1963 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1963 Virginia Tech Gobblers football Southern Conference SoCon 8–2 5–0 Jerry Claiborne 3rd Miles Stadium SoCon champion The 1963 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute—now known as Virginia Tech—as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1963 NCAA University Division football season. Led by third-year head coach Jerry Claiborne, the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 8–2 with a mark of 5–0 in conference play, winning the SoCon title. It was the program's only conference championship during its time as a member of the SoCon, which ran from 1922 to 1964. Bob Schweickert, the team's dual-threat quarterback, passed for 687 yards and six touchdowns, and ran for 839 yards and scored seven TD's. Sonny Utz was the team's scoring leader, rushing for 567 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns.1963 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia-tech/1963-schedule.html 2023-12-06 College Football at Sports-Reference.com en Schweickert was named to the third-team of the 1963 College Football All-America Team by the Associated Press.1963-12-06 Schweickert named to third A-A team 20 The World-News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-world-news-schweickert-named-to-thir/136370146/ 2023-12-06 He was also honored as the Southern Conference Player of the Year as voted by the media.1963-12-08 Bob Schweickert [Southern Conference] player of year 95 Democrat and Chronicle https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-bob-schweickert/136370417/ 2023-12-06 The media did not vote for an all Southern Conference team, but did vote on an all-star team selected from the five Division I teams that played in the commonwealth of Virginia at the time. Schweickert was joined on the first time by Utz, end Jake Adams, and guard Newt Green. The second team included tackle Gene Breen and center Burton Mack Rodgers. Tommy Marvin made the honorable mention team at end.1963-12-03 Tech lands four on All-Big Five 28 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-tech-lands-four/136370734/ 2023-12-06 All-star teams were not broken down by offense and defense at the time. Tech was never ranked in national polls, losing its first game of the year to Kentucky, which ended the year 3–6–1. The team's three non-conference wins came against ACC foes Virginia (2–7–1), Florida State (4–5–1), and Wake Forest (1–9). Tech's other loss came late in the year against NC State, which was the only non-conference opponent that had a winning record (8–3).1963 College Football Standings https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1963-standings.html 2023-12-06 College Football at Sports-Reference.com en1963-12-08 Bob Schweickert [Southern Conference] player of year 95 Democrat and Chronicle https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-bob-schweickert/136370417/ 2023-12-06 Schedule September 21 l y y Kentucky Stoll Field/McLean Stadium Lexington, KY 14–33 35,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paducah-sun-wildcats-roll-to-3314-v/133357563/ The Paducah Sun-Democrat Wildcats roll to 33–14 victory over VPI September 22, 1963 October 12, 2023 Newspapers.com1963-09-22 Gobblers get the bird from Kentucky, 33-14; Wildcat sophs star 41 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-gobblers-get-the-bird/136312917/ 2023-12-05 September 28 w y y Wake Forest Bowman Gray Stadium Winston-Salem, NC 27–0 7,000 1963-09-29 Gobblers blank Wake: Tech posts 27-0 victory in downpour 39 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-gobblers-blank-wake-t/136313043/ 2023-12-051963-09-29 Virginia Tech drubs Wake, 27-0, in Fumble-Ridden game; Schweickert wrecks Demons 19 Winston-Salem Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-virginia-tech-drub/136313208/ 2023-12-051963-09-29 Shaky Deacs bow to Va. Tech, 27-0 63 The Virginian-Pilot https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-shaky-deacs-bow-to-v/136313343/ 2023-12-05 October 5 2:30 p.m. w y y Virginia Victory Stadium Roanoke, VA Harvest Bowl, rivalry 10–0 20,000 1963-10-06 Tech extends Harvest Bowl streak; Utz and Cranwell score as Hokies tip Virginia, 10-0 37 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-extends-harvest-b/136317032/ 2023-12-051963-10-06 Tech's defenses beat U. Va., 10-0 49 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-techs-defenses/136317194/ 2023-12-051963-10-06 VPI blanks Cavaliers by 10 to 0 18 The News and Observer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-vpi-blanks-cavalie/136317299/ 2023-12-05 October 11 8:00 p.m. w y George Washington District of Columbia Stadium Washington, DC 22–8 7,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69642755/schweickert-led-gobblers-topple-g-w-by/ Johnson City Press Schweickert-led Gobblers topple G-W by 22–8 score October 12, 1963 February 7, 2021 Newspapers.com1963-10-12 Tech posts 22-8 victory over Colonials; Bob Schweickert pitches