College Football in History

• 1869-11-06 1st US college football game, players used their hands or feet, Rutgers 6 Princeton 4
• 1875-11-13 Harvard-Yale game is 1st college football contest with uniforms
• 1892-12-27 Biddle University beats Livingstone College 5-0 in 1st black college football game, in Salisbury, North Carolina

• 1896-02-08 Western Conference forms to be first Western college football season, later renamed Big 10 Conference

• 1925-12-26 1st East-West Shrine Bowl game of college football 'all-stars' played before 25,000 fans at Ewing Park, San Francisco. Proceeds continue to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.
• 1932-11-19 Joe Kershalla scores 71 points in a college football game
• 1939-09-30 In the first televised college football game, Fordham beats Waynesburg, 34-7 at Randalls Island, NY
• 1945-11-10 College football's #1 Army beats #2 Notre Dame 48-0
• 1980-09-06 US College football longest losing streak of 50 games ends for Macalester College (St. Paul)
• 1981-11-28 Bear Bryant wins his 315th game to out distance Almos Alonzo Stagg, becomes college football's winningest coach

• 1984-06-27 Supreme Court ends NCAA monopoly on college football telecasts
• 1984-12-21 Brigham Young University (BYU) beats Michigan, 24-17 in the Holiday Bowl at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego to remain undefeated and secure their first ever NCAA Division I-A football title
• 1985-08-23 Paul Hornung awarded $1,160,000 by a Louisville court against NCAA who barred him as a college football analyst for betting on games
• 1988-01-01 Miami beats Oklahoma for college football championship
• 1988-12-19 Oklahoma's College football team gets 3 year probation
• 1990-01-10 NCAA approves random drug testing for college football players
• 1990-12-28 Blockbuster Bowl 1: Florida State beats Penn State, 24-17
• 1991-12-28 Blockbuster Bowl 2: Alabama beats Colorado, 30-25
• 1993-01-01 Blockbuster Bowl 3: Stanford beats Penn State, 24-3
• 1994-01-01 Carquest Bowl 4: Boston College beats Virginia, 32-13
• 1995-01-02 Carquest Bowl 5: South Carolina beats West Virginia, 24-21
• 1995-12-30 Carquest Bowl 6: North Carolina beats Arkansas, 20-10
• 1996-09-28 Troy Davis of Iowa State ran for 378 yards, 3rd highest in college football games (others: Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas & Alabama)
• 1996-12-27 Carquest Bowl 7: Miami beats Virginia, 31-21
• 1997-07-31 College Football's all-time winningest coach Eddie Robinson and his Grambling State University program are placed on 2-years' probation for rules violations, including recruiting and academic eligibility
• 1997-12-29 Carquest Bowl 8: Georgia Tech beats West Virginia, 35-30
• 2003-11-01 Arkansas beats Kentucky 71-63 in 7 OTs at Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington; ties NCAA record for longest game in college football history
• 2003-11-01 John Gagliardi ties Eddie Robinson as college football's career victory leader with his 408th win, guiding Division III St. John's to a 15-12 victory over St.Thomas at St. Paul, Minnesota
• 2007-01-03 High profile Miami Dolphins NFL head coach Nick Saban resigns after agreeing to return to college football and take head coaching job at Alabama
• 2007-09-01 In one of the biggest upsets in college football history, 109,218 fans see Appalachian State's Corey Lynch block a Jason Gingell 37-yard field goal attempt with 6 seconds remaining to inspire an epic 34-32 win v Michigan at Ann Arbor
• 2019-12-28 49th Fiesta Bowl (College Football Playoff semifinal), #3 Clemson beats #2 Ohio State, 29-23
• 2019-12-28 52nd Peach Bowl (College Football Playoff semi final): #1 LSU beats #4 Oklahoma, 63-28
• 2020-10-27 Organizers of 96th East-West Shrine Bowl college football all-star game, benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children, announce cancellation of game scheduled for January 23, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Florida, due to COVID-19 issues. The

