Stanford Football: The Pop Warner Era

David Hegler
4 minutes ago
23 min read

From 1924 through 1932, legendary coach Pop Warner led the Stanford football program to unprecedented success that would spur the program for years to come. This is their story.

Background

For the first 24 years of the 20th century, the Stanford Cardinal football team usually performed decently enough to draw a sizeable following. They had even enjoyed an unbeaten and untied campaign in 1905 and had won ten or more games three other times in their brief history. When they went 7-2 in 1923 under coach Andrew Kerr, they were far from directionless, but not quite in the upper echelon of college football. When Kerr shocked the Stanford community by suddenly stepping down, school administrators went all in on one of America's finest tacticians: Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner.

Thrice before, he had one the mythical national title at the University of Pittsburgh, using a system laden in misconceptions. While many in the Stanford community believed that he was bringing an offensive philosophy led by large, plodding men who used power over speed and guile, that really wasn't the case.

Instead, like any great coach, he was a master at using what he had. If his roster was filled with large, plodding men, he used a power run game. If his roster was filled with quick footed individuals, Warner was no stranger to deception, often using gadget plays and end around to confuse and out pace the competition. As a result, his offensive philosophy was a never ending blend of everything that the game has stood for since it was founded.

1924

Occidental W 20-6

Olympic Club W 7-0

Oregon W 28-13

@Idaho (Portland) W 3-0

Santa Clara W 20-0

Utah W 30-0

Montana W 41-3

@Cal T 20-20

Rose Bowl-

Notre Dame L 27-10

Stanford began the Pop Warner era without one of its greatest players. Ernie Nevers broke his ankle in a preseason scrimmage against Navy and was lost for much of the season. His absence mattered little in the Cardinal's opener as they outgained Occidental 455 to 48 in a decisive 20-6 victory. In the midst of the action, Warner discovered two fullbacks who had potential to replace Nevers, Cliff Hey and George Bogue.

Stanford had a tough time containing Olympic Club's quarterback Scotchy Campbell but managed to keep him out of the end zone. Meanwhile the brothers Ted and Harry Shipkey led the way to Stanford''s only points of the afternoon after Jim Lawson got hurt. Stanford was gutted early by Oregon when a Webfoot running back gashed the Cardinal for an 80 yard touchdown scamper in the opening minutes. Still, the Cardinal rebounded behind the steady work of Bogue, Hey and Cleaveland as Stanford rallied to win 28-13. It was a sing of the things to come for Warner's young program.

The following week, both teams struggled through the Portland quagmire and the Idaho Vandals really spooked Warner's boys with a terrific aerial assault, but in the end, Stanford won 3-0. Stanford really hit its stride the next week, displaying a perfect balance of offense and defense in a brisk 20-0 victory over crosstown rival Santa Clara.

Warner and his men were thrown through a loop just days laster when USC shocked the athletic world by canceling all athletic relations with Stanford. The Trojans gave a myriad of reasons, one of which being that they had recently discovered that they had played an ineligible player two weeks before and were punishing themselves. Whatever their reasoning may have been, it was the worst possible time to hear the news as special trains had been chartered, an entire L.A. hotel had been rented out and festivities had been planned all around the growing metropolis.

So instead of mighty USC, Stanford quickly scheduled Utah at Cal-Berkeley's Memorial Stadium because Stanford's freshman team was using Stanford Stadium. Not all was lost, however, as Ernie Nevers saw game action for the first time all year that afternoon and helped his beleaguered teammates beat the Utes 30-0. After Stanford's backups whipped Montana 44-3, everyone on the Farm began preparations for Pop Warner's first Big Game.

In the week leading up to Stanford's annual clash with the Cal Golden Bears, the program was leveled with a dose of reality when Cleaveland was ruled ineligible after their rivals successfully argued that he had played just two minutes in the Nevada game as a sophomore. With just two days left before the Big Game, Pop Warner decided not to argue against the NCAA's ruing and play with the men that he had in the moment. Regardless, with Cleaveland being such a big factor in so many of Stanford's games, the ruling completely changed Warner's strategy for the biggest game since he arrived on the Farm.

