The 1929 Tulane Green Wave football team was an American football team that represented Tulane University as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1929 college football season. In its third year under head coach Bernie Bierman, who used the single wing, Tulane compiled a perfect 9–0 record (6–0 in conference games), won the SoCon championship, shut out five of nine opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 297 to 45.

Halfback and team captain Bill Banker, known as the "Blonde Blizzard", was selected as a first-team All-American by the All-America Board of Football, consisting of coaches Knute Rockne, "Pop" Warner, Tad Jones and Bill Alexander. Four Tulane players received All-Southern honors from the Associated Press (AP): Banker and center Loyd Roberts were first team; end Jerry Dalrymple and guard Maury Bodenger were second team.

The team played its home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

Schedule

Game summaries Louisiana Normal In the season opener against Louisiana Normal (today Northwestern State), Tulane won 40–6.

The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Upton (center), Roberts (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).

Texas A&M After leading at the half 7–2, Tulane allowed the Texas A&M Aggies to take the lead 8–7. A pass from Ike Armstrong to Wop Glover in the last quarter got the win. After a safety, Tulane won 13–10.

The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Upton (center), Roberts (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).

Mississippi A&M In the third week of play, Tulane defeated the Mississippi Aggies 34–0. The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), Upton (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).

Southwestern Louisiana

Sources:

The Green Wave romped 60–0 over Southwestern Louisiana. The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), Upton (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).

Georgia Tech During the game with Georgia Tech, Banker wore a helmet onto the field because coach Bernie Bierman threatened to yank him out of the game. But the helmet slipped over his eyes as the Yellow Jackets were preparing to kickoff, so Banker tossed it to the sideline, and was never taken out, calling Bierman's bluff. Tulane went on to win 20–14.

The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), Upton (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).

Georgia

Sources:

The Green Wave defeated Georgia, conquerors of Yale, in Columbus 21–15, twice coming from behind. For the first score, end Vernon "Catfish" Smith nailed Bill Banker behind the line for a safety. After Tulane blocked a punt, Banker put in a touchdown for the lead.

Tulane's second touchdown came on a 62-yard run from Ike Armstrong. Georgia's Smith next caught a pass and went 20 yards to the goal. Georgia went ahead 15–14 after Ripper Roberts intercepted a pass and ran 60 yards for the touchdown. Tulane won on an ensuing 80-yard drive, in a 2-yard run from Banker.

The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Boenger (left guard), Robert (center), McCormick (right guard), Luker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).

Auburn All of the reserves got to play in the 52–0 romp over Auburn. The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), Upton (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).

Sewanee Tulane defeated the Sewanee Tigers 18–0. The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), McCormick (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Banker (left halfback), Armstrong (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).

LSU The Green Wave won 21–0 over rival LSU. The first touchdown came on a pass from backer to Armstrong. Jerry Dalrymple scored the next touchdown, snatching a pass from Armstrong and running more than half the field for a score. Preacher Roberts returned an interception for the final score.

Postseason Roberts' performance in the LSU game netted him next year's captaincy. Roberts was selected All-Southern.

Tulane won the SoCon, and was invited to the Rose Bowl.

Players

Depth chart The following chart provides a visual depiction of Tulane's lineup during the 1929 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a single wing on offense.

LE Jack Holland (8)

LG Bodenger (8)Mangum (0)  C L. Roberts (6) C. Upton (2)  RG C. Upton (4)L. Roberts (2)J. McCormick (1) LT Elmer McCance (8) C. DeColigny (0)  RT Charles Rucker (8)

RE Jerry Dalrymple (8) Vernon Haynes (0)

QBDick Baumbach (8) Red Dawson (0) RHB Bill Banker (7)Ike Armstrong (1)Elmer Massey (0)John Whatley (0)

FB Fred Seeuws (8)Jack Pizzano (0) LHB Ike Armstrong (7)Bill Banker (1)Wop Glover (0)H. Whatley (0)

Line 28Maury Bodengerguard New Orleans29Jerry Dalrympleend Arkadelphia, Arkansas17 Calvert DeColignytackle New Orleans14William Draweend New Orleans9Vernon Haynesend Arkansas City, Arkansas21Jack Holland end Shreveport10Doyle Mageeend Franklinton25Mangumguard30Elmer McCancetackle 12John McCormickguard Monroe23William Penneyguard Guatemala City, C. A.32Lloyd Robertscenter33Charles Ruckertackle24Claggert Uptonguard, center New Orleans

Backfield 6Ike Armstronghalfback18Bill Bankerhalfback Lake Charles1Dick Baumbachquarterback4Red Dawsonquarterback River Falls, Wisconsin5Wop Gloverhalfback Bay St. Louis, Mississippi3George Haikhalfback Bogalusa 22Elmer Masseyhalfback16Jack Pizzanofullback15Fred Seeuwsfullback7Hugh Whatleyhalfback Rayville8John Whatleyhalfback Rayville

Unlisted 11Ford13Young26Bankston

References

Bibliography