Football 1905

[Turbine]

The "offficial" won loss record for 1905 was 0-0-2. There was indeed an official team that played the UL almni team twice. Both games were played to a zero-zero tie. The Red team was the varsity team and the blue team was the Alumni team.

A Yellow Fever epidemic postponed SLII from opening on time. School did not open till the middle of November. This severely hampered the football team for 1905, but it did not stop the program from forming the team.


Among the names of note on the Alumni team were Jefferson Caffery of Tulane, he was a member of UL's very first graduating class.

Articles from December show that the functioning team had plans for upcoming games. What is lacking historically are reports on the outcome of those games. For a certainty games were scheduled verses an outside schools.

We have not found newspaper reports on any outside game. Whether this lack of reporting had to do with media focus or that the games did not occur we do not know. News reports exist of when the team decided to disband for the year, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for the next season.

1905 Alumni game or perhaps an unknown opponnent

[Turbine]

After President Roosevelt threatened to ban football due to rough play, and several deaths, certain rules were enacted to maintain order.

1) No tackling out-of-bounds.
2) No Hurdling or piling on after play called dead.
3) No tackling below the knee.
4) No striking the ball carrier in the face.
5) No locking of legs, except for the two players on either side of the center.
6) Referee called the end of the play.
7) Offense had to have 6 players on line of scrimage.
8) Only one player in motion before the snap.
9) Any player moving from the line of scrimage had to be replaced prior to the snap of the ball.
10) The length of the game shortened to 2 thirty minute halves.
11) The number of yards need for a first down increased from 5 to 10.
12) Neutral zone increase to length of the ball.
13) Legalization of the forward pass.
- If the pass was incomplete, it was a turnover.
- A pass completed in the endzone was a touchback for the defending team (turnover)
- If the ball wasn't thrown within 5 yards, either side of the middle of the field, or hit an ineligble receiver, it was a turnover. Hash marks were added.

[NOCajun]

Did the President enact those rules or did someone else? Can you even imagine what the game would be like now if they were still using THOSE rules!??

[Turbine]

Vermilion
12-23-1905
	Athletics
	On Tuesday, Dec. 12 the members of the foot-ball tam met with Capt. Chaisson, and decided to disband. Nominations were then made for next years Captain. A.T. Boudreaux, Quarter-Back of the Varsity, and Left-End, Ulric Darby, were nominated. After vote by ballot, A.T. Boudreaux was installed at the head of the S.L.I.I. team for next year. As football is now over, the Athletes will have a good rest before the work on the track team will begin. But when we do begin we will begin in earnest, and everyone is urged to come out and do his best. We do not know what we can do until we try. Let everybody try everything, if possible. If we win in the spring games this season the Championship Cup is ours for good, because of our having won it for the past two years J.P.C.