1952 Houston Cougars football team
Encyclopedia
The 1952 Houston Cougars football team, also known as the Houston Cougars, Houston, or UH, represented the University of Houston
in the 1952 college football season
as a member of the NCAA
. It was the 7th year of season play for Houston. The team was coached by fifth-year head coach Clyde Lee
. The team played its games off-campus at Rice Stadium
, which had been built in 1950. The Cougars finished the season ranked as #19 by the Coaches Poll
. It was the first time Houston finished a season as a nationally-ranked team. Another first for the program was a conference championship, as the Cougars earned a perfect 3–0 record in Missouri Valley Conference
play.
Following the season, Houston defensive tackle J. D. Kimmel
was voted as the program's first All-American
. Kimmel had been drafted by the San Francisco 49ers
in the 1952 NFL Draft
prior to the season's beginning, and would later be drafted into the Houston Cougars Hall of Honor in 1973. Four other Houston players were also taken in the 1952 NFL Draft
.
for the first time as they hosted the Aggies at off-campus Rice Stadium
in Houston. Texas A&M was a member of the Southwest Conference, and was led by second-year head coach Raymond George
. With an attendance of 54,000, it was the second-largest crowd that Houston had competed for at the time, only surpassed by the 55,000 from the previous season's opener against #9 Baylor
. It was the third time that the Houston Cougars faced a Southwest Conference opponent in its history, and was a continuation of the losing streak against the conference. This followed the rejection of Houston along with Texas Tech
by the conference in their bids to join just months earlier. While Texas A&M was slightly favored, Houston was considered to have one of the best teams in the history of its program. Army
transfer and Texarkana
native J.D. Kimmel was a draftee in the previous NFL Draft
, and eventually went on to have a career in the professional league.
The game's first half was dominated by the Aggies, as their second possession of the game yielded their first touchdown. Texas A&M executed another successful touchdown before the end of the first half, while Houston was still scoreless. The third quarter featured Houston's first score of the game, with an 80-yard drive leading to a touchdown. However, with a low PAT
kick, the Cougars trailed the Aggies 14–6. The Aggies answered with another touchdown. Despite quarterback Bobby Clatterbuck completing a 27-yard end zone pass to S.M. Meeks for a touchdown and successfully achieving the extra point during in the fourth quarter, Houston would not answer with anymore points for the duration of the game, and lost.
Following the 1952 season, Texas A&M became a regular opponent of Houston, and the two continued to meet with each other every year through 1965.
at Razorback Stadium
in Fayetteville, Arkansas
. This was another first meeting between teams. Arkansas was coached by third-year head coach Otis Douglas
, and was coming off of a 22–20 win over conference opponent Oklahoma State
(then known as "Oklahoma A&M"). An established Arkansas team was favored to win, and the upset over the Razorbacks marked the first victory for a Houston team over a Southwest Conference opponent.
Houston won the coin toss, and elected to kickoff
to the Razorbacks for the first play of the game. Arkansas returned the kick to the 24 yard line. During the first scrimmage of the game, Arkansas fumbled, and Houston's Jack Chambers recovered the ball for a turnover
. Although unsuccessful for a touchdown drive, the Cougars moved the ball far enough for Houston's Verle Cray to kick a field goal
for the first score of the game on fourth down. During the second quarter, Arkansas took the lead with a 62-yard reception by Razorback Lewis Carpenter for a touchdown. This was to be their sole score of the game. In the third quarter, Meeks rushed for the Cougars' first touchdown, and brought Houston back in the lead. Houston fullback
Tommy Bailes scored the final touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter, when he received a 60-yard pass. The Houston Cougars had defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks in front of a crowd of 12,000.
Arkansas went on to have an abysmal season, and only won one other game (against the Baylor Bears
) to finish with a 2–8 record. Head coach Otis Douglas resigned following the season end.
in Stillwater, Oklahoma
to meet with rivals the Oklahoma A&M Aggies (now known as the Oklahoma State Cowboys
) in the Cougars' Missouri Valley Conference
season opener game. It was the second meeting between the two teams, as the Aggies had traveled to Houston the season prior. In their first meeting, the Cougars defeated Oklahoma A&M with a score of 31–7. Oklahoma A&M's head coach was Jennings B. Whitworth
who was in his third-year with the Aggies. The team's record for the season was a winless 0–2, where both Texas A&M and Arkansas had beaten them. Attendance for the game was 15,000.
