1946 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1946
| team = Hardin–Simmons Cowboys
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Border Conference
| short_conf = Border
| record = 11–0
| conf_record = 6–0
| head_coach = Warren B. Woodson
| hc_year = 3rd
| off_scheme = T formation
| captain =
| stadium = Fair Park Stadium
| champion = Border champion
Alamo Bowl champion
| bowl = Alamo Bowl
| bowl_result = W 20–0 vs. Denver
| prev_year = 1942
}}
{{1946 Border Conference football standings}}
The 1946 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented Hardin–Simmons University in the Border Conference during the 1946 college football season. The 1946 season marked Hardin–Simmons' return to football after a three-year hiatus during World War II. In its third season under head coach Warren B. Woodson, the Cowboys compiled a perfect 11–0 record, outscored opponents by a total of 332 to 48, won the Border Conference championship, and defeated Denver in the 1947 Alamo Bowl.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/hardin-simmons/1946.html|title=1946 Hardin-Simmons Cowboys Stats|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
The Cowboys ranked second nationally in rushing offense with an average of 290.6 rushing yards per game during the regular season.{{cite book|title=The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947|publisher=A.S. Barnes and Company|editor=W.J. Bingham|year=1947|page=74}} They ranked sixth nationally in total offense with an average of 359.4 yards per game. They also ranked seventh nationally in total defense, giving up only 167.3 yards per game during the regular season.{{cite book|title=The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947|publisher=A.S. Barnes and Company|editor=W.J. Bingham|year=1947|page=73}}
Halfback Rudy Mobley led the nation with 1,262 rushing yards during the regular season.{{cite news|title=Tidwell Tops on Offense; Mobley Rushing Leader|newspaper=The Waco News Tribune (AP story)|date=December 12, 1946|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3454463/tidwell_tops_on_offense/}}{{cite book|title=The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947|publisher=A.S. Barnes and Company|editor=W.J. Bingham|year=1947|page=80}} He added 142 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Alamo Bowl, bringing his 11-game season total to 1,404 rushing yards.{{cite news|title=Mobley Dashes Over Goal-Line Twice as Cowboys Down Denver: Small Crowd Watches HSU Triumph, 20 to 0|newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News|author=Hal Sayles|date=January 5, 1947|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100633384/mobley-dashes-over-goal-line-twice-as/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
Hardin–Simmons was ranked at No. 56 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System rankings for 1946.{{cite news|title=Rice Rated Fifth Best, Tennessee 12th by Lit|author=Dr. E. E. Litkenhous|newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|date=December 15, 1946|page=B4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123020754/rice-rated-fifth-best-tennessee-12th/|via=Newspapers.com}}
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
| timezone = Central
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 21
| time = 8:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| opponent = McMurry
| site_stadium = Fair Park Stadium
| site_cityst = Abilene, TX
| score = 31–0
| attend = 6,500
| source = {{cite news|title=HSU Returns to Grid Wars With 31-0 Win Over McMurry|newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News|author=Hal Sayles|date=September 22, 1946|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100660264/hsu-returns-to-grid-wars-with-31-0-win/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 28
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| opponent = Kansas State
| site_stadium = Fair Park Stadium
| site_cityst = Abilene, TX
| score = 21–7
| source = {{cite news|title=Cowboys Take Air to Beat Kansas State 21-7: Johnson Pitches to Cook And Foster for Scores|newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News|author=Hal Sayles|date=September 29, 1946|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100660074/cowboys-take-air-to-beat-kansas-state/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 5
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| opponent = San Jose State
| site_stadium = Fair Park Stadium
| site_cityst = Abilene, TX
| score = 34–7
| attend = 5,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Cowboys Turn Spartans' Errors to Touchdowns, Triumph 34 to 7: Doc Mobley Tabs Three Touchdowns|newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News|author=Hal Sayles|date=October 6, 1946|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100659578/cowboys-turn-spartans-errors-to/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 18
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = New Mexico
| site_stadium = Zimmerman Field
| site_cityst = Albuquerque, NM
| score = 49–0
| source = {{cite news|title=Hardin-Simmons Cowboys Mow Down Lobos 49 to 0|newspaper=Albuquerque Journal|date=October 19, 1946|page=4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25721036/hardinsimmons_cowboys_mow_down_lobos/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 26
