Howard Bulldogs football, 1950–1959

American college football seasons From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Howard Bulldogs football program, 1950–1959 represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) during the 1950s in college football. During this time, the Bulldogs were led by five different head coaches and had an overall record for the decade of 30–54–4. From 1950 through 1954, Howard competed as a member of the Dixie Conference and from 1955 onwards they competed as an independent.

From 1950 to 1953, Earl Gartman served as head coach, and led the Bulldogs to an overall record of 10–23–1 during this time. During his tenure Bobby Bowden was his most notable player after he earned "Little All-America" honors as quarterback. William C. White previously served as head coach at Howard in the 1940s, returned to coach the Bulldogs for their 1954 season, and led the team to a 2–7 record. The 1954 season also marked the final one Howard played as a member of the Dixie Conference.

After White resigned as head coach in June 1955, former Howard player Howard Foote was selected as the next head coach of the Bulldogs. Foote led Howard to an overall record of 3–13–2, before he resigned in August 1957. Virgil Ledbetter was next appointed as head coach and let Howard to an overall record of 6–10–1 during his two seasons. In 1959, Bobby Bowden was appointed as head coach and led his alma mater to a 9–1 record, with a victory in the Textile Bowl over Gordon Military College in his first season as a collegiate head coach.

During the 1950s, Howard played their home game as several stadiums. From 1950 to 1956, their primary home field was Barry Field, which was located on their original campus in the East Lake neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama. In 1957, the school relocated from East Lake to a new campus in Homewood, Alabama, and played the entirety of that season at Shades Valley H.S. Stadium prior to the opening of a new on-campus, Howard Stadium for their 1958 season. In the 1950s, Howard also played home games at Legion Field in Birmingham and at Hewitt High School Stadium in Trussville, Alabama.

1950

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1950 Howard Bulldogs football
ConferenceDixie Conference
Record2–8 (0–3 Dixie)
Head coach
Home stadiumBerry Field
Legion Field
Hewitt H.S. Stadium
Seasons
← 1949
1951 →
Close

The 1950 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1950 college football season. Led by second-year head coach Earl Gartman, the team compiled a 2–8 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field and at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Hewitt High School Stadium in Trussville, Alabama.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team included Howard Foote at end, John Wade at tackle, and Bobby Bowden at back. Players selected to the second team included Carol Roberts at end, Charles Maze at guard, and both Tom Cutliff and George Pappas at back.[1]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23at Western Kentucky*Bowling Green, KYL 0–132,500[2]
September 30at Tennessee Tech*
L 6–61[3]
October 7vs. Florence State*
L 0–7[4]
October 14at Florida State
L 6–205,537[5]
October 21Southwestern (TN)*dagger
W 35–62,000[6]
October 27at Union (TN)*
W 28–6[7]
November 4Mississippi College
L 6–71,500[8]
November 11vs. Troy State*
L 6–21[9]
November 18at Millsaps
L 7–183,000[10]
November 22Jacksonville State*
L 7–281,500[11]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

1951

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1951 Howard Bulldogs football
ConferenceDixie Conference
Record2–3–1 (1–1 Dixie)
Head coach
Home stadiumBerry Field
Seasons
← 1950
1952 →
Close

The 1951 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1951 college football season. Led by third-year head coach Earl Gartman, the team compiled a 2–3–1 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team on offense included Phil Powell at end, Jim Hearn at tackle, Ben Thompson at guard, Tom McClendon at halfback, and Bobby Bowden at quarterback. Players selected to the first team on defense included Charlie Maze at guard, Tom Laney at linebacker, and Wade Wallace.[12]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 6vs. Florence State*
L 6–305,300[13][14]
October 13at Mississippi College
W 19–6[15]
October 27Union (TN)*
W 41–0[16]
November 10Millsapsdagger
  • Berry Field
  • Birmingham, AL
L 14–27[17]
November 17at Sewanee*
L 0–41500[18]
November 21at Jacksonville State*
T 19–19[19]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

