1949 Army Cadets football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1949 Army Cadets football 4 9–0 Independent Earl Blaik 9th T formation John Trent Michie Stadium Eastern champion The 1949 Army Cadets football team represented the United States Military Academy as an independent during the 1949 college football season. The Cadets scored 354 points, while the defense allowed only 68 points. Arnold Galiffa was the starting quarterback, ahead of Earl Blaik's son, Bob.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.105, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 Johnny Trent was the team captain. The Cadets won the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy as the best college team in the East.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.109, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 At season's end, Red Blaik confessed that he thoughts of retiring. Schedule 1949 AP September 24 w Davidson Michie Stadium West Point, NY 47–7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108999410/army-soundly-thumps-davidson-eleven-47/ The Commercial Appeal Army soundly thumps Davidson eleven, 47–7 September 25, 1949 September 5, 2022 Newspapers.com October 1 w Penn State Michie Stadium West Point, NY 47–7 27,000 October 8 w y 7 Michigan 1 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 21–7 97,239 October 15 w y 2 Harvard Harvard Stadium Boston, MA 54–14 46,000 Army Tops Harvard, 54-14; Stephenson Tallies 4 Times Lincoln A. Werden October 16, 1949 S1 The New York Times New York, N.Y. October 22 w 2 Columbia Michie Stadium West Point, NY 63–6 27,100 Army Routs Columbia, 63-6, Galiffa, Cain Leading Attack Louis Effrat October 23, 1949 S1 The New York Times New York, N.Y. October 29 w 2 VMI Michie Stadium West Point, NY 40–14 15,555 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91788405/army-coasts-over-vmi-blaik-uses-subs-in/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Army coasts over VMI; Blaik uses subs in 2d half October 30, 1949 January 3, 2022 Newspapers.com November 5 w 2 Fordham 20 Michie Stadium West Point, NY 35–0 27,100 Army Upends Fordham, 35-0; Galiffa Passes for 4 Scores Jesse Abramson November 6, 1949 46 The Boston Sunday Globe Boston, Mass. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67217755/1949-fordham-army/ November 12 w y 2 Penn Franklin Field Philadelphia, PA 14–13 78,000 Army Staves Off Penn Bids, Escapes with 14-13 Victory Everett B. Morris November 13, 1949 46 The Boston Sunday Globe Boston, Mass. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67219682/1949-penn-army/ November 26 w y 4 Navy Philadelphia Municipal Stadium Philadelphia, PA Army–Navy Game 38–0 Rankings 1949 college football rankings AP 1 9 7 (1) 2 (58) 2 (10) 2 (12) 2 (10) 2 (13) 4 (1) 4 (1) 4 (12) Offseason Sid Gillman left Army to become the head coach for the University of Cincinnati. Head coach Red Blaik interviewed Vince Lombardi, but harbored doubts that Lombardi's background as a high school coach would prepare him for the job.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, pp.97-98, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 Besides Lombardi, Murray Warmath of Tennessee was the other new face on the coaching staff. Lombardi would focus on offense, while Warmath worked on the defense. They were the only civilian coaches on the staff.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.99, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 In November 1934, Lombardi (with Fordham) faced off against Warmath (playing for Tennessee) with Fordham winning the game 13–12.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.100, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 The other members of the staff included Doug Kenna, Paul Amen, and John Sauer. Accusations of dirty play There were accusations that Army played dirty. Against the University of Michigan, Wolverine's halfback Chuck Ortmann was knocked unconscious. The accusation was that Army player Gil Stephenson kicked him.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.107, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 The matter was escalated when Michigan professor of geology, WH Hobbs was interviewed by the Michigan Daily and commented on the play. The press continued to establish Army's notoriety as bullies after convincing wins over Harvard 54–14, and Columbia 63-6. Army hosted Vince Lombardi's former team, the Fordham Rams at Michie Stadium.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.108, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 One of the members of the Rams was Vince's brother, Joe Lombardi, who transferred to the school after Lombardi left. Tim Cohane, writer of Look Magazine was a Fordham alumnus, and a friend of Army coach Red Blaik. He pressured both teams to play each other. Cohane felt the game would help Fordham rise to national prominence.When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss, p.108, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1999, 978-0-684-84418-3 Herb Seidell, the Fordham captain, lost a tooth in the game. Several fights ensued and the media named the match, the Donnybrook on the Hudson. There were multiple penalties for unnecessary roughness. References Army Category:Army Black Knights football seasons Category:Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Army Cadets football