The 1946 Ohio Athletic Conference football season was the season of

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

played by the 21 member schools of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), commonly referred to as the "Ohio Conference", as part of the

1946 college football season The 1946 college football season was the 78th season of intercollegiate football in the United States. Competition included schools from the Big Ten Conference, the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC), the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Big Six C ...

. The Otterbein Cardinals, in their first season under head coach George Novotny, won the OAC championship with a 7–1 record (4–0 against OAC opponents). The Cardinals shut out four opponents and gave up an average of only 4.75 points per game. Two Otterbein players (halfback Paul Davis and center Ralph Pickelsimer) were selected as first-team players on the 1946 All-Ohio Conference team. The Toledo Rockets, led by first-year head coach Bill Orwig, finished in second place with a 6–2–2 record (3–0 against OAC opponents), including a victory over

Bates Bates may refer to: Places * Bates, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Bates, Illinois. an unincorporated community in Sangamon County * Bates, Michigan, a community in Grand Traverse County * Bates, New York, a hamlet in the town of Elli ...

in the first annual Glass Bowl game. Three of the conference's head coaches, each serving their first year as a head coach, were later inducted into the

College Football Hall of Fame The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and interactive attraction devoted to college football. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the players and coaches of college football that were vote ...

Woody Hayes Wayne Woodrow Hayes (February 14, 1913 – March 12, 1987) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University (1946–1948), Miami University in Oxford, Ohio (1949–1950), and Ohio State University (1951 ...

(Denison); Paul Hoernemann (Heidelerg); and

Ed Sherman Edgar A. Sherman (July 13, 1912 – September 29, 2009) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Muskingum College from 1945 to 1966, compiling a record of 141–43–7, a winning percentage of .757. He ...

(Muskingum).

Conference overview

Teams

Otterbein

The 1946 Otterbein Cardinals football team represented

Otterbein University Otterbein University is a private university in Westerville, Ohio. It offers 74 majors and 44 minors as well as eight graduate programs. The university was founded in 1847 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and named for United Bre ...

. In their first season under head coach George Novotny, the Cardinals compiled a 7–1 record (5–0 against OAC opponent), won the OAC championship, shut out four of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 278 to 38. Halfback Paul Davis and center Ralph Pickelsimer were named to the 1946 All-OAC football team.

Toledo

In their first season under head coach Bill Orwig, the Rockets compiled a 6–2–2 record, outscored their opponents by a combined total of 200 to 132, and defeated

, 21–12, in the first postseason Glass Bowl game.

Oberlin

The 1946 Oberlin Yeomen football team represented

Oberlin College Oberlin College is a Private university, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Oberlin, Ohio. It is the oldest Mixed-sex education, coeducational liberal arts college in the United S ...

Oberlin, Ohio Oberlin is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States, 31 miles southwest of Cleveland. Oberlin is the home of Oberlin College, a liberal arts college and music conservatory with approximately 3,000 students. The town is the birthplace of the ...

. In their 17th season under head coach Lysle K. Butler, the Cardinals compiled a 4–2–1 record (2–0 against OAC opponents), finished in third place in the OAC, and outscored all opponents by a total of 136 to 46.

Muskingum

The 1946 Muskingum Fighting Muskies football team represented Muskingum University of

New Concord, Ohio New Concord is a village (United States)#Ohio, village in Muskingum County, Ohio, Muskingum County, Ohio, United States. The population is 2,491 as of the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. New Concord is the home of Muskingum University and ...

. In their second season under head coach

, the Fighting Muskies compiled a 5–3–1 record (4–0–1 against OAC opponents), finished in fourth place in the OAC, and outscored all opponents by a total of 122 to 115.

Baldwin–Wallace

The 1946 Baldwin–Wallace Yellow Jackets football team represented Baldwin Wallace University of

Berea, Ohio Berea ( ) is a city in Cuyahoga County in the U.S. state of Ohio and is a western suburb of Cleveland. The population was 19,093 at the 2010 census. Berea is home to Baldwin Wallace University, as well as the training facility for the Cleveland ...

. In their 19th season under head coach Ray E. Watts, the Yellow Jackets compiled a 4–2–2 record (4–1 against OAC opponents), finished in fifth place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 163 to 73.

