1967 Fairmont State Falcons football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1967 Fairmont State Falcons football 1967 Fairmont State Falcons football team.png 285 West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference WVIAC 11–0 7–0 Harold "Deacon" Duvall 16th East-West Stadium NAIA national championWVIAC champion Champion Bowl W 28–21 vs. 1967 Eastern Washington Savages Eastern Washington The 1967 Fairmont State Falcons football team was an American football team that represented Fairmont State University as a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) during the 1967 NAIA football season. In their 16th season under head coach Harold "Deacon" Duvall, the Falcons compiled a perfect 11–0 record (7–0 against conference opponents) and won the WVIAC championship. The team advanced to the NAIA playoffs where they defeated 1967 Northern Michigan Wildcats Northern Michigan in the semifinals and then beat 1967 Eastern Washington Savages Eastern Washington in the Champion Bowl to win the 1967 NAIA national championship. The team led the NAIA in defense, allowing only 119.8 yards per game (60.5 passing and 59.3 rushing). The Falcons' 1967 NAIA national championship was the State of West Virginia's first national title in football.1967 Football Team To Be Honored During Homecoming Weekend Fairmont State University August 9, 2017 November 8, 2021 https://fightingfalcons.com/news/2017/8/9/general-1967-football-team-to-be-honored-during-homecoming-weekend.aspx The 1967 Fairmont team was inducted into the Fairmont State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.1967 national championship football team inducted into FSU Athletic Hall of Fame Times West Virginian Duane Cochran September 30, 2017 https://www.timeswv.com/news/1967-national-championship-football-team-inducted-into-fsu-athletic-hall-of-fame/article_ec79145c-a5bd-11e7-a792-3bb8ad0d5fa4.html The team played its home games at East-West Stadium in Fairmont, West Virginia. Schedule 1967 NAIA NAIA y y September 16 1967 West Virginia Tech Golden Bears West Virginia Tech W 42–7 Fairmont Grabs Victory By 42–6 Weirton Daily Times September 18, 1967 10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88615569/fairmont-grabs-victory-by-42-6/ Newspapers.com September 23 1967 Bluefield State Big Blues Bluefield State East-West Stadium Fairmont, WV W 52–13 September 30 1967 Salem Tigers Salem W 21–13 October 7 at 1967 West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats West Virginia Wesleyan Cebe Ross Field Buckhannon, WV W 48–0 October 21 1967 Glenville State Pioneers Glenville State East-West Stadium Fairmont, WV W 21–0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88616614/fairmont/ Untitled October 23, 1967 10 Newspapers.com Weirton Daily Times October 28 at 1967 West Liberty State Hilltoppers West Liberty State West Liberty, WV W 20–0 Unbeatens: Concord, Fairmont Maintain Perfect Marks; Bobcats Bow Gazette-Mail October 29, 1967 2B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88616516/unbeatens-concord-fairmont-maintain/ Newspapers.com November 4 No. 1 1967 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets Waynesburg<ncg> East-West Stadium Fairmont, WV W 7–0 10,000 November 11 at 1967 Central State Marauders Central State (OH)<ncg> Wilberforce, OH W 8–0 Blocked Punt Kills Central Dayton Daily News November 12, 1967 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88615355/fairmont-central/ Newspapers.com November 18 at 1967 Concord Mountain Lions Concord (WV) Athens, WV W 23–20 November 25 1967 Northern Michigan Wildcats Northern Michigan<ncg> East-West Stadium Fairmont, WV (NAIA eastern semifinal) W 21–7 7,000 December 9 vs 1967 Eastern Washington Savages Eastern Washington<ncg> Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (Champion Bowl) W 28–21 12,250 Game summaries Waynesburg Week 7: Waynesburg at Fairmont State 1967 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets Waynesburg 0 0 0 0 Fairmont State 0 0 0 7 November 4 Fairmont, WV 10,000 yes 4 FAIRMONT Robison 16-yard pass