1955 Drexel Dragons football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1955 Drexel Dragons football 1955 Drexel Dragons football team.png 285 Independent 8–0 Eddie Allen 6th Ev Gest Art Del Campo Drexel Field The 1955 Drexel Dragons football team was an American football team that represented the Drexel Institute of Technology (renamed Drexel University in 1970) as an independent during the 1955 college football season. In their sixth year under head coach Eddie Allen, the Dragons compiled an 8–0 record and outscored opponents by a total of 198 to 72. They were the first Drexel football team to compile a perfect season since the 1898 team compiled a 7–0 record. With four victories at the end of the 1954 season, the Dragons extended their winning streak to 12 games.Victory Celebration Blasts Roof Off In Climax of Perfect Grid Season https://services.library.drexel.edu/static_files/triangle/Drexel-Triangle_1955-12-02.pdf The Triangle 21 February 2018 1 English 2 December 1955VICTORY IS OUR CRY! https://services.library.drexel.edu/static_files/triangle/Drexel-Triangle_1955-12-02a.pdf The Triangle 21 February 2018 English 2 December 1955 The team played its four home games at Drexel Field in Philadelphia. Key players included a pair of two-way players: quarterback Bill Zador and left guard Vince Vidas. Zador set a new Drexel record with nine touchdown passes, was an excellent defensive back, and also handled punt returns, kickoffs, and field goals for Drexel.Drexel Dinner Marks 'Finest Sports Hour' The Philadelphia Inquirer Mayer Brandschain December 6, 1955 35 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-drexel-dinner/200253030/ Newspapers.com Against 1955 Coast Guard Bears Coast Guard, Zador ran for a touchdown (set up by his own 39-yard interception return), passed for two, and set up a fourth with a 41-yard punt return. Vidas received first-team honors from the Associated Press on its 1955 Little All-America college football team.Nation's Leading Scorer Makes Little All-America Bergen Evening Record December 1, 1955 43 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88736626/nations-leading-scorer-makes-little/ Newspapers.com At the end of the 1955 season, coach Allen said of Vidas: "Vidas is the most amazing football player I have ever seen. There hasn't been a flaw in his work on both offense and defense. He could play any position if necessary."U of S Guard Ray Oncay on First All-State Team of AP The Scranton Times December 8, 1955 42 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-tribune-vidas/200273359/ Newspapers.com On November 20, a group of 100 Drexel students walked to the University of Pennsylvania campus to challenge the Penn team to a football game. The two schools had met only once, in 1924, resulting in a 52–0 victory for Penn. As the Drexel and Penn students skirmished, Philadelphia police responded and ordered the crowd to disburse. Zador led the team in passing. He completed 43 of 96 passing attempts for 687 yards withs 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Halfback Frank Russo was Drexel's leading rushing with 430 yards on 82 carries, followed by fullback George Piper with 376 yards on 72 attempts. The team's leading receivers were left end Ron Kleppinger with 18 receptions for 360 yards and right end Iles Wauhop with 8 catches for 129 yards. Russo also led the team in scoring with 43 points from seven touchdowns and one point after touchdown (PAT). Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1955 Drexel) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/191/stats/13492 National Collegiate Athletic Association March 14, 2024 The 1955 Drexel team was inducted as a group in 1980 into Drexel's athletic hall of fame. It was the first and only Drexel football team to receive the honor.1955 Football Team (Undefeated) Drexel Dragons June 24, 2026 https://drexeldragons.com/honors/janet-e-and-barry-c-burkholder-athletics-hall-of-fame/-football-team-undefeated/610 Vince Vidas was also inducted as an individual in 1973.Vincent Vidas Drexal Dragons June 23, 2026 