Mount Union

The 1946 Mount Union Purple Raiders football team represented the University of Mount Union of

Alliance, Ohio Alliance is a city in eastern Stark County, Ohio, United States. With a small district lying in adjacent Mahoning County, the city is approximately northeast of Canton, southwest of Youngstown and southeast of Cleveland. The population was 21 ...

. In their second season under head coach

Pete Pederson Willard Merrill "Pete" Pederson (October 28, 1910 – September 8, 1982) was an American college football and basketball coach as well as professional basketball player. Professionally, he played in the National Basketball League for the Oshkosh ...

, the Purple Raiders compiled a 7–1–1 record (5–1–1 against OAC opponents), finished in sixth place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 127 to 51.

Findlay

The 1946 Findlay Oilers football team represented the University of Findlay of Findlay, Ohio. Led by head coach Nelson M. Jones, the Oilers compiled a 6–2 record (3–1 against OAC opponents), finished in a tie for seventh place in the OAC, shut out five of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 209 to 25.

Marietta

The 1946 Marietta Pioneers football team represented the

Marietta College Marietta College (MC) is a private liberal arts college in Marietta, Ohio. It offers more than 50 undergraduate majors across the arts, sciences, and engineering, as well as Physician Assistant, Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, an ...

of Marietta, Ohio. Led by head coach Leonard Barnum, the Pioneers compiled a 3–4 record (3–1 against OAC opponents), finished in a tie for seventh place in the OAC, scored 68 point, and gave up 68 points.

Heidelberg

The 1946 Heidelberg Student Princes football team represented the

Heidelberg University } Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, (german: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg; la, Universitas Ruperto Carola Heidelbergensis) is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, ...

of Tiffin, Ohio. In their first season under head coach Paul Hoernemann, the Student Princes compiled a 5–2–1 record (5–2–1 against OAC opponents), finished in ninth place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 100 to 68.

Kent State

In their first season under head coach

Trevor J. Rees Trevor J. Rees (October 22, 1913 – January 2, 1999) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. Rees was born on October 22, 1913, in Dover, Ohio. He attended Dover High School (Dover, Ohio), Dover High School, ...

, the Golden Flashes compiled a 6–2 record and ranked fourth nationally among small-college teams with an average of 349.1 yards per game in total offense. They also ranked fourth nationally in total defense, giving up an average of only 115.1 yards per game.

Akron

In their first season under head coach

Paul Baldacci Paul Ruppert Baldacci (January 25, 1907 – November 1, 1984) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Akron in Ohio from 1946 to 1947, compiling a record of 7–10. Baldacci was born in ...

, the Zippers compiled a 5–4 record and were outscored by a total of 134 to 122.

Wittenberg

The 1946 Wittenberg Tigers football team represented the

Wittenberg University Wittenberg University is a private liberal arts college in Springfield, Ohio. It has 1,326 full-time students representing 33 states and 9 foreign countries. Wittenberg University is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ...

Springfield, Ohio Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County, Ohio, Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River (Ohio), Mad River, Buck Creek, and Beaver Creek, approxim ...

. Led by head coach H.E. Maurer, the Tigers compiled a 3–5 record (3–4 against OAC opponents), finished in a tie for 11th place in the OAC, and were outscored opponents by a total of 105 to 87.

Ashland

The 1946 Ashland Eagles football team represented

Ashland University Ashland University is a private university in Ashland, Ohio. The university consists of a main campus and several off-campus centers throughout central and northern Ohio. Ashland was founded in 1878 as Ashland College. It is affiliated with The ...

of Ashland, Ohio. Led by head coach George Donges, the Tigers compiled a 2–5–1 record (2–3–1 against OAC opponents), finished in 13th place in the OAC, and were outscored opponents by a total of 114 to 57.

Wooster

The 1946 Wooster Fighting Scots football team represented the College of Wooster of

Wooster, Ohio Wooster ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Wayne County. Located in northeastern Ohio, the city lies approximately south-southwest of Cleveland, southwest of Akron and west of Canton. The population was 27,232 at t ...

. Led by head coach John M. Swigart, the Fighting Scots compiled a 2–4–2 record (2–4–2 against OAC opponents), finished in 14th place in the OAC, and were outscored opponents by a total of 115 to 85.

