1946 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football season

The 1946 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football season was the season of college football played by the eight member schools of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), sometimes referred to as the Minnesota College Conference, as part of the 1946 college football season.

1946 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football season
Sport	Football
Number of teams	8
Champion	Gustavus Adolphus

1946 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Gustavus Adolphus $	6	–	0	–	0			7	–	0	–	1
St. Olaf	3	–	1	–	0			6	–	2	–	0
St. Thomas (MN)	3	–	1	–	0			4	–	3	–	0
Concordia (MN)	2	–	2	–	0			3	–	3	–	1
Saint John's (MN)	2	–	3	–	0			5	–	3	–	0
Saint Mary's (MN)	1	–	2	–	1			4	–	3	–	1
Augsburg	1	–	5	–	0			1	–	6	–	0
Macalester	0	–	4	–	1			1	–	6	–	1
$ – Conference champion

The Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties, in their second season under head coach Lloyd Hollingsworth, won the MIAC championship with a 7–0–1 record (6–0 against MIAC opponents). The Gusties led the conference in scoring offense (23.4 points per game) and defense (6.5 point per game) also dominated the 1946 All-MIAC football team, claiming eight of eleven first-team positions.

Conference overview

Conf. rank	Team	Head coach	Conf. record	Overall record	Points scored	Points against
1	Gustavus Adolphus	Lloyd Hollingsworth	6–0	7–0–1	187	52
2	St. Olaf	Adrian Christianson	3–1	6–2	104	91
3	St. Thomas (MN)	Frank Deig	3–1	4–3	94	70
4	Concordia (MN)	Jake Christiansen	2–2	3–3–1	91	92
5	Saint John's (MN)	Joe Benda	2–3	5–3	131	73
6	Saint Mary's (MN)	Eddie Suech	1–2–1	4–3–1	91	84
7	Augsburg	Bob Carlson	1–5	1–6	26	118
8	Macalester	Dwight Stuessy	0–4–1	1–6–1	25	124

^[1][2][3]

Teams

Gustavus Adolphus

1946 Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties football
MIAC champion
Conference	Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	7–0–1 (6–0 MIAC)
Head coach	Lloyd Hollingsworth (2nd season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties football team represented Gustavus Adolphus College of St. Peter, Minnesota. In their second, non-consecutive year under head coach Lloyd Hollingsworth, the Gusties compiled a 7–0–1 record (6–0 against MIAC teams), won the MIAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 187 to 52.^[4][5]

Gustavus Adolphus players took eight of the eleven first-team spots on the 1946 All-MIAC football team. The Gustavus Adolphus honorees were: back Babe Fiebiger; halfback Bob Collison; fullback Bennie Langsjoen; center Harold Swanson; end William Haldy; tackles Vic Pedersen and Gerald Cady; and guard Keith Skogman.^[6]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 21	at Augustana (SD)*	Sioux Falls, SD	T 6–6		[7]
September 26	vs. Augsburg	Nicollet Park Minneapolis, MN	W 32–7	2,000	[8]
October 4	at St. Thomas (MN)	St. Peter, MN	W 25–6		[9]
October 12	at Saint John's (MN)	Collegeville, MN	W 30–14		[10]
October 18	Saint Mary's (MN)	St. Peter, MN	W 33–7		[11]
October 26	Concordia (MN)	St. Peter, MN	W 26–6		[12]
November 2	at St. Olaf	Northfield, MN	W 21–6	4,000	[13]
November 11	Mankato State*	St. Peter, MN	W 14–0		[14]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