A record crowd of 100,000 spectators watched the two bitter rivals clash in an instant classic. Two Golden Bear touchdowns early in the fourth quarter stretched their lead to 20-6 with just 10 minutes left. That's went Warner's genius came alive. After a short drive, Walker found end Ted Shipley between two defenders for a touchdown. After forcing a punt, the firm of Hey and Bogue pounded the Golden Bears into submission before Walker found Cuddeback 20 yards downfield for a touchdown.

Although it was a tie and the Cardinal had been outgained 410 to 289, Stanford treated it as a victory. It didn't much matter that they lost to Notre Dame's famed Four Horsemen weeks later in the Rose Bowl. All that mattered in that moment was that Stanford knew that they had found their coach: Pop Warner. They were sure that better days were ahead.

1925

Olympic Club L 9-0

Santa Clara W 20-3

Occidental W 28-0

@USC W 13-9

@Oregon State W 26-10

Oregon W 35-13

@Washington L 13-0

UCLA W 82-0

Cal W 27-14

Pop Warner's second season on the Farm did not start well as his team lost a stunner to Olympic Club 9-0. Led by a healthy Ernie Nevers (19 carries, 100 yards and two touchdowns), Stanford rebounded the following week by defeating Santa Clara 20-3 before holding Occidental to just two first downs the following week in a 28-0 victory.

Inspired by Mike Murphy's 55 yard scamper in the first half, Stanford held on to beat USC at the Coliseum 13-9. Ernie Nevers was all over the field against Oregon Agricultural College (Oregon State), rushing 24 times for 124 yards, completing two passes for na additional 29 yards and running from sideline to sideline on defense as Stanford beat Oregon Agricultural 26-10. Like he would time and again, Warner started the second string in the first half against Oregon, staking a slim 14-13 halftime lead that the first string would stretch to 35-13 before the afternoon had concluded.

The Cardinal next traveled to Seattle where they were met with stiff resistance from a stout Husky defense and an even trickier surface that not only was loaded with rocks but was also uneven. Caught off guard, Stanford stood little chance. What hurt even more wasn't the 13-0 defeat or the fact that they basically lost the PCC that day but Ward Poulson severely dislocated his shoulder ending his season.

With all hope of winning the PCC out of their sights and the Big Game coming up, Pop Warner decided to play his second string against the conference's newest team: the UCLA Bruins. UCLA didn't stand a chance, losing 82-0.

A week later was Ernie Nevers' last game as a Cardinal and he handled the ball all but three times on offense while admirably performing his other duties as an effective punter and all-everything defender. The inspired Cardinal beat Cal 27-14 that day, sending off their greatest player in style.

1926

Fresno State W 44-0

Cal Tech W 13-0

Occidental W 19-0

Olympic Club W 7-3

Nevada W 33-9

@Oregon W 29-12

@USC W 13-12

Santa Clara W 33-14

Washington W 29-10

@Cal W 41-6

Rose Bowl-

Alabama T 7-7

Stanford began their 1926 campaign by beating both Fresno State Teachers College and Cal Tech in a double-header. They rang up 32 points in the first half against Fresno State but the second string lacked hustle and desire in the second game against Cal Tech. Still a win is a win. The following week against Occidental, Warner found Nevers' replacement as Hoffman repeatedly found soft spots in the opposing defense with ease.

Even though Olympic Club routinely put together rosters of some of college football's legends, Pop Warner decided to leave that game up to his assistants while he scouted the USC-Washington State game. If it wasn't for a last minute touchdown by Sims, Warner very easily could have paid for his decision with a loss.

Stanford struggled to find its stride in the first half against Nevada, fumbling at the worst possible moments and giving up big plays on defense. Down 9-0 at the half, the Cardinal players could have thrown their hands up and given up the game. But this was a resilient bunch who refused to go down quietly and they barged through the tunnel for the second half with a fire in their eyes and showed that they meant business.

