1919 Buffalo Football
by Scott Hollander
University at Buffalo Libraries
A lonely tie against St. Bonaventure University is the only highlight from an otherwise difficult 1919 football season. (see “U.B. Eleven Holds St. Bonaventure to Tie Score” Buffalo Courier, 16 November 1919)
The season review below comes from the 1920 Iris Yearbook.
Perhaps the story of the 1919 football season is a sad one to some, but when consideration is given to the “stick-to-itiv-ness” shown by the men the tale need not be so sad. In fact, the underlying principle of all sport is stick to it in spite of all odds, and Buffalo showed her gameness and sportsmanship and fair play by so sticking with but a few candidates to select from, adverse weather and a hard schedule, these men, with Captain Frank McCollum, played their game to the finish, and although every game was not a winner, they were well played, and good, honest football was the keyword.
Manager Hildebrand and Coach Powell certainly put in good time and effort, and with all handicaps considered put on an exceptionally good outfit on the field. The outlook is excellent for the coming year, when more men from which to pick and better conditions all around, a snappy team is looked for.
1919 Buffalo Football Season
| Date | Home Team | Score | Visiting Team | W-L-T | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19/19191 | Buffalo | 0 – 23 | St. Lawrence University | L | Buffalo, NY |
| 10/26/19192 | Buffalo | 6 – 21 | Hobart College | L | Buffalo, NY |
| 11/1/19193 | Rochester | 33 – 0 | Buffalo | L | Rochester, NY |
| 11/8/19194 | Buffalo | 0 – 6 | Westminster College | L | Buffalo, NY |
| 11/15/19195 | Buffalo | 6 – 6 | St. Bonaventure | T | Buffalo, NY |
| 11/22/19196 | Buffalo | 0 – 25 | University of Detroit | L | Buffalo, NY |
FINAL RECORD: 0-5-1
Coach: Arthur Powell
- “Buffalo Downed by St. Lawrence” Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, NY, 20 October 1919.
- “Hobart Splashes Way to Victory Over U.B. Eleven” Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, NY, 26 October 1919.
- “U. B. Unable to Hold Rochester Eleven in Check” Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, NY, 2 November 1919.
- “U.B. Shows Great Improvement and Holds Westminster” Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, NY, 9 November 1919.
- “U. B. Eleven Holds St. Bonaventure to Tie Score” Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, NY, 16 November 1919.
- “Football Results” Troy Times, Troy, NY, 24 November 1919.
U.B. ELEVEN HOLDS ST. BONAVENTURE TO TIE SCORE
—
Blocked Kick Enables Blue and White to Stave Off Defeat.
—
OBERLANDER’S KICKING FEATURES
—
University of Buffalo football eleven managed to stave off defeat
at the hands of the St. Bonaventure team in the second half of the
double bill yesterday afternoon at Buffalo baseball park, when a
blocked kick in the last few minutes of play enabled Mundie to fall
on the ball behind the goal line for the touchdown which made the
game a six to six tie.
The visitors apparently had the game within their grasp when a
marvelous punt by Oberlander backed them up against the goal
line and gave Buffalo a chance to even up matters. The Alleghany
boys penetrated the Buffalo line for a touchdown in the second
quarter but missed a chance for a try at goal when they allowed the pigskin to touch the ground. Buffalo also lost a chance for a goal try as when Oberlander punted out, the U. B. boys were unable to make a fair catch.
— Buffalo Courier, November 16, 1919