1946 Indiana Hoosiers football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1946
| team = Indiana Hoosiers
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Big Nine Conference
| short_conf = Big Nine
| APRank = 20
| record = 6–3
| conf_record = 4–2
| head_coach = Bo McMillin
| hc_year = 13th
| mvp = Pete Pihos
| captain = Howie Brown
| stadium = Memorial Stadium
}}
{{1946 Big Nine Conference football standings}}
The 1946 Indiana Hoosiers football team was an American football team that represented the Indiana Hoosiers in the 1946 Big Nine Conference football season. In their 13th year under head coach Bo McMillin, the Hoosiers compiled a 6–3 record (4–2 against Big Nine opponents), outscored opponents by a total of 129 to 95, finished in third place in the Big Nine, and were ranked No. 20 in the final AP Poll (No. 19 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System rankings).{{cite web|title=1946 Indiana Hoosiers Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|accessdate=May 2, 2022|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/indiana/1946-schedule.html}}{{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}}
On defense, the Hoosiers led the Big Nine and ranked 14th nationally, allowing an average of only 179.9 yards per game.{{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}} In passing defense, they ranked fourth nationally, giving up only 59.8 yards per game.
The Hoosiers also fielded the second best passing offense in the Big Nine, and ranked seventh nationally, with an average of 140.4 passing yards per game.{{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=75}} The team's pass offense was led by quarterback Ben Raimondi who ranked third nationally with 956 passing yards.{{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=82}} End Lou Mihajlovich was the team's leading receiver with 25 receptions for 300 yards.{{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=83}}
Fullback Pete Pihos was named the team's most valuable player.{{cite news|title=Pete Pihos Named I. U.'s Most Valuable|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10716652/pete_pihos_named_i_us_most_valuable/|access-date=May 3, 2017|work=The Kokomo Tribune|agency=United Press|date=November 29, 1946|page=17}} Two Hoosiers received second-team honors on the 1946 All-America college football team: Raimondi (Associated Press) and center John Cannady (Central Press).{{cite news|title=The 1946 AP All-America|work=Cumberland Evening Times|date=1946-12-04}}{{cite news|title=Davis, Blanchard Earn All-America Positions|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|date=December 4, 1946|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19461204&id=Mi0aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8iMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5666,2452230|access-date=May 2, 2022|archive-date=May 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506050648/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19461204&id=Mi0aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8iMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5666,2452230|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Army, Irish Place Two Each On Captains' All American|work=Wisconsin State Journal|date=1946-12-03}} Four Hoosiers also received honors from the Associated Press (AP) or United Press (UP) on the 1946 All-Big Nine Conference football team: Raimondi (AP-1, UP-1); tackle Russ Deal (AP-1, UP-1); Cannady (AP-1, UP-2); and Pihos (UP-2).{{cite news|title=Indiana Places Three on Big Ten All-Stars|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal (AP story)|date=November 26, 1946|page=6|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19461126&id=7x4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ByUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2234,5527982|access-date=May 2, 2022|archive-date=May 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506062926/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19461126&id=7x4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ByUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2234,5527982|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Michigan Gets Three Places On UP Team|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (UP story)|date=November 30, 1946|page=13|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19461130&id=C8MwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YGoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2707,5888639}}
The Hoosiers played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 1946
| poll = AP
| timezone = Eastern
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 21
| time =
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| opponent = Cincinnati
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Bloomington, IN
| score = 6–15
| attend = 15,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Indiana Bows To Cincinnati: Bearcats Get 2 Touchdowns In First Half; Field Goal Gives Queen City Eleven Margin Of 15-6|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|author=Harold Harrison|date=September 22, 1946|pages=40, 43|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100873756/indiana-bows-to-cincinnati-bearcats/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 28
| time =
| w/l = l
| away = y
| opponent = Michigan
| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium
| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI
| score = 0–21
| attend = 74,600
| source = {{cite news|title=Crisler Terms 'M' 11 'Sloppy' In Indiana Win|newspaper=The News-Palladium|date=September 28, 1946|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2750181/crisler_terms_m_11_sloppy_in/}}{{cite news|title=Wolverines Roll Over Indiana's Hope of Retaining Title, 21 to 0|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=September 29, 1946|author=James Segreti|page=2-1|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1946/09/29/page/41/article/wolverines-roll-over-indianas-hope-of-retaining-title-21-to-0}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 5
