[a] Amidst fears of many players being ineligible under SIAA rules most sportswriters did not include LSU for consideration as conference champions.

Hardage provided the only score in a 6–0 win over the previously undefeated Sewanee Tigers at West End Park in Birmingham, a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown.

"[10] He scored two touchdowns in a 44–0 win over coach John Heisman's Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, including a 108-yard kickoff return.

Auburn scored against Sewanee when Lew Hardage put the ball in striking distance with a 30-yard run.

Hardage was then a two-year letterman for coach Dan McGugin's Vanderbilt Commodores football team (1911–1912).

Edwin Pope's Football's Greatest Coaches reads "A lightning-swift backfield of Lew Hardage, Wilson Collins, Ammie Sikes, and Ray Morrison pushed Vandy through 1911 with only a 9-8 loss to Michigan."

[15] Innis Brown in 1912 wrote "Hardage has been rated as probably the most successful man in the south at making forward passes.

"[16] Hardage scored two touchdowns in the season's first game, the biggest win in Vanderbilt history, a 105–0 defeat of Bethel.

[17][b] Vanderbilt scored 100 points for the second straight week in a 100–3 win over Maryville, during which Hardage tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass.

[20] Despite his hurt left ankle, Hardage "ran with great brilliance" in his final game, a 16–0 defeat of Sewanee to secure a southern title.

Hardage focused particularly on halfback Gil Reese upon his arrival,[27] and later coached Hall of Fame quarterback Bill Spears.