1961 Tampa Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 Tampa Spartans football Independent 8–1 Marcelino Huerta 10th Phillips Field The 1961 Tampa Spartans football team was an American football team that represented the University of Tampa as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their 25th season of college football and their 10th season under head coach Marcelino Huerta, the Spartans compiled an 8–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 188 to 98. Huerta resigned as the Spartans' head coach on January 8, 1962, to take the same position at Wichita State.Tampa coach to Wichita UPI https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QZ4fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vdUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5656%2C811933 Google News Archives The Gadsden Times January 10, 1962 10 October 21, 2012 The team played its home games at Phillips Field in Tampa, Florida. Schedule 1961 small college AP September 23 w 1961 Livingston State Tigers Livingston State Phillips Field Tampa, FL 41–8 7,800–8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/sarasota-herald-tribune-tampa-overpowers/199265683/ Sarasota Herald and Tribune Tampa overpowers Livingston State September 24, 1961 June 9, 2026 Newspapers.com September 30 w 1961 Western Carolina Catamounts Western Carolina Phillips Field Tampa, FL 24–14 7,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/87346971/ The Tampa Tribune Spartans rally to defeat Western Carolina 24–14 October 1, 1961 June 9, 2026 Newspapers.com October 14 w 1961 Elon Fightin' Christians Elon Phillips Field Tampa, FL 13–0 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-spartans-blank-elon-13/199266010/ The Tampa Tribune Spartans blank Elon 13–0 October 15, 1961 June 9, 2026 Newspapers.com October 21 w y 1961 Presbyterian Blue Hose Presbyterian Bailey Stadium Clinton, SC 17–16 3,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-tampa-wins-on-100-ya/199266135/ The Greenville News Tampa wins on 100-yard run for TD October 22, 1961 June 9, 2026 Newspapers.com October 28 l y Southeastern Louisiana 4 Strawberry Stadium Hammond, LA 3–27 6,500–8,000 SLC Speedsters Whip Tampa, 27-3 Sunday News (Bogalusa, LA) October 29, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-slc-speedsters-whip-tampa-27/152616351/ Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Southeastern Louisiana) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/655/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association August 3, 2024 November 4 w y Troy State Veterans Memorial Stadium Troy, AL 27–6 3,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112959470/bessent-passes-tampa-to-276-win-over-t/ The Tampa Tribune Bessent passes Tampa to 27–6 win over Troy November 5, 1961 November 12, 2022 Newspapers.com November 11 w Northern Michigan 4 Phillips Field Tampa, FL 27–6 8,500–9,000 Tampa Upsets 4th-Ranked N. Michigan 27-6: Spartans Thrive On Mistakes The Tampa Tribune Larry Bush November 12, 1961 1C, 3C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-tampa-upsets-4th-ranke/151549744/ Newspapers.com November 18 w Appalachian State Phillips Field Tampa, FL 14–0 8,500–10,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90398618/tampa-continues-best-season/ The Tampa Tribune Tampa continues 'best' season November 19, 1961 December 11, 2021 Newspapers.com 1961 Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Appalachian State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/27/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association January 29, 2023 November 25 w 1961 Wofford Terriers Wofford Phillips Field Tampa, FL 22–21 6,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-tampa-comes-back/199266278/ The Times and Democrat Tampa comes back to beat Wofford, 22–21 November 26, 1961 June 9, 2026 Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Tampa) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/689/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association February 27, 2023 Statistics The team gained 2,203 yards of total offense (244.8 yards per game), consisting of 1,500 rushing yards (166.6 yards per game) and 803 passing yards (79.2 yards per game). On defense, the Spartans held opponents to 1,689 yards (187.7 yards per game) with 1,250 rushing yards and 439 passing yards. Quarterback Vaden Bessent led the team in both passing (38-for-65, 557 yards, six touchdowns, zero interceptions) and total offense (627 yards). The team's leading rushers were fullback Bob Moore (356 yards, 82 carries) and Dick O'Brien (232 yards, 56 carries). Moore also led the team in scoring with 60 points on 10 touchdowns. The leading receivers were halfback Dick O'Brien (12 receptions, 157 yards) and end Charlie Rose (12 receptions, 137 yards). Players 30em Charles Bailey, end and captain, wenior, 6'1", 195 pounds Bob Banks, tackle, junior, 6'1", 225 pounds Vaden Bessent, quarterback, sophomore, 6'0", 165 pounds Jim Caldwell, halfback, freshman, 5'9", 180 pounds Bill Croft, guard, junior, 5'9", 220 pounds Max Davis, tackle, junior, 6'1", 210 pounds Jim Galmin, end, sophomore, 6'4", 215 pounds Paul Gore, center, junior, 6'1", 210 pounds Bob Moore, fullback, sophomore, 6'1", 230 pounds Jim Neve, guard, sophomore, 5'9", 200 pounds Dick O'Brien, halfback, sophomore, 5'11", 175 pounds Wayne "Buddy" Owen, quarterback, 6'0", 165 pounds Ronnie Perez, quarterback, junior, 6'1", 200 pounds Charles Rose, end, junior, 6'1", 190 pounds Gene Rowell, guard, freshman, 5'10", 195 pounds Don Scott, tackle, junior 6'2", 250 pounds Ernie Stout, halfback, sophomore, 6'1", 185 pounds Blaine Turner, tackle, sophomore, 6'2", 225 pounds Tampa U. Roster The Tampa Tribune September 3, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-tampa-u-roster/153813996/ Newspapers.com References Tampa Category:Tampa Spartans football seasons Tampa Spartans football