What Is 1919 Missouri Tigers football team

Overview

The 1919 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri during the 1919 college football season. Competing as an independent with no formal conference affiliation, the team was led by head coach E. M. Bartee in his second season at the helm.

The Tigers compiled a 5–2 overall record, scoring 147 points while allowing 68, resulting in a positive point differential of +79. Their season included victories over regional rivals and a pair of losses that highlighted both offensive strength and defensive vulnerabilities.

• Record: The team finished with a 5–2 overall record, marking a solid but unspectacular season compared to prior and subsequent years.
• Scoring: Missouri scored 147 total points across seven games, averaging 21.0 points per game, a strong output for the era.
• Defensive performance: The defense allowed 68 points, averaging 9.7 points per game against, indicating a relatively effective backline.
• Coach: E. M. Bartee served as head coach, continuing his tenure after leading the team since 1918 amid the challenges of the post-WWI transition.
• Opponents: Notable wins came against Kansas (14–0) and Iowa State (21–7), demonstrating competitiveness within the regional Big Eight footprint.

Season Schedule and Results

The 1919 season featured a mix of regional colleges and emerging football programs across the Midwest. Missouri’s schedule balanced local rivals with developing national competition, reflecting the decentralized nature of college football at the time.

• September 27: Missouri defeated Washington University (St. Louis) 26–0 in a dominant season opener at Rollins Field.
• October 4: The Tigers won 14–7 against Iowa State, showcasing resilience in a close, hard-fought contest.
• October 11: Missouri crushed Kansas 14–0, securing a crucial rivalry victory in front of a spirited home crowd.
• October 18: A 21–7 win over Nebraska highlighted Missouri’s offensive consistency and depth.
• October 25: The team suffered a 7–14 loss to Nebraska Wesleyan, a rare setback exposing defensive lapses.
• November 8: After a bye week, Missouri rebounded with a 34–0 shutout of Culver-Stockton College.
• November 27: The season concluded with a 0–14 loss to Kansas State, ending on a disappointing note.

Comparison at a Glance

Missouri’s 1919 performance can be contextualized by comparing it to nearby seasons and peer programs in the Midwest. The table below outlines key metrics.

The 1919 season stands out as Missouri’s most successful during this five-year stretch, both in win total and offensive production. Despite no postseason or national ranking system at the time, the team’s point differential and win-loss improvement signaled upward momentum under Bartee’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1919 Missouri Tigers season is a snapshot of college football during a transitional post-war era, reflecting broader trends in athletic development and regional competition.

• Historical context: The 1919 season followed the disruptions of World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic, making consistent play a notable achievement.
• Program growth: Missouri’s improving record signaled the program’s maturation amid increasing investment in athletics.
• Coaching continuity: E. M. Bartee’s multi-year tenure provided rare stability in an era of frequent coaching changes.
• Rivalry development: Wins over Kansas and Nebraska helped solidify regional rivalries that endure today.
• Statistical benchmark: The 147 points scored were the highest for Missouri since at least 1917, setting a short-term offensive standard.
• Foundation for future: Though overshadowed by later successes, the 1919 season laid groundwork for Missouri’s eventual integration into stronger conference play.

While not a national powerhouse season, the 1919 Missouri Tigers remain a noteworthy chapter in the university’s athletic history, illustrating resilience and incremental progress in early 20th-century college football.