1932 Colgate Red Raiders football team
Encyclopedia
The 1932 Colgate Red Raiders football team represented Colgate University
in National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) intercollegiate competition
. Fourth-year head coach Andrew Kerr
led Colgate to a perfect record, and the team did not allow an opponent to score throughout the entire season.
Nevertheless, Colgate did not receive an expected invitation to the , and as such, the team was called "undefeated, untied, unscored upon, and uninvited". The 1932 Colgate eleven is one of only three college football teams since 1920 to have finished a perfect season without being scored upon. The new maroon
uniforms adopted by this team inspired the nickname for the school's athletics program: the "Red Raiders".
, who had a previous stint at Stanford
at the request of Glenn "Pop" Warner
. Kerr employed a complex offensive scheme built around Warner's double-wing formation with an additional emphasis on trick play
s using reverse
s and laterals
. In 1932, Colgate joined a very small number of football teams to have ever compiled an undefeated, untied, and unscored upon season. Since 1920, only in 1938 and Tennessee
in 1939 have matched the feat. Colgate was also the first Eastern team
to have accomplished the deed since 1910 when both and did so. Colgate won its nine games by a combined margin of 264–0. Throughout the season, Colgate recorded a total of 99 first downs to their opponents' 21; 1,581 yards of total offense to 255; and 45 pass completion
s to 13. The closest match was a 14–0 victory over the at Yankee Stadium. Time
magazine described the NYU defense as porous against Colgate's short-range passing and ground attack, and said the Violets' line "seemed to have a hinge in the middle." In that game, Colgate also debuted new uniforms that featured maroon trousers and a new nickname: the "Red Raiders of Chenango
".
In the final game, the likewise undefeated and untied came the closest of any opponent to scoring against Colgate. At the end of the second quarter, with the score at 6–0, the Bears were at the Colgate one-yard line with time for one final play in the half. Brown's quarterback, , held onto the ball
on a rushing attempt. He was brought down close to the goal line, and the referees measured it and determined the ball was still two inches shy of the end zone
. Instead of playing conservatively to preserve their lead and unblemished record, Colgate took an aggressive approach in the second half. This included a blocked punt which Colgate converted for a safety. Later, Colgate halfback intercepted a pass on his own 20-yard line, and Colgate scored again. In a desperate attempt to score, Brown attempted a fourth down pass, but it fell incomplete and the Bears turned over on downs
. Colgate scored on their next possession with a pass from Conroy to Bodganski, for the final score of 21–0.
invitation. However, despite the team's remarkable record, they were not invited to participate in the . The team reportedly had their bags packed to go to the Rose Bowl, but the call never came. This led some observers to refer to the team as "undefeated, untied, unscored upon, and uninvited." was the eastern team to appear in the Rose Bowl, where they lost to USC
, 35–0.
Parke H. Davis
, an NCAA-recognized selector, named Colgate the national championship team. After the season, Colgate guard
Robert Smith was named a first-team All-American
by the All-American Board, the International News Service
, and Liberty
magazine. Quarterback Charles R. Soleau
was named a All-American
Quarterback
and was also named to the 1932 "All-Scout" team by Boys' Life
magazine.
The 1932 team's use of maroon uniforms led to Colgate's nickname, the "Red Raiders", although in 2001 this was expurgated to simply "Raiders" due to a perceived racial connotation
.
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
in National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) intercollegiate competition
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
. Fourth-year head coach Andrew Kerr
Andrew Kerr
Andrew "Andy" Kerr IV was an American football, basketball, and track and field coach. He served as the head football coach at Stanford University , Washington & Jefferson College , Colgate University , and Lebanon Valley College , compiling a career college football record...
led Colgate to a perfect record, and the team did not allow an opponent to score throughout the entire season.
Nevertheless, Colgate did not receive an expected invitation to the , and as such, the team was called "undefeated, untied, unscored upon, and uninvited". The 1932 Colgate eleven is one of only three college football teams since 1920 to have finished a perfect season without being scored upon. The new maroon
Maroon (color)
Maroon is a dark red color.-Etymology:Maroon is derived from French marron .The first recorded use of maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.-Maroon :...
uniforms adopted by this team inspired the nickname for the school's athletics program: the "Red Raiders".
Season
Colgate was led by fourth-year head coach Andrew KerrAndrew Kerr
Andrew "Andy" Kerr IV was an American football, basketball, and track and field coach. He served as the head football coach at Stanford University , Washington & Jefferson College , Colgate University , and Lebanon Valley College , compiling a career college football record...
, who had a previous stint at Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
at the request of Glenn "Pop" Warner
Glenn Scobey Warner
Glenn Scobey Warner , most commonly known as Pop Warner, was an American football player and coach...
. Kerr employed a complex offensive scheme built around Warner's double-wing formation with an additional emphasis on trick play
Trick play
A trick play, also known as a gadget play or a gimmick play, is a play in American football that uses deception and unorthodox strategies to fool the opposing team. A trick play is often risky, offering the potential for a large gain or a touchdown if it is successful, but with the chance of a...
s using reverse
Reverse (American football)
A reverse is a relatively common trick play in American football that involves one or more abrupt changes in the lateral flow of a rushing play.-Variations:...
s and laterals
Lateral pass
In American football, a lateral pass or lateral, officially backward pass , occurs when the ball carrier throws the football to any teammate behind him or directly next to him...
