TheHoward Bulldogs football program, 1950–1959 represented Howard College (now known asSamford University) during the 1950s in college football. During this time, the Bulldogs were led by five differenthead coaches and had an overall record for the decade of 30–54–4. From 1950 through 1954, Howard competed as a member of theDixie Conference and from 1955 onwards they competed as an independent.

From 1950 to 1953,Earl Gartman served as head coach, and led the Bulldogs to an overall record of 10–23–1 during this time. During his tenureBobby Bowden was his most notable player after he earned "Little All-America" honors as quarterback.William C. White previously served as head coach at Howard in the 1940s, returned to coach the Bulldogs for their 1954 season, and led the team to a 2–7 record. The 1954 season also marked the final one Howard played as a member of the Dixie Conference.

After White resigned as head coach in June 1955, former Howard playerHoward Foote was selected as the next head coach of the Bulldogs. Foote led Howard to an overall record of 3–13–2, before he resigned in August 1957.Virgil Ledbetter was next appointed as head coach and let Howard to an overall record of 6–10–1 during his two seasons. In 1959,Bobby Bowden was appointed as head coach and led his alma mater to a 9–1 record, with a victory in the Textile Bowl overGordon Military College in his first season as a collegiate head coach.

During the 1950s, Howard played their home game as sevral stadiums. From 1950 to 1956, their primary home field was Barry Field, which was located on their original campus in the East Lake neighborhood ofBirmingham, Alabama. In 1957, the school relocated from East Lake to a new campus inHomewood, Alabama, and played the entirety of that season atShades Valley H.S. Stadium prior to the opening of a new on-campus,Howard Stadium for their 1958 season. In the 1950s, Howard also played home games atLegion Field in Birmingham and atHewitt High School Stadium inTrussville, Alabama.

The1950 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known asSamford University) as a member of theDixie Conference during the1950 college football season. Led by second-year head coachEarl Gartman, the team compiled a 2–8 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field and atLegion Field inBirmingham, Alabama and atHewitt High School Stadium inTrussville, Alabama.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team included Howard Foote atend, John Wade attackle, andBobby Bowden atback. Players selected to the second team included Carol Roberts at end, Charles Maze atguard, and both Tom Cutliff and George Pappas at back.^[1]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 23	atWestern Kentucky*	Bowling Green, KY	L 0–13	2,500	[2]
September 30	atTennessee Tech*	Overhill Field Cookeville, TN	L 6–61		[3]
October 7	vs.Florence State*	Decatur Stadium Decatur, AL	L 0–7		[4]
October 14	atFlorida State	Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL	L 6–20	5,537	[5]
October 21	Southwestern (TN)*	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	W 35–6	2,000	[6]
October 27	atUnion (TN)*	Rothrock Field Jackson, TN	W 28–6		[7]
November 4	Mississippi College	Hewitt High School Stadium Trussville, AL	L 6–7	1,500	[8]
November 11	vs.Troy State*	Municipal Stadium Andalusia, AL	L 6–21		[9]
November 18	atMillsaps	Tiger Stadium Jackson, MS	L 7–18	3,000	[10]
November 22	Jacksonville State*	Legion Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)	L 7–28	1,500	[11]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

The1951 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known asSamford University) as a member of theDixie Conference during the1951 college football season. Led by third-year head coachEarl Gartman, the team compiled a 2–3–1 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field inBirmingham, Alabama.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team on offense included Phil Powell atend, Jim Hearn attackle, Ben Thompson atguard, Tom McClendon athalfback, andBobby Bowden atquarterback. Players selected to the first team on defense included Charlie Maze at guard, Tom Laney atlinebacker, and Wade Wallace.^[12]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
October 6	vs.Florence State*	Decatur Stadium Decatur, AL	L 6–30	5,300	[13][14]
October 13	atMississippi College	Provine Field Clinton, MS	W 19–6		[15]
October 27	Union (TN)*	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	W 41–0		[16]
November 10	Millsaps	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	L 14–27		[17]
November 17	atSewanee*	Hardee Field Sewanee, TN	L 0–41	500	[18]
November 21	atJacksonville State*	College Bowl Jacksonville, AL (rivalry)	T 19–19		[19]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

The1952 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known asSamford University) as a member of theDixie Conference during the1952 college football season. Led by fourth-year head coachEarl Gartman, the team compiled a 5–4 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field inBirmingham, Alabama, atShades Valley High School Stadium inHomewood, Alabama, and atHewitt High School Stadium inTrussville, Alabama.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team included Phil Powell and Johnny Howell atend, Charles Hern and Ben Bancroft atguard, Bent Thompson atcenter,Bobby Bowden atquarterback.^[20]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 27	vs.Troy State*	Andalusia Municipal Stadium Andalusia, AL	L 16–25	4,500	[21]
October 4	Sewanee*	Shades Valley High School Stadium Homewood, AL	W 13–0	2,500	[22]
October 11	Mississippi College	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	L 0–7		[23]
October 18	atBethel (TN)*	McKenzie, TN	W 53–7		[24]
October 24	atUnion (TN)*	Rothrock Field Jackson, TN	W 23–6	800	[25]
October 31	atMillsaps	Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS	L 7–27		[26]
November 8	atSouthwestern (TN)*	Fargason Field Memphis, TN	W 7–6		[27]
November 15	Carson–Newman*	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	W 13–12		[28]
November 22	Jacksonville State*	Hewitt High School Stadium Trussville, AL (rivalry)	L 0–14		[29]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

