1956 Tennessee A&I Tigers football team

The 1956 Tennessee A&I Tigers football team represented Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State College as a member of the Midwest Athletic Association (MAA) during the 1956 NCAA College Division football season. In their second season under head coach Howard C. Gentry, the Tigers compiled a perfect 10–0 record, won the MAA championship, shut out five of ten opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 394 to 64. The team was also recognized as black college national champion.

1956 Tennessee A&I Tigers football
ConferenceMidwest Athletic Association
1956 record10–0 (– MAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumW.J. Hale Stadium

The team was led by halfbacks Jesse Wilburn and Ray Mitchell, quarterback Robert Crawford, ends Don Taylor and Leon Jamison, and tackle Charles Gavin. Allowing only 25 points in nine regular season games, the team had the best scoring defense in the country.[1]

Schedule
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 29Langston
W 46–7
October 6Grambling
  • W.J. Hale Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
W 33–0
October 15at Prairie View A&M
W 45–05,000[2]
October 20at Central StateWilberforce, OHW 32–6
October 27vs. Maryland StateWashington, DCW 6–012,000[3]
November 3Southern
  • W.J. Hale Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
W 52–6
November 10vs. Alcorn A&MMemphis, TNW 52–6[4]
November 17at Kentucky StateFrankfort, KYW 40–0
November 22Lincoln (MO)
  • W.J. Hale Stadium
  • Nashville, TN
W 47–0
December 1vs. Florida A&M
W 41–3941,808[5]

References
  1. "Nation's Best Defense, Offense Clash At Miami". The Nashville Banner. November 29, 1956. p. 47 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "A&I Rolls Up 45-0 Victory At Dallas". The Nashville Banner. October 16, 1956. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "A&I Tigers Plod to 6-0 Win". The Nashville Tennessean. October 28, 1956. p. 5C – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "A&I Tigers Romp, 52 to 6, Over Alcorn". The Nashville Tennessean. November 11, 1956. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Fumbling A&M Bows, 41-39 In Orange Blossom Classic". Tallahassee Democrat. December 2, 1956. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
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