1954 Navy Midshipmen football team explained
The 1954 Navy Midshipmen football team represented the United States Naval Academy (USNA) as an independent during the 1954 college football season. The team was led by fifth-year head coach Eddie Erdelatz,[1] [2] and they acquired the nickname "Team Named Desire" during the press conference following the 25–0 road shutout of Stanford, when Erdelatz said, "Every man on this team is full of desire."[3]
After defeating #5 Army in Philadelphia,[4] the Midshipmen were ranked fifth in both final polls, released in late November, and played in their first bowl game in 31 years. Navy shut out #6 Ole Miss 21–0 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Year's Day.[5] [6]
Personnel
[7]
Game summaries
Sugar Bowl vs Ole Miss
See main article: 1955 Sugar Bowl.
- Welsh 8/14 passing
- Gattuso (MVP) 111 rush yds, 2 TD
- Weaver 106 rush yds, TD, 3 PAT
[5]
Notes and References
- Web site: Football History. United States Naval Academy. July 12, 2015. 192. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075720/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/navy/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/History-2014-Guide.pdf. dead.
- Web site: Navy Yearly Results (1950-1954). David DeLassus. College Football Data Warehouse. July 14, 2015. July 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150715105511/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/n/navy/1950-1954_yearly_results.php. dead.
- News: Navy inspired to honor 1954 'Team Named Desire' . Capital Gazette . (Annapolis, Maryland) . Wagner . Bill . October 29, 2015 . February 11, 2020.
- News: Middies' desire deflates Cadets . Spokesman-Review . Spokane, Washington) . Associated Press . November 28, 1954 . 1, sports.
- News: Navy swamps Mississippi, 21-0 before 82,500 fans in Sugar Bowl . Pittsburgh Press . United Press . January 2, 1955 . 1, section 3.
- News: Daring Midshipmen scuttle Mississippi 21-0 in Sugar . Spokesman-Review . Spokane, Washington) . Associated Press . Claassen . Harold . January 2, 1955 . 1, sports.
- News: Navy, Mississippi numbers . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . January 1, 1955 . 10.