from Michael (John Huff kick) FAIRMONT 7–0 yes On November 4, the Falcons defeated defending NAIA national champion 1967 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets Waynesburg. Waynesburg was ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, had averaged 63 points and 488 yards per game to that point in the season, and was on an 18-game winning streak. Fairmont was ranked No. 8 prior to the game. The game, played at Fairfield, was attended by an estimated 10,000 fans, the largest crowd in Fairmont history. The game remained scoreless until the final minute of the games. Fairmont's defense held Waynesburg to 68 yards of total offense and did not give up a first down in the second half. In the final 40 seconds, Fairmont quarterback Roy Michael threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to wingback Ron Robison.No. 1 Ranked Waynesburg Upset by Fairmont St. Democrat and Chronicle November 5, 1967 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88603990/no-1-ranked-waynesburg-upset-by/ Newspapers.com NAIA semifinals: Northern Michigan NAIA semifinal: N. Michigan at Fairmont State 1967 Northern Michigan Wildcats Northern Michigan 0 7 0 0 Fairmont State 7 7 7 0 November 25 Fairmont, WV 7,000 yes 1 FAIRMONT George Edwards 19-yard pass from John Kara (John Huff kick) FAIRMONT 7–0 2 FAIRMONT Ron Robison, 3-yard run (John Huff kick) FAIRMONT 14–0 2 N. MICH. Ron Stump 24-yard pass from Lloyd Carr (Gene Grady kick) FAIRMONT 14–7 3 FAIRMONT David Coe 14-yard pass from Roy Michael (Huff kick) FAIRMONT 21–7 yes On November 25, Fairmont defeated previously unbeaten 1967 Northern Michigan Wildcats Northern Michigan, 21–7, in the NAIA eastern semifinal game. The game was played on a muddy field in Fairmont. Fairmont scored in the first quarter on a 19-yard touchdown pass from John Kara to George Edwards, then increased its lead in the second quarter on a three-yard touchdown run by Ron Robison. The Fairmont defense held Northern Michigan to 33 yards on the ground and intercepted three Northern Michigan passes. Lloyd Carr, later inducted as a coach into the College Football Hall of Fame, was the quarterback for Northern Michigan. With 43 second remaining in the first half, Carr threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Ron Stump. Northern Michigan returned the opening kickoff of the second half for 60 yards. The Wildcats drove deep into Fairmont territory for a potential tying score, but fullback Lonnie Holton fumbled a pitchout at the four-yard line, and Fairmont defensive back Sonny Bartic recovered the loose ball. Northern Michigan coach Rollie Dotsch said afterward that the fumble "ruined our momentum" and was "one of the key turning points."Fumble Proves Costly for Northern Lansing State Journal November 27, 1967 C3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88614214/fumble-proves-costly-for-northern/ Newspapers.com Fairmont scored its final touchdown late in the third quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Roy Michael to tight end David Coe.21–7 Victory to Fairmont; N. Michigan Bows in Duel of Unbeaten Elevens The Baltimore Sun November 26, 1967 A8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88614179/fair/ Champion Bowl: Eastern Washington Champion Bowl: E. Washington vs Fairmont State 1967 Eastern Washington Savages Eastern Washington 0 14 0 7 Fairmont State 0 7 14 7 December 9 Morgantown, WV 12,250 (est) yes 2 E. WASH. Dave Svendsen 3-yard pass from Bill Diedrick (Pat Zlateff kick) E. WASH. 7–0 2 E. WASH. Zlateff 34-yard pass from Diedrick (Zlateff kick) E. WASH. 14–0 2 FAIRMONT Larry Blackstone 1-yard run (John Huff kick) E. WASH 14–7 3 FAIRMONT Jim Mertens 18-yard pass from Roy Michael (Huff kick) TIE 14–14 3 FAIRMONT Blackstone 1-yard run (Huff kick) FAIRMONT 21–14 4 E. WASH. Rick Hardie 31-yard pass from Roy Stookey (Zlateff kick) TIE 21–21 4 FAIRMONT George Edwards 27-yard run (Huff kick) FAIRMONT 28–21 yes On December 9, the Falcons defeated 1967 Eastern Washington Savages Eastern Washington in the Champion Bowl to win the