St. Olaf

1946 St. Olaf Oles football
Conference	Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	6–2 (3–1 MIAC)
Head coach	Adrian Christianson
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 St. Olaf Oles football team represented Gustavus Adolphus College of Northfield, Minnesota. Led by head coach Adrian Christianson, the Oles compiled a 6–2 record (3–1 against MIAC teams), finished in a tie for second place in the MIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 104 to 91.^[15]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 21	River Falls State*	Northfield, MN	W 13–6		[16]
September 28	Macalester	Shaw Field St. Paul, MN	W 19–6		[17][18]
October 5	Concordia (MN)	Northfield, MN	W 20–0		[19]
October 12	at Luther*	Decorah, IA	W 19–13		[20]
October 19	Carleton*	Northfield, MN	W 14–13	> 6,000	[21]
October 25	at Augsburg	Nicollet Park Minneapolis, MN	W 7–0	1,500	[22]
November 2	Gustavus Adolphus	Northfield, MN	L 6–21	4,000	[13]
November 8	Minnesota "B" team*	Northfield, MN	L 6–32		[23]
*Non-conference game

St. Thomas

1946 St. Thomas Tommies football
Conference	Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	4–3 (3–1 MIAC)
Head coach	Frank Deig (1st season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 St. Thomas Tommies football team represented the University of St. Thomas of St. Paul, Minnesota. In their first year under head coach Frank Deig, the Tommies compiled a 4–3 record (3–1 against MIAC teams), finished in a tie for second place in the MIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 94 to 70.^[15]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 22	Saint Mary's (MN)	Central Stadium St. Paul, MN	W 14–6	2,000	[24]
September 27	at North Dakota*	Memorial Stadium Grand Forks, ND	L 6–13	6,000	[25]
October 4	Gustavus Adolphus	St. Peter, MN	L 6–25		[9]
October 12	Macalester	Central Stadium St. Paul, MN	W 19–6	2,500	[26]
October 20	St. Ambrose*	Central Stadium St. Paul, MN	L 12–13	3,000	[27]
October 26	Saint John's (MN)	Central Stadium St. Paul, MN	W 18–0	3,500
November 3	at Loras*	Dubuque, IA	W 19–7		[28]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Concordia

1946 Concordia Cobbers football
Conference	Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	3–3–1 (2–2 MIAC)
Head coach	Jake Christiansen (6th season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Concordia Cobbers football team represented Concordia College of Moorhead, Minnesota. In their sixth year under head coach Jake Christiansen, the Cobblers compiled a 3–3–1 record (2–2 against MIAC teams), finished in fourth place in the MIAC, and were outscored by a total of 92 to 91.^[29]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 21	at Moorhead State*	Moorhead, MN	T 7–7
September 27	at North Dakota Agricultural*	Dacotah Field Fargo, ND	L 6–26		[30]
October 5	at St. Olaf	Northfield, MN	L 0–20		[19]
October 12	at Valparaiso*	Valparaiso, IN	W 28–7		[31]
October 19	Augsburg	Moorhead, MN	W 25–0		[32]
October 26	at Gustavus Adolphus	St. Peter, MN	L 6–26		[12]
November 2	Saint John's (MN)	Moorhead, MN	W 19–6		[33]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Saint John's

1946 Saint John's Johnnies football
Conference	Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	5–3 (2–3 MIAC)
Head coach	Joe Benda (11th season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Saint John's Johnnies football team represented Saint John's University of Collegeville, Minnesota. In their 11th year under head coach Joe Benda, the Johnnies compiled a 5–3 record (2–4 against MIAC teams), finished in fifth place in the MIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 131 to 73.^[34]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 20	at Bemidji State*	Bemidji, MN	W 32–0
September 28	Loras*	Collegeville, MN	W 27–0
October 5	Augsburg	Collegeville, MN	W 8–6
October 12	Gustavus Adolphus	St. Peter, MN	L 14–30		[10]
October 19	Macalester	Collegeville, MN	W 26–0
October 26	St. Thomas (MN)	Central Stadium St. Paul, MN	L 0–18	3,500
November 2	at Concordia (MN)	Moorhead, MN	L 6–19
November 9	St. Cloud State*	Collegeville, MN	W 18–0
*Non-conference game

Saint Mary's

1946 Saint Mary's Redmen football
Conference	Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	4–3–1 (1–2–1 MIAC)
Head coach	Eddie Suech (8th season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Saint Mary's Redmen football team represented Saint Mary's College of Winona, Minnesota. In their eighth year under head coach Eddie Suech, the Redmen compiled a 4–3–1 record (1–2–1 against MIAC teams), finished in sixth place in the MIAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 91 to 84.^[15]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 22	at St. Thomas (MN)	Central Stadium St. Paul, MN	L 6–14	2,000	[24]
September 28	La Crosse State*		W 6–0
October 6	at Canisius*	Buffalo, NY	L 0–31	8,946	[35]
October 12	Augsburg	Winona, MN	W 33–6		[36]
October 18	at Gustavus Adolphus	St. Peter, MN	L 7–33		[11]
October 27	at Loras*	Dubuque, IA	W 26–0	5,000	[37]
November 2	Winona*	Maxwell Field Winona, MN	W 13–0		[38]
	Macalester		T 0–0
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Augsburg

1946 Augsburg Auggies football
Conference	Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	1–6 (1–5 MIAC)
Head coach	Bob Carlson (3rd season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Augsburg Auggies football team represented Augsburg University of Minneapolis. In their third year under head coach Bob Carlson, the Auggies compiled a 1–6 record (1–5 against MIAC teams), finished in seventh place in the MIAC, and were outscored by a total of 118 to 26.^[39]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 21	at Mankato State*	Mankato, MN	L 0–13		[40]
September 26	Gustavus Adolphus	Nicollet Park Minneapolis, MN	L 7–32	2,000	[8]
October 5	at Saint John's (MN)	Collegeville, MN	L 6–8
	Saint Mary's (MN)		L 6–33
October 19	Concordia (MN)	Moorhead, MN	L 0–25		[32]
October 25	St. Olaf	Nicollet Park Minneapolis, MN	L 0–7	1,500	[22]
	Macalester		W 7–0
*Non-conference game

Macalester

1946 Macalester Scots football
Conference	Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	1–6–1 (0–4–1 MIAC)
Head coach	Dwight Stuessy (3rd season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Macalester Scots football team represented Macalester College of Saint Paul, Minnesota. In their third year under head coach Dwight Stuessy, the Scots compiled a 1–6–1 record (0–4–1 against MIAC teams), finished in eighth place in the MIAC, and were outscored by a total of 124 to 25.^[39]

All-conference team

First team

• Backs: Jack Salscheider, St. Thomas; Babe Fiebiger, Gustavus Adolphus; Bob Collison, Gustavus Adolphus; Beanie Langsjoen, Gustavus Adolphus
• Ends: Ralph Opatz, St. John's; William Haldy, Gustavus Adolphus
• Tackles: Vic Pedersen, Gustavus Adolphus; Gerald Cady, Gustavus Adolphus
• Guards: Stan Tostengaard, St. Olaf; Keith Skogman Gustavus Adolphus
• Center: Harold Swanson, Gustavus Adolphus

Second team

• Backs: Royal Peterson, St. Olaf; Dave Dillon, Augsburg; Charles Miller, St. John's; Ronald Malcolm, Gustavus Adolphus
• Ends: Henry Epstein, St. Mary's; Charles Beck, Concordia
• Tackles: Konnie Prem, St. John's; Eldon Lehrke, St. Olaf
• Guards: Ronald Henricksen, St. Olaf; Clarence Modin, Concordia
• Center: Tony Graham, St. Mary's

^[6]

