1950 college football season

Last updated

The 1950 college football season was the 82nd season of intercollegiate football in the United States. It concluded with four teams having a claim to the national championship:

Contents

Florida A&M (8–1–1) and Southern (10–0–1) were each recognized as black college national champions by at least one selector. In addition to Princeton, 16 other teams finished the season undefeated and untied, including Abilene Christian (11–0, Texas Conference and Refrigerator Bowl champion), Wyoming (10–0, AP No. 12 and Gator Bowl champion), Morris Harvey (10–0, Tangerine Bowl champion), Lehigh (9–0, Middle Three champion), Florida State (8–0, Dixie Conference champion), New Hampshire (8–0, Yankee Conference champion), and Maryland State (8–0 Furniture Bowl champion).

Ohio State halfback Vic Janowicz won the Heisman Trophy, and Penn halfback Reds Bagnell won the Maxwell Award. Individual statistical leaders in major college football included Johnny Bright of Drake (2,400 yards of total offense), Don Heinrich of Washington (1,846 passing yards), Wilford White of Arizona State (1,501 rushing yards), and Bobby Reynolds of Nebraska (157 points scored).

Conference and program changes

Conference changes

Membership changes

School1949 conference1950 conference
Butler Bulldogs MAC Independent
Idaho State Bengals Independent Rocky Mountain
Montana Grizzlies PCC Independent
Portland Pilots IndependentDropped Program
Saint Louis Billikens Missouri Valley Dropped Program
West Virginia Mountaineers Independent SoCon

Season chronology

September

In the preseason AP poll released on September 25, 1950, the defending champion Fighting Irish of Notre Dame were the overwhelming choice for first, with 101 of 123 first place votes. Far behind were No. 2 Army, No. 3 Michigan, No. 4 Tennessee and No. 5 Texas (which had won at Texas Tech 28–14). As the regular season progressed, a new poll would be issued on the Monday following the weekend's games.

On September 30 No. 1 Notre Dame beat No. 20 North Carolina 14–7. No. 2 Army beat Colgate 28–0, No. 3 Michigan lost to No. 19 Michigan State 14–7. No. 4 Tennessee lost at Mississippi State, 7–0. No. 5 Texas beat Purdue, 34–26, but fell to 7th. No. 6 Oklahoma beat Boston College 28–0. No. 10 SMU, which had already beaten Georgia Tech 33–13, defeated No. 11 Ohio State 32–27. The next AP Poll featured No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 2 Michigan State, No. 3 SMU, No. 4 Army, and No. 5 Oklahoma.

October

October 7 No. 1 Notre Dame lost to Purdue, 28–14, and eventually finished with a 4–4–1 record. No. 2 Michigan State lost to Maryland, 34–7. No. 3 SMU won at Missouri 21–0. No. 4 Army beat Penn State 41–7 and was elevated to the first spot in the next poll. No. 5 Oklahoma beat Texas A&M 34–28. No. 6 Kentucky registered a fourth shutout and a 4–0 record, with a 40–0 win against Dayton. No. 7 Texas, which was idle, rose to 4th place behind Army, SMU, and Oklahoma and ahead of Kentucky.

October 14 No. 1 Army beat No. 18 Michigan 27–6 at Yankee Stadium. No. 2 SMU beat Oklahoma A&M 56–0. No. 3 Oklahoma and No. 4 Texas met in Dallas, with Oklahoma winning narrowly, 14–13. No. 5 Kentucky beat Cincinnati 41–7. No. 7 California, which had beaten USC 13–7, rose to 5th in the next poll behind Army, Oklahoma, SMU, and Kentucky.

October 21 All of the top five teams stayed undefeated with blowout victories. No. 1 Army won at Harvard 49–0. No. 2 Oklahoma beat Kansas State 58–0. In Houston, No. 3 SMU beat No. 15 Rice 42–21. In Philadelphia, No. 4 Kentucky beat Villanova 34–7. No. 5 California beat Oregon State in Portland 27–0. With their victory over a ranked opponent, SMU jumped to No. 1 in the next poll, ahead of Army, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and California.

October 28 No. 1 SMU was idle. No. 2 Army won at Columbia 34–0. No. 3 Oklahoma won at Iowa State 20–7. In Atlanta, No. 4 Kentucky beat Georgia Tech 28–14. No. 5 California beat St. Mary's 40–25, but still dropped in the next poll. They were replaced in the top five by No. 6 Ohio State, which had lost only to SMU and had just beaten Iowa 83–21; eventual Heisman winner Vic Janowicz accounted for six touchdowns and kicked eight extra points in the Iowa game. [1] The Buckeyes were elevated to No. 4 behind SMU, Army, and Oklahoma and ahead of Kentucky.

November

November 4 No. 1 SMU lost at No. 7 Texas, 23–20. No. 2 Army won at No. 15 Pennsylvania 28–13. No. 3 Oklahoma won at Colorado 27–18. No. 4 Ohio State won at Northwestern 32–0. No. 5 Kentucky beat No. 17 Florida 40–6. No. 7 Texas beat SMU 23–20, and returned to fifth place behind Army, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.