Houston's defense shined, as they held Oklahoma A&M's offense to a combined rushing and passing total of only 62 yards. In the first quarter of the game, Verle Cray kicked a field goal to give Houston an early lead. Six fumble
s by the Houston offense allowed the Aggies a chance to score a rushing touchdown in the second quarter, however it would be their only successful score of the game. A&M continued with their lead until the fourth quarter when Houston's Sam McWhirter received a touchdown pass from Clatterbuck. The victory by the Cougars helped their overall record improve to 2–1 with a conference record of 1–0, and a perfect 2–0 all-time series record against the Aggies.
game against another Missouri Valley Conference opponent, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane
. Tulsa was heavily favored to win, as their dominant offense was considered the best in the nation and Houston's all-time series record against the Golden Hurricane was 0–2. Their coach Buddy Brothers
, in his seventh year of his tenure, had led Tulsa to win the MVC championship both last season and the season before. Attendance for the game was announced as 31,000.
Houston's defense came in handy against the Golden Hurricane, as they held their highly-rated offense to only 200 yards of total rushing and passing. The Cougar offense also excelled, as the victory proved to be a blowout
. Houston's overall record improved to 3–1, and they moved ahead to the number one spot in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 2–0 record. Following the defeat of Tulsa, Houston students blocked all entrances to campus buildings on the following Monday and declared a holiday for the university. UH President Kemmerer condoned the action, thus making it official.
Tulsa went on to earn a respectable 8–2–1 overall record, only losing one other time to powerhouse Florida, while defeating Kansas State
, Texas Tech
, and Arkansas
.
in Tempe, Arizona
for the next game on their schedule which was a meeting with the Arizona State Sun Devils
of the Border Conference
. The Sun Devils were coached by first-year head coach Clyde Smith
. Smith came to Arizona State from Indiana
, where he had coached since 1948. Arizona State's record at this point in the season was 3–1, as they had lost to San Jose State
two games prior. This was another first meeting for the Cougars, and Goodwin Stadium was filled with a sold-out crowd of 15,000.
Houston continued its winning streak against the Sun Devils. Despite only scoring six points, the Cougars managed a shutout
victory by entirely holding off the Arizona State offense. Houston's offense also struggled, and gave up three fumbles in five drives. In the second quarter, linebacker Paul Carr recovered a fumble from the Sun Devils on Arizona State's seven yard line. S.M. Meeks forced the touchdown in a rush. However, placekicker Jack Howton's attempt at an extra point was wide. This led to a lead which Houston kept for the entirety of the game.
The victory allowed for Houston to improve their overall season record to 4–1. Arizona State went on to complete its season with a 6–3 record.
to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders
. Like their previous opponent, Texas Tech was a member of the Border Conference
. It was the Red Raiders' homecoming game, and a crowd of 18,000 was in attendance. Texas Tech's head coach was second-year DeWitt Weaver
, and their record for the season thus far was 1–4. Houston was expected to continue its winning streak, and was a favorite for the game.
Houston's first two scores of the game were ultimately due to the result of intercepted passes. Texas Tech's score was in the third quarter, as Houston attempted a lateral pass that was intercepted. Houston's overall record improved to 5–1. Texas Tech's record following the season was 3–7–1.
of the Southeastern Conference
. Johnny Vaught
served as head coach for the Rebels, and was in his sixth year doing so. Having great success with a 5–0–2 record, the Rebels were nationally ranked in the AP Poll
as #14. This was the second time in history that Houston had played against a nationally-ranked opponent on the AP Poll, as the prior season the Cougars had been defeated by then #9 Baylor
. At least two days prior to the face-off, the Gator Bowl
selection committee announced that it was interested in inviting Houston to the 1953 edition of the bowl game, and that it committee members would be present for the Ole Miss game at Rice Stadium. With 34,000 fans in attendance for the game, it was Houston's second-largest home crowd at that point of the season.
The game proved to showcase defensive skill for both teams, as the only score by either team came in the second quarter from the Ole Miss Rebels, as the result of a Cougar fumble on Mississippi's 40-yard line. It had been recovered by Rebel Houston Patton. After Ole Miss drove the ball to Houston's 9-yard line, Harold Lofton rushed to gain a touchdown. However, Houston's Frank James blocked an extra point attempt to leave the score at 6–0 where it remained for the entirety of the game.
