1954 VPI Gobblers football team

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1954

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 18

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = NC State

| site_stadium = Miles Stadium

| site_cityst = Blacksburg, VA

| score = 30–21

| attend = 9,000

| source = {{cite news |title=Virginia Tech defeats North Carolina State 30 to 21: Stiff ground attack brings Gobblers' win; Howie Wright paces VPI scoring parade |url=https://pclibs.newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times/1954-09-19/page-3/ |access-date=5 March 2019 |agency=Pulaski Southwest Times |date=September 19, 1954}}{{Cite news |date=1954-09-19 |title=Tech beats Carolina State; Wright shines as Gobblers Triumph, 30-21 |pages=15 |work=The Roanoke Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-beats-carolina-st/136241991/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 25

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| opponent = Wake Forest

| site_stadium = City Stadium

| site_cityst = Richmond, VA

| gamename = Tobacco Bowl

| score = 32–0

| attend = 17,000

| source = {{cite news |title=Virginia Tech pulverizes Wake Forest defenses, 32–0: Wright leads attack for Gobblers; Elusive halfback confuses Deacons |url=https://pclibs.newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times/1954-09-26/page-2/ |access-date=5 March 2019 |agency=Pulaski Southwest Times |date=September 26, 1954}}{{Cite news |date=1954-09-26 |title=Tech beats Deacons; Wright shines in 32-0 victory |pages=17 |work=The Roanoke Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-beats-deacons-wr/136242488/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 2

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Clemson

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Clemson, SC

| score = 18–7

| attend = 14,000

| source = {{cite news |title=V.P.I. Ground Game Rugged; King is Outstanding In Exciting Contest Saturday|url=http://tigerprints.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3658&context=tiger_newspaper|publisher=Clemson University|newspaper=The Tiger|date=October 7, 1954|page=4|access-date=July 24, 2017}}{{Cite news |date=1954-10-03 |title=Tech clubs Clemson 18-7; Tigers make 3 mistakes, all for TD's |pages=61 |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-tech-clubs-clems/136233443/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}{{Cite news |date=1954-10-03 |title=Virginia Tech surprises Clemson 18-7; Victory third in row for hot VPI gridders |pages=15 |work=The Roanoke Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-virginia-tech-surprise/136242790/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 16

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 16

| opponent = Richmond

| site_stadium = City Stadium

| site_cityst = Richmond, VA

| score = 19–12

| attend = 20,000

| source = {{cite news |title=VPI comes from behind to push by Richmond, 19 to 12: Tech forced to play hard for victory |url=https://pclibs.newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times/1954-10-17/page-2/ |access-date=5 March 2019 |agency=Pulaski Southwest Times |date=October 17, 1954}}{{Cite news |date=1954-10-17 |title=Gobblers have close call with Richmond's Spiders; Beard workhorse in 19-12 verdict |pages=15 |work=The Roanoke Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-gobblers-have-close-ca/136243083/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 23

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| neutral = y

| rank = 14

| opponent = Virginia

| site_stadium = Victory Stadium{{Cite web|work=Virginia Tech Bugle|url=http://spec.lib.vt.edu/archives/bugle/bugl1955/1955_BUGLE.pdf|title=The Bugle 1955|date=1955|access-date=July 2, 2017}}

| site_cityst = Roanoke, VA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 6–0

| attend = 17,000

| source = {{cite news |title=Virginia Tech edges past touch Cavalier team, 6 to 0: Gobblers win on Cranwell 20-yard pass; VPI chalks up 5th straight triumph |url=https://pclibs.newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times/1954-10-18/page-6/ |access-date=8 March 2019 |issue=October 24, 1954 |date=October 24, 1954}}{{Cite news |date=1954-10-24 |title=Gobblers take 6-0 victory over Cavaliers; Cranwell-Jones passing combine scores for Tech |pages=15 |work=The Roanoke Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-gobblers-take-6-0-vict/136243265/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 30

| w/l = t

| homecoming = y

| rank = 14

| opponent = William & Mary

| site_stadium = Miles Stadium

| site_cityst = Blacksburg, VA

| score = 7–7

| attend = 16,000

| source = {{Cite news |last=Karmonsky |first=Charles |date=October 31, 1954 |title=Underdog W&M battles VPI to 7-7 stalemate; Henley scampers 55 yards in first for Tribe's score |pages=27 |work=Newport News Daily Press |url=https://newspapers.com/image/231368747/?terms=gobblers&match=1 |access-date=November 18, 2023}}{{Cite news |date=1954-10-31 |title=William & Mary holds VPI to 7-7 deadlock; Henley and Anderson account for touchdowns |pages=13 |work=The Roanoke Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-william-mary-holds-v/136243474/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 5

| w/l = w

| away = y

| rank = 18

| opponent = George Washington

| site_stadium = Griffith Stadium

| site_cityst = Washington, DC

| score = 20–13

| attend = 18,586

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69883271/gobblers-take-to-air-whip-colonials/|work=Richmond Times Dispatch|title=Gobblers take to air, whip Colonials, 20–13|date=November 6, 1954|accessdate=February 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1954-11-06 |title=Gobbler fans breath easier after victory over Colonials; VPI finds TD punch against GW |pages=7 |work=The Portsmouth Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-portsmouth-star-gobbler-fans-breath/136257368/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 13

