What Is 1911 Indiana Hoosiers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1911 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University during the 1911 college football season, finishing with a 2-3-1 record under head coach James H. Horne. They played as an independent team and were outscored 58 to 47 over the season.

Key Facts

1911 Indiana Hoosiers finished with a 2-3-1 overall record
Team was coached by James H. Horne in his second season
Scored 47 points while allowing 58 across six games
Played as an independent with no conference affiliation
Season included losses to DePauw, Wabash, and Butler

Overview

The 1911 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University during the 1911 college football season. Competing as an independent program, the team was led by head coach James H. Horne in his second year at the helm, striving to build consistency in a transitional era for college football.

That season, the Hoosiers played a limited six-game schedule, finishing with a 2-3-1 record. While they managed two victories, the team struggled defensively and offensively compared to stronger regional opponents, reflecting the growing competitiveness of early 20th-century Midwestern college football.

Record: The 1911 Indiana Hoosiers finished the season with a 2-3-1 overall record, indicating modest performance against regional opponents.
Head Coach: James H. Horne led the team in his second season, overseeing player development and strategic direction during a formative period for the program.
Scoring: The Hoosiers scored 47 total points while allowing 58, highlighting a narrow scoring deficit across their six games.
Opponents: The team faced regional rivals including DePauw, Wabash, and Butler, all of which were competitive programs at the time.
Independence: Indiana played as an independent, meaning they were not part of any formal conference, which was common for schools in that era.

Season Performance

The 1911 season showcased both promise and challenges for Indiana football, as the team attempted to improve on the previous year’s results under James Horne’s leadership. Games were typically low-scoring affairs, reflecting the style of play common in the early 1900s, with an emphasis on ground-based offenses and physical defense.

October 7 vs. DePauw: Indiana lost 0–6 in a tightly contested season opener, marking the beginning of a difficult start.
October 14 vs. Wabash: The Hoosiers fell again, 0–14, to another strong in-state rival, highlighting early offensive struggles.
October 21 vs. Butler: Indiana lost 7–14, continuing a three-game losing streak that tested team morale.
October 28 vs. Franklin: The Hoosiers earned their first win, defeating Franklin 19–0 in a dominant defensive performance.
November 4 vs. Rose Poly: Indiana secured another victory, winning 21–0, showing improvement in offensive execution.
November 11 vs. Wabash (Bloomington): The season concluded with a 7–44 loss to Wabash in a lopsided home game.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1911 Indiana Hoosiers to similar teams from the era reveals trends in regional competitiveness and program development during the early years of college football.

Team	Season	Record	Head Coach	Points For	Points Against
Indiana Hoosiers	1911	2-3-1	James H. Horne	47	58
DePauw Tigers	1911	5-2-0	J. W. Jones	108	34
Wabash Little Giants	1911	6-1-0	Frank W. T. Keene	151	28
Butler Bulldogs	1911	4-3-1	Arthur B. Carpenter	91	45
Franklin College	1911	3-4-0	Unknown	47	72

The table illustrates that while Indiana’s scoring output was comparable to Franklin’s, their defensive performance lagged behind stronger programs like Wabash and DePauw. Wabash, in particular, dominated the region with a 6-1 record and a 151-28 point differential, underscoring the gap between top and mid-tier teams in Indiana college football at the time.

Why It Matters

The 1911 season is a significant part of Indiana University’s athletic history, offering insight into the early development of its football program. Though not a championship season, it reflects the challenges faced by emerging teams in a rapidly evolving sport.

Program Growth: The 1911 season contributed to the long-term foundation of Indiana football, which would later join the Big Ten Conference.
Historical Context: This era marked the transition from informal play to structured collegiate competition, with standardized rules and schedules.
Regional Rivalries: Games against DePauw, Wabash, and Butler helped establish enduring in-state rivalries still remembered today.
Coaching Legacy: James H. Horne’s tenure, though brief, set precedents for future coaching hires and team organization.
Statistical Record: The season’s data provides researchers and historians with valuable insights into early 20th-century college football trends.
University Identity: Early teams like the 1911 Hoosiers helped shape Indiana University’s athletic identity and school spirit.

Understanding the 1911 Indiana Hoosiers football team allows fans and historians to appreciate the roots of modern college football and the perseverance of early collegiate athletes. Their season, though modest in wins, remains a vital chapter in the story of Indiana University athletics.