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1951 San Francisco 49ers season

American football team season

American football team season

FieldValue
logo1951-san-francisco-49ers-teamphoto.jpg
teamSan Francisco 49ers
year1951
record7–4–1
conference_placeT–2nd NFL National
ownerTony Morabito
general managerJohn Blackinger
coachBuck Shaw
stadiumKezar Stadium
playoffs*Did not qualify*
shortnavlink49ers seasons

The 1951 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 2nd season in the National Football League and their 6th overall. The team was coming off a 3–9 record in 1950.

The 49ers won their first ever NFL road game on October 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, after losing their first 7 in the league. The Niners were in playoff contention all year long, finishing 7–4–1, just a half game out of first place in the National Conference. Their biggest win of the season was a 44–17 victory over their California rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.

Frankie Albert and Y. A. Tittle split time at quarterback, with Albert throwing for 1,116 yards, while Tittle led the club with 8 TDs and completed 55.3% of his passes. Joe Perry once again led the team in rushing with 677 yards and 3 TDs, and wide receiver Gordie Soltau led the club with 59 catches for 826 yards and 7 TDs.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1951 NFL draft

Source:

Preseason

San Francisco 49ersyear=1950border=2}}"WeekSan Francisco 49ersyear=1950border=2}}"DateSan Francisco 49ersyear=1950border=2}}"OpponentSan Francisco 49ersyear=1950border=2}}"ResultSan Francisco 49ersyear=1950border=2}}"RecordSan Francisco 49ersyear=1950border=2}}"VenueSan Francisco 49ersyear=1950border=2}}"Attendance12345
August 19[Washington Redskins](1951-washington-redskins-season)**W** 45–141–0Kezar Stadium27,280
August 26[Chicago Bears](1951-chicago-bears-season)**L** 7–241–1Kezar Stadium38,836
vs. [Pittsburgh Steelers](1951-pittsburgh-steelers-season)**W** 24–72–1Archbold Stadium18,000
vs. [Green Bay Packers](1951-green-bay-packers-season)**W** 20–03–1Parade Stadium19,021
September 23vs. [Chicago Cardinals](1951-chicago-cardinals-season)**W** 37–174–1Creighton Stadium10,000

Regular season

Schedule

San Francisco 49ersyear=1951border=2}}"WeekSan Francisco 49ersyear=1951border=2}}"DateSan Francisco 49ersyear=1951border=2}}"OpponentSan Francisco 49ersyear=1951border=2}}"ResultSan Francisco 49ersyear=1951border=2}}"RecordSan Francisco 49ersyear=1951border=2}}"VenueSan Francisco 49ersyear=1951border=2}}"AttendanceSan Francisco 49ersyear=1951border=2}}"Recap123456789101112
September 30[Cleveland Browns](1951-cleveland-browns-season)**W** 24–101–0Kezar Stadium48,263[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195109300sfo.htm)
at [Philadelphia Eagles](1951-philadelphia-eagles-season)**L** 14–211–1Shibe Park23,827[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195110060phi.htm)
October 14at [Pittsburgh Steelers](1951-pittsburgh-steelers-season)**W** 28–242–1Forbes Field27,124[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195110140pit.htm)
October 21at **[Chicago Bears](1951-chicago-bears-season)****L** 7–132–2Wrigley Field42,296[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195110210chi.htm)
October 28**[Los Angeles Rams](1951-los-angeles-rams-season)****W** 44–173–2Kezar Stadium49,538[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195110280sfo.htm)
November 4at **[Los Angeles Rams](1951-los-angeles-rams-season)****L** 16–233–3Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum54,346[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195111040ram.htm)
November 11**[New York Yanks](1951-new-york-yanks-season)****W** 19–144–3Kezar Stadium25,538[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195111110sfo.htm)
November 18[Chicago Cardinals](1951-chicago-cardinals-season)**L** 21–274–4Kezar Stadium19,658[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195111180sfo.htm)
November 25at **[New York Yanks](1951-new-york-yanks-season)****T** 10–104–4–1Yankee Stadium10,184[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195111250nyy.htm)
December 2at **[Detroit Lions](1951-detroit-lions-season)****W** 20–105–4–1Briggs Stadium46,467[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195112020det.htm)
December 9**[Green Bay Packers](1951-green-bay-packers-season)****W** 31–196–4–1Kezar Stadium15,121[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195112090sfo.htm)
December 16**[Detroit Lions](1951-detroit-lions-season)****W** 21–177–4–1Kezar Stadium27,276[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195112160sfo.htm)
**Note:** Intra-conference opponents are in **bold** text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. [[1951 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]