The1953 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known asSamford University) as a member of theDixie Conference during the1953 college football season. Led by fifth-year head coachEarl Gartman, the team compiled a 1–8 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field inBirmingham, Alabama and atShades Valley High School Stadium inHomewood, Alabama. Gartman resigned as head coach in May 1954, but remained on the staff as an assistant coach.^[30]

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team included Charles Hill atend, Tom Upshaw atguard, and Billy Joe Lovvorn at Back.^[31]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 26	atSewanee*	Hardee Field Sewanee, TN	L 0–41	500	[32]
October 3	atDelta State*	Delta Field Cleveland, MS	L 0–40		[33]
October 10	atMississippi College	Provine Field Clinton, MS	L 6–25		[34]
October 16	Millsaps	Shades Valley High School Stadium Homewood, AL	L 13–16		[35]
October 24	atFlorence State*	Coffee Stadium Florence, AL	L 7–40		[36]
October 31	vs.Troy State*	Municipal Stadium Andalusia, AL	L 7–31		[37]
November 7	Southwestern (TN)*	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	W 34–7		[38]
November 14	atCarson–Newman*	McCown Field Jefferson City, TN	L 14–20		[39]
November 21	vs.Jacksonville State*	Memorial Stadium Anniston, AL (rivalry)	L 13–26		[40]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

The1954 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known asSamford University) as a member of theDixie Conference during the1954 college football season. Led by third-year head coachWilliam C. White, the team compiled a 2–7 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field inBirmingham, Alabama and atShades Valley High School Stadium inHomewood, Alabama.

White was hired as head coach in May 1954 fromSewanee where he had served as head coach of theTigers from 1946 to 1953.^[42] This marked the return of White to Howard after he previoulsy served as head coach in 1940 and 1941.^[42] White resigned as head coach in January 1955 to be the physical director of theNashvilleYMCA.^[43]

This marked the final season that Howard competed as a member of the Dixie Conference after its formal disbandment in December 1954.^[44] The Bulldogs competed as anindependent until their2003 season when they joined theOhio Valley Conference.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 25	atUNAM*	Estadio Universitario Mexico City, Mexico	L 6–13	10,000	[45]
October 2	Sewanee*	Shades Valley High School Stadium Homewood, AL	W 20–7	3,000	[46]
October 9	Mississippi College	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	L 6–13		[47]
October 15	atMillsaps	Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS	L 12–24		[48]
October 22	atMemphis Navy*	Millington High School Stadium Millington, TN	W 30–20		[49]
October 30	atMaryville (TN)*	Honaker Field Maryville, TN	L 12–21		[50]
November 6	atSouthwestern (TN)*	Fargason Field Memphis, TN	L 7–33		[51]
November 13	Carson–Newman*	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	L 7–27	1,500	[52]
November 20	Jacksonville State*	Berry Field Birmingham, AL (rivalry)	L 0–32		[53]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

The1955 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known as theSamford University) as an independent during the1955 college football season. In their first year under head coachHoward Foote, the team compiled a record of 1–8. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field and atLegion Field inBirmingham, Alabama and atShades Valley High School Stadium inHomewood, Alabama. Seniors James Chandler and Wayne Walker were the team captains.^[54]

Foote was hired as head coach of the Bulldogs in July 1955 to serve as the successor forWilliam C. White.^[43] Prior to his appointment at Howard, Foote served as head coach atTarrant High School.^[43]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 24		atMemphis Navy	Millington High School Stadium Millington, TN	L 7–14		[55]
October 1		atSewanee	Hardee Field Sewanee, TN	W 20–14	1,500	[56][57]
October 8		atMississippi College	Provine Field Clinton, MS	L 14–19		[58]
October 14	2:00 p.m.	Millsaps	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	L 6–33		[59][60]
October 22	2:00 p.m.	UNAM	Legion Field Birmingham, AL	L 13–41	5,000	[61][62]
October 29	7:30 p.m.	Maryville (TN)	Shades Valley Stadium Homewood, AL	L 12–21		[63][64]
November 5		Southwestern (TN)	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	L 7–25		[65]
November 12		atCarson–Newman	McCown Field Jefferson City, TN	L 7–47		[66]
November 19		vs.Jacksonville State	Mary Dumas Stadium Talladega, AL	L 24–67		[67]
Homecoming All times are inCentral time

^[68]

The1956 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known as theSamford University) as an independent during the1956 college football season. In their second year under head coachHoward Foote, the team compiled a record of 2–5–2. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field inBirmingham, Alabama and atShades Valley High School Stadium inHomewood, Alabama.

