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Denver Pioneers football, 1950–1960

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Denver Ministers football program, 1950–1960 represented the University of Denver in college football from 1950 to 1960 as a member of the Skyline Conference. The program was led by three head coaches: Johnny Baker (1948–1952), Bob Blackman (1953–1954), and John Roning (1955–1960).

ConferenceSkyline Conference
Headcoach
Quick facts 1950–1960, Conference ...
1950–1960 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Head coach
Seasons
← 1949
1951–52 →
Close

Highlights of the decade included:

  • The 1954 team compiled a 9–1 record, won the Skyline championship, was ranked No. 18 in the final UPI poll, and outscored opponents by a total of 298 to 96.
  • The 1955 team compiled an 8–2 record and outscored opponents by a total of 310 to 89.
  • After compiling a combined record of 7–23 from 1958 to 1960, and with the program sustaining six-digit annual losses, the University of Denver announced in January 1961 that it was discontinuing its football program.

1950

Quick facts Pineapple Bowl, L 27–28 vs. Hawaii, Conference ...
1950 Denver Pioneers football
Pineapple Bowl, L 27–28 vs. Hawaii
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record3–8–1 (2–2–1 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumHilltop Stadium
Seasons
← 1949
1951 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1950 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 12 Wyoming $5–0–010–0–0
Colorado A&M4–1–06–3–0
Denver2–2–13–8–1
Utah1–2–23–4–3
BYU1–3–14–5–1
Utah State0–5–02–9–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
Close

The 1950 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1950 college football season. In its third season under head coach Johnny Baker, the team compiled a 3–8–1 record (2–2–1 against conference opponents), finished third in the conference, lost to Hawaii in the Pineapple Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 265 to 260.[1] Gordon Cooper led all players in major college football in 1950 with 46 pass receptions, good for 569 yards and eight touchdowns.[2]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 15at Drake*
L 0–78,000[3]
September 23Colorado A&M
L 14–3027,000[4]
September 29Kansas*
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 6–4614,218[5]
October 6Pacific (CA)*
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 6–4112,000[6]
October 13Utah
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
T 14–1411,754[7]
October 21BYU
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 42–311,000[8]
October 28at Arizona*
L 14–1918,000[9]
November 4at San Francisco*
L 6–249,738[10]
November 11Utah State
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 48–07,960[11]
November 23 No. 12 Wyoming
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 12–4228,700[12]
December 25at Leilehua All-Stars*
W 76–63,500[13]
January 1, 1951at Hawaii*
L 27–2811,000[14]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Close

1951

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1951 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record6–4 (4–3 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumHilltop Stadium
Seasons
← 1950
1952 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1951 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Utah $4–1–07–4–0
Wyoming5–1–17–2–1
Denver4–3–06–4–0
Colorado A&M3–3–15–4–1
BYU2–3–16–3–1
Utah State2–4–13–5–1
New Mexico2–4–04–7–0
Montana1–4–02–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Close

The 1951 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1951 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach Johnny Baker, the Pioneers compiled a 6–4 record (4–3 against conference opponents), finished third in the conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 283 to 133.[15] The team was ranked at No. 77 in the 1951 Litkenhous Ratings.[16]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 15Colorado College*
W 41–0[17]
September 22Drake*
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 7–2015,680[18]
September 29at Wyoming
L 14–2014,020[19]
October 6Montana
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 55–0[20]
October 13New Mexico
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 33–17[21]
October 20at Utah
L 14–1712,277[22]
October 27BYU
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 56–612,359[23]
November 10at No. 19 Pacific (CA)*
W 35–3310,469[24]
November 17Utah State
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 7–14[25]
November 22Colorado A&M
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 21–6[26]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game
Close

1952

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1952 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record3–7 (0–7 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumHilltop Stadium
Seasons
← 1951
1953 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1952 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Utah $5–0–06–3–1
New Mexico5–1–07–2–0
Colorado A&M5–2–06–4–0
Wyoming4–3–05–4–0
BYU3–4–04–6–0
Utah State3–4–03–7–1
Montana1–5–02–7–1
Denver0–7–03–7–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Close

The 1952 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1952 college football season. In their fifth and final season under head coach Johnny Baker, the Pioneers compiled a 3–7 record (0–7 against conference opponents), finished last out of eight teams in the conference, and were outscored by a total of 190 to 143.[27]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 20Colorado College*
W 34–12[28]
September 27Lowry Field*
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 29–08,734[29]
October 4Colorado A&M
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 6–28[30]
October 11Montana
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 7–17[31]
October 18Utahdagger
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 0–356,574[32]
October 25at BYU
L 13–149,431[33]
November 112:30 p.m.at Drake*
W 27–196,000[34][35][36]
November 8New Mexico
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 0–154,000[37]
November 22at Utah State
L 13–29[38]
November 27Wyoming
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 14–21[39]
Close

