DALLAS (SMU) – SMU mourns the loss of celebrated former Mustang quarterback Fred Benners, who passed away on Friday, Jan. 6.
 
Benners led the Mustang offense from 1949-51, after transferring from the University of the South, including in perhaps the greatest win in SMU football history, the 27-20 victory over Notre Dame in South Bend in 1951. Benners went 22-for-42 passing for 336 yards in the victory.
 
"If you only knew about his athletic ability, Fred was extraordinary," said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. "But he went on to a successful law career, eventually returning to Dallas, and watched several generations of his family enroll and graduate from SMU. He will be missed."
 
Ranked among the country's top-10 passers in 1950 and 1951, Benners led the Southwest Conference in completions, attempts, completion percentage and passing yards in 1950 and was invited to the 1950 Blue-Gray Classic and 1951 Senior Bowl. During the 1950 season, Benners completed 109 passes in only 108 minutes played.
 
Benners was also a member of the SMU baseball team and the Air Force ROTC program.
 
Following his career with the Mustangs, Benners was selected by the New York Giants in the 1951 NFL Draft. He threw for 320 yards in his lone season with the franchise.
 
Following his rookie season, Benners returned to SMU to obtain a law degree and went on to practice at the legal office at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois in 1954. Benners returned to Dallas and served as a co-chairman for the Young Voter's Committee of Dallas County in 1961 and practiced as an attorney in torts and probate law.
 
Prior to his time on the Hilltop, Benners was a three-sport athlete at Highland Park High School, playing football, basketball and baseball.
 
Family-only services are being planned.
 
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