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{{short description|American college football season}}
{{NCAATeamFootballSeason
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
|Year= 1941
{{Infobox college sports team season
|Team= Stanford Indians
| year = 1941
|Image= Stanford block S.jpg
| team = Stanford Indians
|ImageSize= 100
| sport = football
|Conference= Pacific Coast Conference
| image = Shaughnessy-Clark-1940.jpg
|Division=
| image_size =
|ShortConference= PCC
| conference = [[Pacific Coast Conference]]
|Record= 6–3
| short_conf = PCC
|ConfRecord= 4–3
| record = 6–3
|CoachRank=
| conf_record = 4–3
|APRank=
|HeadCoach= [[Clark Shaughnessy]]
| head_coach = [[Clark Shaughnessy]]
|HCYear=2nd
| hc_year = 2nd
| off_scheme = [[T formation]]
|OffCoach=
| def_scheme =
|DefCoach=
| captain =
|OScheme= [[T formation]]
| stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]]
|DScheme=
|StadiumArena= [[Stanford Stadium]]
|Champion=
|BowlTourney=
|BowlTourneyResult=
}}
}}
{{1941 PCC football standings}}
{{1941 Pacific Coast Conference football standings}}
The '''1941 Stanford Indians football team''' represented [[Stanford University]] in [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) [[college football|intercollegiate competition]] during the [[1941 college football season|1941 season]]. Second-year head coach [[Clark Shaughnessy]] led the team to a 6–3 record. Before the season, Stanford, which the year prior had finished 10–0, was considered a favorite for the national championship, but three conference losses put it out of contention for a return to the [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose Bowl]]. After the season, Shaughnessy left Stanford to take over as head coach at the [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]].
The '''1941 Stanford Indians football team''' represented [[Stanford University]] as a member of the [[Pacific Coast Conference]] (PCC) during the [[1941 college football season]]. Second-year head coach [[Clark Shaughnessy]] led the team to a 6–3 record. Before the season, Stanford, which the year prior had finished 10–0, was considered a favorite for the national championship, but three conference losses put it out of contention for a return to the [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose Bowl]]. After the season, Shaughnessy left Stanford to take over as head coach at the [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]].


==Before the season==
==Before the season==
The Indians lost two stars from the [[1940 Stanford Indians football team|previous season]], right halfback [[Hugh Gallarneau]] and fullback [[Norm Standlee]], to graduation, but returned quarterback [[Frankie Albert]]. Shaughnessy made the "pessimistic" projection that the team would drop at least two games.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1IwRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6543,2826974&dq=clark-shaughnessy&hl=en Pessimistic Clark Shaughnessy Sees Team Losing Two Games], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', September 14, 1941.</ref> Before and early in the season, expectations were high for Stanford, and alongside [[1941 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team|Minnesota]], the Indians were considered among the frontrunners for the national championship.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rwIaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gCMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1759,6613396&dq=stanford+football&hl=en Minnesota and Stanford Loom Again as Champions], ''The Milwaukee Journal'', September 29, 1941.</ref> Throughout the course of the season, however, injuries hindered the team.<ref name=yale/>
The Indians lost two stars from the [[1940 Stanford Indians football team|previous season]], right halfback [[Hugh Gallarneau]] and fullback [[Norm Standlee]], to graduation, but returned quarterback [[Frankie Albert]]. Shaughnessy made the "pessimistic" projection that the team would drop at least two games.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1IwRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6543,2826974&dq=clark-shaughnessy&hl=en Pessimistic Clark Shaughnessy Sees Team Losing Two Games], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', September 14, 1941.</ref> Before and early in the season, expectations were high for Stanford, and alongside [[1941 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team|Minnesota]], the Indians were considered among the frontrunners for the national championship.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rwIaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gCMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1759,6613396&dq=stanford+football&hl=en Minnesota and Stanford Loom Again as Champions], ''The Milwaukee Journal'', September 29, 1941.</ref> Throughout the course of the season, however, injuries hindered the team.<ref name=yale/>


