1946 San Francisco 49ers season

49ers seasons
1947 →

The 1946 San Francisco 49ers season was the inaugural season of the San Francisco 49ers and the first season of the All-America Football Conference. Led by head coach Buck Shaw, the team compiled a 9–5 record and finished second in the AAFC West Division.^[1] The 49ers also had the second best scoring offense (307 points scored) in the AAFC.^[2]

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Frankie Albert with 1,404 passing yards, fullback Norm Standlee with 651 rushing yards, and end Alyn Beals with 586 receiving yards and 61 points scored.^[3]

Personnel

Staff

**1946 San Francisco 49ers staff**
	Front office Principal Owner – Tony Morabito General Manager – John Blackinger Head coaches Head coach – Buck Shaw Offensive coaches Lines – Albert J. Ruffo			Defensive coaches Ends – Jim Lawson

Roster

The following table lists the final roster for the 49ers in the 1946 season.^[4]

**1946 San Francisco 49ers final roster**

	Quarterbacks 63 Frankie Albert QB 83 Ken Casanega QB 62 Jesse Freitas Sr. QB Running backs 93 Don Durdan HB 81 Len Eshmont HB 82 Pete Franceschi HB 64 Parker Hall TB 73 Ned Mathews WB 84 Earle Parsons HB 73 Dick Renfro FB 74 Ken Roskie FB 72 Norm Standlee FB 91 Johnny Strzykalski HB 82 Joe Vetrano HB Wide receivers Tight ends		Offensive linemen 33 Bruno Banducci G 36 Dick Bassi G 22 Gerry Conlee C 21 Dutch Elston C 34 Eddie Forrest G 32 Garland Gregory G 49 Visco Grgich G 37 Charles Pavlich G 23 Bill Remington C 35 Rupe Thornton G Defensive linemen 57 Ed Balatti E 53 Alyn Beals E 42 Bob Bryant T 56 Bill Fisk E 47 John Kuzman T 45 John Mellus T 55 Hank Norberg E 58 Nick Susoeff E 51 Bob Titchenal E 41 John Woudenberg T		Linebackers Defensive backs Special teams		Rookies in italics

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue
1	August 24	vs. Los Angeles Dons	W 17–7	1–0	Balboa Stadium
2	September 1	at Chicago Rockets	W 34–14	2–0	Soldier Field

^[5]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 8	New York Yankees	L 7–21	0–1	Kezar Stadium	Recap
2	September 15	Miami Seahawks	W 21–14	1–1	Kezar Stadium	Recap
3	September 22	Brooklyn Dodgers	W 32–13	2–1	Kezar Stadium	Recap
4	September 29	at Chicago Rockets	L 7–24	2–2	Soldier Field	Recap
5	October 8	at Miami Seahawks	W 34–7	3–2	Burdine Stadium	Recap
6	October 12	at Los Angeles Dons	W 23–14	4–2	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	Recap
7	October 19	at Buffalo Bisons	L 14–17	4–3	Civic Stadium	Recap
8	October 27	at Cleveland Browns	W 34–20	5–3	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	Recap
9	November 2	Buffalo Bisons	W 27–14	6–3	Kezar Stadium	Recap
10	November 10	Cleveland Browns	L 7–14	6–4	Kezar Stadium	Recap
11	November 17	at New York Yankees	L 9–10	6–5	Yankee Stadium	Recap
12	November 24	at Brooklyn Dodgers	W 30–14	7–5	Ebbets Field	Recap
13	November 30	Chicago Rockets	W 14–0	8–5	Kezar Stadium	Recap
14	December 8	Los Angeles Dons	W 48–7	9–5	Kezar Stadium	Recap
15	Bye
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

All game reports use the Pro Football Researchers' gamebook archive as a source.^[3]

Week 1: vs. New York Yankees

Week 1: New York Yankees at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Yankees	0	7	7	7	21
49ers	7	0	0	0	7

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Game attendance: 35,000
Boxscore

Game information
First quarter SF – Len Eshmont 40-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 7–0. Second quarter NY – Lowell Wagner 40-yard blocked punt return (Harvey Johnson kick). Tied 7–7. Third quarter NY – Ace Parker 7-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick). Yankees 14–7. Fourth quarter NY – Dewey Proctor 3-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick). Yankees 21–7.

Game information

First quarter

SF – Len Eshmont 40-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 7–0.

Second quarter

NY – Lowell Wagner 40-yard blocked punt return (Harvey Johnson kick). Tied 7–7.

Third quarter

NY – Ace Parker 7-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick). Yankees 14–7.

Fourth quarter

NY – Dewey Proctor 3-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick). Yankees 21–7.

