1956 Maryland Terrapins football team
Encyclopedia
The 1956 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland
in National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) 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 assistant after Jim Tatum
left to take over at . Preseason hopes were high for the team, but it suffered numerous injuries and other misfortunes. Maryland finished with a 2–7–1 record, and the Associated Press
called it "one of the year's most disappointing football teams".
resigned on January 8, 1956 to take the same post at his alma mater, North Carolina
, and he was replaced by backfield coach Tommy Mont
. Mont was a former quarterback for Maryland and the Washington Redskins. Mont came with the personal recommendation of Tatum. Tatum also instructed his former players to stay at Maryland rather than follow him by transferring to North Carolina.
As head coach, Mont was unable to recruit the highly-skilled athletes that Tatum had consistently secured during his tenure. Rod Breedlove
, who played on freshman team in 1956 and started on the varsity squad thereafter, was an exception as one of the best guard
prospects in the nation. Due to the pressures associated with coaching a major college program, Mont eventually resigned as head coach after the 1958 season in order to take the same position at DePauw University
.
The coaching staff consisted of:
preseason poll
. The previous year, the freshman Terrapins finished with an undefeated record, and Sports Illustrated
had called it the "best freshman team in the entire South." Before resigning his post as head coach, Jim Tatum had said before the 1956 Orange Bowl, "Our 1956 squad will have the greatest potential of all, despite the loss of ten seniors."
The roster, however, was depleted by injuries and the team beset by bad luck in general. The 1957 edition of The Terrapin yearbook wrote the most serious blow to the team's prospects occurred when would-be starting quarterback Frank Tamburello was drafted
into the Army
. Maryland lost another returner when back Phil Perlo did not re-enroll at the school. In another twist of fate, the entire team had to be inoculated against jaundice
after starting halfback Howie Dare and a reserve center
were diagnosed with the malady. Dare would miss the entire season.
In the season opener, Syracuse
soundly defeated Maryland, 26–12, which in part, "rudely jolted" the preseason prognostications of many college football experts. After the Terrapins edged Wake Forest, 6–0, 16th-ranked handed Maryland its first shutout
, 14–0, in 70 games. The following week at the Orange Bowl
, 13th-ranked resorted to the air to beat Maryland, 13–6. After the loss, the Associated Press
called the Terrapins squad "one of the year's most disappointing football teams."
Led by former Terrapins' coach Jim Tatum
, North Carolina decisively beat Maryland, 34–6, in one of its two wins of the season. Both Carolina victories, however, were later vacated due to use of an ineligible player, although Maryland records still credit the Tar Heels with the win.
A week later, Johnny Majors
led third-ranked Tennessee
to beat Maryland, 34–7, and completed three touchdown passes while "hitting his receivers with the accuracy of a mountaineer rifleman." After a loss to , Maryland tied 11th-ranked Clemson, which had hoped to secure its invitation to the Orange Bowl as the ACC representative.
Maryland lost at , 13–0, and then traveled to Raleigh
to face . Maryland trailed in the second half, but a 103-yard interception return from the Terrapins' end zone
by back Dickie Lewis sparked a comeback. Maryland won, 25–14, to finish the season with a 2–7–1 mark.
After the season, The Baltimore Sun
described Mont and quarterback John Fritsch as "two of the biggest fall guys in college football this year" for events beyond their control.
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 fourth season
1956 college football season
The 1956 college football season saw the Sooners of the University of Oklahoma finish a third consecutive season unbeaten and untied to again win the national championship....
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 first-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 had been promoted from backfield assistant after 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...
left to take over at . Preseason hopes were high for the team, but it suffered numerous injuries and other misfortunes. Maryland finished with a 2–7–1 record, and 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...
called it "one of the year's most disappointing football teams".
Before the season
Maryland head coach Jim TatumJim 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...
resigned on January 8, 1956 to take the same post at his alma mater, 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...
, and he was replaced by backfield 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...
. Mont was a former quarterback for Maryland and the Washington Redskins. Mont came with the personal recommendation of Tatum. Tatum also instructed his former players to stay at Maryland rather than follow him by transferring to North Carolina.
As head coach, Mont was unable to recruit the highly-skilled athletes that Tatum had consistently secured during his tenure. 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...
, who played on freshman team in 1956 and started on the varsity squad thereafter, was an exception as one of the best guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
prospects in the nation. Due to the pressures associated with coaching a major college program, Mont eventually resigned as head coach after the 1958 season in order to take the same position at DePauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
.
Personnel
The 1956 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...