With the loss, Houston's five-game winning streak was over, and their record was worsened to 5–2. Fortunately for the team, this would be their last loss of the season. Mississippi continued their winning streak for the remainder of the regular season, suffering only one loss overall to Georgia Tech
in the Sugar Bowl
. Despite this, the Rebels finished the season ranked #7 in both major polls.
of the Southwest Conference. Coached by third-year George Sauer
, Baylor held a perfect 2–0–0 all-time record against Houston. The two had last competed against each other in the previous season where Baylor was nationally-ranked. Although coming to Houston with a modest 4–2–1 record, prior to the loss, the Bears were a candidate for a bowl game in the post-season. 33,000 fans were in attendance.
Following the game. The Gator Bowl
selection committee made a public comment that Houston was in the running for a bid in the 1952 edition of the game. Other teams in consideration were conference mates Tulsa
in addition to Syracuse
and Villanova
.
Two days following the win, Houston obtained a #19 ranking in the AP Poll
. It was the first time the program had ever been ranked in the poll.
. The win would secure the top spot in the Missouri Valley Conference, and bring the program its first conference title. Houston had a temperature of 40 degrees fahrenheit with rainy conditions, and attendance suffered. Only 7,200 fans attended the event at Rice Stadium.
Led by Dutch Clark, Detroit's starting lineup included nation-leading quarterback Ted Marchibroda
, who would later serve as an NFL
player and head coach.
Despite achieving a victory against the Titans and improving their season record to 6–2, Houston dropped out of the AP Poll.
and backfield coach Elmer Simmons had served as players for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane
for head coach Lee when he was an assistant there. Ends coach Lovette Hill
attended Centenary
together.
, four Houston players were drafted. It was the third time in team history that Houston players were taken in the draft. Paul "Rock" Carr was taken by the San Francisco 49ers
in the seventh round and 82nd overall, but remained as a Houston player until after the 1953 season. Senior guard Frank James was taken by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourteenth round (168th overall), end Vic Hampel was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers
in the twenty-fifth round (293rd overall), and end Jim McConaughey was taken by the Green Bay Packers
in the twenty-seventh round (319th overall).
During the 1954 NFL Draft
, five more players from the 1952 Houston team were drafted. Tackle Maurice "Buddy" Gillioz was taken by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (22nd overall) which was the earliest that a Houston player had been taken before. Tackle Bob Chuoke was taken by the Detroit Lions
in the sixteenth round (193rd overall), back Tommy Bailes was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles
in the twentieth round (237th overall), quarterback Bobby Clatterbuck was taken by the New York Giants
in the twenty-seventh round (316th overall), and end Don Folks was taken by the San Francisco 49ers in the thirtieth round (359th overall).
was chosen to compete in the East–West Shrine Game.
J. D. Kimmel also became Houston's first All-American
, when he was chosen by the Associated Press
. Paul Carr also received an honorable mention by the news agency. Players chosen by the Missouri Valley Conference
as all-conference selections were Vic Hampel, Bob Chuoke, S. M. Meeks, J. D. Kimmel, Buddy Gillioz, Paul Carr, Sam Hopson, and Jackie Howton.
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
in the 1952 college football season
1952 college football season
The 1952 college football season ended with the unbeaten Michigan State Spartans and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets each claiming the national championship according to different polls. Michigan State finished first according to two of the "wire service" polls which also both placed Georgia Tech...
as a member of the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
. It was the 7th year of season play for Houston. The team was coached by fifth-year head coach Clyde Lee
Clyde Lee (American football)
Clyde Lee was an American football player and coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at the University of Houston from 1948 to 1954, guiding the Cougars to a 37–32–2 record. Lee played his college career at Centenary College from 1930 to 1932 under Homer Norton...
. The team played its games off-campus at Rice Stadium
Rice Stadium
Rice Stadium is a football stadium located on the Rice University campus in Houston, Texas. It has been the home of the Rice University football team since its completion in 1950 and hosted Super Bowl VIII in 1974....
