [[Ben Clemons]] and Frank Clark.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_98cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JGQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4773%2C1481328|title=Gator Center Line Weakest For Grid Year|author=Frank S. Wright|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=August 28, 1931}}</ref> "Scabby" Pheil was one promising newcomer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-d8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JGQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2069%2C1145384|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=August 21, 1931|title='Scabby' Pheil Looks Good To Gators' Coach|author=Frank S. Wright}}</ref> Florida was to have a tough schedule.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19310729&id=JXoLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m1QDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3140,283806&hl=en|title=Syracuse Game Only One of Several Hard Spots On Gator Card|work=The Evening Independent|date=July 29, 1931}}</ref>


==Schedule==
==Schedule==
{{CFB schedule
{{CFB Schedule Start|time=no|rank=no|tv=no|attend=yes}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 3
| date = October 3
| time = no
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = [[1931 NC State Wolfpack football team|NC State]]
| nonconf =
| site_stadium = [[Riddick Stadium]]
| away=yes
| site_cityst = [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh, NC]]
| rank = no
| score = 31–0
| opponent = [[NC State Wolfpack football|North Carolina State]]
| site_stadium =
| attend =
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102139864/gators-slash-wolfpack-up-to-win-340/|work=Pensacola News Journal|title=Gators slash Wolfpack up to win, 34–0|date=October 4, 1931|accessdate=December 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| site_cityst = [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]
| tv = no
| score = 31–0
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 10
| date = October 10
| time = no
| w/l = t
| opponent = [[1931 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]]
| w/l = t
| site_stadium = [[Ben Hill Griffin Stadium|Florida Field]]
| nonconf =
| site_cityst = [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville, FL]]
| rank = no
| score = 0–0
| opponent = [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina]]
| attend = 8,000
| site_stadium = [[Florida Field]]
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103197985/gators-and-tarheels-battle-to-scoreless/|work=Miami Daily News|title=Gators and Tarheels battle to scoreless tie|date=October 11, 1931|accessdate=December 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| site_cityst = [[Gainesville, Florida]]
| tv = no
| score = 0–0
| attend =8,000
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 17
| date = October 17
| time = no
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| away=yes
| away = y
| opponent = [[1931 Syracuse Orangemen football team|Syracuse]]
| nonconf = yes
| rank = no
| opponent = [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]]
| site_stadium = [[Archbold Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Archbold Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Syracuse, New York]]
| site_cityst = [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse, NY]]
| tv = no
| score = 12–33
| score = 12–33
| attend = 14,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-times-syracuse-in-easy-win/136235977/|work=The Buffalo Times|title=Syracuse in easy win|date=October 18, 1931|accessdate=December 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 24
| date = October 24
| time = no
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| neutral = y
| opponent = [[1931 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]]
| nonconf =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]]
| site_stadium = [[Fairfield Stadium (Jacksonville)|Fairfield Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Fairfield Stadium (Jacksonville)|Fairfield Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
| site_cityst = [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville, FL]]
| gamename = [[Auburn–Florida football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv = no
| score = 13–12
| score = 13–12
| attend =15,000
| attend = 15,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103199070/gators-halt-auburn-comeback-1312/|work=Tampa Sunday Tribune|title=Gators halt Auburn comeback, 13–12|date=October 25, 1931|accessdate=December 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 31
| date = October 31
| time = no
| w/l = l
| opponent = [[1931 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]]
| w/l = l
| nonconf =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[1931 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]]
| site_stadium = Florida Field
| site_stadium = Florida Field
| site_cityst = Gainesville, Florida
| site_cityst = Gainesville, FL
| gamename = [[Homecoming|HC]]
| gamename = [[Florida–Georgia football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv = no
| score = 6–33
| score = 6–33
| attend = 20,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032301/bluefield_daily_telegraph/|title=Georgia thumps Florida Gators|date=November 1, 1931|work=Bluefield Daily Telegraph|accessdate=December 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| attend =20,000
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date =November 7
| date = November 7
| time = no
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| away = y
| opponent = [[1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]]
| away=yes
| gamename = [[Alabama–Florida football rivalry|rivalry]]
| nonconf =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]]
| site_stadium = [[Legion Field]]
| site_stadium = [[Legion Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Birmingham, Alabama]]
| site_cityst = [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham, AL]]
| tv = no
| score = 0–41
| score = 0–41
| attend = 7,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71695611/powerful-alabama-eleven-crushes-gators/|work=St. Petersburg Times|title=Powerful Alabama eleven crushes Gators, 41–0|date=November 8, 1931|accessdate=December 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| attend =7,000
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date =November 14
| date = November 14
| time = no
| w/l = t
| w/l = t
| neutral = y
| opponent = [[1931 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
| nonconf =
| rank = no
| opponent = [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina]]
| site_stadium = [[Plant Field]]
| site_stadium = [[Plant Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Tampa, Florida]]
| site_cityst = [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa, FL]]
| tv = no
| score = 6–6
| score = 6–6
| attend =
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032516/florence_morning_news/|work=Florence Morning News|page=2|date=November 15, 1931|title=Semi-tropical sun slows up close affair|accessdate=December 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 21
| date = November 21
| time = no
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| away = y
| opponent = [[1931 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team|Georgia Tech]]
| nonconf =
| site_stadium = [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Grant Field]]
|away=yes
| site_cityst = [[Atlanta|Atlanta, GA]]
| rank = no
| score = 0–23
| opponent = [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]]
| attend = 10,000
| site_stadium = [[Grant Field]]
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103195266/golden-tornado-routs-gators/|work=The State|title=Golden Tornado routs Gators|date=November 22, 1931|accessdate=December 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| site_cityst = [[Atlanta]]
| tv = no
| score = 0–23
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 28
| date = November 28
| time = no
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| nonconf = yes
| away = y
| opponent = [[1931 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]]
| away=yes
| site_stadium = [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| rank = no
| opponent = [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]]
| site_cityst = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, CA]]
| score = 0–13
| site_stadium = [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|Olympic Stadium]]
| attend = 20,000
| site_cityst = [[Los Angeles]]
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=Bruins rally to win over Florida 13–0|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=November 27, 1931}}</ref>
| tv = no
| score = 0–13
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 5
| date = December 5
| time = no
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| neutral = y
| opponent = [[1931 Kentucky Wildcats football team|Kentucky]]
| nonconf =
| gamename = [[Florida–Kentucky rivalry#Football|rivalry]]
| rank = no
| opponent = [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]]
| site_stadium = Fairfield Stadium
| site_stadium = Fairfield Stadium
| site_cityst = Jacksonville, Florida
| site_cityst = Jacksonville, FL
| tv = no
| score = 2–7
| score = 2–7
| attend =
| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103201155/kelly-leads-kentucky-to-close-victory-ov/|work=Asheville Citizen-Times|title=Kelly leads Kentucky to close victory over Florida|date=December 6, 1931|accessdate=December 3, 2023|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| attend =
}}
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule End|rank=no|poll=no|hc=no}}
Primary source: ''2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide''.<ref name=ufmediaguide/>
Primary source: ''2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide''.<ref name=ufmediaguide/>


