1940 Rocky Mountain Conference football season

The 1940 Rocky Mountain Conference football season was the season of college football played by the five member schools of the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) as part of the 1940 college football season.

Rocky Mountain Conference
Sport	Football
Number of teams	5
Champion	Colorado College

1940 Rocky Mountain Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Colorado College $	2	–	0	–	1			5	–	2	–	1
Colorado Mines	3	–	1	–	0			3	–	4	–	0
Montana State	2	–	1	–	0			4	–	4	–	0
Colorado State–Greeley	1	–	3	–	0			2	–	5	–	1
Western State (CO)	0	–	3	–	1			2	–	6	–	1
$ – Conference champion

The Colorado College Tigers, led by head coach Clark DeGroot, won the RMC championship with a 5–2–1 record (2–0–1 against conference opponents). End Tom Pelican and halfback Don Heizer received first-team honors on the All-Rocky Mountain Conference team.

The Colorado Mines Orediggers, led by John Mason, finished in second place with a 3–4 record (3–1 against RMC opponents). The conference championship was decided on October 19 when the Orediggers lost to Colorado College, 28–21, at Washburn Field in Colorado Springs. Four Colorado Mines players, including quarterback Joe Berta, received first-team honors on the 1940 All-Rocky Mountain Conference football team.

Conference overview

Conf. rank	Team	Head coach	Conf. record	Overall record	Points scored	Points against
1	Colorado College	Clark DeGroot	2-0–1	5–2–1
2	Colorado Mines	John Mason	3–1	3–4
3	Montana State	Schubert R. Dyche	2–1	4–4
4	Colorado State–Greeley	John W. Hancock	1–3	2–5–1
5	Western State (CO)	Paul Wright	0–3–1	2–6–1

Teams

Colorado College

1940 Colorado College Tigers football
RMC champion
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	5–2–1 (2–0–1 RMC)
Head coach	Clark DeGroot (1st season)
Home stadium	Washburn Field
Seasons ← 1939 1941 →

The 1940 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College of Colorado Springs, Colorado. In their first and only season under head coach Clark DeGroot, the Tigers compiled a 5–2–1 record (2–0–1 against RMC opponents) and won the RMC championship. The team played its home games at Washburn Field in Colorado Springs.

End Tom Pelican and halfback Don Heizer received first-team honors on the All-Rocky Mountain Conference team. Despite his size (five feet, six inches, and 156 pounds), Heizer was rated highly by opposing coaches "for his driving ball carrying, his pass catching and his general defensive play."^[1]

Colorado College was ranked at No. 328 (out of 697 college football teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score system for 1940.^[2]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 27	Baker*	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	W 16–0		[3]
October 5	New Mexico Normal*	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	W 37–7		[4]
October 12	at Whitman*	Walla Walla, WA	W 6–0		[5]
October 19	Colorado Mines	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	W 28–21	4,214	[6]
November 2	at Western State	Gunnison, CO	T 0–0		[7]
November 11	Colorado State-Greeley	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	W 20–7		[8]
November 23	at Grinnell*	Grinnell, IA	L 12–26	500	[9]
November 30	Occidental*	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	L 6–25		[10]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Colorado Mines

1940 Colorado Mines Orediggers football
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	3–4 (3–1 RMC)
Head coach	John Mason (4th season)
Home stadium	Campbell Field
Seasons ← 1939 1941 →

The 1940 Colorado Mines Orediggers football team represented the Colorado School of Mines of Golden, Colorado. In their fourth season under head coach John Mason, the Orediggers compiled a 3–4 record (3–1 against RMC opponents) and finished in second place in the RMC. The team played its home games at Campbell Field in Golden.

Four Colorado Mines players received first-team honors from the Associated Press on the 1940 All-Rocky Mountain Conference football team. They were: quarterback Joe Berta; end Louis DeGoes; tackle Dick Moe; and center Glen Hutchinson.^[1]

Colorado Mines was ranked at No. 387 (out of 697 college football teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score system for 1940.^[2]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 28	vs. Colorado A&M*	Denver University Stadium Denver, CO	L 0–25		[11]
October 5	at Creighton*	Creighton Stadium Omaha, NE	L 0–43		[12]
October 12	Colorado State-Greeley	Campbell Field Golden, CO	W 12–7		[13]
October 19	at Colorado College	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	L 21–28	4,214	[6]
November 2	Montana State	Campbell Field Golden, CO	W 20–7		[14]
November 9	at Western State	Gunnison, CO	W 12–0		[15]
November 21	at Fresno State	Fresno State College Stadium Fresno, CA	L 0–28	7,256	[16]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Montana State

