1946 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season#Kalamazoo
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 1946 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season
| color =
| color text =
| league = Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
| sport = Football
| logo =
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| duration =
| no_of_teams = 6
| attendance =
| TV =
| draft =
| draft_link =
| top_pick =
| picked_by =
| season =
| season_champs = Hillsdale, Kalamazoo
| season_champ_name = Co-champions
| league_champs =
| league_champ_name =
| second_place =
| minor_premiers =
| MVP =
| MVP_link =
| Cup_MVP =
| Cup_MVP_link =
| top_scorer =
| top_scorer_link =
| promote =
| promote_from =
| relegate =
| relegate_to =
| playoffs =
| playoffs_link =
| conf1 =
| conf1_link =
| conf1_champ =
| conf1-runner-up =
| conf2 =
| conf2_link =
| conf2_champ =
| conf2-runner-up =
| playoffs_MVP =
| playoffs_MVP_link =
| finals =
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| finals_runner-up =
| finals_MVP =
| finals_MVP_link =
| final_four_MVP =
| final_four_MVP_link=
| seasonslist =
| seasonslistnames = Football
| prevseason_link =
| prevseason_year = 1945
| altseason_link =
| altseason_year =
| nextseason_link =
| nextseason_year = 1947
}}
{{1946 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings}}
The 1946 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) as part of the 1946 college football season.
The Hilllsdale Dales, in their first season under head coach David M. Nelson, tied for the MIAC championship with a 7–1 record (4–1 against MIAA opponents) and outscored opponents by a total of 193 to 50.
The Kalamazoo Hornets, in their second season under head coach Bob Nulf, tied with Hillsdale for the conference championship with a 6–2 record (4–1 against MIAA opponents).
Three players were unanimous picks to the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team: quarterback Nick Yonker of Hope; halfback Billy Young of Hillsdale; and end Don Schreiner of Hope.
Conference overview
| class="sortable wikitable". | ||||||
| width="25"|Conf. rank
!width="100"|Team !width="115"|Head coach !width="50"|Conf. record !width="50"|Overall record !width="50"|Points scored !width="50"|Points against | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="left" bgcolor=""
|1 (tie) | Hilllsdale | David M. Nelson | 4–1 | 7–1 | 193 | 50 |
| align="left" bgcolor=""
|1 (tie) | Kalamazoo | Bob Nulf | 4–1 | 6–2 | 145 | 45 |
| align="left" bgcolor=""
|3 | Hope | Al Vanderbush | 3–2 | 6–2 | 160 | 40 |
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|4 (tie) | Albion | Dale R. Sprankle | 2–3 | 3–5 | 67 | 130 |
| align="left" bgcolor=""
|4 (tie) | Alma | Steve Sebo | 2–3 | 2–5 | 59 | 117 |
| align="left" bgcolor=""
|6 | Adrian | Lyman E. Abbott | 0–5 | 0–8 | 12 | 159 |
{{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=125 }}{{cite news |author= |title=MIAA Playoff Appears Improbable Despite Tie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51818144/detroit-free-press/ |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |location=Detroit, Michigan |date=November 11, 1946 |page=19 |access-date=May 21, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com {{Open access}} }}
Teams
=Hillsdale=
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1946
| team = Hillsdale Dales
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
| short_conf = MIAA
| record = 7–1
| conf_record = 4–1
| head_coach = David M. Nelson
| hc_year = 1st
| mvp = Bill Young
| captain =
| stadium =
| champion = MIAA co-champion
}}
The 1946 Hillsdale Dales football team was an American football team that represented Hillsdale College in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1946 college football season. In their first year under head coach David M. Nelson, the Dales compiled a 7–1 record (4–1 against MIAA opponents), tied for the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 193 to 50.{{cite web |title=Hillsdale Yearly Results |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |accessdate=June 10, 2022 |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/h/hillsdale/1945-1949_yearly_results.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907074952/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/h/hillsdale/1945-1949_yearly_results.php |archive-date=7 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Dales, Hornets Share MIAA Football Crown|newspaper=The Enquirer and News|location=Battle Creek, Michigan|date=November 11, 1946|page=9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103564031/dales-hornets-share-miaa-football/|via=Newspapers.com}}
Although recognized as co-champions with Kalamazoo College, Hillsdale defeated Kalamazoo, 20-0. Asked about a possible playoff game at the end of the season, coach Nelson said: "No playoff is needed. We beat Kalamazoo, 20 to 0, during the season. That shows which is the better ball club."{{cite news|title=MIAA Champions Will Let Tie Stand: Neither Kalamazoo Nor Hillsdale Wants to Play Off Football Deadlock|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=November 15, 1946|page=23|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103544746/miaa-champions-will-let-tie-stand/|via=Newspapers.com}}
