1961 Michigan Wolverines football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 Michigan Wolverines football 1901-94 Michigan Wolverines Primary Logo.png Big Ten Conference Big Ten 6–3 3–3 Bump Elliott 3rd John Walker George Mans Michigan Stadium The 1961 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season. In its third year under head coach Bump Elliott, Michigan compiled a 6–3 record (3–3 against conference opponents), finished in sixth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a combined total of 212 to 163.1961 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 6, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan/1961-schedule.html After opening the season with convincing wins over No. 9 UCLA (29–6) and Army (38–8), Michigan was ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Poll. The team fell from the rankings after being shut out by Michigan State (0–28) the following week. Right end George Mans was the team captain, and center/guard John Walker received the team's most valuable player award.1961 Football Team University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library November 6, 2017 https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1961fbt.htm Left halfback Bennie McRae was selected by both the Associated Press and United Press International (UPI) as a first-team player on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team.Stephens Unanimous Choice on Big Ten Pittsburgh Post-Gazette November 28, 1961 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19611127&id=zm0xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G2wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7127,5722758Saimes and MacRae Selected on All-Big Ten Football Team The Holland, Michigan, Evening Sentinel November 29, 1961 16 https://www.newspapers.com/image/15943497/?terms=stephens%2B%2Bferguson%2Bsaimes%2Bcoaches Fullback Bill Tunicliff also received second-team honors from the UPI. The team's statistical leaders included Dave Glinka with 588 passing yards, Dave Raimey with 496 rushing yards and 36 points scored, and Bennie McRae with 210 receiving yards.1961 Michigan Wolverines Statistics Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 6, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan/1961.html Schedule 1961 AP September 30 w y UCLA 9 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 29–6 73,019 October 7 w y 9 Army Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 38–8 65,012 October 14 l 6 Michigan State 5 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 0–28 103,198 October 21 w y Purdue Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 16–14 66,805 October 28 l y Minnesota Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN Little Brown Jug 20–23 63,898 November 4 w y Duke Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 28–14 56,488 November 11 w y Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 38–6 40,179 November 18 w Iowa Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 23–14 61,925 November 25 l Ohio State 2 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 20–50 80,444 Season summary Preseason The 1960 Michigan Wolverines football team compiled a 5–4 record and tied for fifth place in the Big Ten.1960 Football Team University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library November 6, 2017 https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1960fbt.htm At the end of the 1960 season, end George Mans was selected by his teammates to be the captain of the 1961 team.Mans Elected '61 'M' Football Captain The Michigan Daily November 23, 1960 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754217/504 Bentley Historical Library Michigan's 1961 recruiting class included Mel Anthony, Jim Conley, John Henderson, Arnie Simkus, and Bob Timberlake.1961 Michigan Football Roster Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan December 3, 2017 https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/rosters/search.php?data=football&year_option=equals&year=1961&sortby=lastname%2C+firstname%2C+year&find=FIND In May 1961, halfback Dave Raimey received the Meyer W. Morton Trophy as the player who showed the most improvement in spring practice.Morton Trophy To Raimey For Most Improvement The Michigan Daily May 7, 1961 9 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754282/485 Bentley Historical Library In June 1961, halfback Harvey E. Chapman received the John F. Maulbetsch Scholarship, presented each year to a freshman player "on the basis of scholarship, need, and promise and desire for leadership."Give Award To Chapman The Michigan Daily June 27, 1961 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754100/8 Bentley Historical Library Week 1: UCLA UCLA 0 0 0 6 Michigan 13 3 13 0 September 30 Michigan Stadium 73,019 On September 30, 1961, Michigan opened its season with a 29–6 victory over 1961 AAWU champion UCLA (ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll) before a crowd of 73,019 (including 13,000 high school band members) at Michigan Stadium. Michigan gained 253 yards, including 227 rushing yards, and held UCLA to 172 total yards. The Wolverines took a 16–0 lead at halftime on touchdowns by Bill Tunnicliff (one-yard run) and Dave Raimey (20-yard run) and a 29-yard field goal by Douglas Bickle. Michigan extended its lead to 29 points in the third quarter on a four-yard touchdown run by Bennie McRae and a 92-yard interception return by Ken Tureaud. UCLA scored its lone touchdown in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Dimkich.U-M, MSU Open with Bang: UCLA Ripped, 29 to 6 Detroit Free Press Lyall Smith Lyall Smith October 1, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15570153/um_msu_open_with_bang_ucla_ripped/ Newspapers.com Week 2: Army Army 0 0 8 0 Michigan 10 7 14 7 October 7 Michigan Stadium 65,012 On October 7, 1961, Michigan defeated Army, 38–8, before a crowd of 65,012 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's point total was its highest in 39 games, dating back to 1956. