What Is 1955 Utah Utes football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1955 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah during the 1955 NCAA college football season, finishing with a 4–5–1 record under head coach Jack Curtice.

Key Facts

The 1955 Utah Utes football team had a 4–5–1 overall record.
They competed in the Skyline Conference and finished with a 3–3 conference record.
Head coach Jack Curtice led the team during his third season.
The team played home games at Ute Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Quarterback Dick Maggard was a key offensive player that season.

Overview

The 1955 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah during the 1955 NCAA college football season. Competing in the Skyline Conference, the team was led by head coach Jack Curtice in his third year at the helm. The Utes finished the season with a 4–5–1 overall record and a 3–3 mark in conference play, placing them in the middle of the standings.

Playing their home games at Ute Stadium in Salt Lake City, the team showcased a balanced offense but struggled with consistency against stronger opponents. Despite not achieving a winning record, the season contributed to the development of key players and laid groundwork for future improvements under Curtice’s leadership. The 1955 campaign reflected the transitional phase of Utah football during the mid-20th century.

Record: The Utes finished the 1955 season with a 4–5–1 overall record, indicating a slightly losing season but with competitive performances.
Conference: They played in the Skyline Conference, finishing 3–3, which placed them in the middle tier among league competitors.
Head Coach: Jack Curtice, in his third season, emphasized offensive innovation and was known for his aggressive play-calling strategies.
Home Stadium: Ute Stadium, located on campus in Salt Lake City, hosted all home games with a capacity of approximately 26,000 fans.
Key Player: Quarterback Dick Maggard led the offense and was instrumental in several close games, showcasing passing and leadership skills.

Season Structure & Performance

The 1955 season followed a nine-game schedule, featuring a mix of conference and non-conference opponents. The Utes opened the season with a win but faced challenges maintaining momentum throughout the fall. Their performance reflected both promise and inconsistency, typical of teams in transition.

Opening Game: The Utes defeated Colorado State 20–13, setting a positive tone with a strong defensive showing and balanced offense.
Midseason Struggles: A three-game losing streak in October, including defeats to Utah State and Colorado, derailed their playoff hopes.
Key Victory: A 14–7 win over rival BYU was a highlight, securing the in-state bragging rights and boosting team morale.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 17.6 points per game, ranking them modestly within the conference offensive rankings.
Defensive Performance: They allowed an average of 20.1 points per game, indicating a defense that was often overmatched by stronger opponents.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1955 season is best understood in context with adjacent years. The table below compares key metrics from 1954, 1955, and 1956 to illustrate trends in performance.

Year	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Home Stadium
1954	3–7	2–4	Jack Curtice	Ute Stadium
1955	4–5–1	3–3	Jack Curtice	Ute Stadium
1956	5–5	4–2	Jack Curtice	Ute Stadium
1957	5–3–2	4–1–1	Jack Curtice	Ute Stadium
1958	6–4	5–1	Jack Curtice	Ute Stadium

This progression shows a clear upward trend in performance from 1954 through 1958, with the 1955 season marking a turning point where the team began to improve under Curtice’s leadership. The modest gains in 1955 laid the foundation for more successful campaigns in the following years, culminating in strong finishes by the end of the decade.

Why It Matters

The 1955 Utah Utes football season, while not championship-caliber, played a crucial role in the long-term development of the program. It represented a step forward from previous losing seasons and demonstrated the potential of Curtice’s coaching philosophy.

Program Momentum: The 4–5–1 record was an improvement from 1954’s 3–7, signaling progress and building confidence among players and fans.
Coaching Impact: Jack Curtice’s emphasis on modern offensive schemes began to take hold, influencing Utah’s football identity in the late 1950s.
Recruiting: Competitive performances helped attract better talent, as seen in the improved records in subsequent seasons.
Rivalry Success: The win over BYU maintained Utah’s competitive edge in one of the region’s most important rivalries.
Stadium Legacy: Games at Ute Stadium preserved a strong home-field tradition before the move to Rice-Eccles Stadium decades later.
Historical Context: The 1955 season is part of Utah’s broader football evolution, leading to future conference realignments and national prominence.

While overshadowed by more successful years, the 1955 season remains a meaningful chapter in Utah football history, reflecting perseverance and incremental growth.