1956 Big Ten Conference football season | |
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Sport | American football |
Number of teams | 10 |
Top draft pick | Ron Kramer |
Champion | Iowa |
Runners-up | Michigan |
Season MVP | Ken Ploen |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 3 Iowa $ | 5 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 9 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 7 Michigan | 5 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 12 Minnesota | 4 | – | 1 | – | 2 | 6 | – | 1 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 9 Michigan State | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 15 Ohio State | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northwestern | 3 | – | 3 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purdue | 1 | – | 4 | – | 2 | 3 | – | 4 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Illinois | 1 | – | 4 | – | 2 | 2 | – | 5 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wisconsin | 0 | – | 4 | – | 3 | 1 | – | 5 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indiana | 1 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1956 Big Ten Conference football season was the 61st season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference (also known as the Western Conference) and was a part of the 1956 college football season.
The 1956 Iowa Hawkeyes football team, under head coach Forest Evashevski, won the Big Ten championship, compiled a 9–1 record, led the Big Ten in scoring defense (8.4 points allowed per game), was ranked No. 3 in the final AP Poll and in the Coaches Poll, and defeated Oregon State, 35–19, in the 1957 Rose Bowl. Quarterback Ken Ploen received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable player in the Big Ten and was also named the most valuable player in the Rose Bowl.
The 1956 Michigan Wolverines football team, under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan, compiled a 7–2 record, handed Iowa its only defeat, and was ranked No. 7 in the final AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. End Ron Kramer was a consensus first-team All-American and was the first Big Ten player selected, with the fourth overall pick, in the 1957 NFL draft. Guard Dick Hill was selected as the team's most valuable player.
The 1956 Michigan State Spartans football team, under head coach Duffy Daugherty, compiled a 7–2 record, was ranked No. 9 in the final AP Poll, and led the Big Ten in scoring offense with an average of 26.6 points scored per game. James Hinsley was selected as the team's most valuable player.
In the final AP Poll, five Big Ten teams finished in the top 15: Iowa (#1); Michigan (#7); Michigan State (#9); Minnesota (#12); and Ohio State (#15). The conference's individual statistical leaders included Purdue quarterback Len Dawson with 856 passing yards, Purdue halfback Melvin Dillard with 873 rushing yards, and Indiana end Brad Bomba with 407 receiving yards. Ohio State guard Jim Parker won the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman in college football.
Conf. Rank | Team | Head coach | AP final | AP high | Overall record | Conf. record | PPG | PAG | MVP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Iowa | Forest Evashevski | #3 | #3 | 9–1 | 5–1 | 21.9 | 8.4 | Ken Ploen |
2 | Michigan | Bennie Oosterbaan | #7 | #5 | 7–2 | 5–2 | 25.9 | 13.7 | Dick Hill |
3 | Minnesota | Murray Warmath | #12 | #6 | 6–1–2 | 4–1–2 | 14.1 | 9.7 | Bobby Cox |
4 (tie) | Michigan State | Duffy Daugherty | #9 | #1 | 7–2 | 4–2 | 26.6 | 9.7 | James Hinsley |
4 (tie) | Ohio State | Woody Hayes | #15 | #4 | 6–3 | 4–2 | 17.8 | 9.0 | Jim Parker |
6 | Northwestern | Ara Parseghian | NR | NR | 4–4–1 | 3–3–1 | 11.9 | 12.4 | Al Viola |
7 (tie) | Purdue | Jack Mollenkopf | NR | #17 | 3–4–2 | 1–4–2 | 15.4 | 13.6 | Lamar Lundy |
7 (tie) | Illinois | Ray Eliot | NR | #13 | 2–5–2 | 1–4–2 | 13.8 | 17.1 | Dave Walker |
9 | Wisconsin | Milt Bruhn | NR | NR | 1–5–3 | 0–4–3 | 10.3 | 14.3 | Dave Howard |
10 | Indiana | Bernie Crimmins | NR | NR | 3–6 | 1–5 | 14.3 | 29.2 | Bob Fee |
Key
AP final = Team's rank in the final AP Poll of the 1956 season [1]
AP high = Team's highest rank in the AP Poll throughout the 1956 season [1]
PPG = Average of points scored per game [1]
PAG = Average of points allowed per game [1]
MVP = Most valuable player as voted by players on each team as part of the voting process to determine the winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy; trophy winner in bold [2]
Between the 1955 and 1956 seasons, three Big Ten teams changed head coaches as follows:
In the final AP Poll of the 1955 season, Michigan State had been ranked No. 2 and Ohio State No. 5. [8] In the pre-season AP Poll, four Big Ten teams were ranked in the top 20: Michigan State (#2); Ohio State (#5); Michigan (#8); and Illinois (#20). [1]
In the spring of 1956, the Big Ten conducted an investigation into allegations that Ohio State coach Woody Hayes had provided financial assistance to players in violation of conference rule. Hayes admitted that he had loaned money to players but refused to provide an accounting of the loans. The investigation also discovered a "serious irregularity" in Ohio State's off-campus work program. In April 1956, the conference placed Ohio State on probation for one year and declared the football team ineligible to play in the 1957 Rose Bowl. [9]
In May 1956, the Big Ten sold television rights for five Big Ten football games during the 1956 season to NBC for an estimated sum of $450,000. [10]
In August 1956, Look magazine published an investigative piece alleging that Big Ten schools, including Michigan and Minnesota, were finding ways to evade the conference's rules on aid to football players. [11]
On September 29, 1956, the Big Ten football games opened the season with one conference game and eight non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in eight wins and no losses.
