Oglethorpe: 7

Georgia Tech: 32

After reeling off six straight wins to start the 1928 season, including a 13-0 shutout of Knute Rockne’s Notre Dame, Georgia Tech would begin a six-game home stand with a contest against the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels in early-November. The Jackets and Petrels had met in each of the previous eight seasons with Tech winning all but one game, that being a 7-6 loss during the 1926 season. Coach Alexander’s squad rebounded in 1927 with a 19-7 victory at Grant Field.

The teams sparred in the early going before the Jackets began at their own 15 following an Oglethorpe punt. Stumpy Thomason gained 18 yards on back-to-back fake punts to push out past the 30 yard line. The Petrels then gave up 14 yards for pass interference on a pass from Warner Mizell to Tom Jones a few plays later, and Mizell, Thomason and Bob Randolph alternated carries en route to the Oglethorpe end zone. Thomason eventually pushed to the Petrel 1 yard line before Mizell carried twice to punch the ball over the goal line for a 7-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter.

Oglethorpe quickly punted on the possession that followed, and the Jackets returned with an impressive drive to the Petrel 10 yard line. But Golden Tornado would come away empty on the march, losing possession when Mizell had a pass intercepted by McKissick that was returned to the visitor 15 yard line.

The squads exchanged the ball yet again before Oglethorpe began at its own 33 following a turnover on downs on the Jackets. The Petrels advanced to Tech’s 32 with solid running and an added 15 yard roughing penalty on Tech. Herrin and Bell then alternated carries towards the Ramblin’ Wreck end zone before the former punched the ball in from 2 yards out to knot the score at 7-all.

Tech would take back over following the kickoff and advance to midfield before the first half came to a close.

In the third quarter, the Jackets again started slow, forcing two Oglethorpe punts before taking over at the Ramblin’ Wreck 41 on their second drive of the half. Thomason gained 19 yards on first down to the Petrel 40 and followed up a few plays later with a 30 yard scoring run off tackle. The great Tech back was hit at the 5, but stumbled into the end zone to put the Jackets back on top on top. Mizell’s extra point attempt was no good, however, and the Tech lead would stand at 13-7.

Early in the fourth quarter, Oglethorpe began at its own 20 following a punt over the goal line. The drive was short-lived, however, as Bell lost a fumble to Peter Pund on first down to give Tech the ball deep in enemy territory. Roy Lumpkin and Randolph alternated carries en route to the Petrel end zone with Lumpkin finally punching the ball in from 1 yard out to further increase the Golden Tornado’s lead. A second botched extra point held the Tech lead at 19-7.

Oglethorpe lost another fumble early in the ensuing drive and Tech would quickly begin again from the Petrel 14 yard line. It took just four plays to cover the distance with Lumpkin again crashing into the end zone for the score and a 25-7 lead after a third missed PAT.

Lumpkin continued to impress on the first play of Tech’s next possession when he reeled of 47 yards to the Oglethorpe 9 yard line. The Tornado pushed to within the 1 before “Shorty” Smith scooped up a Fitzgerald fumble and burst into the end zone for the final score of the day. Smith’s drop-kicked extra point was true, and the Jackets would go on to win by a 32-7 final.

NOTE: Oglethorpe’s complete 1928 football schedule could not be found. The only other two games that could be found are a 9-6 loss to Xavier without a date and a 33-6 loss to Loyola-New Orleans, dated October 13, 1928.

Statistics:

First downs:
OU – 4
GT – 17

Rushing yards:
OU – 89
GT – 341

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
OU – 3-7-22
GT – 1-4-12

Interceptions thrown:
OU – 1
GT – 1

Fumbles lost:
OU – 2
GT – 0

Penalty yards:
OU – 25
GT – 45

References:
Unknown. “Tech-Oglethorpe Detail.” The Atlanta Journal. 1928 Nov. 4
Unknown. “The Statistics.” The Atlanta Journal. 1928 Nov. 4
1928 Oglethorpe football games: http://cfreference.net/cfr/schools/oglethorpe-university/837/1928