==Season summary==
==Game summaries==
===North Carolina State===
===NC State===
The season opened with a 31–0 win over the [[NC State Wolfpack football|NC State Wolfpack]] in [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]. The team surprised coach Bachman.<ref>http://s158.photobucket.com/user/DMEvans_photos/media/Gators%201930-1939/CoachCharlieBachman1931.jpg.html</ref>
The season opened with a 31–0 win over the [[NC State Wolfpack football|NC State Wolfpack]] in [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]. The team surprised coach Bachman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://s158.photobucket.com/user/DMEvans_photos/media/Gators%201930-1939/CoachCharlieBachman1931.jpg.html|title=Photobucket}}</ref>


===North Carolina===
===North Carolina===
Line 183: Line 164:
*'''Source:'''
*'''Source:'''
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
In the second week of play, the Gators played the [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina Tar Heels]] to a scoreless tie.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032274/the_daily_tar_heel/|title=Florida Game Brings Out Need of A Scoring Punch|work=The Daily Tar Heel|page=3|date=October 13, 1931|accessdate=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The Tar Heels were twice at the 1-yard line.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032373/the_anniston_star/|title=Florida Battles N. C. To 0-0 Tie|work=The Anniston Star|page=12|date=October 11, 1931|accessdate=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
In the second week of play, the Gators played the [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|North Carolina Tar Heels]] to a scoreless tie.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032274/the_daily_tar_heel/|title=Florida Game Brings Out Need of A Scoring Punch|work=The Daily Tar Heel|page=3|date=October 13, 1931|access-date=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The Tar Heels were twice at the 1-yard line.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032373/the_anniston_star/|title=Florida Battles N. C. To 0-0 Tie|work=The Anniston Star|page=12|date=October 11, 1931|access-date=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>


