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{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox NFL season
{{Infobox NFL season
| logo = 611112-Oilers-Patriots-program.jpg
| team = Houston Oilers
| team = Houston Oilers
| year = 1961
| year = 1961
Line 6: Line 8:
| division_place = 1st [[American Football League#AFL franchises|AFL Eastern]]
| division_place = 1st [[American Football League#AFL franchises|AFL Eastern]]
| owner = [[Bud Adams]]
| owner = [[Bud Adams]]
| general manager = [[Don Suman]]
| coach = [[Wally Lemm]] (9–0) and<br>[[Lou Rymkus]] (1–3–1, fired)
| coach = [[Lou Rymkus]] (1–3–1, fired) and<br> [[Wally Lemm]] (9–0)
| stadium = [[Robertson Stadium|Jeppesen Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Jeppesen Stadium]]
| playoffs = '''Won''' [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|AFL Championship]]<br>([[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]], (10–3)
| playoffs = '''Won [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|AFL Championship]]'''<br>(at [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|Chargers]]) 10–3
| shortnavlink = Oilers seasons
| shortnavlink = Oilers seasons
}}
}}
The '''[[1961 AFL season|1961]] [[Houston Oilers]] season''' was their second. For the second consecutive season, the Oilers scored a triumph in the [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|AFL championship game]] over the [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] (12–2), the Western Division champions.<ref name=ccfafgt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PDNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1-cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5524%2C2575929 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Chargers challenge for AFL grid title |date=December 24, 1961 |page=2, sports }}</ref><ref name=bsaowat>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xm5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ExEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6928%2C2178762 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=UPI |title=Blanda stars as Oilers win AFL title, 10-3 |date=December 25, 1961 |page=1S}}</ref><ref name=blndarmt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PTNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1-cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6607%2C2833505 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Blanda's arm and toe clear path as Houston takes 2d AFL crown |date=December 25, 1961 |page=14}}</ref>
The '''1961 Houston Oilers season''' was the second season for the [[Tennessee Titans|Houston Oilers]] as a professional [[American football]] [[franchise (sports)|franchise]]; For the second consecutive season, the Oilers scored a triumph in the [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|AFL championship game]] over the [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] (12–2), the Western Division champions.<ref name=ccfafgt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PDNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1-cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5524%2C2575929 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Chargers challenge for AFL grid title |date=December 24, 1961 |page=2, sports }}</ref><ref name=bsaowat>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xm5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ExEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6928%2C2178762 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=UPI |title=Blanda stars as Oilers win AFL title, 10-3 |date=December 25, 1961 |page=1S}}</ref><ref name=blndarmt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PTNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1-cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6607%2C2833505 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Blanda's arm and toe clear path as Houston takes 2d AFL crown |date=December 25, 1961 |page=14}}</ref>


The Oilers started slowly in 1961, with a 1–3–1 record. After a tie on October 13 with the [[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]], head coach [[Lou Rymkus]] was fired by owner [[Bud Adams]]. [[Wally Lemm]] was hired,<ref name=llobttp>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-0g1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=-YoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5091%2C266174 |newspaper=Sarasota Journal |location=Florida |agency=UPI |title=Lemm lifts Oilers back toward top |date=November 2, 1961 |page=30 }}</ref> and the team went undefeated for the remainder of the season, including the championship game, a winning streak of ten games.
The Oilers started slowly in 1961, with a 1–3–1 record. After a tie on October 13 with the [[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]], head coach [[Lou Rymkus]] was fired by owner [[Bud Adams]]. [[Wally Lemm]] was hired,<ref name=llobttp>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-0g1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=-YoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5091%2C266174 |newspaper=Sarasota Journal |location=Florida |agency=UPI |title=Lemm lifts Oilers back toward top |date=November 2, 1961 |page=30 }}</ref> and the team went undefeated for the remainder of the season, including the championship game, a winning streak of ten games.
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The Oilers set the AFL record for points scored in 1961, with 513 (36.6 points per game).<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/oOaCL Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For]</ref> They also set an American Football League record with a +271 point differential, by allowing only 242 points.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/scLSs Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1960 to 1969, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points Differential]</ref> The 1961 Oilers are the only team in AFL or NFL history to score 45 points or more six times in a single season.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/Fqjnh Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, requiring Points For >= 45, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.]</ref>
The Oilers set the AFL record for points scored in 1961, with 513 (36.6 points per game).<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/oOaCL Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For]</ref> They also set an American Football League record with a +271 point differential, by allowing only 242 points.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/scLSs Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1960 to 1969, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points Differential]</ref> The 1961 Oilers are the only team in AFL or NFL history to score 45 points or more six times in a single season.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/Fqjnh Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, requiring Points For >= 45, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.]</ref>


