Conference Independent 1945 record 7–2 | AP No. 7 | |
Head coach James Phelan (4th year) | ||
The 1945 Saint Mary's Gaels football team was an American football team that represented Saint Mary's College of California during the 1945 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach and College Football Hall of Fame inductee James Phelan, the Gaels compiled a 7–2 record, outscored their opponents by a combined total of 282 to 65, and were ranked #7 in the final AP Poll. The Gaels' victories included a 20–13 besting of California and a 26–0 victory over USC. Their only loss during the regular season was to UCLA by a 13-7 score. The Gaels were invited to play in the 1946 Sugar Bowl where they lost to undefeated and #7-ranked Oklahoma A&M by a 33–13 score.
Three Gaels received honors on the 1945 All-Pacific Coast football team: halfback and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Herman Wedemeyer (AP-1, UP-1); halfback Charles Albert (Spike) Cordeiro, Jr. (UP-1); and end Ed Ryan (AP-1, UP-1).