1946 Rocky Mountain Conference football season

The 1946 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 1946 college football season.

Rocky Mountain Conference
Sport	Football
Number of teams	5
Champion	Montana State

1946 Rocky Mountain Conference football standings

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

The Montana State Bobcats won the RMC championship with a 5–3–2 record (2–0–1 against conference opponents) and outscored opponents by a total of 198 to 156.

Conference overview

Conf. rank	Team	Head coach	Conf. record	Overall record	Points scored	Points against
1	Montana State	Clyde Carpenter	2–0–1	5–3–2	198	156
2	Colorado State–Greeley	John W. Hancock	3–1	6–3	218	101
3	Western State (CO)	Paul W. Wright	1–1	5–4–1	142	96
4	Colorado College	Harold A. White	0-1–1	4–4–1	131	106
5	Colorado Mines	John Mason	0–3	1–4–1	62	132

^[1]

Teams

Montana State

1946 Montana State Bobcats football
RMC champion
Harbor Bowl, T 13–13 vs. New Mexico
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	5–3–2 (2–0–1 RMC)
Head coach	Clyde Carpenter (1st season)
Home stadium	Gatton Field
Seasons ← 1941 1947 →

The 1946 Montana State Bobcats football team represented Montana State College (now known as Montana State University) of Bozeman, Montana. In their first season under head coach Clyde Carpenter, the Bobcats compiled a 5–3–2 record (2–0–1 against RMC opponents), won the RMC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 198 to 156.^[2][3]

Players receiving all-conference honors were end Mike McCormick, tackle Len Larson, guard Dick Ball, and backs Bill Nelson and Neil Brooks.^[4] Tackle John McLellan was selected by the Chicago Bearsin the 19th round (175th pick) of the 1947 NFL draft.^[5]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 28	BYU*	Gatton Field Bozeman, MT	W 13–12	3,000	[6]
October 5	at Colorado College	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	T 7–7		[7]
October 12	at Utah State*	Logan, UT	L 14–28	5,000	[8]
October 19	vs. Montana*	Naranche Memorial Stadium Butte, MT (rivalry)	L 7–20	10,000	[9]
October 26	Colorado State–Greeley	Gatton Field Bozeman, MT	W 27–7		[10]
November 2	at Nevada*	Mackay Stadium Reno, NV	L 14–38		[11]
November 9	vs. Portland*	Memorial Stadium Great Falls, MT	W 19–6	6,000	[12]
November 16	North Dakota Agricultural*	Gatton Field Bozeman, MT	W 39–18		[13]
November 23	at Colorado Mines	Golden, CO	W 45–7		[14]
January 1, 1947	vs. New Mexico*	Balboa Stadium San Diego, CA (Harbor Bowl)	T 13–13	7,000	[15]
*Non-conference game

Colorado State–Greeley

1946 Colorado State–Greeley Bears football
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	6–3 (3–1 RMC)
Head coach	John W. Hancock (13th season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Colorado State–Greeley Bears football team represented Colorado State College at Greeley, Colorado (now known as the University of Northern Colorado). In their 13th season under head coach John W. Hancock, the Bears compiled a 6–3 record (3–1 against RMC opponents), finished in second place in the RMC, and outscored opponents by a total of 218 to 101.^[16]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 21	at Wyoming*	Corbett Field Laramie, WY	L 0–7		[17]
September 28	at Chadron State*	Elliott Field Chadron, NE	W 46–8		[18]
October 4	Colorado Mines	Greeley, CO	W 21–0		[19]
October 12	Western State (CO)	Greeley, CO	W 12–6		[20]
October 19	Emporia State*	Greeley, CO	W 41–21		[21]
October 26	Montana State	Gatton Field Bozeman, MT	L 7–27		[10]
November 2	South Dakota Mines*	Greeley, CO	W 65–0		[22]
November 9	Colorado College	Colorado Springs, CO	W 19–12	2,000	[23]
November 16	at New Mexico A&M*	Quesenberry Field Las Cruces, NM	L 7–12	3,500	[24]
*Non-conference game

