FOOTBALL

Photos: Penn State's groundbreaking 1954 football team

Much of Penn State's long-standing football success on and off the field started with this 1954 team. These first recruits for head coach Rip Engle and a young Joe Paterno featured a few of the best players in the nation, but, more importantly, many of the highest-achievers. They helped de-segregate college football and put Penn State's "Grand Experiment" into motion.
Much of Penn State's long-standing football success on and off the field started with this 1954 team. These first recruits for head coach Rip Engle and a young Joe Paterno featured a few of the best players in the nation, but, more importantly, many of the highest-achievers. They helped de-segregate college football and put Penn State's "Grand Experiment" into motion.
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Lenny Moore
Lenny Moore
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Frank Reich
Frank Reich
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Bobby Hoffman
Bobby Hoffman
Submitted
Charles Blockson
Charles Blockson
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Rosie Grier
Rosie Grier
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Rosie Grier
Rosie Grier
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Don Balthaser struggled with a knee injury as a center and co-captain in 1954. But he said the discipline learned at Penn State led him to a successful 50-year run as a Bulova salesman, a career that started in Lancaster.
Don Balthaser struggled with a knee injury as a center and co-captain in 1954. But he said the discipline learned at Penn State led him to a successful 50-year run as a Bulova salesman, a career that started in Lancaster.
Penn State University Intercolle
James Harding
James Harding
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Jesse Arnelle
Jesse Arnelle
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Jim Garrity
Jim Garrity
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Dan Radakovich
Dan Radakovich
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Lenny Moore
Lenny Moore
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Frank Reich for Penn State football 1954 story
Frank Reich for Penn State football 1954 story
Courtesy Of Frank Reich Jr.
Lester Buddy Rowell
Lester Buddy Rowell
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
A young backup quarterback in '54, Milt Plum went on to Pro Bowl notoriety in the NFL. He set a league record (now broken) by throwing 208-straight passes without an interception.
A young backup quarterback in '54, Milt Plum went on to Pro Bowl notoriety in the NFL. He set a league record (now broken) by throwing 208-straight passes without an interception.
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Otto Kneidinger
Otto Kneidinger
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
Photo including Joe Paterno in 1954
Photo including Joe Paterno in 1954
Submitted
Frank Reich for Penn State football 1954 story. Frank Reich (55) with fellow offensive lineman Otto Kneidinger (78). Head coach Rip Engle is in the middle. Kneidinger went on to become York Suburban's head football coach.
Frank Reich for Penn State football 1954 story. Frank Reich (55) with fellow offensive lineman Otto Kneidinger (78). Head coach Rip Engle is in the middle. Kneidinger went on to become York Suburban's head football coach.
Courtesy Of Frank Reich Jr.
This photo, taken between 1953 and 1955, shows Bobby Hoffman in his Penn State basketball uniform, as seen Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in Hoffman's Lititz home. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
This photo, taken between 1953 and 1955, shows Bobby Hoffman in his Penn State basketball uniform, as seen Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in Hoffman's Lititz home. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
Courtesy Of Bobby Hoffman
Rosie Grier
Rosie Grier
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
This 1955 photo shows Penn State football players Lenny Moore, Billy Straub, Billy Cane and Bobby Hoffman, as seen Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in Hoffman's Lititz home. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
This 1955 photo shows Penn State football players Lenny Moore, Billy Straub, Billy Cane and Bobby Hoffman, as seen Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in Hoffman's Lititz home. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
Courtesy Of Bobby Hoffman
Rosie Grier
Rosie Grier
Penn State University Intercollegiate Athletics
This 2005 photo shows former Penn State football player Bobby Hoffman, center, meeting former head coach Joe Paterno, right, at a Nittany Lion Club meeting at Heritage Hills in York County. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
This 2005 photo shows former Penn State football player Bobby Hoffman, center, meeting former head coach Joe Paterno, right, at a Nittany Lion Club meeting at Heritage Hills in York County. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
Courtesy Of Bobby Hoffman
Charles Blockson
Charles Blockson
Courtesy Of B. K. Turner Photograph
Charles Blockson
Charles Blockson
Courtesy Of B. K. Turner Photograph
Jim Harding, now retired, works on his tree farm in Huntingdon, Tenn. Harding was a former PSU Nittany Lion in the 1950s.
Jim Harding, now retired, works on his tree farm in Huntingdon, Tenn. Harding was a former PSU Nittany Lion in the 1950s.
