Football games are often closely contested matches that come down to the final minutes before a winner is decided. However, occasionally there is a game where one team dominates their opponent to an unbelievable degree. These lopsided matches see one team crush their rivals by astounding margins unheard of in normal competition. But what was the most lopsided football game ever played?
The 1916 Cumberland vs Georgia Tech Game
The most lopsided game in football history occurred on October 7, 1916 when the Georgia Tech Engineers defeated the Cumberland College Bulldogs 222-0. This absurd 222 point difference makes it the most uneven contest ever played in college football.
The game took place at Grant Field in Atlanta, Georgia before a crowd of around 1,000 spectators. The first half saw Georgia Tech score 63 points alone, while holding Cumberland scoreless. Tech scored 42 more points in the 3rd quarter. The onslaught continued in the 4th quarter as Georgia Tech put up another 77 points to win 222-0.
Some key stats from the Georgia Tech vs Cumberland match:
- Final Score: Georgia Tech – 222, Cumberland – 0
- Rushing Yards: Georgia Tech – 1,620, Cumberland – -28
- First Downs: Georgia Tech – 32, Cumberland – 0
- Fumbles Lost: Georgia Tech – 1, Cumberland – 12
The utter dominance by Georgia Tech was both humiliating and demoralizing for Cumberland. They were unable to move the ball or stop Georgia Tech’s offense the entire game.
Why was the Game so Lopsided?
There are several reasons why Georgia Tech was able to defeat Cumberland by such an astronomical margin:
- Overmatched Cumberland Team – Cumberland had discontinued their football program before the season. However, they had to fulfill a prior agreement to play Georgia Tech or face a $3,000 cancellation fee. Cumberland put together a football team of 14 inexperienced players just for this game. They were severely overmatched against a strong Georgia Tech squad.
- Top Program Georgia Tech – Georgia Tech’s football program was one of the best in the nation in 1916. They employed a dominant running attack that steamrolled opponents. Future Hall of Fame coaches John Heisman and Bill Alexander were part of Georgia Tech’s staff for the Cumberland game.
- Ran up the Score – Late in the game, Georgia Tech continued to pour on the points despite having an insurmountable lead. Coach John Heisman was determined to make Cumberland pay for their attempt to back out of the game previously. He wanted to set a scoring record even if it meant running up the tally late against a helpless opponent.
Game’s Significance and Records
The Georgia Tech vs Cumberland match stands as one of the most remarkable games in college football history for a number of reasons:
- It still holds the record for the largest margin of victory and most lopsided game ever in college football.
- Georgia Tech scored 32 touchdowns, easily the most ever scored in a single game.
- Georgia Tech’s 1,620 rushing yards is the all-time single game record.
- The game popularized the American football tradition of homecoming. Georgia Tech used the guaranteed win as a way to invite alumni back to campus.
While some of the 1916 game’s records have been approached, none have ever been broken even to this day. Georgia Tech’s 222-0 win over Cumberland remains the gold standard for lopsided domination in college football.
Other Highly Lopsided Football Games
While no game has surpassed the 1916 Georgia Tech vs Cumberland match in terms of margin of victory, there have been other extremely one-sided contests in football history:
Tulsa vs Arkansas (NCAA Record)
In 1916, the same year as the Georgia Tech vs Cumberland game, Tulsa University defeated the University of Arkansas by a score of 127-0. This set the record for most combined points scored in a college football game that still stands today.
Houston vs SMU (NCAA Record)
In 1989, Houston beat Southern Methodist University by a score of 95-21. Houston’s 95 points set the NCAA record for most points scored by one team in a game.
Chicago Bears (NFL Record)
In 1940, the Chicago Bears demolished the Washington Redskins by a score of 73-0 in the NFL Championship game. This stands as the largest margin of victory ever in an NFL game.
Lima Warriors (High School Record)
In 1920, the Lima Warriors high school team set a national prep record by beating Clyde High School 117-0.
Aledo High School (High School Record)
In 2013, Aledo High School smashed Western Hills High School by a score of 91-0. This win set the record for most lopsided victory in a Texas high school football game.
Why Don’t Such Lopsided Games Happen Now?
Games like Georgia Tech’s 222-0 win over Cumberland are relics from the early 20th century when college football was still evolving as a sport. Today, lopsided blowouts like this are increasingly rare due to a number of key factors:
- Better Scheduling – Colleges now schedule comparable opponents. Mismatches like Cumberland vs Georgia Tech don’t happen anymore.
- Player Safety Rules – Rules like having running clocks and removing starters early in blowouts help limit scoring in lopsided games.
- Sportsmanship Norms – Running up the score is frowned upon now. Coaches will call less aggressive plays late in blowout games.
- Talent Gaps are Smaller – College teams’ talent levels are much closer today than 100 years ago.
Massive blowouts and ridiculous box scores were more common in football’s early days. But as the sport has matured and become more balanced, they are now a rarity.
Conclusion
The 1916 Cumberland vs Georgia Tech football game, with Georgia Tech winning 222-0, remains the most lopsided contest ever played. A combination of factors, including Cumberland quickly assembling an overmatched team and Georgia Tech head coach John Heisman running up the score, led to the absurd 222 point margin of victory. This game is unlikely to ever be surpassed in terms of pure dominance by one team. While other sports may see occasional blowouts, American football has put in place rules and norms that help prevent such laughably one-sided matches from happening today.