https://drexeldragons.com/honors/janet-e-and-barry-c-burkholder-athletics-hall-of-fame/vincent-vidas/584 Schedule Eastern September 30 8:00 p.m. w y 1955 West Chester Golden Rams West Chester Wayne Field West Chester, PA 7–0 West Chester Plays Drexel Tonight https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/200330310/ The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware September 30, 1955 25 June 25, 2026 Newspapers.com Drexel Upsets W. Chester, 7-0 The Philadelphia Inquirer October 1, 1955 17, 18 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-drexel-upsets/200272248/ Newspapers.com October 8 w 1955 Ursinus Bears Ursinus Drexel Field Philadelphia, PA 20–13 Zador Passes Drexel To 20-13 Victory The Philadelphia Inquirer October 9, 1955 2S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-zador-passes-d/200272559/ Newspapers.com October 15 w 1955 Franklin & Marshall Diplomats Franklin & Marshall Drexel Field Philadelphia, PA 23–6 Unbeaten Drexel Trounces F.&M. In Mud, 23-6, as Vince Vidas Stars The Philadelphia Inquirer October 16, 1955 2S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-unbeaten-drexe/200271964/ Newspapers.com October 22 w y 1955 Lycoming Warriors Lycoming Williamsport, PA 33–14 Drexel Jars Lycoming For 8th in Succession The Philadelphia Inquirer October 23, 1955 2S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-drexel-jars-ly/200272707/ Newspapers.com October 29 2:00 p.m. w y 1955 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays Johns Hopkins Drexel Field Philadelphia, PA 34–13 6,500 Drexel Defeats Hopkins For Fifth Straight Triumph, 34-13 The Philadelphia Inquirer October 30, 1955 2S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-drexel-defeats/200271770/ Newspapers.com November 5 w y 1955 Western Maryland Green Terror Western Maryland Hoffa Field Westminster, MD 34–13 Drexel Jars W. Md. For 10th in Row, 34-13 The Philadelphia Inquirer Associated Press November 6, 1955 3S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-drexel-jars-w/200271424/ Newspapers.comDrexel Ruins Western Maryland Home-Coming With 34-13 Triumph: Losers Score in 4th Period The Baltimore Sun November 6, 1955 3D https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-drexel-ruins-western-m/200271585/ Newspapers.com November 12 w 1955 Coast Guard Bears Coast Guard Drexel Field Philadelphia, PA 27–7 Drexel Wins 11th Straight, 27-7; Whips Coast Guard, Zador Stars The Philadelphia Inquirer November 13, 1955 3S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-drexel-wins-11/200270999/ Newspapers.com November 19 w y 1955 Pennsylvania Military Cadets Pennsylvania Military PMC Stadium Chester, PA 20–6 2,500 Drexel Ground Attack Throttles PMC, 20-6; Gains 1st Unbeaten Season in 36-Yr. History The Philadelphia Inquirer Mayer Brandschain November 20, 1955 2S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-drexel-ground/200256096/ Newspapers.comFirst Perfect Season in History: Snowswept PMC Stadium Scene Of Drexel's Greatest Victory Chester Times Charles Beck November 21, 1955 22 https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-county-daily-times-first-perfec/200255804/ Newspapers.com Dragons Set for Good Year; Meet W. Chester in Opener https://services.library.drexel.edu/static_files/triangle/Drexel-Triangle_1955-09-19.pdf The Triangle September 29, 1955 4 February 21, 2018 Roster 1955 Drexel Dragons y 24 Jr Ron Kleppinger TE K Jr Vince Vidas OT Sr Bob Miller OG 22 Sr Ev Gest C LB C 33 Jack Eidenberg OG Sr Ed Pietrzak OT 28 Sr Will Malone TE 11 Sr Art Del Campo HB C Frank Russo HB P 36 Sr George Piper FB 19 Jr Bill Zador QB K 14 Jr Tony Spadaccini RB Lou Cobano TE 21 Jr Iles Wauhop TE So Dave Smith TE Sr Gordon MacShane OG 18 Sr Kenny Pastor FB So John Maloney HB Art Barnes Ed Kolongowski QB Sr Herman Ringler HB/FB Sr Frank Rapprich D. Hughes K. Lysle S. Goldberg H. Tempest R. Paranich W. Winterbottom F. Costantini D. Medoff H. Schmidt R. Carson D. Wagoner February 21, 2018 Eddie Allen Jack Hinkle Bob Glazier June 2026 References Drexel Category:Drexel Dragons football seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Drexel Dragons football