==Offseason==
== Offseason ==
On January 14, end [[Willard Dewveall]] played out his option with the [[1960 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] of the [[National Football League|NFL]] and joined the Oilers.<ref name=cbvdvl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GuJHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rIAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6345%2C1787888|newspaper=Victoria Advocate|location=Texas|agency=Associated Press |title=Chicago Bears veteran Dewveall joins|date=January 14, 1961|page=8}}</ref> He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another.<ref>NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 282</ref> Dewveall was the only one to move between leagues for five years, until placekicker [[Pete Gogolak]] moved from the [[1965 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] to the [[1966 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] of the NFL in [[1966 New York Giants season|1966]].<ref name=sofgoglk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C7xaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LFADAAAAIBAJ&pg=2862%2C2718730 |newspaper=Ludington Daily News |location=Michigan |agency=Associated Press |title=Signing of Gogolak could trigger football battle |date=May 18, 1966 |page=12 }}</ref>
On January 14, end [[Willard Dewveall]] played out his option with the [[1960 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] of the [[National Football League|NFL]] and joined the Oilers.<ref name=cbvdvl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GuJHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rIAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6345%2C1787888|newspaper=Victoria Advocate|location=Texas|agency=Associated Press |title=Chicago Bears veteran Dewveall joins|date=January 14, 1961|page=8}}</ref> He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another.<ref>''NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book'', Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN|0-7611-2480-2}}, p. 282</ref> Dewveall was the only one to move between leagues for five years, until placekicker [[Pete Gogolak]] moved from the [[1965 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] to the [[1966 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] of the NFL in [[1966 New York Giants season|1966]].<ref name=sofgoglk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C7xaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LFADAAAAIBAJ&pg=2862%2C2718730 |newspaper=Ludington Daily News |location=Michigan |agency=Associated Press |title=Signing of Gogolak could trigger football battle |date=May 18, 1966 |page=12 }}</ref>


