1944 College Football
"1944 College Football Season"
The 1944 college football season was again significantly shaped by World War II, leading to continued disruptions in team rosters as many college athletes were serving in the military. Despite these challenges, several teams achieved remarkable success.
✦ 1944 Top College Teams
Several teams stood out during the 1944 season:
✦ Army: The Army Cadets, led by legendary coach Earl "Red" Blaik and star players Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard, had an undefeated season (9-0). They were a dominant force, outscoring their opponents by a significant margin.
✦ Ohio State: Coached by Carroll Widdoes, the Ohio State Buckeyes also finished with a perfect 9-0 record. They won the Big Ten Conference title, and Les Horvath won the Heisman Trophy.
✦ Randolph Field: This Texas-based military team was composed of talented players, including Glenn Dobbs, Bill Dudley, and Pete Layden. They also had an undefeated season.
✦ Navy: The Navy Midshipmen, despite some losses, were still a strong contender with a final record of 6-3.
✦ Bainbridge NTS: Another military team, the Bainbridge Naval Training Station in Maryland, finished with a 10-0 record and was recognized for its strong performance.
✦ 1944 National Champion
The 1944 college football season's national championship is somewhat complex. The Army Cadets were named the national champion by the Associated Press (AP) and other selectors. However, the National Championship Foundation retroactively awarded a share of the title to Ohio State.
Army's dominant performance throughout the season, with its powerful offense and defense, solidified its claim to the national championship. Their 9-0 record, combined with key victories, made them the top-ranked team in the AP poll. Ohio State also had a strong case, finishing with an undefeated record and winning a major conference.
- COLLEGEFOOTBALL: 1944
- FOOTBALL TEAM: Army Black Knights
- CATEGORY: Football History
- HASHTAGS: #ArmyBlackKnights
"The 29th through 36th Rose Bowl Games history"
"1945 Rose Bowl Game"
The 1945 Rose Bowl took place on January 1, 1945, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The game featured the USC Trojans and the Tennessee Volunteers.
- COLLEGEFOOTBALL: 1944
- FOOTBALL STADIUM: Rose Bowl
- FOOTBALL TEAM: USC Trojans
- CATEGORY: Rose Bowl History
- HASHTAGS: #RoseBowl #USCTrojans
USC entered the game with a record of 7-0-2, while Tennessee's record was 7-0-1. USC was favored to win the game by a significant margin.
The game was highlighted by a blocked punt by John Ferraro that led to a touchdown run by Jim Callanan in the early stages. USC dominated the game, ultimately defeating Tennessee 25-0. This Rose Bowl victory was a significant win for USC, showcasing their strong performance.
Southern Cal made a return trip across town for the 31st rendition of the Tournament of Roses
New Year’s Day game to face the Tennessee Volunteers. The game was scheduled for Monday,
January 1, 1945, and after the opening whistle, Coach Jeff Barnhill and Vols barely knew what hit
them. The momentum was all Southern Cal as, during the opening minutes, Trojan John Ferraro
blocked a punt, and teammate Jim Callanan scooped it up and delivered it to the endzone for a
touchdown. It set the tone, and the Trojans rolled 25-0. USC Coach Jeff Cravath led his team to a
second straight Rose Bowl win. It is unclear who was decided as the MVP, but from the stat lines,
Jeff Hardy had to be in the running with two TD throws and another rushing.
