100 years ago: Georgia Tech's 222-0 victory

On October 7, 1916, Georgia Tech, coached by John Heisman, defeated Cumberland, 222-0 in most lopsided score in the history of college football. From the article:

"...On Oct. 7, 1916, Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland College 222-0, one of the most lopsided outcomes in major-sports history.

Although the game is not recognized in the NCAA record books (the NCAA started keeping records in 1937), some of the reported statistics from the game are eye-opening.

The mismatch: Georgia Tech was one of the powerhouse teams at the time. John Heisman was coach of the Yellow Jackets -- yes, that John Heisman, the one for whom college football’s most famous award is named.

Cumberland College, a small school in Lebanon, Tennessee, had shut down its football program that spring. But because Georgia Tech refused to allow Cumberland to back out of its scheduled agreement, the Bulldogs were forced to put a team together mostly from scratch. Reportedly, canceling the game would have cost Cumberland around $3,000 (about $65,000 in 2016 dollars).

Georgia Tech averaged more than 17 yards per offensive play against Cumberland, which gained zero first downs in the game. Georgia Tech Athletics
The blowout: How one-sided was this game?

Georgia Tech scored at least 42 points in every quarter (63, 63, 54 and 42).

The Yellow Jackets scored 32 touchdowns, and Cumberland committed 15 turnovers (nine fumbles lost, six interceptions).

Georgia Tech ran a relatively low 29 offensive plays, all rushes, for 501 total yards (17.3 yards per play). Cumberland finished with negative-28 total yards.

Cumberland did not gain a first down. Georgia Tech had 20."