The 2009 Wofford football season marks the 60th anniversary of one of the program's greatest campaigns on the gridiron. The 1949 Terriers marched through the regular season undefeated, 11-0, and played in the Cigar Bowl held in Tampa, Florida on January 2, 1950.
To mark the 60th anniversary of the undefeated regular season, the 2009 Terriers will wear 1949 replica uniforms and helmet decals for the home opener on September 12. Kick-off against Charleston Southern is slated for 7:00 p.m.
As depicted here by senior quarterback Stev Davitte, the jerseys are black with block gold numerals. There is also a commemorative patch on the left chest marking the 1949 season. The helmets will feature a black stripe down the middle and the year 1949 front and center of the helmet. Aside from the obvious changes to the helmet, the jerseys will not feature nameplates on the back of the jerseys in keeping with the throwback look.
The jerseys will be worn in game action only once, however members of the 1949 team and their families have been invited to join a special on-field recognition at halftime of the Homecoming game on October 3 vs. Georgia Southern. At that time, members of the 1949 team will wear the jerseys as part of their recognition.
The jerseys will then make their way to The Terrier Ball that evening and be auctioned as part of a fundraiser with all proceeds going to the Phil Dickens Scholarship Fund. Coach Dickens was 40-16-7 in six seasons at Wofford from 1947-52.
For more, contact Wofford Sports Marketing at (864) 597-4110.
Did you know?
This class of Terriers holds the record for most consective games undefeated, 24 (1947-50, 19-0-5)
The 1949 team is tied for second all time in most wins in a season (11). Behind the 12 wins of 2003 and tied with the 1970 squad.
The 1949 team is tied with the 1917 squad for most shutouts in a season, 5
The 83-13 win at High Point, November 18, 1949 stands as the most points ever scored by Wofford in a game. Dennis Barbare's 11 PAT's in that game still stands as the most in school history.
A 79-yard pass from Bobby Starnes to Jack Whitted at Eastern Kentucky, October 15, 1949 stands as the longest pass play in Wofford football history to this day.
The longest punt return in school history took place November 11, 1949 at Snyder Field as Bobby Starnes went 97 yards to paydirt against Tennessee Tech.
Speaking of punts, in the Eastern Kentucky game, Archie Evans kicked the longest punt in school history. 86 yards.
The fourth longest interception return in school history happened in 1949. Vernon Quick returned an interception 86 yards.
Five Terriers were named to the AP Little All-America Team: Elby Hammett (1st team), Harvey Moyer, Vernon Quick (3rd), Bob Prevatte and Sammy Sewell (honorable mention). Nine Terriers were named to the All-State Team. All those listed above, plus Wade Corn, Bill Thuston, Doug Loveday and Bob Starnes.
60 years after the Wofford season ended with a loss to Florida State in the Cigar Bowl in Tampa, Florida, the Terriers 2009 season begins Saturday in Tampa against South Florida.
For the first time since Mike Ayers arrived at Wofford in 1988, will Wofford wear anything on their gold helmets. Only incentive decals have ever been shown on the helmets during the Ayers-era until the stripes are added for the September 12 game.
All stats courtesy of the 2009 Wofford football media guide and the Wofford athletic media relations office.
