1947 Toledo Rockets football team explained

Year:1947
Team:Toledo Rockets
Sport:football
Conference:Ohio Athletic Conference
Short Conf:OAC
Record:9–2
Conf Record:3–1
Head Coach:Bill Orwig
Hc Year:2nd
Captain:Tony Wolodzko
Stadium:Glass Bowl
Bowl:Glass Bowl
Bowl Result:W 20–14 vs. New Hampshire

The 1947 Toledo Rockets football team was an American football team that represented Toledo University (renamed the University of Toledo in 1967) in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) during the 1947 college football season. In their second season under head coach Bill Orwig, the Rockets compiled a 9–2 record (3–1 against OAC opponents), outscored all opponents by a combined total of 255 to 115, and defeated New Hampshire, 20–14, in the 1947 Glass Bowl game.[1] The 1947 season was the first nine-win season in program history, a feat that no Toledo team repeated until 1967.

Emerson Cole, who later played four years in the NFL, twice rushed for at least 200 yards in a game during the 1947 season.[2] Cole also set a school record (later broken) with 31 rushing touchdowns in 1947.[3] Lee Pete established a school record with a 65.2% pass completion percentage, a record that stood until 2001.[4] Peete also established a school record (later broken) with an 86-yard touchdown pass to Dave Hamlar.[5] Tony Wolodzko was the team captain.[6] Tackles Ted Zuchowski and Frank Pizza were selected in the 1948 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions, respectively.[7]

Toledo was ranked at No. 107 (out of 500 college football teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1947.[8]

After the season

NFL Draft

The following Rockets were selected in the 1948 NFL draft following the season.[9]

27247Frank PizzaTackleDetroit Lions
31290Ted ZuchowskiTacklePittsburgh Steelers

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Toledo Football 2015 Media Guide. University of Toledo. 2015. 181, 188.
  2. 2015 Media Guide, p. 72.
  3. 2015 Media Guide, p. 210.
  4. 2015 Media Guide, p. 206.
  5. 2015 Media Guide, p.207.
  6. 2015 Media Guide, p. 164.
  7. 2015 Media Guide, p. 175.
  8. News: Michigan National Champion in Final Litkenhous Ratings. Times. Dr. E. E. Litkenhous. December 18, 1947. 47. Newspapers.com.
  9. Web site: 1948 NFL Draft Listing. Pro-Football-Reference.com. July 29, 2023.