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1961 Washington Huskies football team

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1961 Washington Huskies football
Center Ray Mansfield and halfback Bill Siler, 1961
ConferenceAthletic Association of Western Universities
Record5–4–1 (2–1–1 AAWU)
Head coach
Captains
Home stadiumHusky Stadium
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Athletic Association of Western Universities football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 16 UCLA $ 3 – 1 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
USC 2 – 1 – 1 4 – 5 – 1
Washington 2 – 1 – 1 5 – 4 – 1
Stanford 1 – 3 – 0 4 – 6 – 0
California 1 – 3 – 0 1 – 8 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1961 Washington Huskies football team was an American football team that represented the University of Washington as a member of the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach Jim Owens, the Huskies compiled a 5–4–1 record (2–1–1 in conference games), finished in a tie for second place in the AAWU, and outscored opponents by a total of 119 to 98.[1]

Fullback Jim Stiger played on both offense and defense and led the team in rushing (582 yards), total offense (582 yards), and interceptions (five with 51 return yards). Quarterback Kermit Jorgensen was the team captain and ranked second in total offense with 331 rushing yards and 105 passing yards. Halfback Charlie Mitchell, tackle John Meyers, and guard Jim Skaggs received first-team All-Pacific Coast or all-conference honors.

The team played its home games at Husky Stadium in Seattle.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23Purdue*
L 6–1354,752[2]
September 30at Illinois*
W 20–741,319[3]
October 7Pittsburgh*
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
W 22–1754,411[4]
October 14at California
L 14–2143,000
October 21Stanford
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
W 13–052,741
October 28at Oregon*
L 6–732,681[5]
November 4USC
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
T 0–054,916
November 11Oregon State*
  • Husky Stadium
  • Seattle, WA
L 0–349,652
November 18at UCLA
W 17–1333,969
November 25Washington State*
W 21–1749,676
  • *Non-conference game

Statistics

Washington ran a run-oriented offense, averaging 216.9 rushing yards and only 51.3 passing yards per game. On defense, the team held opponents to an average of 149.7 rushing yards and 110.7 passing yards per game.

Fullback Jim Stiger led the team in both rushing and total offense, tallying 582 yards on 130 carries, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. At that time, his rushing total for 1961 was the third best season total in Washington history, trailing only Hugh McElhenny and Credell Green. Stiger also played on defense and led the team with five interceptions and 51 return yards.[6]

Junior halfback Charlie Mitchell ranked second in rushing for the Huskies with 457 yards on 96 carries for a 4.8-yard average. Mitchell also scored the game-winning touchdown against Washington State on a 23-yard run. Mitchell was also the team's leading kickoff returner with 185 yards on five returns.[6]

Senior quarterback Kermit Jorgensen ranked second in total offense with 331 rushing yards and 105 passing yards (10-for-26, 38.5%).[6] Junior quarterback Pete Ohler was the leading passer, completing 17 of 59 (28.8%) for 394 yards with three touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 74.6 quarterback rating.[6][7]

The team's leading scorers, each with 20 points, were halfbacks Charlie Mitchell and Nat Whitmyer. Despite missing a game with a broken hand, end Lee Bernhardi was the team's leading receiver with five catches for 137 yards, an average of 27.4 yards per catch. Junior halfback Martin Wyatt led the team in punt returns with 117 yards on six returns, including a 73-yard return for touchdown against California.[6]

Other significant contributors to the Huskies' rushing attack were Bill Siler (205 yards, 33 carries, 6.2-yard average); Martin Wyatt (201 yards, 41 carries, 4.9-yard average); and Nat Whitmyer (151 yards, 40 carries, 3.8-yard average).

Awards and honors

No Washington players received All-America honors. Five were honored on the 1961 All-Pacific Coast football team: halfback Charlie Mitchell (AP-1; BIG5-1); tackle John Meyers (AP-1; BIG5-1); guard Jim Skaggs (AP-2, BIG6-1); center Ray Mansfield (AP-2); and halfback Jim Stiger (AP-2).

Personnel

Players

  • Andy Alkire, end, junior
  • Lee Bernhardi, end, junior
  • Mike Briggs, tackle, sophomore
  • Tim Bullard, center, senior
  • Gary Clark, end, junior
  • Norm Dicks, guard, junior
  • Kermit Jorgensen, quarterback, senior
  • Glenn Kezer, end, junior
  • Dave Kopay, halfback, sophomore
  • Tony Kopay, fullback, senior
  • Jake Kupp, end, sophomore
  • Duane Locknane, end, junior
  • Ray Mansfield, center, junior
  • John Meyers, tackle, senior
  • Charlie Mitchell, halfback, junior
  • Bob Monroe, halfback, junior
  • John Nelson, center, senior
  • Pete Ohler, quarterback, junior
  • Dave Phillips, guard, junior
  • Rod Scheyer, tackle, junior
  • Bill Siler, halfback, sophomore
  • Jim Skaggs, guard, senior
  • Rick Sortum, tackle, sophomore
  • Chuck Steel, quarterback, sophomore
  • Jim Stiger, fullback, junior
  • John Stupey, guard, sophomore
  • Nat Whitmyer, halfback, junior
  • Martin Wyatt, halfback, junior

Coaches

  • Head coach: Jim Owens
  • Assistant coaches: Tom Tipps (head assistant coach, line coach), Chesty Walker (backfield coach), Bert Clark, Dick Heatly, Don White (end coach), Ed Peasley[8]

Professional football draft selections

Two University of Washington Huskies were selected in the 1962 NFL draft, which lasted twenty rounds with 280 selections.[9] One of those Huskies was also selected in the 1962 AFL Draft, which lasted thirty-four rounds with 272 selections.[10]

= Husky Hall of Fame[11]
League Player Position Round Pick Franchise
NFL John Meyers Tackle 3rd 31 Los Angeles Rams
NFL Jim Skaggs Guard 10th 139 Philadelphia Eagles
AFL John Meyers Tackle 4th 25 Oakland Raiders

References

  1. ^ "Washington Yearly Results (1960-1964)". College Football Data Warehouse. David DeLassus. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  2. ^ Gordon Graham (September 25, 1961). "Purdue's 13-6 Win Impressive: Honor of Big Ten Defended Before 55,000 at Seattle". The Journal and Courier. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Fred Young (October 1, 1961). "Young Illini Lose To Huskies, 20-7: Washington's Ground Game Topples Illinois". The Pantagraph. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Bob Drum (October 8, 1961). "Washington Shades Pitt, 22 To 17: Huskies Grab Victory In Final Minutes". The Pittsburgh Press. pp. 1, 5 (section 4) – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Don McLeod (October 29, 1961). "Ducks Stun Huskies, 7-6: PAT Spells Difference In Victory; Veres' TD Pass, Oregon Defense Halt UW Bid". The Oregonian. pp. 1, 7 (sports) – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Stiger Gains Third In Husky Rushing Parade". Tri-City Herald. November 30, 1961. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "1961 Washington Huskies Stats". S/R College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  8. ^ 1962 University of Washington yearbook, pp. 204-205.
  9. ^ "1962 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  10. ^ "1962 AFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  11. ^ "The Husky Hall of Fame". gohuskies.com. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
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