NAIA national championship. The game was played at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. Eastern Washington took a 14–0 lead on a pair of touchdown passes by quarterback Bill Diedrick. Fairmont capitalized on mistakes to come from behind in the third quarter. On the opening kickoff of the second half, Rick Hardie fumbled at the 20-yard line, and George Edwards recovered the fumble for Fairmont. Three plays later, Roy Michael threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jim Mertens. Three minutes later, Eastern Washington turned the ball over again as the center snapped the ball over the head of the punter. Fairmont took over at the one-yard line and promptly took the lead on a one-yard run by Larry Blackstone.Fairmont State Tops Eastern Washington The Hartford Courant December 10, 1967 3C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88615212/fairmont-state-tops-eastern-washington/ Newspapers.com Awards and honors Coach Duvall was unanimously selected by the WVIAC coaches as the "Football Coach of the Year".Duvall WVC's Coach Of Year Cumberland Evening Times December 7, 1967 26 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88599573/duvall-wvcs-coach-of-year/ Newspapers.com Senior Larry Blackstone played offensive fullback and defensive end and led the team with 1,292 rushing yards. He was selected as the "Back of the Year" by the conference coaches and was also named as a first-team defensive end on the NAIA All-America teams selected by the NAIA and the UPI. His twin brother Barry Blackstone was a starter at the other defensive end position for Fairmont.Quartet Of Fleet Backs Head NAIA All-American The Daily Advertiser December 31, 1967 12 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88600426/quartet-of-fleet-backs-head-naia/ Newspapers.comLarry Blackstone, NAIA All-American Lancaster Eagle-Gazette December 29, 1967 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88599991/larry-blackstone-naia-all-american/ Newspapers.comLU Lads Star For Fairmont In NAIA Play Lancaster Eagle-Gazette December 7, 1967 27 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12293066/blackstone-twins-at-fairmont-state/ Newspapers.com Roster 35em Offense Larry Blackstone, fullback, No. 33 David Coe, tight end, No. 84 George Edwards, tailback, No. 43 Roger Hill, tackle, No. 71 John Huff, guard and place-kicker, No. 67 John Kara, quarterback, No. 10 Rick Merrill, center, No. 51 Jim Mertens, split end, No. 82 Roy Michael, quarterback, No. 13 Jack Reagan, guard, No. 61 Jim Reynolds, guard, No. 70 Ron Robison, wingback, No. 20 George Shreyer, tackle, No. 72 Defense Martin Bartic, linebacker, No. 42 Barry Blackstone, defensive end, No. 41 Larry Blackstone, defensive end, No. 33 Roy Dowell, defensive tackle, No. 79 Bill Ewusiak, safety, No. 21 Matt Fortier, defensive tackle, No. 75 Mike Marra, cornerback, No. 30 Jim Mertins, defensive halfback, No. 82 Ron Robison, safety, No. 20 George Shreyer, defensive tackle, No. 72 Tom Swisher, linebacker, No. 63 Mark Tennant, cornerback, No. 85 Dave Williams, middle guard, No. 74 Marvin Williams,Defensive Standout Returns, Boosts Fairmont's Title Hopes Pittsburgh Press December 8, 1967 46 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88601340/defensive-standout-returns/ Newspapers.com middle guard, No. 86 12th Annual NAIA Champion Bowl program 1967 NAIA 6 https://dc.ewu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=football_programsChampion Bowl Teams The Spokesman-Review December 9, 1967 16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88600888/champion-bowl-teams/ Newspapers.com Coaching staff Head coach: Harold "Deacon" Duvall Athletic director: Wilford Wilson Defensive line coach: Joe Bundy Offensive line coach: William Kerr Freshman coach: Larry Hill 12th Annual NAIA Champion Bowl program, p. 7. References Fairmont State Category:Fairmont State Fighting Falcons football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Category:West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Fairmont State Falcons football