1952

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1952 Howard Bulldogs football
ConferenceDixie Conference
Record5–4 (0–2 Dixie)
Head coach
Home stadiumBerry Field
Shades Valley H.S. Stadium
Hewitt H.S. Stadium
Seasons
← 1951
1953 →
Close

The 1952 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1952 college football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Earl Gartman, the team compiled a 5–4 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama, at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama, and at Hewitt High School Stadium in Trussville, Alabama.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team included Phil Powell and Johnny Howell at end, Charles Hern and Ben Bancroft at guard, Bent Thompson at center, Bobby Bowden at quarterback.[20]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 27vs. Troy State*
L 16–254,500[21]
October 4Sewanee*
W 13–02,500[22]
October 11Mississippi College
L 0–7[23]
October 18at Bethel (TN)*McKenzie, TNW 53–7[24]
October 24at Union (TN)*
W 23–6800[25]
October 31at Millsaps
L 7–27[26]
November 8at Southwestern (TN)*
W 7–6[27]
November 15Carson–Newman*dagger
  • Berry Field
  • Birmingham, AL
W 13–12[28]
November 22Jacksonville State*
L 0–14[29]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

1953

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1953 Howard Bulldogs football
ConferenceDixie Conference
Record1–8 (0–2 Dixie)
Head coach
Home stadiumBerry Field
Shades Valley H.S. Stadium
Seasons
← 1952
1954 →
Close

The 1953 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1953 college football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Earl Gartman, the team compiled a 1–8 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama. Gartman resigned as head coach in May 1954, but remained on the staff as an assistant coach.[30]

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team included Charles Hill at end, Tom Upshaw at guard, and Billy Joe Lovvorn at Back.[31]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 26at Sewanee*
L 0–41500[32]
October 3at Delta State*
L 0–40[33]
October 10at Mississippi College
L 6–25[34]
October 16Millsaps
L 13–16[35]
October 24at Florence State*
L 7–40[36]
October 31vs. Troy State*
L 7–31[37]
November 7Southwestern (TN)*dagger
W 34–7[38]
November 14at Carson–Newman*
L 14–20[39]
November 21vs. Jacksonville State*
L 13–26[40]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

1954

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1954 Howard Bulldogs football
ConferenceDixie Conference
Record2–7 (0–2 Dixie)
Head coach
CaptainCharles Hill[41]
Home stadiumBerry Field
Shades Valley H.S. Stadium
Seasons
← 1953
1955 →
Close

The 1954 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1954 college football season. Led by third-year head coach William C. White, the team compiled a 2–7 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

White was hired as head coach in May 1954 from Sewanee where he had served as head coach of the Tigers from 1946 to 1953.[42] This marked the return of White to Howard after he previously served as head coach in 1940 and 1941.[42] White resigned as head coach in January 1955 to be the physical director of the Nashville YMCA.[43]

This marked the final season that Howard competed as a member of the Dixie Conference after its formal disbandment in December 1954.[44] The Bulldogs competed as an independent until their 2003 season when they joined the Ohio Valley Conference.

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 25at UNAM*
L 6–1310,000[45]
October 2Sewanee*
W 20–73,000[46]
October 9Mississippi College
L 6–13[47]
October 15at Millsaps
L 12–24[48]
October 22at Memphis Navy*
W 30–20[49]
October 30at Maryville (TN)*
L 12–21[50]
November 6at Southwestern (TN)*
L 7–33[51]
November 13Carson–Newman*dagger
  • Berry Field
  • Birmingham, AL
L 7–271,500[52]
November 20Jacksonville State*
  • Berry Field
  • Birmingham, AL (rivalry)
L 0–32[53]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