| time =
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Minnesota
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Minneapolis, MN
| score = 21–0
| attend = 53,648
| source = {{cite news|title=Indiana Fumbles 12 Times But Routs Minnesota 21 To 0|newspaper=Minneapolis Sunday Tribune|author=Charles Johnson|date=October 6, 1946|pages=Sports 1, 2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100873864/indiana-fumbles-12-times-but-routs/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 12
| time =
| w/l = w
| opponent = Illinois
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Bloomington, IN
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 14–7
| attend = 27,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Indiana Triumphs: 4th-Quarter Tally By Pihos Decides Game; Capacity Throng Of 27,000 Sees Illini Bow, 14-7|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|author=Jack K. Overmyer|date=October 13, 1946|pages=41, 43|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100858863/indiana-triumphs-4th-quarter-tally-by/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 19
| time =
| w/l = l
| rank = 18
| opponent = Iowa
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Bloomington, IN
| score = 0–13
| attend = 27,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Iowa Defeats Indiana: Hawkeyes Get 2 Touchdowns In 1st Period; Hastily-Plugged End Berth Proves Crimson Undoing|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|author=Jack K. Overmeyer|date=October 20, 1946|pages=41, 45|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100874062/iowa-defeats-indiana-hawkeyes-get-2/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 26
| time =
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Nebraska
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Lincoln, NE
| score = 27–7
| attend = 36,200
| source = {{cite news|title=Hoosiers Overpower Huskers, 27 to 7: Big Ben Terrific In Rout|newspaper=The Nebraska State Journal|author=Norris Anderson|date=October 27, 1946|pages=1B, 2B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100874180/hoosiers-overpower-huskers-27-to-7/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 2
| time =
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 20
| opponent = Pittsburgh
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Bloomington, IN
| score = 20–6
| attend = 17,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Indiana Beats Pitt: Ben Raimondi's Passes Enable Hoosiers To Win From Pittsburgh, 20-6|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|author=Harold Harrison|date=November 3, 1946|pages=41, 42|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100874273/indiana-beats-pitt-ben-raimondis/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 9
| time =
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Northwestern
| opprank = 17
| site_stadium = Dyche Stadium
| site_cityst = Evanston, IL
| score = 7–6
| attend =
| source = {{cite news|title=Indiana Beats N. U., 7-6: Fourth Period Score Offsets Wildcat Lead; Penalty Nullifies Possible Tie|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|author=Wilfrid Smith|date=November 10, 1946|pages=II-1, II-2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100874376/indiana-beats-n-u-7-6-fourth-period/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 23
| time =
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Purdue
| site_stadium = Ross–Ade Stadium
| site_cityst = West Lafayette, IN
| gamename = Old Oaken Bucket
| score = 34–20
| attend = 43,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Indiana Eleven Punches Purdue, 34-20: Hoosiers Fight Back After Riveters Score Two Times In First Quarter|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|author=Harold Harrison, Jack K. Overmyer|date=November 24, 1946|pages=41–43|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100688716/indiana-eleven-punches-purdue-34-20/|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 29, 2022}}
}}
}}
{{cite web |author= |title=1946 Indiana Hoosiers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/indiana/1946-schedule.html |website=College Football @ Sports-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=December 31, 2023 }}{{cite web |author= |title=1946 Football Schedule |url=https://iuhoosiers.com/sports/football/schedule/1946 |publisher=Indiana University |access-date=December 31, 2023 }}{{cite web |author= |title=Indiana Football 2023 Record Book |url=https://static.iuhoosiers.com/custompages/pdf/fb/2023/23-FB-Record_Book_Full.pdf |publisher=Indiana University |page=13 |access-date=December 31, 2023 }}
Rankings
{{see also|1946 college football rankings}}
{{Ranking movements
| poll1title = AP
| poll1firstweek = 1
| poll1lastweek = 9
| poll1_1=NR
| poll1_2=18
| poll1_3=NR
| poll1_4=20
| poll1_5=NR
| poll1_6=NR
| poll1_7=NR
| poll1_8=NR
| poll1_9=20 {{small|(1)}}
}}
After the season
The 1947 NFL draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Hoosiers 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=Indiana Hoosiers| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club}} | ||||
| 3 | 22 | John Cannady | Center | New York Giants |
| 6 | 41 | Ben Raimondi | Back | Chicago Cardinals |
| 17 | 150 | Bob Ravensburg | End | Chicago Cardinals |
| 18 | 160 | Jim Goodman | Tackle | Green Bay Packers |
| 19 | 173 | Jim Dewar | Halfback | Los Angeles Rams |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Indiana Hoosiers football navbox}}
Category:Indiana Hoosiers football seasons
{{collegefootball-1946-season-stub}}