1961 Richmond Spiders football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1961 Richmond Spiders football Southern Conference SoCon 5–5 5–2 Ed Merrick 11th Art McGee Earl Stoudt City Stadium The 1961 Richmond Spiders football team was an American football team that represented the University of Richmond as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1961 college football season. In their eleventh season under head coach Ed Merrick, Richmond compiled a 5–5 record (5–2 in conference games), and were outscored by a total of 194 to 143.1961 Richmond Spiders Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 23, 2021 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/richmond/1961-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Mel Rideout with 808 passing yards, Earl Stoudt with 704 rushing yards, and John Hilton with 334 receiving yards. The team played its home games at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia. Schedule 1961 AP September 16 w y West Virginia Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV 35–26 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84025480/spiders-beat-wvu-35-to-26-rideout-thro/ Richmond Times-Dispatch Spiders beat WVU, 35 to 26; Rideout throws 3 TD passes September 17, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com September 23 l y y Army Michie Stadium West Point, NY 6–24 11,250 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84025734/army-vanquishes-richmond-in-opener-246/ Poughkeepsie Journal Army vanquishes Richmond in opener, 24–6 September 24, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com September 29 l VMI City Stadium Richmond, VA 6–8 rivalry 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84026015/vmi-trips-richmond-86/ Daily Press VMI trips Richmond, 8–6 September 30, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com August 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210824013954/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84026015/vmi-trips-richmond-86/ live October 7 l y The Citadel Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC 6–24 17,250 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84026308/the-citadel-crushes-richmond-in-sc-game/ The Times and Democrat The Citadel crushes Richmond in SC game October 8, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com August 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210824014353/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84026308/the-citadel-crushes-richmond-in-sc-game/ live October 14 w George Washington City Stadium Richmond, VA 16–15 1,800 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69720999/ur-nips-gw-by-1615/ Richmond Times-Dispatch UR nips GW by 16–15 October 15, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com February 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210215060255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69720999/ur-nips-gw-by-1615/ live October 21 l y y Florida State Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL 7–13 13,600 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84026698/rally-of-fsu-backboned-by-kinderman/ Tallahassee Democrat Rally of FSU backboned by Kinderman October 22, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com August 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210824015014/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84026698/rally-of-fsu-backboned-by-kinderman/ live October 28 w Davidson City Stadium Richmond, VA 20–0 3,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84026853/richmond-rips-davidson-200/ The Charlotte Observer Richmond rips Davidson, 20–0 October 29, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com August 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210824020635/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84026853/richmond-rips-davidson-200/ live November 4 w Virginia Tech City Stadium Richmond, VA 11–0 14,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84027038/richmond-drops-vpi-110-as-pratts-pun/ Daily Press Richmond drops VPI, 11–0, as Pratt's punts sparkle November 5, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com November 11 l y y Alabama 2 Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 0–66 28,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84027281/tide-romps-66-to-0-and-looks-to-tech/ The Birmingham News Tide romps 66 to 0 and looks to Tech November 12, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com November 23 w William & Mary City Stadium Richmond, VA 36–18 rivalry 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84027548/spiders-rout-tribe-3618/ Richmond Times-Dispatch Spiders rout Tribe, 36–18 November 24, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com August 