;First quarter

  • CLE – Dub Jones 79 yard pass from Otto Graham, Lou Groza kick (CLE 7–0)
  • SF – Billy Wilson 25 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (TIE 7–7) ;Second quarter
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 42 yard field goal (SF 10–7) ;Third quarter
  • SF – Joe Perry 6 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 17–7)
  • CLE – Lou Groza 40 yard field goal (SF 17–10) ;Fourth quarter
  • SF – Joe Perry 6 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 24–10) ;Top passers
  • CLE –
  • SF – ;Top rushers
  • CLE –
  • SF – Verl Lillywhite 17 Car, 145 Yds ;Top receivers
  • CLE – Dub Jones 5 Rec, 143 Yds, 1 TD
  • SF – ;Top tacklers
  • CLE –
  • SF –

Week 2: at [[1951 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]

;First quarter

  • SF – Verl Lillywhite 60 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0)
  • PHI – Jim Parmer 60 yard run, Bobby Walston kick (TIE 7–7) ;Second quarter No scoring ;Third quarter
  • PHI – Clyde Scott 49 yard pass from Adrian Burk, Bobby Walston kick (PHI 14–7) ;Fourth quarter
  • PHI – Clyde Scott 28 yard pass from Adrian Burk, Bobby Walston kick (PHI 21–7)
  • SF – Verl Lillywhite 11 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle, Gordie Soltau kick (PHI 21–14) ;Top passers
  • SF –
  • PHI – ;Top rushers
  • SF –
  • PHI – ;Top receivers
  • SF –
  • PHI – ;Top tacklers
  • SF –
  • PHI –

Week 3: at [[1951 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]

;First quarter

  • SF – Jim Cason 65 yard interception return, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0) ;Second quarter
  • PIT – Elbie Nickel 77 yard pass from Joe Geri, Joe Geri kick (TIE 7–7)
  • PIT – Joe Geri 16 yard field goal (PIT 10–7) ;Third quarter
  • SF – Jim Monachino 7 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 14–10)
  • SF – Joe Perry 4 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 21–10)
  • SF – Pete Schabarum 8 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 28–10) ;Fourth quarter
  • PIT – Lynn Chandnois 8 yard pass from Ray Mathews, Joe Geri kick (SF 28–17)
  • PIT – Elbie Nickel 22 yard pass from Ray Mathews, Joe Geri kick (SF 28–24) ;Top passers
  • SF –
  • PIT – ;Top rushers
  • SF –
  • PIT – ;Top receivers
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 6 Rec, 120 Yds
  • PIT – ;Top tacklers
  • SF –
  • PIT –

Week 4: at [[1951 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]

;First quarter

  • LA – John Dottley 77 yard pass from Johnny Lujack, kick failed (CHI 6–0) ;Second quarter No scoring ;Third quarter
  • CHI – Johnny Lujack 1 yard run, Johnny Lujack kick (CHI 13–0) ;Fourth quarter
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 41 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle, Gordie Soltau kick (CHI 13–7) ;Top passers
  • SF –
  • CHI – ;Top rushers
  • SF –
  • CHI – John Dottley 16 Car, 112 Yds ;Top receivers
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 8 Rec, 109 Yds, 1 TD
  • CHI – ;Top tacklers
  • SF –
  • CHI –