November 11 No. 1 Army beat New Mexico 51–0. No. 2 Ohio State beat No. 15 Wisconsin 19–14. No. 3 Oklahoma won at No. 19 Kansas, 33–13. No. 4 Kentucky won at Mississippi State, 48–21. No. 5 Texas beat Baylor 27–20. No. 6 California, moved to 7–0–0 after a 35–0 win against No. 19 UCLA. The next AP Poll elevated Ohio State to No. 1 and Oklahoma to No. 2, with Army falling to 3rd even though they received the largest number of first-place votes. California moved up to No. 4, ahead of Kentucky and Texas.

November 18 No. 1 Ohio State lost at No. 8 Illinois, 14–7. No. 2 Oklahoma beat Missouri 41–7. No. 3 Army won at Stanford 7–0. No. 4 California defeated San Francisco 13–7. No. 5 Kentucky handed visiting North Dakota an 83–0 defeat to extend its record to 9–0–0, but still faced a final game against No. 9 Tennessee, whose only loss was by a single touchdown. No. 6 Texas won at TCU 21–7. The next poll featured No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 2 Army, No. 3 Kentucky, No. 4 California, and No. 5 Texas.

November 25 No. 1 Oklahoma beat No. 16 Nebraska 49–35. No. 2 Army was idle as it prepared for the Army–Navy Game. No. 3 Kentucky lost at No. 9 Tennessee, 7–0. No. 4 California and unranked Stanford played to a 7–7 tie in Berkeley. No. 5 Texas beat Texas A&M 21–6. Michigan beat No. 8 Ohio State in the famous Snow Bowl 9–3 and earned a berth in the Rose Bowl against California. The final AP poll was released on November 27, although some colleges had not completed their schedules. Undefeated Oklahoma and Army were chosen as No. 1 and No. 2, with Texas (whose only loss was to Oklahoma by one point) at No. 3. Tennessee and California rounded out the top five, with undefeated Princeton at No. 6 and Kentucky moving down to No. 7 after their loss to Tennessee.

On December 2, with its champion status assured, No. 1 Oklahoma beat Oklahoma A&M 41–14. No. 2 Army (9–0–0) was heavily favored to beat unranked, and 2–6–0, Navy. Instead, the Philadelphia game turned into a 14–2 win for the Midshipmen. No. 3 Texas played a game on December 9, beating LSU 21–6. The Coaches Poll, which waited until the end of the regular season to release its final rankings, kept Oklahoma at No. 1 but dropped Army to No. 5 behind Texas, Tennessee, and California.

Conference standings

Major conference standings

1950 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 9 Michigan $411631
No. 14 Ohio State 520630
Wisconsin 520630
No. 13 Illinois 420720
Northwestern 330630
Iowa 240351
Minnesota 141171
Indiana 140351
Purdue 140270
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Big Seven Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 1 Oklahoma $6001010
No. 17 Nebraska 420621
Missouri 321451
Kansas 330640
Iowa State 231361
Colorado 240541
Kansas State 060191
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Border Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
West Texas State $6001010
Arizona State 410920
Texas Western 420730
Texas Tech 320380
Hardin–Simmons 330550
Arizona 240460
New Mexico 250280
New Mexico A&M 140270
Arizona State–Flagstaff 040270
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Miami (OH) $400910
Cincinnati 310840
Ohio 220640
Western Reserve 130280
Western Michigan 130540
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Middle Three Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Lehigh $200900
Rutgers 110440
Lafayette 020180
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Missouri Valley Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 19 Tulsa $301911
Detroit 211631
Wichita 320541
Drake 121621
Oklahoma A&M 121461
Bradley 030550
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Pacific Coast Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 5 California $501911
No. 11 Washington 610820
UCLA 520630
Stanford 222532
Idaho 111351
Washington State 232432
USC 132252
Oregon State 250360
Oregon 070190
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 12 Wyoming $5001000
Colorado A&M 410630
Denver 221381
Utah 122343
BYU 131451
Utah State 050290
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 7 Kentucky $5101110
No. 4 Tennessee 4101110
No. 16 Alabama 620920
No. 20 Tulane 311621
Georgia Tech 420560
Georgia 321633
Mississippi State 340450
Vanderbilt 340740
LSU 232452
Florida 240550
Ole Miss 150550
Auburn 0700100
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Southern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 18 Washington and Lee $600830
No. 10 Clemson 301901
VMI 510640
Wake Forest 611612
Maryland 411721
Duke 520730
North Carolina 321352
George Washington 430540
NC State 441541
William & Mary 330470
The Citadel 230460
South Carolina 241342
Furman 240281
West Virginia 130280
Davidson 150360
Richmond 180280
VPI 0800100
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Southwest Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 3 Texas $600920
Baylor 420730
Texas A&M 330740
TCU 330550
Rice 240640
SMU 240640
Arkansas 150280
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

