The Split-T Scoring Machine: The Record-Breaking Career of Bob Steuber
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Bob Steuber (born October 25, 1921, in Wenonah, New Jersey) was a versatile and explosive halfback whose collegiate career shattered records and helped revolutionize offensive football.
Bob was a former halfback from Missouri. He set records aplenty at the school, including the most points in a season and a career, as well as the most touchdowns in a game and in a job. During the war years, he played for Depauw.
The NFF says Steuber was third in the nation in rushing yardage in 1941, second in 1942. He was at DePauw in 1943 as a Navy V-6 trainee. DePauw had a 5-0-1 season, and Steuber led the nation in scoring with 129 points.
The National Football Foundation selected Bob Steuber to enter the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Accolades and Accomplishments
College Career (Missouri and DePauw):
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1971).
- 2-Time All-American: First-team (1942) and Third-team (1943).
- National Scoring Leader (1943), achieving 129 points while playing for DePauw University as a Navy V-6 trainee.
- National Rushing Leader Runner-Up (1942) with 1,098 yards (ranking second in the nation).
- Missouri Tigers Career Records (at the time of his departure):
- Most points in a career (222).
- Most touchdowns in a career (32).
- First Missouri player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a career (2,030 yards).
- Missouri Tigers Single-Season Records (at the time):
- Most points in a season (121 in 1942).
- Most touchdowns in a season (18 in 1942).
- Jersey Number 37 retired by the University of Missouri.
- Was instrumental in the success of Coach Don Faurot’s revolutionary Split-T Formation offense in the early 1940s.
- 2-Time First-team All-Big Six Conference (1941, 1942).
Professional Career (NFL & AAFC):
- NFL Champion (1943) with the Chicago Bears.
- AAFC Champion (1946) with the Cleveland Browns.
- Pro Teams Played On: Chicago Bears (NFL), Cleveland Browns (AAFC), Los Angeles Dons (AAFC), and Buffalo Bills (AAFC).
- Was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1st round (9th overall) of the 1943 NFL Draft.
