1961 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 Oklahoma State Cowboys football Big Eight Conference Big 8 4–6 2–5 Cliff Speegle 7th Jim Elliott John Maisel Lewis Field The 1961 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team was an American football that represented Oklahoma State University (now known as Oklahoma State University–Stillwater) as a member of the Big Eight Conference (Big 8) during the 1961 college football season. In their seventh season under head coach Cliff Speegle, the Cowboys compiled a 4–6 record (2–5 in conference games), tied for sixth place in the Big 8, and were outscored by a total of 166 to 154.https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oklahoma-state/1961-schedule.html 1961 Oklahoma State Cowboys Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 26, 2017Oklahoma State Cowboy Football 2016 Guide 173 Oklahoma State University September 26, 2017 https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/okstate.com/documents/2016/8/1/2016_Oklahoma_State_Football_Guide.pdf October 21, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171021005400/https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/okstate.com/documents/2016/8/1/2016_Oklahoma_State_Football_Guide.pdf dead The team played its home games at Lewis Field in Stillwater, Oklahoma.2016 Football Guide, pp. 217, 219. Schedule 1961 AP September 23 l y Iowa State Clyde Williams Field Ames, IA 7–14 16,848–18,000 Goal-Line Stands Save I-State, 14-7: Hoppmann Scoots 40 To Win It The Cedar Rapids Gazette Gus Schrader 1, 5 (section IV) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-goal-line-stands-save-i-stat/154237902/ Newspapers.com September 30 l y Colorado Folsom Field Boulder, CO 0–24 40,000 Buffaloes Bomb Oklags on 2 Touchdown Aerials, 24-0 Fort Collins Coloradoan Frank Pitman October 1, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-buffaloes-bomb-o/154192587/ Newspapers.com(attendance reported for the Colorado-Oklahoma State game included 8,000 Band Day guests) October 7 w y Tulsa Lewis Field Stillwater, OK rivalry 26–0 18,500 Pokes Whitewash Hurricane, 26-0 Stillwater News-Press October 8, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/stillwater-news-press-pokes-whitewash-hu/154603760/ Newspapers.com October 14 l Missouri Lewis Field Stillwater, OK 0–10 18,500 MU Slips by Pokes, 10-0 Stillwater News-Press October 15, 1961 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/stillwater-news-press-mu-slips-by-pokes/153148503/ Newspapers.com October 21 w y Nebraska Lewis Field Stillwater, OK 14–6 22,067 Poke Rally Hogties Nebraska, 14-6 Stillwater News-Press October 22, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/stillwater-news-press-oke-rally-hogties/154604686/ Newspapers.com October 28 l y Kansas Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS 8–42 25,000 Jayhawks Rip Oklahoma State In Stron Offensive Showing: Superb Show By Hadl The Manhattan Mercury October 29, 1961 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-manhattan-mercury-jayhawks-rip-oklah/154592185/ Newspapers.com November 4 l y y Wichita Veterans Field Wichita, KS 13–25 10,115 Shockers Drop OSU with 45-second 'Blitz': Wichita Cops 25-13 Victory Before 10,115 The Wichita Eagle Bill Hodge November 5, 1961 1A, 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-shockers-drop-osu-with/154565530/ Newspapers.com November 18 w y Houston Lewis Field Stillwater, OK 28–24 10,000 Poke Surge Downs Houston, 28-24 Stillwater News-Press November 19, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/stillwater-news-press-poke-surge-downs-h/153428624/ Newspapers.com November 25 w Kansas State Lewis Field Stillwater, OK 45–0 7,500 Pokes smear K-State, 45-0 Shawnee News-Star November 26, 1961 9A https://www.newspapers.com/article/shawnee-news-star-pokes-smear-k-state-4/154606744/ Newspapers.com December 2 l y Oklahoma Owen Field Norman, OK Bedlam Series 13–21 52,598 Sooners conquer Cowpokes, 21 to 13 Shawnee News-Star Norman Rowland December 3, 1961 15A https://www.newspapers.com/article/shawnee-news-star-sooners-conquer-cowpok/154605992/ Newspapers.com Statistics On offense, the 1961 team averaged 15.4 points scored, 191.2 rushing yards, and 64.3 passing yards per game.2016 Football Guide, p. 138. On defense, the team allowed an average of 16.6 points scored, 151.8 rushing yards, and 84.7 passing yards per game2016 Football Guide, p. 140. Halfback Jim Dillard led the team in both total offense and rushing. He gained 627 rushing yards on 128 carries for four touchdowns and an average of 4.9 yards per carry. He also caught 14 passes for 71 yards.1961 Oklahoma State Cowboys Stats Sports Reference LLC SR College Football September 3, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oklahoma-state/1961.html Bill McFarland led the team in scoring with seven touchdowns for 42 points. He tallied 331 rushing yards on 82 carries for an average of 4.0 yards per carry. Mike Miller was the team's leading passer, completing 37 of 86 passes (43.0%) for 371 yards with zero touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 63.0 quarterback rating. Bill Leming was the number two quarterback, completing 21 of 49 passes (42.9%) for 205 yards with one touchdown, four interceptions, and a 68.4 quarterback rating. Don Brewington was the team's leading receiver with 14 catches for 215 yards, an average of 15.4 yards per reception. Awards and honors The team voted to select two players as the team's most valuable player. They selected senior quarterback Jim Elliott and senior defensive quarterback John Maisel.Elliott, Maisel Named OSU' Most Valuable Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat December 8, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-daily-phoenix-and-times-democra/154597221/ Newspapers.com No Oklahoma State players were selected as first-team players on the 1961 All-Big Eight Conference football team.2016 Football Guide, p. 155. Halfback Jim Dillard and tackle Frank Parker both received second-team honors from the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI).Bowl Bound Colorado Buffaloes Land 3 On All-Big Eight Team The Bee: Danville, Virginia November 28, 1961 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3189562/bowl_bound_colorado_buffaloes_land_3_on/Colorado Dominates All-Big Eight Team Warren County Observer December 6, 1961 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3189602/colorado_dominates_all_big_eight_team/ 1962 NFL draft The 1962 NFL draft was held on December 4, 1961. The following two Oklahoma State players were selected: Oklahoma State Cowboys Round Pick Player Position NFL club 4 51 Jim Dillard Back Baltimore Colts 7 98 Gary Cutsinger Tackle Green Bay Packers https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962/draft.htm 1962 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com March 13, 2021 References Oklahoma State Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys football seasons Oklahoma State Cowboys football