1961 McNeese State Cowboys football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1961 McNeese State Cowboys football Gulf States Conference GSC 7–2 4–1 Les DeVall 5th Wildcat Stadium GSC co-champion The 1961 McNeese State Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented McNeese State College (now known as McNeese State University) as a member of the Gulf States Conference (GSC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth year under head coach Les DeVall, the team compiled a 7–2 (4–1 in conference games), tied for the GSC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 207 to 85. The team played its home games at Wildcat Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Schedule 1961 small college AP September 16 w y 1961 Pensacola Naval Air Station Goslings Pensacola NAS Wildcat Stadium Lake Charles, LA 24–6 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119845975/mcneese-tumbles-goshawks-by-246/ Pensacola News Journal McNeese tumbles Goshawks by 24–6 September 17, 1961 February 27, 2023 Newspapers.com September 30 l Louisiana Tech Wildcat Stadium Lake Charles, LA 16–21 7,500–8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80369672/slaughter-leads-bulldogs-by-pokes-in-21/ Lake Charles American-Press Slaughter leads Bulldogs by Pokes in 21–16 GSC thriller October 1, 1961 February 27, 2023 Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Louisiana Tech) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/366/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association February 27, 2023 October 7 l y Arlington State Wildcat Stadium Lake Charles, LA 19–22 5,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67625595/miscues-cost-pokes-victory-lose-2219/ Lake Charles American-Press Miscues cost Pokes victory; Lose 22–19 October 8, 1961 February 27, 2023 Newspapers.com October 14 w y Northeast Louisiana State Brown Stadium Monroe, LA 7–0 4,500–4,800 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68453709/bossier-leads-cowboys-over-northeast-by/ Lake Charles American-Press Bossier leads Cowboys over Northeast by 7–0 October 15, 1961 February 27, 2023 Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Northeast Louisiana State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/498/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association August 2, 2024 October 21 w y y Instituto Politécnico Nacional Estadio Olímpico Universitario Mexico City, Mexico 60–8 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119846643/mcneese-tramples-out-608-shellacking-ov/ Lake Charles American-Press McNeese tramples out 60–8 shellacking over Mexico Tech October 22, 1961 February 27, 2023 Newspapers.com October 28 w y y 1961 Louisiana College Wildcats Louisiana College Alumni Stadium Pineville, LA 7–6 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119847149/officials-rocks-given-some-blame-for-ca/ Alexandria Daily Town Talk Officials' rocks given some blame for Cats' two one-point grid losses October 30, 1961 February 27, 2023 Newspapers.com November 4 w y Northwestern State Demon Stadium Natchitoches, LA rivalry 28–14 7,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119847313/mcneese-in-2814-upset-over-demons/ Daily World McNeese in 28–14 upset over Demons November 5, 1961 February 27, 2023 Newspapers.com November 11 w Southeastern Louisiana 3 Wildcat Stadium Lake Charles, LA 21–8 7,400 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119847518/mcneese-lists-upset-by-shocking-lions/ The Shreveport Times McNeese lists upset by shocking Lions November 12, 1961 February 27, 2023 Newspapers.com November 18 w y Southwestern Louisiana McNaspy Stadium Lafayette, LA rivalry 25–0 6,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119847746/cowboys-run-over-usl-to-share-crown/ Monroe Morning World Cowboys run over USL to share crown November 19, 1961 February 27, 2023 Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 McNeese State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/402/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association February 27, 2023 Statistics The Cowboys gained 2,666 yards of total offense (296.2 per game) consisting of 1,476 rushing yards (164.0 per game) and 1,190 passing yards (132.2 per game). On defense, they allowed opponents to gain 1,836 yards (204.1 per game), including 1,085 rushing yards (120.6 per game) and 752 passing yards (83.6 per game). Senior quarterbacks Don Breaux and Nolan Viator led the offense. Breaux completed 55 of 103 passes for 713 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He also led the team with 724 yards of total offense. Viator completed 25 of 56 passes for 410 yards with four touchdowns and one interceptions. He also tallied 195 passing yards and ranked second on the team with 605 yards of total offense. Fullback Don Bossier led the team with 499 rushing yards on 116 carries. He also led the team in scoring with 36 points on six touchdowns. Halfback Lloyd Guillot ranked second in rushing with 248 yards on 46 carries, an average of 5.4 yards per carry. End Jay Hebert set two school receiving records with 19 receptions and 292 yards.McNeese Wraps Up Banner Grid Year Lake Charles American Press November 20, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lake-charles-american-press-mcneese-wrap/157016582/ Newspapers.com Halfback Charles Stevenson (15 receptions, 207 yards). Awards and honors Guard Johnny Steed received the "outstanding lineman" award in the Gulf Coast Conference, and Les DeVall was selected as the coach of the year. Four McNeese players were selected to the first team of the 1961 All-Gulf States Conference football team: quarterback Don Breaux; back Don Bossler; end Tom Sestak; and guard Johnny Steed. Two others were named to the second team: end Jay Hebert; and tackle Julius Fincke.Breaux, Bossier, Steed, Sestak Make All-GSC Lake Charles American Press December 12, 1961 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lake-charles-american-press-breaux-boss/157015861/ Newspapers.com References McNeese State Category:McNeese Cowboys football seasons Category:Gulf States Conference football champion seasons McNeese State Cowboys football