Ira Rodgers

Bio

For decades, Ira Rodgers was called the fastest player in West Virginia history and, indeed, he left many an opponent behind as he ran away with the scoring championship as a senior in 1919. Rodgers led the Mountaineers to eight victories in 10 games that season, scoring 147 points which put West Virginia on the comeback trail following World War I. Mountaineer football had struggled through a 6-3-1 season in 1917, when Rodgers was a sophomore. When the war brought a suspension of play in the fall of 1918, many wondered just how quickly West Virginia could regroup. Rodgers led the way in victories over Marietta (61-0), Westminster (55-0), Bethany (60-0) and Ohio Wesleyan (55-0). Larger schools such as Maryland and Princeton fell in the wake of Rogers efforts. The only blemishes on the season came in losses to Pittsburgh (26-0) and Centre College (14-6). A magnificent runner, Rodgers also was among the nation's premier passers. During a 1917 game against West Virginia Wesleyan, he threw a 51-yard pass - in the air from thrower to receiver. It was an incredible feat in those days of the bulky, melon-like football. Three times in his career he was recognized as an All-America receiving consensus status in 1919. Ira later returned to West Virginia as the Blue and Gold's head coach, and posted an 11-12-2 record for three seasons.

Career Highlights

• 1919 Consensus All-America