Week 5: vs. [[1951 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]

;First quarter

  • SF – Gordie Soltau 23 yard field goal (SF 3–0)
  • LA – Bob Waterfield 26 yard field goal (TIE 3–3)
  • SF – Joe Arenas 2 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 10–3) ;Second quarter
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 10 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 17–3)
  • LA – Elroy Hirsch 79 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin, Bob Waterfield kick (SF 17–10)
  • SF – Johnny Strzykalski 1 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 24–10)
  • SF – Leo Nomellini 20 yard blocked punt return, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 31–10)
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 13 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 38–10) ;Third quarter
  • LA – Dick Hoerner 12 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (SF 38–17) ;Fourth quarter
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 48 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle, kick failed (SF 44–17) ;Top passers
  • LA –
  • SF – ;Top rushers
  • LA –
  • SF – ;Top receivers
  • LA – Elroy Hirsch 7 Rec, 163 Yds, 1 TD
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 6 Rec, 132 Yds, 3 TDs ;Top tacklers
  • LA –
  • SF –

Week 6: at Los Angeles Rams

;First quarter

  • LA – Bob Waterfield 39 yard field goal (LA 3–0)
  • LA – Bob Waterfield 1 yard run, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 10–0) ;Second quarter
  • SF – Joe Perry 58 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (LA 10–7)
  • LA – Bob Waterfield 20 yard field goal (LA 13–7) ;Third quarter
  • SF – Frankie Albert 7 yard run, kick failed (TIE 13–13) ;Fourth quarter
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 11 yard field goal (SF 16–13)
  • LA – Elroy Hirsch 79 yard pass from Bob Waterfield, Bob Waterfield kick (LA 20–16)
  • LA – Bob Waterfield 39 yard field goal (LA 23–16) ;Top passers
  • SF –
  • LA – ;Top rushers
  • SF – Joe Perry 12 Car, 115 Yds, 1 TD
  • LA – ;Top receivers
  • SF –
  • LA – Elroy Hirsch 4 Rec, 103 Yds, 1 TD ;Top tacklers
  • SF –
  • LA –

Week 7: vs. [[1951 New York Yanks season|New York Yanks]]

;First quarter

  • SF – Gordie Soltau 5 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0) ;Second quarter
  • NYY – Buddy Young 1 yard run, Harvey Johnson kick (TIE 7–7)
  • NYY – Dan Edwards 20 yard pass from Bob Celeri, Harvey Johnson kick (NYY 14–7) ;Third quarter
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 19 yard field goal (NYY 14–10) ;Fourth quarter
  • SF – Safety, Hamp Tanner tackled Bob Celeri in end zone (NYY 14–12)
  • SF – Billy Wilson 7 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 19–14) ;Top passers
  • NYY –
  • SF – ;Top rushers
  • NYY –
  • SF – ;Top receivers
  • NYY –
  • SF – ;Top tacklers
  • NYY –
  • SF –

Week 8: vs. [[1951 Chicago Cardinals season|Chicago Cardinals]]

;First quarter

  • CHC – Charley Trippi 8 yard run, Cliff Patton kick (CHC 7–0)
  • SF – Frankie Albert 4 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (TIE 7–7) ;Second quarter
  • CHC – Elmer Angsman 80 yard pass from Charley Trippi, Cliff Patton kick (CHC 14–7)
  • CHC – Don Paul 4 yard run, Cliff Patton kick (CHC 21–7)
  • CHC – Cliff Patton 16 yard field goal (CHC 24–7) ;Third quarter
  • SF – Frankie Albert 10 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (CHC 24–14)
  • CHC – Cliff Patton 24 yard field goal (CHC 27–14) ;Fourth quarter
  • SF – Pete Schabarum 14 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (CHC 27–21) ;Top passers
  • CHC –
  • SF – ;Top rushers
  • CHC –
  • SF – ;Top receivers
  • CHC –
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 8 Rec, 110 Yds ;Top tacklers
  • CHC –
  • SF –

