1961 Stanford Indians football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1961 Stanford Indians football Athletic Association of Western Universities AAWU 4–6 1–4 Jack Curtice 4th Stanford Stadium The 1961 Stanford Indians football team was an American football team that represented Stanford University as a member of the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU), commonly known at the time as the Big 5 Conference, during the 1961 college football season. In their fourth year under head coach Jack Curtice, the Indians compiled a 4–6 record (1–4 in conference games), finished in a tie for last place in the AAWU, and were outscored by a total of 163 to 105. Highlights of the season included a 34–0 victory over Tommy Prothro's Oregon State Beavers and a 20–7 victory over the California Bears in the Big Game – Stanford's first victory over Cal since 1957. The team played home games at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California. Schedule 1961 AP September 23 w y Tulane Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 9–7 19,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85674135/tulane-is-97-loser/ The San Francisco Examiner Tulane is 9–7 loser September 24, 1961 September 20, 2021 Newspapers.com September 30 w y Oregon State Parker Stadium Corvallis, OR 34–0 13,727 Indians Bushwhack Dazed Beavers, 34-0: 2nd Half Explosion Ruins OSU Sunday Oregonian Don McLeod October 1, 1961 1, 5 (section 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-indians-bushwhack-d/154494208/ Newspapers.com October 7 l y y Michigan State 6 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 3–31 61,367 Fumble-Plagued Michigan State Stifles Stubborn Stanford, 31-3 Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 8, 1961 53, 58 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-fumble-plagued-mic/153015380/ Newspapers.com October 14 w y San Jose State Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA rivalry 17–6 45,000 Stanford Stomps San Jose, 17-6 The San Francisco Examiner Don Selby October 15, 1961 1, 3 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-stanford-stom/154494692/ Newspapers.com October 21 l y Washington Husky Stadium Seattle, WA 0–13 53,200 Washington Bounces Into Big Five Win Column: Huskies Score On Stanford Miscues Tri-City Herald Charlie Van Sickel October 22, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-washington-bounces-into/154487048/ Newspapers.com October 28 l UCLA<hc> Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 0–20 35,000 'Sleeping' Bruins Strike Late, Fast for 20-0 Win Los Angeles Times Jamie Curran October 29, 1961 1, 4 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-sleeping-bruins/154495214/ Newspapers.com November 4 l y Oregon Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 7–19 27,000 Renfro-Led Ducks Triumph Over Stanford, 19-7 Eugene Register-Guard Dick Strite November 5, 1961 1B, 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-eugene-guard-renfro-led-ducks-triump/154406101/ Newspapers.com November 11 l y USC Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA rivalry 15–30 36,598 USC Stays in Bowl Race, Whips Tribe: Stanford Fumbles Assist USC, 30-15: Homecoming Crowd of 36,598 Sees Troy Set Up Rose Bowl Bid Game With UCLA Los Angeles Times Al Wolf November 12, 1961 1, 2 (section H) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-usc-stays-in-bowl/153895297/ Newspapers.com November 18 l y Washington State Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 0–30 21,000 Cal, Stanford Routed: Indians Inept, It's WSU, 30-0 The San Francisco Examiner Don Selby November 19, 1961 1, 5 (section III) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-cal-stanford/154495550/ Newspapers.com November 25 w California Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA Big Game 20–7 79,000 Muddy Day of Stanford 'Firsts': 79,000 See Tribe Topple Cal, 20-7 The San Francisco Examiner Don Selby November 26, 1961 1, 8 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-muddy-day-of/154496115/ Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1961 Stanford) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/174307 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics May 24, 2025 Statistics The 1961 Stanford team gained an average of 147.6 rushing yards and 90.1 passing yards per game. On defense, the team gave up 214.6 rushing yards and 77.0 passing guards per game.1961 Stanford Cardinal Stats Sports Reference LLC S/R College Football September 2, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/stanford/1961.html The team had seven players who gained over 100 rushing yards but none who gained more than 200 yards. The leaders were Ken Babajian (189 yards, 55 carries, 3.4-yard average), Gary Craig (185 yards, 50 carries, 3.7-yard average), Stan Lindskog (178 yards, 42 carries, 4.2-yard average), and Danny Spence (134 yards, 28 carries, 4.8-yard average). The team had four players who passed for over 100 yards: Rod Sears (37-for-82, 358 yards), Chuck Butler (21-for-46, 258 yards), Steve Turlow (15-for 34, 174 yards), and Jim Smith (12-for-21, 111 yards). The leading receivers were George Honore (22 receptions for 225 yards), Steve Pursell (13 receptions for 132 yards), and Larry Royse (five receptions for 112 yards). Awards and honors Ed Cummings, who played fullback on offense and linebacker on defense, was selected as the team's most valuable player.Grid writers present awards Daily Palo Alto Times December 1, 1961 24 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-peninsula-times-tribune-ed-cummings/154492214/ Newspapers.com No Stanford players received All-America honors. Three Stanford players received honors on the 1961 All-Pacific Coast football team selected by the Associated Press (AP), the All-West Coast team selected by the United Press International (UPI), or the All-Big 5 team announced by the AAWU. End George Honore received first-team honors on the official Big 5 all-conference team and third-team honors on the UPI's All-West Coast team.8 Schools on UPI All-Coast Team Independent-Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA) December 3, 1961 C5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/independent-8-schools-on-upi-all-coast-t/153876946/ Newspapers.comFive From SC Picked Valley Times December 7, 1961 26 https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times-five-from-sc-picked/153877115/ Newspapers.com Guard Tom Walsh received second-team honors on the All-Pacific Coast team selected by the AP.AP West Coast All-Stars: Easbay Players Named Oakland Tribune December 7, 1961 56 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-ap-west-coast-alll-stars/153877831/ Newspapers.com Fullback/linebacker Ed Cummings received second-team honors from the UPI and the AAWU and honorable mention from the AP. Players receiving honorable mention were center John Butler (AP, AAWU); end Frank Patitucci (UPI, AAWU); tackle Al Heldebrand (AAWU); tackle C. B. Simons (AAWU); center Chris Cottle (UPI, AAWU); and halfback Gary Sargent (AAWU). Roster 30em Frank Atkinson (#79), tackle Ken Babajian (#44), fullback, sophomore Mike Barnes (#29), halfback Chuck Buehler (#78), tackle Chuck Butler (#12), quarterback John Butler (#69), end Chris Cottle (#54), center Gary Craig (#40), halfback Ed Cummings (#46), fullback/linebacker Frank Dubofsky (#64), guard Al Heldebrand (#75), tackle George Honore (#83), end Stan Lindskog (#21), halfback/kicker, junior Frank Patitucci (#82), end Steve Pursell (#80), end Larry Royse, halfback/linebacker Gary Sargent (#34), halfback Errol Scott (#66), guard Rod Sears (#10), quarterback C.B. Simons (#71), tackle Danny Spence (#30), halfback Hal Steuber (#36), fullback Steve Thurlow (#18), quarterback Randy Vahan (#76), tackle Tom Walsh (#63), guard References Stanford Category:Stanford Cardinal football seasons Stanford Indians football