1946 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season

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.

1946 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season
League	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Sport	Football
Number of teams	6
Co-champions	Hillsdale, Kalamazoo

1946 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Hillsdale +	4	–	1	–	0			7	–	1	–	0
Kalamazoo +	4	–	1	–	0			6	–	2	–	0
Hope	3	–	2	–	0			6	–	2	–	0
Albion	2	–	3	–	0			3	–	5	–	0
Alma	2	–	3	–	0			2	–	5	–	0
Adrian	0	–	5	–	0			0	–	8	–	0
+ – Conference co-champions

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

Conf. rank	Team	Head coach	Conf. record	Overall record	Points scored	Points against
1 (tie)	Hilllsdale	David M. Nelson	4–1	7–1	193	50
1 (tie)	Kalamazoo	Bob Nulf	4–1	6–2	145	45
3	Hope	Al Vanderbush	3–2	6–2	160	40
4 (tie)	Albion	Dale R. Sprankle	2–3	3–5	67	130
4 (tie)	Alma	Steve Sebo	2–3	2–5	59	117
6	Adrian	Lyman E. Abbott	0–5	0–8	12	159

^[1][2]

Teams

Hillsdale

1946 Hillsdale Dales football
MIAA co-champion
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	7–1 (4–1 MIAA)
Head coach	David M. Nelson (1st season)
MVP	Bill Young
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

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.^[3][4]

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."^[5]

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.^[6] 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."^[7] Nelson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.^[8]

Hillsdale backs Tom Ward and Bill Young were known as the Dales' "touchdown twins".^[9] The pair led the state in scoring with 12 touchdowns and 72 points each. Young also tallied 997 rushing yards in just eight games.^[10] Young was selected by his teammates as the team's most valuable player.^[11]

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.^[12]'

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 27	Ferris Institute*	Hillsdale, MI	W 44–0
September 27	at Albion	Albion, MI	L 6–13	[13]
October 12	Kalamazoo	Hillsdale, MI	W 20–0	[14]
October 19	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 33–6
October 26	Michigan State Normal*	Hillsdale, MI	W 18–7	[15][16]
November 1	at Alma	Alma, MI	W 19–0	[17]
November 9	Hope	Hillsdale, MI	W 21–20	[18]
November 16	Lawrence Tech*	Hillsdale, MI	W 32–13	[19]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

^[20]

Kalamazoo

1946 Kalamazoo Hornets football
MIAA co-champion
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	6–2 (4–1 MIAA)
Head coach	Bob Nulf (2nd season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

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.^[21]

Kalamazoo's football team included 11 players from the South Bend, Indiana, area.^[22] The leading scorers were Tom Shopoff (42 points) and Bob Reed (41 points).^[23] Shopoff and guard V. Marandino were first-team picks on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team.^[12]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 27	Adrian	Kalamazoo, MI	W 20–0
October 4	Detroit Tech*	Kalamazoo, MI	W 27–6		[24]
October 12	Hillsdale	Hillsdale, MI	L 0–20		[14]
October 19	Hope	Kalamazoo, MI	W 13–0	5,500	[25]
October 26	at Albion	Albion, MI	W 24–0	> 3,000	[26]
November 1	Kent State*	Kalamazoo, MI	L 0–12		[27]
November 8	Alma	Kalamazoo, MI	W 41–7		[28]
November 16	Defiance*	Kalamazoo, MI	W 20–0	500	[29]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Hope

1946 Hope Flying Dutchmen football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	6–2 (3–2 MIAA)
Head coach	Al Vanderbush (1st season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

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.^[30]

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.^[12]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 20	Ferris Institute*	Holland, MI	W 38–6		[31][32]
September 27	at Albion	Albion, MI	W 26–0		[33]
October 4	Michigan State Normal*	Holland, MI	W 13–0		[34]
October 10	at Grand Rapids Junior College*	Grand Rapids, MI	W 20–0		[35]
October 19	at Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	L 0–13	5,500	[25]
October 26	Alma	Holland, MI	W 24–0	6,000	[36]
November 2	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 19–0		[37]
November 16	at Hillsdale	Hillsdale, MI	L 20–21		[18]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Albion