===AFL Draft===
=== AFL Draft ===
{{main|1961 American Football League draft}}
{{main article|1961 American Football League draft}}
* Houston Oilers draft picks (Selected eighth)<ref>{{Cite web |title=1961 Houston Oilers Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1961_draft.htm |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Houston Oilers draft picks (Selected eighth)
{| class="wikitable sortable sortable" style="width: 60%"
{| class="wikitable sortable sortable" style="width: 60%"
|-
|-
!style="background:#A8BDEC;" width=15%| Round !!width=20% style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Player !!width=18% style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Position !!style="background:#A8BDEC;"| College
!style="background:#A8BDEC;" width=15%| Round !!width=20% style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Player !!width=18% style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Position !!style="background:#A8BDEC;"| College
|-
|-
|align=center| 1 || <span style="display:none">Tommy Mason</span>[[Mike Ditka]] || Offensive End || Pittsburgh
|align=center| 1 || <span style="display:none">Mike Ditka</span>[[Mike Ditka]] || Offensive End || Pittsburgh
|-
|-
|align=center| 2 || <span style="display:none">Tom Goode</span>[[Tom Goode]] || Center || Mississippi State
|align=center| 2 || <span style="display:none">Tom Goode</span>[[Tom Goode (footballer)|Tom Goode]] || Center || Mississippi State
|-
|-
|align=center| 3 || <span style="display:none">Walter Suggs</span>[[Walter Suggs]] <sup>1</sup> || Tackle || Mississippi State
|align=center| 3 || <span style="display:none">Walter Suggs</span>[[Walter Suggs]] <sup>1</sup> || Tackle || Mississippi State
Line 35: Line 38:
|align=center| 4 || <span style="display:none">Bobby Walden</span>[[Bobby Walden]] || Halfback || Georgia
|align=center| 4 || <span style="display:none">Bobby Walden</span>[[Bobby Walden]] || Halfback || Georgia
|-
|-
|align=center| 5 || <span style="display:none">Monte Lee</span>[[Monte Lee]] || Linebacker || Texas
|align=center| 5 || <span style="display:none">Monte Lee</span>[[Monte Lee (American football)|Monte Lee]] || Linebacker || Texas
|-
|-
|align=center| 6 || <span style="display:none">Jake Gibbs</span>[[Jake Gibbs]] || Quarterback || Mississippi
|align=center| 6 || <span style="display:none">Jake Gibbs</span>[[Jake Gibbs]] || Quarterback || Mississippi
Line 41: Line 44:
|align=center| 7 || <span style="display:none">Dick Reynolds</span>[[Dick Reynolds (American football)|Dick Reynolds]] || Tackle || North Carolina State
|align=center| 7 || <span style="display:none">Dick Reynolds</span>[[Dick Reynolds (American football)|Dick Reynolds]] || Tackle || North Carolina State
|-
|-
|align=center| 8 || <span style="display:none">Houston Antwine</span>[[Houston Antwine]] <sup>1,</sup><sup>2</sup> || Guard || Southern Illinois
|align=center| 8 || <span style="display:none">Houston Antwine</span>[[Houston Antwine]] <sup>1,2</sup> || Guard || Southern Illinois
|-
|-
|align=center| 9 || <span style="display:none">Ralph White</span>[[Ralph White]] || Tackle || Bowling Green
|align=center| 9 || <span style="display:none">Ralph White</span>[[Ralph White (American football)|Ralph White]] || Tackle || Bowling Green
|-
|-
|align=center| 10 || <span style="display:none">Charles Lee</span>Charles Lee || Center || Iowa
|align=center| 10 || <span style="display:none">Charles Lee</span>Charles Lee || Center || Iowa
Line 69: Line 72:
|align=center| 21 || <span style="display:none">Ron Miller</span>[[Ron Miller (American football)|Ron Miller]] || Quarterback || Wisconsin
|align=center| 21 || <span style="display:none">Ron Miller</span>[[Ron Miller (American football)|Ron Miller]] || Quarterback || Wisconsin
|-
|-
|align=center| 22 || <span style="display:none">Bob Kelly</span>[[Bob Kelly (American football)|Bob Kelly]] || Offensive End || New Mexico State
|align=center| 22 || <span style="display:none">Bob Kelly</span>[[Bob Kelly (American football, born 1938)|Bob Kelly]] || Offensive End || New Mexico State
|-
|-
|align=center| 23 || <span style="display:none">James Anderson</span>[[James Anderson (fullback)|James Anderson]] || Fullback || Mississippi
|align=center| 23 || <span style="display:none">James Anderson</span>[[James Anderson (fullback)|James Anderson]] || Fullback || Mississippi
Line 83: Line 86:
|align=center| 28 || <span style="display:none">John Frongillo</span>[[John Frongillo]] || Center || Baylor
|align=center| 28 || <span style="display:none">John Frongillo</span>[[John Frongillo]] || Center || Baylor
|-
|-
|align=center| 29 || <span style="display:none">Tom Lewis</span>[[John Frongillo]] || Offensive End || Lake Forest
|align=center| 29 || <span style="display:none">Tom Lewis</span>Tom Lewis || Offensive End || Wake Forest
|-
|-
|align=center| 29 || <span style="display:none">Tom Lewis</span>[[Errol Linden]] || Defensive End || Houston
|align=center| 29 || <span style="display:none">Errol Linden</span>[[Errol Linden]] || Defensive end || Houston
|-
|-
|align=center| 30 || <span style="display:none">Tom Lewis</span>Jim Stroud || Tackle || Rice
|align=center| 30 || <span style="display:none">Jim Stroud</span>Jim Stroud || Tackle || Rice
|-
|-
|}
|}


