1957 Maryland Terrapins football team
Encyclopedia
The 1957 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland
in National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) college football
in its fifth season
as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
. They were led by second-year head coach Tommy Mont
, who guided Maryland to a 5–5 record, which proved to be the only non-losing season in his three year tenure. One highlight of the season was the attendance of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
at the game against North Carolina
.
gave an optimistic appraisal and predicted the team would be ready to come back from the previous season
's poor result. It noted, "The line has experience and depth. The backfield only lacks speed." Moreover, sophomore guard Rodney Breedlove (who previously played on the freshman team) was a highly touted prospect.
The coaching staff consisted of:
beat Maryland, 21–13. Although defeated, the Daytona Beach Morning Journal called the Terrapins' effort "impressive". Before the game against , Mont worried about the inexperience of his team, particularly his quarterback Dickie Lewis and three sophomore linemen. The Wolfpack routed Maryland, 48–13, and NC State halfback Dick Christy
scored three touchdown
s, which included a 96-yard kickoff return. Maryland did not tally until the third quarter, when back Howie Dare returned a kickoff for a score.
The following week, Maryland lost to fourth-ranked , 14–0, but escaped without any injuries, which The Baltimore Sun
considered "a major victory in itself". Against Wake Forest, Mont put in third-string senior quarterback John Fritsch late in the first half. He led the team to score two touchdowns before halftime, and then led a 72-yard drive for the final score in the fourth quarter. Maryland won, 27–0.
The highlight of the season was the home game against 14th-ranked (3–1), which featured a return to College Park
by former head coach Jim Tatum
and the attendance of Elizabeth II. During a visit to the United States, the Queen had expressed a desire to watch her first game of American football
. In the first quarter, Maryland halfback
Howard Dare fumble
d and North Carolina linebacker
Jack Lineberger recovered the ball on the Terrapins' 44-yard line. North Carolina was subsequently forced to punt
, but recovered it at the Maryland 35 yard-line. On the ensuing possession, Tar Heel halfback Daley Goff rushed 11 yards for a touchdown
. In the third quarter, Maryland gained excellent field position when Goff received a bad punt snap, and the Terps took over on the Carolina 38-yard line. Maryland quarterback Bob Rusevlyan later scored on a one-yard sneak
. In the fourth quarter, halfback
Ted Kershner broke away for an 81-yard touchdown run to take the lead, 14–7. Soon after, Fullback
Jim Joyce capped a 67-yard drive with a 13-yard rush for a score. With a final result of 21–7, the Maryland players carried Mont to the Queen and Prince Philip's box. Mont said it was a day that "I will revel in for the rest of my life."
remained in control against Maryland throughout the game. Maryland kicked off to start the game, and Terrapins guard Rod Breedlove
recovered the ball on the Volunteers' 18-yard line. His team, however, was unable to convert for any points in its subsequent possession, and fell inches short of the end zone
. For the remainder of the game, Maryland was able to advance only once into opposing territory, and then to just the 37-yard line. Tennessee won, 16–0.
Maryland edged , 10–6, behind quarterback John Fritsch's first quarter field goal and a point after touchdown conversion on a score in the final quarter. A week later, Maryland recovered four Clemson fumble
s, but the Tigers took control in the third quarter. Quarterback Harvey White
passed for two touchdowns, and tailback George Usry and fullback Bob Spooner each tallied as well. Clemson won with the final result of 26–7.
Maryland then met eight-point favorites , which boasted a stout defense. Fritsch gave the Terrapins an early lead with a first quarter field goal. Fullback Phil Perlo later scored on a short run, and quarterback Bob Rusevlyan's "accurate arm" connected with tailback Howie Dare for Maryland's final tally, which resulted in a 16–6 upset. Rusevlyan again led Maryland to victory, 12–0, in a mud-soaked season finale against .
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
in National Collegiate Athletic Association
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...
(NCAA) college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
in its fifth season
1957 college football season
The 1957 college football season saw two different national champions. Auburn University was ranked first in the AP writers' poll taken at season's end, while Ohio State University was first in the UPI coaches' poll...
as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
. They were led by second-year head coach Tommy Mont
Tommy Mont
Thomas Allison "Tommy" Mont is an American educator, university administrator, college football coach, and NFL player. He played quarterback for the Washington Redskins as a back-up behind Sammy Baugh for three seasons. Mont served as the head football coach for three years at the University of...
