Dave Casinelli

Dave Casinelli
Memphis Tigers
Position Fullback
Career history
College Memphis State University
Personal information
Date of birth May 23, 1940
Place of birth West Virginia
Date of death October 11, 1987 (age 47)
Place of death Leon County, Florida
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg)
Career highlights and awards
NCAA rushing leader, 1963

David Anthony Casinelli (May 23, 1940 - October 11, 1987), also known as "Bull" Casinelli,[1] was an American football player. He grew up in Follansbee, West Virginia, and played college football for the Memphis State football team from 1960 to 1963.[2]

In 1963, Casinelli led Memphis State to an undefeated season and a #14 ranking in the final UPI Coaches Poll. He also became the first Memphis State player to lead the NCAA in a major individual statistical category and the first Southern player to win the NCAA rushing title since John Dottley in 1949.[1][3] Going into the final game of the 1963 season, he ranked third in rushing yardage but totaled 210 rushing yards in the final game to finish ahead of Jimmy Sidle and Gale Sayers.[1] He led the NCAA for the 1963 season in rushing yardage (1,016 yards) and rushing carries (219).[4] He also tied with Cosmo Iacavazzi for the national scoring title with 84 points, each having scored 14 touchdowns.[5]

During his four years at Memphis, Casinelli established school records with 2,796 total yards from scrimmage and 36 career touchdowns.[6] In January 1964, he signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.[7] Casinelli died as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 1987 in Leon County, Florida.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Casinelli of Memphis St. No. 1 Rusher". The Express. December 10, 1963. p. 9.
  2. "Dave Casinelli". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  3. "Rushing Title for '63 Goes To Casinelli". Evening Times, Cumberland, MD. December 10, 1963. p. 14.
  4. "1963 Leaders". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  5. "Iacavazzi, Casinelli Top Scorers". Hazleton Standard-Speaker. December 13, 1963. p. 28.
  6. "Remembering Those With Retired Jerseys: Memphis Tigers Halfback Dave Casinelli". SB Nation. May 1, 2015.
  7. "Follansbee Grad Signs To Play With Canadians". Raleigh Register. January 10, 1964. p. 8.
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