==Regular season==
== Standings ==

{{Empty section|date=March 2015}}

==Standings==
{{1961 AFL Eastern standings}}
{{1961 AFL Eastern standings}}


===Season schedule===
=== Season schedule ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Week
! Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Record
! Attendance
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Venue
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Attendance
| align=center|1
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Game<br>Recap
| September 9, 1961
|- style="background:#cfc"
! 1
| September 9
| [[1961 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]
| [[1961 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]
| W 55–0
| '''W''' 55–0
| 1–0
| <center>16,231</center>
| [[Robertson Stadium|Jeppesen Stadium]]
| 16,231
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109090oti.htm Recap]
|-
|-
! 2
| align=center|2
| colspan="5" align="center"| ''Bye''
| colspan="7" align="center"| ''Bye''
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|- style="background:#fcc"
! 3
| align=center|3
| September 24, 1961
| September 24
| at [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]
| at [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]
| L 34–24
| '''L''' 24–34
| 1–1
| <center>29,210</center>
| [[Balboa Stadium]]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 29,210
| align=center|4
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109240sdg.htm Recap]
| October 1, 1961
|- style="background:#fcc"
! 4
| October 1
| at [[1961 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texans]]
| at [[1961 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texans]]
| L 26–21
| '''L''' 21–26
| 1–2
| <center>28,000</center>
| [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 28,000
| align=center|5
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110010kan.htm Recap]
| October 8, 1961
|- style="background:#fcc"
| [[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]
! 5
| L 22–12
| October 8
| <center>22,761</center>
| '''[[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]'''
|-style="background: #ffeeaa;"
| '''L''' 12–22
| align=center|6
| 1–3
| October 13, 1961
| Jeppesen Stadium
| at [[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]]
| 22,761
| T 31–31
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110080oti.htm Recap]
| <center>15,070</center>
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|- style="background:#ffc"
!6
| align=center|7
| October 22, 1961
| October 13
| at '''[[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]]'''
| Dallas Texans
| '''T''' 31–31
| W 38–7
| 1–3–1
| <center>21,237</center>
| [[Nickerson Field|Boston University Field]]
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 15,070
| align=center|8
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110130nwe.htm Recap]
| October 29, 1961
|- style="background:#cfc"
| at [[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]
! 7
| W 28–16
| October 22
| <center>23,228</center>
| [[1961 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texans]]
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| '''W''' 38–7
| align=center|9
| 2–3–1
| November 5, 1961
| Jeppesen Stadium
| 21,237
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110220oti.htm Recap]
|- style="background:#cfc"
! 8
| October 29
| at '''[[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]'''
| '''W''' 28–16
| 3–3–1
| [[War Memorial Stadium (Buffalo, New York)|War Memorial Stadium]]
| 23,228
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110290buf.htm Recap]
|- style="background:#cfc"
! 9
| November 5
| at [[1961 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
| at [[1961 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
| W 55–14
| '''W''' 55–14
| 4–3–1
| <center>11,564</center>
| [[Mile High Stadium|Bears Stadium]]
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 11,564
| align=center|10
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111050den.htm Recap]
| November 12, 1961
|- style="background:#cfc"
| Boston Patriots
! 10
| W 27–15
| November 12
| <center>35,649</center>
| '''[[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]]'''
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| '''W''' 27–15
| align=center|11
| 5–3–1
| November 19, 1961
| Jeppesen Stadium
| [[1961 New York Titans season|New York Titans]]
| 35,649
| W 49–13
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111120oti.htm Recap]
| <center>33,428</center>
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|- style="background:#cfc"
! 11
| align=center|12
| November 26, 1961
| November 19
| '''[[1961 New York Titans season|New York Titans]]'''
| Denver Broncos
| W 45–14
| '''W''' 49–13
| 6–3–1
| <center>27,864</center>
| Jeppesen Stadium
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 33,428
| align=center|13
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111190oti.htm Recap]
| December 3, 1961
|- style="background:#cfc"
| San Diego Chargers
! 12
| W 33–13
| November 26
| <center>37,845</center>
| [[1961 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| '''W''' 45–14
| align=center|14
| 7–3–1
| December 10, 1961
| Jeppesen Stadium
| at New York Titans
| 27,864
| W 48–21
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111260oti.htm Recap]
| <center>9,462</center>
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|- style="background:#cfc"
! 13
| align=center|15
| December 17, 1961
| December 3
| [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]
| at Oakland Raiders
| W 47–16
| '''W''' 33–13
| 8–3–1
| <center>4,821</center>
| Jeppesen Stadium
| 37,845
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112030oti.htm Recap]
|- style="background:#cfc"
! 14
| December 10
| at '''[[1961 New York Titans season|New York Titans]]'''
| '''W''' 48–21
| 9–3–1
| [[Polo Grounds]]
| 9,462
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112100nyj.htm Recap]
|- style="background:#cfc"
! 15
| December 17
| at [[1961 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]
| '''W''' 47–16
| 10–3–1
| [[Candlestick Park]]
| 4,821
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112170rai.htm Recap]
|-style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"
|colspan="8"| '''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text.
|}
|}


