1956 George Washington Colonials football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1956 George Washington Colonials football Southern Conference SoCon 17 8–1–1 5–1 Bo Sherman 5th Griffith Stadium Sun Bowl champion Sun Bowl W 13–0 vs. Texas Western The 1956 George Washington Colonials football team was an American football team that represented George Washington University (GWU) as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1956 college football season. In its fifth season under head coach Bo Sherman, the team compiled an 8–1–1 record (5–1 in conference games), finished third in the SoCon, and outscored opponents by a total of 171 to 81.https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/george-washington/1956-schedule.html 1956 George Washington Colonials Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 2, 2019 The team's sole loss was to SoCon champion West Virginia. George Washington was ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll and finished the season with a victory over the 1957 Sun Bowl over Texas Western which is GWU's only football bowl game. At the end of the regular season, the team voted quarterback Ray Looney and guard Ed Sakach as the team's best players.Looney and Sakach Voted Awards by GW Players The Evening Star December 7, 1956 C2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star-looney-and-sakich/165437545/ Newspapers.com Tackle Dave Liddick was the only George Washington player to receive first-team honors on the 1956 All-Southern Conference football team.Walt Brodie Is Captain of All-SC Squad The Robesonian November 28, 1956 9 https://books.google.com/books?id=IDRAAAAAIBAJ&dq=1956+All-Southern+Conference+football+team&pg=PA5 The team's statistical leaders included Looney with 262 passing yards, Pete Spera with 345 rushing yards, and Thompson with 156 receiving yards.1956 George Washington Colonials Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/george-washington/1956.html September 2, 2019 Schedule 1956 AP y y y September 22 at Miami (OH)<ncg> Miami Field Oxford, OH W 7-6 6,546 GWU depth, penalties hit Miami Dayton Daily News Ben Garlikov September 23, 1956 4-1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69820834/gwu-depth-penalties-hit-miami/ Newspapers.com September 29 at Furman Sirrine Stadium Greenville, SC W 10-0 6,000 Colonials have to battle to top scrappy Furman, 10-0 The Greenville News Jim Anderson September 30, 1956 C1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69821177/colonials-have-to-battle-to-top-scrappy/ Newspapers.com October 5 Hardin–Simmons<ncg> Griffith Stadium Washington, DC W 13-7 10,000 George Washington Nips Cowboys, 13–7 The Abilene Reporter-News Don Oliver October 6, 1956 9A https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35554706/george_washington_nips_cowboys_137/ Newspapers.com October 13 at Boston University<ncg> 16 Boston University Field Boston, MA T 20-20 9,104 B.U. Ties Geo. Washington, 20–20; Fennessey Scores On Run, Pass The Boston Globe Bob Holbrook October 14, 1956 44 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35555315/bu_ties_geo_washington_2020/ Newspapers.com October 19 VMI Griffith Stadium Washington, DC W 40-14 10,000 GW thumps Keydets, 40-14 Richmond Times-Dispatch Steve Guback October 20, 1956 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69821642/gw-thumps-keydets-40-14/ Newspapers.com October 26 William & Mary 17 Griffith Stadium Washington, DC W 16-14 6,000 GW Gains 16-Point Lead, Fights Off William & Mary For 16–14 Win Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia) Hank Maloney October 27, 1956 13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35554870/gw_gains_16point_lead_fights_off/ Newspapers.com November 3 at West Virginia 14 Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV L 0-14 22,000 West Virginia cops, 14-0, nears conference title Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Harry Keck November 4, 1956 3-1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69821879/west-virginia-cops-14-0-nears/ Newspapers.com November 9 Richmond Griffith Stadium Washington, DC W 32-6 4,000 GW romps by Richmond, 32–6 The Birmingham News November 10, 1956 10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35555041/gw_romps_by_richmond_326/ Newspapers.com November 17 at The Citadel 18 Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC W 20-0 8,500 GW finally overcomes stubborn Citadel, 20-0 The Times and Democrat Associated Press November 18, 1956 9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69822091/gw-finally-overcomes-stubborn-citadel/ Newspapers.com January 1, 1957 at Texas Western<ncg> 17 Kidd Field El Paso, TX (Sun Bowl) W 13-0 15,000 Tough Colonials Upset Miners, 13–0: Vicious Line Play Marks Win The El Paso Times Chuck Whitlock January 2, 1957 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35555157/tough_colonials_upset_miners_130/ Newspapers.com Personnel 30em Claude "Bo" Austin, co-captain and fullback, fullback, 195 rushing yards Bill Berry, end, 200 pounds Dick Claypool, right halfback, 185 pounds, 170 rushing yards, 109 receiving yards Ted Colna, right halfback, sophomore, 5'10", 178 pounds, 277 rushing yards Francis Gleason, end, 195 pounds Jack Henzes, quarterback, 175 pounds, 112 passing yards Donald Herman, wide receiver, 50 receiving yards, 12 points scored Joe Hince, center, senior, 190 pounds Marion Hoar, guard, 195 pounds Bob Jewett, tackle, 210 pounds Jack Kesock, end, 190 pounds Dave Liddick, tackle, 240 pounds Ray Looney, quarterback, 185 pounds, 262 passing yards, 256 rushing yards Bill McHenry, tackle, 200 pounds Ray Murray, guard, 200 pounds Ed Rutsch, tackle, 250 pounds Ed Sakach, guard, 225 pounds Bob Shuba, fullback, 185 pounds, 179 rushing yards Mike Sommer, left halfback, 190 pounds, 185 rushing yards Pete Spera, left halfback, 5'8", 175 pounds, Belleville, NJ, 345 rushing yards Bob Sutton, guard, 200 pounds Paul Thompson, co-captain and end, 200 pounds, 157 receiving yards, 12 points scored Mickey Varley, center, 210 pounds 1956 George Washington Colonials Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football February 13, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/george-washington/1956.htmlGW's Fine Starters Have to Stay Healthy THe Evening Star September 18, 1956 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star-gws-fine-starters-have-to/165436815/ Newspapers.comGW Squad Dons Full Gear For Stiff Workout in Heat Evening Star September 2, 1956 C5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star-gw-squad-dons-full-gear-for/165437285/ Newspapers.com References External links Game film of Sun Bowl George Washington Category:George Washington Colonials football seasons Category:Sun Bowl champion seasons George Washington Colonials football