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1951 Stanford Indians football
PCC Champions
Rose Bowl vs. Illinois, L 7–40
ConferencePacific Coast Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 7
APNo. 7
1951 record9–2 (6–1 PCC)
Head coachChuck Taylor (1st season)
Home stadiumStanford Stadium
Seasons
← 1950
1952 →
1951 PCC football standings
v · d · e Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#7 Stanford 6 1 0     9 2 0
#17 UCLA 4 1 1     5 3 1
#12 California 5 2 0     8 2 0
USC 4 2 0     7 3 0
#18 Washington State 4 3 0     7 3 0
Oregon State 3 5 0     4 6 0
Washington 1 5 1     3 6 1
Oregon 1 6 0     2 8 0
Idaho 0 3 0     2 7 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1951 Stanford Indians football team represented Stanford University in the 1951 college football season. Stanford was led by first-year head coach Chuck Taylor. The team was a member of the Pacific Coast Conference and played their home games at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California.

Coaching change[]

The 1950 season had ended in disappointing fashion after high expectations and a fast start. Head coach Marchmont Schwartz had resigned following the season,[1] and to replace him, Stanford hired Chuck Taylor, a former Stanford All-American guard and member of Stanford's undefeated 1940 team which defeated Nebraska in the 1941 Rose Bowl.[2]

Season summary[]

Led by the passing attack of senior quarterback Gary Kerkorian and senior end Bill McColl, Stanford ran out to a 9–0 start and took a #3 ranking into the Big Game, where they were 13-point favorites over rival California.[3] Cal upset the Indians 20–7, but as PCC champions, Stanford was invited to the 1952 Rose Bowl against Big 10 champion and 4th-ranked Illinois.[4] The Indians led at halftime 7–6 and trailed only 13–7 to start the fourth quarter, but a 27-point scoring outburst gave the Fighting Illini a convincing 40–7 victory.[4]

Schedule[]

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result
September 23 vs. Oregon Multnomah StadiumPortland, OR W 27–20  
September 29* San Jose State Stanford StadiumStanford, CA (Rivalry) W 26–13  
October 6* at Michigan Michigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI W 23–13  
October 13 UCLA #19 Stanford Stadium • Stanford, CA W 21–7  
October 20* Santa Clara #13 Stanford Stadium • Stanford, CA W 21–14  
October 27 at Washington #11 Husky StadiumSeattle, WA W 14–7  
November 3 #16 Washington State #11 Stanford Stadium • Stanford, CA W 21–13  
November 10 at #6 USC #7 Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA W 27–20  
November 17 Oregon State #4 Stanford Stadium • Stanford, CA W 35–14  
November 24 #19 California #3 Stanford Stadium • Stanford, CA (54th Big Game) L 7–20  
January 1, 1952 vs. #4 Illinois #8 Rose BowlPasadena, CA (Rose Bowl) L 7–40  
*Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll.

Aftermath[]

Taylor, at 31 the youngest major college football coach, was named AFCA Coach of the Year, the only time a Stanford coach has received the award.[5] In addition to numerous awards, McColl was a Consensus All-American, finished fourth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, and would go on to a seven-year professional career with the Chicago Bears.[6] Kerkorian was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and backed up Johnny Unitas with the Baltimore Colts.

Players drafted by the NFL[]

Player Position Round Pick NFL Club
Bill McColl End 3 32 Chicago Bears
Bob Meyers Halfback 16 190 San Francisco 49ers
Dick Horn Quarterback 17 194 Dallas Texans
Gary Kerkorian Quarterback 19 222 Pittsburgh Steelers
Harry Hugasian Halfback 21 242 Dallas Texans

[7]

References[]

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