University Of Utah

1955-56 Redskins
(Authentic Reproduction)
 

The squad was back on track with a strong 4 – 1 conference mark and 6 – 3 overall finish which placed them second in the conference standings. Herb Naaken, with a brief appearance in the LA Rams camp, finished an outstanding career as did fullback Louis Mele who later became a successful high school football and wrestling coach. Linemen Robert Lee and George Boss were named to All Skyline Conference honors while tackle Pete Riehlman had a lengthy coaching career which included head coach stops at California’s Chico State and at Weber (State) College as well as a year with the WFL Hawaiians. Alert fans noted the change in the Utah helmets which sported the addition of one-half-inch black flanking stripes to the usual one-inch white center stripe. Most of the players were now granted better facial protection with a single bar face mask. In 1956 Cactus Jack had the Utes back on his usual successful formula of winning the conference games and utilizing challenging contests against nationally ranked opponents to best prepare for the in-house tilts. The 5 – 5 mark included losses to UCLA, Colorado, and powerful Rice but they were 5 – 1 in the Skyline. Backs Merrill Douglas and Larry Fields carried most of the workload while two-way end George Boss stood out and linemen Larry Amizich and co-captain Chet Franklin at guard were named All Conference.

If interested in any of these Utah helmets please click on the photos below.