==Season==
==Season==
Neither Stanford nor Minnesota were considered overly impressive in narrow victories in their season openers. The Indians edged {{cfb link|year=1941|team=Oregon Ducks|title=Oregon}}, 19&ndash;15. The [[International News Service]] reported that Stanford "was not the polished, meticulous outfit it was when it trimmed [[1940 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]]" in the previous season's Rose Bowl.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-ZMKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b00DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7195,6460995&dq=stanford+football&hl=en Teams With Standout Backs Take Over Spotlight], ''St. Petersburg Times'', September 29, 1941.</ref> Stanford then routed [[1941 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]], 33&ndash;0.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6YwRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5976,5093496&dq=stanford+football&hl=en USC, Huskies Are Underdogs], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', October 10, 1941.</ref> The following week, [[1941 Oregon State Beavers football team|Oregon State]] snapped Stanford's 13-game winning streak. The [[Associated Press]] credited Beavers center [[Quentin Greenough]] with leading Oregon State's defensive effort, which blanked Stanford's potent [[T-formation]], 10&ndash;0. Greenough was injured in the fourth quarter and had to be carried out by stretcher.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=64wRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5041,5215555&dq=stanford+football&hl=en Clark Shaughnessy Says Best Team Won], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', October 12, 1941.</ref>
Neither Stanford nor Minnesota were considered overly impressive in narrow victories in their season openers. The Indians edged [[1941 Oregon Webfoots football team|Oregon]], 19&ndash;15. The [[International News Service]] reported that Stanford "was not the polished, meticulous outfit it was when it trimmed [[1940 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team|Nebraska]]" in the previous season's Rose Bowl.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-ZMKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b00DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7195,6460995&dq=stanford+football&hl=en Teams With Standout Backs Take Over Spotlight], ''St. Petersburg Times'', September 29, 1941.</ref> Stanford then routed [[1941 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]], 33&ndash;0.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6YwRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5976,5093496&dq=stanford+football&hl=en USC, Huskies Are Underdogs], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', October 10, 1941.</ref> The following week, [[1941 Oregon State Beavers football team|Oregon State]] snapped Stanford's 13-game winning streak. The [[Associated Press]] credited Beavers center [[Quentin Greenough]] with leading Oregon State's defensive effort, which blanked Stanford's potent [[T-formation]], 10&ndash;0. Greenough was injured in the fourth quarter and had to be carried out by stretcher.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=64wRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5041,5215555&dq=stanford+football&hl=en Clark Shaughnessy Says Best Team Won], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', October 12, 1941.</ref>


Against [[1941 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]], Stanford scored two second-quarter touchdowns and turned back multiple Huskies' drives. The Indians had two additional touchdowns negated by penalties, but won, 13&ndash;7.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9XcbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_kwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5662,3777915&dq=stanford+football&hl=en Stanford Clips Huskies], ''The Pittsburgh Press'', October 26, 1941.</ref> On a mud-logged field, Stanford back [[Pete Kmetovic]] scored five minutes into the game against {{cfb link|year=1941|team=Santa Clara Broncos|title=Santa Clara}}. Later in the first quarter, [[Buck Fawcett]] broke free for an 84-yard touchdown [[rush (American football)|run]], and before halftime, Kmetovic returned an [[interception]] 40&nbsp;yards to put the Indians back in position for a third score. Stanford's defense held Santa Clara at bay for the remainder of the game, and turned back two Bronco drives on the four-yard line for a final result of 27&ndash;7.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CFAtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ndMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3239,335396&dq=stanford+santa-clara&hl=en Stanford's T-Formation Rolls In Mud And Santa Clara Loses], ''The Miami News'', November 2, 1941.</ref>
Against [[1941 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]], Stanford scored two second-quarter touchdowns and turned back multiple Huskies' drives. The Indians had two additional touchdowns negated by penalties, but won, 13&ndash;7.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9XcbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_kwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5662,3777915&dq=stanford+football&hl=en Stanford Clips Huskies], ''The Pittsburgh Press'', October 26, 1941.</ref> On a mud-logged field, Stanford back [[Pete Kmetovic]] scored five minutes into the game against [[1941 Santa Clara Broncos football team|Santa Clara]]. Later in the first quarter, [[Buck Fawcett]] broke free for an 84-yard touchdown [[rush (American football)|run]], and before halftime, Kmetovic returned an [[interception]] 40&nbsp;yards to put the Indians back in position for a third score. Stanford's defense held Santa Clara at bay for the remainder of the game, and turned back two Bronco drives on the four-yard line for a final result of 27&ndash;7.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CFAtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ndMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3239,335396&dq=stanford+santa-clara&hl=en Stanford's T-Formation Rolls In Mud And Santa Clara Loses], ''The Miami News'', November 2, 1941.</ref>