Nelson, who had played in the Michigan backfield with Tom Harmon, Forest Evashevski, and Bob Westfall, was hired as Hillsdale's athletic director in February 1946.{{cite news|title=Nelson Signed by Hillsdale: Former U.M. Player To Take Over Athletic Director's Job|newspaper=The Escanaba Daily Press|agency=Associated Press|date=February 5, 1946|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103562551/nelson-signed-by-hillsdale-former-um/|via=Newspapers.com}} He had served 41 months in the Navy during World War II. His hiring raised Hillsdale's profile, and he assembled a team of 50 players, 47 of whome were former service men. At least 15 of them were out-of-state men who Nelson had met while serving in the Pacific Theater. In August 1946, Nelson noted: "I have so many ex-marines coming out for the team . . . that we should have the situation well in hand."{{cite news|title=Hillsdale Worth Watching with Davey Nelson at Helm|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=John N. Sabo|date=August 10, 1946|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103563614/hillsdale-worth-watching-with-davey/|via=Newspapers.com}} Nelson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.{{cite web|title=David Nelson|publisher=National Football Foundation|accessdate=June 10, 2022|url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1850}}
Hillsdale backs Tom Ward and Bill Young were known as the Dales' "touchdown twins".{{cite news|title=Pair of Hillsdale Backs Rules State Grid Scoring Race|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=November 4, 1946|page=21|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103544593/pair-of-hillsdale-backs-rules-state/|via=Newspapers.com}} The pair led the state in scoring with 12 touchdowns and 72 points each. Young also tallied 997 rushing yards in just eight games.{{cite news|title=Hillsdale Pair Helps Team to Top Rating: Young, Ward Make Dales State's No. 1 Eleven|newspaper=The Enquirer and News|location=Battle Creek, Michigan|date=November 21, 1946|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103563907/hillsdale-pair-helps-team-to-top/|via=Newspapers.com}} Young was selected by his teammates as the team's most valuable player.{{cite news|title=Detroiter Picked Dale Grid Captain|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|agency=Associated Press|date=November 24, 1946|page=44|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103564159/hillsdale/|via=Newspapers.com}}
Four Hillsdale players received first-team honors from the Associated Press (AP) on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team: Young and Ward at back; Alex Clelland at center; and John Masterson at tackle. In addition, back George Albright received second-team honors.{{cite news|title=Hillsdale Places Four On All-Star M.I.A.A. Roster|newspaper=The Times Herald|location=Port Huron, Michigan|date=November 28, 1946|page=18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103544011/hillsdale-places-four-on-all-star/|via=Newspapers.com}}'
{{CFB schedule
| source = y
|September 27||{{cfb link|year=1946|team=Ferris Institute Bulldogs|title=Ferris Institute}}
|September 27|at|Albion||Albion, MI|L 6-13|{{cite news|title=Albion Upsets Hillsdale with Late Scores, 13-6|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=October 6, 1946|page=41|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103564833/albion-upsets-hillsdale-with-late/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|October 12||Kalamazoo||Hillsdale, MI|W 20-0|{{cite news|title=Hornets Prove Grid Washout Against Dales|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=October 13, 1946|page=IV-3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103563227/hornets-prove-grid-washout-against-dales/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|October 19|at|Adrian||Adrian, MI|W 33-6|
|October 26||Michigan State Normal
|November 1|at|Alma||Alma, MI|W 19-0|{{cite news|title=Hillsdale Beat Alma In MIAA Game, 19-0|newspaper=The Enquirer and News|location=Battle Creek, Michigan|date=November 2, 1946|page=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103544270/hillsdale-beat-alma-in-miaa-game-19-0/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|November 9||Hope||Hillsdale, MI|W 21-20|{{cite news|title=Hillsdale Rally Nips Hope Eleven, 21-20: Win Gives Dales Tie for MIAA Title|newspaper=The Enquirer and News|location=Battle Creek, Michigan|date=November 10, 1946|page=15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103545280/hillsdale-rally-nips-hope-eleven/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|November 16||{{cfb link|year=1946|team=Lawrence Tech Blue Devils|title=Lawrence Tech}}
}}
{{cite news|title=Dales' New Athletic Head Announces 8-Game Grid Card|newspaper=The Times Herald|agency=Associated Press|date=August 1, 1946|page=20|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103562896/dales-new-athletic-head-announces/|via=Newspapers.com}}
{{Hillsdale Chargers football navbox}}
=Kalamazoo=
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1946
| team = Kalamazoo Hornets
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
| short_conf = MIAA
| record = 6–2
| conf_record = 4–1
| head_coach = Bob Nulf
| hc_year = 2nd
| captain =
| stadium =
| champion = MIAA co-champion
}}
The 1946 Kalamazoo Hornets football team represented Kalamazoo College of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In their second non-consecutive year under head coach Bob Nulf, the Hornets compiled a 6–2 record (4–1 against MIAA opponents), tied for the MIAA championship, shut out four of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 145 to 45.1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 187.