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. "Cobbers Score Early; Take 4th Place In loop". St. Cloud Times. St. Cloud, Minnesota. November 4, 1946. p. 8. Retrieved December 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com .
3. "MIAC Football Record Book" (PDF). Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. p. 7. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
4. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company.
5. "1946 - Gustavus Adolphus (MN)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
6. "College All-Conference". St. Cloud Times. November 18, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Spence Sandvig (September 22, 1946). "Vikings-Gusties Battle To 6-6 Draw In Opener". Argus-Leader. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Walter Bixby (September 27, 1946). "Gustavus Drubs Auggies 32-7: Take Advantage of Early Errors". Minneapolis Morning Tribune. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Collison Paces 25-6 'Gusties' Win: Ex-Gopher Gets 3 Touchdowns". Minneapolis Morning Tribune. October 5, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Gusties Show Class In Blasting Johnnies: Fullback Miller Injured Early". St. Cloud Times. October 14, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Gusties Roll Over St. Mary's by 33-7". Minneapolis Morning Tribune. October 19, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Gusties Cop 5th Straight 26-6". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. October 27, 1946. p. Sports 6 – via Newspapers.com.
13. Ted Peterson (November 3, 1946). "Gusties Top Oles; Win Championship". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. p. Sports 6 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Gustavus Tops Indians, Claims 2 State Crowns". St. Cloud Times. November 12, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
15. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 216.
16. "Ole Rally Beats River Falls 13-6". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. September 22, 1946. p. 4S – via Newspapers.com.
17. "St. Olaf Trips Macs 19-6: Macalester Scores First; Ole Passing Turns Tide for Victory". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. September 29, 1946. p. S6 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "St. Olaf Beats Macalester, 19-6". The Winona Daily News. September 30, 1946. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "Ole Aerials Check Concordia 21 to 0". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. October 6, 1946. p. Sports 6 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "St. Olaf Nips Norsemen, 19-13". The Des Moines Register. October 13, 1946. p. 5S – via Newspapers.com.
21. Jim Byrne (October 20, 1946). "Oles Top Carleton 14-13". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. p. Sports 6 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "St. Olaf Tips Augsburg". Minneapolis Morning Tribune. October 26, 1946. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Gophers Top Oles". Minneapolis Morning Tribune. November 9, 1946. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
24. Walter Bixby (September 23, 1946). "St. Thomas Out-Muds Redmen 14 to 6: Toms Impressive in Opening Contest". Minneapolis Morning Tribune. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
25. Ted Peterson (September 28, 1946). "Nodaks Stun St. Thomas 13-6: Bison Score 2 in First Period; Reding Gets Only Tommy Touchdown". Minneapolis Morning Tribune. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
26. "St. Thomas Beats Macs 19-6". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. October 13, 1946. p. 6S – via Newspapers.com.
27. Walter Bixby (October 21, 1946). "Battered Toms Bow 13-12 To St. Ambrose: Iowans Win on Leech's Kick; Krowka, Molosky Star for Toms". Minneapolis Morning Tribune. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "Tommies Hit Early, Defeat Loras, 19-7". The Des Moines Register. November 4, 1946. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
29. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 171.
30. "N.D. Bison dump Concordia 26–6". Argus-Leader. September 28, 1946. Retrieved October 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
31. "Concordia Whips Valpo In 19 to 14 Thriller". The Vidette-Messenger. October 14, 1946. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
32. "Concordia Routs Augsburg 25-0". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. October 20, 1946. p. S6 – via Newspapers.com.
33. "Cobbers Score Early; Take 4th Place in Loop". St. Cloud Times. November 4, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
34. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 215.
35. "Redmen Bow to Air Attack". The Minneapolis Star. October 7, 1946. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
36. "St. Mary's Tops Augsburg 33-6". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. October 13, 1946. p. 6S – via Newspapers.com.
37. "Loras Passes Fail, Loses 26-0 Battle". The Des Moines Register. October 28, 1946. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
38. "St. Mary's Beats Peds, 13-0, to Take Series Edge". The Winona Daily News. November 4, 1946. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
39. 1947 NCAA Football Guide, p. 162.
40. "Mankato Raps Augs 13-0". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. September 22, 1946. p. 4S – via Newspapers.com.