
LOOKING BACK: Tulane Football Captures 1939 SEC Title
Jun 19, 2020 | Football
NEW ORLEANSÂ - As the Tulane University football team prepares for the upcoming 2020 season, TulaneGreenWave.com takes a look back at some of the best seasons in Green Wave history.
In this week's edition of Looking Back, TulaneGreenWave.com examines the 1939 Tulane football team which finished with a 5-0 record and captured an SEC Championship.Â
RECAPPING THE 1939 GREEN WAVE
The 1939 team was one of Tulane's finest, finishing the regular season unbeaten and dropping a hotly-contested 14-13 decision to Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl. Captain Paul Krueger led a blue-collar team through a tough schedule and won with defense and a punishing running game.
Coach Red Dawson assembled this team from 13 states and the Panama Canal Zone. Five of nine regular season opponents were shut out and two others scored only once. At one point, the Dawson juggernaut shut out three consecutive opponents by a combined score of 90-0.
End Ralph Wenzel and tackle Harley McCollum earned All-America recognition and guard Tommy O'Boyle and back Bobby "Jitterbug" Kellogg were named All-SEC.
When the regular season ended 8-0-1, Tulane was matched with unbeaten Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl, and the game was a great one. A&M led 7-0 at the half, but Kellogg returned a punt 75 yards to tie it in the third period. Tough running by Fred Cassibry set up a TD rush by Monette Butler that staked Tulane to a 13-7 lead after the conversion was blocked. The Aggies struck back through the air, scoring the winning TD on a pass and lateral that Tulane hotly-contested was an illegal "pick" play. The TD stood, and one of Tulane's great football teams had suffered its only loss.
Fans can purchase 2020 football season tickets in non-premium sections by visiting TulaneTix.com or by calling (504) 861-WAVE (9283). Season ticket deposits for premium sections are also on sale. All deposits are $50 and are non-refundable.
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Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
Follow Tulane football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @GreenWaveFB. Fans also follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
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WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, all-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
In this week's edition of Looking Back, TulaneGreenWave.com examines the 1939 Tulane football team which finished with a 5-0 record and captured an SEC Championship.Â
RECAPPING THE 1939 GREEN WAVE
The 1939 team was one of Tulane's finest, finishing the regular season unbeaten and dropping a hotly-contested 14-13 decision to Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl. Captain Paul Krueger led a blue-collar team through a tough schedule and won with defense and a punishing running game.
Coach Red Dawson assembled this team from 13 states and the Panama Canal Zone. Five of nine regular season opponents were shut out and two others scored only once. At one point, the Dawson juggernaut shut out three consecutive opponents by a combined score of 90-0.
End Ralph Wenzel and tackle Harley McCollum earned All-America recognition and guard Tommy O'Boyle and back Bobby "Jitterbug" Kellogg were named All-SEC.
When the regular season ended 8-0-1, Tulane was matched with unbeaten Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl, and the game was a great one. A&M led 7-0 at the half, but Kellogg returned a punt 75 yards to tie it in the third period. Tough running by Fred Cassibry set up a TD rush by Monette Butler that staked Tulane to a 13-7 lead after the conversion was blocked. The Aggies struck back through the air, scoring the winning TD on a pass and lateral that Tulane hotly-contested was an illegal "pick" play. The TD stood, and one of Tulane's great football teams had suffered its only loss.
Fans can purchase 2020 football season tickets in non-premium sections by visiting TulaneTix.com or by calling (504) 861-WAVE (9283). Season ticket deposits for premium sections are also on sale. All deposits are $50 and are non-refundable.
Â
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
Follow Tulane football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @GreenWaveFB. Fans also follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
Â
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, all-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
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