Football Team ’58

The 1958 football team reigned as the greatest of all time until the 1988 squad came along, but the earlier team’s exploits remain legendary in Beaver grid history. The 1958 Ken Mast-coached squad dominated opponents far greater than any Bluffton team, winning by an average of 25.3 points per game and posting an average yardage advantage of 217.8 yards per contest.

The team gained an amazing 7.7 yards per play. Its rushing total (3,015 yards), average rushing yards per game (335) and yards per rushing attempt (7.2) remain Bluffton standards. Six opponents were shut out, another school record. The ’58 squad also holds Bluffton records for yards per pass attempt (10.7) and yards per catch (24.1).

The Beavers shut out four of the first five opponents, losing only to Heidelberg. After a 42-30 victory at Findlay, they shut out Ashland and Manchester before edging Centre to cap off their second 8-1 season in three years. In the 57-0 rout of Ashland, the Beavers racked up 622 yards of total offense—the fourth highest total in Bluffton history—and their 500-yard advantage in total offense (622-122) is the second highest ever. The 57-point margin is tied for the largest Bluffton margin of victory, while the nine touchdowns scored against both Ashland and Ohio Northern are tied for first in Bluffton’s record book.

Receiving first-team all-conference honors were Elbert Dubenion, Joe Urich, Jim Buffenbarger and Chet Foraker on offense, and Jim Weaver, C.K. Steiner, Ed Smoker and Urich on defense. Dubenion had 1,288 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns for 102 points, while Urich hit 18 passes for 512 yards and five scores.

Taylor W 14-0
Heidelberg L 6-20
Ohio Northern W 55-0
Defiance W 34-0
Wilmington W 42-0
Findlay W 42-30
Ashland W 57-0
Manchester W 24-0