===Roster===
=== Roster ===
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;"
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;"
|-
|-
! colspan="7" style="text-align:center; {{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|border=2}};"|'''1961 Houston Oilers roster'''
! colspan="7" style="text-align:center; {{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|border=2}};"|'''1961 Houston Oilers roster'''
|-
|-
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks''' {{NFLplayer|16|George Blanda}} {{NFLplayer|15|Jacky Lee}} {{NFLplayer|12|Charlie Milstead}}


'''Running Backs'''
'''Running backs'''
{{NFLplayer|46|Claude King|rookie=y|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|21|Ken Hall|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|44|Charlie Tolar|FB}}
{{NFLplayer|32|Dave Smith|d=fullback}}


'''Wide Receivers'''
'''Wide receivers'''
{{NFLplayer|87|Charley Hennigan}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Bill Groman}}


'''Tight Ends'''
'''Tight ends'''
{{NFLplayer|20|Billy Cannon}}
{{NFLplayer|81|Bob McLeod|rookie=y|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|86|John White|d=tight end}}
{{NFLplayer|88|Willard Dewveall|End}}
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Offensive Linemen'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Offensive linemen'''
{{NFLplayer|70|Al Jamison|T}}
{{NFLplayer|77|Rich Michael|T}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Leo Reed|rookie=y|T}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Bob Kelly|T|rookie=y|d=American football, born 1938}}
{{NFLplayer|61|Bob Talamini|G}}
{{NFLplayer|60|Buzz Guy|G}}
{{NFLplayer|63|Hogan Wharton|G}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Bob Schmidt|C|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|57|George Belotti|C}}


'''Defensive Linemen'''
'''Defensive linemen'''
{{NFLplayer|80|Dalva Allen|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|75|Don Floyd|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|64|Willis Perkins|rookie=y|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|62|Dick Frey|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|82|Ed Husmann}}
{{NFLplayer|79|Orville Trask|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|74|George Shirkey}}
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Linebackers'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Linebackers'''
{{NFLplayer|31|Doug Cline}}
{{NFLplayer|50|Dennit Morris}}
{{NFLplayer|30|Mike Dukes}}
{{NFLplayer|34|Jack Laraway}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Gene Jones|rookie=y|link=no}}
{{NFLplayer|33|John Guzik|d=linebacker}}
{{NFLplayer|37|Ron Botchan}}


'''Defensive Backs'''
'''Defensive backs'''
{{NFLplayer|40|Tony Banfield}}
CB
{{NFLplayer|27|Fred Glick}}
{{NFLplayer|22|Gary Wisener}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Julian Spence}}
{{NFLplayer|43|Jim Norton|d=safety}}
{{NFLplayer|41|Mark Johnston|d=American football}}



'''Special Teams'''
'''Special teams'''
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Reserve Lists'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Reserve lists'''


'''Practice Squad'''
'''Practice squad'''


<small>''Rookies in italics''</small><br />
<small>''rookies in italics''</small><br />
|-
|-
|}
|}


==Postseason==
== Postseason ==
===AFL Championship Game===
{{main|1961 American Football League Championship Game}}
{{main|1961 American Football League Championship Game}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Round
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Date
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Opponent
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Result
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Venue
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Attendance
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Recap
|-style="background:#cfc"
! [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|Championship]]
| December 24
| [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]
| '''W''' 10–3
| [[Balboa Stadium]]
| 29,556
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112240sdg.htm Recap]
|}
=== AFL Championship Game ===
{{main article|1961 American Football League Championship Game}}
{{Linescore Amfootball|
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road='''Oilers'''
|Road='''Oilers'''
Line 246: Line 350:


'''Houston Oilers 10, San Diego Chargers 3'''
'''Houston Oilers 10, San Diego Chargers 3'''
:''December 24, 1961 at [[Balboa Stadium]], [[San Diego]], [[California]]''<br>Attendance: 29,556
:''December 24, 1961, at [[Balboa Stadium]], [[San Diego]], [[California]]''<br>Attendance: 29,556


