Lou Baldacci

Last updated
Lou Baldacci
Lou Baldacci.png
No. 27
Position: Halfback
Personal information
Born: (1934-12-17) December 17, 1934 (age 89)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: St. Vincent–St. Mary
(Akron, Ohio)
College: Michigan
NFL draft: 1956  / Round: 10 / Pick: 111
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:10
Rushing Att. / Yds.:31 / 140
Receptions / Yds.:5 / 62
Punts / Yds.:26 / 1010
Player stats at PFR

Louis Granville Baldacci (born December 17, 1934) is a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1953 to 1955 and was the starting quarterback for the 1953 and 1954 Michigan Wolverines football teams. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1956 NFL Draft and played ten games as a halfback in the 1956 NFL season.

Contents

Early years

Baldacci was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1934. He attended St. Vincent High School in Akron, Ohio. [1]

University of Michigan

Baldacci enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1952 and played for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1953 to 1955. [2] [3] [4]

1953 season

As a sophomore in 1953, Baldacci was the starting quarterback for all nine games played by Michigan. [2] The 1953 team finished with a record of 6-3 and was ranked No. 19 in the final UPI poll and No. 20 in the final AP poll. [2] Baldacci had his best game as a forward passer in a 14-13 victory over Iowa on October 10, 1953. He completed 7 of 11 passes for 100 yards, including a 31-yard completion to Ed Hickey. [5] Baldacci also kicked a 38-yard field goal against Illinois in 1953, breaking the prior record set by Tom Harmon in 1940; Baldacci's record was broken in 1961 by Doug Bickle. [6]

1954 season

Baldacci's 63-yard TD completion against Michigan State Lou Baldacci (1954).png
Baldacci's 63-yard TD completion against Michigan State

As a junior in 1954, Baldacci split his time between the quarterback and fullback positions, playing in 309 of 540 minutes over the course of the nine-game season. [7] He started five games at quarterback and one game at fullback for a Michigan team that again finished with a 6-3 record. The 1954 team was ranked No. 15 in both the final UPI and AP polls. [3] In the 1954 season opener, Baldacci scored both of Michigan's touchdowns in a 14-0 win over Washington. [8] In November 1954, Baldacci led Michigan to a 33-7 win over the defending 1954 Rose Bowl champions from Michigan State. Baldacci scored Michigan's first touchdown on a four-yard run and later caught a 63-yard pass from Dan Cline to set up another touchdown. [9]

1955 season

As a senior in 1955, Baldacci moved to the fullback position, starting seven of nine games for the Wolverines. The 1955 team improved to 7-2 and were ranked No. 12 in the final AP poll and No. 13 in the final UPI poll. [4] In a 42-7 win over Missouri in September 1955, Baldacci had one of the best games of his career. He had two rushing touchdowns and also threw two passes, both of them completed for touchdowns. [5] His best rushing total was 65 yards on 13 carries against Indiana in November 1955. [5]

After the 1955 season, Baldacci was invited to play in two post-season all-star games. He played in the 1955 Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic and the 1956 Senior Bowl. [10] [11] He scored the first touchdown for the Blue team in a 20-19 loss to the Gray team. [12]

Career statistics

During his three years playing with the Wolverines, Baldacci completed 31 of 69 passes for 398 yards, 3 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He also gained 352 yards rushing on 134 carries and 10 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 269 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. [5]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Baldacci was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1956 NFL Draft and signed with the Steelers in July 1956. [13] Baldacci played in ten games as a halfback for the Steelers during the 1956 NFL season. [14] He was part of an all-Michigan backfield for Pittsburgh, joining former Michigan teammate Lowell Perry, University of Detroit star Ted Marchibroda and Michigan State star Lynn Chandnois. [15] In November 1956, Baldacci's "hard-hitting" play was credited with powering the Steelers to a 14-7 upset victory over the Chicago Cardinals. [16] [17]

Later years and family

Baldacci was married in December 1956 to Linda Anne Landsnaes at St. Hugo's Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. [18]

Baldacci entered the United States Air Force in 1957. [19] He played with an Air Force football team at Hamilton Air Force Base and was selected to the 1958 All-Air Force Football Team. [19]

Baldacci is a grandfather to 5 children and the great-grandfather to 7 children.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Kramer</span> American football player (1935–2010)

Ronald John Kramer was an American professional football player who was an end in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the Green Bay Packers. A member of two NFL champion teams with the Packers, he was named to the NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Barr</span> American football player (1935–2009)

