football-fbs flag

Austin R. Vaughn | krikya18.com | July 19, 2019

Georgia Tech 222, Cumberland 0: College football's biggest blowout

  This Georgia Tech win in 1916 remains the biggest blowout in college football history.

John Heisman, long before his name adorned the award given each year to the best individual performer in college football, coached Georgia Tech to one of the most lopsided victories in sports history with a 222-0 shellacking of Cumberland College on Oct. 7, 1916.

The rout can be traced back to a 22-0 loss the . Heisman suspected that Cumberland had stacked its team with professional ringers. 

He didn't have to wait long for his chance for revenge. Cumberland discontinued its football program in 1916 but had committed to play Georgia Tech on Oct. 7 before the program was suspended. Cumberland reportedly would owe Tech $3,000 if the game was not played. Heisman insisted Cumberland come to Atlanta and play the game. He chipped in $500 (worth roughly $11,500 today) and paid for travel expenses.

RELATED: 10 great college football games we may never see again

Cumberland's roster was filled with fraternity brothers assembled by the team's student manager. Tech was stocked with players went on to win the national championship in 1917 by defeating Cal in the Rose Bowl.

Tech scored on every possession and racked up 63 points in each of the first two quarters. Cumberland never made a first down. 

Heisman did show a bit of mercy in the second half, limiting the quarters to 12 minutes instead of 15. But, still, the damage was done. It remains the worst defeat in the history of college football.

 

College Sports: NCAA's Unbreakable Records | High Five

Georgia Tech earns women's basketball team of the week honors

Georgia Tech's 11-0 start is the best in program history
READ MORE

Jordan Mason: College football career, stats, highlights, records

Here's a quick guide to NFL running back Jordan Mason's college career at Georgia Tech.
READ MORE

Georgia Tech enters, Creighton drops in women's college volleyball Power 10

Michella Chester gives her latest rankings following the third week of play in the 2024 college volleyball season.
READ MORE