Swarthmore College Athletics

Led by a senior class that won more games than any other in the program’s history, the 1984 Football Team tied the record for wins in a season on its way to a third consecutive conference championship. The squad finished the year 8-1, capping an era of unprecedented success that included 30 wins over four seasons (1981-84). The Garnet dominated many opponents offensively – trouncing rivals like Johns Hopkins (31-0), Ursinus (41-15), and Western Maryland (41-0) – and its “dogface defense” held opponents to just seven points per game and ranked among the best in all of Division III. The team set many conference records that still stand today, including fewest yards allowed in a season (1,433), fewest total yards allowed per game (159.2), fewest rushing yards allowed per game (40.0), fewest rushing yards allowed in a season (360), and fewest first downs allowed in a season (96). The team boasted the Centennial Conference Player of the Year, Centennial Conference Coach of the Year, and three All-Americans.