What Is 1941 Ole Miss Rebels football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1941 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1941 college football season, finishing with a 4–5 record under head coach Harry Mehre. They competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and played home games at Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

Key Facts

The 1941 Ole Miss Rebels finished with a 4–5 overall record and 1–3 in SEC play.
Head coach Harry Mehre was in his third season leading the team.
The team played home games at Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.
Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State 20–0 in the 1941 Egg Bowl rivalry game.
The Rebels scored 119 total points while allowing 142 during the season.

Overview

The 1941 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1941 college football season, competing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under the leadership of head coach Harry Mehre, who was in his third year at the helm, the team navigated a challenging schedule that included several regional rivals and conference opponents.

The Rebels finished the season with a 4–5 overall record and a 1–3 mark in SEC play, placing them in the lower half of the conference standings. Despite not achieving a winning season, the team had notable moments, including a dominant victory in the annual Egg Bowl rivalry game against Mississippi State.

Record: The 1941 Ole Miss Rebels posted a 4–5 overall record, with only one Southeastern Conference win.
Head Coach: Harry Mehre led the team in his third season, aiming to build consistency after mixed results in prior years.
Home Stadium: The Rebels played their home games at Hemingway Stadium, located on the university's campus in Oxford, Mississippi.
Key Victory: Ole Miss defeated in-state rival Mississippi State 20–0 in the 1941 Egg Bowl, a highlight of the season.
Scoring: The team scored 119 total points while surrendering 142, indicating defensive struggles throughout the season.

How It Works

College football in 1941 operated under different rules and structures compared to today, but the core objective remained winning games through offense, defense, and special teams. The 1941 Ole Miss Rebels followed this model while adapting to wartime conditions that affected player availability and travel.

Season Structure: The 1941 season consisted of nine games, typical for the era, with most contests played regionally due to travel constraints during WWII.
Conference Play: As an SEC member, Ole Miss faced conference rivals like Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech under a decentralized scheduling format.
Recruiting & Roster: Rosters were smaller than modern teams, and many players were affected by military draft preparations amid global tensions.
Game Rules: The 1941 season used rules similar to modern football, including a 100-yard field and four 15-minute quarters.
Scoring System: Touchdowns were worth six points, field goals three, and safeties two, consistent with current standards.
Media Coverage: Games were broadcast locally on radio, and newspapers like The Clarion-Ledger provided in-depth game recaps and analysis.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1941 Ole Miss Rebels to other SEC teams that year highlights their mid-tier performance in a competitive conference landscape.

Team	Overall Record	SEC Record	Head Coach	Notable Result
Ole Miss	4–5	1–3	Harry Mehre	Won Egg Bowl 20–0
Alabama	9–2	5–1	Frank Thomas	Won Sugar Bowl
Tennessee	8–2	5–1	Bob Neyland	Ranked #8 nationally
Georgia Tech	7–3	4–2	William Alexander	Won Orange Bowl
Mississippi State	4–4	2–4	Allyn McKeen	Lost Egg Bowl 0–20

The table illustrates how Ole Miss compared to peers in the SEC during 1941. While not among the elite teams like Alabama or Tennessee, the Rebels outperformed Mississippi State and had moments of competitiveness. Their season reflected the transitional nature of college football during wartime, balancing athletic performance with broader national challenges.

Why It Matters

The 1941 Ole Miss Rebels season is a snapshot of college football during a pivotal historical period, just before the U.S. entered World War II. It reflects the evolving nature of SEC competition and the resilience of athletic programs amid global uncertainty.

Historical Context: The 1941 season occurred just weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor, marking the end of pre-war college football normalcy.
SEC Development: Ole Miss’s participation helped solidify the SEC as a premier collegiate football conference.
Rivalry Tradition: The Egg Bowl victory preserved a key rivalry and boosted morale for fans during uncertain times.
Coaching Legacy: Harry Mehre’s tenure laid groundwork for future improvements under subsequent coaches.
Player Development: Many athletes from this era later served in the military, linking sports and national service.
Archival Value: Records from 1941 contribute to Ole Miss’s football history and are preserved in university archives.

The 1941 season may not stand out statistically, but it holds cultural and historical significance within the broader narrative of American sports and 20th-century history.