What Is 1920 Indiana Hoosiers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1920 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University during the 1920 college football season, finishing with a 3–4–1 record under head coach E.C. Hammond. The team played its home games at Jordan Field in Bloomington, Indiana.

Key Facts

The 1920 Indiana Hoosiers football team had a final record of 3 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie (3–4–1).
E.C. Hammond was the head coach for the 1920 season, his fifth year leading the program.
The team played home games at Jordan Field, located on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus.
They competed as an independent team, not part of any conference.
Their season included a 7–0 win over Wabash and a 14–6 loss to Purdue.

Overview

The 1920 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University during the 1920 college football season, marking the fifth year under head coach E.C. Hammond. Competing as an independent, the team faced a mix of regional opponents across the Midwest, finishing with a below-average record for the era.

Despite inconsistent results, the season reflected the evolving nature of college football in the early 20th century, with limited scheduling structure and no formal conference affiliations. The team played its home games at Jordan Field, a modest on-campus venue that served as the program’s home for decades.

Record: The Hoosiers finished the 1920 season with a 3–4–1 record, including three wins, four losses, and one tie.
Head Coach:E.C. Hammond led the team for his fifth consecutive season, overseeing modest development in team performance.
Home Venue: All home games were played at Jordan Field in Bloomington, Indiana, a grass field with minimal seating.
Season Opener: The team opened the season with a 14–0 victory over DePauw University on October 2, 1920.
Notable Win: A 7–0 shutout of Wabash College on October 30 demonstrated defensive strength during the mid-season stretch.

Game Results and Season Highlights

The 1920 season featured a compact schedule of eight games, typical for the era, with matchups against in-state rivals and regional colleges. Each game provided insight into the team’s offensive limitations and defensive resilience.

October 2: Defeated DePauw 14–0 in the season opener, setting a positive tone with a strong rushing performance.
October 9: Lost to Wabash 7–0 in a rematch just a week later, showing inconsistency in road performance.
October 16: Beat Butler 14–7 in a close contest, highlighting improved offensive execution.
October 23: Suffered a 13–0 loss to Michigan Agricultural College (later Michigan State), exposing defensive vulnerabilities.
October 30: Rebounded with a 7–0 win over Wabash, securing their second shutout of the season.
November 6: Lost to Chicago 14–6, a strong program that competed at a higher competitive level.
November 13: Tied Wabash 0–0 in a third meeting, a rare triple matchup in one season.
November 27: Concluded with a 14–6 loss to Purdue in the annual rivalry game, finishing the season on a low note.

Comparison at a Glance

Here is how the 1920 Indiana Hoosiers season compares to other Big Ten-adjacent teams of the era:

Team	Record (W-L-T)	Head Coach	Notable Result
1920 Indiana Hoosiers	3–4–1	E.C. Hammond	Lost to Purdue 14–6
1920 Purdue Boilermakers	5–2	Arthur Pollard	Beat Indiana 14–6
1920 Michigan Wolverines	6–1	Fielding Yost	Undefeated except vs. Chicago
1920 Chicago Maroons	5–2–1	Amos Alonzo Stagg	Beat Indiana 14–6
1920 Wabash Little Giants	4–3–1	Paul Sheeks	Played Indiana three times

This comparison shows that Indiana’s 3–4–1 record placed them below regional powers like Michigan and Purdue but competitive with smaller programs like Wabash. Their scheduling of Wabash three times in one season was unusual and highlighted the lack of standardized conference play at the time. The Hoosiers’ inability to defeat Purdue or Chicago underscored their mid-tier status in the regional football hierarchy.

Why It Matters

The 1920 season is a snapshot of college football during a transitional period, before the formalization of conferences and national rankings. It illustrates how regional rivalries and scheduling flexibility defined the sport in its early decades.

Historical Context: The 1920 season occurred just after World War I, when college football was regaining momentum and popularity.
Coaching Legacy: E.C. Hammond’s tenure, though unremarkable, helped stabilize the program before more successful eras.
Rivalry Development: Annual games against Purdue and Wabash laid groundwork for future conference rivalries.
Independent Status: As an independent, Indiana had scheduling freedom but lacked the structure of conference play.
Game Frequency: Playing eight games was standard, though less than modern 12-game seasons.
Legacy: The 1920 team is part of Indiana University’s long gridiron history, now spanning over a century.

While not a standout season in terms of wins, the 1920 Indiana Hoosiers football team contributes to the broader narrative of college football’s growth and regional development. Their season reflects the challenges and opportunities of early 20th-century athletics, making it a valuable chapter in Indiana University sports history.