Still, they needed some good fortune to come their way to begin the comeback as two pass interference penalties put Stanford at the Wolfpack's one-yard line before Joseph scored to begin the scoring binge. The dam had broken. Soon, Bogue, Sims and Shipkey each took turns carving up the Wolfpack as Stanford ran away with a 33-9 victory.

Stanford struggled in the first half against Oregon and again found themselves facing a halftime deficit. Once again, the Cardinal relied on some good luck to start the comeback as Bogue fumbled, recovered and sped his way for a remarkable 35-yard touchdown to start the second half comeback. Bill Hoffman, Bogue and Hyland did the rest by routinely powering their way for crucial gains. Once Shipkey caught the final touchdown of the afternoon, the 11,000 Webfoot fans that had gathered for Homecoming were left stunned. Oregon had awoken a sleeping giant.

Inspired by the magnitude of the capacity crowd that filled the L.A. Coliseum, Stanford's 1927 yearbook compared USC's offense to the gun crew of a light artillery while Stanford's was compared to a slow firing "Big Bertha". In other words, speed versus power. Still, while the game lived up to the hype, it was a low scoring affair. In the end, it came down to the place kickers. While Bogue nailed just one of his two PATs, USC's kicker missed both. Stanford won 13-12.

Warner felt good about his prospects against Santa Clara. So good, in fact, that he decided to start his second string line and third string backfield while routinely plugging in the fourth stringers (who were mostly from the track team). The youngsters still ran roughshod over the Broncos as Stanford won 33-14.

Behind George Bogue's 154 yards, Stanford was beating Washington 10-0 in the third quarter when Hoffman's pass was picked off and returned to the house. After another Hoffman interception shortly thereafter, the game was tied 10-10. Hoffman redeemed himself early in the fourth quarter by finding Shipkey in the end zone. After Washington failed to convert on fourth down at their own 33-yard line, Stanford had avenged their loss from a year earlier.

A record 100,000 gathered at Berkeley's Memorial Stadium for the Big Game, with 80,000 gathered in the facility and 20,000 watching from the nearby hills. The game was never a contest as Stanford didn't rely on just one individual, befuddling the Golden Bears all day long. Stanford led 27-6 at halftime and won 41-6, stamping their ticket to the Rose Bowl.

In an era before the national championship had truly entered the American lexicon, this was as close to a national championship game that college football fans could hope for. Both Stanford and Alabama were undefeated and untied entering the game and both were striving to stay that way.

Early on, Stanford controlled the game as Bogue found Walker in the end zone for the game's first touchdown in the second quarter. While Stanford's passing attack caught the Crimson Tide flat-footed, they came up empty time and again as Bogue missed field goals on the first drive of the game and in the third quarter while Stanford lost the ball on downs at the Alabama six-yard line early in the fourth quarter. When Alabama pounced on the opportunity when Stanford lost the ball on downs at their own one-yard line and scored the go-ahead touchdown to tie the game. The two teams would have to share the national championship.

1927

Fresno State W 44-7

Olympic Club W 7-6

Saint Mary's L 16-0

Nevada W 20-2

USC T 13-13

@Oregon State W 20-6

Oregon W 19-0

@Washington W 13-7

Santa Clara L 13-6

Cal W 13-6

Rose Bowl-

Pitt W 7-6

Although Pop Warner switched offenses -emphasizing speed over power- the defending national champs were marred with overconfidence for much of the year and never reached their full potential. After drubbing Fresno State 44-7 and eking out a one-point victory over Olympic Club in Stanford's annual double-header to open the season, they literally fumbled the game away against Saint Mary's. After fumbling the opening kickoff, the Gaels made Stanford pay with a quick touchdown. Time and again, the Cardinal coughed up hte pigskin, ultimately committing the ultimate sin an incredulous 16 times. They were outmuscled, outplayed and in over their heads all day and trudged off the field with their shoulders slumped to impossible depths.

