1947 Arizona State Sun Devils football team

1947 Arizona State Sun Devils football
Conference	Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	4–7 (2–4 BIAA)
Head coach	Ed Doherty (1st season)
Home stadium	Goodwin Stadium

The 1947 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State College (later renamed Arizona State University) in the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association (BIAA) during the 1947 college football season. In their first season under head coach Ed Doherty, the Sun Devils compiled a 4–7 record (2–4 against BIAA opponents) and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 234 to 168. The Sun Devils finished (3-3) at home and (1-4) on the road. Assistant Coaches were Al Onofrio and Bill Quinn. All home games were played at Goodwin Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Arizona State's team captain was RE Jim Montgomery.

Season Summary

In their season opener, Arizona State delivered a 33-6 home win against California-Davis. The Maroon & Gold set school-records by holding their opponent to only 26 offensive plays, limiting them to -17 total yards, and giving up only 0.7 yds per play. It marked the only meeting between the teams in school history. The Sun Devils defeated New Mexico 25-12 on the road, preventing UNM from completing a pass, or gaining any passing yards. Wilford "Whizzer' White collected 126 punt return yards, scored an 82 yd punt return TD, and also produced a 77 yd interception return for TD. Whites 42.0 yd punt return average in 3 attempts is the highest single game mark in school history. ASC dropped a 13-7 home game against Abilene Christian, while tying the school-records with 0 passing completions and 0 passing yards. The Devils were overmatched during a 27-6 road loss at Pepperdine. Arizona State responded with a 31-7 home victory over NAU. The Sun Devils earned consecutive home wins, as they defeated New Mexico State 33-12 at Goodwin Stadium. ASC was shutout 21-0 on the road at Texas El-Paso. The Devils lost the rivalry matchup in Tempe, as Arizona prevailed 26-13. Arizona State dropped a 35-7 road contest against West Texas State, despite holding their opponent to only 9 total passing yards. The Sun Devils suffered a 33-13 road loss at Nevada. ASC ended the season on a 5-game losing streak, thanks to a 42-0 home loss against Hardin-Simmons.

The usual Arizona State College offensive lineup included: (LE Al Buckles, LT Jim Treguboff, LG John Zucco, C Dick Alonzo, RG Joe Tassinari, RT Wendell Patterson, RE Jim Montgomery, QB Cecil Coleman, HB Morrison Warren, FB Larry Kentera, & HB Wilford "Whizzer" White). Tony Balsamo, Garner Barnett, Charley Beall, Roger Collins, & Dom Consentino were also on roster.

Team Statistical Leaders & Awards

Arizona State's leading rusher was Sam Lewis (103 Carries, 608 Gross Yards, 28 Yards Lost, 580 Net Yards, & 5.6 Yard Avg).

The Sun Devils' leading passer was Cecil Coleman (46-91, 509 Yards, 50.6% Completion Pct., 1 TD, & 5 INT).

Arizona State College's leader in scoring was Morrison Warren (8 TD & 48 Total Pts).

The Devils' leading receiver was Jim Montgomery (28 Receptions, 326 Yds, & 1 TD).

ASC's leader in interceptions was Garner Barnett (3 INT & 52 Yds).

RE Jim Montgomery earned earned All-Border Conference honors for the 1947 football season.

The Sun Devils set a school-record by allowing only 20 1st downs passing during the 1947 campaign.

Arizona State accumulated 66 penalties for 760 yards. Their 11.5 yd average per penalty is the highest in school history.

ASC set a school-record (4 TD) with the fewest TD passes in a single season.

The Devils allowed 4.6 Completions per game, which is a school-record.

Arizona State allowed 31.3% Completion Pct. defense, setting a school-record for lowest Completion Pct. in a single season.

The Sun Devils allowed only 20 1st downs passing, creating another single season school-record.

References

• 2007 Arizona State Football Media Guide