1946 Albion Britons football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	3–5 (2–3 MIAA)
Head coach	Dale R. Sprankle (9th season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

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.^[38]

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.^[12]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 27	Hope	Albion, MI	L 0–26		[33]
October 5	Hillsdale	Albion, MI	W 13–6		[13]
October 12	Adrian	Albion, MI	W 27–0		[39]
October 19	at Alma	Alma, MI	L 13–14	2,000	[40]
October 26	Kalamazoo	Albion, MI	L 0–24	> 3,000	[26]
November 2	at Michigan State Normal*	Briggs Field Ypsilanti, MI	L 6–13	3,500	[41]
November 9	at Otterbein*	Westerville, OH	L 0–40	5,000	[42]
November 16	Ashland*	Albion, MI	W 8–7		[43]
*Non-conference game

Alma

1946 Alma Scots football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	2–5 (2–3 MIAA)
Head coach	Steve Sebo (1st season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

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.^[38]

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.^[12]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
October 4	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 25–0
October 11	at Michigan State Normal*	Briggs Field Ypsilanti, MI	L 0–6
October 19	Albion	Alma, MI	W 14–13		[40]
October 26	at Hope	Holland, MI	L 0–24	6,000	[36]
November 1	Hillsdale	Alma, MI	L 0–19		[17]
November 8	at Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	L 7–41		[28]
November 15	Ferris Institute*	Alma, MI	L 13–14
*Non-conference game

Adrian

1946 Adrian Bulldogs football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	0–8 (0–5 MIAA)
Head coach	Lyman E. Abbott (1st season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

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.^[44]

Adrian tackle James Staup was selected as a first-team player on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team.^[12]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 27	at Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	L 0–20
October 4	Alma		L 0–25		[45]
October 12	Albion		L 0–27		[46]
October 19	Hillsdale	Adrian, MI	L 6–33
October 25	Findlay*		L 0–13
November 2	Hope	Adrian, MI	L 0–19		[37]
November 11	Lawrence Tech*	Adrian, MI (Armistice Day)	L 0–13		[47]
November 16	Detroit Tech*	Robinson Field	L 6–9		[48]
*Non-conference game

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.^[12]

