1956 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1956 Michigan State Spartans football 1956-MichiganState-Spartans-mediaguide.jpg 240px Big Ten Conference Big Ten 10 9 7–2 4–2 Duffy Daugherty 3rd James Hinsley John Matsko Macklin Stadium The 1956 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University in the 1956 Big Ten Conference football season. In their third season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 7–2 overall record (4–2 against Big Ten Conference opponents) and were ranked No. 9 in the final AP poll and No. 10 in the final Coaches Poll.2016 Football Media Guide Michigan State University 146, 155 June 18, 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 dead1956 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 18, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1956-schedule.html Center John Matsko was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team player on the 1956 All-Big Ten Conference football team. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Pat Wilson with 414 passing yards, Dennis Mendyk with 495 rushing yards, and Tony Kolodziej with 221 receiving yards.1956 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC January 13, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1956.html Schedule 1956 AP September 29 w y y 3 Stanford 12 Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 21–7 55,000 October 6 w y 2 Michigan 5 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 9–0 101,001 October 13 w y 2 Indiana Macklin Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 53–6 58,858 October 20 w y y 2 Notre Dame Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 47–14 59,378 October 27 l y 1 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 13–20 71,119 November 3 w 4 Wisconsin Macklin Stadium East Lansing, MI 33–0 53,647 November 10 w 4 Purdue Macklin Stadium East Lansing, MI 12–9 56,431 November 17 l y 3 Minnesota 17 Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 13–14 62,478 November 24 w y 10 Kansas State Macklin Stadium East Lansing, MI 38–17 34,115 http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2009-2010/1956.html Michigan State Official Athletic Site www.msuspartans.com July 28, 2016https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1956-schedule.html 1956 Michigan State Spartans College Football at Sports-Reference.com July 29, 2016 Preseason In the final AP Poll of the 1955 season, Michigan State had been ranked No. 2.1955 Big Ten Conference Year Summary Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football January 12, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/1955.html In the 1956 pre-season AP Poll, Michigan State remained ranked at No. 2.1956 Big Ten Conference Year Summary Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football January 9, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/1956.html Game summaries On September 29, 1956, Michigan State (ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll) defeated Stanford (ranked No. 12), 21–7, before a crowd of 55,000 at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California. The game was tied at the end of the third quarter, and Michigan State scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Dennis Mendyk rushed for 72 yards on 14 carries.MSU Grinds Out 21–7 Victory Over Stanford Detroit Free Press Tommy Devine September 30, 1956 1D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8291917/msu_grinds_out_217_victory_over/ Newspapers.com On October 6, Michigan State (ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll) defeated Michigan (ranked No. 5), 9–0, before a crowd of 101,001 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Michigan dominated the game in the first half but was unable to score. Michigan State was hampered by an ankle injury to its leading rusher (Walt Kowalczyk) and a passing game that failed to complete a single pass. In the third quarter, the Spartans kicked a field goal after Arch Matsos intercepted a pass at Michigan's 38-yard line. John Matsko, who had not attempted a field goal in high school or in three years of college ball, kicked the field goal. In the fourth quarter, John Herrnstein fumbled at Michigan's 21-yard line, setting up a touchdown run by Dennis Mendyk.Spartans Survive Storm, Rock U-M, 9–0: 'Somebody' Smiles on MSU Detroit Free Press D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8291745/spartans_survive_storm_rock_um_90/ Newspapers.com On October 13, Michigan State (ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll) defeated Indiana, 53–6, before a crowd of 58,858 at Macklin Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans gained 264 rushing yards and 204 passing yards. Clarence Peaks also returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. Michigan State played backups for much of the second half with a total of 50 Spartans seeing game action. The outcome was Indiana's worst defeat since 1948.Michigan State Gives Hoosiers the Air, 53–6 Detroit Free Press Marshall Dann October 14, 1956 1F https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8308890/michigan_state_gives_hoosiers_the_air/ Newspapers.com On October 20, Michigan State (ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll) defeated Notre Dame, 47–14, before a crowd of 59,378 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend. Michigan State gained 521 yards, 396 on the ground and 171 in the air. Dennis Mendyk led the Spartans attack with 157 rushing yards, including touchdown runs of 62 and 68 yards in the third quarter.MSU Power Rolls Over Irish, 47–14 Detroit Free Press Tommy Devine October 21, 1956 1D, 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8315510/msu_power_rolls_over_irish_4714/ Newspapers.com After the game, Michigan State rose to No. 1 in the following week's AP and UPI