| time = 8:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| neutral = y
| opponent = Arizona State
| site_stadium = Mustang Bowl
| site_cityst = Sweetwater, TX
| score = 46–6
| source = {{cite news |author= |title=Unbeaten HSU Highly Favored |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/abilene-reporter-news/158875450/ |newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News |location=Abilene, Texas |date=October 26, 1946 |page=3 |access-date=November 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}{{cite news|title=Cowboys Trounce Dogs: High-Riding Texans Slap Tempe, 46-6|newspaper=Arizona Republic|agency=Associated Press|date=October 27, 1946|page=4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100658783/cowboys-trounce-dogs-high-riding/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 2
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Arizona
| site_stadium = Varsity Stadium
| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ
| score = 19–8
| attend = 11,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Outplayed Wildcats Bows To Hardin-Simmons, 19-8|newspaper=The Arizona Daily Star|author=Abe Chanin|date=November 3, 1946|pages=I-1, II-1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102017521/outplayed-wildcats-bows-to/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Belated Rally By Hardin-Simmons Overpowers Arizona U., 19-8: Two Last Period Touchdowns Break Early 6-6 Deadlock|newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News|author=Hal Sayles|date=November 3, 1946|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100658284/belated-rally-by-hardin-simmons/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 8
| w/l = w
| opponent = West Texas State
| site_stadium = Fair Park Stadium
| site_cityst = Abilene, TX
| score = 28–7
| source = {{cite news|title=Cowboys Throttle West Texas Buffs, 28 to 7: Bailey Leads HSU Attack|newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News|author=Hal Sayles |date=November 9, 1946 |page=2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100657730/cowboys-throttle-west-texas-buffs-28/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 16
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Texas Mines
| site_stadium = Kidd Field
| site_cityst = El Paso, TX
| score = 20–7
| attend = 8,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Miners Hand Cowboys Scare But Lose 20-7: Force Mobley To Last Half Spree To Win|newspaper=El Paso Times|author=Grenville Mott|date=November 17, 1946|pages=1, 25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100657217/miners-hand-cowboys-scare-but-lose/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 22
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| homecoming = y
| opponent = Howard Payne
| site_stadium = Fair Park Stadium
| site_cityst = Abilene, TX
| score = 33–0
| attend = 4,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Hardin-Simmons Jars Yellow Jackets, 33-0: Mobley Gets 125 Yards|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|date=November 23, 1946|page=9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100656885/simmons-jars-yellow-jackets-33-0/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 30
| w/l = w
| opponent = Texas Tech
| site_stadium = Fair Park Stadium
| site_cityst = Abilene, TX
| score = 21–6
| attend = 13,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Cowboys Outclass Raiders to Keep Spotless Record: Hardin-Simmons Eleven Polishes Texas Tech, 21-6, to Finish Perfect Pigskin season|newspaper=Waco Tribune-Herald|agency=United Press|date=December 1, 1946|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100655850/cowboys-outclass-raiders-to-keep/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 28, 2022}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = January 4, 1947
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| opponent = Denver
| site_stadium = Alamo Stadium
| site_cityst = San Antonio, TX
| gamename = Alamo Bowl
| score = 20–0
| attend = 3,730
| source = {{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PDkbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4kwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4133%2C1135402 |work=Pittsburgh Press |agency=United Press |title=Cowboys blank Denver, 20-0 |date=January 5, 1947 |page=23}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yqZfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1297%2C300793 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Hardin-Simmons wins delayed bowl fracas |date=January 5, 1947 |page=5}}
}}
}}
After the season
The 1947 NFL draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Cowboys were selected.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1947/draft.htm|title=1947 NFL Draft Listing|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=November 29, 2020}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Hardin–Simmons Cowboys| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club}} | ||||
| 14 | 121 | Al Johnson | Quarterback | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 15 | 132 | Joe Cook | Back | Philadelphia Eagles |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football navbox}}
{{Border Conference football champions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1946 Hardin-Simmons Cowboys football team}}
Category:Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football seasons