1951 Bradley Braves football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1951 Bradley Braves football Missouri Valley Conference MVC 4–5 0–3 Bus Mertes 1st Peoria Stadium The 1951 Bradley Braves football team was an American football team that represented Bradley University as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) during the 1951 college football season. Led by first-year head coach Bus Mertes, the Braves compiled an overall record of 4–5 with a mark of 0–3 in conference play, placing last out of seven teams in the MVC. Following the season, Bradley withdrew from Missouri Valley Conference in solidarity with Drake University, who left the conference in protest over the Johnny Bright incident, in which Johnny Bright, star halfback for the Drake Bulldogs, was assaulted by an Oklahoma A&M player during a game in October of that year. Bradley officials explained that the school's difficulty in scheduling games with conference members and the MVC's voiding of Bradley's championships in basketball and baseball following a point-fixing scandal also contributed to the decision to withdraw. Bradley Follows Drake In Withdrawing From MVC https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91698911/the-daily-times/ The Daily Times New Philadelphia, Ohio International News Service November 29, 1951 10 January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com Schedule September 22 w y Tampa Peoria Stadium Peoria, IL 32–6 8,000 Seibel Max Bradley Scores 32-6 Win Over Spartans https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91695763/the-tampa-tribune/ The Tampa Tribune Tampa, Florida September 23, 1951 1B January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com Seibel Max Bradley Scores 32-6 Win Over Spartans (continued) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91696092/the-tampa-tribune/ The Tampa Tribune Tampa, Florida September 23, 1951 3B January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com September 29 l Drake Peoria Stadium Peoria, IL 14–20 Bryson Bill Bill Bryson Sr. Bulldogs Johnny Gains 242 Yards, Sets Mark https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91696429/the-des-moines-register/ The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa September 30, 1951 1S January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com Bryson Bill Bill Bryson Sr. Bradley Holds Bright to 50 Via Air (continued) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91696661/the-des-moines-register/ The Des Moines Register Des Moines, Iowa September 30, 1951 4S January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com October 6 l y Wichita Veterans Field Wichita, KS 6–15 9,300 Lightner Pete Shockers Shackle Bradley 15-6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91697038/the-wichita-eagle/ The Wichita Eagle Wichita, Kansas October 7, 1951 30 January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com October 13 w y y Wayne University of Detroit Stadium Detroit, MI 34–27 3,021 Bradley Scores in Last 70 Seconds to Top Wayne, 34 to 27 Detroit Free Press George Puscas October 14, 1951 C5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55486158/bradley-scores-in-last-70-seconds-to/ Newspapers.com October 20 w y y New Mexico A&M Peoria Stadium Peoria, IL 34–6 4,500 Bradley Romps Over N. Mexico Aggs, 34-6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91697463/herald-and-review/ Decatur Sunday Herald and Review Decatur, Illinois Associated Press October 21, 1951 19 January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com October 27 w y y 1951 Brandeis Judges Brandeis Waltham, MA 47–0 Bradley Romps Over Brandies Squad, 47-0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91697693/the-pantagraph/ The Pantagraph Bloomington, Illinois Associated Press October 28, 1951 14 January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com November 3 l Detroit Peoria Stadium Peoria, IL 6–7 1,500 Titans Rally, Then Hold On for 7-6 Triumph over Bradley Detroit Free Press November 4, 1951 C6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15953266/titans_rally_then_hold_on_for_76/ Newspapers.com November 10 l y y Toledo Glass Bowl Toledo, OH 13–38 4,800 Toledo Grabs Glass Bowl From Bradley https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91698051/quad-city-times/ Quad-City Times Davenport, Iowa Associated Press November 11, 1951 46 January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com November 17 l y Bowling Green Peoria Stadium Peoria, IL 6–20 Fred Durig Tops BG In 20-6 Win https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91698296/news-journal/ Mansfield News-Journal Mansfield, Ohio Associated Press November 18, 1951 22 January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com References Bradley Category:Bradley Braves football seasons Bradley Bravess football