1941 VPI Gobblers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1941 VPI Gobblers football Southern Conference SoCon 6–4 4–2 Jimmy Kitts 1st Bill Tate Bill Zydiak Miles Stadium The 1941 VPI Gobblers football team was an American football team that represented Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute in Southern Conference during the 1941 college football season. In their first season under head coach Jimmy Kitts, the Gobblers compiled a 6–4 record (4–2 against conference opponents), tied for fifth place in the conference, and were outscored by a total of 120 to 112.1941 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 20, 2019 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia-tech/1941-schedule.html VPI was ranked at No. 102 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1941.Gophers Grid Kings Over 6-Year Span: Tennessee 2d, Pitt 3d Over Period Litkenhous Ratins Are Published The Courier-Journal Dr. E. E. Litkenhous December 26, 1941 Sports 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123088221/gophers-grid-kings-over-6-year-span/ Newspapers.com Guard Roger McClure as selected by both the Associated Press and the United Press as a second-team player on the 1941 All-Southern Conference football team.AP's All-Southern Selection The Greenville News December 3, 1941 10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36559584/aps_allsouthern_selection/ Newspapers.comAll-Southern Conference Team The Brooklyn Daily Eagle November 29, 1941 9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3903901/all_southern_conference_team/ Guard John Maskas was selected by the Boston Yanks in the 14th round (142nd overall pick) of the 1944 NFL draft.1944 NFL Draft Sports Reference LLC Pro-Football-Reference.com September 20, 2019 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1944/draft.htm Maskas became the first VPI player to play in the NFL,Virginia Tech Players/Alumni Sports Reference LLC Pro-Football-Reference.com September 20, 2019 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/virginiatech/ appearing in 18 games for the Buffalo Bills in 1947 and 1949.John Maskas Stats Sports Reference LLC Pro-Football-Reference.com September 20, 2019 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MaskJo20.htm Schedule Eastern September 20 w y 1941 Catawba Indians Catawba Miles Stadium Blacksburg, VA 22–2 4,500 Catawba Matches Tech's Air Game But Yields, 22-2 Daily Press September 21, 1941 C1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36174694/catawba_matches_techs_air_game_but/ Newspapers.com August 19, 2022Virginia Tech Finds Trouble, but Takes Catawba, 22-2 https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-09-21/ed-1/seq-40/ Library of Congress The Sunday Star September 21, 1941 40 August 19, 2022 September 27 l y y Kentucky Manual Stadium Louisville, KY 14–37 8,000-8,500 8000 See Wildcats Trounce VPI, 37–14, In Season Opener At Manual Stadium https://exploreuk.uky.edu/catalog/xt7fbg2h7z0s?f%5Bsource_s%5D%5B%5D=The+Kentucky+Kernel&f%5Bpub_date_sort%5D%5B%5D=1941&offset=60&per_page=20#page/4/mode/1up University of Kentucky The Kentucky Kernel September 30, 1941 4 August 19, 2022Kentucky Combines Speed and Power Crush V. P. I. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-09-28/ed-1/seq-42/ Library of Congress The Sunday Star September 28, 1941 42 August 19, 2022 October 4 3:00 p.m. w y y Georgetown Miles Stadium Blacksburg, VA 3–0 5,000-7,500 VPI Upsets Georgetown, 3-0: McClure's Field Goal in 3rd Period VPI Victory Margin Daily Press October 5, 1941 C1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35640726/vpi_upsets_georgetown_30_mcclures/ Newspapers.com August 19, 2022Virginia Tech Upsets Georgetown, 3-0 https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-10-05/ed-1/seq-42/ Library of Congress The Sunday Star October 5, 1941 42 August 19, 2022V. P. I. Amazes By 3-0 Win Over Georgetown https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/bitstream/handle/10822/1064373/19411008.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Georgetown University The Hoya October 8, 1941 4 August 19, 2022 October 11 l y William & Mary City Stadium Richmond, VA 7–16 12,000 William and Mary Downs Fighting Tech Team By 16–7 Count https://digital.libraries.wm.edu/flat-hat-1941-october-14 College of William & Mary The Flat Hat October 14, 1941 3 January 22, 2024 October 18 2:30 p.m. w y Davidson Richardson Stadium Davidson, NC 16–0 5,000 Virginia Tech Brings Strong Team To Richardson Stadium Saturday https://davidson.