1917 Florida Gators football team

Before the season

Coach Buser was a former All-American lineman for the Wisconsin Badgers, and promised to bring a Midwestern power football style of play to revive the Gators after the winless 1916 season.

Schedule

|{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l

Game summaries

South Carolina

• Sources: On opening day, Florida came from behind with three touchdowns in the third quarter to beat South Carolina 21–13.

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wurtrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Wells (center), Swink (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Lightsey (fullback).

Tulane

• Sources: Tulane overwhelmed the Gators 52–0, several times skirting the ends for long gains. The Gators were frequently penalized for offsides and hurdling.

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wurtrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Wells (center), Otto (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Lightsey (fullback).

Southern College

• Sources: The Gators extended their winning streak over the to four games, winning 19–7. After the first ten minutes, Florida replaced its backfield with second-string men.

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wutrich (left tackle), Swink (left guard), Dye (center), Cornell (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Marshall (left halfback), Leifeste (right halfback), Lightsey (fullback).

Auburn

• Sources: Florida endured its sixth-straight loss to coach Mike Donahue's Auburn team. The Plainsmen had their biggest win on the season over Florida, 68–0.

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wutrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Dye (center), Otto (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Fuller (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Fernald (fullback).

Clemson

Jacksonville, FL

• Sources: Clemson defeated the Gators 55–7. Florida's only score came on a forward pass, Loomis to Thomas.

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wutrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Dye (center), Otto (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Loomis (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Lightsey (fullback).

Kentucky

Lexington, KY

• Sources: On Thanksgiving, in the school's first-ever game against the Kentucky Wildcats, Florida lost 52–0. Kentucky used its substitutes by the second half.

The starting lineup was Clemmons (left end), Wuthrich (left tackle), Connell (left guard), Dye (center), Gunn (right guard), Brannon (right tackle), Thomas (right end), Loomis (quarterback), Wilkinson (left halfback), Ball (right halfback), Fernald (fullback).

Personnel

Line

Backfield

Coaching staff

• Head coach: Al Buser
• Manager: W. E. Stone
• Assistant managers: E. B. Casler, J. W. Dalton

References

Bibliography

References

1. Roger Saylor, "[http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/CFHSN/CFHSNv06/CFHSNv06n2g.pdf Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association] {{webarchive. link. (2011-05-23 ," College Football Historical Society, The LA84 Foundation (1993). Retrieved September 11, 2010.)
2. ''[http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2015/media_guide.pdf 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide] {{webarchive. link. (2015-12-08 '', University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015.)
3. Captain "Rowdy Bill" Wilkinson was the team's only returning letterman.{{Harvnb. University of Florida. 1918
4. (October 14, 1917). "South Carolina defense swept away for Florida victory". The Tampa Tribune.
5. (October 21, 1917). "Tulane swamps the Alligators". The Tampa Sunday Tribune.
6. (October 28, 1917). "Southern fights 'Gators to finish". The Tampa Sunday Tribune.
7. (November 4, 1917). "Florida downed by Auburn Tigers by score of 68 to 0". The Montgomery Advertiser.
8. (November 18, 1917). "Too much Clemson for Florida team". The Columbia Record.
9. (November 30, 1917). "Kentucky romps". The Commercial Appeal.
10. (October 17, 1917). "Gators Smash Carolina Defense And Win Brilliant 21-13 Victory". The Florida Alligator.
11. (October 24, 1917). "Tulane Swamps The Alligators". The Florida Alligator.
12. (October 21, 1917). "Tulane 52, Florida 0.". The Atlanta Constitution.
13. (October 31, 1917). "Southern Puts Up A Stiff Fight But Gators Prove Too Strong". The Florida Alligator.
14. (November 7, 1917). "Auburn Had Little Trouble Defeating The Light Gator Eleven". The Florida Alligator.
15. . (November 18, 1917). ["Clemson Defeats Florida's Eleven"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99636218/the-miami-herald/). *[[Miami Herald]]*.
16. Roy L. Bishop. (November 21, 1917). "Superior Weight of Clemson Eleven Enabled Them To Defeat Florida Team". The Florida Alligator.
17. (December 5, 1917). "Florida Loses To Kentucky 52-0". The Florida Alligator.
18. (November 30, 1917). "State Wins Final Game". The Courier Journal.
19. {{Harvnb. University of Florida. 1918