Birthdays 1 - 100 of 231

• 1867-12-20 Pudge Heffelfinger, American College Football Hall of Fame guard (3 x All American, Yale; first professional player 1892) and coach (Cal, Lehigh, Minnesota), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota (d. 1954)
• 1868-11-28 William H. Lewis, American College football center and coach (first African-American selected as an All-American; Harvard), born in Berkley, Virginia (d. 1949)
• 1871-04-02 Marshall Newell, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Harvard; All-American 1890-93) and coach (Cornell, Tufts), born in Springfield, Massachusetts (d. 1897)
• 1872-10-31 James Hogan, Irish College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Yale), born in Glenbane, County Tipperary, Ireland (d. 1910)
• 1880-04-02 Harold Weekes, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Columbia University; All American 1901), born in Oyster Bay, New York (d. 1950)
• 1883-03-01 Tom Shevlin, American College Football Hall of Fame end (Consensus All-American 1902, 04, 05; National C'ship 1902, 05; Yale University), born in Muskegon, Michigan (d. 1915)
• 1883-12-10 Jesse Harper, American College Football HOF coach (Notre Dame 57–17–7 [football; 67–29 [basketball]; 88–53–1 [baseball]), born in Paw Paw, Illinois (d. 1961)
• 1884-04-01 Hugo Bezdek, Czech American College Football Hall of Fame coach (University of Oregon, University of Arkansas, Penn State; NFL: Cleveland Browns; MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates), born in Prague, Czech Republic (d. 1952)
• 1888-03-04 Knute Rockne, American College Football HOF coach, (National C'ships 1924, 29, 30 Notre Dame; record 105–12–5), born in Voss, Norway (d. 1931)
• 1891-07-02 Gus Dorais, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Notre Dame), coach (Gonzaga, Detroit Lions), born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (d. 1954)
• 1892-12-01 Charlie Bachman, American College Football Hall of Fame guard and coach (Notre Dame, Florida, Michigan State), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1985)
• 1893-11-03 Charley Barrett, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Cornell undefeated National C'ship 1915), born in Bellevue, Pennsylvania (d. 1924)
• 1893-12-06 Lou Little [Luigi Piccolo], American college football hall of fame coach (elected 1960), born in Leominster, Massachusetts (d. 1979)
• 1894-07-30 Carl Snavely, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Bucknell, North Carolina, Cornell 180–96–16), born in Omaha, Nebraska (d. 1975)
• 1894-12-03 Bert Baston, American College Football Hall of Fame end (University of Minnesota), born in St. Louis Park, Minnesota (d. 1979)
• 1897-02-15 Earl Blaik, American College Football coach (NCAA C'ship 1944–46; AFCA Coach of the Year 1946; Army) and executive (AD Army 1948–59, born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 1989)

• 1897-04-01 Doc Alexander, American College Football Hall of Fame guard (Syracuse; All Pro 1921, 22; Rochester Jeffersons; NFL C'ship 1925; NY Giants), born in Silver Creek, New York (d. 1975)
• 1898-01-15 Dutch Meyer, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (National C'ship 1935, 38; TCU), born in Ellinger, Texas (d. 1982)
• 1899-03-28 Buck Shaw, American College Football HOF coach (NC State, Nevada, Santa Clara, California, Air Force; NFL: SF 49ers; NFL Championship 1960 Philadelphia Eagles), born in Mitchellville, Iowa (d. 1977)
• 1900-10-31 Cal Hubbard, American Baseball HOF umpire (AL 1936-51) and Pro/College Football HOF tackle (4 × NFL C'ship 1927, 29–31; 4 × First-team All-Pro; NY Giants, GB Packers), born in Keytesville, Missouri (d. 1977)
• 1901-01-01 Century Milstead, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Yale; NFL C'ship 1927, NY Giants), born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania (d. 1963)
• 1901-08-02 Charlie Caldwell, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Williams, Princeton), born in Bristol, Virginia (d. 1957)
• 1901-12-04 Adam Walsh, American College Football Hall of Fame center and coach (Notre Dame; Bowdoin), born in Churchville, Iowa (d. 1985)
• 1902-10-03 Pappy Waldorf, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle and coach (Northwestern, California), born in Clifton Springs, New York (d. 1981)
• 1903-05-04 Elmer Layden, College Football Hall of Fame fullback (Notre Dame legendary 4-horsemen, 1st NFL Commissioner), born in Davenport, Iowa (d. 1973)
• 1905-02-17 Andy Oberlander, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Dartmouth College; National C'ship 1954), born in Chelsea, Massachusetts (d. 1968)
• 1905-04-17 Herb Joesting, College Football Hall of Fame halfback/fullback (Uni of Minnesota; Chicago Bears), born in Little Falls, Minnesota (d. 1963)
• 1905-05-01 Chris 'Red' Cagle, College Football Hall of Fame halfback (All American 1927, 28, 29; Army; NFL: New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers), born in DeRidder, Louisiana (d. 1942)
• 1906-10-11 Dutch Clark, American Pro/College Football HOF back (Colorado College; 6 × First-team All-Pro; 3 × NFL rushing TD leader & NFL scoring leader; Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions), born in Fowler, Colorado (d. 1978)
• 1907-07-01 Bill Stern, American sportscaster (first televised college football game), born in Rochester, New York (d. 1971)
• 1908-02-01 Albie Booth, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Yale University), born in New Haven, Connecticut (d. 1959)

