Homecoming At Kentucky- November 13, 1920
The University of Kentucky was Centre's next foe. It was to be the Homecoming for the Wildcats. Centre was a huge draw, and with the Colonels coming over to Lexington, plus the fact that it was to be Homecoming, guaranteed a sellout.
Kentucky had started the season well but had hit some bumps along the way, so that going into the game with Centre, it was 3-2-1.
Kentucky 62 Southwestern 0
Kentucky 31 Maryville 0
Kentucky 0 Miami ( Oh. ) 14
Kentucky 6 Sewanee 6
Kentucky 0 Vanderbilt 20
Kentucky 7 Cincinnati 6
Once again, the annual battle between the old rivals was attracting interest all across the state. So many fans from the Danville area wanted to attend that Howard King, the Southern Railroad's district passenger agent, came to Danville to make arrangements for a special train consisting of day coaches to carry the fans and students on the 50 minute ride to Lexington. Dr. Ganfield had cancelled Centre's Saturday morning classes, K.C.W. had done likewise, so that close to the entire student bodies of both schools bought $2.70 round trip tickets for the trip. The team occupied the last car, and the train consisted of 20 coaches, each carrying 50 passengers.
Danville High scheduled a game with Lexington Model School for Friday afternoon, and arrangements were made for the players to stay overnight in Lexington so that they could take in the next day's contest.
All week preceding the game, Centre held a brief pep rally following chapel in the First Presbyterian Church where the cheerleaders fired up the students by trying to get one side of the church to shout louder than the other.
Over in Lexington, similar events were taking place. A big pep rally was to take place at noon prior to the game. A special Homecoming edition of the college's newspaper, the "Kentucky Kernel," would be published and distributed to everyone at the rally, and additional copies were to be handed out at the Southern station for arriving passengers and outside of Kentucky's Stoll Field.
Special alumni edition of "The Kentucky Kernel" for 1920 Homecoming
Details-1000 megaphone "noise enlargers," a rally, and a luncheon
After the game, the Kentucky team and coaches were to be guests of honor at a reception at the Armory, and all out-of-town visitors were invited.
The game was played on a crisp, sunny afternoon in front of a crowd of 10,000, absolutely capacity and then some. Bo ran the offense rather conservatively, sticking mainly to the ground, and spread out the rushes over several backs. The Colonels won easily, 49-0.
The highlight for Kentucky and the team's fans was the halftime performance by the school's band and students. The band took the field first and white clad girls came out of the stands and formed a big "U" as the musicians struck up the Kentucky fight song.
Then the cheerleaders led blue clad male students out who formed a big "K." After the "UK" was assembled, the band played "My Old Kentucky Home," and everyone in the stadium stood and sang along.
The halftime ended with a spirited rendition of "Dixie."
Hump Tanner, running from the fullback position, had quite a game, scoring three times and never failing to pick up yardage on his numerous efforts. Bo tallied three touchdowns also, on short runs, and Lefty Whitnell rounded out the scoring on a 6 yard burst right over the left tackle.
Red Weaver was a perfect 7 for 7 to run his streak to 82.
Uncle Charlie let Red Roberts play a couple of series in the line, but Red limped off the field and was mainly a spectator for the afternoon. It was obvious that his knee hadn't healed.
A measure of how totally Centre had dominated was the fact that Kentucky was virtually helpless in stopping the relentless Colonel attack as the Gold and White had 34 first downs. The Wildcats had but 3, their offense being totally shut down.
From a 68-0 drubbing in 1916, Centre had established itself as the class of the Commonwealth, winning three straight from Kentucky, with the last two by a combined margin of 105-0. It was quite a turn-around. There was no doubt who was the "Champion of Kentucky."
