1956 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team

American college football season February 2026 July 2024 1956 Northern Michigan Wildcats football Independent 7–0–1 Lloyd Eaton 1st Memorial Field The 1956 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team was an American football team that represented Northern Michigan College (later renamed Northern Michigan University) as an independent during the 1956 college football season. The team compiled a 7–0–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 263 to 72.1956 - Northern Michigan College Football Data Warehouse May 4, 2023 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/game_by_game_current.php?teamid=2320&year=1956 https://web.archive.org/web/20150910102813/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/game_by_game_current.php?teamid=2320&year=1956 2015-09-10 It remains Northern Michigan's only undefeated season since the 1929 season when the team compiled a 4–0–2 record.Northern Michigan Records by Year College Football Data Warehouse May 4, 2023 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/year_by_year_current.php?teamid=2320 https://web.archive.org/web/20150906061754/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/incomplete_data/year_by_year_current.php?teamid=2320 2015-09-06 Lloyd Eaton, who had been head coach and athletic director at Alma College for seven years, was hired as Northern Michigan's head coach in February 1956.New Head Football Coach Hired At Northern The Escanaba Daily Press February 14, 1956 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-escanaba-daily-press-lloyd-eaton/132918977/ Newspapers.com He took over a team that had lost every game in 1955 and led the 1956 squad to an undefeated season. He was touted in the press as the "Miracle Man of the Gridiron".Belle Native Michigan's Football 'Miracle Man' Rapid City Daily Journal December 2, 1956 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal-belle-native-michigan/132918775/ Newspapers.comWins 'Em All With 'Sure Loser': Grid Miracles His Specialty Detroit Free Press November 14, 1956 26 Marshall Dann https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-wins-em-all-with-su/132919516/ Newspapers.com He was also named the 1956 coach of the year by the Associated Press and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.Writers Honor Small College Gridders Battle Creek Enquirer and News December 14, 1956 23 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-writers-honor-smal/132919738/ Newspapers.com The team's only setback was a 13–13 tie with 1956 Bemidji State Beavers Bemidji State. The Wildcats trailed Bemidji until freshman quarterback Tom Schwalbach ran seven yards for a touchdown in the final 90 seconds of the game. Schwalbach, recently discharged from service in the Marine Corps, led all collegiate football players in Michigan with 103 points scored (14 touchdowns and 19 extra points) during the 1956 season.Honor Spot To Podoley Lansing State Journal Dave Diles November 24, 1956 16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-honor-spot-to-podo/132913346/ Newspapers.comSchwalbach Compiles Fabulous Grid Marks At Northern College The Escanaba Daily Press November 8, 1956 24 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-escanaba-daily-press-schwalbach-comp/132912696/ Newspapers.com Schwalbach tallied 1,100 yards of total offense (493 rushing yards and 607 passing yards). Schwalbach and Whitey Wilson were described as the team's "one-two punch".Uninvited Gridder A Welcome Scorer Detroit Free Press Marshall Dann October 30, 1956 27 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-uninvited-gridder-a-w/132913010/ Schalbach was the only Northern Michigan player selected as a first-team player on the 1956 Associated Press All-Michigan small college football team. Center Jim Wickam and tackle Wayne Thoms received honorable mention. Schedule y y September 22 at 1956 Alma Scots Alma Alma, MI W 32-0 Northern Routs Alma Behind Schwalback The Battle Creek Enquirer and News September 23, 1956 III-10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-northern-routs-alm/124049790/ Newspapers.com September 29 1956 Northland LumberJacks Northland Marquette, MI W 38-12 October 6 at 1956 Bemidji State Beavers Bemidji State Bemidji, MN T 13-13 October 13 at Michigan Tech Houghton, MI W 20-13 October 20 1956 Ferris Institute Bulldogs Ferris Institute Marquette, MI W 19-0 Northern Tops Ferris To Remain Undefeated The Escanaba Daily Press October 22, 1956 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-escanaba-daily-press-northern-tops-f/124050268/ Newspapers.com October 27 1956 Superior State Yellowjackets Superior State Marquette, MI W 41-6 Northern Drubs Superior 41-6 Ironwood Daily Globe October 29, 1956 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/ironwood-daily-globe-northern-drubs-supe/124050460/ Newspapers.com November 3 1956 Mayville State Comets Mayville State Marquette, MI W 54-20 Schwalback Paces Northern Michigan, 54 to 20 Detroit Free Press November 4, 1956 2D https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-schwalback-paces-nort/132911659/ Newspapers.com November 10 1956 Lakeland Muskies Lakeland Marquette, MI W 46-18 Lakeland Smeared In Windup, 46-8 The Sheboygan Press November 12, 1956 21 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-lakeland-smeeared-in/124048655/ Newspapers.com References Northern Michigan Category:Northern Michigan Wildcats football seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Northern Michigan Wildcats football