polls.A.P. Raters Place Michigan State Above Oklahoma The Capital Journal October 23, 1956 11 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8315611/a_p_raters_place_michigan_state_above/ Newspapers.com UP Also Puts Sooners 2nd The Capital Journal October 23, 1956 11 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8315594/up_also_puts_sooners_2nd/ Newspapers.com On October 20, Illinois defeated Michigan State, 20–13, before a homecoming crowd of 71,119 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Michigan State was ranked No. 1 before the game and had its national championship hopes, and a 12-game winning streak, dashed by the defeat. The Spartans led, 13–0, at halftime, but Abe Woodson, the Big Ten's indoor sprint champion, led the Illini to 20 unanswered points in the second half. Woodson scored all three Illinois touchdowns: a 70-yard touchdown run, an 82-touchdown reception, and a short touchdown run. Woodson had 116 rushing yards and total gains of 198 yards.Illinois 20, Mich. State 13 Detroit Free Press Hal Middlesworth October 28, 1956 1C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8305686/illinois_20_mich_state_13/ Newspapers.com On November 3, Michigan State (ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll) defeated Wisconsin, 33–0, before a crowd of 53,647 at Macklin Stadium in East Lansing. Michigan State totaled 352 rushing yards and 168 passing yards. The result was Wisconsin's worst defeat since 1949.MSU Gets Back in Swing By Blasting Badgers, 33–0 Detroit Free Press Hal Middlesworth November 4, 1956 1D, 6D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8307585/msu_gets_back_in_swing_by_blasting/ Newspapers.com On November 10, Michigan State (ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll) defeated Purdue, 12–9, before a crowd of 56,431 at Macklin Stadium in East Lansing. Purdue was a three touchdown underdog without Len Dawson but scored on a touchdown run by Mel Dillard and a safety triggered by Fletcher tackling Martin in the end zone. Michigan State scored two touchdowns, a 27-yard pass from Jim Ninowski to Harold Dukes, and a fumble recovery by Tony Kolodziej in Purdue's end zone.It's a 'Steal' for Sputtering Spartans, 12–9: MSU Is Outplayed All the Way Detroit Free Press Tommy Devine November 11, 1956 1C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8300962/its_a_steal_for_sputtering_spartans/ Newspapers.com On November 17, Minnesota (ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll) defeated Michigan State (ranked No. 3), 14–13, before a crowd of 62,478 at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis. Bobby Cox led the way for Minnesota.Iowa Takes All as MSU Bows, 14–13: Cox's Razzle Dazzle Too Much for Spartans Detroit Free Press November 18, 1956 1D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8291968/iowa_takes_all_as_msu_bows_1413/ Newspapers.com On November 24, Michigan State (ranked No. 10 in the AP Poll) defeated Kansas State, 38–17, before a crowd of 34,115 at Macklin Stadium in East Lansing. Michigan State set a modern school record with 12 fumbles in the game. Despite the victory, Hal Middlesworth of the Detroit Free Press wrote: "But down on the frozen turf of Macklin Stadium, it was a fumbling, bumbling performance which will find no place among State's galaxy of great games."It's Happy Ending for Spartans, U-M: 12 Fumbles Can't Stop MSU, 38–17 Detroit Free Press Hal Middlesworth November 25, 1956 1-D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8297450/its_happy_ending_for_spartans_um_12/ Newspapers.com Rankings and awards On December 3, 1956, both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press (UP) released their final college football polls. Both organizations ranked undefeated Oklahoma at the No. 1 spot. The AP ranked the Spartans at No. 9, and the UP ranked them at No. 10Sooners Win: Tennessee Second in 1956 Poll The Ogden Standard-Examiner 10A https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8316043/sooners_win_tennessee_second_in_1956/ Newspapers.com Standings Deadwood Pioneer Times December 4, 1956 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8316148/final_up_college_football_standings/ Newspapers.com Only one Michigan State player, center John Matsko, was picked by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press (UP) as a first-team player on the 1956 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Matsko received first-team honors from the AP. Three other Spartans received second-team all-conference honors: halfback Clarence Peaks (AP-2, UP-2), guard Dan Currie (AP-2, UP-2), and tackle Joel Jones (AP-2, UP-2).Hawk Trio On All Big Ten The Spencer Daily Reporter November 30, 1956 4 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1926&dat=19561129&id=52wrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s9kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1097,3709370Mel Dillard on All-Big Ten Team; Iowa Puts Men in Four Positions Alexandria (IN) Times-Tribune November 30, 1956 3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8299452/mel_dillard_on_allbig_ten_team_iowa/ Newspapers.com No Michigan State players received first-team All-American honors in 1956, though Matsko and Currie received second-team honors. James Hinsley received the team's most valuable player award. 1957 NFL draft The following Michigan State players were among the first 100 picks in the 1957 NFL draft:1957 NFL Draft: Full Draft National Football League NFL.com January 4, 2017 http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?season=1957 Michigan State Spartans Name Position Team Round Overall pick Clarence PeaksFullbackMichigan State17Dennis MendykBackMichigan State335Vic ZuccoBackMichigan State560Tom SaidockTackleMichigan State774 References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football