1955

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1955 Howard Bulldogs football
ConferenceIndependent
Record1–8
Head coach
  • Howard Foote (1st season)
Captains
  • James Chandler
  • Wayne Walker
Home stadiumBerry Field
Legion Field
Shades Valley H.S. Stadium
Seasons
← 1954
1956 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1955 Southern college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Centre – 8–0–0
Mississippi Southern – 9–1–0
Delaware – 8–1–0
Louisville – 7–2–0
Tampa – 7–2–0
No. 18 Navy – 6–2–1
Arkansas State – 6–3–0
No. 14 Miami (FL) – 6–3–0
Chattanooga – 5–4–1
Florida State – 5–5–0
Memphis State – 2–7–0
Howard (AL) – 1–8–0
Sewanee – 1–8–0
Rankings from AP Poll
Close

The 1955 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1955 college football season. In their first year under head coach Howard Foote, the team compiled a record of 1–8. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field and at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama. Seniors James Chandler and Wayne Walker were the team captains.[54]

Foote was hired as head coach of the Bulldogs in July 1955 to serve as the successor for William C. White.[43] Prior to his appointment at Howard, Foote served as head coach at Tarrant High School.[43]

Schedule

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 24at Memphis Navy
L 7–14[55]
October 1at Sewanee
W 20–141,500[56][57]
October 8at Mississippi College
L 14–19[58]
October 142:00 p.m.Millsaps
L 6–33[59][60]
October 222:00 p.m.UNAMdagger
L 13–415,000[61][62]
October 297:30 p.m.Maryville (TN)
L 12–21[63][64]
November 5Southwestern (TN)
  • Berry Field
  • Birmingham, AL
L 7–25[65]
November 12at Carson–Newman
L 7–47[66]
November 19vs. Jacksonville State
L 24–67[67]
Close

[68]

1956

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1956 Howard Bulldogs football
ConferenceIndependent
Record2–5–2
Head coach
  • Howard Foote (2nd season)
Home stadiumBerry Field
Shades Valley H.S. Stadium
Seasons
← 1955
1957 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1956 Southern non-major college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Tampa – 7–2–0
Mississippi Southern – 7–2–1
Louisville – 6–3–0
Delaware – 5–3–1
Memphis State – 5–4–1
Arkansas State – 5–4–0
Chattanooga – 5–4–0
Howard (AL) – 2–5–2
Sewanee – 1–6–1
Close

The 1956 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1956 college football season. In their second year under head coach Howard Foote, the team compiled a record of 2–5–2. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

Foote resigned as head coach in August 1957 to become an assistant coach at Austin Peay.[69]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 22at Memphis Navy
L 0–7[70]
September 29Sewanee
T 7–71,000[71]
October 6vs. Mississippi College
L 6–123,000[72]
October 14at Millsaps
T 20–20[73]
October 20Carson–Newmandagger
L 6–25[74]
October 27at Maryville (TN)
L 13–20[75]
November 3at Southwestern (TN)
W 20–14[76]
November 10Tennessee Wesleyan
  • Berry Field
  • Birmingham, AL
L 12–19[77]
November 17at Livingston State
W 24–8[78]
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

1957

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1957 Howard Bulldogs football
ConferenceIndependent
Record4–5
Head coach
Home stadiumShades Valley H.S. Stadium
Seasons
← 1956
1958 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1957 Southern non-major college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Louisville – 9–1–0
Mississippi Southern – 8–3–0
Sewanee – 5–2–1
Tampa – 6–3–0
Abilene Christian – 5–3–1
Delaware – 4–3–0
Memphis State – 6–4–0
Chattanooga – 4–5–1
Arkansas State – 4–5–0
Howard (AL) – 4–5–0
Trinity (TX) – 3–5–0
Washington and Lee – 0–8–0
Close

The 1957 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1957 college football season. In their first year under head coach Virgil Ledbetter, the team compiled a record of 4–5. Howard played their home games at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

