The Perfect Season

Thank You Wilipedia for Showing Me My Dad!

The 1951 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football in its 31st season as a member of the Southern Conference. Maryland outscored its opponents, 381–74, and finished the season with a 10–0 record, including three shut outs, and held seven opponents held to seven points or less. It was the school's first perfect undefeated and untied season since 1893. Maryland also secured its first berth in a major postseason bowl game, the 1952 Sugar Bowl, where it upset first-ranked Tennessee under head coach Robert Neyland.

Personnel

On the whole, Maryland returned a seasoned team that included 22 lettermen, and the United Press described the team as "bigger and bruisier than ever."^[9] They were led by junior quarterback Jack Scarbath who gained significant experience in the split-T the previous season,^[9] in which he started the first six games before suffering an injury.^[11] He was backed up by a capable reservist in sophomore quarterback Bernie Faloney.^[11] (In 1952, Scarbath was the Heisman Trophy runner-up,^[12] and the following year, Faloney finished fourth in the voting.^[13])

Scarbath was accompanied in the backfield by several other capable players, including "one of the biggest fullbacks in captivity"^[9] Ed Modzelewski and halfbacks Chet "the Jet" Hanulak and Ed Fullerton. Halfback Bob Shemonski, the previous season's conference-scoring leader, was shifted to play mostly on defense, but would rank as the team leader in kick returns with six for 126 yards.^[4] The Terrapins' line was anchored by co-captains Bob Ward, a guard, and Dave Cianelli, the center. At tackle, it featured Ed's brother, Dick Modzelewski, and Bob Morgan.^[11] The defense was described as particularly deep, anchored by Ward, Cianelli, and Jeff Keith, and with good reserves available into even the third string.^[9]

Wow! He looks so happy. Under his coach's left hand. In the Wikipedia write up he is described as an anchor of the defense. I never knew any of this. To me this is just unbelievable. His joy in this picture has brought me to tears.