1961 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1961 Iowa Hawkeyes football 1961 Iowa Hawkeyes football team.png 285 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 5–4 2–4 Jerry Burns 1st Al Hinton Bill Van Buren Wilburn Hollis Iowa Stadium The 1961 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1961 Big Ten football season. In their first year under head coach Jerry Burns, the Hawkeyes compiled a 5–4 record (2–4 in conference game), tied for seventh place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 215 to 162. The team was ranked No. 1 in the AP poll at the start of the season but dropped out of the polls after losing four consecutive games.1961 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 21, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1961-schedule.html2022 Iowa Football Media Guide 241 University of Iowa https://storage.googleapis.com/hawkeyesports-prod/2022/07/b99ff33b-2022_ia_fb_media-guide-online-version.pdf May 18, 2025 The 1960 Hawkeyes gained 1,509 rushing yards and 1,319 passing yards. On defense, they gave up 1,493 rushing yards and 858 passing yards.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 161. The pass defense of 95.3 yards per game is the eighth best in Iowa history.2022 Iowa Footbal Media Guide, p. 277. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Matt Szykowny (79-of-120 passing, 1,078 yards), fullback Bill Perkins (380 rushing yards), end Cloyd Webb (25 receptions for 425 yards), and fullback Joe Williams (54 points scored, including a 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown against Notre Dame).2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, pp. 2780279. Senior center Bill Van Buren was selected by The Sporting News as a first-team All-American.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 212. Senior tackle Al Hinton was selected as the team's most valuable player.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 222. Van Buren and quarterback Wilburn Hollis were the team captains.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 220. The team played its home games at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Home attendance totaled 290,250, an average of 58,050 per game. The per game attendance from 1961 was a school record until 1979.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 260. Schedule 1961 AP September 30 w y 1 California Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 28–7 56,000 October 3, 1961 Hawks Still No. 1 In 2nd AP Ballot http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-10-03.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 October 7 w y y 1 USC Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA ABC 35–34 30,263 Top-Rated Iowa Holds Off USC, 35-34 Los Angeles Times Paul Zimmerman October 8, 1961 1, 4 (section H) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-top-rated-iowa-hol/153895548/ Newspapers.comOctober 10, 1961 Hollis Included on Injured List http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-10-10.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 October 14 w 2 Indiana Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 27–8 56,000 October 17, 1961 Iowa 4th in AP Ballot–Michigan State 1st http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-10-17.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 October 21 w y 4 Wisconsin Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry 47–15 60,150 Iowa Wallops Wisconsin, 47-15: Szykowny's 9 Straight Completions, Webb's Catches Lead 33-0 Half Des Moines Sunday Register Bert McGrane October 22, 1961 1, 10 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-iowa-wallops-wis/153713983/ Newspapers.comOctober 24, 1961 Szykowny Ups Passing Percentage to .682 http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-10-24.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 October 28 l 5 y Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 0–9 35,000 (attending), 50,127 (tickets sold) Purdue Celebrating Big Win: Splatters Iowa, 9-0, In Rain and Mud The Journal and Courier Gordon Graham October 30, 1961 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-purdue-celebrating-b/153685996/ Newspapers.comOctober 31, 1961 Iowa Ninth in Poll; Spartans Still No. 1 http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-10-31.