Although Stanford beat Nevada convincingly, it was clear to all in attendance that something was wrong with Pop Warner's troops. Stanford practically lived in the Wolfpack's side of the field the entire day, yet only crossed the goal line three times against a team that had just been torched by arch-rival Cal 54-0.

A crowd of 60,000 crammed its way into Stanford Stadium, eager to watch them take on Howard Jones' mighty USC squad. USC All-American quarterback Morley Drury ran roughshod over Stanford's defenders, pounding them mercilessly into submission. Still, Stanford put up a valiant fight and were only down by seven with a couple of minutes to go when their defense tightened up just one more time to give Stanford's offense one last gasp at the end zone. Suddenly, Stanford's one-stagnant offense came to life in an incredible passing display that lit up the sky, resulting in a last minute touchdown to preserve the tie.

Relieved, Stanford then traveled to Portland, Oregon where they withstood Howard Maples's ferocious aerial assault, holding the Beavers to just six points while Stanford's offense scored three touchdowns of their own to leave the Beavers with their tails between their legs.

The following week, Stanford ran at will against Oregon while stifling the Webfoot's famed passing attack and coming away with a 19-0 triumph. Despite Seattle's usual slop, Stanford failed to fumble and defeated the Huskies 13-7, putting them in the PCC driver's seat.

All seemed well for the defending national champions, but once again, Stanford's overconfidence reared its ugly head. With the Big Game on the horizon, Pop Warner decided to scout Cal and allow his assistants to lead the Cardinal against Santa Clara. Even without their indomitable leader on the sidelines, the tema was certain that Santa Clara would be a cakewalk. They couldn't have been more wrong. With the score tied at 6-6 at the half, the Broncos pulled away in the second, managing to hold off Hoffman's last gasp attempt at the end zone as time expired.

Stanford entered the following week determined to win hte PCC and show the world that their 13-6 loss the week before was a fluke. With 87,000 jammed into Stanford Stadium, the Cardinal special teams put on a terrific display, with Hoffman twice kicking into the end zone for touchbacks. In addition to his duties as a kicker, Hoffman was more than effective as a runner, proving fearless in the middle of the line while his center, McCreery was eventually helped off the field amidst a standing ovation after a resilient blocking performance. In the end, the Cardinal won 13-7, earning themselves a share of the PCC crown and stamping their ticket to the Rose Bowl.

The 1928 Rose Bowl proved to be a scorcher and Stanford was caught flatfooted when they fumbled on its first play form scrimmage. Pitt quickly scooped it up to score the easy touchdown. However, the Panthers PAT was blocked. After Stanford scored on the next drive, they made the PAT to win 7-6.

1928

YMI L 6-0

West Coast Army W 21-8

Olympic Club L 12-6

@Oregon W 26-12

UCLA W 45-7

Idaho W 47-0

Fresno State W 47-0

@USC L 10-0

Santa Clara W 31-0

Washington W 12-0

@Cal T 13-13

Army W 26-0

At the dawn of a new season, Pop Warner introduced Stanford football to a new formation. Aptly named "Formation B", the new formation lined up the halfbacks outside the ends, the fullback behind the center and the quarterback/close-up fullback behind a guard. All plays originated with one of the fullbacks.

Things did not start off well for the Cardinal as their reserves lost to YMI in the first game of the annual season opening double header, coughing up a pick-six against a former Santa Clara Star in the last minute of the game. The starters took care of business in the second game by beating West Coast Army 21-8.

Stanford started off hot against Olympic Club the following week, unleashing a plethora of passes and reverses which ultimately resulted in a touchdown by Hoffman. However, the tide quickly turned and soon Stanford players found themselves on hte wrong end of a 12-6 score.

The following week was a different story. After Stanford fumbled the opening kickoff and watched as the Flying Dutchman put Oregon ahead with an easy touchdown, the rest of the game belonged to the Cardinal as Stanford finally found its stride in the new formation, baffling and befuddling the Oregon Webfoots all day long. Hoffman, Wilton and Muller each scored a touchdown while Stanford's line proved to be impenetrable.