Kenneth Cummings/The Jackson Sun
Former Penn State lineman Jim Harding (second from left) flew nearly 600 missions in the U.S. Air Force. Here, he is at Nakon Phenom Air Base in Thailand, June 2, 1972, after returning from a rescue mission into North Vietnam. He had helped rescue an aircrew member who had evaded the enemy for 23 days.
Former Penn State lineman Jim Harding (second from left) flew nearly 600 missions in the U.S. Air Force. Here, he is at Nakon Phenom Air Base in Thailand, June 2, 1972, after returning from a rescue mission into North Vietnam. He had helped rescue an aircrew member who had evaded the enemy for 23 days.
Submitted
Air Force metals on the cover of the book "Into the Blue: Uniforms of the United States Air Force 1947-To the Present" belong to Jim Harding.
Air Force metals on the cover of the book "Into the Blue: Uniforms of the United States Air Force 1947-To the Present" belong to Jim Harding.
Kenneth Cummings/The Jackson Sun
Jim Harding stands outside of his Huntingdon home with his old football running shoes that he used during his time playing for the Nittany Lions in the 1950s.
Jim Harding stands outside of his Huntingdon home with his old football running shoes that he used during his time playing for the Nittany Lions in the 1950s.
Kenneth Cummings/The Jackson Sun
Former PSU football player Jim Harding, who now lives in Huntingdon, TN, still has his old shoes and chin strap he used during his time in school.
Former PSU football player Jim Harding, who now lives in Huntingdon, TN, still has his old shoes and chin strap he used during his time in school.
Kenneth Cummings/The Jackson Sun
Jim Harding's name appears in photo of the PSU Nittany Lion with the names of all of those who lettered.
Jim Harding's name appears in photo of the PSU Nittany Lion with the names of all of those who lettered.
Kenneth Cummings/The Jackson Sun
The toughest Nittany Lion? Here, Frank Reich Sr. chases down Navy quarterback George Welsh. Reich is playing with his right hand in a cast and, of course, without a face mask. That was not part of the uniform in 1954.
The toughest Nittany Lion? Here, Frank Reich Sr. chases down Navy quarterback George Welsh. Reich is playing with his right hand in a cast and, of course, without a face mask. That was not part of the uniform in 1954.
Courtesy Of Frank Reich Jr.
Frank Reich Sr. with his son Frank Reich Jr. for Penn State football 1954 story
Frank Reich Sr. with his son Frank Reich Jr. for Penn State football 1954 story
Courtesy Of Frank Reich Jr.
Former Penn State and Baltimore Colt Hall of Famer Lenny Moore, talks about his career in the basement of his Randallastown, Md. home.
Former Penn State and Baltimore Colt Hall of Famer Lenny Moore, talks about his career in the basement of his Randallastown, Md. home.
Jason Plotkin, York Daily Record
Jim Harding's name appears in photo of the PSU Nittany Lion with the names of all of those who lettered.
Jim Harding's name appears in photo of the PSU Nittany Lion with the names of all of those who lettered.
Kenneth Cummings/The Jackson Sun
Earl Shumaker, 82, seen here in the living room of his Reading home, holds the original recruiting letter he received from Joe Paterno in 1952.
Earl Shumaker, 82, seen here in the living room of his Reading home, holds the original recruiting letter he received from Joe Paterno in 1952.
Jason Plotkin, York Daily Record
This undated newspaper clipping shows the four Penn State football players who also played for the universitys' basketball team, as seen Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in Bobby Hoffman's Lititz home. From left to right in the photo are Jack Sherry, Jesse Arnelle, Bob Rohland and Hoffman. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
This undated newspaper clipping shows the four Penn State football players who also played for the universitys' basketball team, as seen Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in Bobby Hoffman's Lititz home. From left to right in the photo are Jack Sherry, Jesse Arnelle, Bob Rohland and Hoffman. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
Chris Dunn, York Daily Record
Former Penn State football player Bobby Hoffman holds a piece of the goalpost from Pitt Stadium in his Lititz home Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. The goalpost, made of wood, was cut down after Penn State's 1954 victory over Pitt and was given to Hoffman 50 years later, in 2004. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
Former Penn State football player Bobby Hoffman holds a piece of the goalpost from Pitt Stadium in his Lititz home Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. The goalpost, made of wood, was cut down after Penn State's 1954 victory over Pitt and was given to Hoffman 50 years later, in 2004. Hoffman was a defensive back and quarterback for Penn State's 1954 football team, and was one of four football players who also played in the university's 1954 basketball team -- the only Penn State team to reach the NCAA's Final Four.
Chris Dunn, York Daily Record