After defeating [[1941 USC Trojans football team|USC]], 13&ndash;0, the Indians fell in their penultimate game against [[1941 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]. The result tied Stanford, [[1941 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]], and Oregon State for first-place in the [[Pacific Coast Conference]] with two losses each, and all still vying for a berth in the [[1942 Rose Bowl|Rose Bowl]].<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-bgKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g00DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6952,3642613&dq=clark-shaughnessy&hl=en Stanford, Texas Fall in Hectic Week-end], ''St. Petersburg Times'', November 17, 1941.</ref> Stanford's loss to underdogs California, 16&ndash;0, in the finale put them out of contention for the postseason game invitation.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mVgbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bkwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2981,3275774&dq=rose+bowl+stanford+oregon-state&hl=en Oregon State In Rose Bowl], ''The Pittsburgh Press'', November 30, 1941.</ref> The Indians finished with a 6&ndash;3 record.<ref>[http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2114&year=1941 Coaching Records Game by Game: 1941], College Football Data Warehouse, retrieved August 15, 2010.</ref>
After defeating [[1941 USC Trojans football team|USC]], 13&ndash;0, the Indians fell in their penultimate game against [[1941 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]. The result tied Stanford, [[1941 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]], and Oregon State for first-place in the [[Pacific Coast Conference]] with two losses each, and all still vying for a berth in the [[1942 Rose Bowl|Rose Bowl]].<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-bgKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g00DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6952,3642613&dq=clark-shaughnessy&hl=en Stanford, Texas Fall in Hectic Week-end], ''St. Petersburg Times'', November 17, 1941.</ref> Stanford's loss to underdogs California, 16&ndash;0, in the finale put them out of contention for the postseason game invitation.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mVgbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bkwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2981,3275774&dq=rose+bowl+stanford+oregon-state&hl=en Oregon State In Rose Bowl], ''The Pittsburgh Press'', November 30, 1941.</ref> The Indians finished with a 6&ndash;3 record.<ref>[http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2114&year=1941 Coaching Records Game by Game: 1941] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202139/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=2114&year=1941 |date=2016-03-03 }}, College Football Data Warehouse, retrieved August 15, 2010.</ref>


==After the season==
==After the season==
In March 1942, Shaughnessy turned down a head coaching offer from [[Yale University]], but said he was considering the same job at another [[Eastern United States|Eastern]] school with little football tradition.<ref name=yale>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Al4zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=legDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6406,2659213&dq=clark-shaughnessy&hl=en Clark Shaughnessy Not Interested In Yale, But May Move East], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', March 12, 1942.</ref> A short time later, he resigned to accept the job at [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]].<ref name=newmaryland>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D14zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=legDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2194,4425110&dq=clark-shaughnessy&hl=en Clark Shaughnessy Moves To New Maryland University Job], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', April 6, 1942.</ref> According to ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' in 1977, Shaughnessy's decision was based on his belief that Stanford would discontinue its football program during [[World War II]].<ref name=dour>Ron Fimrite, [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092785/index.htm A Melding Of Men All Suited To A T; Clark Shaughnessy was a dour theoretician, Frankie Albert an unrestrained quarterback and Stanford a team of losers, but combined they forever changed the game of football], ''Sports Illustrated'', September 5, 1977.</ref>
In March 1942, Shaughnessy turned down a head coaching offer from [[Yale University]], but said he was considering the same job at another [[Eastern United States|Eastern]] school with little football tradition.<ref name=yale>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Al4zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=legDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6406,2659213&dq=clark-shaughnessy&hl=en Clark Shaughnessy Not Interested In Yale, But May Move East], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', March 12, 1942.</ref> A short time later, he resigned to accept the job at [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]].<ref name=newmaryland>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D14zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=legDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2194,4425110&dq=clark-shaughnessy&hl=en Clark Shaughnessy Moves To New Maryland University Job], ''Eugene Register-Guard'', April 6, 1942.</ref> According to ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' in 1977, Shaughnessy's decision was based on his belief that Stanford would discontinue its football program during [[World War II]].<ref name=dour>Ron Fimrite, [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092785/index.htm A Melding Of Men All Suited To A T; Clark Shaughnessy was a dour theoretician, Frankie Albert an unrestrained quarterback and Stanford a team of losers, but combined they forever changed the game of football] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029183743/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092785/index.htm |date=2013-10-29 }}, ''Sports Illustrated'', September 5, 1977.</ref>


