Digital Commons @ Otterbein

Title

1955 Otterbein College (12) vs. Marietta College (7) Football Film - 1 of 2 (Homecoming)

Authors

Archives, Otterbein UniversityFollow

Files

Streaming Media

Description

Otterbein 12 vs. Marietta 7

Homecoming

October 22, 1955

Memorial Stadium, Westerville, Ohio

Time: #1: 14:54; #2: 7:35 Type: Color Program: Yes

Schools: Otterbein University is a private university in Westerville, Ohio. The university was founded in 1847 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and named for United Brethren founder the Rev. Philip William Otterbein. After the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church, in 1968, Otterbein has been associated with the United Methodist Church. Colors: Tan and Cardinal. Mascot: Cardinals

Marietta College began as the Muskingum Academy, in 1797, which was the birth of higher education in Ohio. The Muskingum Academy, completed late that year, became the first institution of its kind in the Northwest Territory. Today's College was chartered in 1835. Colors: Navy Blue and White. Mascot: Pioneers (Early athletic teams were referred to as “Blue & Whites.” However, since the late 1920s teams have been known as the “Pioneers" due to the role played by the settlement of Marietta as the first permanent settlement and first capital of the Northwest Territory. The current mascot is referred to as “Putnam the Pio” in honor of Gen. Rufus Putnam, the town’s founder and Revolutionary War hero.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marietta_College#History

Pio, Chris, Gryphons, Gorloks and Gusties: A History of NCAA Division III Nicknames and Mascots, Privately Published, Las Vegas, NV, 2021, p. 109.

Coaches: Otterbein – Robert “Moe” Agler (March 13, 1924 – September 16, 2005, Otterbein ‘48) A 1941 graduate of Dublin (Ohio)High School, Agler enrolled in Otterbein College where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track. After serving in the Navy during World War II, and participating in the D-Day invasion, Agler returned to Otterbein in 1946 where he was a member of, arguably, the best team in school history. He was instrumental in Otterbein’s most memorable game, a 13-7 loss to the University of West Virginia with the Cardinals threatening to score as time expired. After graduating in 1948 he played professionally for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) and the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Returning to central Ohio in 1950 Agler was hired as head football coach at his alma mater, Dublin High School, where he won the Franklin County Championship. He moved to Johnstown High School in 1952 before returning to Otterbein the next year as an assistant to Harry Ewing. In 1955 Agler replaced Ewing as head coach serving two stints, from 1955 to 1965 and 1970 to 1974, compiling a total record of 74–63–5. He was also the head basketball coach at Otterbein from 1955 to 1958, tallying a mark of 13–39, and served as Athletic Director (1955-1975). Following his retirement, he was instrumental in the construction of the new Memorial Stadium.

Marietta – John “Red” Smith (1920-1987, Muskingum ’41) Smith, at the age of 32, took over the reins of the Pioneer program on January 26, 1952, after five years at Roseville (OH) High School where he had a record of 37-13-2. His 1954 team went 4-3-1, the only winning season for a Marietta football team since 1939. Resigned on November 16, 1956 after losing 14 straight games since 1954. His record at Marietta was 7-29-2.

Notes:

Otterbein wearing white jerseys with tan pants; Marietta wearing blue jerseys with blue pants.

First 3:47-minutes of reel #1 shows pre-game – Band entrance, parade of floats, band marches down field, cheerleaders, flag raising, team warm-ups. The first 1:38-minutes of reel #2 shows presentation of Homecoming Queen and Court. Captains kissing queen. AFROTC marches in review. Otterbein trailed the Pioneers the whole game until three minutes in the game when they went 57-yards in three plays to win 12-7. For more game details see the Columbus Dispatch articles linked to this page.

References:

Otte, Dick, “Cap, Kenyon Play Saturday,” Columbus Evening Dispatch, October 21, 1955, p. 5B.

“Otterbein to Have Fall Homecoming,” Columbus Evening Dispatch, October 21, 1955, p. 11A.

“Crowned Queen At Otterbein,” Columbus Evening Dispatch, October 22, 1955, p. 2A.

“Otterbein Strikes Late To Beat Marietta, 12-7,” Columbus Sunday Dispatch, October 23, 1955, p. 3B.

Game Date

10-22-1955

Game Score

Otterbein 12-Marietta 7

Coaches

Otterbein – Robert “Moe” Agler (March 13, 1924 – September 16, 2005, Otterbein ‘48)

Marietta – John “Red” Smith (1920-1987, Muskingum ’41)

Game Location

Memorial Stadium, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio

Comments

Otterbein wearing white jerseys with tan pants; Marietta wearing blue jerseys with blue pants.

First 3:47-minutes of reel #1 shows pre-game – Band entrance, parade of floats, band marches down field, cheerleaders, flag raising, team warm-ups. The first 1:38-minutes of reel #2 shows presentation of Homecoming Queen and Court. Captains kissing queen. AFROTC marches in review. Otterbein trailed the Pioneers the whole game until three minutes in the game when they went 57-yards in three plays to win 12-7. For more game details see the Columbus Dispatch articles linked to this page.

Game Film # and Reel #

Game Film #14, Reel #12

Recommended Citation

Archives, "1955 Otterbein College (12) vs. Marietta College (7) Football Film - 1 of 2 (Homecoming)" (1955). 1950-1956 Sports Films. 6.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/sports_films_1950-1956/6

Film Time

14:54 minutes (Color)

Keywords

College Football, Football Programs, Football Films