, which had been built in 1950. The Cougars finished the season ranked as #19 by the Coaches Poll
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
. It was the first time Houston finished a season as a nationally-ranked team. Another first for the program was a conference championship, as the Cougars earned a perfect 3–0 record in Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
play.
Following the season, Houston defensive tackle J. D. Kimmel
J. D. Kimmel
J.D. Kimmel was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers. He started his football career playing at Texarkana High School. He attended the University of Houston and the United States Military Academy...
was voted as the program's first All-American
1952 College Football All-America Team
The 1952 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams for the 1952 college football season...
. Kimmel had been drafted by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
in the 1952 NFL Draft
1952 NFL Draft
The 1952 National Football League Draft was held on January 17, 1952. Picks made by New York Yanks were assigned to the new Dallas Texans.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:...
prior to the season's beginning, and would later be drafted into the Houston Cougars Hall of Honor in 1973. Four other Houston players were also taken in the 1952 NFL Draft
1952 NFL Draft
The 1952 National Football League Draft was held on January 17, 1952. Picks made by New York Yanks were assigned to the new Dallas Texans.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:...
.
Schedule
Texas A&M
The Houston Cougars met with in-state rival Texas A&MTexas A&M Aggies football
The Texas A&M Aggies football team represents Texas A&M University in college football. The Aggies have competed in the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996. They will join the Southeastern Conference in July 2012. Texas A&M football has earned one national title and 18...
for the first time as they hosted the Aggies at off-campus Rice Stadium
Rice Stadium
Rice Stadium is a football stadium located on the Rice University campus in Houston, Texas. It has been the home of the Rice University football team since its completion in 1950 and hosted Super Bowl VIII in 1974....
in Houston. Texas A&M was a member of the Southwest Conference, and was led by second-year head coach Raymond George
Raymond George
-Texas A&M:George was the 17th head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, Texas. He was head coach from 1951 until the completion of the 1953 season, where his teams produced a total record of 12 wins, 14 losses, and 4 ties...
. With an attendance of 54,000, it was the second-largest crowd that Houston had competed for at the time, only surpassed by the 55,000 from the previous season's opener against #9 Baylor
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
. It was the third time that the Houston Cougars faced a Southwest Conference opponent in its history, and was a continuation of the losing streak against the conference. This followed the rejection of Houston along with Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
by the conference in their bids to join just months earlier. While Texas A&M was slightly favored, Houston was considered to have one of the best teams in the history of its program. Army
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
transfer and Texarkana
Texarkana, Texas
Texarkana is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States. It effectively functions as one half of a city which crosses a state line — the other half, the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, lies on the other side of State Line Avenue...
native J.D. Kimmel was a draftee in the previous NFL Draft
1952 NFL Draft
The 1952 National Football League Draft was held on January 17, 1952. Picks made by New York Yanks were assigned to the new Dallas Texans.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:...
, and eventually went on to have a career in the professional league.
The game's first half was dominated by the Aggies, as their second possession of the game yielded their first touchdown. Texas A&M executed another successful touchdown before the end of the first half, while Houston was still scoreless. The third quarter featured Houston's first score of the game, with an 80-yard drive leading to a touchdown. However, with a low PAT
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
kick, the Cougars trailed the Aggies 14–6. The Aggies answered with another touchdown. Despite quarterback Bobby Clatterbuck completing a 27-yard end zone pass to S.M. Meeks for a touchdown and successfully achieving the extra point during in the fourth quarter, Houston would not answer with anymore points for the duration of the game, and lost.
Following the 1952 season, Texas A&M became a regular opponent of Houston, and the two continued to meet with each other every year through 1965.
Arkansas
Next, Houston met with another Southwest Conference opponent, the Arkansas RazorbacksArkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
at Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is an American football stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas and serves as the home field of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team since its opening in 1938. The stadium was formerly known as Razorback Stadium since 1941 before being renamed in 2001...
in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
. This was another first meeting between teams. Arkansas was coached by third-year head coach Otis Douglas
Otis Douglas
-External links:* at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum...
, and was coming off of a 22–20 win over conference opponent Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
(then known as "Oklahoma A&M"). An established Arkansas team was favored to win, and the upset over the Razorbacks marked the first victory for a Houston team over a Southwest Conference opponent.