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 November 4 l y 9 Ohio State 5 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 13–29 83,795 November 7, 1961 Burns Evaluates Ohio State Game; Eyes Strong Gophers http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-11-07.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 November 11 l Minnesota 5 Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry ABC 9–16 67,081 November 14, 1961 Longhorns Remain 1st; Hawks 23rd http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-11-14.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 November 18 l y Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 14–23 61,925 Big Finishes Win for M, MSU: Wolverines Overhaul Iowa, 23-14 Detroit Free Press Joe Falls November 19, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15580316/big_finishes_win_for_m_msu_wolverines/ Newspapers.comNovember 14, 1961 Burns Says Poor Tackling Hurt Hawkeyes http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-11-14.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 November 25 w y Notre Dame Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA 42–21 58,000 Big Iowa Plays Whip Irish, 42-21: 6 of Foe's 7 Fumbles Go To Hawykeyes Des Moines Register Bert McGrane November 26, 1961 1S, 6S https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-big-iowa-plays-w/155522865/ Newspapers.comNovember 28, 1961 Hawks Praise Jerry Burns Despite Hard-Luck Season http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-11-28.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 Rankings November 2025 1961 major college football rankings AP 0 11 1 (22) 1 (19) 1 (24) 2 (11) 4 (2) 5 (1) 9 RV NR NR NR NR Coaches 0 11 6 5 NR Game summaries at No. 5 Ohio State Iowa at Ohio State No. 9 Hawkeyes 0 0 7 6 No. 5 Buckeyes 6 6 0 17 November 4 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 83,795 Cloudy; 46 F; wind 5 mph E yes Q1 11:07 OHST Perdue 55-yard fumble return (kick failed) OHST 6–0 Q2 6:35 OHST Bryant 18-yard pass from Sparma (kick failed) OHST 12–0 Q3 6:18 IOWA Szykowny 1-yard run (Szykowny kick) OHST 12–7 Q4 14:39 OHST Bryant 62-yard pass from Sparma (Van Raaphorst kick) OHST 19–7 Q4 8:04 OHST Van Raaphorst 24-yard field goal OHST 22–7 Q4 1:55 OHST Ferguson 13-yard run (Van Raaphorst kick) OHST 29–7 Q4 :12 IOWA Turici 4-yard run (kick failed) OHST 29–13 yes 1961 Ohio State Buckeyes football team November 7, 1961 Burns Evaluates Ohio State Game; Eyes Strong Gophers http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-11-07.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 Statistics The 1961 Iowa Hawkeyes tallied 2,828 yards of total offense (314.2 yards per game), consisting of 1,509 rushing yards and 1,319 passing yards. On defense, they held opponents to 2,251 yards with 1,493 rushing yards and 858 passing yards. Matt Szykowny replaced Wilburn Hollis at quarterback in the third game of the season, following an injury to Hollis. Szykowny completed 79 of 120 passes for 1,078 yards, seven touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Before being lost to injury, Hollis completed six of 15 passes for 130 yards; Hollis also gained 187 rushing yards on 35 carries for a 5.3-yard average.1961 Iowa Hawkeyes Stats Sports Reference LLC S/R College Football August 21, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1961.html Halfback Larry Ferguson, a first-team All-American in 1960, was expected to be Iowa's lead back for 1961, but he was injured in the opening minutes of the season's first game, ending his season with 35 yards gained on only three carries.1962 Hawekey (University of Iowa yearbook), p. 268. In Ferguson's absence, Iowa's rushing leaders were junior fullback Bill Perkins (380 yards, 62 carries, 6.1-yard average), fullback Joe Williams (297 yards, 64 carries, 4.6-yard average), Sammie Harris (267 rushing yards, 76 carries, 3.5-yard average), and Paul Krause (208 yards, 33 carries, 4.7-yard average).3 Juniors, Soph Lead Iowa Stats Iowa City Press-Citizen November 28, 1961 