===Syracuse===
===Syracuse===
Line 200: Line 181:
*'''Source:'''<ref name=point/>
*'''Source:'''<ref name=point/>
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
The season's lone highlight after opening week, Florida defeated [[1931 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]] by a point, 13–12. [[Jimmy Hitchcock]] missed the tying extra point.<ref name=point>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032449/the_anniston_star/|title=Auburn Loses To 'Gators By Single Point|work=The Anniston Star|page=14|date=October 25, 1931|accessdate=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
The season's lone highlight after opening week, Florida defeated [[1931 Auburn Tigers football team|Auburn]] by a point, 13–12. [[Jimmy Hitchcock]] missed the tying extra point.<ref name=point>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032449/the_anniston_star/|title=Auburn Loses To 'Gators By Single Point|work=The Anniston Star|page=14|date=October 25, 1931|access-date=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>


===Georgia===
===Georgia===
The rival [[1931 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia Bulldogs]] beat coach Bachman for the first time, 33–6. Both Florida governor [[Doyle E. Carlton]] and Georgia governor [[Richard Russell, Jr.|Richard B. Russell]] attended the game.<ref name=dawg>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032301/bluefield_daily_telegraph/|page=11|title=Georgia Thumps Florida Gators|date=November 1, 1931|work=Bluefield Daily Telegraph|accessdate=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Florida scored when Scabby Phiel blocked a punt.<ref name=dawg/>
The rival [[1931 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia Bulldogs]] beat coach Bachman for the first time, 33–6. Both Florida governor [[Doyle E. Carlton]] and Georgia governor [[Richard Russell, Jr.|Richard B. Russell]] attended the game.<ref name=dawg>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032301/bluefield_daily_telegraph/|page=11|title=Georgia Thumps Florida Gators|date=November 1, 1931|work=Bluefield Daily Telegraph|access-date=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Florida scored when Scabby Phiel blocked a punt.<ref name=dawg/>


===Alabama===
===Alabama===
Line 215: Line 196:
|Attendance=7,000
|Attendance=7,000
}}
}}
*'''Source:'''<ref name="FL1">{{cite news |title=Tide routes Gators, 41 to 0 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MDBBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ercMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5514%2C3209214 |publisher=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 8, 1931 |page=9 |accessdate=March 28, 2012}}</ref>
*'''Source:'''<ref name="FL1">{{cite news |title=Tide routes Gators, 41 to 0 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MDBBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ercMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5514%2C3209214 |via=Google News Archives |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 8, 1931 |page=9 |access-date=March 28, 2012}}</ref>
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
[[1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]] and new head coach [[Frank Thomas (American football)|Frank Thomas]] shut out the Gators with a 41–0 victory.<ref name="FL1"/> After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns on short runs by [[Johnny Cain]] and Leon Long to take a 14–0 halftime lead.<ref name="FL1"/> The Crimson Tide then scored four second half touchdowns on runs by Long and Hillman Holley in the third and on runs by Howard Chappell and Erskine Walker in the fourth to make the final score 41–0.<ref name="FL1"/>
[[1931 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]] and new head coach [[Frank Thomas (American football)|Frank Thomas]] shut out the Gators with a 41–0 victory.<ref name="FL1"/> After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns on short runs by [[Johnny Cain]] and Leon Long to take a 14–0 halftime lead.<ref name="FL1"/> The Crimson Tide then scored four second half touchdowns on runs by Long and Hillman Holley in the third and on runs by Howard Chappell and Erskine Walker in the fourth to make the final score 41–0.<ref name="FL1"/>
Line 232: Line 213:
*'''Source:'''<ref name=scar/>
*'''Source:'''<ref name=scar/>
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
In [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], the [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina Gamecocks]] were tied, 6–6.<ref name=scar>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032516/florence_morning_news/|work=Florence Morning News|page=2|date=November 15, 1931|title=Semi-Sropical Sun Slows Up Close Affair|accessdate=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
In [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], the [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina Gamecocks]] were tied, 6–6.<ref name=scar>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6032516/florence_morning_news/|work=Florence Morning News|page=2|date=November 15, 1931|title=Semi-Sropical Sun Slows Up Close Affair|access-date=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>