• 1910-01-05 Ed Widseth, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (University of Minnesota; Pro Bowl 1938; NY Giants), born in Gonvick, Minnesota (d. 1998)
• 1910-05-01 Cliff Battles, American College/Pro Football HOF halfback (West Virginia Wesleyan College; 3 x First-Team All-Pro; NFL rushing yards leader 1932, 37; Boston Braves/Redskins, Washington Redskins), born in Akron, Ohio (d. 1981)
• 1911-10-01 Herman Hickman, American College Football Hall of Fame guard, coach and broadcaster (Army, Yale), born in Johnson City, Tennessee (d. 1958)
• 1911-10-26 Sid Gillman, Pro & College Football Hall of Fame end (Ohio State U) and coach (U of Cincinnati, LA Rams, Houston Oilers), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota (d. 2003)
• 1911-12-13 Buzz Borries, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Navy 1932–34), born in Louisville, Kentucky (d. 1969)
• 1913-02-14 Woody Hayes, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (National C'ship 1954, 57, 61, 68, 70; Ohio State), born in Clifton, Ohio (d. 1987)

• 1914-03-19 Jay Berwanger, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (1st Heisman Trophy winner 1935, Chicago), born in Dubuque, Iowa (d. 2002)
• 1915-02-01 Gus Tinsley, American College Football Hall of Fame end and coach (All-American 1935, 36; coach LSU 1948-55; NFL: Chicago Cardinals), born in Ruple, Louisiana (d. 2002)
• 1915-04-13 Bob Devaney, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (National C'ship, University of Nebraska 1970, 71; University of Wyoming; career record 136–30–7), born in Saginaw, Michigan (d. 1997)
• 1915-05-30 Larry Kelley, American College Football Hall of Fame tight end (Heisman Trophy 1936; Unanimous All-American 1936; Yale), born in Hightstown, New Jersey (d. 2000)
• 1915-09-13 Clint Frank, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1937; Yale), born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1992)
• 1915-12-29 Bill Osmanski, American College Football HOF fullback (Holy Cross; NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43, 46; 3 × Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1939; Chicago Bears), born in Providence, Rhode Island (d. 1996)
• 1916-04-23 Bud Wilkinson, American college football coach (Oklahoma), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota (d. 1994)
• 1916-06-01 Ki Aldrich, American College Football Hall of Fame linebacker (TCU; Pro Bowl 1939, 42; Chicago Cardinals, Washington Redskins), born in Rogers, Texas (d. 1983)
• 1917-06-22 Davey O'Brien, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1938, Texas Christian University; NFL: Philadelphia Eagles), born in Dallas, Texas (d. 1977)
• 1917-10-24 Marshall Goldberg, American College Football HOF back (Uni of Pittsburgh; All Pro, Pro Bowl 1941; Chicago Cardinals), born in Elkins, West Virginia (d. 2006)
• 1918-03-05 Paul Christman, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (University of Missouri; All-Pro 1946, 47; Chicago Cardinals, Green Bay Packers), born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1970)
• 1918-07-09 Nile Kinnick Jr., American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1939; University of Iowa), born in Adel, Iowa (d. 1943)
• 1919-02-13 Eddie Robinson, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Grambling 408 wins), born in Jackson, Louisiana (d. 2007)