'''Scoring'''
'''Scoring'''
*HOU – Field goal [[George Blanda]] 46
* HOU – Field goal [[George Blanda]] 46
*HOU – [[Billy Cannon]] 35 pass from Blanda (Blanda kick)
* HOU – [[Billy Cannon]] 35 pass from Blanda (Blanda kick)
*SD – Field goal [[George Blair (American football)|Blair]] 12
* SD – Field goal [[George Blair (American football)|Blair]] 12


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}<!--added under references heading by script-assisted edit-->
{{Reflist|2}}<!--added under references heading by script-assisted edit-->


==External links==
== External links ==
* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1961.htm Oilers on Pro Football Reference]
* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1961.htm Oilers on Pro Football Reference]
* [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1961-hou Oilers on jt-sw.com]
* [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1961-hou Oilers on jt-sw.com]


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[[Category:1961 American Football League season by team|Houston Oilers]]
[[Category:1961 American Football League season by team|Houston Oilers]]
[[Category:American Football League championship seasons]]
[[Category:American Football League championship seasons]]
[[Category:Tennessee Titans seasons]]
[[Category:Houston Oilers seasons]]
[[Category:1961 in sports in Texas|Houston]]

Latest revision as of 04:41, 9 December 2024

1961 Houston Oilers season
OwnerBud Adams
General managerDon Suman
Head coachLou Rymkus (1–3–1, fired) and
Wally Lemm (9–0)
Home fieldJeppesen Stadium
Results
Record10–3–1
Division place1st AFL Eastern
Playoff finishWon AFL Championship
(at Chargers) 10–3

The 1961 Houston Oilers season was the second season for the Houston Oilers as a professional American football franchise; For the second consecutive season, the Oilers scored a triumph in the AFL championship game over the San Diego Chargers (12–2), the Western Division champions.[1][2][3]

The Oilers started slowly in 1961, with a 1–3–1 record. After a tie on October 13 with the Boston Patriots, head coach Lou Rymkus was fired by owner Bud Adams. Wally Lemm was hired,[4] and the team went undefeated for the remainder of the season, including the championship game, a winning streak of ten games.

The Oilers set the AFL record for points scored in 1961, with 513 (36.6 points per game).[5] They also set an American Football League record with a +271 point differential, by allowing only 242 points.[6] The 1961 Oilers are the only team in AFL or NFL history to score 45 points or more six times in a single season.[7]

Offseason

[edit]

On January 14, end Willard Dewveall played out his option with the Chicago Bears of the NFL and joined the Oilers.[8] He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another.[9] Dewveall was the only one to move between leagues for five years, until placekicker Pete Gogolak moved from the Buffalo Bills to the New York Giants of the NFL in 1966.[10]

AFL Draft

[edit]
Main article: 1961 American Football League draft
  • Houston Oilers draft picks (Selected eighth)[11]
Round Player Position College
1 Mike DitkaMike Ditka Offensive End Pittsburgh
2 Tom GoodeTom Goode Center Mississippi State
3 Walter SuggsWalter Suggs 1 Tackle Mississippi State
4 Bobby WaldenBobby Walden Halfback Georgia
5 Monte LeeMonte Lee Linebacker Texas
6 Jake GibbsJake Gibbs Quarterback Mississippi
7 Dick ReynoldsDick Reynolds Tackle North Carolina State
8 Houston AntwineHouston Antwine 1,2 Guard Southern Illinois
9 Ralph WhiteRalph White Tackle Bowling Green
10 Charles LeeCharles Lee Center Iowa
11 Robert BirdRobert Bird Guard Bowling Green
12 Bob McLeodBob McLeod Offensive End Abilene Christian
13 Gerald HintonGerald Hinton Guard Louisiana Tech
14 Jimmy KingJimmy King Tackle Clemson
15 Dennis FerriterDennis Ferriter Center Marquette
16 Larry WoodLarry Wood Halfback Northwestern
17 Sam FewellSam Fewell Tackle South Carolina
18 Mike GrimsleyMike Grimsley Halfback Michigan State
19 Myron PearsonMyron Pearson Halfback Colorado
20 Lewis JohnsonLewis Johnson Halfback Florida A&M
21 Ron MillerRon Miller Quarterback Wisconsin
22 Bob KellyBob Kelly Offensive End New Mexico State
23 James AndersonJames Anderson Fullback Mississippi
24 Ken GregoryKen Gregory Offensive End Whittier
25 Jack KreiderJack Kreider Halfback Tulsa
26 Don FuellDon Fuell Quarterback Mississippi Southern
27 Boyd KingBoyd King Center Rice
28 John FrongilloJohn Frongillo Center Baylor
29 Tom LewisTom Lewis Offensive End Wake Forest
29 Errol LindenErrol Linden Defensive end Houston
30 Jim StroudJim Stroud Tackle Rice

