What Is 1940 Missouri Tigers football team

Overview

The 1940 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in the 1940 college football season, competing as a member of the Big Six Conference. Under the leadership of head coach Don Faurot, who was in his fifth year at the helm, the team achieved a solid performance, finishing with a 6–3–1 overall record and a 4–1 mark in conference play.

The Tigers' season included notable wins and a strong defensive showing, earning them national recognition. They concluded the year ranked No. 15 in the final Associated Press Poll, marking one of the more successful seasons in the program’s early history. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri, a venue that had become central to Missouri football since its opening in 1926.

• Season record: The 1940 Missouri Tigers finished with a 6–3–1 overall record, including six wins, three losses, and one tie.
• Conference performance: They went 4–1 in Big Six Conference play, securing a strong finish against regional rivals.
• Final ranking: The team was ranked No. 15 in the final Associated Press Poll, reflecting their national standing.
• Head coach: Don Faurot, in his fifth season, continued to build the program using his innovative split-T offense.
• Home stadium: Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri, hosted all home games and had a capacity of approximately 30,000 at the time.

Season Highlights and Key Games

The 1940 season featured several memorable matchups that defined the Tigers’ campaign. Missouri opened the season with a mix of non-conference and conference games, demonstrating resilience and adaptability under pressure.

• September 28, 1940: Missouri defeated Colorado 20–0 in Boulder, setting a strong tone early in the season.
• October 12, 1940: A decisive 28–0 win over Kansas showcased the Tigers’ dominance in the Border War rivalry.
• October 26, 1940: The team tied Nebraska 7–7 in Lincoln, a hard-fought battle that preserved their conference hopes.
• November 9, 1940: Missouri defeated Iowa State 20–7, improving their conference record to 3–0 at the time.
• November 23, 1940: A 13–6 loss to undefeated Minnesota, who finished ranked No. 1, was a tough but respectable defeat.
• November 30, 1940: The season concluded with a 19–12 win over Kansas State, securing their final ranking.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1940 season can be better understood by comparing it to other seasons in Missouri football history around that era. The table below highlights key statistics and outcomes.

The 1940 season stands out as slightly below the peak of 1939 but still among the stronger performances in the early 1940s. While Missouri did not win the conference title outright due to the tie with Nebraska, their consistent play earned them a spot in the final AP rankings, a testament to the growing strength of the program under Faurot’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 1940 Missouri Tigers season is significant for its role in establishing the foundation of Missouri football’s national presence during the mid-20th century. It reflected the effectiveness of Don Faurot’s coaching and offensive innovations, which influenced college football strategy for years.

• Legacy of Don Faurot: Faurot’s development of the split-T offense began gaining attention, influencing future offensive schemes.
• AP Poll recognition: Being ranked No. 15 helped elevate Missouri’s reputation in national college football circles.
• Rivalry dominance: The win over Kansas reinforced Missouri’s regional strength in the Border War series.
• Stadium tradition: Memorial Stadium continued to grow as a fortress, contributing to team morale and fan engagement.
• Player development: The season helped develop athletes who would contribute during wartime and post-war football transitions.
• Historical continuity: The 1940 season is part of Missouri’s long football history, now spanning over a century.

The 1940 Missouri Tigers may not have won a national title, but their balanced performance and national ranking marked a step forward in the program’s evolution, setting the stage for future success in the decades to come.