two TD's 10 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-posts-22-8-victor/136317518/ 2023-12-051963-10-12 Utz, Schweickert make Tech title contenders 10 The Richmond News Leader https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-news-leader-utz-schweicker/136317801/ 2023-12-05 October 19 w y William & Mary Miles Stadium Blacksburg, VA 28–13 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111951726/schwiekert-moves-vpi-past-tribe/ The Bristol Herald Courier Schwiekert moves VPI past Tribe October 20, 1963 October 24, 2022 Newspapers.com1963-10-20 Tech topples W&M, 28-13 39 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-tech-topples-wm/136317894/ 2023-12-051963-10-20 Techmen fool Tribe and win 28-13 decision 39 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-techmen-fool-tribe-and/136318039/ 2023-12-05 October 26 w y y Florida State Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL 31–23 16,500 1963-10-27 Tech turns FSU bobbles into 31-23 win; Little bit of everything comes in exciting game 39 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-turns-fsu-bobbles/136318226/ 2023-12-051963-10-27 Underdog (VT) dumps FSU Seminoles; VPI cashes in on Florida State errors to record 31-21 Upset win 33 News-Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press-underdog-vt-dumps-fsu-semin/136318372/ 2023-12-051963-10-27 FSU loses 31-23 upset 25 The Tampa Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-fsu-loses-31-23-upset/136318949/ 2023-12-05 November 2 w y Richmond City Stadium Richmond, VA 14–13 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112127304/gambling-richmond-loses-to-tech-1413/ The Virginian-Pilot Gambling Richmond loses to Tech, 14–13 November 3, 1963 October 27, 2022 Newspapers.com1963-11-03 Tech beats Richmond in close one, 14-13; Spiders miss on two point gamble play 39 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-beats-richmond-in/136319367/ 2023-12-051963-11-03 Tech pins 14-13 loss on Spiders 50 The Charlotte Observer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-tech-pins-14-13-l/136320041/ 2023-12-05 November 9 l y y NC State Riddick Stadium Raleigh, NC 7–13 20,500 1963-11-10 Wolfpack whips VPI combine 13-7; ... Schweickert stars 46 Chattanooga Daily Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-wolfpack-whips-v/136320381/ 2023-12-051963-11-10 Miscue costly as Techmen lose to N.C. State, 13-7 41 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-miscue-costly-as-techm/136320566/ 2023-12-051963-11-10 N.C. State edges Va. Tech; Wolfpack takes 13-7 decision 29 The Herald-Sun https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-nc-state-edges-va-tech/136320678/ 2023-12-05 November 16 w y West Virginia Old Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV rivalry 28–3 15,000 1963-11-17 Tech routs Mounties, steps closer to title; Onside kick at start gives boost 27 The Progress-Index https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-progress-index-tech-routs-mounties/136334661/ 2023-12-051963-11-17 Tech stuns WVU, 28-3; Gobblers defense stalls Mounties 45 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-stuns-wvu-28-3/136334934/ 2023-12-07 November 28 1:30 p.m. w y VMI Victory Stadium Roanoke, VA rivalry 35–20 27,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93824923/gobblers-capture-first-southern-loop-cro/ The Bristol Herald Courier Gobblers capture first Southern loop crown November 29, 1963 January 30, 2022 Newspapers.com1963-11-29 Ready, Willing but uninvited; Tech 35, VMI 20 1 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-ready-willing-but-uni/136335477/ 2023-12-051963-11-29 Schweickert's spectacular effort gives Tech win over VMI, 35-20; Win brings ...first SC title 36 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-schweickerts-sp/136348953/ 2023-12-06 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia-tech/1963-schedule.html 1963 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule and Results Game summaries Virginia Tech scored 10 first quarter points in the annual Harvest Bowl in Roanoke, and hung on for a 10-0 shutout. Sonny Utz scored the only touchdown on a two-yard carry following a fumbled punt that put the Gobblers on the Cavalier's doorstep. Dickie Cranwell booted a 40-yard field goal for the other Tech points. UVA had two chances to score inside the Tech 15 in the second half, but the defense held on both occasions. Bob Schweickert ran 63 yards on 16 carries and had 91 passing yards on a 7-14 day.1963-10-06 Tech extends Harvest Bowl streak; Utz and Cranwell score as Hokies tip Virginia, 10-0 37 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-extends-harvest-b/136317032/ 2023-12-051963-10-06 Tech's defenses beat U. Va., 10-0 49 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-techs-defenses/136317194/ 2023-12-051963-10-06 VPI blanks Cavaliers by 10 to 0 18 The News and Observer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-vpi-blanks-cavalie/136317299/ 2023-12-05 