==Schedule==
==Schedule==
{{CFB schedule
{{CFB Schedule Start|time = no|tv = no|rank=no|ranklink=no|attend=no}}
| rankyear = 1941
{{CFB Schedule Entry
| w/l = w
| poll = AP

| date = September 27
|{{CFB schedule entry
| nonconf =
| date = September 27
| homecoming =
| time = no
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[1941 Oregon Webfoots football team|Oregon]]
| rank = no
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = [[1941 Oregon Webfoots football team|Oregon]]
| site_stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Stanford Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Stanford, California|Stanford, CA]]
| site_cityst = [[Stanford, California|Stanford, CA]]
| gamename =
| score = 19–15
| tv = no
| attend = 35,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=Cards Triumph: Indians Fumble and Bog Down But Win 11th Straight, 19-15|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|author=Harry Borba|date=September 28, 1941|page=S2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36355101/cards_triumph_indians_fumble_and_bog/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| score = 19&ndash;15
| overtime =
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 4
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| date = October 4
| opponent = [[1941 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]]
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| time = no
| rank = no
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = [[1941 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]]
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| gamename =
| score = 33–0
| tv = no
| attend = 40,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=Indians Toy With U.C.L.A.|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Al Wolf|date=October 5, 1941|page=II-9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36039943/indians_toy_with_ucla/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Stanford 33, Bruins 0|newspaper=Oakland Tribune|author=Bill Tobitt|date=October 5, 1941|page=11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36040096/stanford_33_bruins_0/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| score = 33&ndash;0
| overtime =
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 11
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| date = October 11
| nonconf =
| away = y
| opponent = [[1941 Oregon State Beavers football team|Oregon State]]
| homecoming =
| time = no
| rank = no
| away = yes
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = [[1941 Oregon State Beavers football team|Oregon State]]
| site_stadium = [[Bell Field]]
| site_stadium = [[Bell Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Corvallis, Oregon|Corvallis, OR]]
| site_cityst = [[Corvallis, Oregon|Corvallis, OR]]
| gamename =
| score = 0–10
| tv = no
| attend = 22,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=Oregon State Beavers Shatter Another Grid Dynasty|newspaper=The Register-Guard|date=October 12, 1941|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36368852/oregon_state_beavers_shatter_another/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| score = 10&ndash;0
| overtime =
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 18
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| date = October 18
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| opponent = [[1941 San Francisco Dons football team|San Francisco]]
| homecoming =
| time = no
| rank = no
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1941|team=San Francisco Dons|title=San Francisco}}
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| gamename =
| score = 42–26
| tv = no
| attend = 7,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=Cardinals Use Only Power Plays to Trim Striving Dons, 42-26|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|author=Harry Borba|date=October 19, 1941|page=Sports 2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35676007/cardinals_use_only_power_plays_to_trim/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| score = 42&ndash;26
| overtime =
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 25
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| date = October 25
| nonconf =
| away = y
| homecoming =
| rank = T–19
| opponent = [[1941 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]]
| time = no
| rank = no
| away = yes
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = [[1941 Washington Huskies football team|Washington]]
| site_stadium = [[Husky Stadium]]
| site_stadium = [[Husky Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle, WA]]
| site_cityst = [[Seattle|Seattle, WA]]
| gamename =
| score = 13–7
| tv = no
| attend = 43,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=Cards Roll Toward Rose Bowl, 13-7|newspaper=San Francisco Examiner|author=Harry Borba|date=October 26, 1941|page=Sports 3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36159676/cards_roll_toward_rose_bowl_137/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| score = 13&ndash;7
| overtime =
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 1
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| date = November 1
| nonconf = yes
| nonconf = y
| homecoming =
| rank = 12
| opponent = [[1941 Santa Clara Broncos football team|Santa Clara]]
| time = no
| rank = no
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1941|team=Santa Clara Broncos|title=Santa Clara}}
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| gamename =
| score = 27–7
| tv = no
| attend = 65,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=Tribe Has Reached Peak -- Shaughnessy|newspaper=Oakland Tribune|author=Bill Tobitt|date=November 2, 1941|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17682499/tribe_has_reached_peak_shaughnessy/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| score = 27&ndash;7
| overtime =
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 8
| w/l = w
| w/l = w
| date = November 8
| nonconf =
| away = y
| homecoming =
| rank = 9
| opponent = [[1941 USC Trojans football team|USC]]
| time = no
| rank = no
| away = yes
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = [[1941 USC Trojans football team|USC]]
| site_stadium = [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| site_stadium = [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| site_cityst = [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles, CA]]
| site_cityst = [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles, CA]]
| gamename = [[Stanford–USC football rivalry|Rivalry]]
| gamename = [[Stanford–USC football rivalry|rivalry]]
| tv = no
| score = 13–0
| attend = 87,000
| score = 13&ndash;0
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=First Period Tells Tale: Throng of 87,000 Sees Indians Clinch Victory Early in Game|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=November 9, 1941|page=I-27|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36077281/first_period_tells_tale_throng_of/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| overtime =
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 15
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| date = November 15
| nonconf =
| rank = 6
| opponent = [[1941 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| homecoming =
| time = no
| rank = no
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = [[1941 Washington State Cougars football team|Washington State]]
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| gamename =
| score = 13–14
| tv = no
| attend = 45,000
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=Cougars Crush Indians' Bowl Hopes|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|author=Prescott Sullivan|date=November 16, 1941|page=Sports 2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35841626/cougars_crush_indians_bowl_hopes/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| score = 14&ndash;13
| overtime =
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule Entry
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 29
| w/l = l
| w/l = l
| date = November 29
| opponent = [[1941 California Golden Bears football team|California]]
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| time = no
| rank = no
| away =
| neutral =
| opprank =
| opponent = [[1941 California Golden Bears football team|California]]
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_stadium = Stanford Stadium
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| site_cityst = Stanford, CA
| gamename = [[Big Game (football)|47th Big Game]]
| gamename = [[Big Game (American football)|Big Game]]
| tv = no
| score = 0–16
| attend = 70,000
| score = 16&ndash;0
| source = <ref>{{cite news|title=Cal, 3-1/2-1 Underdog, Whips Cards, 16-0|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|author=Prescott Sullivan|date=November 30, 1941|page=Sports 2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36368413/cal_3121_underdog_whips_cards_160/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| overtime =
}}
| attend =
}}
}}
{{CFB Schedule End|time = no|tv = no|rank=no|hc=no}}


