1954 Florida A&M Rattlers football team

Last updated

1954 Florida A&M Rattlers football
Conference Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record8–1 (4–0 SIAC)
Head coach
Home stadium Bragg Stadium
Seasons
←  1953
1955  →
Nineteen lettermen returned from the 10-1 1953 squad to play for the 1954 Rattlers team. 1954-FloridaA&M-teamphoto.jpg
Nineteen lettermen returned from the 10–1 1953 squad to play for the 1954 Rattlers team.

The 1954 Florida A&M Rattlers football team was an American football team that represented Florida A&M University as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) during the 1954 college football season. In their 10th season under head coach Jake Gaither, the Rattlers compiled an 8–1 record, including a victory over Maryland State in the Orange Blossom Classic. The team played its home games at Bragg Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Pittsburgh Courier selected Florida A&M as Black college national co-champion in a five-way tie with four other teams. [1] The "Pigskin Huddle" rated Florida A&M No. 2 with Tennessee A&I as the national champion. [2]

Key players included three-time All-American and future National Football League star, left halfback Willie Galimore.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 25 Texas College *
W 39–143,000 [3]
October 2at Benedict Columbia, SC W 26–6
October 16at Morris Brown Atlanta, GA W 27–7
October 23at Prairie View A&M *
W 19–7 [4]
October 30vs. Xavier (LA)
W 25–613,000
November 6 North Carolina A&T *Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Bragg Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
W 14–712,000 [5]
November 13 Allen
  • Bragg Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
W 68–13
November 20at Southern * Baton Rouge, LA L 23–59 [6]
December 4vs. Maryland State *
W 67–1941,179 [7]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming

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The 1954 Prairie View A&M Panthers football team was an American football team that represented Prairie View A&M University in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) during the 1954 college football season. In their sixth season under head coach Billy Nicks, the Panthers compiled a perfect 10–1 record, won the SWAC championship, defeated Texas Southern in the Prairie View Bowl, and outscored opponents by a total of 255 to 116. The Panthers were recognized as a 1953 black college national co-champion.

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Riley D. Morris was an American professional football linebacker and defensive end who played three seasons in the American Football League (AFL) for the Oakland Raiders and five seasons in the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL) for the Boston / New Bedford Sweepers, Waterbury Orbits and Quincy Giants. He played college football for the Florida A&M Rattlers.

The 1946 Florida A&M Rattlers football team was an American football team that represented Florida A&M College as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) during the 1946 college football season. In their second season under head coach Jake Gaither, the Rattlers compiled a 6–3–1 record, and won the SIAC championship, and appeared in two post-season games, losing to Lincoln (PA) in the Orange Blossom Classic and tying Wiley in the Angel Bowl.

References

  1. ↑ "Five Teams Claim Nat'l Grid Crown After Gala Season". The Pittsburgh Courier. December 25, 1954. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ Luix Virgil Overbea (December 25, 1954). "Pigskin Huddle". The Afro-American. p. 16.
  3. ↑ "A&M Wins 39-14". Tallahassee Democrat . September 26, 1954. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Florida A&M trips Prairie View, 19–7". The Birmingham News. October 24, 1954. Retrieved September 23, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Florida A&M Gets 14-7 Scare". Tallahassee Democrat. November 7, 1954. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Southern U. Beats FAMU". Tallahassee Democrat. November 21, 1954. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "A&M Romps Over Hawks". Miami Daily News. December 5, 1954. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
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