Although they had met before, the following week was UCLA's first in the PCC and Stanford welcomed them the only way they knew how, by yanking out their hearts and crushing the Bruins' spirit. Stanford treated the Idaho Vandals similarly the following week at cold, dreary Kezar Stadium. Their defense held the Vandals to just three first downs while Stanford's offense racked up 43 of their own in a 47-0 blowout.

Stanford's backups got a lot of game action the next week against Fresno State and Harlow Rothert began to prove himself as Stanford's next great fullback by scoring twice and repeatedly ripping off runs of 30 or more yards. Stanford was a little too eager to keep up the momentum in Los Angeles and paid for their overconfidence with a painful 10-0 loss.

A smattering of 20,000 scattered around the massive Stanford Stadium and President Hoover stopped by as well to watch Warner's troops battle the Santa Clara Broncos. Frustrated with their performance from the week before, Pop Warner scrapped Formation B and went back to what he knew best: Formation A. Santa Clara stood no chance and lost 31-0.

Washington had been riddled with internal squabbles with the coaching staff, inter-fraternity wars and injuries all year long and were just counting down the days until their miserable season came to a close. Still, while the Huskies had a defeatist attitude, enough of them wanted to win that Stanford soon founds itself in a first-half dogfight. It was 0-0 at the half.

Early in the third quarter, the Huskies fumbled a center exchange and Stanford pounce don the opportunity. A couple of plays later, Timkins found Muller of a 13-yard touchdown for the game's first points. Later in the quarter, Muller hauled in a pass for 46 yards and was tackled at the nine-yard line. A couple of plays later, Simkins' pass ricocheted off a Washington tackle and into the awaiting arms of Muller to start the fourth quarter. Stanford held on to win 12-0.

Stanford and Cal battled to a 13-13 tie the next week. In the season finale, Stanford stunned West Point at New York's cavernous Polo Grounds with fake passes, laterals, runs, reverses, triple reverses, end around and cut backs. Hoffman scored in the first, second and third quarters to lead his teammates to an exhilarating 26-0 victory.

1929

West Coast Army W 45-0

Olympic Club W 6-0

Oregon W 33-7

@UCLA W 57-0

Oregon State W 40-7

USC L 7-0

Cal Tech W 39-0

@Washington W 6-0

Santa Clara L 13-7

Cal W 21-6

Army W 34-13

Using Knute Rockne's famed platoon system, Stanford smothered West Coast Army with the talented fullback Moffatt Hillman who constantly hit the line hard and low, paving the way for the Cardinal's backfield. Stanford next beat Olympic Club in a savage, brutal affair 6-0, with Rothert catching the game's only points in the second quarter.

Stanford really defined themselves as a power team against Oregon, zooming to a 33-7 victory while staking their claim as the team to beat in the PCC. Only 20,000 filled the cavernous L.A. Coliseum as Stanford pasted the UCLA Bruins 57-0.

The following week was a bit different as Oregon State got lucky by catching Stanford flat footed on a long pass that went for an early touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. From then on, however, it was all Stanford as the Cardinal hanged 40 points on the Beavers while subsequently shutting them out the rest of the game.

88,000 crammed into Stanford Stadium to watch an epic clash of conference powers between Stanford and USC. Although the Cardinal managed to twice reach the Trojan goal line, they were turned away each time. Meanwhile, USC managed to find the end zone in the third quarter and came away with a statement making 7-0 victory.

While Stanford drubbed Cal Tech to the tune of 39-0, they were more interested in the Cal game that was being played at the same time. For when the Golden Bears shocked USC, it put Stanford back in the PCC driver's seat.

The following week, Stanford survived the Seattle slop while Smalling provided the only points that the Cardinal would need all afternoon early in the contest. Stanford entered their annual contest against the Santa Clara Broncos brimming with confidence and were quickly punched in the mouth with a resiliency that they had not expected. They were shocked by the Broncos' strength as they repeatedly had trouble in the Santa Clara red zone, losing the ball on downs multiple times. Still, despite the miscues, Stanford still had a shot at preserving the win as they were on Santa Clara's one-yard line when the final whistle blew on the 13-7 defeat.

