The team opened the season with a 48–0 victory over the Pitcairn Quakers, and finished with a 7–4–2 record, taking eighth place in the 14-team APFA.

Cap Edwards replaced Thorpe as the team's coach, and Wilbur Henry, Cub Buck, Harrie Dadmun, Joe Guyon, and Pete Calac were named to the All-Pro list.

At that meeting, held at Bulldogs owner Ralph Hay's Hupmobile showroom in Canton, representatives of the Rock Island Independents, the Muncie Flyers, the Decatur Staleys, the Racine Cardinals, the Massillon Tigers, the Chicago Cardinals, and the Hammond Pros agreed to join the league.

Representatives of the Buffalo All-Americans and Rochester Jeffersons could not attend the meeting, but sent letters to Hay asking to be included in the league.

[4] Team representatives changed the league's name slightly to the American Professional Football Association and elected officers, installing Jim Thorpe as president.

[23] October 10, 1920, at Lakeside Park The Bulldogs were scheduled to play their second game against the Rochester Jeffersons, but faced the Toledo Maroons after that match was cancelled.

[citation needed] The Bulldogs' final score was a rushing touchdown from back Pete Calac in the fourth quarter.

[25] October 17, 1920, at Lakeside Park The Bulldogs next faced the Cleveland Tigers, their first APFA opponent, and won 7–0 before a crowd of 7,000 people.

[citation needed] In the third quarter, the Triangles responded with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by back Lou Partlow, but Dayton missed the extra point to make the score 20–14.

[27] October 31, 1920, at Lakeside Park The Bulldogs' next opponent was the Akron Pros, who were undefeated at the time and were gaining attention around the league.

[citation needed] On a Bulldog possession at midfield, a Gilroy pass was tipped by the Pros' Copley and Bob Nash.

[33] The Bulldogs did not get a first down or complete a pass during the game,[34] but Thorpe kicked a field goal in the third quarter after a fumble recovery for the team's only score.

[34] The Sunday Chronicle named Thorpe, Henry and Lowe as the Bulldogs' stars, while Anderson, Youngstrom, and Miller were the standouts for the All-Americans.

[citation needed] In the third quarter, Union AA's Hayes blocked a punt and ran it back for a touchdown, sealing the win.

[citation needed] Hurt by losses to the Akron Pros and Buffalo All-Americans, the Bulldogs did not contend for the APFA trophy in 1920.

Following the season, Thorpe left to start a new club composed of Native Americans in LaRue, Ohio[38] and Cap Edwards took over as head coach.

Sportswriter Bruce Copeland compiled the All-Pro list for the 1920 season, naming the Bulldogs' Wilbur Henry to the first team.

[41] Three men who played for the 1920 Canton Bulldogs were later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Thorpe and Pete Henry in 1963 and Guyon in 1966.