Quarterback Ted Marchibroda led the team on offense. In nine games, Marchibroda completed 72 of 170 passes for 1,146 yards and 12 touchdowns.[2] Halfback Jerry Hanifin led the team's rushing attack. Among its more notable contests was the October 27 game against the Louisville Cardinals, which marked the debut of Johnny Unitas.[3]
In December 1951, one month after the season ended, coach Bach left the team to become head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.[4]
In February 1952, St. Bonaventure announced that it was suspending competition in intercollegiate football. The school's president, Rev. Juvenal Lalor, stated that the decision was prompted by "ever increasing costs in every department and steadily declining income."[5] The decision was part of a trend among Catholic universities in the post-war years to terminate their football programs. The trend included Portland (1949), Saint Louis (1949), Duquesne (1950), Georgetown (1950), Saint Mary's (1950), Loyola of Los Angeles (1951), San Francisco (1951), and Santa Clara (1952).