Stanford entered the 1929 Big Game determined to redeem themselves and went on to crush the Golden Bears from the opening whistle. Muller played the game of his life by blocking, kicking, catching and reading his men to perfection in the 21-6 triumph. Stanford finished their season at home against West Point, keeping the Cadet's fleet-footed back Christian Keenercagle in check all day as they went on to win 34-13.

1930

West Coast Army W 32-0

Olympic Club W 18-0

Santa Clara W 20-0

@Minnesota T 0-0

Oregon State W 13-7

@USC L 41-12

UCLA W 20-0

Washington W 25-7

Cal Tech W 57-7

@Cal W 41-0

Dartmouth W 14-7

Although Stanford started slowly after just a week of practice, they eventually found their stride and defeated the West Coast Army handily. Their backups even played well, marching 68 yards down he field for another score in the second half. After defeating Olympic Club 18-0 in a forgettable game, Stanford battled Santa Clara scoreless for a half before being saved by the duo of Phil Moffatt and Rothert.

After Moffatt returned a punt 45 yards for a third quarter touchdown, he connected with Rothert fora 64-yard touchdown strike in the fourth. Rothert put the game away late in the fourth quarter with a pick-six. But not all was well for the Cardinal, for in the throes of the game, they lost captain Roy Taylor with a knee injury that would sideline him for much of the season.

Although Minnesota had lost to Vanderbilt 33-7 just the week before, they put on a heroic performance against Stanford in a 0-0 tie. The Minneapolis Journal described the game: "What the rebels did at bunker hill, what the Marines did at ChaeauThierry adn what the French did at Verdun, will have to make room in the history books of this section for what the Gophers of Minnesota did in Memorial Stadium on a certain bright October Saturday of 1930 when they, too, chose a foe that had every advantage in numbers, power and fighting weapons but held their ground, stood off the charge are made courage and loyalty to a large yield them a scoreless tie with the great Stanford football team that had come here frmo California to win as it pleased.".

Oregon State put up quite a fight as they yearned to avenge the 40-7 shellacking the year before. Moffatt caught a lateral for an 11-yard touchdown in the second quarter and later in the same quarter caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Rothert. Oregon State's only points in Stanford's 13-7 triumph came when they caught the Cardinal flat-footed with a terrific passing attack for a single 60-yard drive.

The following week was one of the most painful days in Stanford's young history. They were bulldozed by USC on the ground and torched by the Trojans through the air, at once suffocating under a deadly dose of speed and power in a 41-12 loss.

Still stunned from the pummeling, Stanford struggled to find their footing against UCLA the next week. It was only Harlow Rothert's impressive running that kept the program in good standing with the scoreboard. Stanford won an ugly 20-0 affair.

After Washington opened the following week with a score, it awoke the sleeping giant as Stanford players pulled themselves out of the dumps, came together and beat the Huskies 25-7. As per usual, the regulars rested while the backups drubbed Cal Tech 57-7 the week before the Big Game.

Stanford's stars really showed up against Cal the following week, especially Rothert who scored three touchdowns in the third quarter alone and added one more for emphasis in the fourth in a 41-0 demolition. The game was so demoralizing for Cal that their coach, Nibs Price, quit the team after the defeat.

Stanford hosted undefeated Dartmouth in one of the greatest games ever played at Stanford Stadium for the season finale. It was truly a battle of power and will as neither team was willing to go down without a fight. Back and forth the two teams went until Harlow Rothert ran 10 yards for the game's first points in the second quarter. Just before the half, Dartmouth picked off a Stanford pass and scored a touchdown of their own soon after to tie the game at 7-all. Stanford mustered one last drive late in the fourth quarter and Caglierie galloped 17-yards for the game winner.