In August 1957, Ledbetter was promoted to head coach after the departure of Howard Foote to Austin Peay.[79] The 1957 season also was the first for Howard at their new campus in Homewood after previously being based at a campus located in the East Lake neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama.[80]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 20at Memphis Navy
L 6–13[81]
September 28at Sewanee
L 0–25700[82]
October 5at Mississippi College
L 13–19[83]
October 11Millsapsdagger
W 33–202,000[84]
October 19at Carson–Newman*
L 13–72[85]
October 26Maryville (TN)
  • Shades Valley High School Stadium
  • Homewood, AL
W 20–7500[86]
November 2Southwestern (TN)
  • Shades Valley High School Stadium
  • Homewood, AL
W 17–0[87]
November 9at Tennessee WesleyanAthens, TNL 14–31[88]
November 16vs. Livingston State
W 14–6[89]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

1958

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1958 Howard Bulldogs football
ConferenceIndependent
Record1–6–1
Head coach
Home stadiumHoward Stadium
Shades Valley H.S. Stadium
Seasons
← 1957
1959 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1958 Southern non-major college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 1 Mississippi Southern – 9–0–0
Sewanee – 8–0–0
Trinity (TX) – 6–3–0
Tampa – 6–4–0
Abilene Christian – 5–5–0
No. 8 Chattanooga – 5–5–0
Louisville – 4–4–0
Arkansas State – 4–5–0
No. 18 Memphis State – 4–5–0
Howard (AL) – 1–5–1
Washington and Lee – 1–7–0
Rankings from UPI small college poll
Close

The 1958 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1958 college football season. In their second year under head coach Virgil Ledbetter, the team compiled a record of 1–6–1. Howard played their home games on campus at Howard Stadium and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

In April 1959, Ledbetter was removed from his position as head coach.[90]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 20at Memphis Navy
L 2–7[91]
September 26Sewanee
L 0–212,000[92][93]
October 11Mississippi College
W 26–0[94][95]
October 18at Millsaps
L 9–141,500[96]
October 25Tennessee–Martindagger
  • Howard Stadium
  • Homewood, AL
T 14–14[97]
November 1at Southwestern (TN)
L 12–20[98]
November 15vs. Troy State
L 12–332,200[99]
November 22vs. Tennessee Tech B'sAthens, AL (Cheer Bowl)L 18–223,000[100]
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

1959

Quick facts Textile Bowl, W 52–20 vs. Gordon Military College, Conference ...
1959 Howard Bulldogs football
Textile Bowl, W 52–20 vs. Gordon Military College
ConferenceIndependent
Record9–1
Head coach
Home stadiumHoward Stadium
Seasons
← 1958
1960 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1959 Southern non-major college football independents records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Howard (AL) – 9–1–0
Louisville – 6–4–0
Memphis State – 6–4–0
Mississippi Southern – 6–4–0
Arlington State – 4–3–0
Sewanee – 4–3–1
Abilene Christian – 5–5–0
Washington and Lee – 3–4–1
Arkansas State – 3–6–0
Trinity (TX) – 3–6–0
Chattanooga – 3–7–0
Tampa – 3–7–0
Close

The 1959 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1959 college football season. In their first year under head coach Bobby Bowden, the team compiled an 9–1 record and defeated Gordon Military College in the Textile Bowl. Howard played their home games on campus at Howard Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

In May 1959, Bowden was hired as head coach of the Bulldogs.[101]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 19at Maryville (TN)
W 14–02,500[102]
September 26at Sewanee
W 20–0[103]
October 3Tennessee Tech B's
W 34–0[104]
October 10at Mississippi College
L 6–276,200[105]
October 16Millsaps
  • Howard Stadium
  • Homewood, AL
W 26–0[106]
October 24at Tennessee–MartinUnion City, TNW 14–13[107]
October 31Southwestern (TN)dagger
  • Howard Stadium
  • Homewood, AL
W 16–0[108]
November 6Livingston State
  • Howard Stadium
  • Homewood, AL
W 24–0[109]
November 14vs. Troy State
W 20–192,955[110][111]
December 5vs. Gordon Military College
W 52–203,500[112]
  • daggerHomecoming
Close

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI