1955 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season

The 1955 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) as part of the 1955 college football season.

1955 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season
Sport	Football
Number of teams	6
Champion	Hillsdale
Football seasons
← 1954 1956 →

1955 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Hillsdale $	6	–	0	–	0			9	–	0	–	0
Kalamazoo	4	–	2	–	0			5	–	3	–	0
Alma	3	–	3	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Hope	3	–	3	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
Albion	3	–	3	–	0			3	–	5	–	0
Adrian	2	–	4	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
Olivet	0	–	6	–	0			1	–	8	–	0
$ – Conference champion

The Hillsdale Dales, in their second season under head coach Muddy Waters, won the conference championship with a perfect 9–0 record (6–0 against MIAA opponents).

Conference overview

Conf. rank	Team	Head coach	Conf. record	Overall record	Points scored	Points against
1	Hillsdale	Muddy Waters	6–0	9–0	302	86
2	Kalamazoo	Rolla Anderson	4–2	5–3	118	109
3 (tie)	Alma	Lloyd Eaton	3–3	5–4	187	141
3 (tie)	Hope	Russ DeVette	3–3	4–5	187	158
3 (tie)	Albion	Morley Fraser	3–3	3–5	99	125
6	Adrian	Joe Fortunato	2–4	4–5	139	186
7	Olivet	Warren Thomas	0–6	1–8	57	246

^[1][2][3]

Individual leaders

The MIAA individual leaders (limited to conference games unless stated otherwise) included:^[3][2]

• Scoring - Nate Clark, Hillsdale, 114 points in conference games (19 touchdowns); 144 points in all games (24 touchdowns)
• Rushing - Marv Raab, Alma, 672 yards on 78 carries
• Passing - Fred Hobart, Adrian, 26 of 52 attempts for 483 yards; John Holmlund, Hope, 445 yards
• Receiving - Leon Harper, Adrian, 20 receptions for 323 yards; Joe Iauch, Olivet, 23 receptions for 309 yards
• Total offense - Marv Raab, Alma, 683 yards (672 rushing yards, 11 passing yards); Rollie Wahl, Olivet, 658 yards

Teams

Hillsdale

Main article: 1955 Hillsdale Dales football team

1955 Hillsdale Dales football
MIAA champion
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	9–0 (6–0 MIAA)
Head coach	Muddy Waters (2nd season)
Seasons ← 1954 1956 →

The 1955 Hillsdale Dales football team represented Hillsdale College in the MIAA during the 1955 college football season. In their second year under head coach Muddy Waters, the Dales compiled a 9–0 record (6–0 against MIAA opponents), won the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 302 to 86.^[4][5] The season was part of Hillsdale's 34-game winning streak extending from 1954 to 1957.^[6]

The 1955 team declined an invitation to play in the 1956 Tangerine Bowl due to the organizers' stipulation that Hillsdale's four black players remain at home. One of the black players was Nate Clark who led the country in scoring with 144 points scored in nine games.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 17	Anderson (IN)*	Hillsdale, MI	W 42–7	^[7]^[8]
September 24	at Michigan State Normal*	Ypsilanti, MI	W 20–6	^[9]
October 1	Olivet	Hillsdale, MI	W 45–6	^[10]
October 8	at Albion	Albion, MI	W 14–7	^[11]
October 15	Alma	Hillsdale, MI	W 27–20	^[12]
October 22	at Hope	Holland, MI	W 19–13	^[13]
October 29	Kalamazoo	Hillsdale, MI	W 41–7	^[14]
November 5	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 62–7	^[15]
November 12	Lewis (IL)*	Hillsdale, MI	W 27–13	^[16]
*Non-conference game

Kalamazoo

1955 Kalamazoo Hornets football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	5–3 (4–2 MIAA)
Head coach	Rolla Anderson (3rd season)
Home stadium	Angell Field
Seasons ← 1954 1956 →

