1942 VPI Gobblers football team

{{CFB schedule

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 19

| time =

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1942|team=Catawba Indians|title=Catawba}}

| site_stadium = Roanoke Municipal Stadium

| site_cityst = Roanoke, VA

| score = 28–14

| attend = 3,000

| source = {{Cite web|work=Catawba College Sayakini|url=https://lib.digitalnc.org/record/33259#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=77&r=0&xywh=2582%2C1271%2C1555%2C944|title=Sayakini 1943|page=75|date=1943|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Virginia Tech Opens With Win Over Catawba|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1942-09-20/ed-1/seq-7/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star-News|date=September 20, 1942|page=7|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Tech Scores 28 To 14 Victory Over Catawba's Indians|url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=TSWT19420920.1.6&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------|publisher=Library of Virginia|newspaper=The Southwest Times|date=September 20, 1942|page=6|access-date=January 30, 2024}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 26

| time =

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Furman

| site_stadium = Sirrine Stadium

| site_cityst = Greenville, SC

| score = 7–6

| attend =

| source = {{cite news |title=Furman Drops Opener, 7-6|url=https://cdm16821.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16821coll21/id/21249/rec/721|publisher=Furman University|newspaper=The Furman Hornet|date=October 2, 1942|page=5|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8411492/the-greenville-news/|work=The Greenville News|title=Latimer's Story Of Furman Game|date=September 27, 1942|accessdate=November 14, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 3

| time = 3:00 p.m.

| w/l = l

| homecoming = y

| opponent = William & Mary

| site_stadium = Miles Stadium

| site_cityst = Blacksburg, VA

| score = 7–21

| attend = 9,000

| source = {{cite news |title=Tribesmen Take Va. Tech, 21–7, For Third Consecutive Win|url=https://digital.libraries.wm.edu/flat-hat-1942-october-6|publisher=College of William & Mary|newspaper=The Flat Hat|date=October 6, 1942|page=3|access-date=January 23, 2023}}{{cite news |title=Tech Is Defeated, 21-7|url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=TSWT19421004.1.6&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------|publisher=Library of Virginia|newspaper=The Southwest Times|date=October 4, 1942|page=6|access-date=January 30, 2024}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 10

| time =

| w/l = w

| opponent = Davidson

| site_stadium = Miles Stadium

| site_cityst = Blacksburg, VA

| score = 16–0

| attend = 4,000

| source = {{cite news |title=VPI Whips 'Cats In Weird Game|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1942-10-11/ed-1/seq-9/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star-News|date=October 11, 1942|page=9|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Listless 'Cats Lose To V.P.I. By 16-0 Score|url=https://davidson.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/view/BookReaderViewer/01DCOLL_INST/12299257910005716|publisher=Davidson College|newspaper=The Davidsonian|date=October 15, 1942|page=3|access-date=August 19, 2022}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 17

| time =

| w/l = t

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| opponent = Kentucky

| site_stadium = Roanoke Municipal Stadium

| site_cityst = Roanoke, VA

| score = 21–21

| attend = 10,000

| source = {{cite news |title=Virginia Tech Ties Kentucky With Rally|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19421018&id=v_U-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=N00MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6633,4507133|newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News|date=October 18, 1942|page=7|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Men From Virginia Tie Wildcats 21-21|url=https://exploreuk.uky.edu/catalog/xt7gb56d3411?f%5Bsource_s%5D%5B%5D=The+Kentucky+Kernel&f%5Bpub_date_sort%5D%5B%5D=1942&offset=20&per_page=20#page/4/mode/1up|publisher=University of Kentucky|newspaper=The Kentucky Kernel|date=October 20, 1942|page=4|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Virginia Tech Ties Kentucky|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1942-10-18/ed-1/seq-9/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star-News|date=October 18, 1942|page=9|access-date=November 12, 2022}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 24

| time =

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Washington and Lee

| site_stadium = Lynchburg Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst =Lynchburg, VA

