1961 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 South Carolina Gamecocks football 1961 South Carolina Gamecocks football team.png 285 Atlantic Coast Conference ACC 4–6 3–4 Marvin Bass 1st Dave Adam Dave Sowell Carolina Stadium The 1961 South Carolina Gamecocks football team was an American football team that represented the University of South Carolina as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 1961 college football season. In their first of five years under head coach Marvin Bass, the Gamecocks compiled a 4–6 record (3–4 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for fifth place in the ACC, and were outscored by a total of 187 to 128.1961 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 30, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/south-carolina/1961-schedule.html South Carolina's 21–14 upset victory over in-state rival Clemson, including Jim Costen's fumble recovery and 27-yard return for touchdown, was chosen as the biggest amateur sporting event of 1961 in South Carolina.Segal, Short In Top News In S.C. The Greenville News December 17, 1961 C3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-segal-short-in-top/156325288/ Newspapers.com After the season, coach Bass said the team did not have the "depth, size or experience" to compete with most of its opponents, but "had great morale, 110 per cent performances and more mental and physical guts than any coach has a right to expect."Marvin Bass Looks To '62 The Times and Democrat November 28, 1961 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-marvin-bass-looks/156324555/ Newspapers.com The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jim Costen (764 passing yards, second most in the ACC), Dick Day (400 rushing yards, second most in the ACC), and John Caskey (309 receiving yards). Tackle Jim Moss was selected as the ACC's lineman of the year for 1961. Guard Dave Adams and quarterback Dave Sowell were the team captains. The team played its home games at Carolina Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. Schedule September 23 l Duke Carolina Stadium Columbia, SC 6–7 35,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-duke-scores-in-la/139129411/ The Times and Democrat Duke scores in last 2 minutes, edges USC September 24, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com September 30 w y Wake Forest Bowman Gray Stadium Winston-Salem, NC 10–7 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-south-carolina-edges-deacons/139135739/ Daily Press South Carolina edges Deacons, 10–7, on field goal by Findley October 1, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 7 l y y Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, Georgia rivalry 14–17 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-georgia-rallies-t/133300035/ The Times and Democrat Georgia rallies to top Gamecocks, 17–14 October 8, 1961 October 11, 2023 Newspapers.com October 14 l y LSU Carolina Stadium Columbia, SC 0–42 28,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-lsu-tallies-in-ev/133235621/ The Times and Democrat LSU tallies in every period, trounces USC October 15, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com October 21 l North Carolina Carolina Stadium Columbia, SC rivalry 0–17 16,000 Tar Heels Win Ho-Hum Game From USC, 17-0: Gamecocks Clobbered The State Bob Talbert October 22, 1961 1B, 5B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-tar-heels-win-ho-hum-game-from/155011138/ Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-addison-carson-spea/155011223/ Addison, Carson Spearhead Tar Heels 17-0 Win The Greenville News Greenville, South Carolina Wilt Browning October 22, 1961 Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-tarheels-pin-gamecocks-1/139135860/ Durham Morning Herald Tarheels pin Gamecocks, 17–0 October 22, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 28 w Maryland Carolina Stadium Columbia, SC 20–10 19,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-south-carolina-sur/139133812/ Winston-Salem Journal & Sentinel South Carolina surprises Maryland with 20–10 win October 29, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 4 l y Virginia Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA 20–28 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-news-leader-cavaliers-surprise/139135930/ The Daily News Leader Cavaliers surprise S.C. November 5, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 11 w Clemson Carolina Stadium Columbia, SC rivalry 21–14 44,000 Carolina Wins Thriller Over Clemson, 21-14 The Greenville News November 12, 1961 1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36761260/carolina_wins_thriller_over_clemson/ Newspapers.com November 18 l y NC State Riddick Stadium Raleigh, NC 14–38 16,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-gabe-leads-state-o/139135537/ Winston-Salem Journal & Sentinel Gabe leads State over S.C., 38–14 November 19, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 25 w y y Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN 23–7 12,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-south-carolina-sma/133301592/ The Commercial Appeal South Carolina smacks Vanderbilt, 23–7 November 26, 1961 October 11, 2023 Newspapers.com 1961 Football Schedule Sports Reference LLC August 10, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/south-carolina/1961.html Statistics The team tallied 2,348 yards of total offense, consisting of 1,374 rushing yards (137.4 per game) and 974 passing yards (97.4 per game).Gambrell, Day Top Gainers For Gamecocks The Columbia Record November 30, 1961 9C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbia-record-south-carolina-has-t/156326440/ Newspapers.com Quarterback Jim Costen completed 61 of 146 passes (41.8%) for 764 yards, three touchdowns, nine interceptions, and an 80.2 quarterback rating.1961 South Carolina Gamecocks Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 30, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/south-carolina/1961.html He ranked second in the ACC in passing yards behind Roman Gabriel. He also rushed for 151 yards on 72 carries (2.1 yards per carry), giving him 937 yards of total offense.It'll Take Big Effort To Unseat Gave, White The Item November 28, 1961 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-item-acc-leaders-1961/156323464/ Newspapers.com Fullback Dick Day led the team, and ranked second in the ACC, with 400 rushing yards on 100 carries, an average of 4.0 yards per carry. Halfback Billy Gambrell led the team in scoring with 32 points on five touchdowns and two point-after-touchdown kicks. Gambrell ranked second on the team and sixth in the ACC with 327 rushing yards on 75 carries for an average of 4.4 yards per carry. He also led the team in receptions with 24, tallying 241 yards and 10.0 yards per reception. He also completed two passes for 44 yards, giving him a combined 614 yards of rushing, receiving and passing yards. End John Caskey led the team in passing yards with 309 on 16 carries for an average of 19.3 yards per reception. Dean Findley was the team's kicker, tallying 24 points on four field goals and 12 point-after-touchdown kicks. Sammy Anderson led the team in punt returns, having three returns for 117 yards, an average fo 39.0 yards per return. Awards and honors Guard Dave Adams and quarterback Dave Sowell were selected as the team captains.Adam, Sowell USC Captains The Greenville News September 1, 1961 26 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-adam-sowell-usc-cap/156294119/ Newspapers.com Junior tackle Jim Moss was the only South Carolina player named to the first team on the 1961 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team. Moss was also selected as the ACC's lineman of the year for 1961.Garnet and Black 1962 (University of South Carolina yearbook), p. 354. Halfback Billy Gambrell received second team All-ACC honors.South Carolina Has Two On All-ACC Dream Team The Columbia Record November 30, 1961 9C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbia-record-south-carolina-has-t/156326440/ Newspapers.com Moss also received 110 out of a possible 115 points in the voting for the 1961 South Carolina all-state football team. Also selected to the first team were halfback Billy Gambrell (100 points) and end John Caskey. Center Dick Lomas and back Dick May were named to the second team.Moss, Campbell Head All-State The Greenville News December 3, 1961 C3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-moss-campbell-head/156324200/ Newspapers.com Quarterback Jim Costen was selected as a defensive back by the Washington Redskins in the 14th round of the 1962 NFL draft.'Skins Sign Costen As Defensive Back The State Jeff Denberg December 12, 1961 5B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-skins-sign-costen-as-defensiv/156323134/ Newspapers.com Personnel Players thumb|right|165px|Head coach Marvin Bass with co-captains Dave Sowell and Dave Adams thumb|right|165px|Quarterback Jim Costen Dave Adams, guard and co-captain, 6'1", 195 pounds, senior Sammy Anderson, halfback and punt returns, 5'9", 160 pounds, sophomore, North Augusta, SC John Caskey, end, 6'1", 195 pounds, junior, Columbia, SC Jim Costen, quarterback, 6'0", 180 pounds, senior, Myrtle Beach, SC Henry Crosby, halfback, 5'8", 157 pounds, senior Dick Day, fullback, 6'0", 190 pounds, junior, North Augusta, SC Bob Drost, end, 6'4", 220 pounds, senior Dean Findley, end and placekicker, junior, Anderson, SC Billy Gambrell, halfback, 5'10", junior, Athens, GA Joel Goodrich, 6'2", 220 pounds, junior Carl Huggins, fullback, 6'0", 210 pounds, junior Harold Jones, guard, 6'0", 200 pounds, junior John Jones, guard, 6'2", 220 pounds Ken Lester, end, 6'2", 205 pounds, junior Dick Lomas, center, 6'0", 200 pounds, junior, Greenwood, SC Jack Morris, halfback, 5'11", 165 pounds, senior Jim Moss, tackle, 6'3", 205 pounds, junior Tommy Pilcher, quarterback, 5'9", 140 pounds, junior Dick Sowell, quarterback and co-captain, 6'0", 175 pounds, senior, Cheraw, SC Frank Staley, tackle, 6'2", 220 pounds, senior, North Augusta, SC Clark Waring, center, 6'1", 200 pounds, senior Charlie Williams, halfback, 5'8", 180 pounds, junior Over-All Picture Looks Good At Carolina The Index-Journal September 1, 1961 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal-over-all-picture-looks/156328407/ Newspapers.com Coaches Head coach: Marvin Bass Assistant coach: Ralph Floyd, Clyde Biggers1962 Garnet and Black (University of South Carolina yearbook), p. 342. References South Carolina Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football seasons South Carolina Gamecocks football