1943 Western Michigan Broncos football team

The 1943 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Michigan College of Education (later renamed Western Michigan University) as an independent during the 1943 college football season. In their second season under head coach John Gill, the Broncos compiled a 4–2 record and outscored their opponents, 151 to 89.[1][2] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[3] Halfback Bob Mellen was the team captain.[4] Fullback August Camarata received the team's most outstanding player award.[5] The team won two games by over 50 points across the season.[6]

1943 Western Michigan Broncos football
ConferenceIndependent
Record4–2
Head coach
MVPAugust Camarata
CaptainBob Mellen
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
Seasons
← 1942
1944 →
1943 Midwestern college football independents records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Michigan State Normal     2 0 0
DePauw     5 0 1
No. 1 Notre Dame     9 1 0
Miami (OH)     7 2 1
Western Michigan     4 2 0
Bowling Green     5 3 1
Marquette     3 4 1
Central Michigan     2 3 0
Ohio Wesleyan     4 6 0
Xavier     1 6 0
Wayne     0 3 0
Rankings from AP Poll

In the final Litkenhous Ratings, Western Michigan ranked 59th among the nation's college and service teams with a rating of 81.3.[7]

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 18at Central Michigan W 19–0
September 25at MichiganL 6–5714,008
October 2Alma
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 54–0
October 9Xavier
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 60–0[8]
October 16Miami (OH)
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 6–0[9][10]
November 6 No. 18 Great Lakes Navy
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 6–329,500[11]
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

References

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  1. ^ "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1940 - 49". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "Waldo Stadium". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "Football History: Team Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. ^ Litkenhous, E. E. (December 17, 1943). "Litkenhouse Selects U. S. Grid Leaders". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. p. 18. Retrieved April 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  8. ^ "Broncs roll over Xavier eleven, 60–0". Detroit Free Press. October 10, 1943. Retrieved May 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Unbeaten Miami Is Foe in Bronco Homecoming". Detroit Free Press. October 16, 1943. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Miami's Unbeaten Mark Falls Before Western Michigan, 6-0". The Cincinnati Enquirer. October 17, 1943. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Sailors Hang 32 to 6 Defeat on W. Michigan". Chicago Sunday Tribune. October 31, 1943. p. II-4 – via Newspapers.com.