1953 Army Cadets football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1953 Army Cadets football 16 14 7–1–1 Independent Earl Blaik 13th T formation LeRoy Lunn Eastern champion The 1953 Army Cadets football team represented the United States Military Academy as an independent during the 1953 college football season. Led by head coach Earl Blaik, the team finished with a record of 7–1–1. The Cadets won the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy, awarded to the top college team in the East. The Cadets had lost six players, including Freddie Myers, to academic ineligibility.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.147, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 The Cadets defeated Furman, 41–0, the team's first shutout since the 1951 scandal. After a loss to Northwestern, the Cadets were undefeated for the rest of the season. In a scoreless tie against Tulane, future Max McGee starred for the Green Wave. In the Army–Navy Game, Army's 20–7 victory over Navy was its first since 1949. The turning point of the season was an October victory over No. 7 Duke. The Blue Devils featured stars such as Red Smith and Worth (A Million) Lutz. Tommy Bell ran up the middle. Quarterback Pete Vann switched the ball to his left hand, and made a southpaw pass. Red Smith was tackled by Bob Mischak in the final minutes of the game. Mischak ran 73 yards to make the tackle catching up eight yards of separation to save a touchdown. Inspired by Mischak, Army held Duke inside the one yard line, took over on downs, and eventually won the game. "When Bob Mischak, who was posthumously enshrined in the Army/West Point Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, made that unlikely play, what Blaik called 'a marvelous display of heart and pursuit', the Army football team regained its soul." Direct quote from MaranessWhen Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.148, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 Schedule 1953 AP Eastern September 26 w Furman Michie Stadium West Point, NY 41–0 8,450 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109504554/army-trounces-furman-410-in-opener-at/ The Baltimore Sun Army trounces Furman, 41–0, in opener at West Point September 27, 1953 September 13, 2022 Newspapers.com October 3 l y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 20–33 32,000 October 10 w Dartmouth Michie Stadium West Point, NY 27–0 17,525 Cadets Turn Back Dartmouth, 27 to 0 William J. Briordy October 11, 1953 S1 The New York Times New York, N.Y. October 17 w y Duke 7 Polo Grounds New York, NY 14–13 21,282–21,284 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ogden-standard-examiner-army-upsets/138032095/ The Ogden Standard-Examiner Army upsets Duke Blue Devils 14–13 October 18, 1953 January 4, 2024 Newspapers.com October 24 w Columbia Michie Stadium West Point, NY 40–7 23,520 Cadets Roll to Easy Victory Behind Vann's Fine Passing Louis Effrat October 25, 1953 S1 The New York Times New York, N.Y. October 31 t y 15 Tulane Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA 0–0 32,500–40,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85622877/tulane-plays-army-to-scoreless-tie/ The Daily Advertiser Tulane plays Army to scoreless tie November 1, 1953 September 19, 2021 Newspapers.com November 7 w NC State Michie Stadium West Point, NY 27–7 9,230–9,400 https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-sun-telegraph-army-crushes-n/138034484/ Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Army crushes N. Carolina St. by 27–7 score November 8, 1953 January 4, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 w y Penn Franklin Field Philadelphia, PA 21–14 47,305 Army Rolls 75 Yds. in 4th Period to Top Penn, 21-14 Herb Good November 15, 1953 S1 The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67732892/1953-penn-army/ November 28 1:15 p.m. w y 18 Navy Philadelphia Municipal Stadium Philadelphia, PA Army–Navy Game NBC 20–7 102,000 Uebel Score 3 TD's As Cadets Too Tough https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80947158/daily-press/ Daily Press Newport News, Virginia Associated Press November 29, 1953 27 July 6, 2021 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1953 Army) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/403154 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics May 13, 2025 Roster 1953 Army Cadets y Jr Tommy Bell HB So Ralph Chesnauskas G So Don Holleder E So Pat Uebel FB Jr Pete Vann QB Sr Leroy Lunn (C) G Earl Blaik New York Giants coaching vacancy Before the end of the 1953 season, the New York Daily News had a headline in their paper that Vince Lombardi was the top candidate to become the Giants new head coach.Giants Among Men, p. 152, Jack Cavanaugh, 2008, Random House, New York, 978-1-4000-6717-6 Although Giants co-owner Wellington Mara was a classmate of Lombardi at Fordham University, the Giants were actually interested in Army head coach, Colonel Red Blaik. Blaik had declined the job, but recommended Lombardi, who was his offensive coordinator at Army.Giants Among Men, p. 153, Jack Cavanaugh, 2008, Random House, New York, 978-1-4000-6717-6 Despite being Red Blaik's top aide, Vince Lombardi was anxious and frustrated. Three other Army assistants, including Murray Warmath were now head coaches.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.146, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 In June, Lombardi had turned forty years old. Lombardi would be hired as the offensive co-ordinator for the 1954 season.Giants Among Men, p. 154, Jack Cavanaugh, 2008, Random House, New York 978-1-4000-6717-6 References Army Category:Army Black Knights football seasons Category:Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy seasons Army Cadets football