1940 Montana State Bobcats football
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	4–4 (2–1 RMC)
Head coach	Schubert R. Dyche (11th season)
Home stadium	Gatton Field
Seasons ← 1939 1941 →

The 1940 Montana State Bobcats football team represented Montana State College (later renamed Montana State University) of Bozeman, Montana. In their 11th season under head coach Schubert R. Dyche, the Bobcats compiled a 4–4 record.^[17]

Montana State was ranked at No. 397 (out of 697 college football teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score system for 1940.^[2]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 21	Western State (CO)	Gatton Field Bozeman, MT	W 12–0		[18]
September 23	San Jose State*	Butte High Stadium Butte, MT	L 0–32	4,000	[19]
September 27	at Drake*	Drake Stadium Des Moines, IA	L 0–56	8,000	[20]
October 5	North Dakota Agricultural*	Gatton Field Bozeman, MT	W 7–0	2,500	[21]
October 19	vs. Montana*	Butte High Stadium Butte, MT (rivalry)	L 0–6	6,000	[22]
October 26	Colorado State-Greeley	Gatton Field Bozeman, MT	W 7–0		[23]
November 2	at Colorado Mines	Campbell Field Golden, CO	L 7–20		[14]
November 11	at Idaho Southern Branch*	Spud Bowl Pocatello, ID	W 15–7		[24]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Colorado State–Greeley

1940 Colorado State–Greeley Bears football
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	2–5–1 (1–3 RMC)
Head coach	John W. Hancock
Home stadium	Jackson Field
Seasons ← 1939 1941 →

The 1940 Colorado State–Greeley Bears football team represented Colorado State College at Greeley, Colorado (now known as the University of Northern Colorado). Led by head coach John W. Hancock, the Bears compiled a 2–5–1 record (1–3 against RMC opponents) and finished in fourth place in the RMC.

Halfback Sam Sears and fullback Horace Brelsford, both juniors, were selected by the Associated Press as first-team players on the 1940 All-Rocky Mountain Conference team.^[1]

The team played its home games at Jackson Field in Greeley, Colorado.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
October 4	Idaho Southern*	Jackson Field Greeley, CO	W 21–7		[25][26]
October 12	at Colorado Mines	Campbell Field Golden, CO	L 7–12		[13]
October 19	Western State	Jackson Field Greeley, Co	W 33–12		[27]
October 26	at Montana State	Gatton Field Bozeman, MT	L 0–7		[23]
November 2	Fort Hays State	Jackson Field Greeley, CO	T 0–0		[28]
November 11	at Colorado College	Colorado Springs, CO	L 7–20		[8]
November 16	at Arizona State	Goodwin Stadium Tempe, AZ	L 0–41	5,000	[29]
November 23	Regis*	Jackson Field Greeley, CO	L 12–13		[30]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Western State

1940 Western State Mountaineers football
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	2–6–1 (0–3–1 RMC)
Head coach	Paul Wright (6th season)
Seasons ← 1939 1941 →

The 1940 Western State Mountaineers football team represented Western State College of Colorado at Gunnison, Colorado (now known as the Western Colorado University). In their sixth year under head coach Paul Wright, the Mountaineers compiled a 2–6–1 record (0–3–1 against RMC opponents) and finished in fifth place in the RMC.

Western Colorado was ranked at No. 475 (out of 697 college football teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score system for 1940.^[2]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 21	at Montana State	Gatton Field Bozeman, MT	L 0–12	[18]
September 28	at Idaho Southern Branch*	Pocatello, ID	L 0–7	[31][32]
October 5	West Texas State	Gunnison, CO	L 13–48	[33]
October 12	Weber JC*	Gunnison, CO	L 0–13	[34]
October 19	at Colorado State-Greeley	Jackson Field Greeley, Co	L 12–33	[35]
October 26	Regis*	Denver, CO	W 13–0	[36]
November 2	Colorado College	Gunnison, CO	T 0–0	[7]
November 9	Colorado Mines	Gunnison, CO	L 0–12	[15]
*Non-conference game

All-conference team

The Associated Press selected the following players as first-team honorees on the all-conference team.

• Quarterback - Joe Berta, Colorado Mines
• Halfbacks - Don Heizer, Colorado College; Sam Sears, Greeley
• Fullback - Horace Brelsford, Greeley
• Ends - Louis DeGoes, Colorado Mines; Tom Pelican, Colorado College
• Tackles - Dick Moe, Colorado Mines; Jack Burke, Montana State
• Guards - Rudy Aganski, Western State; Newell Berg, Montana State
• Center - Glen Hutchinson, Colorado Mines.