| score = 19–6

| attend = 3,000

| source = {{cite news |title=Air Offense Clicks As Ground Attack Fails In 19-6 Loss|url=https://dspace.wlu.edu/bitstream/handle/11021/30168/RTP_19421027.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|publisher=Washington and Lee University|newspaper=The Ring-tum Phi|date=October 27, 1942|page=3|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Gallagher Sets Pace As V. P. I. Trounces W. and L., 9-6|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-10-25/ed-1/seq-35/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star|date=October 25, 1942|page=35|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107999698/virginia-tech-defeats-washington-and/|work=Bristol Herald Courier|title=Virginia Tech Defeats Washington And Lee, 19–6|date=October 25, 1942|accessdate=November 14, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=VPI's Power Proves Too Much For Washington & Lee|url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RCN19421029.1.7&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------|publisher=Library of Virginia|newspaper=Rockbridge County News|date=October 29, 1942|page=7|access-date=December 1, 2022}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 31

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| opponent = Virginia

| site_stadium = Foreman Field

| site_cityst = Norfolk, VA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 20–14

| attend = 6,000

| source = {{cite news |title=Cavaliers' Late Rally Fails; Strong Tech Wins, 20–14|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=cDbf6tmpeSoC&dat=19421102&printsec=frontpage|newspaper=The Cavalier Daily|date=November 2, 1942|page=3|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Virginia's Aerial Attack Praised|url=https://search.lib.virginia.edu/sources/uva_library/items/uva-lib:2735899|publisher=University of Virginia|newspaper=The Daily Progress|date=November 2, 1942|page=8|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Virginia Goes Down Fighting in 20-to-14 Game With V. P. I.|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-11-01/ed-1/seq-42/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star|date=November 1, 1942|page=42|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Virginia Tech Runs Over Cavaliers 20-14|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1942-11-01/ed-1/seq-9/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star-News|date=November 1, 1942|page=9|access-date=November 12, 2022}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 7

| time = 3:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Richmond

| site_stadium = City Stadium

| site_cityst = Richmond, VA

| score = 16–7

| attend = 7,000

| source = {{cite news |title=Scrapping Spiders Hold Potent Tech To 16-7 Win|url=https://collegian.richmond.edu/?a=d&d=COL19421113.2.18&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------|publisher=University of Richmond|newspaper=The Richmond Collegian|date=November 13, 1942|page=3|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=VPI's Win Over Richmond Is Fourth in Conference|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-11-08/ed-1/seq-40/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star|date=November 8, 1942|page=40|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Virginia Tech Stops Spiders|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1942-11-08/ed-1/seq-9/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star-News|date=November 8, 1942|page=9|access-date=November 12, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112761964/gobblers-spill-spiders-167-for/|work=Kingsport Times|title=Gobblers Spill Spiders, 16–7, For Fourth Loop Win|date=November 8, 1942|accessdate=November 14, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 14

| time =

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Army

| site_stadium = Michie Stadium

| site_cityst = West Point, NY

| score = 7–19

| attend = 10,000

| source = {{cite news |title=Army Much Too Good For Virginia Poly In 19-7 Game|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-11-15/ed-1/seq-37/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star|date=November 15, 1942|page=37|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Army Gobbles Gobblers 19-7|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1942-11-15/ed-1/seq-2/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star-News|date=November 15, 1942|page=2|access-date=November 12, 2022}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 26

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = VMI

| site_stadium = Victory Stadium

| site_cityst = Roanoke, VA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 20–6

| attend = 22,500

| source = {{cite news |title=600 Cadets Attended VPI Game|url=http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/digital/collection/p15821coll8/id/8831|publisher=Virginia Military Institute|newspaper=The V.M.I. Cadet|date=November 30, 1942|page=1|access-date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91756477/keydets-bow-to-gobblers/|work=The Daily News Leader|title=Keydets Bow To Gobblers|date=November 27, 1942|accessdate=November 14, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=VMI Loses Turkey Day Classic, 20-6|url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RCN19421203.1.8&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------|publisher=Library of Virginia|newspaper=Rockbridge County News|date=December 3, 1942|page=8|access-date=December 2, 2022}}

