Bowling Green State University Athletics
Turn Back The Clock: BGSU Football In The 1940s
July 05, 2019 | Football
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of Bowling Green State University Football, the BGSU Department of Athletics will be taking a look back at the history of the program throughout the summer. Bowling Green will officially celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first game in program history when the Falcons host rival Toledo Oct. 12.
Fans can purchase season tickets today by CLICKING HERE!
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TURN BACK THE CLOCK SERIES
1919-1929
1930-1939
Overall Record: 52-34-5 (.599)
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Under Robert Whittaker, the Falcons had one of the program's most successful runs in the 1940s. Sharing the Ohio Conference title with Case Western Reserve, the 1941 team outscored opponents 173-40 despite starting the season 0-1-1. In 1946, the Falcons relied on a strong defense to finish 5-3. In those eight games, the Orange and Brown held opponents to just 39 points. Two years later, the 1948 squad reached new heights when they went 8-0-1. This was the highest single-season win total in program history, capped by a 38-7 victory over Morningside.
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The decade was also an important time for personal accomplishments. Wayne Bordner and Jack Woodland each earned All-Ohio honors three times each, with Don Mohr, Max Minnich, Vern Dunham, and Robert Schnelker earning All-Ohio honors twice each. Woodland was the first player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in his career, finishing with 1,752 in his four-year career. He is one of just three BGSU players to lead the team in rushing yards three seasons in a row.
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LONGEST WIN STREAK
After finishing 5-5 in 1947, the 1948 Falcons dominated the entire season. They won the first eight games of the year, outscoring opponents 217-87. The first three games were away, but the Falcons were able to top Ohio, Central Michigan, and Toledo to start 3-0 for the first time since 1943. The Falcons' final record of 8-0-1 gave them the best winning percentage in school history.
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NOTABLE PERFORMANCE
The Falcons traveled to Kent State in 1941 to take on the Golden Flashes in a midseason matchup. Looking for their fourth straight win, the Falcons relied on Eddie Wellner, a senior end. The captain and All-Ohio Conference selection hauled in an astounding 20 receptions, totaling 108 yards. This single game mark would be the program record until 2009, and the Falcons would win 12-6 to keep the winning streak alive.
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NOTABLE COACH
After spending 11 years at Sandusky High School, Robert Whittaker joined Bowling Green in 1941. Whittaker compiled an 89-19-2 record at Sandusky before spending 14 years as the Falcons' head coach. In this span, which is the longest in program history, Whittaker led the Orange and Brown to a 66-50-7 record. He led the team to a winning record in his first six years, including a 7-1-1 record in 1941 to claim a share of the Ohio Conference title.
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Under Whittaker, 21 Falcons were named All-Ohio in the 1940s. This includes three-time selections Wayne Bordner and Jack Woodland, who were also team captains and team MVPs. From 1941-1949, Whittaker and the Falcons went 49-25-4, with an incredible 29-5-2 record at home. Whittaker also coached the BGSU track team from 1942-1948 and 1956-1960. He was inducted into the BGSU Hall of Fame in 1968.
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NOTABLE PLAYERS
Jack Woodland (FB/HB): In a four-year Falcon career, Jack Woodland ran for 1,752 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named All-Ohio three times, BGSU MVP two times, and team captain once. He led the team in rushing each of his three years and averaged 5.1 yards per carry in his career. Woodland was drafted by Cleveland in 1950 and inducted into the BGSU Hall of Fame in 1967.
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Max Minnich (HB): The first player from BGSU to be drafted professionally, Max Minnich did nearly everything throughout his career. He holds the single-game record for punts attempted with 13, the season passer efficiency rating with 212.42, the season interception record with 12, and led the team in receiving yards in 1948 with 224. He was named team MVP in 1948, and All-Ohio in 1946 and 1948. Minnich was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 10th round of the 1949 NFL Draft.
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Wayne Bordner (E): Wayne Bordner began his Falcon career in 1941 but did not conclude it until 1946 due to World War II service. Bordner was named All-Ohio Conference in 1941 and All-Ohio in 1942, 1943, and 1946. He was a team captain in 1943 and 1946 and earned BGSU MVP in 1942 and 1946. In 1980, Bordner was inducted into the BGSU Hall of Fame.
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Fans can purchase season tickets today by CLICKING HERE!
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TURN BACK THE CLOCK SERIES
1919-1929
1930-1939
The 1940s
Overall Record: 52-34-5 (.599)
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Under Robert Whittaker, the Falcons had one of the program's most successful runs in the 1940s. Sharing the Ohio Conference title with Case Western Reserve, the 1941 team outscored opponents 173-40 despite starting the season 0-1-1. In 1946, the Falcons relied on a strong defense to finish 5-3. In those eight games, the Orange and Brown held opponents to just 39 points. Two years later, the 1948 squad reached new heights when they went 8-0-1. This was the highest single-season win total in program history, capped by a 38-7 victory over Morningside.