^[1]

References

1. "Colorado Mines Salvages Glory From Rocky Mountain Race by Leading AP Team". The Daily Sentinel. November 24, 1940. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
2. Dr. E. E. Litkenhous (December 19, 1940). "Final 1940 Litkenhous Ratings". The Boston Globe. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Colorado College Scores Victory Over Baker, 16-0". The Daily Sentinel. September 28, 1940. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Colorado College Beats New Mexico Normal Eleven". The Daily Sentinel. October 6, 1940. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Colorado College Whips Whitman With 6-0 Score". The Daily Sentinel. October 12, 1940. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "CC Defeats Miners: Colorado College Avenges School of Mines Defeat in 1939 by 28 to 21 Victory". The Daily Sentinel. October 20, 1940. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Western State Holds CC Tigers to Scoreless Tie And Spoils Clear Record". The Daily Sentinel. November 3, 1940. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Colorado College Tigers Win RMC Football Crown". The Daily Inter Lake. November 12, 1940. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Coloradoans Fall -- Grinnell Wins, 26-12". The Des Moines Register. November 24, 1940. p. Sports 4 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Alert Oxy Team Defeats Colorado College, 25 to 6". Los Angeles Times. December 1, 1940. p. II-16 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Colorado Aggies Deal Out Harsh Licking to Miners". The Daily Sentinel. September 29, 1940. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Blues Bury Miners Under 43 to 0 Score". Sunday World-Herald. October 6, 1940. pp. 1B, 7B – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Colorado Mines Still in Champion's Seat, Beating Greeley state 12 to 7". The Daily Sentinel. October 13, 1940. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Colorado Mines Bumps Bobcats". The Billings Gazette. November 3, 1940. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Miners Spill Western State at Gunnison: Victory Enables RMC Champs to Stay in Running for 1940 Title". The Daily Sentinel. November 10, 1940. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
16. Ed Orman (November 22, 1940). "Bulldogs Take Well Earned Rest After Thumping Miners". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. p. 2B. Retrieved February 2, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Bobcat Record Book" (PDF). Montana State University. 2018. p. 57. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
18. "Montana State Ready for Spartan Game Tomorrow: Bobcats Open Grid Season With Slashing 12-0 Victory". The Montana Standard. September 22, 1940. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "Brilliant Plays Bring Spartans 34 to 0 Victory". The Montana Standard. September 24, 1940. pp. 1, 8 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "Drake Flays Montana Foe In 56-0 Orgy". The Des Moines Register. September 28, 1940. pp. 7–8 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "Bobcats Trim N.D. State, 7-0". The Billings Gazette. October 6, 1940. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Grizzly Eleven Defeats Bobcats, 6-0". The Montana Standard. October 20, 1940. pp. 1, 21 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Bobcats Win 7-0 Decision Over Greeley". The Great Falls Tribune. October 27, 1940. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Bobcats Defeat Idaho Southern". The Billings Gazette. November 12, 1940. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Greeley Opens Grid Season by Whipping Idaho, 21-7: Bob Flieger Big Star of Bear Victory". The Greeley Daily Tribune. October 5, 1940. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
26. "Greeley State Defeats Idaho Southern 21-7". Great Falls Tribune. Great Falls, Montana. AP. October 5, 1940. p. 7. Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
27. "Greeley Trounces Western State Saturday, 33 to 12: Bob Flieger Rolls Total Of 21 Points". The Greeley Daily Tribune. October 21, 1940. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "Hays and Greeley State Play to Scoreless Deadlock". The Greeley Daily Tribune. November 4, 1940. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
29. Kearney Egerton (November 17, 1940). "Tempe Trounces Greeley State, 41-0, in Home-Coming". Arizona Republic. p. XI-2 – via Newspapers.com.
30. "Regis Rallies To Beat Greeley State Bears, 13 to 12". The Greeley Daily Tribune. November 25, 1940. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
31. "South Idaho Beats Western State, 7 to 0". Greeley Daily Tribune. September 30, 1940. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
32. "Mountaineers Lose To Idaho Bengals". Twin Falls News. Twin Falls, Idaho. AP. September 29, 1940. p. 2. Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
33. "West Texas Passes Rip Western Colorado, 48-13". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 7, 1940. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
34. "Western State Loses, 13 to 0". The Greeley Daily Tribune. October 14, 1940. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
35. "Greeley Trounces Western State Saturday, 33 to 12". Greeley Daily Tribune. October 21, 1940. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
36. "Western State Beats Regis Ranger Crew". The Daily Sentinel. October 27, 1940. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.