Undefeated, Untied and Uninvited

Football did not start auspiciously for the Dons - then known as the Grey Fog - as, in 1892, they lost their very first game. Sixty years later, however, many declared the team as the finest in the nation. Under the tutelage of three-year coach Joe Kuharich, the green and gold eleven went on to post nine consecutive victories and were the only football team in school history to go undefeated. Of this sensational squad, one player was named consensus All-American, ten members were drafted by the pros, five made Pro Bowl appearances and three are in the NFL Hall of Fame. Pete Rozelle, who was the team publicist, went on to become commissioner of the NFL. Quite an impressive achievement for a little known Jesuit college on the Hilltop.As the 1951 season began, cuch Kuharich was blessed with a solid crew of returning veterans who had finished the 1950 season winning seven of 11 games. Loaded with All-American talent, the team boasted sharpshooter quarterback Ed Brown, prominent pass receiver Bob St. Clair, speedy Joe Scudero, stalwart Gino Marchetti, the incredible Ollie Matson, and the versatile Burl Toler. Neither California, Stanford nor USC could find time in their schedules to meet such an "unknown, yet tough" team.The season opened on September 21 at Kezar Stadium where the Dons met San Jose State. USF won 39-2 as Matson scored twice, Brown racked up 263 aerial yards and the defense allowed only 61 yards on the ground. Then it was on to Boise, Idaho, and a 28-7 victory as Matson got three touchdowns and gained 235 yards rushing. Next fell the Pendleton Marines, San Jose State and Fordham University. It was at the Fordham game that the East Coast press spied Matson's All-American talent. More than halfway through the season, and the Dons were red hot.USF went on to pound San Diego Navy, Santa Clara, COllege of the Pacific and Loyola, beating them with double-digit spreads. At the end of the convincing 20-2 victory over Loyola, the Dons waited expectantly for a bid to a bowl game. Considered the best college team in the country, the Don eleven, which included African-Americans Ollie Matson and Burl Toler, did not participate in post-season play. At the time, when an integrated college football team was uncommon, a bowl bid was denied due to racial prejudice. According to sportscaster Ira Blue, the Orange, Sugar and Gator bowls chose not to invite any integrated teams. While it was suggested that a bid might be forthcoming if the team played without Matson and Toler, in true USF character, this close-knit team decided to stay home.Not only was the lack of a bowl bid a disappointment to the group of athletes, it was also a tragedy to the spirit of sporting fair play. In addition, the lack of post-season revenue forced the school to shut down its financially strapped football program.These men stand proudly in the legacy of USF athletics, and we salute them.