1956 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

The 1956 Central Michigan Chippewas football team was an American football team that represented Central Michigan College, renamed Central Michigan University in 1959, in the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference during the 1956 NCAA College Division football season. In their sixth season under head coach Bill Kelly, the Chippewas compiled a perfect 9–0 record, won the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) championship for the fifth consecutive year, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 313 to 92.[1] The team set multiple school records that still stand, including allowing 797 rushing yards (88.5 yards per game) and allowing only 1,292 net yards.[2] The 1956 season was part of the longest winning streak in school history, 15 games running from October 8, 1955, to November 10, 1956.[2]

1956 Central Michigan Chippewas football
IIAC champion
ConferenceInterstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
1956 record9–0 (6–0 IIAC)
Head coachBill Kelly (6th season)
MVPOliver Porter
Home stadiumAlumni Field
1956 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L T  W L T
Central Michigan $ 6 –0 –0  9 –0 –0
Western Illinois 4 –2 –0  6 –3 –0
Eastern Michigan 3 –3 –0  4 –4 –0
Illinois State 3 –3 –0  4 –4 –1
Southern Illinois 3 –3 –0  4 –5 –0
Eastern Illinois 2 –4 –0  2 –7 –0
Northern Illinois State 0 –6 –0  1 –8 –0
  • $ – Conference champion

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Herb Kipke with 490 passing yards (36 of 68 passing) and halfback Jim Podoley with 655 rushing yards (100 carries) and 211 receiving yards (11 receptions).[3]

Podoley set three Central Michigan records in 1956 that still stand. The first and second are his six touchdowns and 36 points scored against Eastern Illinois in his final college game on November 10, 1956, and the third is his season average of 29.0 yards per punt return.[4][5][6] In his final home game on November 3, 1956, Podoley ran for a touchdown and passed for another in a 19-0 victory over Eastern Michigan.[7] Podoley played for Central Michigan from 1953 to 1956, and his jersey (No. 62) is the only number retired in Central Michigan football history. He was inducted into the Central Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984.[8]

Tackle Oliver Porter received the team's most valuable player award.[9] Five Central Michigan players (Kipke, Podoley, end Tim Burdon, fullback Bob McNamara, and tackle Oliver Porter) received first-team honors on the All-IIAC team.[10]

Schedule
DateOpponentSiteResult
September 15vs. Bradley *
W 38–33
September 22at Western Michigan *
W 14–7
September 29 Southern Illinois
  • Alumni Field
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
W 32–13
October 6at Northern Illinois
W 41–0
October 13at Western Illinois
W 44–20
October 20 Illinois State Normal
  • Alumni Field
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
W 20–0
October 27 Wisconsin-Milwaukee *
  • Alumni Field
  • Mount Pleasant, MI
W 67–12
November 3 Eastern Michigan
  • Alumni Field
  • Mount Pleasant, MI (rivalry)
W 19–0
November 10at Eastern Illinois Charleston, ILW 38–7
  • *Non-conference game

References
  1. "Central Michigan 2015 Football Media Guide" (PDF). Central Michigan University. 2015. pp. 100, 110. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  2. 2015 Media Guide, p. 85.
  3. 2015 Media Guide, pp. 88-89.
  4. 2015 Media Guide, pp. 82, 84.
  5. "Podoley Gets Six TDs For Central: Paces 38-7 Rout of Eastern Illinois". Detroit Free Press. November 11, 1956. p. C7.
  6. "Central Michigan Back Scores Six Touchdowns as Eastern Loses, 38-7". The Decatur Herald. November 11, 1956. p. 20.
  7. "Podoley Leaves 'Em Happy at Home, 19-0". Detroit Free Press. November 4, 1956. p. 2D.
  8. 2015 Media Guide, p. 98.
  9. 2015 Media Guide, p. 95.
  10. 2015 Media Guide, p. 96.


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