West Virginia Virginia Tech perfectly executed an on-side kick on the game's opening kickoff and never looked back in a 28-3 rout of West Virginia. The game, played in Morgantown, was essentially a semi-final for the Southern Conference championship, as the Mountaineers and Gobblers both entered the game with an undefeated league record. Bob Schweickert was 13 of 16 through the air amassing 114 yards, and ran 43 yards on 13 carriers. He threw a seven yard touchdown pass to Jake Adams. Sonny Utz had two one-yard TD's and Bobby Owens picked up a Tech fumble at the WVU one and took it in for the final score of the day. The defense was superb in bending without a break. The Gobblers "D" gave up only three points even though the Mountaineers reached the 30, 1, 9, 18, 6 and 5 five yard lines.1963-11-17 Tech routs Mounties, steps closer to title; Onside kick at start gives boost 27 The Progress-Index https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-progress-index-tech-routs-mounties/136334661/ 2023-12-051963-11-17 Tech stuns WVU, 28-3; Gobblers defense stalls Mounties 45 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-stuns-wvu-28-3/136334934/ 2023-12-07 VMI A capacity crowd of 27,750 filled Victory Stadium in Roanoke for the annual Thanksgiving Day contest between VMI and Virginia Tech, this time for the Southern Conference championship. VMI came into the game on a 12-game unbeaten conference streak and was attempting to defend its conference championship from the previous year. It had won four of the previous six league crowns (in 1957, 1959, 1960, and 1962). VMI had been tied twice during the year and entered the game with a 3-0-2 record. The Gobblers were 4-0 and had defeated third-place West Virginia, so only the two old rivals could end the season with an undefeated league mark. With the score tied 14-14 early in the third period, VMI drove 68 yards to inches of the Tech end zone. Sonny Utz and Tommy Hawkins, members of the Tech offensive backfield playing both ways, made a joint tackle on fourth down inside the one to keep the score knotted. The stingy VMI defense held, and put the Gobblers into a punting situation. Tech's Bob's Schweickert, quarterback and punter, booted a 58-yarder to flip the field. Utz recovered a VMI fumble two players later, and Schweickert took the next snap himself, running 41-yards to the Keydet seven. The following play, he passed to Jake Edwards to give the team its first lead of the day. Less than three minutes later, Schweickert, returned a punt for the first time in his career, spectacularly scoring on an 82-yard jaunt to put Tech up by two scores. Tech made it a 35-14 lead after Utz ran three yards to capitalize on an interception in VMI territory. VMI blocked a Tech punt into the endzone, but failed to capitalize on the two-point conversion, to make the final 35-20. Both of Tech's first half scores came by Tommy Walker. He caught a Schweickert pass for a 34-yard touchdown to bring the score to make it a 7-7 tie, and then set a school record with a 99-yard kickoff return to make it 14-14 at halftime. Walker was married the following day. The offensive statistics, ones that don't count punt or kickoff return, were all in favor of VMI. The Keydets had 22 first downs to six for Tech, and outgained the Gobblers 417 to 176.1963-11-29 Schweickert's spectacular effort gives Tech win over VMI, 35-20; Win brings ...first SC title 36 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-schweickerts-sp/136348953/ 2023-12-071963-11-29 Gobblers whip Keydets, 35-20, in hot battle 47 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-gobblers-whip-keydets/136402320/ 2023-12-07 Roster The following players were members of the 1963 football team according to the roster published in the 1964 edition of The Bugle, the Virginia Tech yearbook.Virginia Tech Bugle https://spec.lib.vt.edu/archives/bugle/bugl1964/1964_BUGLE.pdf The Bugle 1964 294 1964 2017-12-04 VPI 1963 roster Jake Adams Kyle Marlon Albright William McLemore Babb, Jr. Darryl Bailey Joe Bloomer Gene Breen Mike Cahill Alex Camaioni Phillip W. Cary Robert Carr Churchill Paul Frederick Cobb Dickie Cranwell Bill Edwards Lacy Lee Edwards, Jr. Ronald Wayne Frank David Green Walter Newton Green, Jr. Les Hanly Thomas Morgan Hawkins Wayne Hewitt James Venable Hickam Tom Hidell Wynston Holbrook Michael Joseph Hvozdovic Ed Jeffrey Basil G. Jennings Lynn Jones Bill Kegley Dickie Kelly Victor "Vic" William Kreiter, Jr. Harry Leland Ronnie Lindon Tommy Marvin Claude Earl Messamore, Jr. Bobby Owens Darrell Page Larry Philpot John Raible Douglas Bradley Robbins Burt Mack Rodgers Fred Michael Saunders Bob Schweickert John Sheehy John George Shipley James Simmons Douglas Lee Ulery Silas Alexander "Sonny" Utz, III Joseph Gilleece "Skip" Vance Thomas Merritt Walker K. T. "Buddy" Weihe Ken Whitley Notes References Virginia Tech Category:Virginia Tech Hokies football seasons Category:Southern Conference football champion seasons Virginia Tech Gobblers football