, who guided Maryland to a 5–5 record, which proved to be the only non-losing season in his three year tenure. One highlight of the season was the attendance of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
at the game against North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
.
Before the season
Maryland returned a deep and experienced team for 1957. Sports IllustratedSports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
gave an optimistic appraisal and predicted the team would be ready to come back from the previous season
1956 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 1956 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association college football in its fourth season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They were led by first-year head coach Tommy Mont, who had been promoted from backfield...
's poor result. It noted, "The line has experience and depth. The backfield only lacks speed." Moreover, sophomore guard Rodney Breedlove (who previously played on the freshman team) was a highly touted prospect.
Personnel
The 1957 team consisted of the following letterwinners:- Gene AldertonGene AldertonWayne Eugene "Gene" Alderton was an American football player. He played college football for the University of Maryland...
- Joe Behrmann
- Rod BreedloveRod BreedloveRodney Winston Breedlove is a former American football linebacker who played eight seasons in the National Football League with the Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1960 to 1967...
- Bill Burgly
- Charles Carroll
- Fred Cole
- Ed Cooke
- Howie Dare
- Nick DeCicco
- Tom Flor
- John Forbes
- John Fritsch
- Joe GardiJoe GardiJoseph Gardi was an American football coach. He served sixteen years as the head coach for the Hofstra University football team.-Early life:Gardi was born in Harrison, New Jersey where he attended Harrison High School...
- Tom Gunderman
- Fred Hamilton
- Jim Hatter
- Ralph HawkinsRalph HawkinsRalph Hawkins was a former American football coach. He worked 35 years in the National Football League for nine teams. In addition to a long career as a college coach, Hawkins coached some of the top defensive units in the NFL.-Early years:Ralph Hawkins starred at St...
- Don HealyDon HealyMichael Donald Healy is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys. He also played professionally in the American Football League for the Buffalo Bills in 1962...
- Bill Johnstone
- Jim Joyce
- Fred Kern
- Ted Kershner
- Ron Laneve
- Bob Layman
- Dickie Lewis
- Wilbur Main
- Bill Martin
- Phil Perlo
- Bob Rusevlyan
- Victor Schwartz
- Kurt Schwarz
- Ben ScottiBen ScottiBenjamin Joseph Scotti is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League. A graduate of the University of Maryland , Scotti played for the Washington Redskins , the Philadelphia Eagles , and the San Francisco 49ers...
- Tom Stefl
- Bill Steppe
- Paul Tonetti
- Bill Turner
- Gene Verardi
The coaching staff consisted of:
- Tommy MontTommy MontThomas Allison "Tommy" Mont is an American educator, university administrator, college football coach, and NFL player. He played quarterback for the Washington Redskins as a back-up behind Sammy Baugh for three seasons. Mont served as the head football coach for three years at the University of...
, head coach - William Dovell
- Ed FullertonEd FullertonEdward Reno Fullerton is a former American football halfback and defensive back. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1953 NFL Draft and played one season in the National Football League...
- Jack HennemierJack HennemierJohn M. "Jack" Hennemier was an American football coach and scout. He served as the head coach for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League for one and a half seasons, and also held assistant coaching positions at several colleges, most notably, the University of Maryland, College...
- Johnny Idzik
- Fred Layman
- Roy LesterRoy LesterE. Roy Lester is an American former college and high school football coach. After a successful career at the high school level, he served as the head coach of the University of Maryland football team from 1969 to 1971. Lester was the school's fourth head coach in five years, and compiled a 7–25...
- Jim PeeblesJim Peebles (American football)James McAden Peebles was an American football end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Vanderbilt University....
