1956 Lenoir Rhyne Bears football team

The 1956 Lenoir Rhyne Bears football team was an American football team that represented Lenoir Rhyne College (now known as Lenoir–Rhyne University) as a member of the North State Conference (NSC) during the 1956 NAIA football season. In their 11th season under head coach Clarence Stasavich, the team compiled a 10–0 record (6–0 against conference opponents), won the NSC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 380 to 70.^[1] 1956 remains the only perfect season in the history of the Lenoir–Rhyne Bears football program.^[2] The Bears also had undefeated seasons in 1955 and 1960 in which their record was marred only by a single tie game.

Fullback Harold Bullard led the team with 1,075 rushing yards and 96 points scored.^[3][4] Quarterback Dean Cline led the team in passing with 344 passing yards.^[5] Guard Arden Ray was selected as a second-team player on the 1956 Little All-America college football team.^[6] Eight Lenoir Rhyne players were selected as first-team players on one or more of the All-NSC football teams: halfback Walter Cornwell; fullback Harold Bullard; quarterback Dean Cline; end Hume Collins; guard Arden Ray; center Allan LaTorre; and tackles Bill Dameron and Leveo Sperotto. Cornwell and Ray were unanimous picks.^[7][8]

The 1956 season was part of an eight-year run from 1955 to 1962 under Stasavich and his successor, Hanley Painter, during which Lenoir Rhyne compiled a 76–6–4 record and won eight consecutive NSC championships and an NAIA national title in 1960.^[2]

The team played home games at College Field in Hickory, North Carolina.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 15	Apprentice*	College Field Hickory, NC	W 67–0		[9]
September 22	at Wofford*	Spartanburg, SC	W 13–7		[10]
September 29	at Newberry*	Newberry, SC	W 35–25	3,000	[11]
October 6	Appalachian State	College Field Hickory, NC	W 32–0		[12][13]
October 13	at Guilford	Guilford, NC	W 61–7		[14]
October 20	Western Carolina	College Field Hickory, NC	W 35–0	4,000	[15]
October 27	Emory and Henry*	College Field Hickory, NC	W 25–6	8,000	[16]
November 3	East Carolina	College Field Hickory, NC	W 57–12	4,100	[17][18]
November 10	at Elon	Memorial Stadium Burlington, NC	W 27–13	5,000	[19]
November 22	at Catawba	Shuford Field Salisbury, NC	W 28–0	7,000	[20]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

^[21][22]

References