1941 Oklahoma City vs. Youngstown football game

The 1941 Oklahoma City vs. Youngstown football game was a college football game between the Oklahoma City University Goldbugs and the Youngstown College Penguins (now called Youngstown State University) played on October 16, 1941. The game was played in Rayen Stadium in Youngstown, Ohio. The game marks the first use of the penalty flag in American football.[2]

Oklahoma City vs. Youngstown
First use of penalty flag
Oklahoma City Goldbugs Youngstown Penguins
(2–3[1]) (3–0–1)
7 48
Head coach: 
Os Doenges		 Head coach: 
Dike Beede
1234 Total
Oklahoma City 0070 7
Youngstown 1401321 48
DateOctober 16, 1941
Season1941
StadiumRayen Stadium
LocationYoungstown, Ohio
Attendance8,500

Youngstown was highly favored against Oklahoma City in the press, based on their undefeated record up to that point.[3]

Youngstown defeated Oklahoma City by a score of 48 to 7.[4]

Game play

First quarter

Youngstown scored twice in the first quarter, both on connections between quarterback Jim Heber to end Pete Lanzi. The first, a 23-yard pass was the result of a fumble by Oklahoma City's fullback Bill Harris on their first possession within the first minute.[5] The second was a 55-yard pass for a touchdown.[6]

Second quarter

Neither team scored in the game's second quarter.[6]

Third quarter

Youngstown scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter. First when Jim Heber threw an 18-yard pass once again to Pete Lanzi. Later in the period, substitutes Alfred Bucci caught a 21-yard pass from Glenn Dickson. The next score saw Oklahoma City complete a three-yard run for a touchdown.[6]

Fourth quarter

Youngstown scored three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Glenn Dickson made it to the end zone again, this time on a 39-yard run. Youngstown defender Edward Lindsey made good with a 50-yard interception to score, and Youngstown's Cestary completed a four-yard carry. With extra points, Youngstown earned 21 points in the final quarter.[6] Both teams managed to earn nine first downs from scrimmage. The final score was Youngstown 48, Oklahoma City 7.[5]

Aftermath

Game official Jack McPhee said, "Through the use of the signal flag, everyone in the stadium knows that something is wrong. It's been a big help."[7] Officials generally agreed that the game play was better with the use of the penalty flag instead of the previous methods of blowing a whistle to mark a penalty.[8] McPhee went on to use the penalty flag in other games including the Rose Bowl.[9]

It would be the only matchup between the two schools, as Oklahoma City later de-emphasized athletics and dropped to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in 1985; current NCAA rules only allow Division III schools to play NAIA-member schools, while Youngstown State is Division I FCS and is therefore only allowed to play Division I FBS and a limited number of Division II schools in addition to other D-I FCS schools. Oklahoma City University (now known as the "Stars") have also have not fielded a football program since the Second World War. The two areas do have a current connection between them: former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops is a Youngstown native.

The American Football Coaches Association officially introduced the penalty flag at the 1948 rules session. The penalty flag is now standard officiating equipment and is used in every competitive football game throughout the world.[7]

In 1969, the original penalty flag was turned over to the College Football Hall of Fame.[10]

See also

References
  1. DeLassus, David. "Team Records by Game: 1941 - Oklahoma City (OK)". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  2. Bassetti, John (August 1, 1999). "First penalty flag has its roots in YSU football". The Youngstown Vindicator.
  3. "Youngstown Seeks Fourth Win Against Oklahoma City". The Pittsburgh Press. October 17, 1941. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  4. DeLassus, David. "Dwight Beede Coaching Records Game-by-Game, 1941". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  5. "Bugs Suffer a 48-7 Shock at Youngstown". The Oklahoman. October 18, 1941.
  6. "Oklahoma City Goldbugs vs Youngstown (box score)". Youngstown State University Sports Information. October 17, 1941.
  7. "Penalty Flags' Roots Grew In Youngstown". Youngstown State University. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  8. Perazich, Chuck (August 18, 1969). "Beede Started Penalty Flag". Reading Eagle. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  9. "Jack McPhee is first to use Penalty Flag". Youngstown Vindicator. September 2, 1982. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  10. "Original Grid Football Flag to Football Hall of Fame". The Nevada Daily Mail. August 17, 1969. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
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