==Players drafted by the NFL==
==After the season==
{{main|1942 NFL draft}}
{|class="wikitable" width="70%"
The 1942 NFL Draft was held on December 10, 1941. The following Indians were selected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1942/draft.htm|title=1942 NFL Draft Listing|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref>
|- align="center" style="background: #8C1515;color:#FFFFFF;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
| '''Player''' || '''Position''' || '''Round''' || '''Pick''' || '''NFL Club'''
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Stanford Cardinal| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club}}
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
|-
| [[Pete Kmetovic]] ||Halfback || 1 || 3 || [[1942 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| 1 || 3 || [[Pete Kmetovic]] ||Halfback || [[1942 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
|-
| [[Frankie Albert]] ||Quarterback || 1 || 10 || [[1942 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]
| 1 || 10 || [[Frankie Albert]] ||Quarterback || [[1942 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
|-
| [[Vic Lindskog]] ||Center|| 2 || 13 || [[1942 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| 2 || 13 || [[Vic Lindskog]] ||Center || [[1942 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
|-
| [[Fred Meyer (American football)|Fred Meyer]] ||End|| 12 || 103 || [[1942 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| 12 || 103 || [[Fred Meyer (American football)|Fred Meyer]] ||End || [[1942 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
|- align="center" bgcolor=""
|-
| Arnie Meiners ||End|| 17 || 153 || [[1942 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| 17 || 153 || Arnie Meiners ||End|| [[1942 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
|}
|}
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1942.htm|title=1942 NFL Draft|accessdate=September 16, 2014}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1942.htm|title=1942 NFL Draft|access-date=September 16, 2014}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Stanford Cardinal football navbox}}
{{Stanford Cardinal football navbox}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:1941 Stanford Indians Football Team}}
[[Category:Stanford Cardinal football seasons]]
[[Category:1941 Pacific Coast Conference football season|Stanford]]
[[Category:1941 Pacific Coast Conference football season|Stanford]]
[[Category:1941 in sports in California]]
[[Category:Stanford Cardinal football seasons]]
[[Category:1941 in sports in California|Stanford Indians football]]

