1946 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1946 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football Mason–Dixon Conference Mason–Dixon 19 10–0 3–0 William D. Murray 4th Tony Stalloni Wilmington Park (7,000)Frazer Field AP small college national championMason–Dixon champion Cigar Bowl W 21–7 vs. 1946 Rollins Tars Rollins 1942 The 1946 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team was an American football team that represented the University of Delaware as a member of the Mason–Dixon Conference during the 1946 college football season. In their fourth year under head coach William D. Murray, the Blue Hens compiled a perfect 10–0 record (3–0 in conference games), shut out five opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 358 to 45. They won the Mason-Dixon championship, defeated 1946 Rollins Tars Rollins in the Cigar Bowl, and were selected by the Associated Press as the small college national champion. They were also ranked at No. 82 among all college football teams 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 Delaware's 1946 season was part of a 32-game unbeaten streak that began on October 26, 1940, and ended on October 3, 1947. The only imperfection was a 7-7 tie with 1941 West Chester Rams West Chester on September 27, 1941, which was followed by a 26-game winning streak. Delaware ranked fifth nationally among small-college teams in total offense with an average of 335.1 yards per game. It ranked 14th nationally in total defense, giving up an average of 163.4 yards per game.The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947 A.S. Barnes and Company W.J. Bingham 1947 87 Key players included quarterback Jim Buchanan; halfbacks Gerald "Doc" Doherty and Art Millman; fullback Paul Hart; team captain and tackles Tony Stalloni and Bob Campbell; guards Gene Carrell and Walt Marusa, ends Carroll Hauptle and Harold "Buck" Thompson; and center Jack Messick.Delaware Blue Hens Promised Cool Weather for Game; Hold Weight Advantage Journal-Every Evening December 31, 1946 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-delaware-blue-hens-prom/166697910/ Newspapers.com Buck Thompson set a Delaware record with a 98-yard rushing play against Washington. Doc Doherty had an 83-yard run against Gettysburg. The team played the majority of its home games at Wilmington Park. The October 26 game against Drexel was the final game played at Frazer Field, and the last game played in Newark until the opening of Delaware Stadium in 1952. Schedule 1946 AP Eastern September 28 w y 1946 Pennsylvania Military Cadets Pennsylvania Military Wilmington Park Wilmington, DE 25–0 10,000 P.M.C. Loses to Delaware September 29, 1946 S1 The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66889485/1946-delaware-pmc/ October 5 w 1946 Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets Randolph–Macon Wilmington Park Wilmington, DE 53–0 7,000 Jackets Bow to Delaware Eleven, 53-0 Associated Press October 6, 1946 6B Richmond Times-Dispatch Richmond, Va. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66900422/1946-delaware-rmc/ October 11 w 1946 McDaniel Green Terror Western Maryland Wilmington Park Wilmington, DE 44–6 7,500 Delaware Routs Terrors; Blue Hens Run String to 24 in Succession with 44 to 6 Victory Jack Gibbons October 12, 1946 11 Wilmington Morning News Wilmington, Del. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66903236/1946-delaware-western/ October 19 w y y 1946 Gettysburg Bullets Gettysburg Musselman Stadium Gettysburg, PA 27–6 3,500 Doherty's Three Touchdown Runs Sparks Delaware Team to 27-6 Win over Bullets October 21, 1946 3 The Gettysburg Times Gettysburg, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66909881/1946-delaware-gettysburg/ October 26 w y y Drexel Frazer Field Newark, DE 52–0 8,000 Delaware Routs Drexel for 26th Allen Lewis October 27, 1946 S1 The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66912021/1946-delaware-drexel/ November 2 w y y 1946 Franklin & Marshall Diplomats Franklin & Marshall Sponaugle-Williamson Field Lancaster, PA 28–0 6,000 Delaware Conquers F&M 28 to 0; 'Hens' Annex 27th Win After Rugged Battle November 3, 1946 18 The Sunday News Lancaster, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66935518/1946-delaware-fm/ November 9 w y y Bucknell Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA 27–14 4,000–6,000 Delaware Rally Beats Bucknell November 10, 1946 S1 The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66936815/1946-bucknell-delaware/ Delaware Beats Bucknell For 22nd Straight Victory: Blue Hens Score Two Touchdowns in Final Period to Win, 27-14 Wilmington Morning News November 11, 1946 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-delaware-beats-bucknell/166704178/ Newspapers.com November 16 w 1946 Washington College Shoremen Washington College Wilmington Park Wilmington, DE 61–0 5,000 Delaware Wins for 29th; Washington Routed as Nine Tally, 61-0 Allen Lewis November 17, 1946 S2 The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66939875/1946-delaware-washington/ Delaware Routs Shoremen for 23rd Straight Victory: Hens Score Almost At Will to Hang Up One-Sided 61-0 Win Wilmington Morning News Marty Levin November 18, 1946 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-delaware-routs-shoremen/166703775/ Newspapers.com November 23 w y 16 Muhlenberg T–19 Wilmington Park Wilmington, DE 20–12 15,000 Delaware Trips Muhlenberg, 20-12; 15,000 See Blue Hen's Unbeaten Run Hit 30 Art Morrow November 24, 1946 S1 The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66942244/1946-n24-inquirer/ Blue Hens Beat Mules To Finish Season Undefeated: Delaware Runs Streak To 24 Triumphs in Row By Scoring 20-12 Win Wilmington Morning News November 25, 1946 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-blue-hens-beat-mules-to/166703279/ Newspapers.com January 1, 1947 w y y 19 1946 Rollins Tars Rollins Phillips Field Tampa, FL Cigar Bowl 21-7 10,000 Delaware Defeats Rollins Tars, 21-7; Hart Stars for Blue Hens in Shrine Tilt Byron Hollingsworth January 2, 1947 11 Tampa Morning Tribune Tampa, Fla. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66943350/1946-delaware-rollins/ Blue Hens Trip Rollins, 21-7, in Cigar Bowl: 10,000 See Paul Hart Put on Sensational Display of Power As Delaware Whips Tars Wilmington Morning News Marty Levin January 2, 1946 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-blue-hens-trip-rollins/115913983/ Newspapers.com Rankings 1946 college football rankings AP 1 9 NR NR NR NR NR NR 16 15 (2) 19 After the season 1947 NFL draft The 1947 NFL Draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Fightin' Blue Hens were selected.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1947/draft.htm 1947 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com November 29, 2020 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens Round Pick Player Position NFL Club 21 187 Paul Hart Back Boston Yanks 30 278 Tony Stalloni Tackle Pittsburgh Steelers References Delaware Category:Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football seasons Category:College football national champions Category:Mason–Dixon Conference football champion seasons Category:Cigar Bowl champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football