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| rank = 15

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1954|team=Waynesburg Yellow Jackets|title=Waynesburg}}

| site_stadium = Miles Stadium

| site_cityst = Blacksburg, VA

| score = 20–6

| attend = 6,000

| source = {{Cite news|url=https://pclibs.newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times/1954-11-14/page-3/|title=VPI beats Waynesburg, 20–6:Yellow Jacket line difficult for Gobblers; Losers score first in hard-fought tilt|date=November 14, 1954|work=Pulaski Southwest Times|access-date=March 14, 2019}}{{Cite news |date=1954-11-14 |title=Tech downs Waynesburg; Aerials produce 20-6 verdict for Gobblers |pages=17 |work=The Roanoke Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-downs-waynesburg/136257709/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 25

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 16

| opponent = VMI

| site_stadium = Victory Stadium

| site_cityst = Roanoke, VA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 46–9

| attend = 26,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91833012/techs-dazzling-speed-puts-moseley-over/|work=The Richmond News Leader|title=VTech's dazzling speed puts Moseley over hump|date=November 26, 1954|accessdate=January 4, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1954-11-26 |title=Tech wallops VMI 46-9, boosting Gator Bowl chance; Unbeaten year gives Gobblers Big Six crown |pages=1 |work=The Roanoke Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-tech-wallops-vmi-46-9/136257877/ |access-date=2023-12-04}}

}}

}}

{{See also|1954 college football rankings}}

{{Ranking movements

| poll1title = AP

| poll1firstweek = 0

| poll1lastweek = 11

| poll1_0=NR

| poll1_1=NR

| poll1_2=NR

| poll1_3=19

| poll1_4=16

| poll1_5=14

| poll1_6=14

| poll1_7=18

| poll1_8=15

| poll1_9=15

| poll1_10=16

| poll1_11=16

}}

Howie Wright scored two touchdowns to lead the Gobblers to their first victory of the year, beating NC State, 30–21. After falling behind 7–0 in the first quarter, Wright took a handoff from quarterback Johnny Dean and raced 67 yards to knot the score. The Tech defense did not allow the Wolfpack a first down in the second or third quarters, and in fact put the Gobblers in front 9–7 when George Preas tossed the NC State quarterback in the end zone for a safety. On the drive following the free kick, Bill Cranwell took the ball in from the six, capping a 12-play drive. After leading 16–7 at the half, the Techmen scored on another run by Wright, this one from the one. After NC State matched that score with a touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff, quarterback Dean gave the Gobblers their final tally from one-yard out. The Gobblers had taken the ball into NC State territory after an interception by Cranwell. They held on for the 30–21 win. VPI had 317 yards on the ground, and had a total of 19 first downs. Dickie Beard was 4-for-4 on extra point tries.

Howie Wright and Johnny Dean each accounted for two touchdowns as the Gobblers shut out Wake Forest in the sixth Tobacco Bowl played in Richmond, Virginia. Both of Wright's scores were over 60 yards, with the first coming on a 62-yard completion by Dean, and the second on a 64-yard jaunt off right tackle. Dean also had a one-yard score to begin the onslaught in the first quarter. The Tech defense was brutal against the Wake air attack, intercepting six passes, two of those by Wright, who plays in both the offensive and defensive backfields. Bill Cranwell and Billy Anderson also scored for the Techmen.

Tech beat its third Atlantic Coast Conference team in three weeks when it ran up an 18–0 lead by halftime and held on for an 18–7 upset win over Clemson.{{cite news |title=Virginia Tech defeats Clemson, 18–7, for third victory: Johnny Dean, Dickie Beard scoring aces |url=https://pclibs.newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times/1954-10-03/page-3/ |access-date=5 March 2019 |date=October 3, 1954}} Johnny Dean scored twice following a first period touchdown by Dickie Beard. Dean also had an interception. Beard had a total of 74 yards on 17 carriers.{{cite book |last1=Harris |first1=Mike |title=Game of My Life: Virginia Tech |date=2006 |pages=7 |url=https://www.amazon.com/Game-Life-Virginia-Tech-Basketball/dp/1596700041 |access-date=5 March 2019}} The win was the first for the Gobblers over Clemson in five tries stretching over 20 years.

Sixteenth-ranked Richmond Tech had to come from behind in the second quarter, and overcome the loss of its first string quarterback, to win against the Richmond Spiders. Johnny Dean, who had starred for the Gobblers in its first three wins, scored the game's first touchdown, but had to be taken from the field on a stretcher after breaking his ankle.{{cite news |title=VPI trying to uncover replacement for Dean |url=https://pclibs.newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times/1954-10-18/page-6/ |access-date=5 March 2019 |agency=Pulaski Southwest Times |date=October 18, 1954}} Howie Wright was also injured and had to leave the game. It was the Gobblers' second win in Richmond City Stadium in three games.

