The 1927 Tennessee Volunteers football team (variously "Tennessee", "UT" or the "Vols") represented the University of Tennessee in the 1927 Southern Conference football season. Playing as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon), the team was led by head coach Robert Neyland, in his second year, and played their home games at Shields–Watkins Field in Knoxville, Tennessee. The 1927 Vols won eight, lost zero and tied one game (8–0–1 overall, 5–0–1 in the SoCon). The only blemish on Tennessee's schedule was a tie with in-state rival, Vanderbilt. Playing seven home games, the 1927 Vols outscored their opponents 246 to 26 and posted seven shutouts.
Before the season Robert Neyland was hired to coach Tennessee in 1926 by Nathan Dougherty with the explicit goal to "even the score with Vanderbilt", and had his first great team in 1927.
Schedule
Game summaries Carson–Newman In the season opener, Tennessee beat in-state opponent Carson–Newman 33–0.
North Carolina In the second week of play, Tennessee defeated UNC 26–0. The starting lineup was Lowe (left end), McArthur (left tackle), F. Johnson (left guard), Butcher (center), Burgers (right guard), Hundley (right tackle), Alley (right end), Elmore (quarterback), Derryberry (left halfback), Witt (right halfback), Dodson (fullback).
Maryville The Vols beat the Maryville Scots 7–0.
Ole Miss Tennessee had an easy 21–7 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels, weakening in the last quarter for the first touchdown scored on the Vols. Passes from Witt and runs by Dodson got Tennessee's scores.
The starting lineup was McKeen (left end), McArthur (left tackle), Barnhill (left guard), Butcher (center), Tripp (right guard), Elliott (right tackle), Alley (right end), Elmore (quarterback), Derryberry (left halfback), Witt (right halfback), Dodson (fullback).
Transylvania The season's fifth shutout, Tennessee beat Transylvania 42–0.
Virginia The Volunteers beat the Virginia Cavaliers 42–0. The starting lineup was McKeen (left end), McArthur (left tackle), Barnhill (left guard), Butcher (center), Tripp (right guard), Elliott (right tackle), Alley (right end), Elmore (quarterback), Derryberry (left halfback), Witt (right halfback), Dodson (fullback).
Sewanee Tennessee beat Sewanee 32–12. The starting lineup was McKeen (left end), McArthur (left tackle), Barnhill (left guard), Butcher (center), Tripp (right guard), H. Johnson (right tackle), Alley (right end), Tudor (quarterback), Derryberry (left halfback), Witt (right halfback), Dodson (fullback).
Vanderbilt
McGugin's Commodores led 7–0 until a late Dick Dodson run tied the score. "After the game McGugin questioned each of his players as to his whereabouts during the run. Without exception the players claimed that two men had blocked them. McGugin shrugged. "Well, we'll just protest the play. It's perfectly obvious that Tennessee had twenty-two men on the field."
Vanderbilt center Vernon Sharpe arguably had the better season, but was outperformed by Tennessee's Elvin Butcher. The starting lineup was McKeen (left end), McArthur (left tackle), Barnhill (left guard), Butcher (center), Tripp (right guard), H. Johnson (right tackle), Alley (right end), Elmore (quarterback), Derryberry (left halfback), Witt (right halfback), Dodson (fullback).
Kentucky To close the season, the Volunteers shutout the Kentucky Wildcats 20–0. The starting lineup was McKeen (left end), McArthur (left tackle), Barnhill (left guard), Butcher (center), Tripp (right guard), H. Johnson (right tackle), Alley (right end), Elmore (quarterback), Witt (left halfback), Derryberry (right halfback), Dodson (fullback).
Postseason Coach Alexander of Tech wrote Neyland to accept a co-championship, and no Pickens Cup was awarded.
Players Line
29 George Abernathycenter41 Scott Aldenguard 25 Herc Alleyend24 John Barnhillguard Savannah, Tennessee 17534 Ed Burgessguard23 Elvin Butchercenter Knoxville, Tennessee 18432 Joe Bybeeend40 Frank Elliotttackle37 Jim Finneycenter53 Ben Fullerguard44 Louis Greentackle54 Houston Herndonend30 Hobart Hooserguard35 Bo Hundleytackle46 Xen Hunttackle20 Farmer Johnsonguard22 Howard Johnsontackle33 Ted Loweend18 Dave McArthurtackle26 Allyn McKeenend36Harry Meyerend27 Arthur Trippguard43 George Wiggscenter
Backfield 15 E. Derryberryhalfback13 Dick Dodsonfullback Peabody Academy 18052 Jimmy Dykeshalfback12 Jimmy Elmorequarterback16 Amos Hornerfullback51 Clyde Keltnerhalfback49 Carl Reischlinghalfback21 Amos Trotterhalfback19 Vincent Tudorquarterback14 Roy Witthalfback17 Ed Younghalfback
References
Additional sources