• 1919-11-10 Bulldog Turner, American Pro/College Football HOF center (Hardin–Simmons Uni; 7 × First-team All-Pro; 4 x Pro Bowl; Chicago Bears), born in Plains, Texas (d. 1998)
• 1920-02-08 Bruce Smith, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1941, U of Minnesota; NFL: Green Bay Packers), born in Faribault, Minnesota (d. 1967)
• 1920-10-10 Frank Sinkwich, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1942, U of Georgia; NFL Draft #1 pick Detroit Lions 1943; NFL MVP 1944), born in Starjak, Croatia (d. 1990)
• 1921-06-18 Angelo Bertelli, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1943, National C'ship 1943, Notre Dame), born in West Springfield, Massachusetts (d. 1999)
• 1921-10-12 Les Horvath, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback and halfback (Heisman Trophy 1944; first Ohio State player to win the award; National C'ship 1942), born in South Bend, Indiana (d. 1995)
• 1922-07-01 Don Whitmire, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Alabama, Navy - All American at both), born in Giles County, Tennessee (d. 1991)
• 1923-05-21 Ara Parseghian, American College Football HOF coach (Northwestern; NCAA C'ship 1966, 73 Notre Dame), born in Akron, Ohio (d. 2017)
• 1923-07-05 John McKay, American College Football HOF coach (4 x NCAA C'ship 1962, 67, 72, 74 ; 5 x Rose Bowl USC; NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976-84), born in Everettville, West Virginia (d. 2001)
• 1923-10-22 Pete Pihos, American Pro/College Football HOF end (Indiana University; 6 x Pro Bowl; 6 × First-team All-Pro; Philadelphia Eagles), born in Orlando, Florida (d. 2011)
• 1924-10-17 Don Coryell, American College/Pro Football HOF coach (NCAA Division champion 1966, 67, 68 San Diego State; St. Louis Cardinals, SD Chargers), born in Seattle, Washington (d. 2010)
• 1924-12-11 Doc Blanchard, American College Football Hall of Fame fullback (Heisman Trophy 1945; National C'ship 1944, 45, 46; Army), born in McColl, South Carolina (d. 2009)
• 1924-12-26 Glenn Davis, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1946; National C'ship 1944, 45, 46; Army; NFL: LA Rams), born in Claremont, California (d. 2005)
• 1924-12-29 Warren Amling, American College Football Hall of Fame guard (Ohio State), born in Pana, Illinois (d. 2001)
• 1925-01-04 Johnny Lujack, American College Football HOF quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1947; National C'ship 1943, 46-47; Notre Dame; Pro Bowl 1950-51; Chicago Bears), born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania (d. 2023)
• 1925-01-30 Chalmers "Bump" Elliott, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback and coach (U of Michigan) and college athletics administrator (Iowa), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2019)
• 1925-05-01 Chuck Bednarik, Pro/College Football HOF center/linebacker (Uni of Pennsylvania; NFL C'ship 1949, 60; 10 × First-team All-Pro; 8 × Pro Bowl; Philadelphia Eagles), born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (d. 2015)
• 1926-12-21 Joe Paterno, American College Football HOF coach (Penn State 1966-2011; NCAA C'ship 1982, 86; Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of 1986), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 2012)
• 1927-04-26 John Ralston, American College Football Hall of Fame linebacker, coach and executive (Cal, Stanford, Denver Broncos), born in Oakland, California (d. 2019)
• 1927-09-25 LeRoy Pearce, American collegiate athlete and college football coach, 1950-70 (University of Miami, University of Tennessee, University of Arkansas, and 3 others), born in Casper, Wyoming (d. 2014)
• 1927-11-13 John Pont, American college football coach (Miami, Yale, Northwestern, Indiana), born in Canton, Ohio (d. 2008)
• 1927-12-26 Bill Yeoman, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (University of Houston 1962-86; record 160–108–8), born in Elnora, Indiana (d. 2020)
• 1928-10-18 Keith Jackson, American sportscaster (ABC Monday Night Football, college football), born in Roopville, Georgia (d. 2018)
• 1928-10-27 Kyle Rote, College Football HOF halfback (SMU; 4 × Pro Bowl; NY Giants) and broadcaster (WNEW, NBC, WNBC New York), born in San Antonio, Texas (d. 2002)
• 1928-11-02 Leon Hart, American College Football Hall of Fame end and fullback (Heisman Trophy 1949, Notre Dame), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 2002)
• 1928-12-31 Hugh McElhenny, American Pro/College Football HOF halfback (University of Washington; 5 × First-team All-Pro; 6 × Pro Bowl; Minnesota Vikings, SF 49ers), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2022)
• 1929-01-04 Darrell Mudra, American College Football HOF coach (Adams State, North Dakota State, Uni of Arizona, Western Illinois Uni, Florida State, Eastern Illinois Uni; Montreal Alouettes), born in Omaha, Nebraska (d. 2022)
• 1929-02-15 Fred Martinelli, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Ashland University 1959-93), born in Columbus, Ohio (d. 2021)
• 1929-02-28 Hayden Fry, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (SMU 1962-72, North Texas State University 1973-78, University of Iowa 1979-98), born in Eastland, Texas (d. 2019)
• 1929-04-01 Bo Schembechler Jr., American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Miami U), coach (Miami U 1963-68, University of Michigan 1969-89; career record 234–65–8), and administrator (Michigan), born in Barberton, Ohio (d. 2006)
• 1929-08-15 Jerry Groom, American College Football HOF center (Notre Dame; NFL Pro Bowl 1954; Chicago Cardinals), born in Des Moines, Iowa (d. 2008)
• 1929-11-08 Bobby Bowden, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Florida State 1976-2009; National C'ship 1993, 99), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2021)
• 1930-02-15 Frank Navarro, American college football coach (Williams College, Columbia University, Princeton University), born in White Plains, New York (d. 2021)
• 1930-02-26 Vic Janowicz, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1950, Ohio State; NFL: Washington Redskins), born in Elyria, Ohio (d. 1996)
• 1930-04-02 Bill McColl, American College Football Hall of Fame end (Stanford University; Chicago Bears 1952-59), born in San Diego, California (d. 2023)

