1948 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1948 Michigan State Spartans football 1948 Michigan State Spartans football team.png 285 Independent 14 6–2–2 Biggie Munn 2nd Lynn Chandnois Robert B. McCurry Macklin Field Stadium The 1948 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State College (now known as Michigan State University) as an independent the 1948 college football season. In their second season under head coach Biggie Munn, the Spartans compiled a 6–2–2 record, outscored opponents by a total of 359 to 130, and were ranked No. 14 in the final AP poll.2016 Football Media Guide Michigan State University 146, 154 June 16, 2017 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/msu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/msu-media-guide-history-145-19.pdf January 17, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170117203046/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/msu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/msu-media-guide-history-145-19.pdf dead1948 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 16, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1948-schedule.html The Spartans were also ranked at No. 3 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System ratings for 1948.Michigan, Irish Finish 1-2 in Litkenhous Ratings Wilmington Morning News December 15, 1948 32 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123192904/michigan-irish-finish-1-2-in/ Newspapers.com The 1948 Spartans sustained their two losses in annual rivalry games against Notre Dame (26–7) and national champion Michigan (13–7). In intersectional play, the Spartans beat Hawaii (68–21), Arizona (61–7), Oregon State (46–21), and Washington State (40–0), and tied with Penn State (14–14) and Santa Clara (21–21). The Spartans' offense was led by left halfback George Guerre and right halfback Lynn Chandnois. Guerre tallied 734 rushing yards on 118 carries, and Chadnois gained 681 yards on 91 carries.1949 Wolverine (MSC yearbook, p. 169. Two Spartans received All-America recognition: guard Don Mason (Associated Press, second team),Ted Smits Bear Guard on A.P.A.A. Eleven Long Beach Press-Telegram 1948-12-01 and end Warren Huey (Football Writers Association of America, second team).FWAA All-America Since 1944 Football Writers Association of America http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf 2015-07-13 2019-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20190304073432/http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf dead The team played its home games at the expanded Macklin Field Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The stadium was enlarged to a seating capacity of 50,410 and increased from 46 to 66 rows along the sidelines and from 11 to 47 rows in the end zones. Schedule 1948 AP September 25 l Michigan Macklin Field Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 7–13 51,511 State Bows to U of M, 13-7; Crowd of 51,511 Sees Dedication Tilt Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton September 26, 1948 1 (section 1), 1 (section 4) https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-state-bows-to-u-of/167354429/ Newspapers.com October 2 w Hawaii Macklin Field Stadium East Lansing, MI 68–21 30,281 Spartan Power Beats Hawaiian Passes, 68-21; 30,281 See State Tune Up for N-D Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 3, 1948 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartan-power-beat/167355205/ Newspapers.com October 9 l y Notre Dame 1 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 7–26 58,126 Irish Might, Manpower Subdues Fighting Spartans, 26-7: MSC Draws First Blood, But Irish Turn on the Heat Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 10, 1948 1, 4 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-irish-might-manpo/167354836/ Newspapers.com October 16 w y Arizona Macklin Field Stadium East Lansing, MI 61–7 36,616 Arizona Hit Between Eyes, 61-7, As Spartans Throw Book at Them: Varsity Piles Up 4 TD's, Then Retires Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 17, 1948 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-arizona-hit-betwee/167355676/ Newspapers.com October 23 t y 19 Penn State 8 New Beaver Field State College, PA rivalry 14–14 24,579 Mich. State Ties Penn State, 14-14 Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph October 24, 1948 7 (section 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-sun-telegraph-mich-state-tie/167357950/ Newspapers.com October 30 w y 17 Oregon State Bell Field Corvallis, OR 46–21 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111782257/state-cracks-oregon-4621/ The Times Herald State cracks Oregon 46–21 October 31, 1948 October 22, 2022 Newspapers.com November 6 w 17 Marquette Macklin Field Stadium East Lansing, MI 47–0 37,131 Spartans Break Tradition, Annihilate Marquette, 47-0: Gridiron Explosion Nets 'S' Fourth Win Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton November 7, 1948 1, 2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-break-tra/167356633/ Newspapers.com November 13 w y 12 Iowa State Clyde Williams Field Ames, IA 48–7 7,847 Spartans Maul Iowa State, 48-7 The Des Moines Register Maury White November 14, 1948 10S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-spartans-maul-io/167358574/ Newspapers.com November 20 w 12 Washington State Macklin Field Stadium East Lansing, MI 40–0 36,313 Washington State Takes Spartan Football Treatment, 40-0: 'S' Repels Lone Cougar Scoring Try Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton November 21, 1948 1, 3 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-washington-state-t/167356149/ Newspapers.com November 27 t y 11 Santa Clara Kezar Stadium San Francisco, CA 21–21 20,000 Spartans Tie Santa Clara, 21-21, Abandon Bowl Hopes Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton November 28, 1948 Sports 1, 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99874526/spartans-tie-santa-clara-21-21/ Newspapers.com Rankings 1948 college football rankings AP 1 9 NR NR 19 17 17 12 (1) 12 (2) 11 (3) 14 (2) Game summaries Michigan Week 1: Michigan at Michigan State Michigan Michigan St. 7 0 0 6 0 0 7 0 September 25, 1948 Macklin Stadium East Lansing, MI 51,511 George W. Rennix Michigan State opened it 1948 season with a 13–7 loss to Michigan in East Lansing. The game was also the first to be played at Michigan State's new Macklin Stadium. Early in the opening quarter, fullback Don Peterson threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Dick Rifenburg. Peterson kicked the extra point, and Michigan's 7–0 lead held through halftime. Michigan State tied the game in the third quarter on a disputed play in which a pass from Lynn Chandnois was caught by both Hank Minarik and Wally Teninga. The official ruled that possession went to the offensive player as a touchdown. Peterson scored the winning touchdown for Michigan on a five-yard run in the fourth quarter, but failed to convert the extra point attempt. Late in the fourth quarter, Michigan State drove the ball to Michigan's two-yard line. With time running out, Teninga intercepted a Michigan State pass. Michigan's offense was held to 106 rushing yards and 117 passing yards in the game.1949 Michiganensian, p. 104. A sluggish offensive performance and a narrow margin of victory over a team the Wolverines had beaten 55–0 in 1947 led some in the media to question Oosterbaan's selection as Michigan's new coach. The New York Times opined that Michigan's performance "lacked most of the precision which it had last year under H. O. Crisler."Walter W. Ruch Michigan Overcomes Michigan State on Touchdown in Fourth Period: Wolverines Take Hard Battle, 13-7; Peterson's Touchdown in Last Quarter Topples Michigan State at East Lansing The New York Times September 26, 1948 https://www.nytimes.com/1948/09/26/archives/michigan-overcomes-michigan-state-on-touchdown-in-fourth-period.html 10 January 2012 H. G. Salsinger of The Detroit News wrote:"Michigan's first game under Oosterbaan . . . was not impressive. They lacked the spark that distinguished them through the 1947 season. The offense was dull and poorly directed . . . . The critics who had judged Oosterbaan's football coaching skills on his record as a basketball coach considered their appraisal justified. The future looked dark for Michigan and Oosterbaan."H. G. Salsinger 'Best Offense Mind in Football,' Crisler Tribute to Oosterbaan: Wolves Continue to Roll in Bennie's Bow as Boss; Fritz' Successor Marking 24th Year at Michigan as Player, Coach The Sporting News October 27, 1948 Opinions of Oosterbaan changed as Michigan shut out ranked opponents in each of the next three games. References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football