}}

}}

The 1941 VPI Gobblers football team compiled a 6–4 record and were led by Jimmy Kitts in his first season as head coach. In August 1942, 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.{{cite news |title=V. P. I. Loses Head Coach Kitts to Army|url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=SNH19420825.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------|publisher=Library of Virginia|newspaper=Suffolk News-Herald|date=August 25, 1942|page=1|access-date=January 1, 2023}} Assistant Coach Jules Medwin also went into the service shortly after Kitts.{{cite news |title=Medwin of Gobblers' Sports Staff Trails Kitts Into Service|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-09-05/ed-1/seq-20/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Evening Star|date=September 5, 1942|page=20|access-date=January 1, 2023}} The athletic council chose assistant coaches Herbert McEver and Sumner D. Tilson to be co-coaches until Kitts returned.{{cite news |title=Tilson, McEver To Run Gobler Grid Activities|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1942-08-26/ed-1/seq-6/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Wilmington Morning Star|date=August 26, 1942|page=6|access-date=January 1, 2023}}

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Catawba vs. VPI

| Visitor = Catawba

| Host = VPI

| V1 = 7| V2 = 7| V3 = 0| V4 = 0

| H1 = 7| H2 = 7| H3 = 7| H4 = 7

| Date = September 19, 1942

| Location = Roanoke Municipal Stadium
Roanoke, VA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 3,000

| Weather = "over 100 degrees"

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

VPI's first game of the season was against Catawba at newly-built Roanoke Municipal Stadium in Roanoke, Virginia in front of 3,000 spectators. Catawba scored first, with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Dwight Holshouser to Harold Bowen. Georgiana successfully kicked the extra point. Later in the first quarter, Jack Gallagher scored VPI's first touchdown with a 40-yard run, with Roger McClure making the extra point. In the second quarter, Holshouser threw again to Bowen for a 23-yard touchdown and Georgiana kicked another extra point. Before halftime, VPI answered with a 74-yard drive, resulting in a 31-yard touchdown pass from Gallagher to Billy James. McClure completed another extra point, tying the game. After halftime, Gallagher scored VPI's third touchdown on a 54-yard run with McClure making the extra point. VPI score its final touchdown in the fourth quarter when James Norment blocked Bowen's kick for a return touchdown. VPI's Gallagher averaged 11.8 yards per rush in the game.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = VPI at Furman

| Visitor = VPI

| Host = Furman

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 = 7

| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 = 6

| Date = September 26, 1942

| Location = Sirrine Stadium
Greenville, SC

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance =

| Weather = Rain

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|1942 Furman Purple Hurricane football team}}

Following the win over Catawba, VPI played Furman on September 26 in Greenville, South Carolina. The game was scoreless for the first three quarters. In the third quarter, VPI's Roger McClure attempted a field goal from the 37-yard line, but he was not successful. Furman's Barnett completed a fake punt and ran for 18 yards. In the fourth quarter, Furman scored when Fred Hilliard blocked a VPI punt and Furman's Carl Roesch returned the ball for a touchdown. However, Furman missed the extra point, with Hamer's kick going low and wide. VPI then scored a touchdown pass from Bill James to Elmer Wilson and McClure made the extra point. The game ended with a VPI win, 7-6.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = William & Mary at VPI

| Visitor = W&M

| Host = VPI

| V1 = 7| V2 = 0| V3 = 7| V4 = 7

| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 7| H4 = 0

| Date = October 3, 1942

| Location = Miles Stadium
Blacksburg, VA

| StartTime = 3:00 p.m.

