1956 Tennessee A&I Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1956 Tennessee A&I Tigers football Midwest Athletic Association MWAA 10–0 4–0 Howard C. Gentry 2nd Hale Stadium Black college national championMWAA champion Orange Blossom Classic W 41–39 vs. Florida A&M The 1956 Tennessee A&I Tigers football team represented Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State College as a member of the Midwest Athletic Association (MWAA) during the 1956 college football season. In their second season under head coach Howard C. Gentry, the Tigers compiled a perfect 10–0 record, won the MWAA championship, shut out five of ten opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 394 to 64. The team was also recognized as black college national champion. The team was led by halfbacks Jesse Wilburn and Ray Mitchell, quarterback Robert Crawford, ends Don Taylor and Leon Jamison, and tackle Charles Gavin. Allowing only 25 points in nine regular season games, the team had the best scoring defense in the country.Nation's Best Defense, Offense Clash At Miami The Nashville Banner November 29, 1956 47 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39533913/nations_best_defense_offense_clash_at/ Newspapers.com Schedule y y September 29 Langston<ncg> Hale Stadium Nashville, TN W 46-7 October 6 Grambling Hale Stadium Nashville, TN W 33-0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123272541/tenn-state-dumps-grambling-33-to-0/ Alabama Tribune Tenn. State dumps Grambling 33-to-0 October 12, 1956 April 21, 2023 Newspapers.com October 15 vs. Prairie View A&M<ncg> Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX W 45-0 5,000 A&I Rolls Up 45-0 Victory At Dallas The Nashville Banner October 16, 1956 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39533795/ai_rolls_up_450_victory_at_dallas/ Newspapers.com October 20 at 1956 Central State Marauders Central State (OH) Wilberforce, OH W 32-6 October 27 vs 1956 Maryland State Hawks Maryland State<ncg> Washington, DC W 6-0 12,000 A&I Tigers Plod to 6-0 Win The Nashville Tennessean October 28, 1956 5C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39533668/ai_tigers_plod_to_60_win/ Newspapers.com November 3 Southern<ncg> Hale Stadium Nashville, TN W 52-6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-tennessee-state-mauls-sou/132280041/ The Nashville Tennessean Tennessee State mauls Southern November 4, 1956 September 23, 2023 Newspapers.com November 10 vs 1956 Alcorn A&M Braves Alcorn A&M<ncg> Memphis, TN W 52-6 A&I Tigers Romp, 52 to 6, Over Alcorn The Nashville Tennessean November 11, 1956 2C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39533719/ai_tigers_romp_52_to_6_over_alcorn/ Newspapers.com November 17 at 1956 Kentucky State Thorobreds Kentucky State Frankfort, KY W 40-0 November 22 1956 Lincoln Lions Lincoln (MO) Hale Stadium Nashville, TN W 47-0 December 1 vs Florida A&M<ncg> Orange Bowl Miami, FL (Orange Blossom Classic) W 41-39 41,808 Fumbling A&M Bows, 41-39 In Orange Blossom Classic Tallahassee Democrat December 2, 1956 34 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39526379/fumbling_am_bows_4139_in_orange/ Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics https://stats.ncaa.org/team/691/stats/12710 National Collegiate Athletic Association December 11, 2022 Tennessee State Media Guide 2019 https://tsutigers.com/documents/2020/10/7/2019FootballMediaGuide.pdf Tennessee State University Athletics 116 May 7, 2026 References Tennessee AandI Category:Tennessee State Tigers football seasons Category:Black college football national champions Category:Midwest Athletic Association football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Tennessee AandI Football