1941 Millikin Big Blue football team

American college football season March 2026 January 2025 1941 Millikin Big Blue football 1941 Millikin players including Virgil Wagner and Roger Merker.jpg 250px 1941 Millikin players including Virgil Wagner (left), Jean Mason, Bill Murray, and Roger Merker (right) Illinois College Conference ICC 8–0 6–0 Marshall Wells 2nd Roger Merker J.M.U. Field ICC champion The 1941 Millikin Big Blue football team was an American football team that represented James Millikin University as a member of the Illinois College Conference (ICC) during the 1941 college football season. In their second year under head coach Marshall Wells, the Big Blue compiled a perfect 8–0 record (6–0 in conference games), won the ICC championship, shut out six of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 257 to 9. Illinois College Conference. [Final Standings.] https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42186393/chicago_tribune/ Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois November 24, 1941 26 January 12, 2020 Newspapers.com They out-gained opponents by 2,400 yards to 140 yards.Swedberg Named on All-Illinois College Team The Rock Island Argus November 20, 1941 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-swedberg-named-on/167667623/ Newspapers.com The 1941 campaign was one of only five undefeated seasons in Millikin football history, the others being 1919, 1920, 1942, and 1961.Millikin Announces 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Millikin University September 19, 2023 https://athletics.millikin.edu/news/2023/9/19/football-millikin-announces-2023-athletic-hall-of-fame-inductees.aspx Junior left halfback Virgil Wagner gained 1,081 yards on 170 carries (6.5 yards per carry), scored 12 touchdowns, and completed 27 of 54 passes. A triple-threat man, Wagner also handled punting duties, averaging 40.5 yards per punt. He also returned 23 punts for 292 yards (12.7-yard average) and averaged 28.3 yards on kickoff returns.Wagner Elected J.M.U. Captain: Blue Gridders Pick Belleville Junior Decatur Herald November 27, 1941 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-wagner-elected-jmu/167668388/ Newspapers.com Wagner received second-team honors on the Associated Press 1941 Little All-America college football team.Little All-America Teams Fort Worth Star-Telegram December 15, 1951 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88694392/1941-little-all-america/ Newspapers.com Wagner later played for the Montreal Alouettes from 1946 to 1954 and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1980.Virgil Wagner made Canadian Hall of Fame Herald and Review October 3, 1982 E6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-virgil-wagner-made-can/167706465/ Newspapers.com Roger Merker, a native of Belleville, Illinois, who played at end, served as team captain.Wagner Elected J.M.U. Captain Decatur Herald November 27, 1941 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-wagner-eleted-jmu-c/167642350/ Newspapers.com Six Millikin players received spots on the United Press all-conference team: Merker at end; Buse and Murray at tackle; Wilson at guard; Wagner at quarterback; and Zachry at halfback.Millikin Places Six Players On UP's All Ivy League Eleven The Pantagraph November 19, 1941 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-millikin-places-six-playe/167667252/ Newspapers.com The team played its five home games at James Millikin University Field (J.M.U. Field) in Decatur, Illinois. Schedule y y September 27 at 1941 Cornell Rams Cornell (IA)<ncg> Mount Vernon, IA W 21-0 Millikin Routs Cornell, 21-0, In Opener; Wagner Scores Twice; Blue Shows Power; Aachry Adds Points Decatur Sunday Herald and Review September 28, 1941 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-review-millikin-routs/167665669/ Newspapers.com October 4 1941 Monmouth Fighting Scots Monmouth (IL) J.M.U. Field Decatur, IL W 13-0 Millikin Routs Monmouth In Home Opener, 13 to 0: Hurd and Wagner Score Touchdowns Decatur Sunday Herald and Review George Kreker October 5, 1941 12, 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-review-millikin-routs/167640783/ Newspapers.com October 11 1941 Illinois College Blueboys Illinois College J.M.U. Field Decatur, IL W 33-0 Unbeaten Millikin Routs Knox, 45-7; Long Runs Feature Game; J.M.U. Holds First In I. C. Conference Decatur Sunday Herald and Review Forrest R. Kyle October 19, 1941 12 October 18 1941 Knox Old Siwash Knox (IL) J.M.U. Field Decatur, IL W 45-6 Unbeaten Millikin Routs Knox, 45-7; Long Runs Feature Game; J.M.U. Holds First In I.C. Conference Decatur Sunday Herald and Review October 19, 1941 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-review-unbeaten-millik/167641949/ Newspapers.com October 25 1941 Illinois Wesleyan Titans Illinois Wesleyan<hc> J.M.U. Field Decatur, IL W 27-0 Millikin Trounces Wesleyan, 27-0; Blocking Brings Victory Decatur Sunday Herald and Review George Kreker October 26, 1941 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-review-millikin-trounc/167640399/ Newspapers.com November 1 at 1941 Eastern Illinois Panthers Eastern Illinois<ncg> Charleston, IL W 61-0 Blue Routs Charleston, 61-0, for 6th Win in Row Decatur Sunday Herald and Review November 2, 1941 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-review-blue-routs-char/167639878/ Newspapers.com November 8 at 1941 North Central Cardinals North Central (IL) Naperville, IL W 6-0 Blue Scores in 4th Period To Trip North Central, 6-0 Decatur Sunday Herald and Review November 9, 1941 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-review-blue-scores-in/167641763/ Newspapers.com November 16 1941 Lake Forest Foresters Lake Forest J.M.U. Field Decatur, IL W 51-3 3,000 Millikin Ends Perfect Season With 51-3 Victory: 3,000 Cheer As Lake Forest Is Defeated Decatur Sunday Herald and Review George Kreker November 16, 1951 1, 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-millikin-ends-perfect/167641446/ Newspapers.comMillikin Beats Lake Forest to Gain Title, 51-3 Chicago Tribune November 16, 1941 5 (part 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-millikin-beats-lake-fore/167641547/ Newspapers.com References Millikin Category:Millikin Big Blue football seasons Category:Illinois College Conference football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Millikin Big Blue football