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210824020500/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84027548/spiders-rout-tribe-3618/ live Statistics The Spiders gainedan average of 144.0 rushing yards and 99.7 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 156.5 rushing yards and 106.5 passing yards per game. Quarterback Mel Rideout completed 68 of 178 passes (38.2%) for 808 yards wit seven touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 77.0 quarterback rating.1961 Richmond Spiders Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 3, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/richmond/1961.html October 7, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091815/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/richmond/1961.html live Halfback and co-captain Earl Stoudt led the team in rushing with 704 rushing yards on 162 carries for an average of 4.3 yards per carry. He also caught 21 passes for 183 yards and completed four of seven passes for 53 yards. End John Hilton led the team with 26 receptions for 334 receiving yards. Fullback Larry Deco ranked second on the team with 249 rushing yards on 52 carries, an average of 4.8 yards per carry. Awards and honors Senior halfback Earl Stoudt and senior end Art McGee were selected as the co-captains of the team.UR Elects Stoudt, McGee Cocaptains for 1961 Season The Richmond News Leader December 13, 1961 22 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-news-leader-ur-elects-stoud/156514184/ Newspapers.com October 7, 2024 October 4, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091526/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-news-leader-ur-elects-stoud/156514184/ live Stoudt was selected as the Southern Conference's Player of the Year.Spiders' Earl Stoudt Is SC's Player Of Year The Roanoke Times Ed Young November 29, 1961 18 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-spiders-earl-stoudt-i/156389118/ October 7, 2024 October 2, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241007103339/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-spiders-earl-stoudt-i/156389118/ live Stoudt and center Don Christman were selected as first-team players on the 1961 All-Southern Conference football team. End John Hilton and tackle Joe Teefey were named to the second team. Personnel Players Tom Bondurant, guard, sophomore, 5'11", 210 pounds, Richmond, VA Don Christman, fullback/center, senior, 6'0", 215 pounds, North Hampton, PA Dick Curl, quarterback, senior, 6'0", 179 pounds, Chester, PA Jack/Ben Davis, guard, junior, 6'0", 200 pounds, Tappahannock, VA Larry Deco, fullback, sophomore, 6'0", 215 pounds, Avella, PA Bob Drobney, end, sophomore, 6'0", 180 pounds, Sharpsville, PA Jim Helvin, center, sophomore, 5'11", 175 pounds, Charlottesville, VA John Hilton, end, sophomore, 6'5", 210 pounds, Richmond, VA Bob Hodgson, halfback, sophomore, 5'10", 164 pounds, Charleroi, PA Joe Kessel, center/guard, sophomore, 5'10", 185 pounds, Wayne, NJ Bob Klinger, tackle, junior, 6'2", 218 pounds, Palmyra, PA Fred Mancuso, guard, sophomore, 6'3", 215 pounds, Pittsburgh, PA Art McGee, end and co-captain, senior, 6'0", 200 pounds, Baltimore, MD Al Mitchell, tackle, sophomore, 6'2", 217 pounds, Alexandria, VA Billy Nix, fullback, senior, 5'9", 190 pounds, Richmond, VA Tommy Peacock, fullback, sophomore, 5'10", 205 pounds, Bradenton, FL Stewart Percy, halfback, junior, 5'10", 165 pounds, Norristown, PA George Rapp, end, junior, 6'1", 183 pounds, Wayne, NJ Mel Rideout, quarterback, junior, 6'2", 200 pounds, Richmond, VA Steve Stevenson, halfback, junior, 5'10", 175 pounds, Richmond, VA Earl Stoudt, halfback and co-captain, senior, 5'9", 173 pounds, Lancaster, PA Joe Teefey, tackle, senior, 6'3", 223, Richmond, CA Don Thompson, tackle, senior, 6'4", 212 pounds, Danville, VA Brent Vann, halfback, junior, 6'0", 185 pounds, Franklin, VA Bill Ventura, end, junior, 6'6", 224 pounds, Garfield, NJ Spiders Have Depth, But Inexperience, Tougher Schedule May Be Overpowering Richmond Times-Dispatch Shelley Rolfe September 7, 1961 38 https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-richmond-top-33/156512243/ Newspapers.com October 7, 2024 October 4, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241007095049/https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-richmond-top-33/156512243/ liveSpiders Face 'Worry Causing' Slate Richmond News Leader Laurence Leonard September 7, 1961 47 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-news-leader-spiders-face-w/156513204/ Newspapers.com October 7, 2024 October 4, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091928/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-news-leader-spiders-face-w/156513204/ live Coaches Head coach: Ed Merrick Assistant coaches: References Richmond Category:Richmond Spiders football seasons Richmond Spiders football