The starting lineup was Williamson (left end), McClellan (left tackle), Bernhart (left guard), Spiers (Center), Osgood (right guard), Simpson (right tackle), Goodyear (right end), Culler (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Emmelhainz (right halfback), Silsby (fullback).<ref name=scar/>
The starting lineup was Williamson (left end), McClellan (left tackle), Bernhart (left guard), Spiers (Center), Osgood (right guard), Simpson (right tackle), Goodyear (right end), Culler (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Emmelhainz (right halfback), Silsby (fullback).<ref name=scar/>
Line 247: Line 228:
|Referee=
|Referee=
}}
}}
*'''Source:'''<ref name=tech>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6036571/florence_morning_news/|work=Florence Morning News|title=Tech Employs Line-Smashing Attack To Win|page=6|date=November 22, 1931|accessdate=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
*'''Source:'''<ref name=tech>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6036571/florence_morning_news/|work=Florence Morning News|title=Tech Employs Line-Smashing Attack To Win|page=6|date=November 22, 1931|access-date=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
{{AFB game box end}}
{{AFB game box end}}
Coach [[William Alexander (coach)|Bill Alexander]]'s [[1931 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets]] beat Florida 23–0. The second half opened with an 86-yard kickoff return by Pat Barron, and a subsequent goal line stand.<ref name=tech/>
Coach [[William Alexander (coach)|Bill Alexander]]'s [[1931 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets]] beat Florida 23–0. The second half opened with an 86-yard kickoff return by Pat Barron, and a subsequent goal line stand.<ref name=tech/>
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===UCLA===
===UCLA===
The Gators traveled to Los Angeles and lost to the [[1931 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA Bruins]] 13–0. The Gators stopped in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] on the way back.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6031874/albuquerque_journal/|title=Florida Football Team Stops Here|work=Albuqueque Journal|date=November 30, 1931|page=2|accessdate=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
The Gators traveled to Los Angeles and lost to the [[1931 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA Bruins]] 13–0. The Gators stopped in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] on the way back.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6031874/albuquerque_journal/|title=Florida Football Team Stops Here|work=Albuquerque Journal|date=November 30, 1931|page=2|access-date=July 28, 2016|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>


===Kentucky===
===Kentucky===
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==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last=McEwen|first=Tom|title=The Gators: A Story of Florida Football|publisher=The Strode Publishers|location=Huntsville, Alabama|year=1974|isbn=0-87397-025-X|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book|last=McEwen|first=Tom|title=The Gators: A Story of Florida Football|publisher=The Strode Publishers|location=Huntsville, Alabama|year=1974|isbn=0-87397-025-X}}


== External links ==
==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91MnFnRPIt0 The Fighting Gators in Training - 1931]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91MnFnRPIt0 The Fighting Gators in Training - 1931]


{{Florida Gators football navbox}}
{{Florida Gators football navbox}}


[[Category:1931 Southern Conference football season|Florida Gators]]
[[Category:1931 Southern Conference football season|Florida]]
[[Category:Florida Gators football seasons]]
[[Category:Florida Gators football seasons]]
[[Category:1931 in Florida]]
[[Category:1931 in sports in Florida|Florida Gators football]]

Latest revision as of 07:45, 12 December 2023

1931 Florida Gators football
ConferenceSouthern Conference
Record2–6–2 (2–4–2 SoCon)
Head coach
Offensive schemeNotre Dame Box
CaptainEd N. Parnell
Home stadiumFlorida Field
Uniform
Seasons
← 1930
1932 →
1931 Southern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 2 Tulane $ 8 – 0 – 0 11 – 1 – 0
No. 3 Tennessee 6 – 0 – 1 9 – 0 – 1
Alabama 7 – 1 – 0 9 – 1 – 0
No. 6 Georgia 6 – 1 – 0 8 – 2 – 0
Maryland 4 – 1 – 1 8 – 1 – 1
Kentucky 4 – 2 – 2 5 – 2 – 2
LSU 3 – 2 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
South Carolina 3 – 3 – 1 5 – 4 – 1
Duke 3 – 3 – 1 5 – 3 – 2
Auburn 3 – 3 – 0 5 – 3 – 0
Sewanee 3 – 3 – 0 6 – 3 – 1
Vanderbilt 3 – 4 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
North Carolina 2 – 3 – 3 4 – 3 – 3
Washington and Lee 2 – 3 – 0 4 – 5 – 1
Florida 2 – 4 – 2 2 – 6 – 2
Georgia Tech 2 – 4 – 1 2 – 7 – 1
VMI 2 – 4 – 0 3 – 6 – 1
NC State 2 – 4 – 0 3 – 6 – 0
VPI 1 – 4 – 1 3 – 4 – 2
Clemson 1 – 4 – 0 1 – 6 – 2
Ole Miss 1 – 5 – 0 2 – 6 – 1
Virginia 0 – 5 – 1 2 – 6 – 1
Mississippi A&M 0 – 5 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from Dickinson System