Week 2: vs. Miami Seahawks

Week 2: Miami Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	7	0	0	7	14
49ers	7	7	7	0	21

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Game attendance: 25,000
Boxscore

Game information
First quarter SF – Dick Renfro ?-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 7–0. MIA – Lamar Davis 22-yard pass from Marion Pugh (Dick Erdlitz kick). Tied 7–7. Second quarter SF – Dick Renfro 5-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 14–7. Third quarter SF – Dick Renfro 3-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 21–7. Fourth quarter MIA – Prince Scott 30-yard pass from Cotton Price (Dick Erdlitz kick). 49ers 21–14.

Game information

First quarter

SF – Dick Renfro ?-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 7–0.
MIA – Lamar Davis 22-yard pass from Marion Pugh (Dick Erdlitz kick). Tied 7–7.

Second quarter

SF – Dick Renfro 5-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 14–7.

Third quarter

SF – Dick Renfro 3-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 21–7.

Fourth quarter

MIA – Prince Scott 30-yard pass from Cotton Price (Dick Erdlitz kick). 49ers 21–14.

Week 3: vs. Brooklyn Dodgers

Week 3: Brooklyn Dodgers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Dodgers	7	0	0	6	13
49ers	7	12	13	0	32

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Game attendance: 35,000
Boxscore

Game information
First quarter BDA – Mickey Colmer 27-yard pass from Lew Mayne (Jim McCarthy kick). Dodgers 7–0. SF – Len Eshmont 5-yard rush (John Mellus kick). Tied 7–7. Second quarter SF – Len Eshmont 35-yard pass from Frankie Albert. 49ers 13–7. SF – Alyn Beals 43-yard pass from Frankie Albert. 49ers 19–7. Third quarter SF – Bob Titchenal 42-yard pass from Len Eshmont. 49ers 25–7. SF – Frankie Albert 10-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 32–7. Fourth quarter BDA – Neal Adams 7-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs. 49ers 32–13.

Game information

First quarter

BDA – Mickey Colmer 27-yard pass from Lew Mayne (Jim McCarthy kick). Dodgers 7–0.
SF – Len Eshmont 5-yard rush (John Mellus kick). Tied 7–7.

Second quarter

SF – Len Eshmont 35-yard pass from Frankie Albert. 49ers 13–7.
SF – Alyn Beals 43-yard pass from Frankie Albert. 49ers 19–7.

Third quarter

SF – Bob Titchenal 42-yard pass from Len Eshmont. 49ers 25–7.
SF – Frankie Albert 10-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 32–7.

Fourth quarter

BDA – Neal Adams 7-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs. 49ers 32–13.

Week 4: at Chicago Rockets

Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Rockets – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	0	0	7	7
Rockets	0	3	14	7	24

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game attendance: 36,875
Boxscore

Game information
Second quarter CHR – Steve Nemeth 20-yard field goal. Rockets 3–0. Third quarter CHR – Elroy Hirsch 8-yard pass from Bob Hoernschemeyer (Steve Nemeth kick). Rockets 10–0. CHR – Bill Kellagher 3-yard rush (Steve Nemeth kick). Rockets 17–0. Fourth quarter SF – Len Eshmont 2-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). Rockets 17–7. CHR – Ralph Heywood 15-yard pass from Bob Hoernschemeyer (Steve Nemeth kick). Rockets 24–7.

Game information

Second quarter

CHR – Steve Nemeth 20-yard field goal. Rockets 3–0.

Third quarter

CHR – Elroy Hirsch 8-yard pass from Bob Hoernschemeyer (Steve Nemeth kick). Rockets 10–0.
CHR – Bill Kellagher 3-yard rush (Steve Nemeth kick). Rockets 17–0.

Fourth quarter

SF – Len Eshmont 2-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). Rockets 17–7.
CHR – Ralph Heywood 15-yard pass from Bob Hoernschemeyer (Steve Nemeth kick). Rockets 24–7.

Week 5: at Miami Seahawks

Week 5: San Francisco 49ers at Miami Seahawks – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	7	7	7	13	34
Seahawks	0	0	0	7	7

at Orange Bowl, Miami, Seahawks

Game attendance: 7,621
Boxscore

Game information
First quarter SF – Len Eshmont 2-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 7–0. Second quarter SF – Alyn Beals 12-yard pass from Jesse Freitas (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 14–0. Third quarter SF – Earle Parsons 24-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 21–0. Fourth quarter MIA – Prince Scott 4-yard pass from Jimmy Tarrant (Dick Erdlitz kick). 49ers 21–7. SF – Pete Franceschi 8-yard rush. 49ers 27–7. SF – John Kuzman 72-yard fumble return (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 34–7.

Game information

First quarter

SF – Len Eshmont 2-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 7–0.