The 1955 Kalamazoo Hornets football team represented Kalamazoo College of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In their third year under head coach Rolla Anderson, the Hornets compiled a 5–3 record (4–2 against MIAA opponents), finished the season in second place in the MIAA, and outscored opponents by a total of 118 to 109.^[2]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 24	at Eastern Illinois	Charleston, IL	L 0–15	^[17]^[18]^[19]
October 1	Alma	Kalamazoo, MI	L 6–15	^[20]
October 8	at Hope	Holland, MI	W 20–7	^[21]
October 15	Defiance	Kalamazoo, MI	W 20–12	^[22]
October 22	Adrian	Kalamazoo, MI	W 26–19	^[23]
October 29	at Hillsdale	Hillsdale, MI	L 7–41	^[14]
November 5	Olivet	Kalamazoo, MI	W 26–0	^[24]
November 12	at Albion	Albion, MI	W 13–0	^[25]

Alma

1955 Alma Scots football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	5–4 (3–3 MIAA)
Head coach	Lloyd Eaton (7th season)
Seasons ← 1954 1956 →

The 1955 Alma Scots football team represented Alma College of Alma, Michigan. In their seventh and final year under head coach Lloyd Eaton, the Scots compiled a 5–4 record (3–3 against MIAA opponents), finished in a tie for third place in the MIAA, and outscored opponents by a total of 187 to 141.^[26]

Alma's Marv Raab led the MIAA in both rushing yards in conference games (672 yards on 78 carries) and total offense (683 yards).^[2]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 17	Indiana Central*	Alma, MI	W 20–0	^[27]
September 24	at Northern Michigan*	Marquette, MI	W 33–0
October 1	at Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	W 15–6	^[20]
October 8	Adrian	Alma, MI	W 21–6	^[28]
October 15	at Hillsdale	Hillsdale, MI	L 20–27	^[12]
October 22	Olivet	Alma, MI	W 31–6	^[29]
October 29	at Albion	Albion, MI	L 13–20	^[30]
November 5	Ferris Institute*	Alma, MI	L 20–39
November 12	Hope	Alma, MI	L 14–37	^[31]
*Non-conference game

Hope

1955 Hope Flying Dutchmen football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	4–5 (3–3 MIAA)
Head coach	Russ DeVette (1st season)
Seasons ← 1954 1956 →

The 1955 Hope Flying Dutchmen football team represented Hope College of Hope, Michigan. In their first year under head coach Russ DeVette, the Dutchmen compiled a 4–5 record (3–3 against MIAA opponents), finished in a tie for third place in the MIAA, and outscored opponents by a total of 187 to 158.^[32]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 17	at Michigan State Normal*	Briggs Field Ypsilanti, MI	L 0–27		^[33]
September 24	Heidelberg*	Holland, MI	L 6–28
October 1	Carroll*	Holland, MI	W 19–13		^[34]
October 8	Kalamazoo	Holland, MI	L 7–20		^[21]
October 15	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	L 13–18		^[35]
October 22	Hillsdale	Holland, MI	L 13–19		^[13]
October 29	at Olivet	Olivet, MI	W 52–13		^[36]
November 5	at Albion	Holland, MI	W 40–6	1,900	^[37]
November 12	at Alma	Alma, MI	W 37–14		^[31]
*Non-conference game

Albion

1955 Albion Britons football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	3–5 (3–3 MIAA)
Head coach	Morley Fraser (2nd season)
Seasons ← 1954 1956 →

The 1955 Albion Britons football team represented Albion College of Albion, Michigan. In their second year under head coach Morley Fraser, the Britons compiled a 3–5 record (3–3 against MIAA opponents), finished in a tie for third place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 135 to 99.^[38]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 24	at Wabash*	Crawfordsville, IN	L 7–13		^[39]
October 1	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 13–7		^[40]
October 8	Hillsdale	Albion, MI	L 7–14		^[11]
October 15	at Olivet	Olivet, MI	W 26–7		^[41]
October 22	Beloit*	Albion, MI	L 20–28		^[42]
October 29	Alma	Albion, MI	W 20–13		^[30]
November 5	at Hope	Holland, MI	L 6–40	1,900	^[37]
November 12	Kalamazoo	Albion, MI	L 0–13		^[25]
*Non-conference game