Independents

1950 Eastern college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Franklin & Marshall   900
No. 6 Princeton   900
St. Lawrence   800
Thiel   700
No. 2 Army   810
Fordham   810
Carnegie Tech   710
Drexel   610
Cornell   720
Gannon   620
Bucknell   630
Penn   630
Yale   630
Buffalo   530
Colgate   530
Penn State   531
Syracuse   550
Temple   441
Tufts   441
Columbia   450
Villanova   450
Holy Cross   451
Dartmouth   351
Boston University   350
Duquesne   261
Hofstra   260
NYU   151
CCNY   170
Harvard   170
Brown   180
Pittsburgh   180
Boston College   091
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Midwestern college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Valparaiso   910
No. 8 Michigan State   810
Xavier   810
John Carroll   820
Baldwin–Wallace   521
Michigan Tech   421
Marquette   531
Wabash   423
Butler   441
Notre Dame   441
Toledo   450
Bowling Green   342
Dayton   460
Youngstown   350
Ball State   241
Washington University   270
Wayne   270
Indiana State   171
Rose Poly   080
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Southern college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Maryland State   800
No. 15 Miami (FL)   911
Memphis State   920
Virginia   820
Tampa   540
Grambling   541
Texas State   551
Houston   460
Louisville   361
Navy   360
Sewanee   360
Delaware   251
Georgetown   270
Chattanooga   190
Rankings from AP Poll
1950 Western college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Loyola (CA)   810
Pacific (CA)   731
San Francisco   740
San Jose State   631
Hawaii   542
Montana   550
La Verne   350
Santa Clara   370
Saint Mary's   271
Cal Poly San Dimas   161
Nevada   190

Minor conferences

ConferenceChampion(s)Record
California Collegiate Athletic Association San Diego State 3–0–1
Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association North Carolina A&T 5–0–1
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Kansas State Teachers 5–0
College Conference of Illinois Wheaton (IL) 5–0
Evergreen Conference Eastern Washington College 5–1
Far Western Conference San Francisco State 4–0
Gulf Coast Conference North Texas State
Midwestern State
1–0–1
Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Saint Ambrose 5–0
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Ottawa 6–0
Lone Star Conference Sul Ross State College 3–0–1
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Alma 4–0–1
Mid-American Conference Miami (OH) 4–0
Midwest Collegiate Athletic Conference Coe
Knox
Ripon
5–1
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Gustavus Adolphus 6–0
Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association Missouri School of Mines 4–1
Nebraska College Conference Doane 4–1–1
New Mexico Intercollegiate Conference Eastern New Mexico 5–1
North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Dakota State 5–0–1
North Dakota College Athletic Conference Valley City State 4–0
Ohio Athletic Conference Muskingum 6–0
Ohio Valley Conference Murray State 5–0–1
Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference Central State College (OK)
Southwestern State Teachers (OK)
4–1
Oregon Collegiate Conference Oregon College
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Chester State Teachers 4–0
Pacific Northwest Conference Lewis & Clark 5–0
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Colorado College 5–0
South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Northern State Teachers (SD) 4–0
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pomona-Pitzer
Redlands
Whittier
3–1
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Florida A&M College
Xavier (LA)
6–0
Southwestern Athletic Conference Southern 7–0
State Teacher's College Conference of Minnesota Bemidji State Teachers
Mankato State Teachers
3–0–1
Texas Collegiate Athletic Conference Abilene Christian 5–0
Upper Peninsula Conference Northern Michigan 4-3
Wisconsin State Teachers College Conference La Crosse State Teachers
Whitewater State Teachers
4–0
4–0