Kalamazoo's football team included 11 players from the South Bend, Indiana, area.{{cite news|title=Eleven From South Bend District Dominate Kalamazoo Grid Squad|newspaper=The South Bend Tribune|date=November 12, 1946|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105611245/eleven-from-south-bend-district/|via=Newspapers.com}} The leading scorers were Tom Shopoff (42 points) and Bob Reed (41 points).{{cite news|title=Individual Scoring Leaders|newspaper=The Ludington Daily News|date=November 18, 1946|page=8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105610862/individual-scoring-leaders/|via=Newspapers.com}} Shopoff and guard V. Marandino were first-team picks on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team.
{{CFB schedule
| attend = y
| source = y
|September 27||Adrian||Kalamazoo, MI|W 20-0||
|October 4||{{cfb link|year=1946|team=Detroit Tech Dynamics|title=Detroit Tech}}
|October 12||Hillsdale||Hillsdale, MI|L 0-20||
|October 19||Hope
|October 26|at|Albion||Albion, MI|W 24-0|> 3,000|{{cite news|title=Kazoo Too Much For Albion, 24-0: Hornets Outplay Britons in Homecoming Tilt|newspaper=The Enquirer and News|location=Battle Creek, Michigan|date=October 27, 1946|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105610296/kazoo-too-much-for-albion-24-0/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|November 1||Kent State
|November 8||Alma||Kalamazoo, MI|W 41-7||{{cite news|title=Kalamazoo Dumps Alma To Capture Share Of MIAA Title|newspaper=The Times Herald|location=Port Huron, Michigan|date=November 9, 1946|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105610513/kalamazoo-dumps-alma-to-capture-share/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|November 16||{{cfb link|year=1946|team=Defiance Yellow Jackets|title=Defiance}}
}}
{{Kalamazoo Hornets football navbox}}
=Hope=
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1946
| team = Hope Flying Dutchmen
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
| short_conf = MIAA
| record = 6–2
| conf_record = 3–2
| head_coach = Al Vanderbush
| hc_year = 1st
| captain =
| stadium =
}}
The 1946 Hope Flying Dutchmen football team represented Hope College of Hope, Michigan. In their first year under head coach Al Vanderbush, the Dutchmen compiled a 6–2 record (3–2 against MIAA opponents), finished in third place in the MIAA, shut out five of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 160 to 40.1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 183.
Two Hope players, quarterback Nick Yonker and end Dan Schriemer, were selected as first-team players on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team. Yoner was a unanimous pick.
{{CFB schedule
| attend = y
| source = y
|September 20||{{cfb link|year=1946|team=Ferris Institute Bulldogs|title=Ferris Institute}}
|September 27|at|Albion||Albion, MI|W 26-0||{{cite news|title=Briton Gridders Set For Opener with Hope|newspaper=Battle creek Enquirer|date=September 24, 1946|page=9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105613625/briton-gridders-set-for-opener-with-hope/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|October 4||Michigan State Normal
|October 10|at|{{cfb link|year=1946|team=Grand Rapids Raiders|title=Grand Rapids}}
|October 19|at|Kalamazoo||Kalamazoo, MI|L 0-13|5,500|
|October 26||Alma
|November 2|at|Adrian||Adrian, MI|W 19-0||{{cite news|title=Hope Beats Adrian, 19-0, To Stay in MIAA Race|newspaper=Battle Creek Enquirer|date=November 3, 1946|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105614165/hope-beats-adrian-19-0-to-stay-in/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|November 16|at|Hillsdale||Hillsdale, MI|L 20-21||
}}
=Albion=
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1946
| team = Albion Britons
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
| short_conf = MIAA
| record = 3–5
| conf_record = 2–3
| head_coach = Dale R. Sprankle
| hc_year = 9th
| captain =
| stadium =
}}
The 1946 Albion Britons football team represented Albion College of Albion, Michigan. In their ninth and final year under head coach Dale R. Sprankle, the Britons compiled a 3–5 record (2–3 against MIAA opponents), finished in a tie for fourth place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 130 to 67.1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 159.
Two Albion players, end Ben Fies and guard Charles Clark, were selected as first-team players on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team. Back Robert Mohr was named to the second team.
