By Darin The 1955 American football season was a landmark year defined by powerhouse running games, fierce collegiate rivalries, and the steady evolution of the professional game.
In the college ranks, the Oklahoma Sooners, led by legendary coach Bud Wilkinson, dominated the landscape. They captured the national championship while extending their historic, multi-season winning streak. The season culminated in a thrilling 1956 Orange Bowl victory over Maryland. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s Howard “Hopalong” Cassady claimed the Heisman Trophy, cementing his status as one of the era’s greatest backs.
In the professional realm, the Cleveland Browns captured the NFL Championship by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 38-14. This game marked the final career appearance of Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham, who went out at the absolute peak of his game.
A Deep Dive into 1955 Football History and Highlights
- January 1, 1955 – The 41st edition of the Rose Bowl Game was played, and the Ohio State Buckeyes won a lopsided affair against the USC Trojans, 20-7. Ohio State QB Dave Leggett was the game’s MVP.
- January 16, 1955 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – At the 5th annual NFL Pro Bowl, the Western Conference team defeated the Eastern Conference, 26-19.
- January 27, 1955 – The top pick in the 1955 NFL Draft was George Shaw from the University of Oregon, who was the first pick by the Baltimore Colts.
- October 1, 1955 – Baltimore Colts Rookie fullback Alan Ameche becomes the very first rookie player to rush for 150 yards or more in his first two NFL regular-season games. The legendary back put up 194 hard-fought yards against the Bears in week one and then followed that up with 153 yards on the ground versus the Lions.
- October 7, 1955 – #5 Notre Dame and the #15 Miami Hurricanes battle for the first time on the gridiron. The Irish won 14-0.
- November 19, 1955 – South Bend, Indiana – The Iowa Hawkeyes gave Notre Dame fits all day, but with 2:15 left to play, Paul Hornig booted a 28-yard field goal for the Irish that broke the tie and provided the lead that the Golden Domers would hang onto in the 17-14 Fighting Irish Win.
- November 26, 1955 – Empire Stadium, Vancouver – In the 43rd Grey Cup, the Edmonton Eskimos retained their Championship for another year with a 34-19 victory over the Montreal Alouettes, per the Grey Cup’s Website.
- November 26, 1955 – Birmingham, Alabama – At the 20th Iron Bowl, the fans in attendance saw the Auburn Tigers blank the Crimson Tide of Alabama 26-0.
- December 8, 1955 – The 21st Heisman Trophy Award was handed to Howard “Hopalong” Cassady, the halfback from Ohio State University.
- December 26, 1955 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – The Browns appeared to enjoy playing the NFL Championship game the day after Christmas. They defended their title by traveling to face the LA Rams. Cleveland jumped ahead with a first-half field goal and a pick-six and never looked back. Otto Graham threw two TD passes and ran for two more, leading the Browns to a 38-14 win over the Los Angeles Rams, per Pro-Football-Reference. The Browns claimed their third NFL Championship of the 1950s