1955 Ohio Athletic Conference football season

The 1955 Ohio Athletic Conference football season was the season of college football played by the 14 member schools of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), commonly referred to as the "Ohio Conference", as part of the 1955 college football season.

The Muskingum Fighting Muskies, in their eleventh season under head coach Ed Sherman, won the OAC championship with an 8–0 record (7–0 against OAC opponents).

The Heidelberg Student Princes, led by tenth-year head coach Paul Hoernemann, finished in second place with a 9–0 record (5–0 against OAC opponents).

Teams

Muskingum

The 1955 Muskingum Fighting Muskies football team represented Muskingum University of New Concord, Ohio. In their eleventh season under head coach Ed Sherman, the Fighting Muskies compiled a perfect 8–0 record (7–0 against OAC opponents), won the OAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 291 to 60. It was Muskingum's first conference championship since 1950 and its first perfect season since 1931.

Sherman won the "Ohio college football coach of the year" award, based on a poll of Ohio coaches. He defeated Doyt Perry and Ara Parseghian who finished second and third.

The 1955 season was one of four perfect seasons in Muskingum football history, along with 1926, 1931, and 1960.

The team played its home games at McConagha Stadium in New Concord, Ohio.

Heidelberg

The 1955 Heidelberg Student Princes football team represented Heidelberg College of Tiffin,Ohio. In their tenth year under head coach Paul Hoernemann, the Student Princes compiled a 9–0 record (5–0 against conference opponents), finished in second place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 253 to 96.

The team's statistical leaders included halfback Walter Livingston with 931 rushing yards, 178 receiving yards, and 102 points scored, and quarterback Bryan Powers with 596 passing yards. Three Heidelberg players were selected as first-team players on the International News Service's All-Ohio Conference football team: Livingston; back Roy King; and guard Jerry Zimmerman.

The 1955 season was the third perfect season in Heidelberg football history. Other perfect seasons were 1930, 1948, and 1972.

Akron

The 1955 Akron Zips football team represented the University of Akron. In its second season under head coach Joe McMullen, the team compiled a 6–2 record (6–2 against OAC opponents), finished in second place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 245 to 73. Mario Russo was the team captain. The team played its home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio.

Wooster

The 1955 Wooster Fighting Scots football team represented the College of Wooster of Wooster, Ohio. In their seventh year under head coach Philip L. Shpe, the Fighting Scots compiled a 2–4–2 record (2–4–2 against OAC opponents), the Fighting Scots finished in fourth place in the OAC, and were outscored opponents by a total of 245 to 163.

Hiram

The 1955 Hiram Terriers football team represented the Hiram College of Hiram, Ohio. In their second year under head coach Edward Chupa, the Terriers compiled a 5–3 record (3–2 against OAC opponents), finished in fifth place in the OAC, and were outscored opponents by a total of 144 to 136.

Capital

The 1955 Capital Crusaders football team represented Capital University of Columbus, Ohio. The Crusaders compiled a 5–3 record (4–3 against OAC opponents), finished in sixth place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 224 to 147.

Denison

The 1955 Denison Big Red football team represented Denison University of Granville, Ohio. In their second year under head coach Keith W. Piper, the Big Red compiled a 4–3–2 record (3–3–2 against OAC opponents), tied for seventh place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 146 to 144.

Wittenberg

The 1955 Wittenberg Tigers football team represented the Wittenberg University of Springfield, Ohio. In their first year under head coach Bill Edwards, the Tigers compiled a 4–3–2 record (3–3–2 against OAC opponents), finished in a tie for seventh place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 154 to 119.

Ohio Wesleyan

The 1955 Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops football team represented the Wittenberg University of Delaware, Ohio. In their ninth year under head coach Glenn Fraser, the Battling Bishops compiled a 3–4–2 record (1–2–2 against OAC opponents), finished in ninth place in the OAC, and outscored opponents by a total of 173 to 171.

Otterbein

The 1955 Otterbein Cardinals football team represented Otterbein University of Westerville, Ohio. In their first season under head coach Bob Agler, the Cardinals compiled a 2–5–1 record (2–4–1 against OAC opponents), finished in tenth place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 226 to 84.

Mount Union

The 1955 Mount Union Purple Raiders football team represented the University of Mount Union of Alliance, Ohio. In their sixth and final season under head coach Nelson M. Jones, the Purple Raiders compiled a 1–5–2 record (1–5–1 against OAC opponents), finished in eleventh place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 174 to 95.

Kenyon

The 1955 Kenyon Lords football team represented Kenyon College of Gambier, Ohio. In their third year under head coach William C. Stiles, the Lords compiled a 0–7 record (0–4 against OAC opponents), finished in a three-way tie for last place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 207 to 19.

Marietta

The 1955 Marietta Pioneers football team represented the Marietta College of Marietta, Ohio. In their fourth year under head coach John R. Smith, the Pioneers compiled a 0–8 record (0–5 against OAC opponents), finished in a three-way tie for last place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 243 to 40.

Oberlin

The 1955 Oberlin Yeomen football team represented Oberlin College of Oberlin, Ohio. In their 26th season under head coach Lysle K. Butler, the Cardinals compiled a 0–8 record (0–5 against OAC opponents) and finished in a three-way tie for last place in the OAC.

All-conference team

The following players received honors on the All-Ohio Conference football teams:

• Ends: Rudy Visnich, Muskingum (INS-1); Fritz Stafford, Capital (INS-1)
• Tackles: Howard Collins, Muskingum (INS-1); Bill Wagner, Denison (INS-1)
• Guards: Mario Russo, Akron (INS-1); Jerry Zimmerman, Heidelberg (INS-1)
• Center: Curt Rehfuss, Mount Union (INS-1); Jack Lofstrom, Muskingum (INS-2)
• Quarterback: Joe McDaniel, Muskingum (INS-1); Dick Zahn, Hiram (INS-2)
• Backs: Walt Livingston, Heidelberg (INS-1); Dick Jacobs, Wooster (INS-1); Roy King, Heidelberg (INS-1); Tom Dingle, Wooster (INS-2); Gene Urbanski, Wittenberg (INS-2); Ben Kimbrough, Akron (INS-2)

References