The 1929 Tulane Green Wave football team was an American football team that represented Tulane University as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1929 college football season. In its third year under head coach Bernie Bierman, who used the single wing, Tulane compiled a perfect 9âÂÂ0 record (6âÂÂ0 in conference games), won the SoCon championship, shut out five of nine opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 297 to 45.
Halfback and team captain Bill Banker, known as the "Blonde Blizzard", was selected as a first-team All-American by the All-America Board of Football, consisting of coaches Knute Rockne, "Pop" Warner, Tad Jones and Bill Alexander. Four Tulane players received All-Southern honors from the Associated Press (AP): Banker and center Loyd Roberts were first team; end Jerry Dalrymple and guard Maury Bodenger were second team.
The team played its home games at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.
In the season opener against Louisiana Normal (today Northwestern State), Tulane won 40âÂÂ6.
The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Upton (center), Roberts (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).
After leading at the half 7âÂÂ2, Tulane allowed the Texas A&M Aggies to take the lead 8âÂÂ7. A pass from Ike Armstrong to Wop Glover in the last quarter got the win. After a safety, Tulane won 13âÂÂ10.
The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Upton (center), Roberts (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).
In the third week of play, Tulane defeated the Mississippi Aggies 34âÂÂ0. The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), Upton (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).
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The Green Wave romped 60âÂÂ0 over Southwestern Louisiana. The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), Upton (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).
During the game with Georgia Tech, Banker wore a helmet onto the field because coach Bernie Bierman threatened to yank him out of the game. But the helmet slipped over his eyes as the Yellow Jackets were preparing to kickoff, so Banker tossed it to the sideline, and was never taken out, calling Bierman's bluff. Tulane went on to win 20âÂÂ14.
The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), Upton (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).
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The Green Wave defeated Georgia, conquerors of Yale, in Columbus 21âÂÂ15, twice coming from behind. For the first score, end Vernon "Catfish" Smith nailed Bill Banker behind the line for a safety. After Tulane blocked a punt, Banker put in a touchdown for the lead.
Tulane's second touchdown came on a 62-yard run from Ike Armstrong. Georgia's Smith next caught a pass and went 20 yards to the goal. Georgia went ahead 15âÂÂ14 after Ripper Roberts intercepted a pass and ran 60 yards for the touchdown. Tulane won on an ensuing 80-yard drive, in a 2-yard run from Banker.
The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Boenger (left guard), Robert (center), McCormick (right guard), Luker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).
All of the reserves got to play in the 52–0 romp over Auburn. The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), Upton (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Armstrong (left halfback), Banker (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).
Tulane defeated the Sewanee Tigers 18âÂÂ0. The starting lineup was Holland (left end), McCanse (left tackle), Bodenger (left guard), Roberts (center), McCormick (right guard), Rucker (right tackle), Dalrymple (right end), Baumbach (quarterback), Banker (left halfback), Armstrong (right halfback), Seeuws (fullback).
The Green Wave won 21–0 over rival LSU. The first touchdown came on a pass from backer to Armstrong. Jerry Dalrymple scored the next touchdown, snatching a pass from Armstrong and running more than half the field for a score. Preacher Roberts returned an interception for the final score.
Roberts' performance in the LSU game netted him next year's captaincy. Roberts was selected All-Southern.
Tulane won the SoCon, and was invited to the Rose Bowl.
The following chart provides a visual depiction of Tulane's lineup during the 1929 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses. The chart mimics a single wing on offense.