On October 6, 1956, the Big Ten teams played two conference games and six non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in two wins and four losses, giving the Big Ten a non-conference record of 10–4.
On October 13, 1956, the Big Ten teams played four conference games and two non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in two wins and no losses, giving the Big Ten a non-conference record of 12–4.
On October 20, 1956, the Big Ten teams played three conference games and four non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in three wins and one loss, giving the Big Ten a non-conference record of 15–5.
On October 27, 1956, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
On November 3, 1956, the Big Ten teams played four conference games and two non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in two wins and no losses, giving the Big Ten a non-conference record of 17–5.
On November 10, 1956, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
On November 17, 1956, the Big Ten teams played five conference games.
On November 24, 1956, the Big Ten teams played four conference games and two non-conference games. The non-conference games resulted in two wins and no losses, giving the Big Ten a non-conference record of 19–5.
On January 1, 1957, Iowa defeated Oregon State, 35–19, in the 1957 Rose Bowl. Iowa scored five touchdowns, including a 49-yard touchdown run by Ken Ploen and a 66-yard touchdown run by Collins Hagler. [72]
On November 28, 1956, Bernie Crimmins, at age 37, resigned as Indiana's head football coach. He had compiled a 13–32 record and was unable to produce a winning team in five years in the position. [73]
On December 3, 1956, both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press (UP) released their final college football polls. Both organizations ranked undefeated Oklahoma at the No. 1 spot. The AP ranked five Big Ten teams among the top 20: Iowa (#3); Michigan (#7); Michigan State (#9); Minnesota (#12); and Ohio State (#15). [74] The UP ranked four teams among the top 20: Iowa (#3); Michigan (#7); Minnesota (#9); and Michigan State (#10). [75]
The Big Ten's individual statistical leaders include the following: [1]
1. Len Dawson, Purdue (856)
2. Pat Wilson, Michigan State (414)
3. Steve Filipowski, Indiana (391)
4. Ken Ploen, Iowa (386)
5. Hiles Stout, Illinois (278)
1. Melvin Dillard, Purdue (873)
2. Don Clark, Ohio State (797)
3. James Roseboro, Ohio State (712)
4. Bob Fee, Indiana (621)
5. Abe Woodson, Illinois (599)
1. Brad Bomba, Indiana (407)
2. Ron Kramer, Michigan (353)
3. Abe Woodson, Illinois (257)
4. Jim Gibbons, Iowa (255)
5. Lamar Lundy, Purdue (248)
1. Melvin Dillard, Purdue (902)
2. Don Clark, Ohio State (885)
3. Len Dawson, Purdue (879)
4. Ken Ploen, Iowa (873)
5. Bobby Cox, Minnesota (793)
1. Terry Barr, Michigan (42)
1. Don Clark, Ohio State (42)
1. John Herrnstein, Michigan (42)
1. Dennis Mendyk, Michigan State (42)
1. James Roseboro, Ohio State (42)
The following players were picked by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press (UP) as first-team players on the 1956 All-Big Ten Conference football team. [76] [77]
Position | Name | Team | Selectors |
---|---|---|---|
Quarterback | Ken Ploen | Iowa | AP, UP |
Halfback | Abe Woodson | Illinois | AP, UP |
Halfback | Bob McKelver | Northwestern | AP |
Halfback | Terry Barr | Michigan | UP |
Fullback | Mel Dillard | Purdue | AP, UP |
End | Ron Kramer | Michigan | AP, UP |
End | Frank Gilliam | Iowa | AP, UP |
Tackle | Bob Hobert | Minnesota | AP, UP |
Tackle | Alex Karras | Iowa | AP, UP |
Guard | Jim Parker | Ohio State | AP, UP |
Guard | Dick Hill | Michigan | AP |
Guard | Al Viola | Northwestern | UP |
Center | John Matsko | Michigan State | AP |
Center | Don Suchy | Iowa | UP |
At the end of the 1956 season, Big Ten players secured two of the consensus first-team picks for the 1956 College Football All-America Team. [78] The Big Ten's consensus All-American was:
Position | Name | Team | Selectors |
---|---|---|---|
End | Ron Kramer | Michigan | AFCA, AP, FWAA, INS, NEA, TSN, UP, CP, WCFF |
Guard | Jim Parker | Ohio State | AFCA, AP, FWAA, INS, NEA, SN, UP, CP, WC |
Other Big Ten players who were named first-team All-Americans by at least one selector were:
Position | Name | Team | Selectors |
---|---|---|---|
Tackle | Alex Karras | Iowa | AP, CP, FWAA |
Tackle | Bob Hobert | Minnesota | FWAA |
Ohio State guard Jim Parker won the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman in college football.