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/view/BookReaderViewer/01DCOLL_INST/12302043150005716 Davidson College The Davidsonian October 16, 1941 1 August 19, 2022Tech Power Bests 'Cats https://davidson.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/view/BookReaderViewer/01DCOLL_INST/12302042950005716 Davidson College The Davidsonian October 23, 1941 4 August 19, 2022V. P. I. Downs Wildcats, 16-0, For First Loop Win Of Year https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1941-10-19/ed-1/seq-9/ Library of Congress The Sunday Star-News October 19, 1941 9 August 19, 2022 October 25 2:30 p.m. w y Washington and Lee Lynchburg Municipal Stadium Lynchburg, VA 13–3 6,000 Inspired Gobblers Smash Blue Hopes For Big Six Title https://dspace.wlu.edu/bitstream/handle/11021/30098/RTP_19411028.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Washington and Lee University The Ring-tum Phi October 28, 1941 3 August 19, 2022V. P. I. Triumphs, 13-3, Over W. & L. in Tilt Decided in Air https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-10-26/ed-1/seq-44/ Library of Congress The Sunday Star October 26, 1941 44 August 19, 2022Tech Defeats Generals 13-3 Last Saturday In Lynchburg https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RCN19411030.1.5&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------- Library of Virginia Rockbridge County News October 30, 1941 5 December 2, 2022 November 1 2:30 p.m. l y y Virginia Foreman Field Norfolk, VA rivalry 0–34 15,000 Cavaliers Move Nearer State Championship, Defeat V.P.I. 34-0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=cDbf6tmpeSoC&dat=19411101&printsec=frontpage&hl=en The Cavalier Daily November 3, 1941 9 August 22, 2022Dudley Leads Virginia In Drive Crushing V. P. I., 34 to 0 https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-11-02/ed-1/seq-41/ Library of Congress The Sunday Star November 2, 1941 41 August 22, 2022 November 8 2:30 p.m. w y NC State Bowman Gray Stadium Winston-Salem, NC 14–13 10,000 Pack Proves Punch; Wants V.P.I. Win https://d.lib.ncsu.edu/collections/catalog/technician-v22n8-1941-11-07#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=2&z=-3407.2437%2C0%2C12446.4875%2C7849 North Carolina State University The Technician November 7, 1941 3 August 19, 2022Virginia Tech Rallies, Downs State 14-13 https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1941-11-09/ed-1/seq-9/ Library of Congress The Sunday Star-News November 9, 1941 9 August 22, 2022 November 20 2:15 p.m. l y VMI Lynchburg Municipal Stadium Lynchburg, VA rivalry 10–15 19,000-20,000 Squadron Rolls Over VPI Gobblers, 15–10 https://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/digital/collection/p15821coll8/id/8639 Virginia Military Institute The V.M.I. Cadet November 27, 1941 1 August 19, 2022Virginia Military Downs More Powerful Gobblers https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1941-11-21/ed-1/seq-9/ Library of Congress The Sunday Star-News November 21, 1941 9 August 22, 2022Fighting Squadron Captures Thanksgiving Day Contest https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RCN19411127.1.7&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------- Library of Virginia Rockbridge County News November 27, 1941 7 December 1, 2022 November 29 2:30 p.m. w Richmond Miles Stadium Blacksburg, VA 13–0 4,000 Spiders Close Season Against Virginia Tech Tomorrow http://collegian.richmond.edu/cgi-bin/richmond?a=d&d=COL19411128.2.33&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- University of Richmond The Richmond Collegian November 28, 1941 5 August 19, 2022Gridders Drop Season Finale To Tech, 0–13 http://collegian.richmond.edu/cgi-bin/richmond?a=d&d=COL19411205.2.28&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- University of Richmond The Richmond Collegian December 5, 1941 4 August 19, 2022Smith Sparks V. P. I. in 13-to-0 Victory Over Richmond https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-11-30/ed-1/seq-56/ Library of Congress The Sunday Star November 30, 1941 56 August 22, 2022 Before the season The 1940 VPI Gobblers football team compiled a 5–5 record and were led by Henry Redd in his ninth season as head coach. On November 20, 1940, Redd announced that he would resign as VPI head coach to become full-time secretary of the General Alumni Association and the director of the Tech Alumni Fund.Coach To Resign https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1940-11-21/ed-1/seq-14/ Library of Congress The Wilmington Morning Star November 21, 1940 14 December 29, 2022Redd Quits as Coach