The 1956 College All-Star Game
It
was the first time the All-Stars had been blanked since 1951. After the
previous year’s stinging loss, the Cleveland Browns defeated the
collegians 26 to 0 with a record four field goals by Lou Groza. Curly
Lambeau was back in 1956 to coach the All-Stars a second time and with
him came a slew of college seniors ready to play. Stars such as Sam Huff
of West Virginia, Bob Pellegrini (MVP)
of
Maryland, Earl Morrall of Michigan State, Howard Cassady of Ohio State
(1955 Heisman Trophy winner) and Don McIlhenny of Southern Methodist
were among those who played at Soldier Field before a crowd of 70,000 on
August 10, 1956.
But, as the New York Times reported, “All the fire
seemed to go out of the collegians,” when Spartan signal caller Earl
Morrall from Michigan State was injured on the fifth play of the game
and missed the rest of the first half. After an interception on the next
play, the Browns marched on an 80-yard drive that culminated with a
George Ratterman pass to Fred Morrison, scoring early in the first
period. Lou Groza added the extra point. Groza then hit on two field
goals (45 yds. and 37 yds.) in the second period and two more in the
third period (31 yds. and 34 yds.). With four field goals, he broke Tad
Weed of Ohio State’s record number of 3 set the year before. Groza added
one more extra point in the game after Gene Filipski’s 2-yard scoring
plunge. The game ended in a 26 to 0 win for the Cleveland Browns.