1945 Third Air Force Gremlins football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1945
| team = Third Air Force Gremlins
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Army Air Forces League
| short_conf = AAF League
| record = 7–2–1
| conf_record = 4–1–1
| head_coach = J. Quinn Decker
| hc_year = 2nd
| captain = Chet Lipka
| stadium = Phillips Field
| champion = AAF League co-champion
}}
{{1945 military service football records}}
The 1945 Third Air Force Gremlins football team represented the Third Air Force based in Tampa, Florida during the 1945 college football season. The Gremlins competed in the Army Air Forces League (AAF League) with six others teams from the United States Army Air Forces. Led by second-year head coach J. Quinn Decker, the Gremlins compiled an overall record of 7–2–1 with a mark of 4–1–1 in league play, sharing the AAF League title with Army Air Forces Training Command Skymasters.{{cite news |last=Goodale |first=George |title=Who's Kicking Who—Gremlins or Flyers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121705427/the-tennessean/ |newspaper=The Nashville Tennessean |location=Nashville, Tennessee |date=December 5, 1945 |page=15 |access-date=March 27, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
The Third Air Force Gremlins ranked 11th among the nation's college and service teams in the final Litkenhous Ratings.{{cite news |last=Litkenhous |first=E. E. |authorlink=Edward E. Litkenhous |title=Litkenhouse Rates College, Service Teams of Nation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121643539/pittsburgh-sun-telegraph/ |newspaper=Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |date=December 19, 1945 |page=20 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
| timezone = Eastern
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 23
| time = 2:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| opponent = Personnel Distribution Command
| site_stadium = Phillips Field
| site_cityst = Tampa, FL
| score = 27–9
| attend = 12,000
| source = {{cite news |author= |title=Plant, Jesuit Collide Tonight—Grems, Comets Ready |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121708309/the-tampa-times/ |newspaper=The Tampa Daily Times |location=Tampa, Florida |date=September 22, 1945 |page=9 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |author= |title=12,000 See Grems Trim Comets, 27-9 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121708607/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Morning Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=September 24, 1945 |page=9 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 30
| time = 2:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| opponent = Miami NTC
|| site_stadium = Phillips Field
| site_cityst = Tampa, FL
| score = 39–0
| attend = 9,000
| source = {{cite news |author= |title=Gremlins Clash With Miami Navy This Afternoon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121709173/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Sunday Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=September 30, 1945 |page=B1 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |author= |title=Gremlins Will Play Miami Navy This Eleven at Phillips Field (continued) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121709272/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Sunday Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=September 30, 1945 |page=B2 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Norton |first=Pete |title=Gremlins Romp To Easy Win, 39-0 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121709460/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Morning Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=October 1, 1945 |page=9 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 7
| time = 2:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| neutral = y
| opponent = First Air Force
| site_stadium = Carolina Stadium
| site_cityst = Columbia, SC
| score = 19–0
| attend =
| source = {{cite news |author= |title=Aces, Gremlins Play in Air Force Battle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121709814/the-state/ |newspaper=The State |location=Columbia, South Carolina |date=October 7, 1945 |page=3B |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 14
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Cherry Point Marines
| site_stadium =
| site_cityst = Cherry Point, NC
| score = 20–0
| attend = 8,000
| source = {{cite news |author= |title=Gremlins Defeat Marines For Fourth In Row, 20-0 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121711448/the-tampa-times/ |newspaper=Tampa Morning Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=October 15, 1945 |page=10 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |author= |title=Third Air Force Blanks Leathernecks, 20-0 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121886792/the-austin-american/ |newspaper=The Austin American |location=Austin, Texas |agency=Associated Press |date=October 15, 1945 |page=7 |access-date=March 29, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 21
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| opponent = Fort Pierce
|| site_stadium = Phillips Field
| site_cityst = Tampa, FL
| score = 12–26
| attend = 9,000
| source = {{cite news |author= |title=Gremlins Meet Navy Amphibs This Afternoon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121710707/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Sunday Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=October 21, 1945 |page=B1 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |author= |title=Gremlins Will Meet Navy Amphibs Today At Phillips Field (continued) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121710817/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Sunday Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=October 21, 1945 |page=B2 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Norton |first=Pete |title=Navy Amphibs Upset Grems, 26-12 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121710144/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Morning Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=October 22, 1945 |page=9 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Norton |first=Pete |title=Navy Amphibs Win Over Gremlins by 26 to 12 Margin (continued) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121710221/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Morning Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=October 22, 1945 |page=10 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |author= |title=Gremlins Beaten By Amphibs, 26-12 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121710425/news-press/ |newspaper=Fort Myers News-Press |location=Fort Myers, Florida |agency=Associated Press |date=October 22, 1945 |page=6 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 4
| w/l = w
| neutral = y
| opponent = Second Air Force
| site_stadium = DU Stadium
| site_cityst = Denver, CO
| score = 33–0
| attend = 15,000
| source = {{cite news |author= |title=Grems Crush Superbombers, 33 To 0 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121699908/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Morning Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=November 5, 1945 |page=11 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 11
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| opponent = Keesler Field
| site_stadium = Phillips Field
| site_cityst = Tampa, FL
| score = 42–0
| attend = 6,500
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83862084/gremlins-crush-keesler-field-420/|work=The Tampa Tribune|title=Gremlins crush Keesler Field, 42–0|date=November 12, 1945|accessdate=August 21, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 18
| time = 2:30 p.m.