https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1940-11-21/ed-1/seq-42/ Library of Congress The Evening Star November 21, 1940 42 December 29, 2022 After considering other coaches to fill the vacancy (reportedly including Bunny OakesVitt Changes Mind About Exposing Indians' Uprising https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-01-25/ed-1/seq-16/ Library of Congress The Evening Star January 25, 1941 16 December 29, 2022 and John BarnhillV.P.I. To Name Grid Coach Soon https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1941-01-23/ed-1/seq-6/ Library of Congress The Wilmington Morning Star January 23, 1941 6 December 29, 2022), former Rice head coach Jimmy Kitts accepted the VPI head coaching position on February 13, 1941.Kitts Named to Grid Coaching Berth at Virginia Tech https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-02-13/ed-1/seq-55/ Library of Congress The Evening Star February 13, 1941 55 December 29, 2022 In December 1940, the VPI letterwinners chose linemen Bill Tate and Bill Zydiak as co-captains for the 1941 football season.Two Lead Virginia Tech https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1940-12-10/ed-1/seq-38/ Library of Congress The Evening Star December 10, 1940 38 December 29, 2022 VPI held a spring game on April 19, 1941. The result was a 26–7 victory over Appalachian State Teachers College, with the Gobblers scoring three touchdowns in the third quarter.V. P. I. Gridders Score https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-04-19/ed-1/seq-19/ Library of Congress The Evening Star April 19, 1941 19 December 29, 2022 Game summaries Catawba Catawba at VPI Catawba VPI 0 0 0 2 7 9 6 0 September 20, 1941 Miles StadiumBlacksburg, VA 4,500 VPI's first game of the season was a victory over Catawba at Miles Stadium. In the first quarter, VPI's Jack Gallagher completed a 46-yard pass to Gene Wheeler for the game's first touchdown, with Roger McClure kicking the extra point. In the second quarter, Gobblers fullback Mason Blandford did a 70-yard quick kick that stopped at the one-yard line and set up a touchdown by Jim Lively. Ben Judy also scored in the second quarter, completing a safety against Catawba quarterback Dwight Holshouser. VPI had another 70-yard quick kick, this time by Bobby Smith, in the third quarter that set up a touchdown by Bill Tate. Catawba scored their only points in the fourth quarter, when Steve Johnson tackled Lively for a safety. VPI finished the game with 49 yards rushing and 124 yards passing, while Catawba finished with 36 yards rushing and 147 yards passing. VPI also recorded five interceptions. The starting lineup for VPI was: Johnson (left end), Maskas (left tackle), W. Tate (left guard), Zydiak (center), McClure (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), James (quarterback), Kern (left halfback), Wheeler (right halfback), Blandford (fullback). The substitutes were: Clark, Davis, Fuller, Gallagher, Kujawa, Lawson, Lively, Rucker, Sharpe, Smith, B. Tate, Unterzuber, Warner and Wilson. The starting lineup for Catawba was: Donald Hanley (left end), George Haley (left tackle), Hubert Menapace (left guard), Ed Ellis (center), Clayton Gaddy (right guard), William Rodeffer (right tackle), Steve Johnson (right end), Dwight Holshouser (quarterback), Anthony Georgiana (left halfback), Louis Green (right halfback), Crayton Benson Jr. (fullback). The substitutes were: Duke Burkholder, R. Culton, Feemster, L. Hunter, R. Ravaschire, K. Rhodes, Army Tomaini, Ray Yagiello and S. Whitener. Kentucky Kentucky vs. VPI VPI Kentucky 0 0 0 14 13 12 6 6 September 27, 1941 Manual StadiumLouisville, KY 8,000-8,500 "Hot" 1941 Kentucky Wildcats football team The second game was against Kentucky at the neutral Manual Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Kentucky started the scoring on the third play of the game when Ermal Allen rushed for a 38-yard touchdown with Junie Jones making the extra point. Later in the first quarter, the Wildcats' Bill Portwood blocked a VPI punt and Kentucky then scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown by Billy Kincer. In the second quarter, Kentucky's Noah Mullins intercepted a pass by VPI's Billy James and then Carl Althaus caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Phil Cutchin. Cutchin missed the extra point. At the end of the first half, Wildcat Claude Hammond rushed for a four-yard touchdown and Cutchin's extra point attempt was blocked by VPI. After halftime, the Wildcats' Charley Bill Walker recovered a VPI fumble and Jones rushed for a 32-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, VPI's