Terry Albert Barr was an American football player. He played professional football for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions from 1957 to 1965. He began his NFL career as a defensive back and return specialist and later became one of the best pass receivers in the NFL. He played in the Pro Bowl in both 1963 and 1964, led the NFL with 13 touchdown receptions in 1963, and was among the NFL leaders with 1,086 receiving yards in 1963 and 1,030 receiving yards in 1964. Over his nine-year NFL career, Barr appeared in 102 games and caught 227 passes for 3,810 yards and 35 touchdowns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Mandich</span> American football player (1948–2011)

James Michael Mandich, also known as "Mad Dog", was an American professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). Mandich played college football for the Michigan Wolverines from 1967 to 1969 and was recognized as a consensus first-team tight end on the 1969 College Football All-America Team. A second-round pick in the 1970 NFL Draft, he played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins (1970-1977) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1978). After his playing career ended, he worked as the color commentator for the Miami Dolphins and also hosted a sports talk show on local AM radio in Miami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1948 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1948 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan during the 1948 Big Nine Conference football season. In its first year under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan, Michigan compiled a 9–0 record, defeated six ranked opponents by a combined score of 122–17, won the Big Nine Conference and repeated as national champions. In the final AP Poll, Michigan received 192 first place votes, twice as many as second-place Notre Dame which garnered 97 first place votes. This remained the last unanimous national title won by the Wolverines until 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1947 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1947 Big Nine Conference football season. In its tenth year under head coach Fritz Crisler, Michigan compiled a perfect 10–0 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, and defeated the USC Trojans by a score of 49–0 in the 1948 Rose Bowl game. Although ranked second in the AP Poll at the end of the regular season, the Wolverines were selected as the nation's No. 1 team by a 226–119 margin over Notre Dame in an unprecedented AP Poll taken after the bowl games. The 1947 team outscored its opponents, 394–53, and has been selected as the best team in the history of Michigan football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Davis (running back)</span> American football player (born 1956)

Russell Davis, III is a former American football player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1974 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1974 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1974 Big Ten Conference football season. In their sixth year under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 10–1 record, outscored opponents 324 to 75, and were ranked #3 in final AP Poll. Michigan won the first ten games of the 1974 season in convincing fashion, including blowout victories over Colorado (31-0), Navy (52-0), Minnesota (49-0), and Purdue (51-0). In the final game of the season, #2 Michigan faced #3 Ohio State. The Wolverines lost by a score of 12-10, as place-kicker Mike Lantry missed a last-minute field goal that would have given Michigan a victory.

The 1941 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1941 Big Ten Conference football season. Under fourth-year head coach Fritz Crisler, Michigan compiled a record of 6–1–1, outscored opponents 147 to 41 and was ranked No. 5 in the final AP Poll. The team played three ranked opponents, defeating No. 5 Northwestern (14–7), playing to a tie with No. 14 Ohio State (20–20), and losing by a 7–0 score to the 1941 Minnesota team that won the 1941 national championship. With a strong, veteran line, the Wolverines also shut out four of their eight opponents: Pittsburgh (40–0); Columbia (28–0); Illinois (20–0); and Iowa (6–0).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1943 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1943 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1943 Big Ten Conference football season. Fritz Crisler, in his sixth year as head coach, led the team to an 8–1 record and a tie with Purdue for the Western Conference championship. The team was ranked No. 3 in the final AP Poll behind Notre Dame and the Iowa Pre-Flight School. Michigan outscored its opponents 302 to 73 in nine games. The team's total of 302 points was the highest point total for a Michigan team since the 1917 team scored 304 points in 10 games. Defensively, the team held every opponent, except Notre Dame, to seven or fewer points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1956 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1956 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1956 Big Ten Conference football season. In their ninth year under head coach was Bennie Oosterbaan, the Wolverines compiled a 7–2 record, outscored opponents 233 to 123, and finished the season in second place in the Big Ten Conference and ranked No. 7 in the final 1956 AP poll. The team played five of its nine games against ranked opponents, losing to No. 2 Michigan State by a 9–0 score and No. 15 Minnesota by a 20–7 score, but defeating No. 15 Army by a 48–14 score, No. 7 Iowa by a 17–14 score, and No. 12 Ohio State by a 19–0 score.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1955 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1955 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1955 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth season under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan, the Wolverines finished in third place in the Big Ten Conference, compiled a 7–2 record, and were ranked No. 12 and No. 13 in the final AP and UPI Polls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1946 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1946 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1946 Big Nine Conference football season. In their ninth year under head coach was Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines compiled a 6–2–1 record, outscored opponents 233 to 73, and finished the season in second place in the Big Nine Conference and ranked No. 6 in the final 1946 AP poll. The team's two losses came against an undefeated Army team that was ranked No. 2 in the final AP poll and against an Illinois team that won the Big Nine championship and was ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll. Michigan won its last four games by a combined score of 162 to 19, starting a 25-game winning streak that continued for nearly three years until October 8, 1949. In the final game of the 1946 season, Michigan defeated Ohio State, 58–6, the Buckeyes' worst defeat since joining the conference in 1913.