1931

West Coast Army W 46-0

Olympic Club T 0-0

Santa Clara W 6-0

Minnesota W 13-0

Oregon State W 25-7

@Washington T 0-0

UCLA W 12-6

@USC L 19-0

Nevada W 26-0

Cal L 6-0

Dartmouth W 32-6

Ernie Caddel would end up scoring both the first and last touchdowns of the season. Once he scored the first touchdown against West Coast Army in the opening game, the floodgates opened as Stanford continuously bedazzled the field with an armada of fleet footed backs. Even their center, Bob Milligan, got in on the action as he returned an interception 51 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown.

The following week was a much closer affair. Stanford and Olympic Club battled to a scoreless stalemate late into the fourth quarter and well into overtime. Olympic Club's Tom Davis fumbled at the Stanford three-yard line in the second overtime to preserve a 0-0 tie.

Stanford fell victim to Santa Clara's "Diamond" Joe Paglia the next week as he pinned the Cardinal deep into their territory with terrific punts. Despite Stanford's four trips into the Broncos territory, it wasn't until the fourth quarter when either team scored. Harry Hillman took care of business with a five-yard scamper for the game's deciding points to give Pop Warner's men a well-earned victory.

Stanford battled another opponent to a scoreless first half the following week before either team could light up the scoreboard in the second. Twice, Stanford drove down to Minnesota's six-yard line, only to be picked off. The Golden Gophers blinked first in the third quarter and Stanford made them pay for fumbling with a touchdown soon after. Stanford drove 78 yards for the deciding score in the fourth quarter with Phil Moffatt's nine-yard scamper finishing off the Golden Gophers.

The second string led the way the next week as Ken Afflerbaugh put the cherry on top of their effort with an exhilarating 81-yard touchdown run. With the game tied at 7-all at the half, Pop Warner sent in his first string for the second half. After Moffatt was hurt while returning a punt, his teammates picked up the slack and promptly put together a scoring drive for their wounded comrade. Stanford finished off the Beavers when they warded off their best efforts at the Stanford 20-yard line before making Oregon State pay with a long touchdown strike from Allen to Colvin a moment later.

After battling Washington to a 0-0 tie on a tough, defensive struggle on a rain-soaked Seattle quagmire, Stanford battled the UCLA Bruins the following week. With the game tied at 6-all and with seven seconds left on the clock, "Dusty" Allen threw a touchdown pass to Don Colvin to help their teammates escape with a 12-6 victory.

All week long, Stanford worked on a super secret defense that had been concocted by Pop Warner himself, hoping that it would prove to be the difference against Howard Jones' mighty men of Troy. Alas, the new-fangled defense proved fruitless against USC as Stanford lost 19-0.

The following week, a motley crew of second, third and fourth teamers beat Nevada 26-0 as Pop Warner rested his starter for the Big Game.

Stanford could only do so much without Moffatt and their defense proved useless when they had Cal dead to rights deep into their territory. Twice, the Golden Bears found themselves backed up against their own goal line and twice they managed to punched it out. Hank Schaldach rumbled for an 11-yard touchdown in the second quarter, giving the Golden Bears the only points that they would need that afternoon. Motivated by rookie coach "Navy Bill" Ingram, Cal beat Stanford for the first time in eight years.

Stanford finished the season by pummeling Dartmouth 32-6. It could have been much worse, but par for the course, they kept on fumbling, an issue that they never really cleaned up all year long. Pop Warner would later call this one of his poorest teams.

1932

Olympic Club W 6-0

USF W 20-7

Santa Clara W 14-0

West Coast Army W 26-0

USC L 13-0

@UCLA L 13-6

Washington L 18-13

UC Davis W 59-0

@Cal T 0-0

@Pitt L 7-0

The 1932 Stanford Cardinal football team featured a lineup so green that the press often referred to them as the "Mystery Team". Although they had promis on paper, no one knew how htis team would gel down the stretch. Of course, few knew that behind the scenes, Pop Warner had already decided to step away after the season. He could nly hope that this team could bring him some satisfaction.

