21 October 1903: 44 Bushels of Apples to Clemson

On this day, news of a promise to the Clemson College football team by the University of Georgia football team was published in the Athens Banner:

Georgia had opened the 1903 season with a 29-0 loss to Clemson, then lead by legendary college football coach John Heisman. The following year, Heisman would leave Clemson to begin a 15-year tenure as the coach of Georgia Tech. 

This 73-0 victory remains Clemson's biggest win over Georgia Tech in the history of the two teams' meetings. Unfortunately, the surviving newspapers do not tell how long it took the Georgia team to make good on their promise.

In 1903, six points was the most that could be scored on a single possession: touchdowns were worth only five points, with the modern one-point kick to add to the score.  Field goals, however, were also worth five points. They would not be lowered to the modern three-point score until 1909, and the goal posts would not be moved to the back of the end zone until 1927.

Learn More:

• Athens Daily Banner, May 1902 - Oct. 1903 on Microfilm in the Heritage collection.
• Athens Historic Newspaper Archive collection in the Digital Library of Georgia.
• The Ghosts of Herty Field: Early Days on a Southern Gridiron by John F. Stegeman in the Heritage collection.
• Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate by Bill Cromartie via PINES.
• Georgia vs. Georgia Tech: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893 by John Chandler Griffin via PINES.
• The Heisman: A Symbol of Excellence by John T. Brady via PINES.
• The Rites of Autumn: The Story of College Football by Richard Wittingham in the general collection.
• Southern Fried Football: The History, Passion, and Glory of the Great Southern Game by Tony Barnhart in the general collection.
• The Apple Cookbook: More Than 60 Easy, Imaginative Recipes by Nicloa Hill in the general collection.
• In Praise of Apples: A Harvest of History, Horticulture, and Recipes by Mark Rosenstein in the general collection.
• If You Like My Apples: A Simple Guide to Biodynamic Gardening by Clue Tyler Dennis in the general collection.
• Apples for the 21st Century by Warren Manhart in the general collection.
• A Place Called Sweet Apple by Celestine Sibley in the Heritage collection.
• Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventures from the Table by Ruth Reichl in the general collection.