1965 Ithaca Bombers football team

The 1965 Ithaca Bombers football team was an American football team that represented Ithaca College as an independent during the 1965 NCAA College Division football season. In their eighth season under head coach Richard S. Lyon, the Bombers compiled an 8–0 record and outscored opponents by a total of 204 to 76.[1][2][3] It was the first, and remains the only, perfect season in Ithaca football history.[2]

1965 Ithaca Bombers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record8–0
Head coach
CaptainLarry Turel
Home stadiumSouth Hill Field
Seasons
← 1964
1966 →
1965 NCAA College Division independents football records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Springfield     9 0 0
Ithaca     8 0 0
Parsons     8 1 0
Santa Clara     8 1 0
UC Santa Barbara     8 2 0
Cortland     7 2 0
Wabash     7 2 0
Northeastern     6 2 0
UC Riverside     6 2 0
Tampa     6 2 1
Northern Michigan     7 3 0
Mississippi Valley State     6 3 0
St. Norbert     6 3 0
Rose Poly     5 3 0
Drake     6 4 0
Chattanooga     5 4 1
Arizona State–Flagstaff     5 4 1
Lake Forest     4 4 0
Cal Poly Pomona     4 5 0
Howard (AL)     4 6 0
Portland State     4 6 0
Colorado College     3 5 0
Milwaukee     2 6 0
Southern Illinois     2 8 0
Pacific (CA)     2 8 0
Hawaii     1 8 1
Carnegie Tech     1 7 0

Statistically, the team ran a balanced offense, totaling 1,400 rushing yards and 1,354 passing yards.[2] Quarterback Jim Harris broke the school's single-season record with 1,269 passing yards.[4] He completed 89 of 153 passes for a .585 completion percentage with nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions.[2] Frank Fazio led the team with 30 pass receptions for 448 yards; Fazio also led the team in scoring with 60 points on seven touchdowns, 16 point-after-touchdown kicks, and a two-point conversion. Senior halfback Bob Glazier was the rushing leader with 93 carries for 459 yards (an average of 4.9 yards per carry).[2][3]

After the season, the following team awards were presented:

  • Honorary co-captains - Jim Harris and tackle Len Tyler (Larry Turel was the team captain throughout the 1965 season; Harris and Tyler were selected as "honorary" captains at the end of the season)
  • Most outstanding defensive player - halfback Rene VanCauwenberge
  • Most outstanding offensive player - Jim Harris
  • Whistleman (hustle) of the yeaar - end Bob Congdon
  • Rookie of the year - back John Neyenhouse
  • Marauder of the year - halfback Bill Erven

[5]

The team was inducted into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. Coach Lyon has also been inducted individually, along with three players from the team: Fazio, Harris, and Leonard Tyler.[6]

The team played its home games at South Hill Field in Ithaca, New York.

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 18at Clarion
W 7–03,600[7][8]
September 25Southern Connecticut
W 28–252,500[9][10]
October 2at Montclair State
W 19–144,366[11][12][13]
October 9Cortland
  • South Hill Field
  • Ithaca, NY
W 13–12[14]
October 16at SusquehannaSelinsgrove, PAW 34–64,500[15][16]
October 23C. W. Post
  • South Hill Field
  • Ithaca, NY
W 39–61,500[17]
October 30at BridgeportBridgeport, CTW 14–75,000[18][19]
November 6American International
  • South Hill Field
  • Ithaca, NY
W 50–6[20]

References

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  1. ^ "2010 Media Guide" (PDF). Ithaca college. 2010. p. 33.
  2. ^ a b c d e "IC Gridders Perfect, But Not Statistically". Ithaca Journal. November 24, 1965. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Bombers Already Anticipating More". Ithaca Journal. November 10, 1965. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Media Guide, p. 4.
  5. ^ "Barton New Captain Of College Bombers". Ithaca Journal. November 18, 1965. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Team Induction 1965 Football". Ithaca College. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  7. ^ Willard Mecklenburg (September 20, 1965). "Clarion State Gridders Drop Opener To Ithaca". The Derrick. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "IC Has Successful Visit to Clarion". Ithaca Journal. September 20, 1965. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ David Burak (September 27, 1965). "Harris, Fazio Pace Bombers In Comebacker". Ithaca Journal. p. 10.
  10. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Southern Connecticut)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "Montclair, Ithaca To Tangle Tonight At Clifton Stadium". The Record. October 2, 1965. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Ithaca College Tops Montclair State, 19-14". The Herald-News. October 4, 1965. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Montclair State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  14. ^ Dave Burak (October 11, 1965). "College Grid Team Wins 7th Straight". Ithaca Journal. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Harris Paces College Over Susquehanna". Ithaca Journal. October 18, 1965. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Unbeaten Ithaca Rips Susquehanna". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 17, 1965. p. Sports 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Jerry Langdon (October 25, 1965). "IC Wins 9th Straight". Ithaca Journal. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Bombers Capture 10th in Row". Ithaca Journal. November 1, 1965. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Ithaca Shades Bridgeport 14-7". The Hartford Courant. October 31, 1965. p. 3C – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ David Burak (November 8, 1965). "IC's Grid Year Perfect". Ithaca Journal. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
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