The 1927 Georgia Tech Golden Tornado football team represented the Georgia Tech Golden Tornado of the Georgia Institute of Technology during the 1927 Southern Conference football season. A member of the Southern Conference (SoCon), Georgia Tech was coached by William Alexander in his eighth year as head coach, compiling a record of 8–1–1 (7–0–1 SoCon) and outscoring opponents 125 to 39. Georgia Tech played its home games at Grant Field.
In what was considered the best Georgia Tech season since 1918, the Tornado shared the SoCon title with the Tennessee Volunteers and NC State Wolfpack. Tech clinched the SoCon in the season's final game: upsetting rival Georgia's previously undefeated "dream and wonder team" which was nonetheless picked as a national champion by some selectors. Coach Alexander notably instituted "The Plan" to beat the rival Bulldogs; for weeks saving his regulars for practice.
The Tornado also upset the Alabama Crimson Tide, handing the Tide their first loss in over two seasons. One researcher ranks Tech as the year's best Southern defense. Tech suffered its only loss to Notre Dame, and held Vanderbilt to a scoreless tie.
Before the season
Tech was coming off the weakest season in coach William Alexander's tenure.
Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1: VMI
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To open the season, Tech defeated VMI 7–0. The Cadets played strongly for two quarters, but were near collapse by game's end. Al Barnes starred for VMI and Stumpy Thomason starred for Tech. "The V. M. I. team tried every brand of football they knew. But it was useless against the Tech defense and offense." The lone score came from Warner Mizell.
The starting lineup was: Crowley (left end), Thrash (left tackle), Martin (left guard), Pund (center), Drennon (right guard), Hood (right tackle), Waddey (right end), Smith (quarterback), Parham (left halfback), Horn (right halfback), Randolph (fullback).
Week 2: Tulane
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On a sloppy, wet field, the Tornado beat Tulane 13–6 despite many publications calling the game a "toss-up". Tech's first score came after a fumble recovery when Stumpy Thomason scored. In the second quarter, Bill Banker "zigzagged through the entire Tech defense" for an 80-yard touchdown. Rain fell at halftime and for the entire third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Thomason had another, 10-yard touchdown.
On the 11th, 15,000 gathered at Grant Field to pay tribute to Charles Lindbergh.
The starting lineup was: Crowley (left end), Watkins (left tackle), Westbrook (left guard), Rusk (center), Drennon (right guard), Speer (right tackle), Waddey (right end), Durant (quarterback), Mizell (left halfback), Thomason (right halfback), Randolph (fullback).
Week 3: Alabama
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In the biggest upset of the young Southern Conference season, Georgia Tech defeated Wallace Wade's defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide 13–0. The loss snapped Alabama's 24-game unbeaten streak. Alabama's line was exceptionally heavy, averaging some 200 pounds.
Alabama had the upper hand in the first quarter, advancing the ball steadily to Tech's 14-yard line before being stopped on downs. The Jackets tipped the scale with a drive in the second quarter, highlighted by a 30-yard touchdown run by Stumpy Thomason. After a scoreless, see-sawing second half, the last touchdown was scored by Warner Mizell in the final minute.
The starting lineup was: Crowley (left end), Thrash (left tackle), Martin (left guard), Pund (center), Drennon (right guard), Hood (right tackle), Waddey (right end), Durant (quarterback), Parham (left halfback), Thomason (right halfback), Randolph (fullback).
Week 4: North Carolina
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In the fourth week of play, Tech defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 13–0. Tech's defensive line had a stellar game, several times thwarting the Tar Heel as it approached the goal. The first touchdown came in the second quarter, after a drive using fullback Randolph on several line plunges. A lateral pass sent captain Ed Crowley over for the score. In the fourth quarter, Stumpy Thomason had a 75-yard touchdown.
The starting lineup was: Bullard (left end), Watkins (left tackle), Westbrook (left guard), Ruck (center), Martin (right guard), Hood (right tackle), Waddey (right end), Schulman (quarterback), Mizell (left halfback), Fitzgerald (right halfback), Devaughn (fullback).
Week 5: at Notre Dame
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