Jim Lively recorded two touchdown catches. The first was a ten-yard catch with Roger McClure kicking the extra point. Lively's second touchdown was a 65-yard pass from Bobby Smith with McClure kicking the extra point. Kentucky scored a final time, another pass from Cutchin to Althaus. VPI finished the game with 38 yards rushing and 208 yards passing, while Kentucky finished with 279 yards rushing and 102 yards passing. The starting lineup for VPI was: Chasen (left end), Judy (left tackle), Rucker (left guard), Zydiak (center), McClure (right guard), Maskas (right tackle), W. Johnson (right end), Kern (quarterback), James (left halfback), Wheeler (right halfback), Blandford (fullback). The substitutes were: Lively, Smith and Wilson. The starting lineup for Kentucky was: Bill Portwood (left end), Clyde Johnson (left tackle), Norm Beck (left guard), Charley Walker (center), Jack Casner (right guard), Clark Wood (right tackle), Allen Parr (right end), Tommy Zinn (quarterback), Noah Mullins (left halfback), Ermal Allen (right halfback), Billy Kincer (fullback). The substitutes were: Carl Althaus, Bob Beeler, Don Boehler, Phil Cutchin, Claude Hammond, Junie Jones and Charley Kuhn. Georgetown Georgetown at VPI Georgetown VPI 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 October 4, 1941 Miles StadiumBlacksburg, VA 3:00 p.m. 5,000-7,500 1941 Georgetown Hoyas football team VPI's 1941 homecoming game was an upset victory over Georgetown. In the third quarter, Gobbler Bobby Smith punted to Hoya Frank Dornfeld who then fumbled the ball, which Smith recovered. VPI's Roger McClure then kicked a 25-yard field goal, the only points for either side during the game. Near the end of the game, Gobbler Dick Kern fumbled at their own 18-yard line, which was recovered by Georgetown's Ben Reiges. But Georgetown could not take advantage of the field position and turned it over on downs. Georgetown was held scoreless for the first time since 1937. VPI finished the game with 93 yards rushing and 21 yards passing, while Georgetown finished with 51 yards rushing and 40 yards passing. The starting lineup for VPI was: Chasen (left end), Lawson (left tackle), McClure (left guard), Zydiak (center), R. Anderson (right guard), Judy (right tackle), W. Johnson (right end), Kern (quarterback), James (left halfback), Wheeler (right halfback), Smith (fullback). The substitutes were: Blandford, Clark, Davis, Fuller, Gallagher, T. Johnson, Lively, Maskas, McClure, Rucker, Sharpe, B. Tate, Unterzuber and Wilson. The starting lineup for Georgetown was: Bob Duffey (left end), George Perpich (left tackle), Edward McMahon (left guard), Edward Derringe (center), Angelo Paternoster (right guard), Al Blozis (right tackle), Al Lujack (right end), Edward Agnew (quarterback), Jack Doolan (left halfback), Ben Bulvin (right halfback), Louis Falcone (fullback). The substitutes were: Frank Dornfield, Bill Erickson, Joe Gyorgydeak, Oscar Harte, Chris Pavich, Tom Ponsalle, Ben Reiges, Russ Sorce, Garry Wilkin and Alfred Yukna. William & Mary William & Mary vs VPI VPI W & M 0 0 7 0 0 10 6 0 October 11, 1941 City StadiumRichmond, VA 12,000 1941 William & Mary Indians football team VPI's game with William & Mary was played at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia in front of approximately 12,000 fans. W&M's Jack Freeman had two interceptions in the first half, both of which led to scoring drives. W&M's first touchdown was a four-yard run by Jimmy Howard with Harvey Johnson kicking the extra point. The Indians scored again when Johnson kicked a 16-yard field goal at the end of the first half, after missing a field goal wide-right in the first quarter. In the third quarter, VPI had a 63-yard drive that ended with their only points of the game, a one-yard run by Mason Blandford with Roger McClure kicking the extra point. Later in the third quarter, VPI's Jim Lively returned a punt, but was pushed back to VPI's one-yard line. VPI eventually punted and the Indians took over at the Gobblers' 34-yard line. Johnny Korczowski then completed a 30-yard pass to Johnson, and on the next play Korczowski rushed four yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Freeman fumbled a punt on W&M's 16-yard line. However, the Gobblers were only able to advance to the nine-yard line and did not score. Later in the fourth quarter, the Indians were penalized for clipping and turned the ball over to VPI on W&M's 21-yard line. But again the Gobblers could not score after getting to the 2-yard line. The starting lineup for VPI was: W. Johnson (left end), Lawson (left tackle), Fuller (left guard), Zydiak (center), R. Anderson (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), Kern (quarterback), James (left halfback), Wheeler (right halfback), Smith (fullback). The substitutes were: Belcher, Blandford, Clark, Davis, Gallagher, Garth, T. Johnson, Kujawa, Lively, Maskas, McClure, B. Tate, Warner and Wilson. The starting lineup for William & Mary was: Al Vandeweghe (left end), Johnny Peterson (left tackle), Buster Ramsey (left guard), Bill Goodlow (center), Drewery Holloway (right guard), Harold Fields (right tackle), Knox (right end), Dave Bucher (quarterback), Jimmie Howard (left halfback), Hurlie Masters (right halfback), Harvey Johnson (fullback). The substitutes were: Marvin Bass, Jack Freeman, Johnny Grembowitz, Jim Hickey, Newell Irwin and Kindler. Davidson VPI at Davidson VPI Davidson 7 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 October 18, 1941 Richardson StadiumDavidson, NC 2:30 p.m. 5,000 1941 Davidson Wildcats football team In October, VPI traveled to Davidson, North Carolina to play against Davidson. It was Davidson's homecoming game and Governor of North Carolina J. Melville Broughton was in attendance. The Gobblers' Billy James rushed for a three-yard touchdown in the first quarter with Roger McClure kicking the extra point. In the second quarter, VPI's Bobby Smith missed a 45-yard field goal, which set up Davidson near their own endzone. Wildcat Johnnie Miller then tried to punt on second down and VPI's Ben Tate blocked the punt for a safety. Earl Bethea then punted for Davidson after the safety, which Smith returned for a 65-yard touchdown with McClure kicking the extra point. The starting lineup for VPI was: Clark (left end), Maskas (left tackle), Unterzuber (left guard), Davis (center), McClure (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), Kern (quarterback), James (left halfback), Kujawa (right halfback), Smith (fullback). The substitutes were: B. Tate. The starting lineup for Davidson was: Moorehead (left end), Donald Bell (left tackle), B. F. Moore (left guard), Frank Caldwell (center), William Shaw (right guard), Edward Hipp (right tackle), Robert Smith (right end), David Spencer (quarterback), John Miller (left halfback), Benjamin Shannon (right halfback), John Frederick (fullback). The substitutes were: Earl "Red" Bethea. Washington and Lee Washington and Lee vs VPI W & L VPI 3 0 0 0 10 3 0 0 October 25, 1941 Lynchburg Municipal StadiumLynchburg, VA 2:30 p.m. 6,000 "Clear, Crisp" 1941 Washington and Lee Generals football team After their victory over Davidson, VPI won against Washington & Lee in Lynchburg, Virginia. Gobbler Roger McClure opened the scoring with a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter. W&L equaled the score when Frank Socha completed a 14-yard field goal after Joe Buagher rushed for 21 yards. Later in the first quarter, VPI's Billy James threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Clark with McClure kicking the extra point. In the second quarter, VPI's John Maskas recovered a fumble by W&L's Teddy Ciesla and then McClure kicked his second field goal of the game, a 21-yarder. Both kickers attempted field goals in the fourth quarter, but were not successful. In the final two minutes of the game, the Generals' Harry Baugher completed a 57-yard pass to his brother Joe Baugher. But VPI's James intercepted the next pass, ending the game. The starting lineup for VPI was: Clark (left end), Maskas (left tackle), McClure (left guard), Davis (center), Anderson (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), Kern (quarterback), James (left halfback), Blandford (right halfback), Smith (fullback). The substitutes were: Brinkley, Fuller, Gallagher, Kujawa, Lawson, McClaugherty, B. Tate, W. Tate, Rucker, Sharpe, Wilson and Zydiak. The starting lineup for Washington and Lee was: Thomas Nelson (left end), Lillard Ailor (left tackle), Roy Fabian Jr. (left guard), Joseph Littlepage (center), William Gray (right guard), William Furman (right tackle), Preston Brown (right end), Robert Pinck (quarterback), Harry Baugher (left halfback), Floyd McKenna (right halfback), Frank Frederick Socha (fullback). The substitutes were: Joe Baugher, Paul Cavaliere, Theodore Ciesla, James Daves, Frank DiLoreto, Bev Fitzpatrick, James Graff, Jack Roehl, John Rulevich, David Russell, Paul Skillman, Marshall "Tex" Steves and James Wheater. Virginia Virginia vs VPI VPI Virginia 0 0 0 0 0 14 6 14 November 1, 1941 Foreman FieldNorfolk, VA 2:30 p.m. 15,000 Causey (South Carolina) 1941 Virginia Cavaliers football