Western State

1946 Western State Mountaineers football
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	5–4–1 (1–1 RMC)
Head coach	Paul W. Wright
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Western State Mountaineers football team represented Western State College of Colorado at Gunnison, Colorado (now known as the Western Colorado University). Led by head coach Paul W. Wright, the Bears compiled a 5–4–1 record (1–1 against RMC opponents), finished in third place in the RMC, and outscored opponents by a total of 142 to 96.^[16]

The 1946 season was the first for the Western State football program since 1941. The sport was abandoned after the 1941 season due to World War II.^[25]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 22	at BYU	Provo, UT	L 2–13	[26]
September 27	at Southwestern Tech*	Milam Stadium Weatherford, OK	L 0–19	[27]
October 5	Hastings*	Gunnison, CO	W 19–7	[28]
October 12	at Colorado State–Greeley	Greeley, CO	L 6–12	[20]
October 19	Colorado Mines	Gunnison, CO	W 19–7	[29]
October 27	Arizona State–Flagstaff*	Pueblo, CO	L 6–19	[30]
November 2	Chadron State*	Gunnison, CO	W 38–0	[31]
November 9	at Adams State*	Alamosa, CO	W 33–6	[32]
November 16	at Idaho Southern Branch*	Spud Bowl Pocatello, ID	T 6–6	[33]
*Non-conference game

Colorado College

1946 Colorado College Tigers football
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	4–4–1 (0–1–1 RMC)
Head coach	Harold A. White
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Colorado College Tigers football team represented Colorado College of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Led by head coach Harold A. White, the Tigers compiled a 4–4–1 record (0–1–1 against RMC opponents), finished in fourth place in the RMC, and outscored opponents by a total of 131 to 106.^[34]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 20	Peru State*	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	W 40–7		[35]
September 28	Fort Hays State*	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	W 15–0	4,000	[36]
October 5	Montana State	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	T 7–7		[7]
October 12	West Texas State*	Buffalo Stadium Canyon, TX	L 12–13		[37][38]
October 19	Bradley*	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	L 0–20		[39]
October 26	Colorado A&M*	Colorado Field Fort Collins, CO	W 25–12	5,000	[40]
November 9	Colorado State–Greeley	Colorado Springs, CO	L 12–19	2,000	[23]
November 16	Grinnell*	Washburn Field Colorado Springs, CO	W 14–0		[41]
November 28	at Denver*	DU Stadium Denver, CO	L 6–29	17,000	[42]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Colorado Mines

1946 Colorado Mines Orediggers football
Conference	Rocky Mountain Conference
Record	1–4–1 (0–3 RMC)
Head coach	John Mason (8th season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Colorado Mines Orediggers football team represented the Colorado School of Mines of Golden, Colorado. In their eighth year under head coach John Mason, the Orediggers compiled a 1–4–1 record (0–3 against RMC opponents), finished in last place in the RMC, and were outscored by a total of 132 to 62.^[34]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 28	at Wyoming*	Corbett Field Laramie, WY	T 7–7		[43]
October 4	at Colorado State–Greeley	Greeley, CO	L 0–21		[19]
October 12	at Emporia State*	Emporia, KS	L 6–26		[44]
October 19	at Western State (CO)	Gunnison, CO	L 7–19		[29]
November 16	Fort Hays State*	Golden, CO	W 35–14		[45]
November 23	Montana State	Golden, CO	L 7–45		[14]
*Non-conference game

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. 144.
2. "Bobcat Record Book" (PDF). Montana State University. 2018. p. 57. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
3. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. pp. 143–144.("Montana State, despite an early 7-7 tie with Colorado College, won the championship by copping its other two games to finish unbeaten.")
4. W.J. Bingham, 1947 Official NCAA Football Guide, p. 143.
5. "1947 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
6. "Brooks Gives Bobcats 13-12 Win". The Missoulian. Associated Press. September 29, 1946. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Bobcats Tie Colorado College, 7-7". The Sunday Missoulian. Associated Press. October 6, 1946. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Bill Clegg (October 13, 1946). "Utags Subdue Bobcats, 28-14: Drives in Second Half End Bozeman Hopes". The Salt Lake Tribune. pp. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Jean Jordan (October 20, 1946). "University Grizzlies Overwhelm State College Bobcats 20 to 7: Record Crowd of 10,000 Witness Game; Traditiona Rivals Resume Games After War Recess". The Montana Standard. Butte, Montana. pp. 1, 26 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Montana State Bobcats Upset Favored Coloradans, 27 to 7". The Billings Gazette. Associated Press. October 27, 1946. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Kalmanir Runs 105 Yards as Nevada Tops Montana State 38-14 in Homecoming Game". Nevada State Journal. November 13, 1946. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Alert Bobcats Whip Pilots 19-6 Before 6,000 Fans". Great Falls Tribune. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Bobcats win at home as Grizzlies lose on road". The Montana Standard. November 17, 1946. Retrieved October 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Bobcats Crush Orediggers, Take Crown". The Sunday Missoulian. Associated Press. November 24, 1946. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Lobos and Montana State Battle to 13-13 Tie in San Diego's Harbor Bowl". Albuquerque Journal. January 2, 1947. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
16. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 171.
17. "Cowboys Top Colorado Teachers 7-0". The Salt Lake Tribune. September 22, 1946. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "Colorado '11' Defeats Eagles by 46-8 Score". The Chadron Record. October 1, 1946. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "Greeley State Socks Colorado Mines, 21-0". Casper Star-Tribune. October 6, 1946. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "Colo. State Wins". The Honolulu Advertiser. October 14, 1946. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "E-State Drops a 41 to 21 Decision: Colorado State Gives Power Display --- Two Hornets Injured". The Emporia Gazette. October 21, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Colorado State Wins in Snow". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. November 3, 1946 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Colorado Bears Down Colorado College, 19-12". The Idaho Sunday Statesman. November 10, 1946. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Aggies Open Season with 37-0 Victory over Teachers: Losers Fold After Close First Half". Las Cruces Sun-News. September 22, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Western State Plays Brigham Young Saturday". The Daily Sentinel. September 20, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
26. Jimmy Hodgson (September 22, 1946). "Cougars Take Opener Against Western State, 13-2: Fumbles Spoil Display Of Power by BYU". The Salt Lake Tribune. pp. B3, B4 – via Newspapers.com.
27. "S. W. Tech 19, W. State 0". The Salt Lake Tribune. September 28, 1946. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "HC Loses In Colo.: Falls Before Western, 19-7". The Hastings Collegian. October 9, 1946. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
29. "W. State 19, Mines 7". October 20, 1946. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
30. "Lumberjacks, Frosh Score Weekend Victories". Arizona Daily Sun. October 28, 1946. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
31. "Western State Wins Over Chadron State By 38 To 0 Count". The Chadron Record. November 5, 1946. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
32. "Western Staters Rout Adams, 33-0". The Salt Lake Tribune. November 10, 1946. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
33. "Bengals Tie Western State". Times-News. Twin Falls, Idaho. AP. November 17, 1946. p. 8. Retrieved May 2, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
34. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 170.
35. "Peru Outclassed". Evening World-Herald. September 21, 1946. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
36. "Tigers 15, Ft. Hays 0". The Salt Lake Tribune. September 29, 1946. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
37. "Unbeaten Colorado College Invades Buffalo Stadium". Amarillo Daily News. October 12, 1946. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
38. "West Texas Trips Colorado College, 13-12". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 14, 1946. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
39. "Bradley Tech Beats Colorado College, 20 to 0". Chicago Tribune. October 20, 1946. p. II-2 – via Newspapers.com.
40. "CC Air Attack Beats Aggies, 25 to 12: Rams Adopt Single Wing". Fort Collins Coloradoan. October 27, 1946. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
41. "Colorado College Humbles Grinnell". Council Bluffs Nonpareil. November 17, 1946. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
42. "Denver Thumps Colorado College". Deseret News. November 29, 1946. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
43. "Wyoming Held To Tie". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. September 29, 1946. p. Sports 8 – via Newspapers.com.
44. "Emporia State in 26 to 6 Triumph". The Emporia Gazette. October 14, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
45. "Colorado Mines Wins". The Des Moines Register. November 17, 1946. p. S9 – via Newspapers.com.