Adrian

1955 Adrian Bulldogs football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	4–5 (2–4 MIAA)
Head coach	Joe Fortunato (3rd season)
Seasons ← 1954 1956 →

The 1955 Adrian Bulldogs football team represented Adrian College of Adrian, Michigan. In their third and final year under head coach Joe Fortunato, the Bulldogs compiled a 4–5 record (2–4 against MIAA opponents), finished in sixth place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 186 to 139.^[43]

Two Adrian players ranked as statistical leaders in conference games. Fred Hobart led the conference with 483 passing yards, and Leon Harper was the receiving leader with 20 receptions for 323 yards.^[2]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 17	Wilmington (OH)*	Adrian, MI	W 22–19	^[44]
September 24	Defiance*	Adrian, MI	W 25–12
October 1	Albion	Adrian, MI	L 7–13	^[40]
October 8	at Alma	Alma, MI	L 6–21	^[28]
October 15	Hope	Adrian, MI	W 18–13	^[35]
October 22	at Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	L 19–26	^[23]
October 29	Ferris Institute*	Adrian, MI	L 15–20	^[45]
November 5	Hillsdale	Adrian, MI	L 7–62	^[15]
November 12	at Olivet	Olivet, MI	W 20–0	^[46]
*Non-conference game

Olivet

1955 Olivet Comets football
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	1–8 (0–6 MIAA)
Head coach	Warren Thomas (3rd season)
Seasons ← 1954 1956 →

The 1955 Olivet Comets football team represented Olivet College of Olivet, Michigan. In their third and final year under head coach Warren Thomas, the Comets compiled a 1–8 record (0–6 against MIAA opponents), finished in last place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 246 to 57.^[47]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Source
September 17	at Wittenberg*	Springfield, OH	L 0–28	^[48]
September 24	at Ferris Institute*	Big Rapids, MI	L 6–12	^[49]
October 1	at Hillsdale	Hillsdale, MI	L 6–45	^[10]
October 8	Grand Rapids JC*	Olivet, MI	W 19–6	^[50]
October 15	Albion	Olivet, MI	L 7–26	^[41]
October 22	at Alma	Alma, MI	L 6–31	^[29]
October 29	Hope	Olivet, MI	L 13–52	^[36]
November 5	at Kalamazoo	Kalamazoo, MI	L 0–26	^[24]
November 12	Adrian	Olivet, MI	L 0–20	^[46]
*Non-conference game