• 1930-06-30 W. C. Gorden, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Jackson State University, 1976-91, record 119–48–5), born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 2020)
• 1930-08-12 Jack Scarbath, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Uni of Maryland; Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Baltimore, Maryland (d. 2020)
• 1930-11-23 Dick Kazmaier, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1951; Unanimous All-American 1951; Princeton), born in Maumee, Ohio (d. 2013)
• 1931-02-10 Dick Towers, American college football coach (Southern Illinois University 1967-73) and executive (AD Kansas State University 1981-85), born in Kansas City, Kansas (d. 2023)
• 1931-03-22 Billy Vessels, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1952, University of Oklahoma), born in Cleveland, Oklahoma (d. 2001)
• 1931-12-04 Roy Kidd, American College Football HOF coach (Eastern Kentucky University 1964-2002, record 314–124–8), born in Corbin, Kentucky (d. 2023)
• 1932-07-22 Bob Reade, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (NCAA Div III C'ship 1983-86; AFCA Div III Coach of the Year 1983–86; Augustana Vikings), born in Monticello, Iowa (d. 2020)
• 1932-09-04 Vince Dooley, American College Football HOF coach (NCAA C'ship, AFCA Coach of the Year, Eddie Robinson COY; AD University of Georgia 1979-2004), born in Mobile, Alabama (d. 2022)
• 1932-10-04 Roger Harring, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Uni of Wisconsin–La Crosse 1969–99, record 261–75–7), born in Green Bay, Wisconsin (d. 2021)
• 1932-10-24 J. D. Roberts, American College Football Hall of Fame guard (University of Oklahoma; Outland Trophy 1953) and coach (New Orleans Saints), born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (d. 2021)
• 1932-10-24 Johnny Lattner, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1953, Notre Dame; Pro Bowl 1954, Pittsburgh Steelers), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 2016)
• 1932-10-27 Chuck Stobart, American college football coach (University of Toledo, University of Utah, University of Memphis), born in Middleport, Ohio (d. 2022)
• 1933-06-01 Alan Ameche, American College Football Hall of Fame fullback (Heisman Trophy 1954, U of Wisconsin; Pro Bowl 1955–1958, NFL C'ship 1958, 59; Baltimore Colts), born in Kenosha, Wisconsin (d. 1988)

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Deaths 1 - 100 of 164

• 1897-12-24 Marshall Newell, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Harvard; All-American 1890-93) and coach (Cornell, Tufts), dies in a railroad accident at 26
• 1910-03-20 James Hogan, Irish College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Yale), dies of Bright's disease at 37
• 1915-12-29 Tom Shevlin, American College Football Hall of Fame end (Yale - Consensus All-American 1902, 04, 05; National C'ship 1902, 05), dies of pneumonia at 32
• 1924-05-21 Charley Barrett, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Cornell undefeated National C'ship 1915), dies from effects of war injuries at 30
• 1931-03-31 Knute Rockne, American College Football HOF coach, (National C'ships 1924, 29, 30 Notre Dame; record 105–12–5), dies in a plane crash at 43
• 1942-12-26 Chris 'Red' Cagle, College Football Hall of Fame halfback (All American 1927, 28, 29; Army; NFL: New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers), dies of a fractured skull from a fall at 37
• 1943-06-02 Nile Kinnick Jr., American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1939; University of Iowa), dies during a WWII training flight at 24
• 1949-01-01 William H. Lewis, American College football center and coach (first African-American selected as an All-American; Harvard), dies of heart failure at 80
• 1950-07-06 Harold Weekes, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Columbia University; All American 1901), dies at 70
• 1952-09-19 Hugo Bezdek, Czech American College Football Hall of Fame coach (University of Oregon, University of Arkansas, Penn State; NFL: Cleveland Browns; MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates), dies at 68
• 1954-01-03 Gus Dorais, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Notre Dame) and coach (Gonzaga, Detroit Lions), dies of arteriosclerosis and anorexia at 62
• 1954-04-02 Pudge Heffelfinger, American College Football Hall of Fame guard (3 x All American, Yale; first professional player 1892) and coach (Cal, Lehigh, Minnesota), dies at 86
• 1957-11-01 Charlie Caldwell, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Williams, Princeton), dies at 56
• 1958-04-25 Herman Hickman, American College Football Hall of Fame guard, coach and broadcaster (Army, Yale), dies at 46
• 1959-03-01 Albie Booth, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Yale University), dies of a heart attack at 51
• 1961-07-31 Jesse Harper, American College Football HOF coach (Notre Dame 57–17–7 [football; 67–29 [basketball]; 88–53–1 [baseball]), dies at 77