- Bob Ward
Season
In the season opener, second-ranked Texas A&M1957 Texas A&M Aggies football team
The 1957 Texas A&M Aggies football team represented Texas A&M University in the 1957 college football season. The Aggies offense scored 158 points while the defense allowed 50points. Led by head coach Bear Bryant, the Aggies competed in the Gator Bowl....
beat Maryland, 21–13. Although defeated, the Daytona Beach Morning Journal called the Terrapins' effort "impressive". Before the game against , Mont worried about the inexperience of his team, particularly his quarterback Dickie Lewis and three sophomore linemen. The Wolfpack routed Maryland, 48–13, and NC State halfback Dick Christy
Dick Christy
Dick Christy is an American and former collegiate and professional football player. The 5'11", 191 lb. Christy was a star halfback at North Carolina State University from 1955 to 1957, leading them to the 1957 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in his senior year...
scored three touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s, which included a 96-yard kickoff return. Maryland did not tally until the third quarter, when back Howie Dare returned a kickoff for a score.
The following week, Maryland lost to fourth-ranked , 14–0, but escaped without any injuries, which The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
considered "a major victory in itself". Against Wake Forest, Mont put in third-string senior quarterback John Fritsch late in the first half. He led the team to score two touchdowns before halftime, and then led a 72-yard drive for the final score in the fourth quarter. Maryland won, 27–0.
The highlight of the season was the home game against 14th-ranked (3–1), which featured a return to College Park
College Park, Maryland
College Park is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, USA. The population was 30,413 at the 2010 census. It is best known as the home of the University of Maryland, College Park, and since 1994 the city has also been home to the "Archives II" facility of the U.S...
by former head coach Jim Tatum
Jim Tatum
James M. "Big Jim" Tatum was an American football and baseball player and coach. Tatum served as the head football coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , the University of Oklahoma , and the University of Maryland, College Park , compiling a career college football record of...
and the attendance of Elizabeth II. During a visit to the United States, the Queen had expressed a desire to watch her first game of American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
. In the first quarter, Maryland halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
Howard Dare 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...
d and North Carolina linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Jack Lineberger recovered the ball on the Terrapins' 44-yard line. North Carolina was subsequently forced to punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
, but recovered it at the Maryland 35 yard-line. On the ensuing possession, Tar Heel halfback Daley Goff rushed 11 yards for a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. In the third quarter, Maryland gained excellent field position when Goff received a bad punt snap, and the Terps took over on the Carolina 38-yard line. Maryland quarterback Bob Rusevlyan later scored on a one-yard sneak
Quarterback sneak
A quarterback sneak is a play in Canadian and American football in which the quarterback, upon taking the center snap, dives ahead while the offensive line surges forward...
. In the fourth quarter, halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
Ted Kershner broke away for an 81-yard touchdown run to take the lead, 14–7. Soon after, 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...
Jim Joyce capped a 67-yard drive with a 13-yard rush for a score. With a final result of 21–7, the Maryland players carried Mont to the Queen and Prince Philip's box. Mont said it was a day that "I will revel in for the rest of my life."
remained in control against Maryland throughout the game. Maryland kicked off to start the game, and Terrapins guard Rod Breedlove
Rod Breedlove
Rodney Winston Breedlove is a former American football linebacker who played eight seasons in the National Football League with the Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1960 to 1967...
recovered the ball on the Volunteers' 18-yard line. His team, however, was unable to convert for any points in its subsequent possession, and fell inches short of the end zone
End zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
. For the remainder of the game, Maryland was able to advance only once into opposing territory, and then to just the 37-yard line. Tennessee won, 16–0.
Maryland edged , 10–6, behind quarterback John Fritsch's first quarter field goal and a point after touchdown conversion on a score in the final quarter. A week later, Maryland recovered four Clemson 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, but the Tigers took control in the third quarter. Quarterback Harvey White
Harvey White
Harvey Talbert White was an American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who played for the American Football League's Boston Patriots. He was the first person to sign a Patriots contract on December 20 1959. He played in 3 games for the Patriots in 1960.-External links:*...
passed for two touchdowns, and tailback George Usry and fullback Bob Spooner each tallied as well. Clemson won with the final result of 26–7.
Maryland then met eight-point favorites , which boasted a stout defense. Fritsch gave the Terrapins an early lead with a first quarter field goal. Fullback Phil Perlo later scored on a short run, and quarterback Bob Rusevlyan's "accurate arm" connected with tailback Howie Dare for Maryland's final tally, which resulted in a 16–6 upset. Rusevlyan again led Maryland to victory, 12–0, in a mud-soaked season finale against .