The 1947 Toledo Rockets football team was an American football team that represented Toledo University (renamed the University of Toledo in 1967) in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) during the 1947 college football season. In their second season under head coach Bill Orwig, the Rockets compiled a 9–2 record (3–1 against OAC opponents), outscored all opponents by a combined total of 255 to 115, and defeated New Hampshire, 20–14, in the 1947 Glass Bowl game. The 1947 season was the first nine-win season in program history, a feat that no Toledo team repeated until 1967.
Emerson Cole, who later played four years in the NFL, twice rushed for at least 200 yards in a game during the 1947 season.2015 Media Guide, p. 72. Cole also set a school record (later broken) with 31 rushing touchdowns in 1947.2015 Media Guide, p. 210. Lee Pete established a school record with a 65.2% pass completion percentage, a record that stood until 2001.2015 Media Guide, p. 206. He also established a school record (later broken) with an 86-yard touchdown pass to Dave Hamlar.2015 Media Guide, p.207. Pete's 1,201 yards of total offense was also a single-season school record until 1964, when it was broken by Dan Simrell with 1,616 yards. Tony Wolodzko was the team captain.2015 Media Guide, p. 164. Tackles Ted Zuchowski and Frank Pizza were selected in the 1948 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions, respectively.2015 Media Guide, p. 175.
Toledo was ranked at No. 107 (out of 500 college football teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1947.
Schedule
After the season NFL draft The following Rockets were selected in the 1948 NFL draft following the season.
27247Frank PizzaTackleDetroit Lions31290Ted ZuchowskiTacklePittsburgh Steelers
References