1963 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

The 1963 Western Kentucky football team represented Western Kentucky State College (now known as Western Kentucky University) during the 1963 NCAA College Division football season. The Hilltoppers were led by OVC Coach of the Year Nick Denes, won the Ohio Valley Conference championship, and finished the season undefeated. This team was one of the finest in school history and set a school record for victories.[1] The roster included future National Football League (NFL) players John Mutchler, Dale Lindsey, Jim Burt, and Harold Chambers as well as future NFL coach Joe Bugel.[2] Mutchler was named OVC Defensive Player of the Year.[3]

1963 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football
OVC champion
Tangerine Bowl champion
ConferenceOhio Valley Conference
Record10–0–1 (7–0 OVC)
Head coach
Captains
1963 Ohio Valley Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 8 Western Kentucky $ 7 –0 –010 –0 –1
Middle Tennessee 6 –1 –08 –2 –0
East Tennessee State 5 –2 –07 –2 –0
Tennessee Tech 3 –4 –06 –4 –0
Murray State 3 –4 –05 –5 –0
Morehead State 3 –4 –05 –4 –0
Eastern Kentucky 1 –6 –02 –8 –0
Austin Peay 0 –7 –01 –9 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from College Division UPI Poll

The Hilltoppers earned a berth in the Tangerine Bowl, where they defeated the Coast Guard Academy 27-0. Western Kentucky quarterback Sharon Miller was named the game's most valuable player.[4] Mutchler, Chambers, Bugel, Jim Burt, Lindsey, and Bobby Westmoreland were named to the All-OVC team, while John Burt, Eddie Crum, Bob Gebhart, Sharon Miller, and Stan Napper were Honorable Mention.[5]

Schedule
DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 14at Southeast Missouri*Cape Girardeau, MOW 40–74,500
September 21at Tampa*
T 14–146,500
September 28East Tennessee StateBowling Green, KYW 14–64,500
October 5at Middle Tennessee
W 16–68,500[6]
October 12at Austin PeayNo. 17
W 34–144,200
October 19at No. 11 Tennessee TechNo. 10Cookeville, TNW 14–128,500
October 26Evansville*daggerNo. 9Bowling Green, KYW 54–149,000
November 2at Eastern KentuckyNo. 8Richmond, KY (Battle of the Bluegrass)W 29–68,000
November 9Morehead StateNo. 7Bowling Green, KYW 17–06,000
November 23Murray StateNo. 9Bowling Green, KYW 50–07,000
December 28vs. Coast GuardNo. 8
W 27–0
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from UPI Poll released prior to the game

[7]

References
  1. Ruby, Earl (1979). Red Towel Territory: A History Of Athletics At Western Kentucky University. American National Bank and Trust Co. ASIN B00ILIOPAO.
  2. Pro Football Reference, retrieved 30 April 2020
  3. 2017 OVC Football Media Guide, retrieved 30 April 2020
  4. Bassine, Bob (December 29, 1963). "Hilltopper Defense Does Job". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 11, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  5. WKU Football Media Guide retrieved 31 March 2020.
  6. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  7. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 17, 2022.


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