{{CFB schedule
| attend = y
| source = y
|September 27||Hope||Albion, MI|L 0-26||
|October 5||Hillsdale||Albion, MI|W 13-6||
|October 12||Adrian||Albion, MI|W 27-0||{{cite news|title=Britons Stay in Race By Defeating Adrian: Albion College Easily Triumphs, 27-0|newspaper=Battle Creek Enquirer and News|date=October 13, 1946|page=15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105625673/britons-stay-in-race-by-defeating-adrian/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|October 19|at|Alma||Alma, MI|L 13-14|2,000|{{cite news|title=Alma Edges Albion By One Point, 14-13|newspaper=Lansing State Journal|date=October 20, 1946|page=25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105617858/alma-edges-albion-by-one-point-14-13/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|October 26||Kalamazoo||Albion, MI|L 0-24|> 3,000|
|November 2|at|Michigan State Normal
|November 9|at|Otterbein
|November 16||Ashland
}}
{{Albion Britons football navbox}}
=Alma=
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1946
| team = Alma Scots
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
| short_conf = MIAA
| record = 2–5
| conf_record = 2–3
| head_coach = Steve Sebo
| hc_year = 1st
| captain =
| stadium =
}}
The 1946 Alma Scots football team represented Alma College of Alma, Michigan. In their first year under head coach Steve Sebo, the Scots compiled a 2–5 record (2–3 against MIAA opponents), finished in a tie for fourth place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 117 to 59.
Alma back Max Tullis was selected as a first-team player on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team. Tackle Kenneth Swanson and guard Gayle Sexton were named to the second team.
{{CFB schedule
| attend = y
| source = y
|October 4|at|Adrian||Adrian, MI|W 25-0||
|October 11|at|Michigan State Normal
|October 19||Albion||Alma, MI|W 14-13||
|October 26|at|Hope||Holland, MI|L 0-24|6,000|
|November 1||Hillsdale||Alma, MI|L 0-19||
|November 8|at|Kalamazoo||Kalamazoo, MI|L 7-41||
|November 15||{{cfb link|year=1946|team=Ferris Institute Bulldogs|title=Ferris Institute}}
}}
{{Alma Scots football navbox}}
=Adrian=
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1946
| team = Adrian Bulldogs
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
| short_conf = MIAA
| record = 0–8
| conf_record = 0–5
| head_coach = Lyman E. Abbott
| hc_year = 1st
| captain =
| stadium =
}}
The 1946 Adrian Bulldogs football team represented Adrian College of Adrian, Michigan. Led by first-year head coach Lyman E. Abbott, the Bulldogs compiled a 0–8 record (0–5 against MIAA opponents), finished in last place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 159 to 12.1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 158.
Adrian tackle James Staup was selected as a first-team player on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team.
{{CFB schedule
| attend = y
| source = y
|September 27|at|Kalamazoo||Kalamazoo, MI|L 0-20||
|October 4||Alma|||L 0-25||{{cite news|title=MIAA Eagerly Awaits First Glimpse of Alma|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=Marshall Dann|date=October 4, 1946|page=23|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105625533/miaa-eagerly-awaits-first-glimpse-of/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|October 12||Albion|||L 0-27||{{cite news|title=Britons Stay in Race By Defeating Adrian|newspaper=Battle Creek Enquirer|date=October 13, 1946|page=15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105625673/britons-stay-in-race-by-defeating-adrian/|via=Newspapers.com}}
|October 19||Hillsdale||Adrian, MI|L 6-33||
|October 25||Findlay
|November 2||Hope||Adrian, MI|L 0-19||
|November 11||{{cfb link|year=1946|team=Lawrence Tech Blue Devils|title=Lawrence Tech}}
|November 16||{{cfb link|year=1946|team=Detroit Tech Dynamics|title=Detroit Tech}}
}}
{{Adrian Bulldogs football navbox}}
All-conference team
The Associated Press (AP) polled the MIAA coaches and selected the following players to the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team. Three players were unanimous picks: quarterback Nick Yonker of Hope; halfback Billy Young of Hillsdale; and end Don Schreiner of Hope.
First team
- Quarterback: Nick Yonker, Hope
- Backs: William Young, Hillsdale; Max Tullis, Alma; Thomas Ward, Hillsdale
- Fullback: Tom Shopoff, Kalamazoo
- Ends: Dan Schriemer, Hope; Ben Fies, Albion
- Tackles: James Staup, Adrian; John Masterson, Hillsdale
- Guards: V. Marandino, Kalamazoo Charles Clark, Albion
- Center: Alex Clelland, Hillsdale
Second team
- Quarterback: Jack Hart, Kalamazoo
- Backs: Robert Mohr, Albion; Bob Emery, Hope; George Abright, Hillsdale
- Fullback: Robert Reed, Kalamazoo
- Ends: Milt Christen, Kalamazoo; Clair DeMull, Hope
- Tackles: Rip Collins, Hope; Kenneth Swanson, Alma
- Guards: Gayle Saxton, Alma; Jack Trump, Kalamazoo
- Center: H. Southworth, Kalamazoo