1953

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1953 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record3–5–2 (1–5–1 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumDU Stadium
Seasons
← 1952
1954 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1953 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Utah $5–0–08–2–0
Utah State5–2–08–3–0
Wyoming4–2–15–4–1
New Mexico3–2–15–3–1
Colorado A&M3–4–04–5–0
Montana2–4–03–5–0
Denver1–5–13–5–2
BYU1–5–12–7–1
  • $ – Conference champion
Close

The 1953 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1953 college football season. In their first season under head coach Bob Blackman, the Pioneers compiled a 3–5–2 record (1–5–1 against conference opponents), tied for last place in the Skyline, and were outscored by a total of 195 to 159.[40]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 18at Colorado College*
W 19–137,052
September 26Drake*
W 33–147,055[41]
October 3at Colorado A&M
L 6–218,500–9,000[42]
October 10Montana
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 13–227,675[43]
October 17at Utah
L 6–409,162[44]
October 23BYU
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 27–195,168[45]
October 31at New Mexico
L 18–2012,500[46]
November 7at Wichita*
T 12–126,775[47]
November 14Utah State
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 12–2112,858[48]
November 26Wyoming
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
T 13–1312,299[49]
  • *Non-conference game
Close

[50]

1954

Quick facts Skyline champion, Conference ...
1954 Denver Pioneers football
Skyline champion
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 18
Record9–1 (6–1 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumHilltop Stadium
Seasons
← 1953
1955 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1954 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Denver $6–1–09–1–0
Wyoming5–1–06–4–0
Utah State4–3–04–6–0
New Mexico3–3–05–5–0
Utah3–3–04–7–0
Colorado A&M3–4–03–7–0
Montana1–5–03–6–0
BYU1–6–01–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Close

The 1954 Denver Pioneers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1954 college football season. In their second and final season under head coach Bob Blackman, the Pioneers compiled a 9–1 record (6–1 against conference opponents), won the Skyline championship, were ranked No. 18 in the final Coaches Poll, and outscored opponents by a total of 298 to 96.[51]

The 1954 team was inducted as a group into the University of Denver Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. At the time, the group was "widely considered the greatest in DU history".[52]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 18at Colorado College*
W 72–019,000–19,008[53][54]
September 248:00 p.m.at Drake*
W 33–133,500[55][56][57]
October 2at Wyoming
L 21–2310,202–10,500[58]
October 8Montana
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 19–1312,426–12,436[59]
October 16at Utah
W 28–2018,137–18,179[60]
October 22Wichita
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 27–1415,076[61]
October 29New Mexico
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 19–610,968[62]
November 6at BYUdagger
W 20–012,903[63]
November 13at Utah State
W 25–73,500[64]
November 25Colorado A&M
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 34–023,902[65]
Close

[66]

1955

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1955 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record8–2 (5–2 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumHilltop Stadium
Seasons
← 1954
1956 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1955 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Colorado A&M $6–1–08–2–0
Utah4–1–06–3–0
Denver5–2–08–2–0
Wyoming5–2–08–3–0
Utah State3–4–04–6–0
Montana2–4–03–7–0
New Mexico1–5–02–8–0
BYU0–7–01–9–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Close

The 1955 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1955 college football season. In their first season under head coach John Roning, the Pioneers compiled an 8–2 record (5–2 against conference opponents), tied for third in the Skyline, and outscored opponents by a total of 310 to 89.[67]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 17at Iowa State*
W 19–712,217–14,000[68]
September 23Drake*
W 33–721,500[69]
October 1at Colorado A&M*
L 19–2010,233[70]
October 8at Montana
W 61–139,000–10,000[71]
October 14Utah
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 7–2722,000[72]
October 21BYU
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 33–08,000[73]
October 29at New Mexico
W 33–610,200[74]
November 5Colorado College*
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 60–0[75]
November 12Utah Statedagger
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 39–69,000–9,020[76]
November 24Wyoming
  • Hilltop Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 6–325,000[77]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

[78]

1956

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1956 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record6–4 (4–3 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumDU Stadium
Seasons
← 1955
1957 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1956 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Wyoming7–0–010–0–0
Utah5–1–05–5–0
Denver4–3–06–4–0
Utah State4–3–06–4–0
Colorado A&M2–4–12–7–1
New Mexico2–4–04–6–0
BYU1–5–12–7–1
Montana1–6–01–9–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Close

The 1956 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1956 college football season. In their second season under head coach John Roning, the Pioneers compiled a 6–4 record (4–3 against conference opponents), tied for third in the Skyline, and outscored opponents by a total of 250 to 206.[79]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 15Iowa State*
L 10–1314,126[80]
September 22at Utah State
L 13–189,000[81]
September 29at Wyoming
L 0–2716,869[82]
October 5Montana
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 22–1311,560–11,561[83]
October 13at Utah
L 13–2717,849[84]
October 19Colorado College*
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 40–213,921[85]
October 26New Mexico
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 20–149,183[86]
November 3at San Jose State*
W 35–2612,000[87]
November 10BYUdagger
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 58–3410,000–10,069[88]
November 22Colorado A&M
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 39–1313,128[89]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

[90]

