Written By
Written By
Presbyterian's 4-0 start and top 25 ranking is the story of the year in the FCS. The Blue Hose are ranked for the first time ever and look like a Playoff frontrunner. Their two wins over Furman and Mercer also give them a strong at-large resume. 4-0 starts are nearly as unprecedented in program history.
It has been over six decades since the Blue Hose started 4-0. The 1959 team is the last Blue Hose team to start 4-0 and ended their season as one of the program's greatest teams ever. Presbyterian parlayed a 4-0 start into a 9-1 regular season and a berth in the Tangerine Bowl.
The Blue Hose defense was dominant, allowing 11 points per game. Running back Bobby Pate and Billy Ogden earned Associated Press Little All-American honors. Their lone loss was an 8-0 defeat at the hands of 8-2 The Citadel. Strangely enough, Presbyterian received its Tangerine Bowl invite in late October after playing just six games.
The Blue Hose met its match against Middle Tennessee, but fought valiantly. Future 49er quarterback Bob Waters threw for 197 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Bobby Pate in a 21-12 loss to the Blue Raiders. Still, the 1959 team is arguably one of Presbyterian's greatest teams ever.
While no bowl game is in play for this year's Presbyterian team, the team can exceed the heights of the 1959 team by parlaying this hot start to its first-ever FCS Playoff appearance and a high final ranking in the final FCS Poll.
The Presbyterian Football Record Book and The Middle Tennessee Football Media Guide aided in my research.