The 1945 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1945 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth year under head coach was Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines compiled a 7–3 record and finished the season ranked #6 in the final Associated Press Poll. Quarterback Joe Ponsetto was the team captain, and center Harold Watts won the Most Valuable Player award and was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten Conference player.

The 1944 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1944 Big Ten Conference football season. Under seventh-year head coach Fritz Crisler, Michigan compiled a record of 8–2, outscored opponents 204 to 91, finished in second place in the Big Ten Conference, and was ranked #8 in the final AP Poll. The team opened the season with a victory over an Iowa-Pre-Flight team that won all of its remaining games and ended the season ranked #6 in the final AP Poll. The Wolverines then shut out four opponents: Marquette (14-0); Northwestern (27-0); Illinois (14-0); and Wisconsin (14-0). The team's two losses came against Indiana and an undefeated Ohio State team that was ranked #2 in the final AP Poll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Branoff</span> American football player (1934–2012)

Anthonios "Tony" Branoff was an American football player. He played at the halfback position for the University of Michigan from 1952 to 1955. He was chosen as the Most Valuable Player on the 1953 Michigan Wolverines football team. He was the first sophomore to win the award. He also led the Wolverines in rushing in both 1953 and 1955.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Baer</span> American football player (1932–2007)

Frederick N. Baer was an American football player. He played at the fullback position for the University of Michigan from 1952 to 1954. He was chosen as the Most Valuable Player on the 1954 Michigan Wolverines football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Maddock</span> American football player (1934–2011)

James Andrew 'Mad Dog' Maddock was an American football player. He played at the quarterback position for the University of Michigan from 1954 to 1956. He appeared in all 127 games for the Wolverines during his sophomore, junior and senior years, and led the teams to final Associated Press rankings of No. 15 in 1954, No. 12 in 1955, and No. 19 in 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Topp</span> American football player (1932–2017)

Eugene Robert Topp was an American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1952 to 1953 under head coach Bennie Oosterbaan. In 1953, he was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten Conference end by both the Associated Press and the United Press. He played professional football for the New York Giants in 1954 and 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald White</span> American football player (born 1964)

Gerald Eugene White is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Michigan Wolverines football in the Oosterbaan years</span>

The History of Michigan Wolverines football in the Oosterbaan years covers the history of the University of Michigan Wolverines football program during the period from the promotion of Bennie Oosterbaan as head coach in 1948 through his firing after the 1958 season. Michigan was a member of the Big Ten Conference during the Oosterbaan years and played its home games at Michigan Stadium.

References

  1. ↑ "Lou Baldacci". databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-07.
  2. 1 2 3 "1953 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  3. 1 2 "1954 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  4. 1 2 "1955 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on 2013-05-24.
  6. ↑ Michigan: Champions of the West, by Bruce Madej, Rob Toonkel, Mike Pearson, p. 186.
  7. ↑ "Baldacci May Split Signal-Calling Duty". Ludington Daily News. September 6, 1955.
  8. ↑ "Michigan Gains Victory Over Washington, 14-0". The Hartford Courant. September 26, 1954.
  9. ↑ Charles Bartlett (November 14, 1954). "Baldacci Paces Wolverines; Kramer, Shannon Also Star; Michigan Wins, 33 to 7, Over Michigan State". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. A1.
  10. ↑ "University of Michigan Football All-Star Game Participants". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on 2010-09-01. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  11. ↑ "Sign Baldacci For Blue Team". The Owosso Argus-Press. November 25, 1955.
  12. ↑ "Grays Whip Blues, 20-19, on Late Touchdown". Chicago Daily Tribune. January 1, 1956. p. A1.
  13. ↑ "Varrichione, Balducci Sign With Pittsburgh". The Hartford Courant. July 22, 1956.
  14. ↑ "Lou Baldacci player bio". NFL.com. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  15. ↑ "Ex-Michigan Stars Appear With Steelers: Perry, Baldacci In Lineup; Davis May Be Sidelines". Toledo Blade. August 16, 1956.
  16. ↑ "Steelers Clip Cardinals Behind Baldacci, Rogel". Hartford Courant (AP story). November 19, 1956.
  17. ↑ "Steelers Topple Cardinals, 14 to 7; Baldacci and Rogel Big Guns in Victory as Chicagoans Drop Third Straight". The New York Times. November 19, 1956.
  18. ↑ "Mr. Baldacci, Birmingham Girl Wed". Detroit Free Press. December 30, 1956. p. 17.
  19. 1 2 The Michigan alumnus: Volume 65 (1959), p. 173
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.