1964 Albion Britons football team

1964 Albion Britons football
MIAA champion
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record8–0 (5–0 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumAlumni Field
Seasons
← 1963
1965 →
1964 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Albion $ 5 – 0 – 0 8 – 0 – 0
Olivet 4 – 1 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Kalamazoo 3 – 2 – 0 5 – 3 – 0
Adrian 1 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
Alma 1 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
Hope 1 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1964 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1964 NCAA College Division football season. In their 11th season under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a perfect 8–0 record (5–0 against MIAA members), won the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 226 to 41. It was the third unbeaten season in the history of Albion's football program, with prior unbeaten seasons in 1928 and 1961.[1]

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Dave Neilson who completed 37 of 84 passes for 736 yards and 14 touchdowns; left halfback Russ Wallis with 165 carries for 779 rushing yards and 58 points scored; and end John Ellinger with 20 receptions for 465 yards and seven touchdowns.[2]

Albion claimed 10 of 23 spots on the 1964 MIAA all-league football team. The Albion honorees were: quarterback Dave Neilson (MIAA passing leader); running back Russ Wallis (MIAA rushing leader); end John Ellinger (MIAA receiving leader); center John Madill; offensive tackle Ron Springer; defensive end Barry Siler; defensive linemen Terry Methner and Mike Shafer; linebacker John Mullin; and defensive back Chick Scarletta.[3]

The team played its home games at Alumni Field in Albion, Michigan.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 19at Wheaton (IL)Wheaton, ILW 12–75,200[4]
September 26Ferris State*
W 21–73,500[5]
October 3at AdrianAdrian, MIW 36–06,715[6]
October 10Kalamazoo
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
W 24–02,500–4,418[7]
October 17Olivetdagger
  • Alumni Field
  • Albion, MI
W 35–146,180[8]
October 24at HopeHolland, MIW 27–66,100[9]
October 31AlmaAlbion, MIW 59–04,805[10]
November 7at West Virginia Wesleyan*Buckhannon, WVW 12–73,500[11]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[2]

References

  1. ^ "Albion's Goal a Lofty One -- Title". The Lansing State Journal. November 7, 1969. p. C4 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "Albion Dominates MIAA Grid Team". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 18, 1964. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Albion College Wins Grid Opener, 12-7". The Battle Creek Enquirer and news. September 20, 1964. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Albion Knocks Off Ferris In Explosive Battle, 21-7". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. September 27, 1964. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Britons Trounce Adrian, 36 to 0". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 4, 1964. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Albion Whips K-College". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 11, 1964. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Ex-Williamston End Leads Albion Past Olivet: Ellinger Nabs Three TD Passes". The Lansing State Journal. October 18, 1964. p. F4 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Undefeated Albion Ties For Grid Title on 27-6 Win". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 25, 1964. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Albion Grabs MIAA Title on 59-0 Rout: Alma College Is Smothered; Wallis, Neilson Pace Hot Britons". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 1, 1964. p. IV-3.
  11. ^ "Briton Gridders Score 12-7 Win". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 8, 1964. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.