Houston won the coin toss, and elected to kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
to the Razorbacks for the first play of the game. Arkansas returned the kick to the 24 yard line. During the first scrimmage of the game, Arkansas fumbled, and Houston's Jack Chambers recovered the ball for a turnover
Turnover (football)
In American football, a turnover occurs when the team with the ball loses possession of the ball, which is then gained by the other team. The two events that are officially classified as "turnovers" are fumbles or interceptions In American football, a turnover occurs when the team with the ball...
. Although unsuccessful for a touchdown drive, the Cougars moved the ball far enough for Houston's Verle Cray to kick a field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
for the first score of the game on fourth down. During the second quarter, Arkansas took the lead with a 62-yard reception by Razorback Lewis Carpenter for a touchdown. This was to be their sole score of the game. In the third quarter, Meeks rushed for the Cougars' first touchdown, and brought Houston back in the lead. Houston fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
Tommy Bailes scored the final touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter, when he received a 60-yard pass. The Houston Cougars had defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks in front of a crowd of 12,000.
Arkansas went on to have an abysmal season, and only won one other game (against the Baylor Bears
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
) to finish with a 2–8 record. Head coach Otis Douglas resigned following the season end.
Oklahoma A&M
Houston traveled to Lewis FieldBoone Pickens Stadium
Boone Pickens Stadium has been home to the Oklahoma State University Cowboys football team in rudimentary form since 1913, and as a complete stadium since 1920...
in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater is a city in north-central Oklahoma at the intersection of U.S. 177 and State Highway 51. It is the county seat of Payne County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 45,688. Stillwater is the principal city of the Stillwater Micropolitan Statistical...
to meet with rivals the Oklahoma A&M Aggies (now known as the Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
) in the Cougars' Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
season opener game. It was the second meeting between the two teams, as the Aggies had traveled to Houston the season prior. In their first meeting, the Cougars defeated Oklahoma A&M with a score of 31–7. Oklahoma A&M's head coach was Jennings B. Whitworth
Jennings B. Whitworth
-Additional sources:* Stoddard, Tom, Turnaround, 1996, The Black Belt Press, ISBN 1-881320-70-7* Hooper, Matt "". Birmingham Weekly-External links:...
who was in his third-year with the Aggies. The team's record for the season was a winless 0–2, where both Texas A&M and Arkansas had beaten them. Attendance for the game was 15,000.
Houston's defense shined, as they held Oklahoma A&M's offense to a combined rushing and passing total of only 62 yards. In the first quarter of the game, Verle Cray kicked a field goal to give Houston an early lead. Six fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s by the Houston offense allowed the Aggies a chance to score a rushing touchdown in the second quarter, however it would be their only successful score of the game. A&M continued with their lead until the fourth quarter when Houston's Sam McWhirter received a touchdown pass from Clatterbuck. The victory by the Cougars helped their overall record improve to 2–1 with a conference record of 1–0, and a perfect 2–0 all-time series record against the Aggies.
Tulsa
Houston returned to Rice Stadium in Houston for their homecomingHomecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
game against another Missouri Valley Conference opponent, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa Golden Hurricane football
The University of Tulsa's Golden Hurricane football team represents Tulsa in Conference USA. Tulsa is currently coached by first-year head coach Bill Blankenship. The football team was coached by Todd Graham until he accepted the head coaching job at Pittsburgh....
. Tulsa was heavily favored to win, as their dominant offense was considered the best in the nation and Houston's all-time series record against the Golden Hurricane was 0–2. Their coach Buddy Brothers
Buddy Brothers
John O. "Buddy" Brothers was an American college football coach. He coached the Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team at the University of Tulsa from 1946 to 1952 and compiled a 45–25–4 record and 0.635 winning percentage.-Coaching career:Brothers attended Texas Tech University, where he played on...
, in his seventh year of his tenure, had led Tulsa to win the MVC championship both last season and the season before. Attendance for the game was announced as 31,000.
Houston's defense came in handy against the Golden Hurricane, as they held their highly-rated offense to only 200 yards of total rushing and passing. The Cougar offense also excelled, as the victory proved to be a blowout
Blowout (sports)
A blowout is an easy or one-sided victory. It occurs when one athletic team or individual performer outscores another by a large margin or in such a fashion that allows the second team or individual little chance of a victory from a point early in a competition, game, contest or event...