Minor conference standings

1950 Badger-Illini Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Mission House $600600
Northwestern (WI) 510510
Wisconsin–Extension 411411
Milton 231232
Concordia (IL) 131241
St. Procopius 250250
Wisconsin Tech 141151
Aurora 150160
  • $ Conference champion
1950 California Collegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
San Diego State $301531
Santa Barbara 310730
Pepperdine 220450
Fresno State 121261
Cal Poly 040370
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Central Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Emporia State $500621
Pittsburg State 410550
Washburn 221341
St. Benedict's 131441
Fort Hays State 032342
Southwestern (KS) 032342
  • $ Conference champion
1950 College Conference of Illinois football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Wheaton (IL) $500720
Illinois Wesleyan 510530
Millikin 410440
Lake Forest 320341
North Central (IL) 230440
Elmhurst 140350
Illinois College 140350
Augustana (IL) 140260
Carthage 140270
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 6 North Carolina A&T $501621
No. 8 Morgan State 502602
No. 9 North Carolina College 610720
No. 9 St. Augustine's 610810
No. 16 Bluefield State 421631
No. 11 West Virginia State 321531
Virginia Union 630630
No. 25 Howard 540540
Lincoln (PA) 231331
Virginia State 350350
Winston-Salem State 232232
Johnson C. Smith 241251
Hampton 250270
Delaware State 261271
Shaw 180180
Saint Paul's (VA) 070070
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from the Pittsburgh Courier [2]
1950 Evergreen Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Eastern Washington $510820
Western Washington 411721
Pacific Lutheran 321431
Puget Sound 222333
Whitworth 240431
Saint Martin's 141251
Central Washington 141171
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Far Western Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
San Francisco State $400620
Cal Aggies 310350
Chico State 220260
Southern Oregon 130370
Humboldt State 040041
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Gulf Coast Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
North Texas State +101721
Midwestern (TX) +101451
Trinity (TX) 020541
  • + Conference co-champions
1950 Gulf States Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Mississippi Southern $310550
Louisiana Tech 320541
Louisiana College 220550
Northwestern State 230640
Southeastern Louisiana 230640
Southwestern Louisiana 230540
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Hoosier Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Canterbury $600800
Anderson (IN) 411432
Hanover 320351
Taylor 320540
Indiana Central 241351
Manchester (IN) 240360
Earlham 140350
Franklin (IN) 150270
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Illinois State Normal $501712
Western Illinois 410710
Central Michigan 220640
Eastern Illinois 220530
Northern Illinois State 240360
Southern Illinois 131351
Michigan State Normal 040360
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Iowa Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Northern Division
Loras xy500830
Upper Iowa 410530
Buena Vista 320630
Westmar 230360
Luther 140170
Wartburg 050180
Southern Division
St. Ambrose xy$5001210
Parsons 410620
Iowa Wesleyan 320450
Dubuque 140350
Simpson (IA) 140360
Central (IA) 140270
Championship: St. Ambrose 27, Loras 6
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
1950 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Ottawa $600720
Baker 510630
Kansas Wesleyan 321361
Bethany (KS) 231351
McPherson 240350
College of Emporia 240270
Bethel (KS) 060180
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Lone Star Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Sul Ross $301821
Southwest Texas State 220630
Stephen F. Austin 220550
East Texas State 121452
Sam Houston State 130550
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Mason–Dixon Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Randolph–Macon $400540
Western Maryland 300620
Washington College 310530
Mount St. Mary's 110151
Gallaudet 110140
Catholic University 231231
Hampden–Sydney 130450
Johns Hopkins 021341
Bridgewater 040060
  • $ Conference champion
  • Conference standings were based on the Dickinson Scoring System.
1950 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Alma $401621
Kalamazoo 410540
Albion 221621
Hope 221431
Hillsdale 131261
Adrian 050260
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Mid-Ohio League football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Ohio Northern $500910
Ashland 311531
Findlay 311341
Bluffton 230440
Defiance 140360
Cedarville 050180
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Midlands Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
St. Norbert $400700
St. Ambrose 3101210
Loras 120830
Lewis 120440
Saint Joseph's (IN) 040161
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Midwest Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 12 Wilberforce State $300640
No. 4 Tennessee A&I 210920
Kentucky State 120451
Lincoln (MO) 030170
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from the Pittsburgh Courier [3]
1950 Midwest Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Knox +510611
Coe +510620
Ripon +510620
Beloit 420521
Carleton 420530
Monmouth (IL) 150350
Lawrence 150250
Cornell (IA) 150260
Grinnell 150260
  • + Conference co-champions
1950 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Gustavus Adolphus $600920
St. Thomas (MN) 510530
Hamline 420520
Macalester 321531
Saint John's (MN) 330430
Minnesota–Duluth 330430
Concordia (MN) 240340
St. Olaf 240260
Augsburg 150151
Saint Mary's (MN) 051151
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Minnesota Teachers College Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Bemidji State +301511
Mankato State +301431
St. Cloud State 220440
Winona State 130250
Moorhead State 040080
  • + Conference co-champions
  • Bemidji State forfeited a conference win over Winona State because of an ineligible player.
1950 Missouri College Athletic Union football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
William Jewell $300810
Missouri Valley 210830
Central (MO) 021531
Culver–Stockton 021342
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Missouri Mines $410720
SW Missouri State 311631
Central Missouri State 320830
SE Missouri State 131451
NW Missouri State 131351
Kirksville State 023243
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Montana Collegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Carroll (MT) $400520
Western Montana 310510
Eastern Montana 130140
Montana Mines 130???
Rocky Mountain 130???
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Nebraska College Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Doane $411721
Peru State 520720
Wayne State (NE) 520630
Hastings 421521
Chadron State 421541
Nebraska Wesleyan 430550
Kearney State 350450
Midland 161261
York (NE) 070190
  • $ Conference champion
1950 New Mexico Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Eastern New Mexico $510550
New Mexico Western 311531
Adams State 221252
New Mexico Military 231361
St. Michael's (NM) 230340
New Mexico Highlands 240251
Panhandle A&M 131361
  • $ Conference champion
1950 North Central Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
South Dakota State $501901
Iowa State Teachers 420440
North Dakota 312522
Morningside 321621
South Dakota 330450
Augustana (SD) 150270
North Dakota State 060270
  • $ Conference champion
1950 North Dakota Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Valley City State $400710
Minot State 610620
Ellendale 410410
Dickinson State 410521
Wahpeton Science 230340
Jamestown 240260
Mayville State 140340
Bismarck JC 040040
Bottineau 050050
  • $ Conference champion
1950 North State Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Appalachian State $701921
Elon 611721
Lenoir Rhyne 620820
East Carolina 520730
Catawba 230460
Guilford 250450
Western Carolina 140360
Atlantic Christian 050270
High Point 070180
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Northwest Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Lewis & Clark $500900
Pacific (OR) 320720
Linfield 320630
College of Idaho 230450
Willamette 140442
Whitman 140360
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Ohio Valley Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Murray State $501721
Western Kentucky 312622
Eastern Kentucky 420640
Morehead State 330440
Marshall 240280
Evansville 141361
Tennessee Tech 150470
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Oklahoma Collegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Central State (OK) +410730
SW Oklahoma State +410650
SE Oklahoma State 221442
NW Oklahoma State 230540
East Central 230450
Northeastern State 041171
  • + Conference co-champions
1950 Oregon Collegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Oregon College $300620
Oregon Tech 111271
Eastern Oregon 120180
Vanport 021151
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Pennsylvania State Teachers College Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
West Chester $400720
Bloomsburg 610710
Shippensburg 511711
Lock Haven 320540
East Stroudsburg 211431
Indiana (PA) 441441
California (PA) 220720
Slippery Rock 220350
Edinboro 230340
Millersville 250260
Clarion 130250
Kutztown 031531
Mansfield 060180
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Rocky Mountain Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Colorado College $500910
Colorado State–Greeley 320621
Idaho State 320440
Western State (CO) 230440
Montana State 130180
Colorado Mines 040360
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Smoky Mountain Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Emory and Henry $4001020
Carson–Newman 211351
Milligan 112342
East Tennessee State 121351
Tusculum 040260
  • $ Conference champion
1950 South Carolina Little Four football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Wofford $300721
Presbyterian 210550
  • $ Conference champion
1950 South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Northern State $400530
Huron 610630
Black Hills 410521
Southern State (SD) 520620
General Beadle 320420
South Dakota Mines 240350
Dakota Wesleyan 151161
Yankton 052162
Sioux Falls 051071
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Whittier +310910
Redlands +310530
Pomona +310431
Occidental 130440
Caltech 040160
  • + Conference co-champions
1950 Southwestern Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 2 Southern $7001001
No. 5 Langston 610910
No. 22 Bishop 520731
No. 18 Prairie View A&M 430641
Arkansas AM&N 250461
Wiley 250361
Texas College 151191
Samuel Huston 061062
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from the Pittsburgh Courier [4]
1950 Texas Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Abilene Christian $5001100
Texas A&I 410630
Southwestern (TX)230550
Howard Payne230451
McMurry230450
Austin050270
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Virginia Little Six Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Emory and Henry $2001020
Randolph–Macon 210540
Bridgewater 010060
Hampden–Sydney 020450
  • $ Conference champion
1950 Volunteer State Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Middle Tennessee $400920
Milligan 111342
Austin Peay120521
East Tennessee State 011351
Union (TN)020280
  • $ Conference champion
1950 West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Morris Harvey +5001000
West Liberty State +500900
Potomac State +400600
Shepherd321441
West Virginia Tech321063
Fairmont State430440
Davis & Elkins440550
Salem340350
Glenville State350350
West Virginia Wesleyan170180
Concord060180
Bethany (WV) *020161
  • + Conference co-champions
  • * – Did not qualify for conference standings
    Ties did not count in conference standings.
1950 Wisconsin State Teachers College Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
La Crosse State +6001000
Whitewater State +600600
Platteville State520520
Stout Institute321521
River Falls State231332
Milwaukee State231341
Stevens Point State240341
Superior State132342
Eau Claire State141341
Oshkosh State060060
  • + Conference co-champions
1950 Yankee Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
New Hampshire $400800
Maine 310511
Rhode Island State 220350
UMass 110350
Vermont 030250
Connecticut 030350
  • $ Conference champion