Foote resigned as head coach in August 1957 to become an assistant coach atAustin Peay.^[69]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 22	atMemphis Navy	Millington High School Stadium Millington, TN	L 0–7		[70]
September 29	Sewanee	Shades Valley High School Stadium Homewood, AL	T 7–7	1,000	[71]
October 6	vs.Mississippi College	Mary Dumas Stadium Talladega, AL	L 6–12	3,000	[72]
October 14	atMillsaps	Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS	T 20–20		[73]
October 20	Carson–Newman	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	L 6–25		[74]
October 27	atMaryville (TN)	Honaker Field Maryville, TN	L 13–20		[75]
November 3	atSouthwestern (TN)	Fargason Field Memphis, TN	W 20–14		[76]
November 10	Tennessee Wesleyan	Berry Field Birmingham, AL	L 12–19		[77]
November 17	atLivingston State	Tiger Stadium Livingston, AL	W 24–8		[78]
Homecoming

The1957 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known as theSamford University) as an independent during the1957 college football season. In their first year under head coachVirgil Ledbetter, the team compiled a record of 4–5. Howard played their home games atShades Valley High School Stadium inHomewood, Alabama.

In August 1957, Ledbetter was promoted to head coach after the departure ofHoward Foote to Austin Peay.^[79] The 1957 season also was the first for Howard at their new campus in Homewood after previously being based at a campus located in the East Lake neighborhood inBirmingham, Alabama.^[80]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 20	atMemphis Navy	Millington High School Stadium Millington, TN	L 6–13		[81]
September 28	atSewanee	Hardee Field Sewanee, TN	L 0–25	700	[82]
October 5	atMississippi College	Provine Field Clinton, MS	L 13–19		[83]
October 11	Millsaps	Shades Valley High School Stadium Homewood, AL	W 33–20	2,000	[84]
October 19	atCarson–Newman*	McCown Field Jefferson City, TN	L 13–72		[85]
October 26	Maryville (TN)	Shades Valley High School Stadium Homewood, AL	W 20–7	500	[86]
November 2	Southwestern (TN)	Shades Valley High School Stadium Homewood, AL	W 17–0		[87]
November 9	atTennessee Wesleyan	Athens, TN	L 14–31		[88]
November 16	vs.Livingston State	Mary Dumas Stadium Talladega, AL	W 14–6		[89]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

The1958 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known as theSamford University) as an independent during the1958 college football season. In their second year under head coachVirgil Ledbetter, the team compiled a record of 1–6–1. Howard played their home games on campus atHoward Stadium and atShades Valley High School Stadium inHomewood, Alabama.

In April 1959, Ledbetter was removed from his position as head coach.^[90]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 20	atMemphis Navy	Millington High School Stadium Millington, TN	L 2–7		[91]
September 26	Sewanee	Howard Stadium Homewood, AL	L 0–21	2,000	[92][93]
October 11	Mississippi College	Shades Valley High School Stadium Homewood, AL	W 26–0		[94][95]
October 18	atMillsaps	Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS	L 9–14	1,500	[96]
October 25	Tennessee–Martin	Howard Stadium Homewood, AL	T 14–14		[97]
November 1	atSouthwestern (TN)	Fargason Field Memphis, TN	L 12–20		[98]
November 15	vs.Troy State	Municipal Stadium Andalusia, AL	L 12–33	2,200	[99]
November 22	vs.Tennessee Tech B's	Athens, AL (Cheer Bowl)	L 18–22	3,000	[100]
Homecoming

The1959 Howard Bulldogs football team was anAmerican football team that represented Howard College (now known as theSamford University) as an independent during the1959 college football season. In their first year under head coachBobby Bowden, the team compiled an 9–1 record and defeatedGordon Military College in the Textile Bowl. Howard played their home games on campus atHoward Stadium inHomewood, Alabama.

In May 1959, Bowden was hired as head coach of the Bulldogs.^[101]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 19	atMaryville (TN)	Honaker Field Maryville, TN	W 14–0	2,500	[102]
September 26	atSewanee	Hardee Field Sewanee, TN	W 20–0		[103]
October 3	Tennessee Tech B's	Howard Stadium Homewood, AL	W 34–0		[104]
October 10	atMississippi College	Robinson Field Clinton, MS	L 6–27	6,200	[105]
October 16	Millsaps	Howard Stadium Homewood, AL	W 26–0		[106]
October 24	atTennessee–Martin	Union City, TN	W 14–13		[107]
October 31	Southwestern (TN)	Howard Stadium Homewood, AL	W 16–0		[108]
November 6	Livingston State	Howard Stadium Homewood, AL	W 24–0		[109]
November 14	vs.Troy State	Municipal Stadium Andalusia, AL	W 20–19	2,955	[110][111]
December 5	vs.Gordon Military College	Valley Stadium Fairfax, AL (Textile Bowl)	W 52–20	3,500	[112]
Homecoming

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