What Is 1941 Idaho Vandals football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1941 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho during the 1941 college football season, finishing with a 2–6 record under head coach Ted Bank. They played in the Pacific Coast Conference and were outscored 162–87.

Key Facts

The 1941 Idaho Vandals finished the season with a 2–6 overall record.
They were members of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) and went 0–5 in conference play.
Head coach Ted Bank led the team in his fourth and final season.
The Vandals were outscored 162–87 by opponents over the eight-game season.
Home games were played at Neale Stadium in Moscow, Idaho.

Overview

The 1941 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho during the 1941 college football season, competing as a member of the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC). Under the leadership of head coach Ted Bank, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 2–6 overall record and 0–5 in conference matchups.

Despite the losing season, the Vandals showcased moments of resilience, particularly in non-conference games where they secured both of their victories. Playing their home games at Neale Stadium in Moscow, Idaho, the team faced tough competition and was outscored 162–87 over the course of the eight-game schedule.

The 1941 season marked the fourth and final year for head coach Ted Bank, who compiled a 10–23–1 record during his tenure and stepped down after the season.
Idaho opened the season with a 20–0 win over Gonzaga on September 27, a strong start that gave hope for a turnaround from previous years.
The team’s second and final win came against Montana on November 8, a 19–7 victory that provided a bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign.
They suffered a 41–0 defeat to Washington State on November 1, one of the most lopsided losses of the season and a sign of the team’s offensive struggles.
Neale Stadium, with a capacity of around 12,000, served as the home field for the Vandals and hosted several key non-conference matchups.

Season Performance

The 1941 campaign was defined by offensive inconsistency and defensive vulnerabilities, as the Vandals failed to win a single conference game. Competing in the PCC, one of the premier collegiate football conferences at the time, Idaho faced stronger programs with deeper rosters and greater resources.

Term: 2–6 overall record reflects a challenging season where the Vandals won only two of eight games, both against in-state rivals.
Term: 0–5 conference record highlights their struggles within the Pacific Coast Conference, failing to secure a single win against PCC opponents.
Term: 162–87 point differential shows the team was outscored by an average of over nine points per game, indicating defensive shortcomings.
Term: Ted Bank’s final season ended after four years; he posted a 10–23–1 cumulative record and was replaced by Babe Curfman in 1942.
Term: Non-conference wins against Gonzaga and Montana were the only victories, underscoring the team’s difficulty competing at the conference level.
Term: Season-ending 33–0 loss to Oregon State on November 22 closed the year on a low note, with the defense allowing a season-high in points.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1941 Idaho Vandals’ performance can be better understood when compared to peer teams in the Pacific Coast Conference and regional rivals.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points For	Points Against
Idaho Vandals	2–6	0–5	87	162
Washington Huskies	4–5	3–4	148	136
Oregon State Beavers	5–5	4–3	130	113
Montana Grizzlies	3–5	N/A	101	103
Gonzaga Bulldogs	2–5	N/A	64	97

While Idaho’s record was among the worst in the PCC, they fared slightly better than non-scholarship programs like Gonzaga. The data shows Idaho’s offense ranked near the bottom in scoring, and their defense allowed the second-most points in the conference, highlighting systemic challenges.

Why It Matters

The 1941 season holds historical significance as it occurred just before the United States’ entry into World War II, which would dramatically impact college athletics in the following years. Rosters would soon be depleted as players enlisted, and many programs suspended operations.

The 1941 season was the last full campaign before wartime disruptions, making it a historical marker for the end of pre-war college football in Idaho.
Idaho’s struggles reflected the challenges of smaller programs competing in major conferences against better-funded rivals.
Neale Stadium remained a key venue until the 1960s, and the 1941 season contributed to its legacy as a college football site.
Ted Bank’s departure signaled a transition in leadership, setting the stage for post-war rebuilding under new coaching staff.
Historical records from this season help trace the evolution of the Idaho football program into the modern era of the FCS.
The game against Montana preserved an in-state rivalry that continues to be commemorated in regional sports history.

Though the 1941 season was not successful on the scoreboard, it remains a documented chapter in the University of Idaho’s athletic history, offering insight into the challenges of mid-20th-century college football.