What Is 1910 Clemson Tigers football team

Overview

The 1910 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson Agricultural College during the 1910 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by first-year head coach Frank Tompkins and played its home games at Riggs Field in Clemson, South Carolina.

The Tigers finished the season with a 3–4 record, scoring 106 points while allowing 83. Despite a losing record, the team showed flashes of competitiveness against regional opponents, reflecting Clemson's growing athletic presence in the early 20th century.

• Record: The team compiled a 3–4 overall record, marking a modest performance in a season with limited scheduling stability.
• Head Coach:Frank Tompkins served as head coach in his first and only season, later transitioning to a career in education and administration.
• Scoring: Clemson scored 106 points across seven games, averaging 15.1 points per game, a respectable output for the era.
• Defense: The defense allowed 83 total points, averaging 11.9 per game, indicating a relatively balanced team performance.
• Home Field: Games were played at Riggs Field, Clemson’s original athletic field, which also hosted baseball and other events.

Season Performance

The 1910 season featured a mix of regional opponents, many of which were colleges and military schools from the Southeast. Games were often short on documentation, but surviving records highlight key matchups and scoring trends.

• September 24:Defeated Furman 26–0 in the season opener, showcasing strong offensive execution and defensive dominance.
• October 1:Lost to South Carolina 0–12, a setback in the rivalry game that underscored Clemson’s offensive struggles.
• October 8:Beat Washington & Lee 14–7, a notable win against a historically strong Southern program.
• October 15:Lost to Georgia Tech 0–23, highlighting the gap between Clemson and top-tier Southern teams.
• November 5:Defeated Davidson 20–0, securing a shutout and demonstrating defensive consistency.
• November 12:Lost to Auburn 6–10, a close game that reflected Clemson’s ability to compete with major programs.
• November 19:Beat The Citadel 40–0, a dominant season finale that boosted morale and scoring totals.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1910 Clemson Tigers compared to peer programs in terms of record, scoring, and regional influence:

This table illustrates Clemson’s middle-tier status in the region—outperformed defensively by powerhouses like Georgia Tech but competitive with peers like Furman and The Citadel. The team’s scoring margin and schedule difficulty reflect the developmental stage of Southern college football at the time.

Why It Matters

The 1910 season is a snapshot of Clemson’s early football identity, laying groundwork for future conference affiliation and national recognition. Though not a championship year, it contributed to the program’s continuity and regional reputation.

• Program Growth: The season helped establish consistency in Clemson’s athletic department amid frequent coaching changes.
• Historical Record: Games from 1910 are included in official NCAA records, contributing to Clemson’s all-time win-loss tally.
• Rivalry Development: The loss to South Carolina deepened a key in-state rivalry that continues today.
• Coaching Legacy: Frank Tompkins’ brief tenure is part of Clemson’s coaching lineage, preceding more successful eras.
• Facility Use: Riggs Field’s use in 1910 marked early multi-sport utilization of Clemson’s campus facilities.
• Regional Influence: Competing against schools like Auburn and Georgia Tech integrated Clemson into Southern football networks.

The 1910 Clemson Tigers may not be remembered for victories, but they represent an important chapter in the evolution of a program that would grow into a national powerhouse.