1940 Springfield Bears football team

American college football season February 2026 July 2024 1940 Springfield Bears football Springfield 1940 all-conference stars.jpg 250px Dwight Bumpus (upper left); Russell Kaminsky (lower left); Earl Graves (lower right); and Ed Lechner (upper right) Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association MIAA 10–0 5–0 Red Blair 3rd STC Stadium MIAA champion The 1940 Springfield Bears football team was an American football team that represented the Springfield Teachers College (later renamed Missouri State University) as a member of the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1940 college football season. In their third season under head coach Red Blair, the Bears compiled a perfect 10–0 record (5–0 in conference games), won the MIAA championship, shut out seven of ten opponent, and outscored all opponents by a total of 279 to 20.Bears' 1940 football team a fearsome group: SMS used a razzle-dazzle offense and a punishing defense during a 10-0 year Springfield News and Leader Marty Eddlemon November 13, 1994 12C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-bears-1940/148016331/ Springfield relied on a passing offense led by its quarterback Dwight Bumpus.Dwight Bumpus, STC's Passing Wizard, Has .800 Average, 4 Touchdown Throws Springfield Leader and Press October 18, 1940 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-dwight-bump/147979247/ Newspapers.com Despite a preseason accident that cost him part of a finger, the diminutive Bumpus (five feet, six inches tall, and weighing 150 pounds) was called "the hub of the Bears' aerial Circus". At the end of the season, he was the unanimous choose of coaches, officials, and reporters as the quarterback on the 1940 MIAA all-star football team.Bears Land Four Stars on All-Conference Eleven: Bumpus Unanimous Choice For Quarterback Laurels Harold Claassen Springfield Leader and Press Associated Press November 30, 1940 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-bears-land/147979599/ Newspapers.com One of Bumpus' principal receivers was end Russell Kaminsky. Bumpus and Kaminsky were both Ohio natives who were selected as first-team all-conference players for three consecutive seasons in 1939, 1940, and 1941.STC Places Bumpus, Kaminsky On All-Conference Grid Team Springfield Leader and Press December 1, 1941 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-stc-places/148015978/ Newspapers.com Kaminsky also received second-team honors on the 1940 Little All-America college football team.Bears' Russ Kaminsky Awarded Wing Post On Second Little All-America Grid Team Springfield Leader and Press December 10, 1940 Associated Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-bears-russ/147980146/ Newspapers.com In addition to Bumpus and Kaminsky, two other Springfield Bears were selected as 1940 first-team all-conference players: tackle Earl Graves and en Ed Lechner. Three others were named to the second team: Guy Brashear at fullback; Howard Elliott at tackle; Harry Berry at center. The team played its home games in Springfield, Missouri. Schedule y y September 27 1940 Northeastern State Redmen Northeastern State<ncg> Springfield, MO W 38-0 October 4 at 1940 Pittsburg State Gorillas Pittsburg State<ncg> Pittsburg, KS W 34-0 Bears Invade Kirksville Friday Night for MIAA Bow: Aerial Attack Smothers Pitt in 34-0 Contest Springfield Leader and Press October 4, 1940 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-bears-invad/147978985/ Newspapers.com October 11 at 1940 Kirksville Bulldogs Kirksville Kirksville, MO W 28-0 Bulldogs Lose To Springfield By 28-0 Score: Mighty Bears Display Razzle Dazzle Technique in Game Here Kirksville Daily Express October 13, 1940 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kirksville-daily-express-and-kirksville/147978734/ Newspapers.com October 18 1936 Maryville Bearcats Maryville (MO) Springfield, MO W 13-0 Springfield Dims Maryvilles Hopes St. Louis Post-Dispatch October 19, 1940 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-springfield-dims/147978419/ Newspapers.comTeachers Battle Southwestern Here Next Friday: Razzle Dazzle Nips Bearcats in 13-0 Battle Springfield Leader and Press October 19, 1940 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-teachers-ba/147978607/ Newspapers.com October 25 1940 Southwestern Moundbuilders Southwestern (KS)<ncg> Springfield, MO W 20-0 1,200 November 2 1940 Missouri Mines Miners Missouri Mines<hc> Springfield, MO W 27-7 6,000 Bears Maul Miners in 27-7 MIAA Thriller: Yield First Counter On Freak Rolla Play Springfield Sunday News Leader November 3, 1940 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-bears-maul/147950165/ Newspapers.com November 8 1936 Warrensburg Mules Warrensburg Springfield, MO W 13-0 4,000 STC's Eleven Wins MIAA Championship: Defeat Mules, 13 To 0 To Break Two Year Deadlock; Warrensburg Is Stubborn Foe Springfield Daily News November 9, 1940 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-stcs-eleven/147949830/ Newspapers.comMIAA Champion Bears Play At Cape Next Friday! Brasher Leads Teachers To 13-0 Win Over Mules Springfield Leader and Press November 9, 1940 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-miaa-champi/147949531/ Newspapers.com November 15 at 1936 Cape Girardeau Indians Cape Girardeau Cape Girardeau, MO W 21-7 Bears Complete Conference Schedule Undefeated: Scalp Girardeau Indians 21-7 In Hard Fought Tilt Springfield Daily News November 16, 1940 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-bears-comple/147949241/ Newspapers.com November 21 1940 Arkansas A&M Boll Weevils Arkansas A&M<ncg> Springfield, MO W 34-0 4,800 Bears Wind Up Season With Hastings Nov.30: Teachers Trim Weevil Eleven For Win No. 13 Springfield Leader and Press November 22, 1940 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-bears-wind/147946698/ Newspapers.com November 30 1940 Hastings Broncos Hastings<ncg> Springfield, MO W 51-6 Unbeaten Bears Crush Hastings in 51-6 Fracas! Teachers Record Win No. 14, Routing Vaunted NCAC Stars Springfield Sunday News Leader December 1, 1940 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-leader-and-press-unbeaten-be/147945425/ Newspapers.comBroncos Take Pasting: Unbeaten Missouri Team Too Powerful Hastings Daily Tribune December 2, 1940 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hastings-daily-tribune-broncos-take/147945960/ Newspapers.com Missouri State Football 2023 Media Guide https://missouristatebears.com/documents/2023/8/17/2023_Missouri_State_Football_Media_Guide.pdf Missouri State University Athletics 63 May 23, 2024 References Springfield Category:Missouri State Bears football seasons Category:Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Springfield Bears football