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 9,000

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|1942 William & Mary Indians football team}}

VPI's first home game in 1942 was a homecoming loss against William & Mary in front of 9,000 spectators. William & Mary's first touchdown came in the first period on a 57-yard scoring drive that ended with Bob Longacre running into the endzone from the five-yard line. That was the only scoring done by either team in the first half. In the third quarter, Longacre threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Glenn Knox for the Indian's second touchdown. VPI's only touchdown also came in the third quarter, with a 64-yard run by Joe Foltz. The Indian's last touchdown came in the final period, with Al Vandeweghe running for an 11-yard score. All of William & Mary's successful extra point attempts were completed by Harvey Johnson.

William & Mary finished the game with fifteen first downs, 153 rushing yards, and completed six of 13 passes for 137 yards with no interceptions. VPI finished the game with four first downs and 95 rushing yards. VPI's star running back, Jack Gallagher, did not play due to injury.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Davidson vs. VPI

| Visitor = Davidson

| Host = VPI

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 = 0

| H1 = 3| H2 = 2| H3 = 3| H4 = 8

| Date = October 10, 1942

| Location = Miles Stadium
Blacksburg, VA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 4,000

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|1942 Davidson Wildcats football team}}

VPI beat Davidson on October 10th in front of 4,000 people. In the first quarter, Roger McClure kicked a field goal from the 30-yard line to give VPI a three point lead. VPI scored again in the second quarter with a safety by tackling Davidson's Pat Williams in the endzone, and the score was 5-0 VPI at halftime. In the third period, McClure kicked another successful field goal. In the fourth quarter, VPI capped a 65-yard drive with a four-yard diving touchdown catch from Fred Ashworth to Jim Norment on fourth down. McClure missed the extra point, his first missed extra point of the season. The final points of the game came from another safety by VPI near the end of the fourth quarter, after John Maskas blocked a Davidson punt in their endzone.

VPI finished the game with fifteen first downs, 214 rushing yards and 55 passing yards. Davidson finished the game with five first downs, 47 rushing yards, and zero passing yards. Davidson's Mac Bruce did not play in the game due to an injured knee.

The starting lineup for VPI was: Lawson (left end), Maskas (left tackle), Fuller (left guard), Davis (center), Pearce (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), McClure (quarterback), Foltz (left halfback), Ashworth (right halfback), Blandford (fullback). The substitutes were: McCaugherty and Norment.

The starting lineup for Davidson was: Scotty Paterson (left end), William Shaw (left tackle), Alf Taylor (left guard), Red Burke (center), B. F. Moore (right guard), Herbert Rainey (right tackle), Pat Williams (right end), Earl "Red" Bethea (quarterback), George Peters (left halfback), Art Roach (right halfback), Benjamin Lacy (fullback). The substitutes were: Benjamin Washburn.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Kentucky vs. VPI

| Visitor = Kentucky

| Host = VPI

| V1 = 7| V2 = 7| V3 = 7| V4 = 0

| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 14| H4 = 7

| Date = October 17, 1942

| Location = Roanoke Municipal Stadium
Roanoke, VA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 10,000

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|1942 Kentucky Wildcats football team}}

On October 17th, VPI played Kentucky at Roanoke Municipal Stadium in Roanoke, Virginia in front of approximately 10,000 people. VPI came back from a two-touchdown deficit to tie the game, 21-21. Kentucky scored first, with Phil Cutchin scoring a touchdown after seven minutes of play. Kentucky scored again in the second quarter, when Charley Kuhn returned a VPI punt 55 yards for a touchdown. Kuhn kicked both extra points and Kentucky led at the end of the first half, 14-0. In the third quarter, VPI's Maskas blocked a Kentucky punt on the 15-yard line and Clark recovered the ball for VPI's first touchdown. A few minutes later, VPI's Blandford had a bad punt and Kentucky recovered at VPI's 25-yard line. VPI was then penalized for unnecessary roughness and the ball was moved to the 10-yard line. Kuhn then faked a pass and ran the ball out of bounds at the 2-yard line. John Hurst then ran it in for Kentucky's third touchdown of the game. Kuhn's extra point attempt was blocked by VPI, but Kuhn then picked up the ball and ran it in for the extra point. Near the end of the third quarter, VPI's James had a 31-yard rush, then Gallagher threw to James for 24-yard reception and got to Kentucky's 7-yard line. Blandford then ran in for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, VPI had an 80-yard touchdown drive with Blandford running in for his second score. McClure tied the game with a successful extra point. Near the end of the game, McClure attempted a 41-yard field goal, but it fell short and the game ended in a tie.