Stanford looked sharp in the opening game against an Olympic Club program that normally knew Stanford better than they even knew themselves. Walker scored the only points the Cardinal would need by prancing around left end to end the opening drive of the season. The following week, Pop Warner's troops beat former Stanford quarterback "Spud" Lewis who had matriculated over to the nearby University of San Francisco.

The Cardinal displayed Warner's signature deceptive running attack that was sprinkled with a power running display that often left opponents quaking in their cleats. Stanford held USF scoreless until the fourth quarter when the Dons caught the Cardinal napping with a 45-yard bomb to narrow the gap to 13-7. Awoken, Stanford immediately responded with the game-clinching drive.

Although Stanford's players were outweighed by an average of 12 lbs, they never looked better against Oregon State., featuring a running attack so deceptive that the term "razzle dazzle" was first coined at that event. Despite the eventual 27-0 drubbing, it ended up becoming the longest game ever played in PCC history at 3 hours and 15 minutes.

The following week, Stanford was short-staffed as both Caddell and Campbell were knocked out early with injuries. Bates put the team on his back by blocking Santa Clara's punt and recovering it at the two-yard line where Hillman scored two plays later to give the Cardinal a 7-0 advantage within the first minute of the game. In the third quarter, Baker recovered a Bronco fumble at the Santa Clara 19-yard line and Lambert scored seven plays later to give Stanford a commanding two touchdown lead early in the fourth quarter.

Although Warner had previously stated that the Army squad looked tough, he was clearly attempting to make his opponents overconfident as he promptly started his second string, playing them the whole game. Army did look good in the early going, driving 75 yards on the opening drive with ease. However, Stanford stopped them when it mattered most, thus establishing a pattern that would be repeated again and again.

Stanford next battled USC to a 0-0 first quarter tie before McNeish flipped the ball to his end Palme, giving the Trojans a 6-0 lead. Even though USC lost its senior quarterback Mohler for the rest of the year, they never lost their stride while Stanford never found their's.

Everyone who thought that UCLA would be a cakewalk for Stanford were in for a rude awakening. The game started innocently enough as Stanford made UCLA pay fora costly fumble by scoring an early touchdown. Undaunted, the Bruins managed to tie the game right before the half. Most of the second half was played in Stanford's backyard and UCLA scored the game winner off of a blocked punt.

Before the game the following week, it had been rumored that Washington would fire coach Jimmy Phelan if they didn't beat the Cardinal that week. After Phil Baker put Stanford on the board first, Huskies center Howard returned a punt 58 yards to tie the game at the end of the first quarter. A short while later disaster again struck Stanford's punt unit when Johnny Cherbers returned a punt 88 yards to give the Huskies the lead. Stanford was still reeling when Washington put the nail in the coffin to win 18-13.

After two weeks adrift, Stanford was starving for a win. The Cal Davis Aggies entered the game without start halfback Russell Sweet and could only watch as Kenny Afflerbaugh scored four touchdowns to give the Cardinal a convincing 59-0 triumph.

The next week was the Big Game and both squads came prepared for combat. Although Stanford routinely marched into Golden Bears territory, they were repelled again and again. At the same time, Stanford's defense was just as suffocating and Pop Warner's last Big Game ended in a disappointing 0-0 tie.

Stanford was still feeling the effects of the major letdown as they traveled across the country to take on undefeated Pitt. With Hillman and Baker out due to injury and Pitt's All-American Heller running roughshod over the Cardinal, Pitt proved to be too much as Stanford fell 7-0.

Pop Warner resigned shortly after the season and was replaced by Tiny Thornhill. Saddened by the great coach's sudden departure, Stanford's yearbook came out with a lovely tribute that year that read:

"For nine years you have faithfully guided the destinies of Stanford football. You have brought fame and glory to the. university and to those men who have fought for it. As you leave a definite era in Stanford football history is closed and we have a definite knowledge of loss.

In your new field at Temple University you will, no doubt, achieve such success that we will hear the reports with a distinct feeling of pride, for it will be a long time before Stanford people can be a sense of kinship to "Pop" Warner"

References

Stanford Football: The Pop Warner Era

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