Denison

The 1946 Denison Big Red football team represented

Denison University Denison University is a private liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio. One of the earliest colleges established in the former Northwest Territory, Denison University was founded in 1831. The college was first called the Granville Literary and ...

Granville, Ohio Granville is a Village (United States)#Ohio, village in Licking County, Ohio, United States. The population was 5,646 at the United States Census 2010, 2010 census. The village is located in a rural area of rolling hills in central Ohio. It is e ...

. The Big Red compiled a 2–6 record (2–4 against OAC opponents), finished in 15th place in the OAC, and was outscored by a total of 136 to 89.

, at age 33, was hired as Denison's head coach in March 1946. It was his first collegiate head coaching job. He had been a high school coach before

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

and served as athletic officer at the Naval Academy in 1942.

John Carroll

The 1946 John Carroll Blue Streaks football team represented John Carroll University of

University Heights, Ohio University Heights is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It borders Beachwood to the east, Cleveland Heights to the west, South Euclid to the north and Shaker Heights to the south. The population was 13,914 as of the 2020 Census. ...

. In their first year under head coach

Eugene Oberst Eugene G. Oberst (July 23, 1901 – May 30, 1991) was an American football player, track and field athlete, coach of football and basketball, and college athletics administrator. A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, he played football at the Universi ...

, the Blue Streaks compiled a 1–7 record (1–4 against OAC opponents), finished in a tie for 16th place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 150 to 70.

Case

The 1946 Case Rough Riders football team represented Case School of Applied Science (now part of Case Western University). In their 17th year under head coach

Ray A. Ride Ray A. Ride (March 4, 1904 – May 6, 1990) was an American football player, coach, and college athletic administrator. He served as the head football coach at Case Institute of Technology—now known as Case Western Reserve University—from 19 ...

, the Rough Riders compiled a 2–7 record (1–4 against OAC opponents), finished in a tie for 16th place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 190 to 77.

Kenyon

The 1946 Kenyon Lords football team represented Case School of Applied Science (now part of Case Western University of

Gambier, Ohio Gambier is a village in Knox County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,391 at the 2010 census. Gambier is the home of Kenyon College. A major feature is a gravel path running the length of the village, referred to as "Middle Path". This ...

. Led by head coach D.C. Henderson, the Lords compiled a 1–7 record (1–5 against OAC opponents), finished in 18th place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 130 to 44.

Capital

The 1946 Capital Crusaders football team represented

Capital University Capital University (Capital, Cap, or CU) is a private university in Bexley, Ohio. Capital was founded as the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio in 1830, and later was associated with that synod's successor, the Ame ...

Columbus, Ohio Columbus () is the state capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., the second-most populous city in the Midwest, after Chicago, and t ...

. Led by head coach Dale Rose, the Crusaders compiled a 1–6 record (1–6 against OAC opponents), finished in 19th place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 155 to 39.

Ohio Northern

The 1946 Ohio Northern Polar Bears football team represented Ohio Northern University of Ada, Ohio. Led by head coach Millard Murphy, the Polar Bears compiled a 3–6 record (0–6 against OAC opponents), finished in 20th place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 130 to 108.

Wilmington

The 1946 Wilmington Quakers football team represented Wilmington College of

Wilmington, Ohio Wilmington is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,660 at the 2020 census. At city entrances from state routes, county roads, and U.S. highways, the city slogan of "We Honor Our Champions" is ...

. Led by head coach Harold S. Shelly, the Quakers compiled a 0–5 record (0–2 against OAC opponents), finished in last place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 108 to 18.

All-conference team

The

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. newspa ...

selected a 1946 All-Ohio Conference football team consisting of the following players: * Backs: Kenneth Funk, Ashland; Paul Davis, Otterbein; Lee Tressell, Baldwin-Wallace; Vince Marotta Mount Union * Ends: Joe Papp, Akron; McKey Thomas, Baldwin-Wallace * Tackles: Ted Zuchowski, Toledo; Owen Ziebold, Findlay * Guards: Frank Mesek, Kent State; Art Burton, Findlay * Center: Ralph Pickeleseimer, Otterbein

References

{{Reflist Ohio Athletic Conference football