The 1931 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1931 college football season. The season was the fourth of Charlie Bachman as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Bachman's 1931 Florida Gators finished with an overall record of 2–6–2[1] and a Southern Conference record of 2–4–2, placing fifteenth of twenty-three teams in the conference standings—Bachman's second worst conference record in five seasons.[2]

The season's highlights included the Gators' only victories over the NC State (31–0) in Raleigh, North Carolina and the Auburn Tigers (13–12) in Jacksonville, Florida, both of which were fellow SoCon members. Tom McEwen relays "The handwriting was on the wall during that dismal 1931 season. The Gators lost five of their last six games, tying the other. During that streak the Florida offense – three years earlier the best in the country—managed only two touchdowns and a safety."[3]

Before the season

[edit]

Captain-elect Monk Dorsett did not return.[4] The next captain-elect Carlos Proctor was expelled.[5] The team's captain was then end Ed Parnell.[6]

The Gators lost both Ben Clemons and Frank Clark.[7] "Scabby" Pheil was one promising newcomer.[8] Florida was to have a tough schedule.[9]

Schedule

[edit]
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 3at NC State
W 31–0[10]
October 10North Carolina
T 0–08,000[11]
October 17at Syracuse*
L 12–3314,000[12]
October 24vs. Auburn
W 13–1215,000[13]
October 31Georgia
  • Florida Field
  • Gainesville, FL (rivalry)
L 6–3320,000[14]
November 7at Alabama
L 0–417,000[15]
November 14vs. South Carolina
T 6–6[16]
November 21at Georgia Tech
L 0–2310,000[17]
November 28at UCLA*
L 0–1320,000[18]
December 5vs. Kentucky
  • Fairfield Stadium
  • Jacksonville, FL (rivalry)
L 2–7[19]
  • *Non-conference game

Primary source: 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide.[1]

Game summaries

[edit]

NC State

[edit]

The season opened with a 31–0 win over the NC State Wolfpack in Raleigh. The team surprised coach Bachman.[20]

North Carolina

[edit]
1 234Total
UNC 0 000 0
Florida 0 000 0
  • Date: October 10
  • Location: Florida Field
    Gainesville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 8,000
  • Source:

In the second week of play, the Gators played the North Carolina Tar Heels to a scoreless tie.[21] The Tar Heels were twice at the 1-yard line.[22]

Syracuse

[edit]

Florida traveled to Syracuse[23] and lost 33–12.

Auburn

[edit]
1 234Total
Auburn 0 606 12
• Florida 6 007 13
  • Date: October 24
  • Location: Fairfield Stadium
    Jacksonville, Florida
  • Game attendance: 15,000

The season's lone highlight after opening week, Florida defeated Auburn by a point, 13–12. Jimmy Hitchcock missed the tying extra point.[24]

Georgia

[edit]

The rival Georgia Bulldogs beat coach Bachman for the first time, 33–6. Both Florida governor Doyle E. Carlton and Georgia governor Richard B. Russell attended the game.[25] Florida scored when Scabby Phiel blocked a punt.[25]

Alabama

[edit]
1 234Total
Florida 0 000 0
• Alabama 0 141413 41
  • Date: November 7
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 7,000

Alabama and new head coach Frank Thomas shut out the Gators with a 41–0 victory.[26] After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama scored a pair of second-quarter touchdowns on short runs by Johnny Cain and Leon Long to take a 14–0 halftime lead.[26] The Crimson Tide then scored four second half touchdowns on runs by Long and Hillman Holley in the third and on runs by Howard Chappell and Erskine Walker in the fourth to make the final score 41–0.[26]

South Carolina

[edit]
1 234Total
S. Carolina 0 006 6
Florida 0 600 6

In Tampa, the South Carolina Gamecocks were tied, 6–6.[27]