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

References

1. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 125.
2. "MIAA Playoff Appears Improbable Despite Tie". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. November 11, 1946. p. 19. Retrieved May 21, 2020 – via Newspapers.com .
3. "Hillsdale Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
4. "Dales, Hornets Share MIAA Football Crown". The Enquirer and News. Battle Creek, Michigan. November 11, 1946. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "MIAA Champions Will Let Tie Stand: Neither Kalamazoo Nor Hillsdale Wants to Play Off Football Deadlock". Detroit Free Press. November 15, 1946. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Nelson Signed by Hillsdale: Former U.M. Player To Take Over Athletic Director's Job". The Escanaba Daily Press. Associated Press. February 5, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
7. John N. Sabo (August 10, 1946). "Hillsdale Worth Watching with Davey Nelson at Helm". Detroit Free Press. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "David Nelson". National Football Foundation. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
9. "Pair of Hillsdale Backs Rules State Grid Scoring Race". Detroit Free Press. November 4, 1946. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Hillsdale Pair Helps Team to Top Rating: Young, Ward Make Dales State's No. 1 Eleven". The Enquirer and News. Battle Creek, Michigan. November 21, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Detroiter Picked Dale Grid Captain". Detroit Free Press. Associated Press. November 24, 1946. p. 44 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Hillsdale Places Four On All-Star M.I.A.A. Roster". The Times Herald. Port Huron, Michigan. November 28, 1946. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Albion Upsets Hillsdale with Late Scores, 13-6". Detroit Free Press. October 6, 1946. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Hornets Prove Grid Washout Against Dales". Detroit Free Press. October 13, 1946. p. IV-3 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Dales to Play Hurons In Homecoming Game: Hilldale to Depend on Ward And Young Saturday". The Enquirer and News. Battle Creek, Michigan. October 24, 1946. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "Young's 2 TDs Pace Hillsdale to 18-7 Victory". Detroit Free Press. October 27, 1946. p. IV-4 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Hillsdale Beat Alma In MIAA Game, 19-0". The Enquirer and News. Battle Creek, Michigan. November 2, 1946. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "Hillsdale Rally Nips Hope Eleven, 21-20: Win Gives Dales Tie for MIAA Title". The Enquirer and News. Battle Creek, Michigan. November 10, 1946. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "Young Paces Dale Victory Over Tech '11'". Detroit Free Press. November 17, 1946. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "Dales' New Athletic Head Announces 8-Game Grid Card". The Times Herald. Associated Press. August 1, 1946. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
21. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 187.
22. "Eleven From South Bend District Dominate Kalamazoo Grid Squad". The South Bend Tribune. November 12, 1946. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Individual Scoring Leaders". The Ludington Daily News. November 18, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Kalamazoo rally Nets Win Over Detroit Tech". Lansing State Journal. October 5, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Kalamazoo Sends Hope to 1st Defeat". Detroit Free Press. October 20, 1946. p. IV-3 – via Newspapers.com.
26. "Kazoo Too Much For Albion, 24-0: Hornets Outplay Britons in Homecoming Tilt". The Enquirer and News. Battle Creek, Michigan. October 27, 1946. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
27. "Hornet Eleven Beaten by Kent State, 12-0". The Enquirer and News. Battle Creek, Michigan. November 2, 1946. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "Kalamazoo Dumps Alma To Capture Share Of MIAA Title". The Times Herald. Port Huron, Michigan. November 9, 1946. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
29. "Kazoo Clips Defiance, 19-0". Detroit Free Press. Associated Press. November 17, 1946. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
30. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 183.
31. "Hope Hands 38-6 Loss To Ferris State". The Lansing State Journal. United Press. September 21, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
32. "Hope's War Veterans Roll Over Ferris, 38-6". Detroit Free Press. Associated Press. September 21, 1946. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
33. "Briton Gridders Set For Opener with Hope". Battle creek Enquirer. September 24, 1946. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
34. "Hope Springs Grid Upset on Hurons, 13-0". Detroit Free Press. Associated Press. October 5, 1946. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
35. "Hope's Passes Defeat Grand Rapids JC, 20-0". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. United Press. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
36. "Hope Slips Alma First Defeat, 24-0". Lansing State Journal. October 27, 1946. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
37. "Hope Beats Adrian, 19-0, To Stay in MIAA Race". Battle Creek Enquirer. November 3, 1946. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
38. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 159.
39. "Britons Stay in Race By Defeating Adrian: Albion College Easily Triumphs, 27-0". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 13, 1946. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
40. "Alma Edges Albion By One Point, 14-13". Lansing State Journal. October 20, 1946. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
41. "Huron Passes Whip Albion Eleven, 13-6: Briton's Lone Tally Scored by Don Hull". The Enquirer and News. Battle Creek, Michigan. November 3, 1946. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
42. "Albion Is Handed 40-0 Licking By Otterbein". Battle Creek Enquirer. November 10, 1946. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
43. "Safety Gives Britons Victory Over Ashland". Battle Creek Enquirer. November 17, 1946. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
44. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 158.
45. Marshall Dann (October 4, 1946). "MIAA Eagerly Awaits First Glimpse of Alma". Detroit Free Press. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
46. "Britons Stay in Race By Defeating Adrian". Battle Creek Enquirer. October 13, 1946. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
47. "LIT Hands Adrian 7th Straight Setback, 13-0". Detroit Free Press. November 12, 1946. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
48. "DIT Annexes First Victory". Detroit Free Press. November 17, 1946. p. 39 – via Newspapers.com.