On December 4, 1956, the Heisman Trophy was awarded to Paul Hornung of Notre Dame. Three Big Ten players finished among the top 10 in the voting for the trophy. They were: Michigan end Ron Kramer (sixth), Ohio State guard Jim Parker (eighth), and Iowa quarterback Ken Ploen (ninth). [79] [80]
The following Big Ten players were among the first 100 picks in the 1957 NFL draft: [81]
Name | Position | Team | Round | Overall pick |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ron Kramer | End | Michigan | 1 | 4 |
Len Dawson | Quarterback | Purdue | 1 | 5 |
Clarence Peaks | Fullback | Michigan State | 1 | 7 |
Jim Parker | Guard | Ohio State | 1 | 8 |
Abe Woodson | Back | Illinois | 2 | 15 |
Bill Michael | Tackle | Ohio State | 2 | 16 |
Tom Maentz | End | Michigan | 2 | 22 |
Dennis Mendyk | Back | Michigan State | 3 | 35 |
Terry Barr | Wide receiver | Michigan | 3 | 36 |
Bobby Cox | Quarterback | Minnesota | 4 | 38 |
Lamar Lundy | End | Purdue | 4 | 47 |
Milt Campbell | Back | Indiana | 5 | 53 |
Wayne Bock | Tackle | Illinois | 5 | 58 |
Vic Zucco | Back | Michigan State | 5 | 60 |
Joe Amstutz | Center | Indiana | 6 | 63 |
Bob Hobert | Tackle | Minnesota | 6 | 73 |
Tom Saidock | Tackle | Michigan State | 7 | 74 |
Frank Gilliam | End | Iowa | 7 | 76 |
Mike Rotunno | Center | Michigan | 7 | 82 |
The 1956 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa in the 1956 Big Ten Conference football season. The Hawkeyes were champions of the Big Ten Conference and beat the Oregon State Beavers in the 1957 Rose Bowl, a rematch of a regular season game.
The 1956 Purdue Boilermakers football team was an American football team that represented Purdue University during the 1956 Big Ten Conference football season. In their first year under head coach Jack Mollenkopf, the Boilermakers compiled a 3–4–2 record, finished in a tie for seventh place in the Big Ten Conference with a 1–4–2 record against conference opponents, and outscored opponents by a total of 139 to 122.
The 1956 Northwestern Wildcats team was an American football team that represented Northwestern University during the 1956 Big Ten Conference football season. In their first year under head coach Ara Parseghian, the Wildcats compiled a 4–4–1 record, finished in sixth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 112 to 107.
The 1956 Indiana Hoosiers football team was an American football team that represented the Indiana Hoosiers in the 1956 Big Ten Conference football season. The Hoosiers played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. The team was coached by Bernie Crimmins, in his fifth and final year as head coach of the Hoosiers. On November 28, 1956, Crimmins, at age 37, resigned as Indiana's head football coach. He had compiled a 13–32 record and was unable to produce a winning team in five years in the position.
The 1964 Big Ten Conference football season was the 69th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1964 NCAA University Division football season.
The 1980 Big Ten Conference football season was the 85th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season.
The 1948 Big Nine Conference football season was the 53rd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Nine Conference and was a part of the 1948 college football season.
The 1938 Big Ten Conference football season was the 43rd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1938 college football season.
The 1939 Big Ten Conference football season was the 44th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1939 college football season.
The 1949 Big Nine Conference football season was the 54th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Nine Conference and was a part of the 1949 college football season.
The 1968 Big Ten Conference football season was the 73rd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1968 NCAA University Division football season.
The 1955 Big Ten Conference football season was the 60th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1955 college football season.
The 1971 Big Ten Conference football season was the 76th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1971 NCAA University Division football season.
The 1972 Big Ten Conference football season was the 77th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1972 NCAA University Division football season.
The 1974 Big Ten Conference football season was the 79th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1974 NCAA Division I football season.
The 1975 Big Ten Conference football season was the 80th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1975 NCAA Division I football season.
The 1976 Big Ten Conference football season was the 81st season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1976 NCAA Division I football season.
The 1977 Big Ten Conference football season was the 82nd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1977 NCAA Division I football season.
The 1978 Big Ten Conference football season was the 83rd season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season.
The 1984 Big Ten Conference football season was the 89th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1984 NCAA Division I-A football season.