team VPI's first game in November was a blowout loss against Virginia at Foreman Field in Norfolk, Virginia. Virginia captain Bill Dudley started the scoring in the second quarter when he threw a 19-yard touchdown to Billy Hill. Dudley then had an 8-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Bryant. Dudley also kicked the extra point for both touchdowns, and the Cavaliers led 14–0 at halftime. In the third quarter, Bryant had a 30-yard rush, followed by an 8-yard touchdown run by Dudley for his third touchdown. His extra point attempt was unsuccessful. Dudley then rushed four yards for his fourth touchdown in the fourth quarter. Virginia's final touchdown was a rush by fullback Don Niklason. Dudley kicked the final two extra points. VPI finished the game with 118 yards rushing and 13 yards passing, while Virginia finished with 245 yards rushing and 100 yards passing. Dudley finished the game with 132 rushing and 109 yards passing, accounting for 28 points. The Matthew Fontaine Maury High School band performed at halftime. During the game, a VPI fan reportedly released a bulldog on the field. The starting lineup for VPI was: Wilson (left end), Maskas (left tackle), Anderson (left guard), Zydiak (center), McClure (right guard), W. Tate (right tackle), Clark (right end), Kern (quarterback), James (left halfback), Gallagher (right halfback), Smith (fullback). The substitutes were: Belcher, Blandford, Chasen, Davis, Fuller, Henderson, Johnson, Judy, Kujawa, B. Tate and Wheeler. The starting lineup for Virginia was: William Hill (left end), Edward Steckmesser (left tackle), James Bear (left guard), William Suhling III (center), John Sauerbeck (right guard), Nicholas Schlegel (right tackle), William Preston (right end), George West (quarterback), Bill Dudley (left halfback), C. Edgar Bryant (right halfback), Herbert Munhall Jr. (fullback). The substitutes were: Lawrence Abbott, Charles Cooper, Ross Craig, Francis Crenshaw, Robert Fuller, Turnbull Gillette, Edward Kreick, Irwin Lakin, J. Ashby Marshall, John Neff, Don Niklason, Daniel Oehmig, George Palmer, Milton Parlow, Eric Schlesinger, Robert Seiler and James White. NC State NC State vs VPI VPI NC State 0 7 0 7 13 0 0 0 November 8, 1941 Winston-Salem, NC 2:30 p.m. 10,000 1941 NC State Wolfpack football team On November 8, VPI completed a comeback victory over NC State in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. NC State's tailback Dick Watts scored both of the Wolfpack touchdowns in the first quarter; the first was a 48-yard touchdown run on a fake reverse and the second was a two-yard rush. NC State's Art Faircloth missed the first extra point, which would be the difference in the final score. In the second quarter, VPI's Jack Gallagher threw a touchdown pass to Gerald Clark with Roger McClure kicking the extra point. After a scoreless third quarter, the Gobblers' Bobby Smith rushed for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game. McClure extra point attempt was successful, and VPI took the lead. The game ended after Smith intercepted pass during NC State's last drive. The starting lineup for VPI was: Chasen (left end), Maskas (left tackle), W. Tate (left guard), Zydiak (center), Anderson (right guard), Lawson (right tackle), Clark (right end), Kern (quarterback), James (left halfback), Wheeler (right halfback), Blandford (fullback). The substitutes were: Davis, Fuller, Gallagher, Johnson, Judy, Lively, McClaugherty, McClure, Sharpe, Smith and Wilson. The starting lineup for NC State was: Carl Fitchett (left end), George Jones (left tackle), John Barr (left guard), Wilton "Cutie" Carter (center), June "Dink" Caton (right guard), Tom Gould (right tackle), Jardine Gibson (right end), Robert Cathey (quarterback), Richard "Dick" Watts Jr. (left halfback), John "Jack" Huckabee (right halfback), Foy Clark (fullback). The substitutes were: Jimmy Allen, Mike Andrews, Phil Avery, Raymond Benbenek, Richard Callaway, Robert "Peanut" Doak, Art Faircloth, Cecil Fry, Ed Gibson, Gordon, Reuben Morgan, H. T. Moser, Nelson, Frank Owens, Charlie Riddle, William "Dud" Robbins, Russell Senter, J. L. Singer, Earl Stewart, T. M. Turner, Mac Williams and Barrett Wilson. VMI VMI vs VPI VPI VMI 0 10 0 0 7 0 2 6 November 20, 1941 Lynchburg Municipal StadiumLynchburg, VA 19,000-20,000 1941 VMI Keydets football team VPI lost to VMI on Thanksgiving at Lynchburg Municipal Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia. VMI's Charlie Parkins rushed 11 yards for the game's first touchdown in the first quarter with Joe Muha kicking the extra point. in the