1955 Otterbein College (7) vs. University of Mount Union (42) Football Film

Otterbein 7 vs Mount Union 45 September 24, 1955 Memorial Stadium, Westerville, Ohio Time: 14:41 Type: B&W Program: No 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 The University of Mt. Union is a private university in Alliance, Ohio. Founded in 1846, the university was affiliated with the Methodist Church until the spring of 2019. Mount Union was founded in 1846 by Orville Nelson Hartshorn as a place where men and women could be educated with equal opportunity, science would parallel the humanities, and there would be no distinction due to race, color, or sex. In approximately 1911, Scio College of Scio, Ohio, merged with Mount Union, moving faculty to the Mount Union campus and abandoning the Scio campus. Mount Union College was renamed the University of Mount Union effective August 1, 2010. Colors: Purple and white. Mascot: Purple Raiders. (The term Raiders have been used for Mt. Union teams since the latter part of the 19th century. In the 1890s new uniforms were ordered but came in the wrong colors. Since it was too close to the start of the season, they kept the uniforms and were known as the “Purple Raiders” since.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Mount_Union Pio, Chris, Gryphons, Gorloks and Gusties: A History of NCAA Division III Nicknames and Mascots, Privately Published, Las Vegas, NV, 2021, p. 198. 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. Mount Union – Nelson “Bully” Jones (Findlay ’34) Findlay College football star named All Conference Center in 1933. Faculty member at Findlay 1935, assistant coach of football until 1942. Head Coach and Athletic Director 1942, 46, 47, 48. Football record 24 wins and 10 losses and 2 ties – 1947 team, one the best in Findlay College athletic history. In 1949 he moved to Mount Union in the same positions. During his six-years in Alliance he had a record of 18-29-3. The Purple Raiders’ upset victory over the Cardinals would be their only win of the season (1-5-2). Inducted into the University of Findlay Hall of Fame in 1972. Notes: Otterbein is wearing white jerseys with tan pants; Mount Union is wearing purple jerseys. First year for legendary Otterbein coach Robert “Moe” Agler. For more game details see the Columbus Dispatch articles linked to this page. References: Otte, Dick, “Area College Fans Hit Grid Jackpot Saturday,” Columbus Evening Dispatch, September 23, 1955, p. 20B. “Raiders in 45-7 Rout Of Otters,” Columbus Sunday Dispatch, September 25, 1955, p. 3B.https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/sports_films_1950-1956/1011/thumbnail.jp