References

1. "State College Grid Facts". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. November 21, 1955. p. 36. Retrieved May 18, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .
2. "1955 MIAA Standings and Stats" (PDF). Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
3. "Clark, Raab Lead MIAA Statistics". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 19, 1955. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "2009 Hillsdale College Football Media Guide". Hillsdale College. p. 62. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
5. "1955 Football Team". Hillsdale College. Retrieved November 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "1957 Hillsdale College Football Team". Hillsdale College. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
7. "Dales Hand Indiana '11' 47 to 7 Loss". Lansing State Journal. September 18, 1955. p. 51 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Hillsdale Crushes Anderson In Opener". Anderson Herald. September 18, 1955. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Dales Romp Past Hurons". Detroit Free Press. September 25, 1955. p. C5 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Dales Crush Olivet, 45–6". Detroit Free Press. October 2, 1955. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Hillsdale Sneaks by Albion, 14–7". Lansing State Journal. October 9, 1955. p. 62 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Alma Downed: Clark's 4 Tallies Win for Hillsdale". Detroit Free Press. October 16, 1955. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Hillsdale's Rally Nips Hope, 19–13". Lansing State Journal. October 23, 1955. p. 71 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Dales Clinch Tie for Title". Detroit Free Press. October 30, 1955. p. D5 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Dales' Clark Gets 5 TDs In 62–7 Rout". Detroit Free Press. November 6, 1955. p. 2D.
16. "Lewis Absorbs 27–13 Beating By Hillsdale". Chicago Tribune. November 13, 1955. p. II-8 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Eastern Scores Late To Nudge Kalamazoo, 15-0". The Pantagraph. Bloomington, Illinois. September 25, 1955. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "Kalamazoo At Eastern Today". Decatur Herald. Decatur, Illinois. September 24, 1955. p. 12. Retrieved September 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
19. "Eastern Raps Kalamazoo in Opener, 15-0". Decatur Sunday Herald and Review. Decatur, Illinois. September 25, 1955. p. 19. Retrieved September 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com  .
20. "Alma Chalks Up 3rd Straight". Detroit Free Press. October 2, 1955. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
21. "Kalamazoo Beats Hope To Even MIAA Record". Lansing State Journal. October 9, 1955. p. 62 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Kalamazoo Defeats Defiance, 20-12". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 16, 1955. p. II-4 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Kazoo Posts 26-19 Win Over Adrian". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 23, 1955. p. III-2 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Kalamazoo Tips Olivet". Lansing State Journal. November 6, 1955. p. 69 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Kalamazoo Blanks Albion, 13 to 0". Lansing State Journal. November 13, 1955. p. 65 – via Newspapers.com.
26. . College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved October 21, 2023.^{[dead link]}
27. "Raab Paces Alma Past Indiana Foe". Lansing State Journal. September 18, 1955. p. 50 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "Raab Gets Alma Off to Fast Start". Detroit Free Press. October 9, 1955. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
29. "Raab Paces Alma Over Olivet, 31-6". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 23, 1955. p. III-2 – via Newspapers.com.
30. "Albion Nips Alma In Thriller". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 30, 1955. p. III-2 – via Newspapers.com.
31. "Hope Drubs Alma, 37-14 To End Season on High Note". The Holland Evening Sentinel. November 14, 1955. p. 9.
32. . College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2015-09-15. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
33. "Normal Routs Hope, 27-0". Detroit Free Press. September 18, 1955. p. 2D. Retrieved March 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
34. "Hope Scores Three Times in Finale to Beat Carroll, 19-13: Pioneers Tire And Fade Out in Last Quarter". Waukesha Daily Freeman. October 3, 1955. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
35. "Adrian Slams Hope into Loop Cellar With 18-13 Victory". The Holland Evening Sentinel. October 17, 1955. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
36. "Hope Clobbers Olivet, 52-13, To Bolt Out of MIAA Cellar: Dutch Run Wild In Chalking Up First Loop Win". The Holland Evening Sentinel. October 31, 1955. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
37. "Hope Dumps Albion, 40-6 On Strong Ground Game: Dutch Break Loose In Final Half For MIAA Victory". The Holland Evening Sentinel. November 7, 1955. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
38. . College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
39. "Wabash Beats Albion". Muncie Star. September 25, 1955. p. C3 – via Newspapers.com.
40. "Britons Top Adrian in Tight Battle". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 2, 1955. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
41. "Jim Hurd Sparkplugs Albion Over Olivet". Lansing State Journal. October 16, 1955. p. 65 – via Newspapers.com.
42. "Beloit Bucs Tip Albion". The Herald-Telegram. October 24, 1955. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
43. . College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
44. "Wilmington Loses". Albion Beacon Journal. September 19, 1955. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
45. "Adrian Upset By Ferris, 20-15". Detroit Free Press. October 30, 1955. p. 6D – via Newspapers.com.
46. "Olivet '11' Beaten By Adrian, 20-0". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 13, 1955. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
47. . College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
48. "Wittenberg Raps Olivet". Mansfield News-Journal. September 18, 1955. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
49. "Ferris Edges Past Olivet, 12 to 6". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. September 25, 1955. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
50. "Wahl Leads Olivet To 19-6 Victory". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 9, 1955. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.