Latest revision as of 17:35, 22 April 2024

1941 Stanford Indians football
ConferencePacific Coast Conference
Record6–3 (4–3 PCC)
Head coach
Offensive schemeT formation
Home stadiumStanford Stadium
Seasons
← 1940
1942 →
1941 Pacific Coast Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 12 Oregon State $ 7 – 2 – 0 8 – 2 – 0
Washington 5 – 3 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
No. 19 Washington State 5 – 3 – 0 6 – 4 – 0
Stanford 4 – 3 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Oregon 4 – 4 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
UCLA 3 – 4 – 1 5 – 5 – 1
California 3 – 4 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
USC 2 – 4 – 1 2 – 6 – 1
Montana 1 – 3 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Idaho 0 – 4 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1941 Stanford Indians football team represented Stanford University as a member of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) during the 1941 college football season. Second-year head coach Clark Shaughnessy led the team to a 6–3 record. Before the season, Stanford, which the year prior had finished 10–0, was considered a favorite for the national championship, but three conference losses put it out of contention for a return to the Rose Bowl. After the season, Shaughnessy left Stanford to take over as head coach at the University of Maryland.

Before the season

[edit]

The Indians lost two stars from the previous season, right halfback Hugh Gallarneau and fullback Norm Standlee, to graduation, but returned quarterback Frankie Albert. Shaughnessy made the "pessimistic" projection that the team would drop at least two games.[1] Before and early in the season, expectations were high for Stanford, and alongside Minnesota, the Indians were considered among the frontrunners for the national championship.[2] Throughout the course of the season, however, injuries hindered the team.[3]

Season

[edit]

Neither Stanford nor Minnesota were considered overly impressive in narrow victories in their season openers. The Indians edged Oregon, 19–15. The International News Service reported that Stanford "was not the polished, meticulous outfit it was when it trimmed Nebraska" in the previous season's Rose Bowl.[4] Stanford then routed UCLA, 33–0.[5] The following week, Oregon State snapped Stanford's 13-game winning streak. The Associated Press credited Beavers center Quentin Greenough with leading Oregon State's defensive effort, which blanked Stanford's potent T-formation, 10–0. Greenough was injured in the fourth quarter and had to be carried out by stretcher.[6]

Against Washington, Stanford scored two second-quarter touchdowns and turned back multiple Huskies' drives. The Indians had two additional touchdowns negated by penalties, but won, 13–7.[7] On a mud-logged field, Stanford back Pete Kmetovic scored five minutes into the game against Santa Clara. Later in the first quarter, Buck Fawcett broke free for an 84-yard touchdown run, and before halftime, Kmetovic returned an interception 40 yards to put the Indians back in position for a third score. Stanford's defense held Santa Clara at bay for the remainder of the game, and turned back two Bronco drives on the four-yard line for a final result of 27–7.[8]

After defeating USC, 13–0, the Indians fell in their penultimate game against Washington State. The result tied Stanford, Washington, and Oregon State for first-place in the Pacific Coast Conference with two losses each, and all still vying for a berth in the Rose Bowl.[9] Stanford's loss to underdogs California, 16–0, in the finale put them out of contention for the postseason game invitation.[10] The Indians finished with a 6–3 record.[11]

After the season

[edit]

In March 1942, Shaughnessy turned down a head coaching offer from Yale University, but said he was considering the same job at another Eastern school with little football tradition.[3] A short time later, he resigned to accept the job at Maryland.[12] According to Sports Illustrated in 1977, Shaughnessy's decision was based on his belief that Stanford would discontinue its football program during World War II.[13]

