Conference Independent | 1938 record 6–2 | |
Head coach Slip Madigan (18th year) | ||
The 1938 Saint Mary's Gaels football team was an American football team that represented Saint Mary's College of California during the 1938 college football season. In their 14th season under head coach Slip Madigan, the Gaels compiled a 6–2 record and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 106 to 41. The season ended with a 20-13 victory over Texas Tech in the 1939 Cotton Bowl Classic The Gaels were led by sophomore back Mike Klotovich.
Contents
at California
On September 24, 1938, the Gaels opened their 1938 season with a close 12-7 loss to California before a crowd of 50,000 in Berkeley, California. The 1937 Cal team had gone through its season undefeated and was ranked #2 in the final AP poll.)( The Gaels dominated the game for three quarters and led 7-0 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Gonzaga
On October 2, 1938, the Gaels defeated Gonzaga, 20-0, in San Francisco. St. Mary's touchdowns were scored by Mike Klotovich, Ed Heffernan and Mike Pierrie.
at Loyola Marymount
On October 9, 1938, the Gaels defeated the Loyola Lions, 7-0, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. Fullback Herb Smith scored the only touchdown.
Portland
On October 16, 1938, the Gaels defeated Portland, 32-7, at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.
at San Francisco
On October 23, 1938, the Gaels defeated the San Francisco Dons, 13-6, before a crowd of 20,000 spectators in the rain at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. San Francisco took a 6-0 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Gaels' scored two touchdowns in the final quarter, first on a pass from Klotovich to Aronson and later on a 53-yard run by Klotovich.
at Fordham
The Gaels' November 5, 1938, game against #15-ranked Fordham drew a crowd of 44,274 to the Polo Grounds in New York. A Fordham field goal in the second quarter counted for the game's only points, as Fordham defeated St. Mary's 3-0.
vs. Santa Clara
One week after losing a close game to Fordham, the Gaels upset previously undefeated Santa Clara, 7-0, before a crowd of 60,000 in San Francisco. The game ended Santa Clara's 16-game winning streak dating back to the 1936 season. Fullback Herb Smith scored the Gaels' touchdown.
1939 Cotton Bowl Classic
After the regular season, the Gaels were invited to play previously unbeaten and #11-ranked Texas Tech in the 1939 Cotton Bowl Classic on January 2, 1939. The Gaels took a 20-0 lead into the fourth quarter and held on to defeat the Red Raiders, 20-13, in front of a crowd of 40,000 spectators in Dallas. St. Mary's touchdowns were scored by Ed Heffernan and Michael Klotovich and by Whitey Smith on an interception return for a touchdown.