1946 Cincinnati Bearcats football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1946 Cincinnati Bearcats football Roger Stephens 1946.jpg Roger Stephens broke UC rushing record in 1946 170px Mid-America Conference MAC 9–2 2–0 Ray Nolting 2nd Elbie Nickel Nippert Stadium MAC championSun Bowl champion Sun Bowl W 18–6 vs. VPI The 1946 Cincinnati Bearcats football team was an American football team that represented the University of Cincinnati in the Mid-America Conference (MAC) during the 1946 college football season. In their second year under head coach Ray Nolting, the Bearcats compiled a 9–2 record, outscored opponents by a total of 221 to 93, and won the MAC championship. Their regular season highlights included victories over major college powers including Indiana (ranked No. 20 in the final AP poll) and Michigan State. Cincinnati closed its season with a victory over Virginia Tech, 18–6, in the Sun Bowl. The team tallied 276 rushing yards in the Sun Bowl while holding Virginia Tech to only 35 rushing yards. Hal Johnson, Al Sabato, and Don McMillan scored Cincinnati touchdowns. Roger Stephens led the Bearcats and ranked sixth nationally with 774 rushing yards and led the nation with an average of 7.66 yards per carry.The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947 A.S. Barnes and Company W.J. Bingham 1947 80 Cincinnati was ranked at No. 42 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System rankings for 1946.Rice Rated Fifth Best, Tennessee 12th by Lit Dr. E. E. Litkenhous The Knoxville News-Sentinel December 15, 1946 B4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123020754/rice-rated-fifth-best-tennessee-12th/ Newspapers.com Schedule September 21 w y y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN 15–6 15,000 Indiana Bows To Cincinnati: Bearcats Get 2 Touchdowns In First Half; Field Goal Gives Queen City Eleven Margin Of 15-6 The Indianapolis Star Harold Harrison September 22, 1946 40, 43 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100873756/indiana-bows-to-cincinnati-bearcats/ Newspapers.com September 28 l y Kentucky Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH 7–26 27,000 UC Bearcats Defeated By Kentucky, 26-7: Visitors Far Too Classy; Wildcats Break Ice In Second Quarter The Cincinnati Enquirer Dick Forbes September 29, 1946 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102092138/uc-bearcats-defeated-by-kentucky-26-7/ Newspapers.com October 5 w y Marshall Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH 39–14 20,000 UC Rebounds With 39-14 Win Over Herd: Visitors Trail From Start; Bearcats Show Well In All Departments; Night Contest Is Witnessed By 20000 The Cincinnati Enquirer Dick Forbes October 6, 1946 25 Newspapers.com October 12 w y y Dayton Dayton Stadium Dayton, OH 19–0 10,000 Second Half Bearcat Drive Overpowers Flyers, 19-0 Dayton Daily News Bill Barton October 13, 1946 I-1, II-3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102094408/second-half-bearcat-drive-overpowers/ Newspapers.com October 19 w y Ohio Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH 19–0 25,000 Cincinnati Batters Bearcats of Ohio, 19-0: Lead Taken In Opening Period When Roger Stephens Sprints 43 Yards; Athens Club Halted On One Inch Line -- 25,000 Are At Nippert Stadium The Cincinnati Enquirer Dick Forbes October 20, 1946 25 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102080568/cincinnati-batters-bearcats-of-ohio/ Newspapers.com October 26 w y y Michigan State Macklin Field East Lansing, MI 18–7 22,524 Cincinnati Rally Defeats State, 18 to 7: 22,524 See State Fall To Bearcats; Cincinnati Scores 2 Touchdowns in Last 10 Minutes to Win Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 27, 1946 25-25 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101811537/cincinnati-rally-defeats-state-18-to/ Newspapers.com November 2 l y y Tulsa Skelly Stadium Tulsa, OK 0–20 10,000 Hurricane Rips Cincinnati, 20-0: Tulsa Plows Cincy Under In Mud, 20-0 The Daily Oklahoman November 3, 1946 1B, 2B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102094903/hurricane-rips-cincinnati-20-0-tulsa/ Newspapers.com November 9 w y Xavier Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH rivalry 39–0 17,000 Bearcats Overpower Musketeers, 39-0: Entire String Of UC In Action; Cincinnati Is In Lead From First Period; Nolting's Team Crashes For Three Scores In Second And Two In Fourth The Cincinnati Enquirer Dick Forbes November 10, 1946 25 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102093342/bearcats-overpower-musketeers-39-0/ Newspapers.com November 16 w Western Reserve Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH 34–7 7,500 Burly Bearcats Hammer Red Cats, 34-7: Air Play Nets Two Scores; Attack On Ground Also Befuddles Opposition; UC Takes Lead In Opening Minutes On Will Williams's Aerial Toss To Stargel The Cincinnati Enquirer Dick Forbes November 17, 1946 25, 27 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102093787/burly-bearcats-hammer-red-cats-34-7/ Newspapers.com November 28 Thursday w y Miami (OH) Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH Victory Bell 13–7 28,000 Cincy Passs Beat Miami In Waning Seconds Dayton Daily News Ben Garlikov November 29, 1946 38, 39 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94703991/cincy-passs-beat-miami-in-waning-seconds/ Newspapers.com January 1, 1947 Wednesday w y y VPI Kidd Field El Paso, TX Sun Bowl 18–6 10,000-11,000 Cincinnati Wins, 18-6, In Sun Bowl: First Half Of Play Scoreless; Bearcats Outplay VPI In Every Department; Rush Over Two Touchdowns In Third Period -- 10,000 Fans Are Half Frozen The Cincinnati Enquirer Dick Forbes January 2, 1947 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102094107/cincinnati-wins-18-6-in-sun-bowl/ Newspapers.comBearcats Sharp in 18-6 Sunless Sun Bowl Win: All Scoring Comes In Second Half The Cincinnati Post Wally Forste January 2, 1947 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-bearcats-sharp-in-18/165525222/ Newspapers.com 1946 Football Schedule https://gobearcats.com/sports/football/schedule/1946 University of Cincinnati June 9, 2026 2025 Cincinnati Football Media Guide & Record Book https://gobearcats.com/documents/2024/8/15/2024_Cincinnati_Football_Media_Guide.pdf University of Cincinnati 112 June 9, 2026 Players 30em Bert Bauer, center, 208 pounds Tom Blake, guard/linebacker, No. 50, 200 pounds Jim Dougherty, halfback, No. 13 Bob Fenlon, guard, No. 22, 220 pounds Ollie Freese, halfback Mike Graham, fullback Stan Klimczak, end, freshman, 188 pounds Dick Langenbeck, tackle, No. 38, 225 pounds Don McMillan, quarterback, No. 15, 175 pounds Elbie Nickel, captain and end, No. 33, 200 pounds Tom O'Malley, quarterback Fred Redeker, fullback, No. 31, 220 pounds Alkie Richards, halfback, No. 21, 178 pounds Al Sabato, linebacker Floyd Shorts, center, No. 41 Bill Smyth, tackle, No. 49, 220 pounds Wille Stargel, end "Racing" Roger Stephens, halfback, No. 23, 183 pounds Max Wharton, end, No. 51, 210 pounds After the season 1947 NFL draft The 1947 NFL Draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Bearcats were selected.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1947/draft.htm 1947 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com November 29, 2020 Cincinnati Bearcats Round Pick Player Position NFL Club 6 42 Roger Stephens Back Chicago Bears 17 149 Elbie Nickel End Pittsburgh Steelers 25 232 Fred Redeker Back Green Bay Packers 29 272 Dick Langenbeck Tackle Philadelphia Eagles References External links 50th anniversary article Cincinnati Category:Cincinnati Bearcats football seasons Category:Sun Bowl champion seasons Cincinnati Bearcats football