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-3-juniors-soph/153722229/ Newspapers.com Sophomore end Cloyd Webb led the team in receiving with 25 catches for 426 yards and four touchdowns. Iowa's other leading receivers were Bill Whisler (18 receptions, 244 yards) and Felton Rogers (12 receptions, 121 yards). Joe Williams tallied 54 points on nine touchdowns and was the second highest scorer in the Big Ten. Iowa's other leading scorerrs were Matt Szykowny (46 points) and Cloyd Webb (24 points). Awards Bill Van Buren was selected by both the Sporting News and the Central Press as the first-team center on the 1961 All-America college football team. Sherwyn Thorson was selected by the Associated Press as a second-team guard on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Senior tackle Al Hinton from Saginaw, Michigan, was selected as the most valuable player on the 1961 Iowa team.Ferguson Is Elected '62 Captain, Hinton Is Most Valuable Iowa City Press-Citizen November 29, 1961 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-ferguson-is-elec/153734216/ Newspapers.com Guard Sherwyn Thorson was selected by the AP as a second-tem player on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Bill Van Buren and Wilburn Hollis were the team captains. Personnel Players The following 31 players received major letters for their participation on the 1961 Iowa team: 30em Kevin Barbera, end, senior John Calhoun (#25), quarterback, junior, 6'2", 176 pounds Bill Cervenak (#96), end, senior, 6'4", 220 pounds Bill DiCindio (#64), tackle, senior, 6'1", 205 pounds Sammie Harris (#11), halfback, junior, 6'0", 181 pounds Jim Helgens (#90), end, sophomore, 6'2", 190 pounds Wally Hilgenberg (#67), guard, sophomore, 6'2", 215 pounds Al Hinton (#71), tackle, senior, 6'1", 217 pounds Wilburn Hollis (#20), quarterback, senior, 6'2", 200 pounds Gus Kasapis (#77), tackle, sophomore, 6'3", 235 pounds Paul Krause (#16), halfback, sophomore, 6'3", 177 pounds George Latta (#78), tackle, sophomore, 6'1", 220 pounds Lynn Lyon (#88), end, junior, 6'5", 194 pounds Earl McQuiston (#65), guard, junior, 6'2", 221 pounds Bill Perkins (#82), fullback/end, junior, 6'2", 197 pounds Dayton Perry Jr. (#52), center, junior, 6'1", 212 pounds Emery Pudder (#73), tackle, senior, 6'2", 206 pounds Mike Reilly (#61), guard, sophomore, 6'2", 200 pounds Felton Rogers (#89), end, junior, 6'4", 184 pounds Lonnie Rogers (#44), halfback, sophomore, 5'11", 185 pounds Matt Szykowny (#22), quarterback, junior, 6'1", 182 pounds Sherwyn Thorson (#66), guard, senior, 6'0", 210 pounds Dick Turici, fullback (#34), junior, 6'0", 195 pounds Bill Van Buren (#50), center, senior, 6'3", 210 pounds Dave Watkins, end, senior, 200 poundsIowa's Dave Watkins Regains Eligibility The Gazette October 14, 1961 4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-dave-watkins/153737036/ Newspapers.com Cloyd Webb (#85), end, sophomore, 6'3", 190 pounds Bill Whisler (#81), end, senior, 6'2", 219 pounds Jerry Williams (#60), guard, senior, 6'0", 180 pounds Joe Williams (#30), fullback, junior, 5'10", 191 pounds Bernie Wyatt (#45), halfback, senior, 5'10", 164 pounds Bob Yauck (#70), tackle, senior, 5'11", 219 pounds Hawkeye Roster Waterloo Sunday Courier September 3, 1961 29 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-iowa-roster/153735937/ Newspapers.com Coaches Jerry Burns - head coach Jerry Hilgenberg - assistant coach, defense (brother of Wally Hilgenberg)Today's Lineup: Hilgenberg Coaching Hilgenberg The Des Moines Register November 11, 1961 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-todays-lineup/153741812/ Newspapers.com Archie Kodros - assistant coach, scout Whitey Piro - assistant coach, scout Tom Moore – graduate assistant 1962 NFL draft 1962 NFL draft 2 Iowa Hawkeyes Player Position Round Pick NFL club Larry Ferguson Back 4 52 Detroit Lions Sherwyn Thorson Guard 7 87 Los Angeles Rams Wilburn Hollis Quarterback 9 118 St. Louis Cardinals Bill Whisler End 13 169 Washington Redskins https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1962.htm Reference at www.pro-football-reference.com References Iowa Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football seasons Iowa Hawkeyes football