. In 1932, Colgate joined a very small number of football teams to have ever compiled an undefeated, untied, and unscored upon season. Since 1920, only in 1938 and Tennessee
1939 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 1939 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1939 college football season. Tennessee began the season as defending national championships and were ranked #5 in the country...
in 1939 have matched the feat. Colgate was also the first Eastern team
Eastern United States
The Eastern United States, the American East, or simply the East is traditionally defined as the states east of the Mississippi River. The first two tiers of states west of the Mississippi have traditionally been considered part of the West, but can be included in the East today; usually in...
to have accomplished the deed since 1910 when both and did so. Colgate won its nine games by a combined margin of 264–0. Throughout the season, Colgate recorded a total of 99 first downs to their opponents' 21; 1,581 yards of total offense to 255; and 45 pass completion
Completion (American football)
A completion is a term used in American football when a receiver successfully catches a pass. The three possible outcomes of a pass thrown are completion, incompletion, and interception, respectively....
s to 13. The closest match was a 14–0 victory over the at Yankee Stadium. Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine described the NYU defense as porous against Colgate's short-range passing and ground attack, and said the Violets' line "seemed to have a hinge in the middle." In that game, Colgate also debuted new uniforms that featured maroon trousers and a new nickname: the "Red Raiders of Chenango
Chenango River
The Chenango River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in central New York in the United States. It drains a dissected plateau area in upstate New York at the northern end of the Susquehanna watershed....
".
In the final game, the likewise undefeated and untied came the closest of any opponent to scoring against Colgate. At the end of the second quarter, with the score at 6–0, the Bears were at the Colgate one-yard line with time for one final play in the half. Brown's quarterback, , held onto the ball
Quarterback keeper
A quarterback keeper or keeper in American football is a designed play in which the quarterback does not pass or hand off the ball to another player and instead rushes forward with it in an effort to gain yardage...
on a rushing attempt. He was brought down close to the goal line, and the referees measured it and determined the ball was still two inches shy of the end zone
End zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
. Instead of playing conservatively to preserve their lead and unblemished record, Colgate took an aggressive approach in the second half. This included a blocked punt which Colgate converted for a safety. Later, Colgate halfback intercepted a pass on his own 20-yard line, and Colgate scored again. In a desperate attempt to score, Brown attempted a fourth down pass, but it fell incomplete and the Bears turned over on downs
Turnover on downs
In American football, a turnover on downs occurs when a team fails to convert a fourth down into a first down by gaining the required yardage.A team has four chances to gain ten yards or to score. Any ground gained during one down short of these ten yards is kept for the next chance...
. Colgate scored on their next possession with a pass from Conroy to Bodganski, for the final score of 21–0.
Postseason
Upon the season's conclusion, Colgate felt there was the possibility of a Rose BowlRose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
invitation. However, despite the team's remarkable record, they were not invited to participate in the . The team reportedly had their bags packed to go to the Rose Bowl, but the call never came. This led some observers to refer to the team as "undefeated, untied, unscored upon, and uninvited." was the eastern team to appear in the Rose Bowl, where they lost to USC
1932 USC Trojans football team
The 1932 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 1932 college football season. It shut out the in the 1933 Rose Bowl, to remain undefeated and win the national championship. The Trojans shut out their opponents eight times and allowed only 13 points the...
, 35–0.
Parke H. Davis
Parke H. Davis
Parke Hill Davis was an American football player, coach and historian who retroactively named the national championship teams in American college football from the 1869 through the 1932 seasons. He also named co-national champions at the conclusion of the 1933 season...
, an NCAA-recognized selector, named Colgate the national championship team. After the season, Colgate guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
Robert Smith was named a first-team All-American
1932 College Football All-America Team
The 1932 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams in 1932...
by the All-American Board, the International News Service
International News Service
International News Service was a U.S.-based news agency founded by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst in 1909.Established two years after the Scripps family founded the United Press Association, INS scrapped among the newswires...
, and Liberty
Liberty (magazine)
Liberty magazine may refer to:* Liberty , a political magazine published from 1881 to 1908 by Benjamin Tucker* Liberty , a general-interest magazine published from 1924 to 1950...
magazine. Quarterback Charles R. Soleau
Charles R. Soleau
Charles R. "Charlie" Soleau was an American football player and coach in the United States.-Playing career:Soleau was an All-American Quarterback for the Colgate Red Raiders from 1929 until 1932, where he played under Hall of Fame coach Andrew Kerr. He was also named to the 1932 "All-Scout" team...
was named a All-American
1932 College Football All-America Team
The 1932 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams in 1932...
Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
and was also named to the 1932 "All-Scout" team by Boys' Life
Boys' Life
Boys' Life is the monthly magazine of the Boy Scouts of America . Its targeted readership is young American males between the ages of 6 and 18.Boys' Life is published in two demographic editions...
magazine.
The 1932 team's use of maroon uniforms led to Colgate's nickname, the "Red Raiders", although in 2001 this was expurgated to simply "Raiders" due to a perceived racial connotation
Native American mascot controversy
The propriety of using Native American mascots and images in sports has been a topic of debate in the United States and Canada since the 1960s.Americans have had a history of drawing inspiration from native peoples and "playing Indian" that dates back at least to the 18th century...
.