. Houston's overall record improved to 3–1, and they moved ahead to the number one spot in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 2–0 record. Following the defeat of Tulsa, Houston students blocked all entrances to campus buildings on the following Monday and declared a holiday for the university. UH President Kemmerer condoned the action, thus making it official.
Tulsa went on to earn a respectable 8–2–1 overall record, only losing one other time to powerhouse Florida, while defeating Kansas State
1952 Kansas State Wildcats football team
The 1952 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 1952. The team's head football coach was Bill Meek, in his second year at the helm of the Wildcats. The Wildcats played their home games in Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats finished the...
, Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
, and Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks football
The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
.
Arizona State
Houston traveled to Goodwin StadiumGoodwin Stadium
Goodwin Stadium was a stadium in Tempe, Arizona. It hosted the Arizona State University Sun Devils football team until they moved to Sun Devil Stadium in 1958, as well as the team for local Tempe High School until 1969. The stadium held 15,000 people at its peak and was opened in 1936. A parking...
in Tempe, Arizona
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
for the next game on their schedule which was a meeting with the Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State Sun Devils football
The Arizona State Sun Devils' football program represents Arizona State University in college football, and competes in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Pacific-12 Conference....
of the Border Conference
Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association
The Border Conference , was an NCAA-affiliated college athletic conference founded in 1931 that disbanded following the 1961-1962 season...
. The Sun Devils were coached by first-year head coach Clyde Smith
Clyde Smith (football coach)
-External links:...
. Smith came to Arizona State from Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers football
The Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
, where he had coached since 1948. Arizona State's record at this point in the season was 3–1, as they had lost to San Jose State
San José State Spartans Football
The San Jose State Spartans represent San Jose State University and the Silicon Valley in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The Spartans play all home games in Spartan Stadium, which offers a seating capacity of over 30,000...
two games prior. This was another first meeting for the Cougars, and Goodwin Stadium was filled with a sold-out crowd of 15,000.
Houston continued its winning streak against the Sun Devils. Despite only scoring six points, the Cougars managed a shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
victory by entirely holding off the Arizona State offense. Houston's offense also struggled, and gave up three fumbles in five drives. In the second quarter, linebacker Paul Carr recovered a fumble from the Sun Devils on Arizona State's seven yard line. S.M. Meeks forced the touchdown in a rush. However, placekicker Jack Howton's attempt at an extra point was wide. This led to a lead which Houston kept for the entirety of the game.
The victory allowed for Houston to improve their overall season record to 4–1. Arizona State went on to complete its season with a 6–3 record.
Texas Tech
Houston continued their next game on the road at Jones Stadium in Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
. Like their previous opponent, Texas Tech was a member of the Border Conference
Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association
The Border Conference , was an NCAA-affiliated college athletic conference founded in 1931 that disbanded following the 1961-1962 season...
. It was the Red Raiders' homecoming game, and a crowd of 18,000 was in attendance. Texas Tech's head coach was second-year DeWitt Weaver
DeWitt Weaver
DeWitt Thompson Weaver, Sr. was the head football coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 1951 to 1960.He was the first head football coach at Texas Tech to win a bowl game during his first season—an accomplishment unmatched at Texas Tech until Tommy Tuberville's first season, in 2010-2011.In...
, and their record for the season thus far was 1–4. Houston was expected to continue its winning streak, and was a favorite for the game.
Houston's first two scores of the game were ultimately due to the result of intercepted passes. Texas Tech's score was in the third quarter, as Houston attempted a lateral pass that was intercepted. Houston's overall record improved to 5–1. Texas Tech's record following the season was 3–7–1.
Ole Miss
Houston returned home to Rice Stadium for the rest of its season schedule with its next game against the nationally-ranked Ole MissOle Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. Johnny Vaught
Johnny Vaught
John Howard Vaught was an American college football coach at the University of Mississippi from 1947 to 1970 and again in 1973....
served as head coach for the Rebels, and was in his sixth year doing so. Having great success with a 5–0–2 record, the Rebels were nationally ranked in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
as #14. This was the second time in history that Houston had played against a nationally-ranked opponent on the AP Poll, as the prior season the Cougars had been defeated by then #9 Baylor
Baylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
. At least two days prior to the face-off, the Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
selection committee announced that it was interested in inviting Houston to the 1953 edition of the bowl game, and that it committee members would be present for the Ole Miss game at Rice Stadium. With 34,000 fans in attendance for the game, it was Houston's second-largest home crowd at that point of the season.