VPI finished the game with 12 first downs, 183 rushing yards and 52 passing yards. Kentucky had nine first downs, 146 rushing yards and 45 passing yards. VPI recovered three fumbles, and Kentucky intercepted two passes.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Washington and Lee vs. VPI

| Visitor = W&L

| Host = VPI

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 6| V4 = 0

| H1 = 0| H2 = 7| H3 = 6| H4 = 6

| Date = October 24, 1942

| Location = Lynchburg Memorial Stadium
Lynchburg, VA

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 3,000

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|1942 Washington and Lee Generals football team}}

The starting lineup for VPI was: Wilson (left end), Maskas (left tackle), Pearce (left guard), Hoffmann (center), Rucker (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), McClure (quarterback), Gallagher (left halfback), Ashworth (right halfback), Blandford (fullback). The substitutes were: Foltz, Fuller, Sagnette, Taylor and Vincent.

The starting lineup for Washington and Lee was: Roehl (left end), Lillard Ailor (left tackle), Diloreto (left guard), D. Norman (center), Fitzpatrick (right guard), John Rulevich (right tackle), R. Norman (right end), Paul Cavaliere (quarterback), Harry Baugher (left halfback), Harry Harner (right halfback), Dick Working (fullback).

{{AFB game box start

| Title = Virginia vs. VPI

| Visitor = UVA

| Host = VPI

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 = 14

| H1 = 6| H2 = 0| H3 = 14| H4 = 0

| Date = October 31, 1942

| Location = Foreman Field
Norfolk, VA

| StartTime = 2:30 p.m.

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 6,000

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|1942 Virginia Cavaliers football team}}

The starting lineup for VPI was: Wilson (left end), Maskas (left tackle), Fuller (left guard), Hoffmann (center), Rucker (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), McClure (quarterback), Gallagher (left halfback), Ashworth (right halfback), Blandford (fullback). The substitutes were: Foltz.

The starting lineup for Virginia was: Tom Dudley (left end), Milton Parlow (left tackle), Irwin Lakin (left guard), Charlie Cooper (center), James Bear (right guard), Robert Sieler (right tackle), William Hill (right end), Eddie Bryant (quarterback), Don D. Niklason (left halfback), Tom Steutzer (right halfback), George Grimes (fullback). The substitutes were: Tabb Gillette, Ed Kreick, George Neff, William Rea, Eric Schlesinger and Henry Uihlein.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = VPI at Richmond

| Visitor = VPI

| Host = Richmond

| V1 = 6| V2 = 7| V3 = 0| V4 = 3

| H1 = 0| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 = 7

| Date = November 7, 1942

| Location = City Stadium
Richmond, VA

| StartTime = 3:00 p.m.

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 7,000

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|1942 Richmond Spiders football team}}

The starting lineup for VPI was: Wilson (left end), Mengulas (left tackle), Fuller (left guard), Hoffmann (center), Belcher (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), McClure (quarterback), Foltz (left halfback), Ashworth (right halfback), Blandford (fullback). The substitutes were: Gallagher.