• 1963-06-02 Century Milstead, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Yale; NFL C'ship 1927, NY Giants), dies at 62
• 1963-10-02 Herb Joesting, College Football Hall of Fame halfback/fullback (Uni of Minnesota; Chicago Bears), dies from heart failure at 58
• 1967-08-28 Bruce Smith, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1941, U of Minnesota; NFL: Green Bay Packers), dies of cancer at 47
• 1968-01-01 Andy Oberlander, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Dartmouth College; National C'ship 1954), dies at 62
• 1969-01-03 Buzz Borries, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Navy 1932–34), dies at 57
• 1970-03-02 Paul Christman, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (University of Missouri; All-Pro 1946, 47; Chicago Cardinals, Green Bay Packers), dies from a heart attack at 51
• 1971-11-19 Bill Stern, American sportscaster (first televised college football game), dies of a heart attack at 64
• 1973-06-30 Elmer Layden, College Football Hall of Fame fullback (Notre Dame legendary 4-horsemen, 1st NFL Commissioner), dies at 70
• 1975-07-12 Carl Snavely, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Bucknell, North Carolina, Cornell 180–96–16), dies at 80
• 1975-09-12 Doc Alexander, American College Football Hall of Fame guard (Syracuse; All Pro 1921, 22; Rochester Jeffersons; NFL C'ship 1925; NY Giants), dies at 78
• 1977-03-19 Buck Shaw, American College Football HOF coach (NC State, Nevada, Santa Clara, California, Air Force; NFL: SF 49ers; NFL Championship 1960 Philadelphia Eagles), dies of cancer at 77
• 1977-10-17 Cal Hubbard, American Baseball HOF umpire (AL 1936-51) and Pro/College Football HOF tackle (4 × NFL C'ship 1927, 29–31; 4 × First-team All-Pro; NY Giants, GB Packers), dies of cancer at 77
• 1977-11-18 Davey O'Brien, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1938, Texas Christian University; NFL: Philadelphia Eagles), dies from cancer at 60
• 1978-08-05 Dutch Clark, American Pro/College Football HOF back (Colorado College; 6 × First-team All-Pro; 3 × NFL rushing TD leader & NFL scoring leader; Portsmouth Spartans/Detroit Lions), dies at 71
• 1979-11-16 Bert Baston, American College Football Hall of Fame end (University of Minnesota), dies at 84
• 1980-01-10 Bo Rein, American college football coach (b. 1945)
• 1981-04-28 Cliff Battles, American College/Pro Football HOF halfback (West Virginia Wesleyan College; 3 x First-Team All-Pro; NFL rushing yards leader 1932, 37; Boston Braves/Redskins, Washington Redskins), dies at 70
• 1981-08-15 Pappy Waldorf, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle and coach (Northwestern, California), dies at 78
• 1982-12-03 Dutch Meyer, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (National C'ship 1935, 38; TCU), dies at 84

• 1983-03-12 Ki Aldrich, American College Football Hall of Fame linebacker (TCU; Pro Bowl 1939, 42; Chicago Cardinals, Washington Redskins), dies at 66
• 1984-11-28 Ricky Bell, American College Football HOF running back (USC; #1 Overall Selection 1977 NFL Draft TB Buccaneers; San Diego Chargers), dies of heart failure caused by dermatomyositis at 29
• 1985-01-13 Adam Walsh, American College Football Hall of Fame center and coach (Notre Dame; Bowdoin), dies at 83
• 1985-12-14 Charlie Bachman, American College Football Hall of Fame guard and coach (Notre Dame, Florida, Michigan State), dies at 93
• 1987-03-12 Woody Hayes, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (National C'ship 1954, 57, 61, 68, 70; Ohio State), dies of a heart attack at 74
• 1988-08-08 Alan Ameche, American College Football Hall of Fame fullback (Heisman Trophy 1954, U of Wisconsin; Pro Bowl 1955–1958, NFL C'ship 1958, 59; Baltimore Colts), dies of a heart attack at 55
• 1989-05-06 Earl Blaik, American College Football coach (NCAA C'ship 1944–46; AFCA Coach of the Year 1946; Army) and executive (AD Army 1948–59, dies at 92