The game proved to showcase defensive skill for both teams, as the only score by either team came in the second quarter from the Ole Miss Rebels, as the result of a Cougar fumble on Mississippi's 40-yard line. It had been recovered by Rebel Houston Patton. After Ole Miss drove the ball to Houston's 9-yard line, Harold Lofton rushed to gain a touchdown. However, Houston's Frank James blocked an extra point attempt to leave the score at 6–0 where it remained for the entirety of the game.
With the loss, Houston's five-game winning streak was over, and their record was worsened to 5–2. Fortunately for the team, this would be their last loss of the season. Mississippi continued their winning streak for the remainder of the regular season, suffering only one loss overall to Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
in the Sugar Bowl
1953 Sugar Bowl
The 1953 edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the second ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the seventh ranked Ole Miss Rebels. Georgia Tech won the matchup 24-7 to clinch a national championship....
. Despite this, the Rebels finished the season ranked #7 in both major polls.
Baylor
Coming off its second loss of the season, Houston remained at home to upset the Baylor BearsBaylor Bears football
The Baylor Bears football team represents Baylor University in Division I FBS college football. They are a member of the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas.-History:...
of the Southwest Conference. Coached by third-year George Sauer
George Sauer
-External links:* at College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com...
, Baylor held a perfect 2–0–0 all-time record against Houston. The two had last competed against each other in the previous season where Baylor was nationally-ranked. Although coming to Houston with a modest 4–2–1 record, prior to the loss, the Bears were a candidate for a bowl game in the post-season. 33,000 fans were in attendance.
Following the game. The Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
selection committee made a public comment that Houston was in the running for a bid in the 1952 edition of the game. Other teams in consideration were conference mates Tulsa
Tulsa Golden Hurricane football
The University of Tulsa's Golden Hurricane football team represents Tulsa in Conference USA. Tulsa is currently coached by first-year head coach Bill Blankenship. The football team was coached by Todd Graham until he accepted the head coaching job at Pittsburgh....
in addition to Syracuse
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
and Villanova
Villanova Wildcats football
The Villanova Wildcats football program represents Villanova University in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision . The Wildcats play at Villanova Stadium with capacity of 12,500.-History:...
.
Two days following the win, Houston obtained a #19 ranking in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
. It was the first time the program had ever been ranked in the poll.
Detroit
With the win against Baylor, Houston entered its first game as a nationally-ranked team against conference opponent DetroitDetroit Titans football
The Detroit Titans were the college football team representing the University of Detroit from 1896 to 1964. In 1928, the Detroit Titans won a College Football National Championship under Gus Dorais, with a record of 9-0-0.-Championships:...
. The win would secure the top spot in the Missouri Valley Conference, and bring the program its first conference title. Houston had a temperature of 40 degrees fahrenheit with rainy conditions, and attendance suffered. Only 7,200 fans attended the event at Rice Stadium.
Led by Dutch Clark, Detroit's starting lineup included nation-leading quarterback Ted Marchibroda
Ted Marchibroda
Theodore "Ted" Joseph Marchibroda is a former American football quarterback and head coach in the National Football League.-Player:...
, who would later serve as an NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player and head coach.
Despite achieving a victory against the Titans and improving their season record to 6–2, Houston dropped out of the AP Poll.
Poll rankings
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | 19 | NR | NR |
Roster
| 1952 Houston Cougars roster | ||||||||
Quarterbacks
Halfbacks
Fullbacks
Ends
|
Guards
Tackles
|
Centers
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Placekickers
|
Head coach
Assistant coaches
---- Legend
|
|||||
Coaching staff
Lines coach Harden CooperHarden Cooper
Harden Cooper was an American football coach and player who served as an assistant for several college programs, and was the head coach of Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas where he led the team to the 1965 state AAAA semifinals. In high school, Cooper played for Mineola High School, and...
and backfield coach Elmer Simmons had served as players for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa Golden Hurricane football
The University of Tulsa's Golden Hurricane football team represents Tulsa in Conference USA. Tulsa is currently coached by first-year head coach Bill Blankenship. The football team was coached by Todd Graham until he accepted the head coaching job at Pittsburgh....