The starting lineup for Richmond was: Savage (left end), Daniel Sasmor (left tackle), Bob Gill (left guard), Steve Silianoff (center), Dick "Square" Fisher (right guard), Maxwell Katz (right tackle), Sizer (right end), Fenlon (quarterback), Gleason (left halfback), Warren Pace (right halfback), Jack Wilbourne (fullback). The substitutes were: Bud Graham, Bay Jacobs, Francis "Fitz" Laurinaitis and Tom Nichols.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = VPI at Army

| Visitor = VPI

| Host = Army

| V1 = 0| V2 = 0| V3 = 0| V4 = 7

| H1 = 6| H2 = 6| H3 = 7| H4 = 0

| Date = November 14, 1942

| Location = Michie Stadium
West Point, NY

| StartTime =

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 10,000

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|1942 Army Cadets football team}}

The starting lineup for VPI was: Wilson (left end), Maskas (left tackle), Fuller (left guard), Davis (center), Belcher (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), McClure (quarterback), Foltz (left halfback), Ashworth (right halfback), Vincent (fullback).

The starting lineup for Army was: James Kelleher (left end), Francis E. Merritt (left tackle), Wilson (left guard), Cas Myslinski (center), Mesereau (right guard), Robin Olds (right tackle), Hennesy (right end), Roberts (quarterback), Henry Mazur (left halfback), Ashworth (right halfback), Vincent (fullback). The substitutes were: Tom Lombardo, Murphy and Bob Woods.

{{AFB game box start

| Title = VPI vs. VMI

| Visitor = VPI

| Host = VMI

| V1 = 0| V2 = 7| V3 = 6| V4 = 7

| H1 = 6| H2 = 0| H3 = 0| H4 = 0

| Date = November 26, 1942

| Location = Victory Stadium
Roanoke, VA

| StartTime = 2:30 p.m.

| ElapsedTime =

| Attendance = 22,500

| Weather =

| Referee =

}}

{{AFB game box end}}

{{See also|1942 VMI Keydets football team}}

The starting lineup for VPI was: Wilson (left end), Maskas (left tackle), Fuller (left guard), Davis (center), Rucker (right guard), Judy (right tackle), Chasen (right end), McClaugherty (quarterback), Gallagher (left halfback), James (right halfback), McClure (fullback). The substitutes were: Foltz and Johnson.

The starting lineup for VMI was: Billy Clark (left end), Ellington (left tackle), Markin (left guard), Dimmler (center), Julius Minton (right guard), Charlie Marks (right tackle), McIntyre (right end), Dick DeShazo (quarterback), Johnny Stevens (left halfback), Jimmy Matthews (right halfback), Joe Muha (fullback). The substitutes were: Joe Black, McCullough, Seay, Jim Sloan, Sotnyk and Turriziani.

In December 1942, Elmer Wilson was chosen by his teammates as captain for the 1943 football season.{{cite news |title=Wilson to Lead V. P. I.|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-12-09/ed-1/seq-59/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Evening Star|date=December 9, 1942|page=59|access-date=February 14, 2024}}

In December 1942, VPI released their 10-game schedule for 1943.{{cite news |title=Terp Eleven Scheduled By V. P. I. Next Year|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-12-13/ed-1/seq-43/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Evening Star|date=December 9, 1942|page=43|access-date=February 14, 2024}} The planned schedule was:

• September 18 - Catawba in Blacksburg, Virginia.
• September 25 - Maryland in Roanoke, Virginia.
• October 2 - Virginia, with location undecided.
• October 9 - William & Mary in Richmond, Virginia.
• October 16 - West Virginia in Morgantown, West Virginia.
• October 23 - Washington and Lee in Lynchburg, Virginia.
• October 30 - Furman in Blacksburg, Virginia.
• November 6 - Richmond in Blacksburg, Virginia.
• November 13 - The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.
• November 25 - VMI in Roanoke, Virginia.

