The 1946 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1946 Big Nine Conference football season. The team compiled a 4–5 record (2–5 against conference opponents) and finished in eighth place in the Big Nine Conference. Harry Stuhldreher was in his 11th year as Wisconsin's head coach. The team averaged 253.1 yards per game of total offense, 179.8 by rushing, and 73.3 by passing.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, p. 146.

The team's statistical leaders included Earl Maves with 538 rushing yards, Lisle Blackbourn, Jr., with 175 passing yards, Tom Bennett with 124 receiving yards, and Ben Bendrick with 30 points scored.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, pp. 134-136. Center Fred Negus received the team's most valuable player award.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, p. 181. T. A. Cox led the Big Nine with an average of 43.0 yards per punt.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, p. 131. Clarence Esser was the team captain.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, p. 185.

Earl Maves rushed for 155 yards against Marquette on September 21, 1946.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, p. 103. In the same game, he set a Wisconsin school record with an 86-yard touchdown run. That record stood until 1957.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, p. 105. Also in the Marquette game, Gene Evans set a school record with three interceptions, a record that stood until 1954.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, p. 127. The defense held Marquette to five rushing yards in the game.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, p. 143.

On September 28, 1946, Wisconsin set a school record by holding California to 71 yards (24 rushing, 47 passing). That record stood until 2005.

Wisconsin was ranked at No. 29 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System rankings for 1946.

The team played its home games at Camp Randall Stadium. During the 1946 season, the average attendance at home games was 45,000.Wisconsin Football 2016 Fact Book, p. 258.

Schedule

Rankings

After the season The 1947 NFL draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Badgers were selected.

1 11 Don Kindt Defensive back Chicago Bears 15 133 George Fuchs Back Los Angeles Rams 20 180 Clarence Esser End Chicago Cardinals 26 236 Earl Maves Wingback Detroit Lions

References