Standings

[edit]
AFL Eastern Division
W L T PCT DIV PF PA STK
Houston Oilers 10 3 1 .769 4–1–1 513 242 W9
Boston Patriots 9 4 1 .692 2–3–1 413 313 W4
New York Titans 7 7 0 .500 3–3 301 390 L2
Buffalo Bills 6 8 0 .429 2–4 294 342 L1

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

Season schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Game
Recap
1 September 9 Oakland Raiders W 55–0 1–0 Jeppesen Stadium 16,231 Recap
2 Bye
3 September 24 at San Diego Chargers L 24–34 1–1 Balboa Stadium 29,210 Recap
4 October 1 at Dallas Texans L 21–26 1–2 Cotton Bowl 28,000 Recap
5 October 8 Buffalo Bills L 12–22 1–3 Jeppesen Stadium 22,761 Recap
6 October 13 at Boston Patriots T 31–31 1–3–1 Boston University Field 15,070 Recap
7 October 22 Dallas Texans W 38–7 2–3–1 Jeppesen Stadium 21,237 Recap
8 October 29 at Buffalo Bills W 28–16 3–3–1 War Memorial Stadium 23,228 Recap
9 November 5 at Denver Broncos W 55–14 4–3–1 Bears Stadium 11,564 Recap
10 November 12 Boston Patriots W 27–15 5–3–1 Jeppesen Stadium 35,649 Recap
11 November 19 New York Titans W 49–13 6–3–1 Jeppesen Stadium 33,428 Recap
12 November 26 Denver Broncos W 45–14 7–3–1 Jeppesen Stadium 27,864 Recap
13 December 3 San Diego Chargers W 33–13 8–3–1 Jeppesen Stadium 37,845 Recap
14 December 10 at New York Titans W 48–21 9–3–1 Polo Grounds 9,462 Recap
15 December 17 at Oakland Raiders W 47–16 10–3–1 Candlestick Park 4,821 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Roster

[edit]
1961 Houston Oilers roster
Quarterbacks


Running backs


Wide receivers


Tight ends

Offensive linemen


Defensive linemen

Linebackers
  • 25 Gene Jones


Defensive backs


Special teams

Reserve lists

Practice squad

rookies in italics

Postseason

[edit]
Main article: 1961 American Football League Championship Game
Round Date Opponent Result Venue Attendance Recap
Championship December 24 San Diego Chargers W 10–3 Balboa Stadium 29,556 Recap

AFL Championship Game

[edit]
Main article: 1961 American Football League Championship Game
1 2 3 4 Total
Oilers 0 3 7 0 10
Chargers 0 0 0 3 3

Houston Oilers 10, San Diego Chargers 3

December 24, 1961, at Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California
Attendance: 29,556

Scoring

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chargers challenge for AFL grid title". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. December 24, 1961. p. 2, sports.
  2. ^ "Blanda stars as Oilers win AFL title, 10-3". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. December 25, 1961. p. 1S.
  3. ^ "Blanda's arm and toe clear path as Houston takes 2d AFL crown". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. December 25, 1961. p. 14.
  4. ^ "Lemm lifts Oilers back toward top". Sarasota Journal. Florida. UPI. November 2, 1961. p. 30.
  5. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For
  6. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1960 to 1969, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points Differential
  7. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, requiring Points For >= 45, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.
  8. ^ "Chicago Bears veteran Dewveall joins". Victoria Advocate. Texas. Associated Press. January 14, 1961. p. 8.
  9. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 282
  10. ^ "Signing of Gogolak could trigger football battle". Ludington Daily News. Michigan. Associated Press. May 18, 1966. p. 12.
  11. ^ "1961 Houston Oilers Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
[edit]
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