The 1949 Hillsdale Dales football team, also known as the Bearcats, represented Hillsdale College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1949 college football season.
Led by first-year head coach Jack Petoskey, the Dales compiled an overall record of 9–1 with a mark of 5–0 in conference play, winning the MIAA title.
Hilldale was invited to the Refrigerator Bowl, where the Dales lost to Evansville.
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