Rankings

The final AP poll was released in late November and the final UP poll one week later.

Bowl games

Major bowls

Bowl gameWinning teamLosing team
Sugar Bowl No. 7 Kentucky 13No. 1 Oklahoma 7
Cotton Bowl No. 4 Tennessee 20No. 3 Texas 14
Rose Bowl No. 9 Michigan 14No. 5 California 6
Orange Bowl No. 10 Clemson 15No. 15 Miami (FL) 14

Other bowls

Bowl gameWinning teamLosing team
Gator Bowl No. 12 Wyoming 20No. 18 Washington & Lee 7
Sun Bowl West Texas State 14 Cincinnati 13
Salad Bowl Miami (OH) 34 Arizona State 21
Pineapple Bowl Hawaii 28 Denver 27
Presidential Cup Texas A&M 40 Georgia 20

Heisman Trophy voting

The Heisman Trophy is given to the year's most outstanding player

PlayerSchoolPositionTotal
Vic Janowicz Ohio State HB633
Kyle Rote SMU HB280
Reds Bagnell Penn HB231
Babe Parilli Kentucky QB214
Bobby Reynolds Nebraska HB174
Bob Williams Notre Dame QB159
Leon Heath Oklahoma FB125
Dan Foldberg Army E103

Source: [7] [8] [9]

Statistical leaders

Individual

Total offense

The following players were the individual leaders in total offense during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankPlayerTeamGamesAttemptsTotal YdsTdR
1 Johnny Bright Drake 93202,400 [10] 30
2 Billy Cox Duke 103971,99511
3 Don Heinrich Washington 102711,80717
4 Gil Bartosh TCU 93211,7339
5 John Ford Hardin-Simmons 102451,72015
6 Babe Parilli Kentucky 112341,68128
7 Bill Weeks Iowa State 102781,67315
8 Reds Bagnell Penn 92821,60316
9 Bill Wade Vanderbilt 112241,59518
10 Wilford White Arizona State 102071,58925
11 Charles Maloy Holy Cross 102971,56020
12 Don Klosterman Loyola (CA) 92391,54220
13Jimmy Coley VMI 112411,48013
14 Bobby Reynolds Nebraska 92031,41722
15 Dick Kazmaier Princeton 91911,37222
16Ed "Scooter" Mooney NC State 103641,3546
17 Andy Davis George Washington 92531,3455
18 Claude Arnold Oklahoma 102071,33915
19 Tom Kingsford Montana 102541,31816
20 Bob Smith Texas A&M 102001,30214