second quarter, VPI's Billy James scored on an 11-yard touchdown run with Roger McClure kicking the extra point. Later in the quarter, McClure completed a 43-yard field goal to give VPI the lead at halftime. After halftime, VMI's Clyde Ellington blocked a punt by Bobby Smith, who fell on the loose ball in the Gobbler endzone for a safety. The final touchdown was a two-yard rush by VMI's Muha to take the lead. Muha's extra point attempt was blocked by VPI's Bill Zydiak. VPI finished the game with 171 yards rushing. The starting lineup for VPI was: Chasen (left end), Maskas (left tackle), W. Tate (left guard), Zydiak (center), Anderson (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Clark (right end), Kern (quarterback), James (left halfback), Wheeler (right halfback), Smith (fullback). The substitutes were: Blandford, Gallagher, Johnson, Kujawa, Lawson, McClure, B. Tate, Unterzuber and Wilson. The starting lineup for VMI was: Charlie Parkins (left end), Clyde Ellington (left tackle), W. Dow Markin (left guard), Barney Skladany (center), Julius Minton (right guard), Michael Ducko (right tackle), Billy Clark (right end), Bosh Pritchard (quarterback), Carter Catlett (left halfback), Joe Muha (right halfback), Johnny Stevens (fullback). The substitutes were: Robert Barton, King, Marks, William McIntyre, Bill Ward and Walter Wolfe. Richmond Richmond at VPI Richmond VPI 0 0 0 0 0 7 6 0 November 29, 1941 Miles StadiumBlacksburg, VA 2:30 p.m. 4,000 "Pleasant" 1941 Richmond Spiders football team VPI's final game of the season was a home victory against Richmond. In the first quarter, VPI drove to Richmond's 18-yard line and then again to their 29-yard line. However, both drives ended on missed field goals by Roger McClure. After stopping the Spiders at their 15-yard line in the second quarter, VPI's Bobby Smith had a 71-yard touchdown down the left sideline with McClure kicking the extra point. Later in the quarter, VPI's Ralph Unterzuber recovered a fumble by Richmond's Lem Fitzgerald and the Gobblers drove the Spiders' two-yard line. But then VPI's Jack Gallagher fumbled and Richmond recovered, ending the half. Smith scored another touchdown in the third quarter with a one-yard run on fourth down. McClure missed the extra point, his third missed kick of the game. VPI lost the ball again in the fourth quarter with a fumble by Tony Kujawa. VPI finished the game with 342 yards rushing and 56 yards passing, while Richmond finished with 73 yards rushing and 73 yards passing. The starting lineup for VPI was: Clark (left end), Maskas (left tackle), W. Tate (left guard), Zydiak (center), Anderson (right guard), B. Tate (right tackle), Wilson (right end), Kern (quarterback), Blandford (left halfback), Wheeler (right halfback), Smith (fullback). The substitutes were: Belcher, Chasen, Davis, Gallagher, Garth, T. Johnson, W. Johnson, Kujawa, Lawson, McClaugherty, McClure, Rucker, Rupert, Sharpe and Unterzuber. Billy James was kept out of the game due to an injury sustained during the VMI game. The starting lineup for Richmond was: Vincent Collins (left end), David Robertson (left tackle), Maxwell Katz (left guard), Bert Milling (center), Joseph Amrhein (right guard), Joseph Mack (right tackle), Houston Sizer (right end), Lemuel Fitzgerald (quarterback), Courtney Lawler (left halfback), Francis "Fitz" Laurinaitis (right halfback), Hall (fullback). The substitutes were: Courtney Bowen, Joseph Fortunato, Paul Graham, John Griffin, Alexander Jacobs, Warren Pace, P. Gordon Remine and Walter "Sonny" Wholey. After the season After the 1941 season, players Jim Lively and Bobby Smith left VPI.Veteran V. P. I. Grid Squad Lacks Kicker, Fleet Ball Toter https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-04-07/ed-1/seq-17/ Library of Congress The Evening Star April 7, 1942 17 January 1, 2023 In August 1942, Head Coach Kitts was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve to become a physical training instructor at a Navy Air Force preflight training school.V. P. I. Loses Head Coach Kitts to Army https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=SNH19420825.