What Is 1911 Utah Utes football team

Overview

The 1911 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah during the 1911 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Fred Bennion, who was in his second year at the helm.

The Utes played a six-game schedule, achieving a winning record and showcasing strong offensive performance. Their season reflected growing competitiveness in Western college football during the early 20th century.

• Record: The team finished with a 4–2 overall record, marking improvement from their 1910 campaign under the same coach.
• Head Coach:Fred Bennion served as head coach for the second consecutive year, building consistency in leadership and team development.
• Scoring: Utah outscored its opponents 127 to 47 over the season, averaging over 21 points per game.
• Home Field: Games were played in Salt Lake City, where the team enjoyed local support and familiar conditions.
• Independence: The Utes competed as an independent program, not affiliated with any formal conference during the 1911 season.

Season Performance

The 1911 season demonstrated the Utes’ growing strength and organizational progress under Fred Bennion’s leadership. The team faced a mix of local and regional opponents, with results reflecting both dominance and areas for improvement.

• September 30, 1911: Opened the season with a 20–0 win over the Rocky Mountain College team, setting a strong tone.
• October 7: Defeated the Utah Agricultural Aggies (now Utah State) 13–7, a key in-state rivalry game.
• October 14: Secured a decisive 27–0 shutout against the Ogden High School all-star team, showcasing offensive depth.
• October 21: Lost 0–6 to the University of Colorado, marking their first defeat and exposing defensive vulnerabilities.
• November 11: Recovered with a 40–0 victory over the LDS High School team, highlighting scoring capability.
• November 30: Concluded the season with a 27–40 loss to Colorado Agricultural (now Colorado State), finishing 4–2.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1911 Utah Utes to prior and subsequent seasons reveals trends in performance and program development.

The 1911 season was a pivotal year, showing marked improvement in scoring and consistency. It laid the foundation for the even stronger 1912 campaign, continuing upward momentum in the program’s early history.

Why It Matters

The 1911 Utah Utes season is significant as part of the foundation of what would become a storied college football program. It reflects early efforts to build competitive structure and regional identity in intercollegiate athletics.

• The 4–2 record demonstrated progress and helped establish Fred Bennion as a capable leader during formative years.
• Scoring 127 points showed offensive improvement, a trend that continued into the following seasons.
• Competing against teams like Colorado and Utah Agricultural helped solidify regional rivalries still relevant today.
• The season contributed to the University of Utah’s growing athletic reputation in the Western United States.
• As an independent, Utah had scheduling flexibility, allowing them to build competitive experience against varied opponents.
• Historical records from 1911 help trace the evolution of the Utes into a modern Power Five program.

Though over a century old, the 1911 season remains a piece of Utah football history, illustrating the humble beginnings of a team that would eventually reach national prominence.