[11]

Small college

RankPlayerTeamGamesAttemptsTotal Yds
1 Bob Heimerdinger Northern Illinois State 92861782
2 Ted Marchibroda St. Bonaventure92621693
3Eddie HaddoxBaldwin-Wallace82851650
4Gil GeorgeffCentral (MO)92061644
5 James Macholtz Anderson (IN)92941605
6Gene Mayfield West Texas State 102131566
7 Andy MacDonald Central Michigan 102621466
8 Eddie LeBaron Quantico111931387
9 Joe Arenas Omaha92091274
10 Meriel Michelson Eastern Washington101801234
11Joe RabbLouisiana Tech102911228
12JohnsonStetson101781220
13Tom GreenanSt. Ambrose131591207
14Dick DoyneLehigh91641206
15Eddie HydukePepperdine92111204
16Charlie WrightWest Texas State102061203
17 Billy Cross West Texas State101301197
18 Carl Taseff John Carroll102121186
19 Meriel Michelson Eastern Washington91701171
20 Brad Rowland McMurry92231170

[12]

Passing

The following players were the individual leaders in pass completions during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankPlayerTeamGamesCompl.Att.Pct.
Compl.
Yds.Int.TDs
1 Don Heinrich Washington 1013422160.9%1,846914
2Dave Cunningham Utah 911921754.8%1,1461213
3 Bill Weeks Iowa State 1011622052.7%1,552169
4 Babe Parilli Kentucky 1111420456.2%1,6271223
5 Don Klosterman Loyola (CA) 911320754.6%1,5821119
6 John Ford Hardin-Simmons 1011119955.8%1,777712
7 Fred Benners SMU 1010919256.8%1,361139
8 Billy Cox Duke 1010820652.4%1,428158
9 Charles Maloy Holy Cross 1010424243.0%1,5721914
10 Bob Williams Notre Dame 99921047.1%1,0351510
11 Dick Flowers Northwestern99118349.7%1,0631110
11 Larry Isbell Baylor109118748.7%1,220915
13 Haywood Sullivan Florida108917052.4%1,13489
14ColeyVMI118919545.6%1,344149
15 Tom Kingsford Montana108418445.7%1,3621310
16 Johnny Bright Drake98113759.1%1,168912
17 Gary Kerkorian Stanford108015153.0%1,14896
18Dick DohenyFordham97914355.2%1,252512
19 Gil Bartosh TCU107714951.7%1,02397
20 Dale Samuels Purdue97717244.81,1262110

[13]

Small college

RankPlayerTeamGamesCompl.Att.Pct.
Compl.
Yds.Int.TDs
1 Andy MacDonald Central Michigan 10109200.54515771215
2 Bob Heimerdinger Northern Illinois 9102210.48615971813
3 Ted Marchibroda St. Bonaventure 995202.47015771513
4Sy Kalman CCNY 894211.4451034155
5Bob Aubry Toledo 991237.38411251811
6Eugene TraylorKentucky State1087181.4811085185
7Eddie HydukePepperdine986188.4571260811
8Chuck Paige Michigan State Normal 979185.4271031109
9Gene MayfieldWest Texas State1078153.5101359911
10Joe ZaleskiDayton977165.467967102
11Al MorhardWestern Reserve1075215.3491100268

Rushing

The following players were the individual leaders in rushing yards during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankPlayerTeamGamesYdsRushesAvg
1 Wilford White Arizona State101,5011997.55
2 Bobby Reynolds Nebraska91,3421936.95
3 Bob Smith Texas A&M101,3021996.54
4 Johnny Bright Drake91,2321836.73
5 Wade Stinson Kansas101,1291676.76
6 Hugh McElhenny Washington101,1071796.18
7 Sonny Grandelius Michigan State91,0231636.28
8 Kayo Dottley Ole Miss101,0071915.27
9Steve WadiakSouth Carolina109981626.16
10Jake RobertsTulsa119541386.91
11 Johnny Olszewski California109501516.29
12 John Papit Virginia109491675.68
13Charlie HoagKansas109401556.06
14 Bobby Marlow Alabama118831187.47
15George BeanUtah98781635.39
16 Billy Vessels Oklahoma108701356.44
17George MusaccoLoyola (CA)98661874.63
18Max ClarkHouston108601296.67
19Byron TownsendTexas108412283.69
20 Pete D'Alonzo Villanova98331455.74

[14]

