1961 Wisconsin Badgers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 Wisconsin Badgers football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 18 6–3 4–3 Milt Bruhn 6th Ron Miller Jim Bakken Don Schade Camp Randall Stadium The 1961 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season. In their sixth year under head coach Milt Bruhn, the Badgers compiled a 6–3 record (4–3 in conference games), finished fifth in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 179 to 158.1961 Wisconsin Badgers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC S/R College Football August 20, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wisconsin/1961-schedule.html They were ranked No. 18 in the final UPI coaches poll. Quarterback Ron Miller led the country with 1,487 passing yards, won the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the best passer in college football, and was selected as Wisconsin's most valuable player. End Pat Richter was the team's only first-team All-American and led the country with 817 receiving yards. The team played its home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Schedule 1961 AP September 23 w y Utah Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 7–0 36,325 Badgers Squeeze Past Utah, 7-0: Miller-to-Richter Pass Produces Only Marker Wisconsin State Journal Monte McCormick September 24, 1961 1, 3 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-badgers-squeeze/153714282/ Newspapers.com September 30 l Michigan State 10 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 0–20 50,584 Spartans Rout Sputtering Badgers: Wisconsin Eleven 'Boots' Numerous Chances Wisconsin State Journal Monte McCormick October 1, 1961 1, 4 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-spartans-rout-sp/153713648/ Newspapers.comState Power Crunches Badgers, 20-0 Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 1, 1961 49, 54 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-state-power-crunch/153020760/ Newspapers.com October 7 w y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN 6–3 23,270 I.U. Loses, 2 Field Goals To One: Badgers' Bakken Gets Pair The Indianapolis Star Bill Eggert October 8, 1961 1, 4 (section 4) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-iu-loses-2-fiel/153713771/ Newspapers.com October 14 w y Oregon State Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 23–20 45,274 Badgers Hang On for 23-20 Win: First-Half Aerial Show Kills Off Oregon State Wisconsin State Journal Monte McCormick October 15, 1961 1, 5 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-badgers-hang-on/153713345/ Newspapers.com October 21 l y Iowa 4 Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry 15–47 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.com October 28 l y Ohio State 6 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 21–30 58,411 Game Badgers Go Down Fighting: Ohio State's Brutal Attack Grinds Out 30-21 Victory Wisconsin State Journal Monte McCormick October 29, 1961 1, 5 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-game-badgers-go/153713211/ Newspapers.com November 11 w y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 29–10 46,203 N.U. Defeated, 29-10: Wisconsin's Passes, Kicks Provide Edge Chicago Tribune Wilfrid Smith November 12, 1961 1, 2 (part 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-nu-defeated-29-10-wi/153714141/ Newspapers.com November 18 w Illinois Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 55–7 45,122 Wisconsin Crushes Illinois, 55-7: Richter Leads the Way in Record-Setting Spree Wisconsin State Journal Monte McCormick November 19, 1961 1, 4 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-wisconsin-crushe/153713017/ Newspapers.com November 25 w y Minnesota 3 Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN rivalry 23–21 66,232 Badgers Spoil 'U' Title Hopes: Gophers Beaten 23-21 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon November 26, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-badgers-spoil-u-title-hop/153045412/ Newspapers.com https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers Index sports-reference.com 2011-07-28 Statistics The 1961 Wisconsin team tallied 2,749 yards of total offense, consisting of 1,696 passing yards and 1,053 rushing yards. On defense, the Badgers gave up 2,822 yards -- 877 passing yards and 1,945 rushing yards. Quarterback Ron Miller led the country and set a Wisconsin record with 1,487 passing yards. He completed 104 of 198 passes (52.5%) and threw 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a quarterback rating of 122.8.1961 Wisconsin Badgers Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 21, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wisconsin/1961.html In the Badgers' victory over Minnesota, Miller broke Wisconsin's single-game record with 297 passing yards. End Pat Richter led the country with 817 receiving yards. He set Wisconsin single-season records for both receptions (47) and receiving yardage (817). He also broke the school's single-game record with 170 receiving yards against Illinois. Richter also led the team in scoring with 48 points on eight touchdowns. Wisconsin's other receiving leaders included Ron Staley (18 receptions, 234 yards), Louie Holland (nine receptions, 119 yards), and Nap Hearn (nine receptions, 117 yards). The team's leading rushers were Jim Nettles (213 yards, 39 carries, 5.4-yard average), Louie Holland (177 yards, 62 carries, 2.8-yard average), Bill Smith (153 yards, 43 carries, 3.5-yard average), Neil Fleming (142 yards, 43 carries, 3.3-yard average), and Gerald McKinney (123 yards, 29 carries, 4.2 -yard average).Miller, Richter, Bakken Set Badger Records The Racine Journal-Times Ralph Trowerdate=December 3, 1961 1 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-racine-journal-times-sunday-bulletin/153703433/ Jim Bakken handed punting and place-kicking for the Badgers. He led the Big Ten with an average of 41.2 yards per punt in Big Ten games. He had an 89-yard punt against Northwestern that was the longest of the Big Ten season. He also set a modern Big Ten record with a 47-yard field goal against Northwestern. Awards Quarterback Ron Miller won the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the nation's outstanding passer.The Gigantic Sammy Baugh Trophy The Post-Crescent January 21, 1962 C3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-the-gigantic-sammy-bau/153704700/ Newspapers.com Miller was also selected as Wisconsin's most valuable player for 1961.Richter and Underwood to Captain UW: Miller Chosen 'Most Valuable' For '61 Season The Post-Crescent November 30, 1961 B1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-richter-and-underwood/153706020/ Newspapers.com End Pat Richter was the only Wisconsin player to receive All-America honors in 1961. He was selected by the United Press International (UPI) as a first-team end on its 1961 All-America college football team.Richter Is All-America, Folks 'Help' Kenosha News December 7, 1961 28 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news-richter-is-all-america-fol/153705306/ Newspapers.com He was placed on the second team by the Associated Press (AP).AP Selects 1961 All-Americans: Richter in Second Team Chippewa Herald-Telegram Bob Hoobing December 8, 1961 7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chippewa-herald-telegram-1961-ap-all-ame/153705117/ Newspapers.com Richter was also chosen by both the AP and UPI as a first-team end on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team.Richter Named to All-Big 10 Team: Stephens Nips Miller for AP Backfield Spot Wisconsin State Journal November 28, 1961 1 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-richter-named-to/153705639/ Newspapers.comRichter On UPI All Conference Team Baraboo News-Republic November 28, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/baraboo-news-republic-richter-on-upi-all/153705838/ Newspapers.com Professional football draft The following players from the 1961 Wisconsin team were selected in the professional football drafts: 1961 draft Ron Miller, quarterback, selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round (41st overall pick) of the 1961 NFL draft 1962 draft Jim Bakken, kicker, selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round (88 overall pick) of the 1962 NFL draft Ron Staley, end, selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 17th round (226th overall pick) of the 1962 NFL draft https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962/draft.htm 1962 NFL Draft Sports Reference LLC Pro Football Reference August 20, 2024 1963 draft Pat Richter, end, selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round (seventh overall pick) of the 1963 NFL draft and by the Denver Broncos in the 10th round (78th overall pick) of the 1963 AFL draft Gary Kroner, back, selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round (93rd overall pick) of the 1963 NFL draft 1964 draft Roger Pillath, tackle, selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round (39th overall pick) of the 1964 NFL draft Ken Bowman, center, selected by the Green Bay Packers in the eighth round (111th pick) of the 1964 NFL draft References Wisconsin Category:Wisconsin Badgers football seasons Wisconsin Badgers football