1961 Baylor Bears football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1961 Baylor Bears football Southwest Conference SWC 6–5 2–5 John Bridgers 3rd Ronald Stanley Bill Hicks Bobby Lane Baylor Stadium Gotham Bowl champion Gotham Bowl W 24–9 vs. Utah State The 1961 Baylor Bears football team was an American football team that represented Baylor University as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1961 college football season. In their third year under head coach John Bridgers, the Bears compiled a 6–5 record (2–5 in conference games), tied for sixth place in the Big 8, and outscored opponents by a total of 188 to 164.https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/baylor/1961-schedule.html 1961 Baylor Bears Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC May 30, 2017 Baylor played in the first Gotham Bowl, defeating the previously undefeated Utah State Aggies, 24–9. Senior halfback Ronnie Bull led the team in rushing (441 yards), scoring (48 points), and pass receptions (19). Center Bill Hicks and guard Herbie Adkins received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Southwest Conference football team: The team played its home games at Baylor Stadium in Waco, Texas. Schedule 1961 AP September 23 w y Wake Forest Baylor Stadium Waco, TX 31–0 28,000 Bears' One-Two Punch Belts Deacons, 31-0: 28,000 Watch Bruins Smother Visitors Waco Tribune-Herald Dave Campbell September 24, 1961 B1, B3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-bears-one-two-punch/155307431/ Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-bears-pin-310/139136193/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Bears pin 31–0 defeat on Deacons September 24, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com September 30 w y y Pittsburgh Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA 16–13 41,194 Baylor Stalls Pitt, Hangs on for 16-13 Victory: Last-Quarter Panther Drive Stopped on 8 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Jimmy Jordan October 1, 1961 1, 5 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-baylor-stalls-pi/153599305/ Newspapers.com October 14 l 9 Arkansas Baylor Stadium Waco, TX 13–23 34,000 Quick-Hitting Razorbacks Get Revenge, Smother Bruins in 23-13 Rockslide Waco Tribune-Herald Dave Campbell October 15, 1961 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-quick-hitting-razorb/155309362/ Newspapers.com October 21 l y Texas Tech Jones Stadium Lubbock, TX rivalry 17–19 32,500 Raiders Deal Deadly Blow to Bruins, 19-17: Tech Soph Kicks BU Lights Out Waco Tribune-Herald Jim Montgomery October 22, 1961 1B, 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-raiders-deal-deadly/155244682/ Newspapers.com October 28 l y Texas A&M Kyle Field College Station, TX Battle of the Brazos 0–23 29,000 Aggies Blister Baylor, 23-0: A&M Dads Watch as Bears Suffer Third SWC Defeat Fort Worth Jim Trinkle October 29, 1961 1, 4 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-aggies-blister/155123843/ Newspapers.com November 4 w y TCU Baylor Stadium Waco, TX rivalry 28–14 23,000 Bruins Blitz Frogs, Leave Old Grads Grinning; New Scoring Punch Blasts TCU, 28-14 Waco Tribune-Herald Dave Campbell November 5, 1961 1B, 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-bruins-blitz-frogs/155310109/ Newspapers.com November 11 l y Texas 1 Memorial Stadium Austin, TX rivalry 7–33 62,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123815595/top-ranked-longhorns-hand-baylor-337-sp/ The Marshall News Messenger Top-ranked Longhorns hand Baylor 33–7 spanking November 12, 1961 April 30, 2023 Newspapers.com November 18 w y Air Force Baylor Stadium Waco, TX 31–7 22,000 Bruins Clout Falcons, 31-7 Waco Tribune-Herald Jim Montgomery November 19, 1961 1B, 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-bruins-clout-falcons/155310423/ Newspapers.com November 25 w SMU Baylor Stadium Waco, TX 31–6 17,000 Bruins Explode Early, Bury Mustangs; Stanley Sets Air Mark in 31-6 Romp Waco Tribune-Herald Dave Campbell November 26, 1961 1B, 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-bruins-explode-early/155309756/ Newspapers.com December 2 l y Rice 17 Rice Stadium Houston, TX 14–26 30,000 Owls Step Over Bears Into Bluebonnet; Blume Triggers Victory Assault, 26-14 Waco Tribune-Herald Dave Campbell December 3, 1961 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-owls-step-over-bears/155088468/ Newspapers.com December 9 w y y Utah State 10 Polo Grounds New York, NY Gotham Bowl 24–9 15,123 Ballhawking Baylor Defeats Aggies 24-9 in Bowl Game: Bears Capitalize on Fumbles; Only 15,000 Fans See Contest Ogden Standard-Examiner December 10, 1961 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ogden-standard-examiner-ballhawking/153650917/ Newspapers.com https://archive.org/details/2016-baylor-football-media-guide/page/143/mode/2up 2016 Baylor Football Media Guide 142 Statistics During the regular season, the 1961 Baylor team outscored opponents by a total of 188 to 164. They outgained opponents by a total of 2,867 yards to 2,486. In the air, they outgained opponents by 1,314 yards to 927.SWC Statistics The Waco Times-Herald December 5, 1961 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-waco-times-herald-swc-statistics/155311317/ Newspapers.com Senior halfback Ronnie Bull led the team in both rushing (441 yards on 91 carries, 4.8-yard average), scoring (48 points), and pass receptions (19 receptions for 199 yards). Claude Pearson led the team in receiving yards with 217 yards on 18 receptions.1961 Baylor Bears Stats SR/College Football September 14, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/baylor/1961.html The team's passing leaders were Bobby Ply (39-for-86, 468 yards, six touchdowns, four interceptions), Ronnie Stanley (44-for-84, 451 yards, four touchdowns, eight interceptions), and Don Trull (26-for-56, 359 yards, four touchdowns, four interceptions). Awards and honors Three Baylor players were honored on the 1961 All-Southwest Conference football team: center Bill Hicks (AP-1); guard Herby Adkins (AP-2, UPI-1); and halfback Ronnie Bull (AP-2).Saxton, Alworth Lead Coaches' All-Southwest Conference Teams Corsicana Daily Sun December 4, 1961 10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3071930/1961_ap_all_swc/ Newspapers.com UPI All-Southwest Conference The Bryan Daily Eagle December 3, 1961 12 https://www.newspapers.com/image/43468776/ Newspapers.com Personnel Players 30em Herbie Adkins, guard Ronnie Bull, halfback/fullback Robert Burk, guard John Frongillo, tackle Ronnie Goodwin, halfback Herbert Harlan, end Bill Hicks, center Dalton Hoffman, fullback James Ingram, end Johnny Jessup, tackle Bobby Lane, end Robert Mankin, guard Butch Maples, center Jon Markham, tackle Tommy Minter, halfback Bobby Moore, tackle Pete Nicklas, tackle Bobby Norvell, halfback Jim Oldham, halfback, senior Claude Pearson, end Ted Plumb, end Bobby Ply, quarterback Ronny Rogers, guard Ronnie Stanley, quarterback Bert Tate, halfback Don Trull, quarterback Sonny Whorton, fullback The Round-Up 1962 (Baylor University yearbook), pp. 193, 195. Coaches and administration right|thumb|120px|Head coach John Bridgers Head coach: John Bridgers Athletic director: John Bridgers Assistant coaches: Walt Hackett, Charles Driver, Purvis Chuck, Harris Wayne, Trainers: Weaver Jordan, Herb Zimmerman The Round-Up 1962 (Baylor University yearbook), pp. 222-223. References Baylor Category:Baylor Bears football seasons Baylor Bears football