for head coach Lee when he was an assistant there. Ends coach Lovette Hill
Lovette Hill
Lovette L. Hill was the fourth head coach of the Houston Cougars baseball team from 1950 to 1974. Hill holds the record for the longest serving head baseball coach in University of Houston history. While at Houston, Hill compiled a 343–325–5 record with five first place finishes in the Missouri...
attended Centenary
Centenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College of Louisiana is a primarily undergraduate, liberal arts and sciences college in Shreveport, Louisiana. The college is one of the founding members of the Associated Colleges of the South, a pedagogical organization consisting of sixteen Southern liberal arts colleges...
together.
| Name | Position | Alma mater (Year) | Year at Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clyde Lee Clyde Lee (American football) Clyde Lee was an American football player and coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at the University of Houston from 1948 to 1954, guiding the Cougars to a 37–32–2 record. Lee played his college career at Centenary College from 1930 to 1932 under Homer Norton... |
Head coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
Centenary (1932) | 5th |
| Harden Cooper Harden Cooper Harden Cooper was an American football coach and player who served as an assistant for several college programs, and was the head coach of Brazosport High School in Freeport, Texas where he led the team to the 1965 state AAAA semifinals. In high school, Cooper played for Mineola High School, and... |
Lines coach | Tulsa Tulsa Golden Hurricane football The University of Tulsa's Golden Hurricane football team represents Tulsa in Conference USA. Tulsa is currently coached by first-year head coach Bill Blankenship. The football team was coached by Todd Graham until he accepted the head coaching job at Pittsburgh.... (1947) |
3rd |
| Lovette Hill Lovette Hill Lovette L. Hill was the fourth head coach of the Houston Cougars baseball team from 1950 to 1974. Hill holds the record for the longest serving head baseball coach in University of Houston history. While at Houston, Hill compiled a 343–325–5 record with five first place finishes in the Missouri... |
Ends coach | Centenary (1931) | 4th |
| Elmer Simmons | Backfield coach Backfield The backfield is the area of an American football field behind the line of scrimmage. The backfield or offensive backfield can also refer to members of offense who begin plays behind the line, typically including any backs on the field, such as the quarterback, running back, and/or fullback.-Play... |
Tulsa (1946) | 5th |
| Robert Evans | Freshmen coach | Texas Texas Longhorns football The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National... (1939) |
4th |
NFL Draft
During the 1953 NFL Draft1953 NFL Draft
The 1953 National Football League Draft was held on January 22, 1953.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
, four Houston players were drafted. It was the third time in team history that Houston players were taken in the draft. Paul "Rock" Carr was taken by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
in the seventh round and 82nd overall, but remained as a Houston player until after the 1953 season. Senior guard Frank James was taken by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourteenth round (168th overall), end Vic Hampel was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in the twenty-fifth round (293rd overall), and end Jim McConaughey was taken by the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in the twenty-seventh round (319th overall).
During the 1954 NFL Draft
1954 NFL Draft
The 1954 National Football League Draft was held on January 28, 1954.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:-Round eleven:...
, five more players from the 1952 Houston team were drafted. Tackle Maurice "Buddy" Gillioz was taken by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (22nd overall) which was the earliest that a Houston player had been taken before. Tackle Bob Chuoke was taken by the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in the sixteenth round (193rd overall), back Tommy Bailes was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the twentieth round (237th overall), quarterback Bobby Clatterbuck was taken by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the twenty-seventh round (316th overall), and end Don Folks was taken by the San Francisco 49ers in the thirtieth round (359th overall).
Honors
Houston's John Carroll, Vic Hampel, and Frank James competed in the 1952 edition of the Blue–Gray Football Classic, while J. D. KimmelJ. D. Kimmel
J.D. Kimmel was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers. He started his football career playing at Texarkana High School. He attended the University of Houston and the United States Military Academy...
was chosen to compete in the East–West Shrine Game.
J. D. Kimmel also became Houston's first All-American
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
, when he was chosen by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
. Paul Carr also received an honorable mention by the news agency. Players chosen by the Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
as all-conference selections were Vic Hampel, Bob Chuoke, S. M. Meeks, J. D. Kimmel, Buddy Gillioz, Paul Carr, Sam Hopson, and Jackie Howton.