Former Captain Willard G. Lake Returns as Football Coach in Unfortunate Fashion vs. Lafayette

Date of Event
Wed., Oct. 1, 1890

Coming off of a fine 1889 season and with former player Willard G. Lake at the coach's helm, the Red Devils were optimistic when they traveled to Lafayette for their first game of the 1890 season. Lafayette dominated Dickinson in any and every facet of the game as the Red Devils fell 52-0.

 

Event Type

Dickinson Football Ousts Swarthmore in Controversial Victory

Date of Event
Sat., Oct. 19, 1889

The Red Devils traveled to Swarthmore and pulled out a 17-16 victory. This game ended with a unique twist. Due to injuries Dickinson ran out of subsitutes and had to use a spectator to finish the game. William W. "Beef" Wharton, class of 1889, was watching from the stands and agreed to finish the game for Dickinson--doing so in his street clothes. According to Wilbur J. Gobrecht, author of The History of Football at Dickinson College: 1885-1969, Swarthmore disputed the score because of what they called an "illegal subsitute." Swarthmore claims the score a 16-12 win in their favor.

Event Type