Conference Southern Conference Head coach Herman Stegeman Home stadium Sanford Field | 1922 record 5–4–1 (1–3–1 SoCon) Captain Hugh Whelchel | |
The 1922 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the Georgia Bulldogs of the University of Georgia during the 1922 college football season. The team had an 5–4–1 record and was the first Georgia team to compete in the newly formed Southern Conference, which was formed when a group of teams left the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) after the end of the 1921 season. This was Georgia's third and final season under the guidance of head coach Herman Stegeman, though he remained athletic director.
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Newberry
Teany Randall scored 19 points on three touchdowns and one PAT.
Mercer
The September 30, 1922 game against Mercer, was the 200th football game played by Georgia. Including the victory over Mercer, Georgia's cumulative record over its first 200 games was 107–72–21, a winning percentage of .588.
Randall scored 29 points in the Mercer game. He had a 1-yard touchdown plunge followed by scores of 74 yards, a 90-yard interception return, and a 34-yard reception Dick Mulvehill and five PATs.
The starting lineup was: Boney (left end), Taylor (left tackle), Grayson (left guard), Frier (center), Vandiver (right guard), Bennett (right tackle), Butler (right end), Collings (quarterback), Thompson (left halfback), Randall (right halfback), Tanner (fullback).
Chicago
In front of 18,000 in Chicago, Georgia lost to the Maroons 20–0. In the first quarter, Joe Bennett caused a fumble on a Chicago punt return, and Randall ran it to Chicago's 10-yard line before Georgia fumbled and the chance to score was lost.
The starting line up was: Boney (left end), Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Frier (center), Vandiver (guard), Taylor (right tackle), Butler (right end), Collings (quarterback), Randall (left halfbac), Thompson (right halfback), Fletcher (fullback).
Furman
In Greenville, Georgia beat Furman 7–0. The starting lineup was: Mason (left end), Bennett (left tackle), Joselove (left guard), Frier (center), Vandiver (right guard), Taylor (right tackle), Butler (right end), Collings (quarterback), Post (left halfback), Thompson (right halfback), Fletcher (fullback).
Tennessee
The Bulldogs defeated the Volunteers 7–3. A pass from Mulvehill to Smack Thompson got the touchdown. The starting lineup was: Richardson (left end), Taylor (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Boney (center), Vandiver (right guard), Bennett (right tackle), Collings (right end), Mulvihill (quarterback), Thompson (left halfback), Fletcher (right halfback), Tanner (fullback).
Oglethorpe
The Bulldogs beat in-state foe Oglethorpe 26–6.
Auburn
Auburn defeated Georgia 7–3. The starting lineup was: Richardson (left end), Bennett (left tackle), Whelchel (left guard), Boney (center), Vandiver (right guard), Taylor (right tackle), Collings (right end), Mulvihill (quarterback), Post (left halfback), Thompson (right halfback), Tanner (fullback).
Virginia
At Virginia, Georgia fought the Cavaliers to a 6–6 tie.
Vanderbilt
The Georgia Bulldogs played Vanderbilt for their homecoming. Georgia was hungry to finally beat Vanderbilt and this game was at the top of its list of desirable victories. The Commodores were equally eager to defeat the Bulldogs and claim a Southern championship. Vanderbilt won 12–0, with Bomar described as a "holy terror" to the Bulldogs by W. C. Munday. As it had intended, Vanderbilt left the game as favorite to be crowned champions of the South. The 1922 game between Georgia and Vanderbilt marked the last time Georgia had lost two consecutive games at home to Vanderbilt, having also lost 46 to 0 at Athens in 1912.
The starting lineup was: Richardson (left end), Bennett (left tackle), Vandiver (left guard), Boney (center), whelchel (right guard), Taylor (right tackle), Anderson (right end), Collings (quarterback), Randall (left halfback), Fletcher (right halfback), Tanner (fullback).
Alabama
Playing their first all-time game at the Cramton Bowl, the Crimson Tide overcame an early 6–0 deficit and defeated the Bulldogs 10–6. The Bulldogs scored first after John Fletcher recovered an Allen Graham MacCartee fumble and returned it 96-yards for a touchdown.
Alabama responded with a short Charles Bartlett touchdown run in the second and with a 20-yard Bartlett field goal in the third for the 10–6 win.
Post season
Tackle Joe Bennett and fullback John Fletcher appear on Billy Evans's All-America, "National Honor Roll". One writer states, "Prior to the 1960s, Bennett is likely Georgia's most outstanding tackle." Guard and captain Hugh Whelchel was All-Southern along with Bennett and Fletcher.