• 1990-10-22 Frank Sinkwich, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1942, U of Georgia; NFL Draft #1 pick Detroit Lions 1943; NFL MVP 1944), dies at 70
• 1991-05-03 Don Whitmire, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Alabama, Navy - All American at both), dies at 68
• 1992-07-07 Clint Frank, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1937; unanimous All-American 1937; Yale), dies at 76
• 1994-02-09 Bud Wilkinson, American college football coach (Oklahoma), dies at 77
• 1995-11-14 Les Horvath, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback and halfback (Heisman Trophy 1944; first Ohio State player to win the award; National C'ship 1942), dies of heart failure at 74
• 1996-02-27 Vic Janowicz, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1950, Ohio State; NFL: Washington Redskins), dies of cancer at 66
• 1996-12-25 Bill Osmanski, American College Football HOF fullback (Holy Cross; NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43, 46; 3 × Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 1939; Chicago Bears), dies at 80
• 1997-05-09 Bob Devaney, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (National C'ship, University of Nebraska 1970, 71; University of Wyoming; career record 136–30–7), dies at 82
• 1998-10-30 Bulldog Turner, American Pro/College Football HOF center (Hardin–Simmons Uni; 7 × First-team All-Pro; 4 x Pro Bowl; Chicago Bears), dies at 79
• 1998-12-03 Ed Widseth, American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (University of Minnesota; Pro Bowl 1938; NY Giants), dies at 88
• 1999-06-26 Angelo Bertelli, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1943, National C'ship 1943, Notre Dame), dies of brain cancer at 78
• 2000-02-08 Derrick Thomas, American Pro and College Football Hall of Fame linebacker / end (Pro Bowl 1989–97; First-team All-Pro 1990–92; KC Chiefs), dies of a pulmonary embolism at 33
• 2000-06-27 Larry Kelley, American College Football Hall of Fame tight end (Heisman Trophy 1936; unanimous All-American 1936; Yale), commits suicide at 85
• 2001-06-10 John McKay, American College Football HOF coach (4 x NCAA C'ship 1962, 67, 72, 74 ; 5 x Rose Bowl USC; NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976-84), dies at 77
• 2001-11-01 Warren Amling, American College Football Hall of Fame guard (Ohio State), dies at 76
• 2001-11-17 Billy Vessels, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1952, University of Oklahoma), dies at 70
• 2001-12-06 Charles McClendon, Hall of Fame college football coach (b. 1923)
• 2002-06-26 Jay Berwanger, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (1st Heisman Trophy winner 1935, Chicago), dies from lung cancer at 88
• 2002-07-24 Gus Tinsley, American College Football Hall of Fame end and coach (All-American 1935, 36; coach LSU 1948-55; NFL: Chicago Cardinals), dies at 87
• 2002-08-15 Kyle Rote, American college football HOF halfback (SMU; 4 × Pro Bowl; NY Giants) and broadcaster (WNEW, NBC, WNBC New York), dies at 74
• 2002-09-24 Leon Hart, American College Football Hall of Fame end and fullback (Heisman Trophy 1949, Notre Dame), dies at 73
• 2003-01-03 Sid Gillman, Pro & College Football Hall of Fame end (Ohio State U) and coach (U of Cincinnati, LA Rams, Houston Oilers), dies at 91
• 2005-03-09 Glenn Davis, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1946; National C'ship 1944, 45, 46; Army; NFL: LA Rams), dies of prostate cancer at 80
• 2006-04-03 Marshall Goldberg, American College Football HOF back (Uni of Pittsburgh; All Pro, Pro Bowl 1941; Chicago Cardinals), dies at 88
• 2006-11-17 Bo Schembechler Jr., American College Football Hall of Fame tackle (Miami U), coach (Miami U 1963-68, University of Michigan 1969-89; career record 234–65–8), and administrator (Michigan), dies at 77
• 2007-04-03 Eddie Robinson, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Grambling 408 wins), dies of Alzheimer's disease at 88
• 2008-02-29 Jerry Groom, American College Football HOF center (Notre Dame; NFL Pro Bowl 1954; Chicago Cardinals), dies at 78
• 2008-07-01 John Pont, American college football coach (Miami, Yale, Northwestern, Indiana), dies at 80
• 2009-04-13 Bruce Snyder, American college football coach (Utah State, California, Arizona State), dies from melanoma at 69
• 2009-04-19 Doc Blanchard, American College Football Hall of Fame fullback (Heisman Trophy 1945; National C'ship 1944, 45, 46; Army), dies of pneumonia at 84
• 2009-12-02 Foge Fazio, American college football coach (University of Pittsburgh), dies of leukemia at 71