The starting lineup was Williamson (left end), McClellan (left tackle), Bernhart (left guard), Spiers (Center), Osgood (right guard), Simpson (right tackle), Goodyear (right end), Culler (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), Emmelhainz (right halfback), Silsby (fullback).[27]

Georgia Tech

[edit]
1 234Total
Florida 0 000 0
• Ga. Tech 2 0147 23

Coach Bill Alexander's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets beat Florida 23–0. The second half opened with an 86-yard kickoff return by Pat Barron, and a subsequent goal line stand.[28]

The starting lineup was Parnell (left end), Phiel (left tackle), Bernhard (left guard), Perrazzi (Center), Osgood (right guard), Jenkins (right tackle), Ball (right end), Culler (quarterback), Davis (left halfback), McClellan (right halfback), Silsby (fullback).[28]

UCLA

[edit]

The Gators traveled to Los Angeles and lost to the UCLA Bruins 13–0. The Gators stopped in Albuquerque, New Mexico on the way back.[29]

Kentucky

[edit]

A frustrating season ended with a 7–2 loss to Kentucky.[30]

Postseason

[edit]

The Gators traveled 6,586 miles.[31] Former Gator end Dutch Stanley was hired to coach the ends next season.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  2. ^ 2009 Southern Conference Football Media Guide, Year-by-Year Standings, Southern Conference, Spartanburg, South Carolina, p. 74 (2009). Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  3. ^ McEwen 1974, pp. 104–105
  4. ^ "Florida Football Captain May Quit State University". The Evening Independent. June 9, 1931.
  5. ^ "Tampa Youth Let Out For Exam Frauds". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. March 13, 1931.
  6. ^ "Galloping Parnell Given Praise As Greatest End". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 19, 1931.
  7. ^ Frank S. Wright (August 28, 1931). "Gator Center Line Weakest For Grid Year". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  8. ^ Frank S. Wright (August 21, 1931). "'Scabby' Pheil Looks Good To Gators' Coach". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  9. ^ "Syracuse Game Only One of Several Hard Spots On Gator Card". The Evening Independent. July 29, 1931.
  10. ^ "Gators slash Wolfpack up to win, 34–0". Pensacola News Journal. October 4, 1931. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Gators and Tarheels battle to scoreless tie". Miami Daily News. October 11, 1931. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Syracuse in easy win". The Buffalo Times. October 18, 1931. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Gators halt Auburn comeback, 13–12". Tampa Sunday Tribune. October 25, 1931. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Georgia thumps Florida Gators". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. November 1, 1931. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Powerful Alabama eleven crushes Gators, 41–0". St. Petersburg Times. November 8, 1931. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Semi-tropical sun slows up close affair". Florence Morning News. November 15, 1931. p. 2. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Golden Tornado routs Gators". The State. November 22, 1931. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Bruins rally to win over Florida 13–0". The Los Angeles Times. November 27, 1931.
  19. ^ "Kelly leads Kentucky to close victory over Florida". Asheville Citizen-Times. December 6, 1931. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Photobucket".
  21. ^ "Florida Game Brings Out Need of A Scoring Punch". The Daily Tar Heel. October 13, 1931. p. 3. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  22. ^ "Florida Battles N. C. To 0-0 Tie". The Anniston Star. October 11, 1931. p. 12. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  23. ^ Frank S. Wright (October 14, 1931). "Gators Start Trek To East For Big Game". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  24. ^ a b "Auburn Loses To 'Gators By Single Point". The Anniston Star. October 25, 1931. p. 14. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  25. ^ a b "Georgia Thumps Florida Gators". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. November 1, 1931. p. 11. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  26. ^ a b c d "Tide routes Gators, 41 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News. November 8, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved March 28, 2012 – via Google News Archives.
  27. ^ a b c "Semi-Sropical Sun Slows Up Close Affair". Florence Morning News. November 15, 1931. p. 2. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  28. ^ a b c "Tech Employs Line-Smashing Attack To Win". Florence Morning News. November 22, 1931. p. 6. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  29. ^ "Florida Football Team Stops Here". Albuquerque Journal. November 30, 1931. p. 2. Retrieved July 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  30. ^ "Dutch Stanley Ready To Take Coaching Job". St. Petersburg Times. July 23, 1933.
  31. ^ "Sports Briefs". Reading Eagle. November 28, 1931.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • McEwen, Tom (1974). The Gators: A Story of Florida Football. Huntsville, Alabama: The Strode Publishers. ISBN 0-87397-025-X.
[edit]
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