1953 Stanford Indians football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1953 Stanford Indians football Pacific Coast Conference PCC 17 19 6–3–1 5–1–1 Chuck Taylor 3rd Stanford Stadium The 1953 Stanford Indians football team represented Stanford University in the 1953 college football season. The team was led by Chuck Taylor in his third year, and by quarterback Bobby Garrett, who would win the season's W. J. Voit Memorial Trophy as most outstanding player on the Pacific Coast, and was selected by the Cleveland Browns as the first pick of the NFL draft at the end of the season. The team played their home games at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California. Schedule 1953 AP September 19 l y Pacific (CA) Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 20–25 10,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle-tiger-power-stal/189190755/ San Francisco Chronicle Tiger power stalls Big Red Machine September 20, 1953 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com September 26 w Oregon Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 7–0 14,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-indians-drive/189190934/ The San Francisco Examiner Indians drive once, edge Ducks, 7–0 September 27, 1953 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com October 3 l y Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 21–33 32,737 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-cards-bow-to-illini-33/189191096/ Oakland Tribune Cards bow to Illini, 33–21 October 4, 1953 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com October 10 w y Oregon State Multnomah Stadium Portland, OR 21–0 8,005 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-register-stanford-scores-second-conf/189191281/ The Register Stanford scores second conference win, 21–0 October 11, 1953 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com October 17 w UCLA 4 Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 21–20 45,000 Hyland D. Inspired Indians stun Bruins, 21–20 https://www.proquest.com/docview/166523019 The Los Angeles Times October 18, 1953 166523019 October 24 w y 20 Washington Husky Stadium Seattle, WA 13–7 39,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-garrett-comes-throug/189191580/ Santa Cruz Sentinel-News Garrett comes through for Stanford 13–7 October 25, 1953 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com October 31 w 17 Washington State Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 48–19 18,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-union-indians-step-nearer/189191713/ The Sacramento Union Indians step nearer Rose Bowl; Cal bows November 1, 1953 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com November 7 l y 11 USC 17 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA rivalry 20–23 79,015 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-field-goal-beats-stanford/189191842/ The Fresno Bee Field goal beats Stanford November 8, 1953 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com November 14 w y 16 San Jose State Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA rivalry 54–0 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-barbara-news-press-stanford-routs/189191958/ Santa Barbara News-Press Stanford routs San Jose State in 54–0 farce November 15, 1953 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com November 21 t 16 California Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA Big Game 21–21 92,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-cal-and-stanf/189192173/ The San Francisco Examiner Cal and Stanford tie in memorable Big Game, 21–21 November 22, 1953 January 17, 2026 Newspapers.com 1953 Stanford Cardinal Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/stanford/1953-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference January 17, 2026 Schedule/Results (1953 Stanford) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/403123 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics May 24, 2025 Game summaries California Bears 0 7 7 7 Indians 0 7 14 0 November 21 Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California PST 92,500 yes 2 STAN Sam Morley 5 yard-pass from Bobby Garrett (Garrett kick) STAN 7–0 2 CAL Don Whyte 8-yard run (Paul Larson kick) Tied 7–7 3 STAN Barry Smith recovered fumble in end zone (Garrett kick) STAN 14–7 3 STAN Garrett 54-yard interception return (Garrett kick) STAN 21–7 3 CAL Larson 19-yard run (Larson kick) STAN 21–14 yes 4 CAL Al Talley 3-yard run (Larson kick) Tied 21–21 With a win in the Big Game, Stanford would earn a berth in the 1954 Rose Bowl. California had not lost a Big Game since 1946, and this game was no exception: California intercepted quarterback Garrett five times and scored twice late to force a 21–21 tie. The tie, coupled with UCLA's victory over rival USC, denied the Indians a second Rose Bowl appearance in three years.https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1907&dat=19531122&id=tWsrAAAAIBAJ&pg=2140,4242906 Stanford out of bowl with 21 to 21 tie The Daily Reporter November 20, 1953 August 4, 2014https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UhpWAAAAIBAJ&pg=5496%2C1043741 Cal holds Stanford to 21–21 deadlock The Eugene Register-Guard November 20, 1953 August 4, 2014 Players drafted by the NFL Player Position Round Pick NFL club Bobby Garrett Quarterback 1 1 Cleveland Browns John Steinberg End 10 113 New York Giants Sam Morley End 20 236 Washington Redskins Marv Tennefoss End 24 279 Green Bay Packers https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1954.htm 1954 NFL Draft August 4, 2014 November 23, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101123080221/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1954.htm dead References Stanford Category:Stanford Cardinal football seasons Stanford Indians football