Week 9: at New York Yanks

;First quarter

  • SF – Johnny Strzykalski 8 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 7–0) ;Second quarter
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 21 yard field goal (SF 10–0) ;Third quarter No scoring ;Fourth quarter
  • NYY – Sherman Howard 8 yard run, Harvey Johnson kick (SF 10–7)
  • NYY – Harvey Johnson 23 yard field goal (TIE 10–10) ;Top passers
  • SF –
  • NYY – ;Top rushers
  • SF –
  • NYY – ;Top receivers
  • SF –
  • NYY – ;Top tacklers
  • SF –
  • NYY –

Week 10: at [[1951 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]

;First quarter

  • SF – Johnny Strzykalski 1 yard run, kick failed (SF 6–0) ;Second quarter
  • DET – Doak Walker 23 yard field goal (SF 6–3) ;Third quarter
  • SF – Bill Jessup 23 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 13–3)
  • DET – Dorne Dibble 30 yard pass from Bobby Layne, Doak Walker kick (SF 13–10) ;Fourth quarter
  • SF – Joe Arenas 12 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 20–10) ;Top passers
  • SF –
  • DET – ;Top rushers
  • SF – Joe Perry 22 Car, 126 Yds
  • DET – ;Top receivers
  • SF –
  • DET – ;Top tacklers
  • SF –
  • DET –

Week 11: vs. [[1951 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]

;First quarter

  • GB – Fred Cone 20 yard field goal (GB 3–0)
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 23 yard field goal (TIE 3–3) ;Second quarter
  • GB – Fred Cone 37 yard field goal (GB 6–3)
  • SF – Joe Arenas 7 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 10–6)
  • GB – Ray Pelfrey 3 yard pass from Tobin Rote, Fred Cone kick (GB 13–10) ;Third quarter
  • SF – Joe Arenas 1 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 17–13)
  • GB – Carl Elliott 11 yard pass from Tobin Rote, kick failed (GB 19–17) ;Fourth quarter
  • SF – Jim Monachino 1 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 24–19)
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 9 yard pass from Frankie Albert, Gail Bruce pass from Frankie Albert (SF 31–19) ;Top passers
  • DET –
  • SF – ;Top rushers
  • DET –
  • SF – ;Top receivers
  • DET –
  • SF – ;Top tacklers
  • DET –
  • SF –

Week 12: vs. Detroit Lions

;First quarter

  • DET – Pat Harder 13 yard field goal (DET 3–0) ;Second quarter
  • DET – Pat Harder 1 yard run, Doak Walker kick (DET 10–0)
  • SF – Billy Wilson 31 yard pass from Joe Perry, Gordie Soltau kick (DET 10–7)
  • SF – Gordie Soltau 27 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 14–10) ;Third quarter
  • DET – Leon Hart 28 yard pass from Bobby Layne, Doak Walker kick (DET 17–14) ;Fourth quarter
  • SF – Y. A. Tittle 1 yard run, Gordie Soltau kick (SF 21–17) ;Top passers
  • DET –
  • SF – ;Top rushers
  • DET –
  • SF – ;Top receivers
  • DET –
  • SF – ;Top tacklers
  • DET –
  • SF –

Standings

Roster

1951 San Francisco 49ers final roster
**Quarterbacks**

Pro Bowl

San Francisco's players selected for the Pro Bowl:

PlayerPosition
Jim CasonDefensive back
Ray CollinsDefensive line
Leo NomelliniDefensive line
Gordie SoltauWide receiver

References

References

  1. "1951 San Francisco 49ers Draftees". Pro Football Reference.
  2. "1951 San Francisco 49ers (NFL)". Pro Football Archives.
  3. "San Francisco 49ers 2008 Media Guide". San Francisco 49ers.
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