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------- Library of Virginia Suffolk News-Herald August 25, 1942 1 January 1, 2023 Assistant Coach Jules Medwin also went into the service shortly after Kitts.Medwin of Gobblers' Sports Staff Trails Kitts Into Service https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-09-05/ed-1/seq-20/ Library of Congress The Evening Star September 5, 1942 20 January 1, 2023 The athletic council chose assistant coaches Herbert McEver and Sumner D. Tilson to be co-coaches until Kitts returned.Tilson, McEver To Run Gobler Grid Activities https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1942-08-26/ed-1/seq-6/ Library of Congress The Wilmington Morning Star August 26, 1942 6 January 1, 2023 Players Roster VPI 1941 roster Van Anderson Hudson Bailey Alton Harwood Belcher Henry Peter Bisschop Mason Blandford Bruce Brinkley Irvin Chasen Gerald Clark William Davis Diggs Nelson Fuller Jack Gallagher William Anderson Garth Willard Henderson Bill James Ted James Johnson William "Stud" Johnson Ben Judy Dick Kern Anthony Kujawa Bob Lawson Jim Lively John Maskas Allen McClaugherty Roger McClure John Rucker Jay Simpson Rupert Jim Sharpe William Alexandra Shelton Bobby Smith Ben Tate Bill Tate (Co-Capt.) Ralph Travis Unterzuber William L. Varn Paul Warner Gene Wheeler Elmer Wilson Alfonso Wright, Jr. Bill Zydiak (Co-Capt.) Varsity letter winners Twenty-six players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1941 VPI team.1941 VPI Letterwinners Virginia Tech December 27, 2022 https://hokiesports.com/sports/2018/5/1/football-player-letterwinners.aspx Player Hometown Notes Cecil Van Anderson Andersonville, Virginia World War II veteran (Major, Army Air Corps). Mason Harper Blandford Beaumont, Virginia World War II veteran (Lt. (j.g.), Navy). Irvin Jean Chasen Richmond, Virginia World War II veteran (1st Lieutenant, Army). Awarded four separate battlefield ribbons and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Gerald Harley Clark Bristol, Tennessee William Earnest Davis Sutton, West Virginia Nelson Thomas Fuller Phoebus, Virginia World War II veteran (Major, Air Force). John Edward "Jack" Gallagher Roselle Park, New Jersey World War II veteran (Sergeant, Army). Awarded Purple Heart. Willard Joseph Henderson Cumberland, Maryland William Wilson "Bill" James Hampton, Virginia World War II and Korean War veteran (1st Lieutenant, Army). William B. Johnson Hopewell, Virginia Samuel Benjamin Judy Belleville, West Virginia Richard Davis Kern Winchester, Virginia World War II veteran (Major, Army). Awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. Anthony Thomas Kujawa Monessen, Pennsylvania World War II veteran (Technical Sergeant, Army Air Forces). Held as a prisoner of war for two years. Awarded the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. James Robert "Bob" Lawson Cambria, Virginia Ioannis Demetrios “John James” Maskas Monessen, Pennsylvania World War II veteran (Marines). Emigrated with family from Kampos, Chios, Greece. Charles Allen McClaugherty Narrows, Virginia World War II veteran (Marines). Roger Nelson McClure Glasgow, West Virginia World War II veteran (Captain, Army). John William Rucker Delaplane, Virginia James Sharpe Arlington, Virginia Robert "Bobby" Smith Charlottesville, Virginia Benjamin Colonna Tate Washington, D.C. World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran (Captain, Navy). Awarded the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. William Lee "Bill" Tate (Capt.) Pulaski, Virginia World War II veteran (Captain, Army). Paul A. Warner, Jr. Hamilton, Virginia Eugene Hagy Wheeler Big Stone Gap, Virginia World War II veteran (Army). William Elmer Wilson Hampton, Virginia World War II veteran (Army). William Daniel Zydiak (Capt.) Manville, New Jersey Coaching and training staff Head coach: Jimmy Kitts Assistant coaches: Backfield coach: Herbert McEver Linemen coach: Sumner D. Tilson Trainer: Bill Altman Assistant backfield coach: Charles "Jules" A. Medwin Freshman coach: Red Laird Bill Porterfield Manager: John Moore Albright Assistant managers: Fishburn Murphy Stone Scoring Summary PlayerPassing TouchdownsReceiving TouchdownsRushing TouchdownsReturn TouchdownsExtra PointsField goalsSafetiesTotal Points Roger McClure 0 0 0 0 12 4 0 24 Bobby Smith 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 24 Bill James 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 18 Jim Lively 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 18 Gerald Clark 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 12 Jack Gallagher 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 Mason Blandford 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 Bill Tate 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 Gene Wheeler 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 Ben Judy 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 Ben Tate 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 References VPI Category:Virginia Tech Hokies football seasons VPI Gobblers football