Schedule

[edit]
DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 27Oregon
W 19–1535,000[14]
October 4UCLA
  • Stanford Stadium
  • Stanford, CA
W 33–040,000[15][16]
October 11at Oregon State
L 0–1022,000[17]
October 18San Francisco*
  • Stanford Stadium
  • Stanford, CA
W 42–267,000[18]
October 25at WashingtonNo. T–19
W 13–743,000[19]
November 1Santa Clara*No. 12
  • Stanford Stadium
  • Stanford, CA
W 27–765,000[20]
November 8at USCNo. 9
W 13–087,000[21]
November 15Washington StateNo. 6
  • Stanford Stadium
  • Stanford, CA
L 13–1445,000[22]
November 29California
L 0–1670,000[23]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

After the season

[edit]
Main article: 1942 NFL draft

The 1942 NFL Draft was held on December 10, 1941. The following Indians were selected.[24]

Round Pick Player Position NFL club
1 3 Pete Kmetovic Halfback Philadelphia Eagles
1 10 Frankie Albert Quarterback Chicago Bears
2 13 Vic Lindskog Center Philadelphia Eagles
12 103 Fred Meyer End Philadelphia Eagles
17 153 Arnie Meiners End Philadelphia Eagles

[25]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Pessimistic Clark Shaughnessy Sees Team Losing Two Games, Eugene Register-Guard, September 14, 1941.
  2. ^ Minnesota and Stanford Loom Again as Champions, The Milwaukee Journal, September 29, 1941.
  3. ^ a b Clark Shaughnessy Not Interested In Yale, But May Move East, Eugene Register-Guard, March 12, 1942.
  4. ^ Teams With Standout Backs Take Over Spotlight, St. Petersburg Times, September 29, 1941.
  5. ^ USC, Huskies Are Underdogs, Eugene Register-Guard, October 10, 1941.
  6. ^ Clark Shaughnessy Says Best Team Won, Eugene Register-Guard, October 12, 1941.
  7. ^ Stanford Clips Huskies, The Pittsburgh Press, October 26, 1941.
  8. ^ Stanford's T-Formation Rolls In Mud And Santa Clara Loses, The Miami News, November 2, 1941.
  9. ^ Stanford, Texas Fall in Hectic Week-end, St. Petersburg Times, November 17, 1941.
  10. ^ Oregon State In Rose Bowl, The Pittsburgh Press, November 30, 1941.
  11. ^ Coaching Records Game by Game: 1941 Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, College Football Data Warehouse, retrieved August 15, 2010.
  12. ^ Clark Shaughnessy Moves To New Maryland University Job, Eugene Register-Guard, April 6, 1942.
  13. ^ Ron Fimrite, A Melding Of Men All Suited To A T; Clark Shaughnessy was a dour theoretician, Frankie Albert an unrestrained quarterback and Stanford a team of losers, but combined they forever changed the game of football Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine, Sports Illustrated, September 5, 1977.
  14. ^ Harry Borba (September 28, 1941). "Cards Triumph: Indians Fumble and Bog Down But Win 11th Straight, 19-15". The San Francisco Examiner. p. S2 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Al Wolf (October 5, 1941). "Indians Toy With U.C.L.A." Los Angeles Times. p. II-9 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Bill Tobitt (October 5, 1941). "Stanford 33, Bruins 0". Oakland Tribune. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Oregon State Beavers Shatter Another Grid Dynasty". The Register-Guard. October 12, 1941. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Harry Borba (October 19, 1941). "Cardinals Use Only Power Plays to Trim Striving Dons, 42-26". The San Francisco Examiner. p. Sports 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Harry Borba (October 26, 1941). "Cards Roll Toward Rose Bowl, 13-7". San Francisco Examiner. p. Sports 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Bill Tobitt (November 2, 1941). "Tribe Has Reached Peak -- Shaughnessy". Oakland Tribune. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Paul Zimmerman (November 9, 1941). "First Period Tells Tale: Throng of 87,000 Sees Indians Clinch Victory Early in Game". Los Angeles Times. p. I-27 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Prescott Sullivan (November 16, 1941). "Cougars Crush Indians' Bowl Hopes". The San Francisco Examiner. p. Sports 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Prescott Sullivan (November 30, 1941). "Cal, 3-1/2-1 Underdog, Whips Cards, 16-0". The San Francisco Examiner. p. Sports 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "1942 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  25. ^ "1942 NFL Draft". Retrieved September 16, 2014.
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