1948 Wisconsin Badgers football team

rdf:langString 1948 Wisconsin Badgers football team

rdf:langString football

rdf:langString Wisconsin Badgers

rdf:langString Big Nine

rdf:langString The 1948 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1948 Big Nine Conference football season. The team compiled a 2–7 record (1–5 against conference opponents) and finished in last place in the Big Nine Conference. Harry Stuhldreher was in his 13th and final year as Wisconsin's head coach. The team averaged 258.6 yards per game of total offense, 200.6 yards per game by rushing, and 58.0 yards by passing. The team's statistical leaders included Ben Bendrick with 327 rushing yards, Bob Petruska with 125 passing yards, Jim Embach with 92 receiving yards, and Wally Dreyer with 24 points scored. Center Red Wilson received the team's most valuable player award for the second consecutive year. Wilson also received second-team honors from the International News Service on the 1948 All-Big Nine Conference football team. Wally Dreyer was the team captain. At the annual Minnesota–Wisconsin football rivalry game held on November 20, Paul Bunyan's Axe was introduced as a trophy to be awarded to the winner. Minnesota won the 1948 game, 16-0. On December 11, four days before a student referendum on whether he should keep his job, and in the face of "Goodbye Harry" signs, Stuhldreher resigned as Wisconsin's head football coach, though he retained his job as athletic director. The team played its home games at Camp Randall Stadium. During the 1948 season, the average attendance at home games was 44,167.