| w/l = t
| opponent = AAF Training Command
|| site_stadium = Phillips Field
| site_cityst = Tampa, FL
| score = 7–7
| attend = 10,000
| source = {{cite news |author= |title=Gremlins Meet Skymasters In AAF Title Game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121711815/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Sunday Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=November 18, 1945 |page=B1 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Norton |first=Pete |title=Gremlins, Skymasters Play 7-7 Tie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121711646/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Morning Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=November 19, 1945 |page=9 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Norton |first=Pete |title=Gremlins, Skymasters Battle to 7-7 Tie Before 10,000 Fans (continued) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121711729/the-tampa-tribune/ |newspaper=Tampa Morning Tribune |location=Tampa, Florida |date=November 19, 1945 |page=10 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 24
| time = 3:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Air Transport Command
| site_stadium = Dudley Field
| site_cityst = Nashville, TN
| score = 15–6
| attend = 2,800–4,000
| source = {{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Raymond |title=Gremlins Close Season For ATC |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121712597/the-tennessean/ |newspaper=The Nashville Tennessean |location=Nashville, Tennessee |date=November 24, 1945 |page=1 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Raymond |title=Gremlins Rule Favorites Over Resurgent Rockets Today (continued) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121712679/the-tennessean/ |newspaper=The Nashville Tennessean |location=Nashville, Tennessee |date=November 24, 1945 |page=5 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Raymond |title=Gremlins Exploit Breaks of Game To Whip Rockets 15-6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121712041/the-tennessean/ |newspaper=The Nashville Tennessean |location=Nashville, Tennessee |date=November 25, 1945 |page=1C |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Raymond |title=Gremlins Whip Rockets 15 to 6 (continued) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121712187/the-tennessean/ |newspaper=The Nashville Tennessean |location=Nashville, Tennessee |date=November 25, 1945 |page=2C |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Raymond |title=One Man's Opinion: Only 2,800 Cash Fans Saw Gremlins and Rockets—Why? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121712379/the-tennessean/ |newspaper=The Nashville Tennessean |location=Nashville, Tennessee |date=November 26, 1945 |page=12 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 2
| time = 5:00 p.m.
| w/l = l
| opponent = Fourth Air Force
| away = y
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| score = 7–10
| attend = 10,000–12,000
| source = {{cite news |author= |title=Gremlins, Flyers Tangle in Coliseum at 2 P.M. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121713013/metropolitan-pasadena-star-news/ |newspaper=Pasadena Star-News and Pasadena Post |location=Pasadena, California |date=December 2, 1945 |page=12 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |author= |title=Gremlins . . . . (continued) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121713200/metropolitan-pasadena-star-news/ |newspaper=Pasadena Star-News and Pasadena Post |location=Pasadena, California |date=December 2, 1945 |page=13 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |author= |title=Baker's Flyers Upset Gremlins, 10 to 7 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121713435/metropolitan-pasadena-star-news/ |newspaper=Pasadena Star-News and Pasadena Post |location=Pasadena, California |date=December 3, 1945 |page=12 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news |last=Wolf |first=Al |title=Flyers Surprise Gremlin Grids by 10-7 Count |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121713333/the-los-angeles-times/ |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, California |date=December 3, 1945 |page=8, part II |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
}}
}}
{{cite news |author= |title=Final Log For Nation's Top Football Teams |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121674996/the-los-angeles-times/ |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, California |date=December 2, 1945 |page=14, part I |access-date=March 26, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{World War II service football teams navbox}}