1957

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1957 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record6–4 (5–2 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumDU Stadium
Seasons
← 1956
1958 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1957 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Utah $5–1–06–4–0
BYU5–1–15–3–2
Denver5–2–06–4–0
Wyoming3–2–24–3–3
New Mexico2–4–04–6–0
Colorado State2–5–03–7–0
Montana2–5–02–7–0
Utah State1–5–12–7–1
  • $ – Conference champion
Close

The 1957 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1957 college football season. In their third season under head coach John Roning, the Pioneers compiled a 6–4 record (5–2 against conference opponents), finished third in the Skyline, and were outscored by a total of 155 to 150.[91]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 21at Iowa State*
L 0–1012,385[92]
September 27San Jose State*
L 20–2713,287[93]
October 5at Colorado State
L 6–276,434[94]
October 121:30 p.m.at Montana
W 26–138,000[95][96]
October 19Utahdagger
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 12–77,000–7,062[97]
October 26at BYU
L 6–2511,017[98]
November 2at New Mexico
W 19–014,000[99]
November 9Air Force*
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 26–1413,560[100]
November 16Utah State
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 21–193,680–4,400[101]
November 28Wyoming
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 14–1316,000–16,084[102]
Close

[103]

1958

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1958 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record2–8 (2–5 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumDU Stadium
Seasons
← 1957
1959 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1958 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Wyoming $6–1–08–3–0
New Mexico5–1–07–3–0
BYU5–2–06–4–0
Colorado State4–3–06–4–0
Utah3–3–04–7–0
Utah State2–5–03–7–0
Denver2–5–02–8–0
Montana0–7–00–10–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Close

The 1958 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1958 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach John Roning, the Pioneers compiled a 2–8 record (2–5 against conference opponents), tied for sixth place in the Skyline, and were outscored by a total of 163 to 135.[104]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 20Oklahoma State*
L 14–3114,007–15,000[105]
September 26at Utah State
W 20–86,209–7,100[106][107]
October 4at Wyoming
L 12–1515,680[108]
October 10Montana
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 29–07,944[109]
October 18at Utah
L 16–20[110]
October 25at San Jose State*
L 7–2713,000[111]
October 31New Mexico
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 15–21[112]
November 8 No. 10 Air Force*
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 7–1018,047[113]
November 15BYU
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 7–228,073[114]
November 27Colorado State
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 8–94,130[115]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Close

[116]

1959

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1959 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record2–8 (2–5 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumDU Stadium
Seasons
← 1958
1960 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1959 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 16 Wyoming $7–0–09–1–0
Colorado State5–2–06–4–0
New Mexico4–2–07–3–0
Utah3–2–05–5–0
Utah State2–5–05–6–0
BYU2–5–03–7–0
Denver2–5–02–8–0
Montana1–5–01–8–0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll
Close

The 1959 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1959 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach John Roning, the Pioneers compiled a 2–8 record (2–5 against conference opponents), tied for fifth place in the Skyline, and were outscored by a total of 230 to 104.[117]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 18San Jose State*
L 13–1415,995–16,000[118]
September 25Iowa State*
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 12–288,903–10,602[119]
October 3at Colorado State
L 0–159,100–9,101[120]
October 10at Montana
W 27–124,916–4,926[121][122]
October 16Utah
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 12–266,184[123]
October 24at BYU
W 14–79,305[124]
October 31at New Mexico
L 0–42[125]
November 7at Oklahoma State*
L 12–2015,000[126]
November 14Utah State
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 14–217,265[127]
November 26Wyoming
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 0–4510,295[128]
  • *Non-conference game
Close

[129]

1960

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1960 Denver Pioneers football
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Record3–7 (1–6 Skyline)
Head coach
Home stadiumDU Stadium
Seasons
← 1959
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1960 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Utah State +6–1–09–2–0
Wyoming +6–1–08–2–0
Utah5–1–07–3–0
New Mexico4–2–05–5–0
Montana2–5–05–5–0
BYU2–5–03–8–0
Denver1–6–03–7–0
Colorado State1–6–02–8–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Close

The 1960 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver in the Skyline Conference during the 1960 college football season. In their sixth season under head coach John Roning, the Pioneers compiled a 3–7 record (1–6 against Skyline opponents), tied for last place in the conference, and were outscored by a total of 300 to 133.[130]

In January 1961, the University of Denver announced the cancellation of its football program. The program was operating at a net loss of $100,000 per year, and home attendance had dropped significantly.[131]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 17at Wichita*
W 28–1911,114[132]
September 23Washington State*
W 28–2619,504[133][134][135]
October 1at Utah State
L 8–318,300–8,663[136]
October 8at Wyoming
L 2–4112,030–12,039[137]
October 15Montana
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 12–267,223[138]
October 22at Utah
L 16–49[139]
October 28New Mexico
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 6–414,237[140]
November 5vs. Air Force*
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 6–3610,094[141][142]
November 12BYU
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
L 6–193,775[143]
November 24Colorado State
  • DU Stadium
  • Denver, CO
W 21–126,729–6,927[144][145]
  • *Non-conference game
Close

[146]

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