1961 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1961 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football Middle Atlantic Conference University Division MAC 4–4 3–2 David M. Nelson 11th Bill Grossman (injured) John Scholato (acting) Delaware Stadium The 1961 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team was an American football team that represented the University of Delaware in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) during the 1961 college football season. In its 11th season under head coach David M. Nelson, the team compiled a 4–4 record (3–2 in MAC games), tied for third place in the MAC University Division, and outscored opponents by a total of 161 to 98. Sophomore halfback Mike Brown led the team in both rushing (404 yards) and scoring (seven touchdowns). Three Delaware players were selected as first-team players on the 1961 All-MAC football team: center/linebacker Johnny Scholato; halfback Karl Lorenz; and guard Earl Ritchie. The team played its home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware. Schedule 1961 small college UPI Coaches y y y September 23 Lehigh Delaware Stadium Newark, DE (rivalry) W 14-6 7,000–7,100 Second Team Credited with Sparking U. of D. Victory Izzy Katzman Izzy Katzman September 25, 1961 26 Evening Journal Wilmington, Del. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68456687/1961-delaware-lehigh/ September 30 Buffalo<ncg> Delaware Stadium Newark, DE W 36-12 6,200–7,000 Buffalo Battered by Hens, 36 to 12 Bob Kelley October 2, 1961 18 Wilmington Morning News Wilmington, Del. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68457953/1961-delaware-buffalo/ October 7 at Lafayette 8 Fisher Field Easton, PA W 34-0 6,000 Delaware Coasts, 34-0, over Smaller Lafayette Joe McCarron October 8, 1961 D1 Sunday Call-Chronicle Allentown, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68458939/1961-delaware-lafayette/ October 14 at Hofstra<ncg> 5 Hofstra College Stadium Hempstead, NY L 0-14 4,200–6,000 Hens Baited, Chuckles Hofstra Al Cartwright October 16, 1961 29 Evening Journal Wilmington, Del. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68461435/1961-delaware-hofstra/ Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Hofstra) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/283/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association December 18, 2022 October 28 Ohio<ncg><hc> Delaware Stadium Newark, DE L 16-17 8,750 48-Yard Goal Fatal to Hens Bob Kelley October 30, 1961 18 Wilmington Morning News Wilmington, Del. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68462834/1961-delaware-ohio/ November 4 Temple Delaware Stadium Newark, DE W 28-0 6,200 Blue Hens Set Home Gate Mark Izzy Katzman Izzy Katzman November 6, 1961 29 Evening Journal Wilmington, Del. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68464049/1961-delaware-temple/ November 11 at Rutgers 12 Rutgers Stadium New Brunswick, NJ L 19-27 22,000 Rutgers Trips Delaware for MAC Title Herb Good November 12, 1961 S1 The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68464628/1961-delaware-rutgers/ November 18 at Bucknell Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA L 14-22 6,000 Brown Finishes Second in Ball-Toting Izzy Katzman Izzy Katzman November 20, 1961 35 Evening Journal Wilmington, Del. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68465862/1961-bucknell-delaware/ Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Delaware) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/180/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association August 15, 2024 Statistics Delaware tallied 2,245 yards of total offense (280.5 per game), consisting of 1,524 rushing yards (190.5 per game) and 720 passing yards (90 per game). On defense, the team gave up 1,624 yards (204.4 per game), including 813 rushing yards and 811 passing yards. Sophomore halfback Mike Brown led the team in rushing with 404 yards in 89 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. A sprinter for the track team, Brown was the fastest man on the team. The team's other rushing leaders were Joe Slobojan (354 yards, 89 carries), Johnny Wallace (201 yards), and Karl Lorenz (177 yards). Brown also led the team in scoring with seven touchdowns, including one on an interception returned for a score. The other scoring leaders were Slobojan (30 points) and Wallace (23 points).Hens' Rushing, Scoring Titles Won by Brown The News Journal November 21, 1961 20 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-hens-rushing-scoring/153371845/ Newspapers.com Quarterback Ted Kempski led the team in passing, completing 40 of 85 passes for 606 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. The team's receiving leaders were end Ollie Baker (165 yards, six catchers), end Dick Broadbent (132 yards, 10 receptions), end Barry Fetterman (118 yards, eight reception), and Johnny Wallace (100 yards, five receptions). End Arnie Rozental led the team in punting with 37 punts for 1,314 yards (36.5 yards per punt). Awards Tackle Bill Grossman was selected as the 1961 team captain, but he sustained an eye injury in the opening game and missed the remainder of the season. Center and linebacker John Scholato served as acting team captains in several games following the injury to Grossman.Scholato Will Captain Delaware Through 9-Game Season in 1962 Wilmington Evening Journal November 29, 1961 38 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-sholato/153373426/ Newspapers.com Three Delaware players were selected as first-team players on the 1961 All-MAC football team: center/linebacker Johnny Scholato; halfback Karl Lorenz; and guard Earl Ritchie. Halfback Mike Brown was named to the second team. Honorable mention was given to end Dick Broadbend, tackles Dick Evers and Paul Chesmore, guard Jim Quirk, and backs Ted Kempski, Joe Slobojan, and John Wallace.Delaware Puts 3 on All-Conference Wilmington Evening Journal December 11, 1961 35 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-delaware-puts-3-on-all/153372342/ Newspapers.com Ted Kempski was later inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. Players The following 30 players received varsity letters for their participation in the 1961 Delaware football team: 20em Oliver Baker, senior Robert Brayer, senior Richard Broadbent, senior Michael Brown, sophomore Paul Chesmore, junior Arthur Coury, senior Robert Dowling, junior Theodore Elder, senior Richard Evers, sophomore Barry Fetterman, senior William Grossman, senior Thomas Harrison, sophomore Gary Hebert, senior Theodore Kempski, junior Karl Lorenz, junior Ronald McCoy, junior Thomas Michaels, junior Leonard Nelson, senior Raymond Otlowski, senior James Quirk, junior William Regan, senior Earl Ritchie, senior Arnie Rozental, sophomore John Scholato, junior Kenneth Schroeck, senior Thomas Skidmore, senior Joseph Slobojan, junior John Wallace, sophomore Clinton Ware, junior Charles Zolak, sophomore Varsity D's Await 50 Blue Hens Wilmington Morning News December 6, 1961 49 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-varsity-ds-await-50-bl/153373026/ Newspapers.com References Delaware Category:Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football seasons Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football