• 2011-08-03 Bubba Smith, American College Football Hall of Fame defensive end (Michigan State; Pro Bowl 1970, 71; First Team All Pro 1971; Super Bowl 1971; Baltimore Colts) and actor (Police Academy), dies of acute drug intoxication and heart disease at 66
• 2011-08-16 Pete Pihos, American Pro/College Football HOF end (Indiana University; 6 x Pro Bowl; 6 × First-team All-Pro; Philadelphia Eagles), dies at 87
• 2012-01-22 Joe Paterno, American College Football HOF coach (Penn State 1966-2011; NCAA C'ship 1982, 86; Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of 1986), dies from lung cancer at 85
• 2012-12-19 Larry Morris, American College Football HOF iinebacker (NCAA C'ship 1952 Georgia Tech; NFL C'ship 1963 Chicago Bears), dies at 79
• 2013-04-01 Jack Pardee, American College Football Hall of Fame linebacker (Texas A&M; NFL: LA Rams, Washington Redskins) and coach (Houston Oilers), dies at gallbladder cancer at 76
• 2013-08-01 Dick Kazmaier, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1951; Unanimous All-American 1951; Princeton), dies from heart and lung disease at 82
• 2014-08-06 LeRoy Pearce, American collegiate athlete and college football coach, 1950-70 (University of Miami, University of Tennessee, University of Arkansas, and 3 others), dies of complications from Alzheimer's disease at 86
• 2015-03-21 Chuck Bednarik, Pro/College Football HOF center/linebacker (Uni of Pennsylvania; NFL C'ship 1949, 60; 10 × First-team All-Pro; 8 × Pro Bowl; Philadelphia Eagles), dies of Alzheimer's disease and dementia at 89
• 2015-06-17 John David Crow, American College Football Hall of Fame back and tight end (Heisman Trophy 1957, Texas A & M; Pro Bowl 1959, 60, 62, 65; St. Louis Cardinals), dies at 79
• 2016-02-12 Johnny Lattner, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1953, Notre Dame; Pro Bowl 1954, Pittsburgh Steelers), dies from mesothelioma at 83
• 2016-09-27 Randy Duncan Jr., American College Football HOF quarterback (University of Iowa; #1 pick 1959 NFL Draft by GB Packers), dies from brain cancer at 79
• 2016-12-05 Rashaan Salaam, American College Football Hall of Fame running back (Heisman Trophy 1994, U of Colorado; NFL: Chicago Bears), dies at 42
• 2017-08-02 Ara Parseghian, American College Football HOF coach (Northwestern; NCAA C'ship 1966, 73 Notre Dame), dies at 94
• 2017-12-13 Tommy Nobis, American College Football HOF linebacker (Uni of Texas; #1 pick NFL Draft 1966 Atlanta Falcons; NFL Rookie of the Year 1966; First-team All-Pro 1967; 5× Pro Bowl), dies at 74
• 2018-01-12 Keith Jackson, American sportscaster (ABC Monday Night Football, college football), dies at 89

• 2018-05-25 Bill Mallory, College Football coach (Miami, Colorado, Northern Illinois, Indiana), dies after brain surgery from a fall at 82
• 2018-09-11 Jim Houston, American College Football Hall of Fame linebacker (Ohio State; Pro Bowl 1964-65, 69-70; Cleveland Browns), dies of dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at 80
• 2019-03-27 Joe Bellino, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1960, Navy), dies of stomach cancer at 81
• 2019-09-14 John Ralston, American College Football Hall of Fame linebacker, coach and executive (Cal, Stanford, Denver Broncos), dies at 92
• 2019-09-20 Howard Cassady, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1955, Ohio State; NFL C'ship 1957, Detroit Lions), dies at 85
• 2019-12-01 Pat Sullivan, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1971, Auburn University; NFL: Atlanta Falcons) and coach (TUC, Samford), dies from cancer at 69
• 2019-12-07 Chalmers "Bump" Elliott, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback and coach (U of Michigan) and college athletics administrator (Iowa), dies at 94

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