The 1919 Navy Midshipmen football team represented the United States Naval Academy during the 1919 college football season. Competing as an independent, the Midshipmen played their home games at Worden Field in Annapolis, Maryland.
Season overview
- Head coach: Gil Dobie (3rd year)
- Team captain: Charles "Buddy" Millikan (quarterback)
- Overall record: 6–2
Key games
- The annual Army–Navy Game was played on November 29, 1919, at the Polo Grounds in New York City; Navy was defeated by Army, 12–0.
- Navy recorded victories over teams such as Dartmouth, Penn, and Maryland, and suffered losses to Georgia Tech and Army.
Historical context
The 1919 season marked a return to normal collegiate competition following the disruptions caused by World War I and the 1918 influenza pandemic. Under Gil Dobie, who had previously guided the program to several unbeaten seasons, Navy continued its tradition of a strong defensive style of play.
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27 | Marine Corps Base Quantico | Worden Field | W 34–0 |
| Oct 4 | Penn | Worden Field | W 21–0 |
| Oct 11 | Pitt | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, PA | L 7–3 |
| Oct 18 | Lafayette | Worden Field | W 19–0 |
| Oct 25 | Georgetown | Worden Field | W 27–0 |
| Nov 1 | Dartmouth | Worden Field | W 14–7 |
| Nov 8 | Georgia Tech | Worden Field | L 13–7 |
| Nov 15 | Maryland | Worden Field | W 28–0 |
| Nov 29 | Army* | Polo Grounds, New York, NY | L 12–0 |
*The Army–Navy Game is traditionally played at a neutral site.
Legacy
The 1919 campaign reinforced Navy’s status as a prominent independent program in early 20th‑century college football. The team's strong defensive performances, particularly in shutout victories, were characteristic of Dobie’s coaching philosophy.
References
- United States Naval Academy Archives, Football Records, 1919 season.
- College Football Data Warehouse, Navy Yearly Results (1915–1919).
- The New York Times, “Army Beats Navy 12 to 0,” November 30, 1919.
