News Scrapbook 1956-1959

1955 IN REVIEW Air Force Academy gridiron gladiators, playing a tough, eight-game schedule against Big Seven and Skyline Conference freshman teams in 1955, won four and lost four. That's quite an accom• plishment for a team selected from the first class of 306 men. AFA desire was displayed· in their debut when, after spotting Denver University a touchdown via the air on the first scrimmage play of the game, the Falcons streaked ahead for good and posted a 34-18 vi ctory. It was probably the most pub- licized and eagerly awaited frosh game in his- tory, with a record paid freshman game crowd of 17,785 in the stands and coverage by a network roundup, three regional stations and scores of newspaper, magazine, wire service and newsreel reporters and photographers. From that point on, there was no letup in the en- thusiasm and drive of the Falcons. Even in the waning moments of the final game of the season, when trailing Oklahoma, the Cadets ran and passed their way for 87 yards through the best the Sooners could muster to notch their last touchdown . In between, the AFA upended Colorado A&M, lost three straight to Colorado, Kansas and Utah, then bounced back to defeat Wyoming and New Mexico before bowing to Oklahoma. Accomplishments of the AFA team in its in- augural season, under the coaching of Col. Robert V. Whitlow, director of athletics, were even more noteworthy when it is remembered that following the third contest, 13 players were declared ineligible for scholastic reasons. A Cadet whose average falls below 70 in any of the subjects in which he is graded is ineligi- ble. The coaching staff did a fine job of maneuvering available manp?wer and grooming many players with little or no previous experience for vital roles. Four uphill wins by a team that trailed in every contest pretty well tell the story of a group of young men who laid the groundwork for a fine football tradition at the Academy.

1955 TEAM STATISTICS 1955 TEAM STATISTICS First Net Gains Points Downs Rushing Passing

Total Yards 1,754 1,987

312 63 7

1,442 1,350

101 175

A.F.A. Opponents

99 95

Yards Penal

Punting

Had

Forward Passes Attempted Completed

Avg. 34.3 32.8

lnterc.

216 413

8 5

25 28

89 68

A.F.A. Opponents

Other A. F.A. Statistics RUSHING 376 carries, 3,8 yards average

PASSING 3 touchdowns, 12. 5 yds. avg. per completion. PUNT RETURNS 10 for 50 yards, 5.0 avg. per return. KICKOFF RETURNS 27 for 565 yds., 20.9 avg. per return.

GAME BY GAME

First Total Pass Pass Final Downs Rushing Passing Yards Att. Comp. Score Net Yardage

A.F.A.

13 16

4 8 4 5 1 0 7 5 3 2 2

67

34 18 21 I3 0 32 0 33 6 12 21 13 6 12 48

271 115 146 122 258 100 182 144 181 286 163 258 43

12 10 10

338 227 195 182 258 157 321 190 195 306 261 284 61

112

Denver Fr.

49 60 18

9

A.F.A.

14 19

Colo. A&M Fr. 8

4

A.F.A.

7

0

18 12 14 11 18 13 19 9

Colo. U. Fr.

19 13 10

57

A.F.A.

139

Kansas Fr.

46 14 20 98 26

A.F.A. Utah Fr.

8 6

A.F.A.

7 2 0 2 8

17

Wyoming Fr.

7

5

A.F.A.

8 8

74

0

74

8

New Mex. Fr.

223 473

29

194 259

A.F.A.

13

10

214

Oklahoma Fr. 15

WATCH THEM IN '56 Keep your eyes on these four Falcons, all of whom performed very capably in 1955 and should develop into outstanding play- ers during the next three seasons: JOHN GULLEDGE- big, tough, and a de- vastating linebacker. GENE VOSIKA-217 pounds of speed and determination at tackle. CHARLES ZALESKI-a tenacious guard who really likes the going at its rough- est. STEVE GALIOS-has that quick getaway so necessary in a topflight halfback.

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