However, by January 1943, VPI athletic director William L. Younger was speculating that unless eligibility rules were changed for the duration of World War II regarding underclassman and servicemen on campus for training, VPI would not have a fall intercollegiate athletic program.{{cite news |title=V. P. I. Director Sees College Sports Out If Code Stands|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1943-01-07/ed-1/seq-22/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Evening Star|date=January 7, 1943|page=22|access-date=February 14, 2024}} By June 1943, only six of the original 10 games were still on the schedule. The game against Catawba was originally cancelled because VPI scheduled their summer quarter convocation on the same date, but it was later rescheduled for November 13. The games against Washington and Lee, Furman, and The Citadel were cancelled because the schools stopped their football programs for the duration of the war.{{cite news |title=Gobblers Retain Grid Hope Despite 1943 Card Is Fading|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1943-06-03/ed-1/seq-19/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Evening Star|date=June 3, 1943|page=19|access-date=February 15, 2024}} On June 26, 1943, VPI released a revised eight-game schedule.{{cite news |title=V. P. I. Lists Maryland Among 8 Football Foes This Year|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1943-06-27/ed-1/seq-20/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Evening Star|date=June 27, 1943|page=20|access-date=February 15, 2024}} The schedule was:

• September 25 - Maryland in Roanoke, Virginia.
• October 2 - Virginia in Norfolk, Virginia.
• October 9 - William & Mary in Richmond, Virginia.
• October 16 - West Virginia in Morgantown, West Virginia.
• October 30 - North Carolina Pre-Flight School in Roanoke, Virginia.
• November 6 - Richmond in Blacksburg, Virginia.
• November 13 - Catawba in Blacksburg, Virginia.
• November 25 - VMI in Roanoke, Virginia.

After many schools cancelled their football season due to a lack of eligible players, the NCAA eventually repealed the freshman prohibition for the duration of the war.{{cite news |title=Freshman eligibility|url=https://www.psucollegian.com/archives/freshman-eligibility/article_51bec9ab-842c-5636-917b-b05073450caa.html|publisher=Pennsylvania State University|newspaper=Daily Collegian|date=April 24, 1992|author=Franklin Berkey|access-date=February 14, 2024}} Nevertheless, the War Department kept its prohibition of servicemen trainees participating in intercollegiate sports.{{cite news |title=Army Asked to Save College Football|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78002169/1943-07-07/ed-1/seq-6/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Sunday Star-News|date=July 7, 1943|page=6|access-date=February 14, 2024}} Younger stated that, excluding of the Army trainees, VPI only had two men that had ever played football.{{cite news |title=Grid Suspension Seen For Gobblers, R-M|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1943-08-06/ed-1/seq-18/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Evening Star|date=August 6, 1943|page=18|access-date=February 14, 2024}} After the War Department's decision, VPI surveyed the Corps of Cadets in August 1943 to determine how many can and will play football. The survey asked the participants several questions, including: if they definitely expected to return for the fall quarter; if they would remain on campus between quarters for daily football practice, and if they would practice until Thanksgiving.{{cite news |title=Virginia Tech Making Survey|url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=SNH19430814.1.5&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------|publisher=Library of Virginia|newspaper=Suffolk News-Herald|date=August 14, 1943|page=5|access-date=February 15, 2024}} VPI also needed to fix their coaching issue because Tilson and McEver, the co-coaches from 1942, were helping train the servicemen assigned to VPI. After the survey was held, the athletic council met to determine the fate of the 1943 season. On August 21, schools that were scheduled to play VPI were notified that VPI would not be fielding a football team in 1943.{{cite news |title=V. P. I. Abandons Football|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1943-08-22/ed-1/seq-24/|publisher=Library of Congress|newspaper=The Evening Star|date=August 22, 1943|page=24|access-date=February 14, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Gobblers Call Off Football For This Year|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-gobblers-call-off-football-f/29486479/|publisher=Newspapers.com|newspaper=Daily Press|date=August 22, 1943|page=21|access-date=February 29, 2024}}

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Twenty-eight players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1942 VPI team.{{cite web|title=1942 VPI Letterwinners|publisher=Virginia Tech|access-date=January 2, 2023|url=https://hokiesports.com/sports/2018/5/1/football-player-letterwinners.aspx}}

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Category:Virginia Tech Hokies football seasons

VPI Gobblers football