Hillsdale

The 1946 Hillsdale Dales football team was an American football team that represented Hillsdale College in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1946 college football season. In their first year under head coach David M. Nelson, the Dales compiled a 7–1 record (4–1 against MIAA opponents), tied for the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 193 to 50.^[3][4]

Although recognized as co-champions with Kalamazoo College, Hillsdale defeated Kalamazoo, 20-0. Asked about a possible playoff game at the end of the season, coach Nelson said: "No playoff is needed. We beat Kalamazoo, 20 to 0, during the season. That shows which is the better ball club."^[5]

Nelson, who had played in the Michigan backfield with Tom Harmon, Forest Evashevski, and Bob Westfall, was hired as Hillsdale's athletic director in February 1946.^[6] He had served 41 months in the Navy during World War II. His hiring raised Hillsdale's profile, and he assembled a team of 50 players, 47 of whome were former service men. At least 15 of them were out-of-state men who Nelson had met while serving in the Pacific Theater. In August 1946, Nelson noted: "I have so many ex-marines coming out for the team . . . that we should have the situation well in hand."^[7] Nelson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.^[8]

Hillsdale backs Tom Ward and Bill Young were known as the Dales' "touchdown twins".^[9] The pair led the state in scoring with 12 touchdowns and 72 points each. Young also tallied 997 rushing yards in just eight games.^[10] Young was selected by his teammates as the team's most valuable player.^[11]

Four Hillsdale players received first-team honors from the Associated Press (AP) on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team: Young and Ward at back; Alex Clelland at center; and John Masterson at tackle. In addition, back George Albright received second-team honors.^[12]'

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 27	Ferris Institute*	Hillsdale, MI	W 44–0
September 27	at Albion	Albion, MI	L 6–13	[13]
October 12	Kalamazoo	Hillsdale, MI	W 20–0	[14]
October 19	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 33–6
October 26	Michigan State Normal*	Hillsdale, MI	W 18–7	[15][16]
November 1	at Alma	Alma, MI	W 19–0	[17]
November 9	Hope	Hillsdale, MI	W 21–20	[18]
November 16	Lawrence Tech*	Hillsdale, MI	W 32–13	[19]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

^[20]

Kalamazoo

The 1946 Kalamazoo Hornets football team represented Kalamazoo College of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In their second non-consecutive year under head coach Bob Nulf, the Hornets compiled a 6–2 record (4–1 against MIAA opponents), tied for the MIAA championship, shut out four of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 145 to 45.^[21]

Kalamazoo's football team included 11 players from the South Bend, Indiana, area.^[22] The leading scorers were Tom Shopoff (42 points) and Bob Reed (41 points).^[23] Shopoff and guard V. Marandino were first-team picks on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team.^[12]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 27	Adrian	Kalamazoo, MI	W 20–0
October 4	Detroit Tech*	Kalamazoo, MI	W 27–6		[24]
October 12	Hillsdale	Hillsdale, MI	L 0–20		[14]
October 19	Hope	Kalamazoo, MI	W 13–0	5,500	[25]
October 26	at Albion	Albion, MI	W 24–0	> 3,000	[26]
November 1	Kent State*	Kalamazoo, MI	L 0–12		[27]
November 8	Alma	Kalamazoo, MI	W 41–7		[28]
November 16	Defiance*	Kalamazoo, MI	W 20–0	500	[29]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Hope

The 1946 Hope Flying Dutchmen football team represented Hope College of Hope, Michigan. In their first year under head coach Al Vanderbush, the Dutchmen compiled a 6–2 record (3–2 against MIAA opponents), finished in third place in the MIAA, shut out five of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 160 to 40.^[30]

Two Hope players, quarterback Nick Yonker and end Dan Schriemer, were selected as first-team players on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team. Yoner was a unanimous pick.^[12]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 20	Ferris Institute*	Holland, MI	W 38–6		[31][32]
September 27	at Albion	Albion, MI	W 26–0		[33]
October 4	Michigan State Normal*	Holland, MI	W 13–0		[34]
October 10	at Grand Rapids Junior College*	Grand Rapids, MI	W 20–0		[35]
October 19	at Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	L 0–13	5,500	[25]
October 26	Alma	Holland, MI	W 24–0	6,000	[36]
November 2	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 19–0		[37]
November 16	at Hillsdale	Hillsdale, MI	L 20–21		[18]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Albion

The 1946 Albion Britons football team represented Albion College of Albion, Michigan. In their ninth and final year under head coach Dale R. Sprankle, the Britons compiled a 3–5 record (2–3 against MIAA opponents), finished in a tie for fourth place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 130 to 67.^[38]

Two Albion players, end Ben Fies and guard Charles Clark, were selected as first-team players on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team. Back Robert Mohr was named to the second team.^[12]

Alma

The 1946 Alma Scots football team represented Alma College of Alma, Michigan. In their first year under head coach Steve Sebo, the Scots compiled a 2–5 record (2–3 against MIAA opponents), finished in a tie for fourth place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 117 to 59.^[38]

Alma back Max Tullis was selected as a first-team player on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team. Tackle Kenneth Swanson and guard Gayle Sexton were named to the second team.^[12]

Adrian

The 1946 Adrian Bulldogs football team represented Adrian College of Adrian, Michigan. Led by first-year head coach Lyman E. Abbott, the Bulldogs compiled a 0–8 record (0–5 against MIAA opponents), finished in last place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 159 to 12.^[44]

Adrian tackle James Staup was selected as a first-team player on the 1946 All-Star M.I.A.A. football team.^[12]