Second quarter

SF – Alyn Beals 12-yard pass from Jesse Freitas (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 14–0.

Third quarter

SF – Earle Parsons 24-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 21–0.

Fourth quarter

MIA – Prince Scott 4-yard pass from Jimmy Tarrant (Dick Erdlitz kick). 49ers 21–7.
SF – Pete Franceschi 8-yard rush. 49ers 27–7.
SF – John Kuzman 72-yard fumble return (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 34–7.

Week 6: at Los Angeles Dons

Week 6: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Dons – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	10	7	0	6	23
Dons	0	7	7	0	14

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Game attendance: 12,500
Boxscore

Game information
First quarter SF – Joe Vetrano 26-yard field goal. 49ers 3–0. SF – Alyn Beals 5-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 10–0. Second quarter LA – Andy Marefos 1-yard rush (Joe Aguirre kick). 49ers 10–7. Third quarter SF – Frankie Albert 5-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 17–7. LA – Bob Nowaskey 35-yard interception return (Joe Aguirre kick). 49ers 17–14. Fourth quarter SF – Earle Parsons 66-yard rush. 49ers 23–14.

Game information

First quarter

SF – Joe Vetrano 26-yard field goal. 49ers 3–0.
SF – Alyn Beals 5-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 10–0.

Second quarter

LA – Andy Marefos 1-yard rush (Joe Aguirre kick). 49ers 10–7.

Third quarter

SF – Frankie Albert 5-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick). 49ers 17–7.
LA – Bob Nowaskey 35-yard interception return (Joe Aguirre kick). 49ers 17–14.

Fourth quarter

SF – Earle Parsons 66-yard rush. 49ers 23–14.

Standings

AAFC Western Division
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	PF	PA	STK
Cleveland Browns	12	2	0	.857	4–2	423	137	W5
San Francisco 49ers	9	5	0	.643	4–2	307	189	W3
Los Angeles Dons	7	5	2	.583	2–3–1	305	290	T1
Chicago Rockets	5	6	3	.455	1–4–1	263	315	T1

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings.

References

^ "1946 San Francisco 49ers Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
^ 1946 AAFC Standings Archived July 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a ^b "1946 San Francisco 49ers Statistics and Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
^ "1946 San Francisco 49ers Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
^ "1946 San Francisco 49ers (AAFC)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved October 28, 2023.

v t e San Francisco 49ers
Founded in 1946 Based and headquartered in Santa Clara, California
Franchise	Franchise Team history Coaches Players Seasons Logo and uniform history Starting quarterbacks Draft history (First-round draft picks) Broadcasters Retired numbers
Stadiums	Kezar Stadium Candlestick Park Levi's Stadium State Farm Stadium Three games played due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Culture	49er Faithful Sourdough Sam San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush West Coast offense The Pigskin Priest KGO KNBR
Lore	The Catch (II) Joe Cool Million Dollar Backfield Snowball Game No Punt Game Fútbol Americano Harbaugh Bowl The Tip Jet Chip Wasp
Rivalries	Arizona Cardinals Dallas Cowboys Green Bay Packers Oakland Raiders (former) Los Angeles Rams New York Giants Seattle Seahawks
Key figures	Eddie DeBartolo Denise DeBartolo York Jed York John York Gideon Yu
Division championships (22)	1970 1971 1972 1981 1983 1984 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 2002 2011 2012 2019 2022 2023
Conference championships (8)	1981 1984 1988 1989 1994 2012 2019 2023
League championships (5)	1981 (XVI) 1984 (XIX) 1988 (XXIII) 1989 (XXIV) 1994 (XXIX)
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1950–present) Conference: National Football Conference Division: West Division
Former league affiliation	All-America Football Conference (1946–1949)

v t e San Francisco 49ers seasons
1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bold indicates Super Bowl victory Italics indicates Super Bowl appearance

San Francisco 49ers seasons

Bold indicates Super Bowl victory
Italics indicates Super Bowl appearance

v t e San Francisco 49ers 1946 inaugural season roster
Frankie Albert Ed Balatti Bruno Banducci Dick Bassi Alyn Beals Bob Bryant Ken Casanega Gerry Conlee Don Durdan Dutch Elston Len Eshmont Bill Fisk Eddie Forrest Pete Franceschi Jesse Freitas Garland Gregory Visco Grgich Parker Hall John Kuzman Ned Mathews John Mellus Hank Norberg Earle Parsons Charles Pavlich Bill Remington Dick Renfro Ken Roskie Norm Standlee Johnny Strzykalski Nick Susoeff Rupe Thornton Bob Titchenal Joe Vetrano John Woudenberg Head coach: Buck Shaw

San Francisco 49ers 1946 inaugural season roster