1966 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets football
NAIA national champion
WPC champion
ConferenceWest Penn Conference
Record11–0 (2–0 WPC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1965
1967 →
1966 West Penn Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Waynesburg $^ 2 – 0 – 0 11 – 0 – 0
Grove City 1 – 0 – 1 8 – 0 – 1
Westminster (PA) 1 – 1 – 1 6 – 2 – 1
Geneva 0 – 3 – 0 0 – 8 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NAIA playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA poll

The 1966 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets football team was an American football team that represented Waynesburg College as a member of the West Penn Conference (WPC) during the 1966 NAIA football season. In their first year under head coach Carl DePasqua, the Yellow Jackets compiled a perfect 11–0 record (2–0 against conference opponents) and won the WPC championship. They advanced to the NAIA playoffs where they defeated New Mexico Highlands in the semifinals and Wisconsin State–Whitewater in the Champion Bowl to win the NAIA national championship.[1][2] During the regular season, the Yellow Jackets ranked among the best teams in small college football, averaging 149.4 yards in total defense and 40.2 yards in rushing defense.[3]

Running back Rich Dahar was named to the Associated Press 1966 All-Pennsylvania football team.[4] Dahar rushed for 233 yards, rand for three touchdowns, and passed for another in the Champion Bowl.[5] Fullback Rich Ripepi was another key player.[3] Three Waynesburg players went on to play in the NFL: end Don Herrmann (nine seasons in the NFL); end Dave Smith (four seasons); and guard Joe Righetti (two seasons).[1]

The team played its home games in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 17Slippery Rock*Waynesburg, PAW 31–0[6]
September 24at Susquehanna*Selinsgrove, PAW 6–0[7]
October 1Ohio Northern*
W 30–7[8]
October 8California (PA)*Waynesburg, PAW 20–7
October 15at Frostburg State*
W 58–0[9]
October 22GenevaWaynesburg, PAW 54–73,000[10]
October 29West Virginia Wesleyan*Waynesburg, PAW 13–7
November 5Findlay*Waynesburg, PAW 7–6
November 12at Westminster (PA)New Wilmington, PAW 14–13[11]
November 26vs. New Mexico Highlands*
W 30–27[12][13]
December 10vs. Whitewater State*
W 42–21[5][14]
  • *Non-conference game

References

  1. ^ a b Bill Di Fabio (December 28, 2013). "1966 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets, unbeaten national champs". Observer-Reporter.
  2. ^ George Von Benko (October 3, 2016). "Waynesburg University to honor 1966 national championship football team". Herald-Standard.
  3. ^ a b "Jackets Cap Big Year". The Pittsburgh Press. November 25, 1966. p. 43 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Jackets' Rich Dahar Named To All-State College Team". The Morning Herald. December 13, 1966. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Waynesburg Tops Whitewater To Win National Grid Crown". Herald-Standard. December 12, 1966. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Waynesburg Rips Rockets". The Pittsburgh Press. September 18, 1966. p. IV-5 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Waynesburg vs Susquehanna". The Danville News. September 26, 1966. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Bill Bassitt (October 2, 1966). "ONU Drops 30-7 Tilt". The Lima News. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Waynesburg 58-0 Victor". The Pittsburgh Press. October 16, 1966. p. IV-3 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Waynesburg Blasts Geneva". The Pittsburgh Press. October 23, 1966. p. IV-6 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Pete Mollica (November 14, 1966). "Waynesburg nips Westminster for WPC crown". New Castle News. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Waynesburg Tests Highlands Touted Offense Today". Albuquerque Journal. November 26, 1966. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Jackets Trip Pokes in Last 14 Seconds". The New Mexican. November 27, 1966. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Yellow Jackets Sting Hawks, 42 to 21; Control Ball in NAIA Bowl Contest". Janesville Daily Gazette. December 12, 1966. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
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