The Denver Ministers football program, 1940âÂÂ1949 represented the University of Denver in college football during the 1940s as a member of the Mountain States Conference (1940âÂÂ1947) and later the Skyline Six (1948âÂÂ1949). The program was led by five head coaches during the decade: Cac Hubbard (1939âÂÂ1941), Ellison Ketchum (1942), Mark Duncan (1943), Cac Hubbard and Adam Esslinger (1944), Cac Hubbard (1945âÂÂ1947), and Johnny Baker (1948âÂÂ1952).
Highlights of the decade included:
The 1940 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Mountain States Conference (MSC) during the 1940 college football season. In their second season under head coach Cac Hubbard, the Pioneers compiled a 6âÂÂ2âÂÂ1 record (4âÂÂ1âÂÂ1 against conference opponents), tied for second in the MSC, and outscored opponents by a total of 155 to 93.
Denver was ranked at No. 77 (out of 697 college football teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score system for 1940.
The 1941 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as member of the Mountain States Conference (MSC) during the 1941 college football season. In their third season under head coach Cac Hubbard, the Pioneers compiled a 4âÂÂ3âÂÂ2 record (3âÂÂ1âÂÂ2 against conference opponents), tied for second place in RMC, and outscored opponents by a total of 141 to 46.
Denver was ranked at No. 86 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1941.
The 1942 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as member of the Mountain States Conference (MSC) during the 1942 college football season. In their first and only season under head coach Ellison Ketchum, the Pioneers compiled a 6âÂÂ3âÂÂ1 record (3âÂÂ2âÂÂ1 against conference opponents), finished third in the MSC, and outscored opponents by a total of 182 to 98.
Denver was ranked at No. 104 (out of 590 college and military teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1942.
The 1943 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as member of the Mountain States Conference during the 1943 college football season. In their first and only season under head coach Mark Duncan, the Pioneers compiled a 2âÂÂ5 record and were outscored by a total of 186 to 70.
In the final Litkenhous Ratings, Denver ranked 129th among the nation's college and service teams with a rating of 58.0.
The 1944 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as member of the Mountain States Conference (MSC) during the 1944 college football season. Led by head coaches Adam Esslinger and Cac Hubbard, the team compiled a 4âÂÂ3âÂÂ2 record (2âÂÂ1âÂÂ1 against conference opponents), finished second in the MSC, and outscored opponents by a total of 193 to 120.
The 1945 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as member of the Mountain States Conference (MSC) during the 1945 college football season. In its fifth season under head coach Cac Hubbard, the team compiled a 4âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 record (4âÂÂ1 against MSC opponents), won the MSC championship, lost to New Mexico in the Sun Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 201 to 182.
Three Denver players were selected as first-team players on the All-Rocky Mountain football teams selected by the Associated Press (AP) or International News Service (INS): halfback Johnny Karamigios (AP-1; INS-1); guard Chet Latcham (AP-1; INS-1); and fullback John Adams (AP-1; INS-1). Other Denver player receiving mention included quarterback Bob Hazelhurst, end Wayne Flanigan, tackle George Miller, guard Leo Ford, and center Wes Webber.
The 1946 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as member of the Mountain States Conference (MSC) during the 1946 college football season. In their sixth season under head coach Cac Hubbard, the Pioneers compiled a 5âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 record (4âÂÂ1âÂÂ1 against conference opponents), shared the MSC title with Utah State, and were outscored by a total of 182 to 179. They played in the 1947 Alamo Bowl, losing by at 20âÂÂ0 score to HardinâÂÂSimmons.
Three Denver players were selected by the International News Service as first-team players on the 1946 All-Mountain States football team: Bob Hazelhurst at back; Gregg Browning at end; and George MIller at tackle. End Jordan and back Karamagios were named to the second team.
The 1947 NFL draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Pioneers were selected.
The 1947 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as member of the Mountain States Conference (MSC) during the 1947 college football season. In their seventh and final season under head coach Cac Hubbard, the Pioneers compiled a 5âÂÂ4âÂÂ1 record (3âÂÂ2âÂÂ1 against conference opponents), finished second in the MSC, and outscored opponents by a total of 153 to 138.
Denver was ranked at No. 95 (out of 500 college football teams) in the final Litkenhous Ratings for 1947.
The team played its home games at Denver Stadium in Denver.
The 1948 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Six Conference during the 1948 college football season. In its first season under head coach Johnny Baker, the team compiled a 4âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 record (2âÂÂ2 against conference opponents), finished third in the Skyline Six, and outscored opponents by a total of 174 to 166.
Denver was ranked at No. 92 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System ratings for 1948.
The 1949 Denver Pioneers football team represented the University of Denver as a member of the Skyline Six Conference during the 1949 college football season. In their second season under head coach Johnny Baker, the Pioneers compiled a 4âÂÂ6 record (2âÂÂ2 against conference opponents), finished third in the Skyline Six, and were outscored by a total of 214 to 192.