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The decade was also an important time for personal accomplishments. Wayne Bordner and Jack Woodland each earned All-Ohio honors three times each, with Don Mohr, Max Minnich, Vern Dunham, and Robert Schnelker earning All-Ohio honors twice each. Woodland was the first player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in his career, finishing with 1,752 in his four-year career. He is one of just three BGSU players to lead the team in rushing yards three seasons in a row.
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LONGEST WIN STREAK
After finishing 5-5 in 1947, the 1948 Falcons dominated the entire season. They won the first eight games of the year, outscoring opponents 217-87. The first three games were away, but the Falcons were able to top Ohio, Central Michigan, and Toledo to start 3-0 for the first time since 1943. The Falcons' final record of 8-0-1 gave them the best winning percentage in school history.
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NOTABLE PERFORMANCE
The Falcons traveled to Kent State in 1941 to take on the Golden Flashes in a midseason matchup. Looking for their fourth straight win, the Falcons relied on Eddie Wellner, a senior end. The captain and All-Ohio Conference selection hauled in an astounding 20 receptions, totaling 108 yards. This single game mark would be the program record until 2009, and the Falcons would win 12-6 to keep the winning streak alive.
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NOTABLE COACH
After spending 11 years at Sandusky High School, Robert Whittaker joined Bowling Green in 1941. Whittaker compiled an 89-19-2 record at Sandusky before spending 14 years as the Falcons' head coach. In this span, which is the longest in program history, Whittaker led the Orange and Brown to a 66-50-7 record. He led the team to a winning record in his first six years, including a 7-1-1 record in 1941 to claim a share of the Ohio Conference title.
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Under Whittaker, 21 Falcons were named All-Ohio in the 1940s. This includes three-time selections Wayne Bordner and Jack Woodland, who were also team captains and team MVPs. From 1941-1949, Whittaker and the Falcons went 49-25-4, with an incredible 29-5-2 record at home. Whittaker also coached the BGSU track team from 1942-1948 and 1956-1960. He was inducted into the BGSU Hall of Fame in 1968.
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NOTABLE PLAYERS
Jack Woodland (FB/HB): In a four-year Falcon career, Jack Woodland ran for 1,752 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named All-Ohio three times, BGSU MVP two times, and team captain once. He led the team in rushing each of his three years and averaged 5.1 yards per carry in his career. Woodland was drafted by Cleveland in 1950 and inducted into the BGSU Hall of Fame in 1967.
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Max Minnich (HB): The first player from BGSU to be drafted professionally, Max Minnich did nearly everything throughout his career. He holds the single-game record for punts attempted with 13, the season passer efficiency rating with 212.42, the season interception record with 12, and led the team in receiving yards in 1948 with 224. He was named team MVP in 1948, and All-Ohio in 1946 and 1948. Minnich was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 10th round of the 1949 NFL Draft.
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Wayne Bordner (E): Wayne Bordner began his Falcon career in 1941 but did not conclude it until 1946 due to World War II service. Bordner was named All-Ohio Conference in 1941 and All-Ohio in 1942, 1943, and 1946. He was a team captain in 1943 and 1946 and earned BGSU MVP in 1942 and 1946. In 1980, Bordner was inducted into the BGSU Hall of Fame.
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| Year | Overall Record | Head Coach | Team Captain | Season Scoring Totals |
| 1940 | 3-4-1 | Harry Ockerman | Steve Brudzinski | Bowling Green 62, Opponents 122 |
| 1941 | 7-1-1 | Robert H. Whittaker | Edward Wellner | Bowling Green 173, Opponents 40 |
| 1942 | 6-2-1 | Robert H. Whittaker | Ralph Quesinberry | Bowling Green 135, Opponents 55 |
| 1943 | 5-3-1 | Robert H. Whittaker | Wayne Bordner | Bowling Green 194, Opponents 104 |
| 1944 | 5-3 | Robert H. Whittaker | Donald Mohr | Bowling Green 133, Opponents 117 |
| 1945 | 4-3 | Robert H. Whittaker | Patrick Mulvihill | Bowling Green 79, Opponents 81 |
| 1946 | 5-3 | Robert H. Whittaker | Wayne Bordner, Stanley Yoder | Bowling Green 95, Opponents 39 |
| 1947 | 5-5 | Robert H. Whittaker | Wayne Bloker, James Knierim | Bowling Green 134, Opponents 149 |
| 1948 | 8-0-1 | Robert H. Whittaker | Vern Dunham | Bowling Green 230, Opponents 100 |
| 1949 | 4-5 | Robert H. Whittaker | Jack Woodland | Bowling Green 206, Opponents 161 |
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BG Football Press Conference vs Buffalo 10.27
Monday, October 27
BG Football Postgame vs Kent State 10.25
Sunday, October 26
BG Football Press Conference 10.20
Monday, October 20
BG FB Postgame vs CMU 10.18
Saturday, October 18