Dickie Cranwell passed 20-yards to Grover Jones in the end zone to cap a 73-yard second period drive which accounted for all the scoring in the 6–0 rivalry win for 14th-ranked VPI over Virginia. The game was played at Victory Stadium in Roanoke. Cranwell, a sophomore, was starting his first game in place of quarterback Johnny Dean. Dickie Beard led the defense, intercepting three UVA passes. The game assured the Gobblers of an undefeated record against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) teams. 1954 was Virginia's first season in the ACC, a very sore subject with the Hokies. UVA, instead of Tech, had been the new conference's selection to bridge the gap between Maryland and the Carolinas. (At the time, Maryland's Terrapins were a national power, important for the prominence of the conference. So the league opted to become a four-state, instead of two-state league. However, it limited the size to eight schools). By the end of the season, the Gobblers made a satirical claim that it was in fact the ACC champion, since it had won as many games against conference teams as any other team in the conference. In reality, Tech did not beat Maryland, which finished as the actual conference champion with a 4–0 record. So its claim should have been it was co-champion.

Virginia Tech scored a late touchdown to escape with a 7–7 tie against William & Mary, enough to preserve ts undefeated status, but not enough to keep its hopes of a perfect season alive.{{cite news |title=Stubborn William & Mary ties Virginia Tech, 7 to 7: VPI overhauls alert Indians late in game; Pass interceptions hurt Gobblers' cause |url=https://pclibs.newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times/1954-10-31/page-3/ |access-date=8 March 2019 |agency=Pulaski Southwest Times |date=October 31, 1954 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The game was played before the largest crowd (16,000) to ever watch a game in Blacksburg. Billy Anderson scored from three yards out with just under four minutes remaining, and Dickie Beard was successful on the extra point kick to avoid completely ruining homecoming for the Tech faithful. William & Mary scored early in the game on a 55-yard run by the Tribe's Doug Henley. While Tech's offense was dominating, rolling up 314 yards on the ground, the team was unable to move the ball when it counted until the final drive. The Tech defense was also dominating aside from the one long run in the first quarter. Aside from the long touchdown, the Techmen only gave up another 36 yards.

Tech jumped out to a 14–0 lead and held on against the George Washington in a game played on a Friday night at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. The Hokies hit on six of seven passes and three of those completions were touchdowns. Dickie Cranwell threw two TDS, one to Grover Jones and one to Tom Petty. Billy Anderson threw a halfback pass to a wide-open Bob Luttrell for the third score.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/29598837/daily_press/|title=Clipping from Daily Press|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-17}}

{{cfb link|year=1954|team=Waynesburg Yellow Jackets|title=Waynesburg}} gave Tech all it could handle in the first half before succumbing to the heavily favored Gobblers 20–6. Waynesburg, coming into Blacksburg with a five-game winning streak, struck first, scoring on the fifth play after Tech coughed up the ball on its own 26. The extra point failed, but the Yellow Jackets held on to the 6–0 lead until less than one minute to play in the first half. With 59 seconds left in the stanza, QB Billy Cranwell threw to Tom Petty for the score, and freshman Wayne Webster successfully kicked the extra point. In the second half, Dickie Beard was part of both Tech touchdowns, throwing a halfback pass to Petty for one score, and returning an intercepted pass for a 79-yard touchdown to wrap things up. (Waynesburg was a lower-division program, eligible at the time to place its players on the "Little All-America" team, now composed of Division II, Division III and NAIA teams).

In what was referred to as the "Military Clash of the South," the Gobblers turned on the burners after a slow first quarter to VMI, 46–9 in Roanoke's Victory Stadium in the traditional Thanksgiving Day tilt. VMI held a 2–0 lead, and was threatening to score an offensive score when the Techmen held at their six. Halfback Dickie Beard then threw his second pass of the season, and the second one resulting in a touchdown, when the Gobblers caught VMI off-guard on a 69-yard trick play that wound up in Tom Petty's hands. Tech led 14–9 when Dick Ebert scored on a 12-yard run. Don Divers then scored the next two touchdowns for the Gobblers, both on intercepted pass returns, the first for 42 yards and the other for 67. Cranwell hit Petty for his fifth receiving score of the year, Beard ran for a touchdown. Bobby Scruggs ran for the final tally.

The following players were members of the 1954 football team.{{cite news |title=Virginia Tech vs Clemson Football Program (October 2, 1954)|url=http://tigerprints.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1021&context=fball_prgms|publisher=Clemson University|date=October 2, 1954|page=28|access-date=September 15, 2017}}

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VPI

Category:Virginia Tech Hokies football seasons

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VPI Gobblers football