Small college

RankPlayerTeamGamesYdsRushesAvg
1 Meriel Michelson Eastern Washington1012341806.86
2Charlie WrightWest Texas State1012032065.84
3 Billy Cross West Texas State1011971309.21
4 Carl Taseff John Carroll1011642105.54
5John YannesSt. Lawrence811221895.94
6Gil GeorgeffCentral (MO)910571278.32
7Paul YackeyHeidelberg910181636.25
7 Brad Rowland McMurry910181825.59
9Dick DoyneLehigh99941566.37
10Bobby GardnerOhio Wesleyan99611815.31

[15]

Receiving

The following players were the individual leaders in receptions during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankPlayerTeamReceptionsReceiving
yards
TDs
1Gordon CooperDenver465698
2 Tom Bienemann Drake456152
3Jim DoranIowa State426526
4 Don Stonesifer Northwestern425605
5Ceep YoumansDuke404461
6 Bill McColl Stanford396714
7Sy WilhelmiIowa State384422
8Herman FisherNevada384341
9Fred SnyderLoyola-Los Angeles365969
10John ThomasOregon State363501
11 Al Lary Alabama3575610
11Paul BishoffWest Virginia355813
13Alan PfeferFordham355715
13Harold RileyBaylor355393
13 Al Bruno Kentucky3553210
13Herbert McLeanColumbia354921
13 Jim Mutscheller Notre Dame354267
18Tom McCannHoly Cross344382
18Fred SmithTulsa344334
20 Gene Schroeder Virginia335527

[16]

Small college

RankPlayerTeamGamesReceptionsReceiving
yards
TDs
1 Jack Bighead Pepperdine9385516
2Bob McElroyQuantico11376869
3Wendell "Joe" SwannNorth Texas State10365853
4 Norb Hecker Baldwin-Wallace8346147
5Chuck ToyFresno State9345879
6Dan O'ConnorNiagara8344626
7John SchueslerButler9324941
8Harvey SingletonKentucky State10324022
9John "Moose" McGrathAmherst8305367
10Giovanni "John" PartenioCentral Michigan10304305

[17]

Scoring

The following players were the individual leaders in scoring during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankPlayerTeamPtsTDPATFG
1 Bobby Reynolds Nebraska15722250
2 Wilford White Arizona State1362211
3 Eddie Talboom Wyoming13015400
4 Johnny Bright Drake1081800
5 Johnny Turco Holy Cross1021600
6 Bob Shemonski Maryland971610
7Max ClarkHouston9011240
7 Merwin Hodel Colorado901500
7 Billy Vessels Oklahoma901500
10 Fred Cone Clemson861420
11Byron TownsendTexas841400
11 Bob Smith Texas A&M841400
11 Wade Stinson Kansas841400
14 Al Pollard Army838350
14 Walt Michaels Washington & Lee839290
16Dickie LewisWilliam & Mary8210220
17 Ollie Matson San Francisco811330
18 Kyle Rote SMU781300
18 Hugh McElhenny Washington781300

[18]

Small college

RankPlayerTeamPtsTDPATFG
1 Carl Taseff John Carroll1382300
2Charlie WrightWest Texas State1202000
3Bob MillerEmory & Henry1141900
4Ace LoomisLa Crosse State1081800
5ClarkeSt. Augustine's1011650
6Tom CookWilliam Jewell971610
7Mark ThomsenDana9213140
8Gene PayneGustavus Adolphus911510
9Bobby GardnerOhio Wesleyan901500
9Odie PoseySouthern9012122

[19]

Team

Total offense

The following teams were the leaders in total offense during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankTeamGames
played
Total
plays
Yards
gained
Yards
per game
1 Arizona State 10924704470.4
2 Princeton 96173903433.7
3 Tulsa 117834747431.5
4 Clemson 96303881431.2
5 Loyola (CA) 97753781420.1
6 Alabama 117734576416.0
7 Oklahoma 107064154415.4
8 Washington 106944116411.6
9 Nebraska 96183666407.3
10 Pacific 118004399399.9

[20]

Small college

RankTeamGames
played
Total
plays
Yards
gained
Yards
per game
1 West Texas State 106804653463.5
2 Miami (OH) 95593747416.3
3 John Carroll 107014144414.4
4William Jewell95263675408.3
5 St. Bonaventure 96083625402.8
6 St. Lawrence 85723206400.8
7 Western Illinois 85853170396.3
8 Lewis & Clark 95753557395.2
9 Morris Harvey 95253521391.2
10 North Texas State 106603894389.4

[21]

Rushing offense

The following teams were the leaders in rushing offense during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankTeamGames
played
Total
plays
Yards
gained
Yards
per game
1 Arizona State 106203470347.0
2 Princeton 95032929325.4
3 Nebraska 95102894321.6
4 Kansas 105243116311.6
5 Tulsa 113384307.6
6 Washington & Lee 105782995299.5
7 Pacific 116193278298.0
8 Clemson 95042648294.2
9 Oklahoma 105622931293.1
10 Army 94772568285.3

[20]

Small college

RankTeamYards
per game
1 St. Lawrence 356.1
2 Lewis & Clark 343.8
3 West Texas State 322.9
4 New Hampshire 303.0
5William Jewell302.3
6 Morris Harvey 298.9
7Heidelberg287.9
8New Mexico Western287.1
9 John Carroll 284.0
10 Western Illinois 282.1

[21]

