1963 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

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1963 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
OVC champion
Tangerine Bowl champion
Tangerine Bowl, W 27–0 vs. Coast Guard
ConferenceOhio Valley Conference
1963 record10–0–1 (7–0 OVC)
Head coach
Captains
Seasons
← 1962
1964 →
1963 Ohio Valley Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 8 Western Kentucky $ 7 0 0 10 0 1
Middle Tennessee 6 1 0 8 2 0
East Tennessee State 5 2 0 7 2 0
Tennessee Tech 3 4 0 6 4 0
Murray State 3 4 0 5 5 0
Morehead State 3 4 0 5 4 0
Eastern Kentucky 1 6 0 2 8 0
Austin Peay 0 7 0 1 9 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from College Division UPI Poll

The 1963 Western Kentucky football team represented Western Kentucky State College (now known as Western Kentucky University) during the 1963 NCAA College Division football season. The Hilltoppers were led by OVC Coach of the Year Nick Denes, won the Ohio Valley Conference championship, and finished the season undefeated. This team was one of the finest in school history and set a school record for victories.[1] The roster included future National Football League (NFL) players John Mutchler, Dale Lindsey, Jim Burt, and Harold Chambers as well as future NFL coach Joe Bugel.[2] Mutchler was named OVC Defensive Player of the Year.[3]

The Hilltoppers earned a berth in the Tangerine Bowl, where they defeated the Coast Guard Academy 27-0. Western Kentucky quarterback Sharon Miller was named the game's most valuable player. [4] Mutchler, Chambers, Bugel, Jim Burt, Lindsey, and Bobby Westmoreland were named to the All-OVC team, while John Burt, Eddie Crum, Bob Gebhart, Sharon Miller, and Stan Napper were Honorable Mention.[5]

Schedule[]

DateOpponentRankSiteResult
September 14at Southeast Missouri*Cape Girardeau, MOW 40–7
September 21at Tampa*T 14–14
September 28East Tennessee StateBowling Green, KYW 14-6
October 5at Middle TennesseeW 16–6
October 12at Austin PeayNo. 17
W 34–14
October 19at No. 11 Tennessee TechNo. 10Cookeville, TNW 14–12
October 26Evansville*daggerNo. 9Bowling Green, KYW 54–14
November 2at Eastern KentuckyNo. 8Richmond, KY (Battle of the Bluegrass)W 29–6
November 9Morehead StateNo. 7Bowling Green, KYW 17–0
November 23Murray StateNo. 9Bowling Green, KYW 50–0
December 28vs. Coast GuardNo. 8W 27–0
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from UPI Poll released prior to the game

References[]

  1. ^ Ruby, Earl (1979). Red Towel Territory: A History Of Athletics At Western Kentucky University. American National Bank and Trust Co. ASIN B00ILIOPAO.
  2. ^ Pro Football Reference, retrieved 30 April 2020
  3. ^ 2017 OVC Football Media Guide, retrieved 30 April 2020
  4. ^ Bassine, Bob (December 29, 1963). "Hilltopper Defense Does Job". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 11, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ WKU Football Media Guide retrieved 31 March 2020.
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