- Ronald Athey
- Al Beardsley
- Bill Burgly
- Fred Cole
- Nick DeCicco
- John Fritsch
- Fred Hamilton
- Jim Hatter
- 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...
- Ed Heuring
- Ted Kershner
- Charles Kichman
- George Kolarac
- Bill Kolmo
- Bob Layman
- Dickie Lewis
- Wilbur Main
- Bob Rusevlyan
- Mike SanduskyMike SanduskyMike Sandusky was a guard who played nine seasons in the National Football League. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1957 NFL Draft. Sandusky attended the University of Maryland.-External links:*...
- 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 Selep
- Jim Skarda
- Tom Stefl
- Bob Suchy
- Paul Tonetti
- Bill Turner
- Jean Waters
- Al Wharton
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 - 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...
- William Dovell
- Johnny Idzik, line coach
- 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...
, ends coach
- Joe MossJoe MossJoseph Charles Moss is an American former coach and player. He played college football at the University of Maryland and professional football in the National Football League with the Washington Redskins...
- 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
Maryland entered 1956 ranked number-six in the Associated PressAssociated 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...
preseason 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...
. The previous year, the freshman Terrapins finished with an undefeated record, and Sports Illustrated
Sports 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...
had called it the "best freshman team in the entire South." Before resigning his post as head coach, Jim Tatum had said before the 1956 Orange Bowl, "Our 1956 squad will have the greatest potential of all, despite the loss of ten seniors."
The roster, however, was depleted by injuries and the team beset by bad luck in general. The 1957 edition of The Terrapin yearbook wrote the most serious blow to the team's prospects occurred when would-be starting quarterback Frank Tamburello was drafted
Conscription in the United States
Conscription in the United States has been employed several times, usually during war but also during the nominal peace of the Cold War...
into the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. Maryland lost another returner when back Phil Perlo did not re-enroll at the school. In another twist of fate, the entire team had to be inoculated against jaundice
Jaundice
Jaundice is a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, the conjunctival membranes over the sclerae , and other mucous membranes caused by hyperbilirubinemia . This hyperbilirubinemia subsequently causes increased levels of bilirubin in the extracellular fluid...
after starting halfback Howie Dare and a reserve center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
were diagnosed with the malady. Dare would miss the entire season.
In the season opener, Syracuse
1956 Syracuse Orangemen football team
The 1956 Syracuse Orangemen football team represented Syracuse University in the 1956 NCAA University Division college football season. The offense scored 230 points, while the defense allowed 11 points. The Orange participated in the Cotton Bowl Classic, which was played on January 1,...
soundly defeated Maryland, 26–12, which in part, "rudely jolted" the preseason prognostications of many college football experts. After the Terrapins edged Wake Forest, 6–0, 16th-ranked handed Maryland its first 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....
, 14–0, in 70 games. The following week at the Orange Bowl
Miami Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl, formerly Burdine Stadium, was an outdoor athletic stadium in Miami, Florida, west of downtown in Little Havana. Considered a landmark, it was the home stadium for the Miami Hurricanes college football team...
, 13th-ranked resorted to the air to beat Maryland, 13–6. After the loss, 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...
called the Terrapins squad "one of the year's most disappointing football teams."
Led by former Terrapins' 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...
, North Carolina decisively beat Maryland, 34–6, in one of its two wins of the season. Both Carolina victories, however, were later vacated due to use of an ineligible player, although Maryland records still credit the Tar Heels with the win.
A week later, Johnny Majors
Johnny Majors
Johnny Majors is a former American football player and coach. A standout halfback at the University of Tennessee, he was an All-American in 1956 and a two-time winner of the Southeastern Conference Most Valuable Player award, in 1955 and 1956. He finished second to Paul Hornung in voting for...
led third-ranked Tennessee
1956 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 1956 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 1956 college football season. The Volunteers offense scored 275 points while the defense allowed 88 points. Bowden Wyatt was the team's head coach and led the club to an appearance in the Sugar...
to beat Maryland, 34–7, and completed three touchdown passes while "hitting his receivers with the accuracy of a mountaineer rifleman." After a loss to , Maryland tied 11th-ranked Clemson, which had hoped to secure its invitation to the Orange Bowl as the ACC representative.
Maryland lost at , 13–0, and then traveled to Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
to face . Maryland trailed in the second half, but a 103-yard interception return from the Terrapins' 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...
by back Dickie Lewis sparked a comeback. Maryland won, 25–14, to finish the season with a 2–7–1 mark.
After the season, 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....
described Mont and quarterback John Fritsch as "two of the biggest fall guys in college football this year" for events beyond their control.