Passing offense

The following teams were the leaders in passing offense during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankTeamGames
played
CompletionsAttemptsPctYardsYards
per game
IntTD
1 SMU 10156296.5272146'214.62414
2 Hardin-Simmons 10130228.5702061206.1815
3 Washington 10149260.5732041204.11214
4 Loyola (CA) 9122228.5351674186.01220
5 George Washington 9113228.4961475163.9177
6 Duke 10121236.5131639163.92110
7 Holy Cross 10105247.4251585158.52014
8 Drake 9101182.5551420157.81112
9 Iowa State 10117226.5181574157.4189
10 Kentucky 11125230.5431714155.81427

[22]

Small college

RankTeamYards
per game
1 Northern Illinois 187.0
2 Central Michigan 176.5
3 Miami (OH) 175.7
4 St. Bonaventure 174.8
5Scranton163.9
6 Pepperdine 158.6
7Baldwin-Wallace149.9
8 Buffalo 148.4
9Central (MO)146.6
10Butler144.6

[21]

Total defense

The following teams were the leaders in total defense during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankTeamGames
played
Total
plays
Yards
gained
Yards
per game
1 Wake Forest 94911469163.2
2 Kentucky 116711895172.3
3 Wyoming 94931559173.2
4 Army 96371705189.4
5 Miami (FL) 106531968196.8
6 Cornell 95471788198.7
7 Tennessee 116732208200.7
8 Tulane 95571807200.8
9 Mississippi State 94701828203.1
10 San Francisco 116932240203.6

[23]

Small college

RankTeamGames
played
Total
plays
Yards
gained
Yards
per game
1New Haven State731565593.6
2 Lewis & Clark 9426933103.7
3 Southern 115801433130.3
4St. Lawrence83671059132.4
5 Abilene Christian 105331386138.6
6Gustavus Adolphus104531402140.2
7Springfield84351244155.5
8North Carolina A&T105681560156.0
9Rider84061253156.6
10Valparaiso95161417157.5

[21]

Rushing defense

The following teams were the leaders in rushing defense during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankTeamGamesNo.YardsAvg..
1 Ohio State 934157664.0
2 Princeton 932661167.9
3 Wake Forest 933062669.6
4 San Francisco 1143582074.5
5 Wyoming 934378887.6
6 Tulane 937382491.6
7 Kentucky 11482102192.8
8 Michigan State 934487497.1
9 Maryland 104211016101.6
10 Loyola (CA) 9348960106.7

[23]

Small college

RankTeamYards
per game
1 Lewis & Clark 50.3
2New Haven State53.6
3 St. Lawrence 72.5
4Scranton76.4
5 Southern 78.9
6North Carolina AT&T79.5
7 Abilene Christian 81.3
8Gustavus Adolphus81.5
9William Jewell83.3
10 Franklin & Marshall 83.6

[21]

Passing defense

The following teams were the leaders in passing defense during the 1950 season:

Major college

RankTeamGamesCompl.Att.PctYardsYards
per game
IntTD
1 Tennessee 1165149.43674367.5232
2 Indiana 951127.40262969.9123
3 Tulsa 1159181.32677070.0123
4 Duke 1067147.45670770.7173
5 Montana 948127.37866173.4194
6 Iowa State 1042113.37274174.194
7 Penn State 952141.36967174.6188
8 Harvard 835101.34759974.926
9 Army 959155.38167975.4181
10 Mississippi State 949102.48070378.177

[23]

Small college

RankTeamYards
per game
1 Vermont 34.4
2New Haven State40.0
3 Southern 51.4
4 Lewis & Clark 53.3
5Rider54.3
6Washington (MD)56.0
7Cortland State56.1
8Oberlin56.5
9Wilmington56.9
10 Abilene Christian 57.2

[21]

See also

References

  1. "Vic Janowicz".
  2. "The Final Dickinson Rating Standings of Grid Teams". The Pittsburgh Courier. December 2, 1950. p. 15 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "The Final Dickinson Rating Standings of Grid Teams". The Pittsburgh Courier. December 2, 1950. p. 15 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "The Final Dickinson Rating Standings of Grid Teams". The Pittsburgh Courier. December 2, 1950. p. 15 via Newspapers.com.
  5. Joe Fall (November 28, 1950). "Oklahoma Is Named Nation's Top Team; Army Drops To 2nd". The Asheville Times. p. 14 via Newspapers.com.
  6. Stan Opotowsky (December 5, 1950). "Oklahoma Remains Atop Final UP Grid Ratings". Wilmington Morning News. United Press. p. 31 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Janowicz to get Heisman award". Toledo Blade. Ohio. Associated Press. December 6, 1950. p. 50.
  8. "Janowicz awarded Heisman Trophy". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. December 6, 1950. p. 46.
  9. "Janowicz chosen Heisman winner". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. December 6, 1950. p. 25.
  10. Bright broke Frank Sinkwich's prior major college record of 2,187 yards.
  11. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 27.
  12. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 40.
  13. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 28.
  14. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 29.
  15. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 39.
  16. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 30.
  17. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 41.
  18. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 32.
  19. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 44.
  20. 1 2 Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 35.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 43.
  22. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 37.
  23. 1 2 3 Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1951. p. 38.