1945 College Football Season Summary

The 1945 college football season was significantly shaped by the lingering effects of World War II, even though the war had ended in August of that year. Many college players were still serving in the military, which impacted team rosters and the overall landscape of the sport. Despite these challenges, the season produced several dominant teams, memorable games, and standout individual performances.

✦ Top Contenders and National Champions

The 1945 season is unique in that there are differing views on who the national champion was.

✦ Army Black Knights: Army was the dominant team of the 1945 season. Coached by Earl Blaik, they finished with a perfect 9-0 record and were the unanimous No. 1 choice in the final Associated Press (AP) poll. Army was rated as the national champion by all nine contemporary title selectors. Their powerful offense, featuring Heisman Trophy winner Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis, overwhelmed opponents.

✦ Oklahoma A&M Aggies (Oklahoma State): Oklahoma A&M, now known as Oklahoma State, also had an undefeated season, going 9-0 under coach Jim Lookabaugh. They won the Missouri Valley Conference title and capped their season with a 33-13 victory over St. Mary's in the Sugar Bowl. In 2016, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) retroactively awarded Oklahoma A&M the 1945 national championship.

✦ Other Top Teams: Several other teams had strong seasons in 1945:

✦ Alabama: The Crimson Tide finished with a 10-0 record and were ranked No. 2 in the final AP poll.

✦ Navy: Navy had a 7-1-1 record and was ranked No. 3. Their tie came against Notre Dame.

✦ Indiana: The Hoosiers went 9-0-1 and were ranked No. 4.

✦ Key Games and Moments

Several key games defined the 1945 season:

✦ Army vs. Navy: Army defeated Navy 32-13 in their annual rivalry game. This victory capped Army's perfect season and solidified their claim to the national championship, at least according to the AP poll and most contemporary selectors.

✦ Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma A&M defeated St. Mary's 33-13 in the Sugar Bowl, finishing their undefeated season. This victory was a key factor in the AFCA's decision to award them a share of the national championship.

✦ Army's Dominance: Army's season was marked by several dominant performances, including a 48-0 victory over Notre Dame and a 61-0 win against Penn.

✦ National Statistical Leaders

The 1945 season saw several players excel statistically:

✦ Total Offense: Bob Fenimore of Oklahoma A&M led the nation in total offense with 1,641 yards.

✦ Rushing: Bob Fenimore of Oklahoma A&M also led the nation in rushing with 1,048 yards.

✦ Passing: Al Dekdebrun of Cornell led the nation in passing yards with 1,227.

✦ Receiving: Reid Moseley of Georgia led the nation in receiving yards with 662.

✦ Scoring: Doc Blanchard of Army was a key player in the 1945 season. He won the Heisman Trophy and led the nation in scoring.

✦ Impact of World War II

The 1945 season was unique because it followed the end of World War II. The war had a profound impact on college football, with many players serving in the military. This resulted in:

✦ Roster Turnover: College teams experienced significant roster turnover as players left for military service and then returned at different times.

✦ Uneven Competition: The absence of key players affected the quality of play and made it difficult to compare teams from this era to those from other years.

✦ Veteran Presence: Teams like Oklahoma A&M had a number of veterans on their rosters, which brought a unique dynamic to the season.

✦ Conclusion

The 1945 college football season was a season of contrasts. While the nation celebrated the end of World War II, the impact of the war was still felt on the gridiron. Army's dominance and Oklahoma A&M's undefeated season highlighted the season, though the lingering effects of the war make it a unique and complex season in college football history.