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Dave Raimey (13-yard run), Bennie McRae (47-yard run), Bill Tunnicliff (three-yard run), Bruce McLenna (seven-yard run), and Bob Brown (36-yard pass from Bob Chandler). Doug Bickle added a field goal and five extra points.U-M (38-8) and MSU (31-3) Roll On: Fumbles Kill The Army Detroit Free Press Bob Pille October 8, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15570397/um_388_and_msu_313_roll_on/ Newspapers.com Week 3: Michigan State Michigan State 14 7 0 7 Michigan 0 0 0 0 October 14 Michigan Stadium 103,198 On October 14, 1961, Michigan (ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll) lost to Michigan State (ranked No. 5), 28–0, before a crowd of 103,198 and a national television audience at Michigan Stadium. The Spartans led, 14–0, at the end of the first quarter and 21–0 at halftime. Michigan was held to 92 rushing yards and 84 passing yards.It's Michigan State: C-R-U-N-C-H, 28-0: Spartan Defense Ruins U-M Detroit Free Press Lyall Smith Lyall Smith October 15, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15572548/its_michigan_state_crunch_280/ Newspapers.com Week 4: Purdue Purdue 0 7 7 0 Michigan 9 0 7 0 October 21 Michigan Stadium 66,805 On October 21, 1961, Michigan defeated Purdue, 16–14, before a crowd of 66,805 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring with a safety in the first quarter, when Purdue fumbled a pitchout in the end zone. Dave Raimey also scored in the opening quarter on a one-yard run. Bennie McRae caught six passes for 144 yards, including a touchdown reception that covered 72 yards in the third quarter.Safety First Pays Off for U-M: Purdue Beaten by 2-Pointer Detroit Free Press Joe Falls Joe Falls October 22, 1961 D1, D4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15580031/safety_first_pays_off_for_um_purdue/ Newspapers.com Week 5: at Minnesota Michigan 0 7 7 0 Minnesota 9 0 7 0 October 28 Minneapolis 63,898 On October 28, 1961, Michigan lost to Minnesota, 23–20, at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis. Michigan led, 20–8, through the first three quarters as Tunnicliff ran eight yards for a touchdown and Dave Raimey scored twice on runs of 27 and four yards. Late in the fourth quarter, Michigan stopped a Minnesota drive at the nine-yard line, but Bennie McRae fumbled on the first play after Michigan took over, and Minnesota scored the winning touchdown with one minute and 24 seconds remaining.Fumble Wrecks U-M, 23-20 Detroit Free Press October 29, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15593278/fumble_wrecks_um_2320/ Newspapers.com Week 6: Duke Duke 0 0 6 8 Michigan 7 14 0 7 November 4 Michigan Stadium 56,488 On November 4, 1961, Michigan defeated 1961 ACC champion Duke, 28–14, before a crowd of 56,488 at Michigan Stadium. Bennie McRae scored three touchdowns on a five-yard run in the first quarter, a 15-yard pass from Dave Glinka in the second quarter, and a 34-yard interception return in the second quarter. Dave Raimey also rushed for 116 yards on 15 carries.McRae Redeemed: M Wins, 28-14 Detroit Free Press November 6, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15579590/mcrae_redeemed_m_wins_2814/ Newspapers.com Week 7: at Illinois Michigan 7 7 10 14 Illinois 0 0 0 6 October 28 Champaign, Illinois 40,179 On November 11, 1961, Michigan defeated Illinois, 38–6, before a crowd of 40,179 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. The outcome was the second consecutive Michigan victory in the seven-year rivalry between head coaching brothers Bump Elliott and Pete Elliott. Michigan played all 38 players who traveled to Champaign in an effort to keep the score down. Michigan gained 309 rushing yards and held Illinois to 55 rushing yards. Dave Raimey began the scoring on a 54-yard punt return. J. Paul Raeder scored two touchdowns, and George Mans caught a touchdown pass from Dave Glinka.Oh Brother! -- M Clobbers Illini, 38-6 Detroit Free Press Lyall Smith November 12, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15579792/oh_brother_m_clobbers_illini_386/ Newspapers.com Week 8: Iowa Iowa 7 7 0 0 Michigan 3 0 13 7 November 18 Michigan Stadium 61,925 On November 18, 1961, Michigan defeated Iowa, 23–14, before a crowd of 61,925 at Michigan Stadium. Iowa was led by first-year head coach Jerry Burns who had played quarterback for Michigan. Michigan lost Bennie McRae with a shoulder separation in the first quarter, and Iowa took a 14–3 lead at halftime. Michigan rallied with three unanswered touchdowns in the second half. Dave Glinka ran 44 yards for his first collegiate touchdown. Dave Raimey totaled 102 rushing yards and scored on a one-yard run (set up by a 54-yard run by Harvey Chapman). Glinka threw a touchdown pass to Bob Brown that covered 20 yards. Iowa was held to two first downs and negative 16 rushing yards in the second half. Michigan outgained Iowa by 266 rushing yards to 97. In the Detroit Free Press, Joe Falls praised the courage of Bump Elliott's team and called the game "Elliott's finest victory of the season."Big Finishes Win for M, MSU: Wolverines Overhaul Iowa, 23-14 Detroit Free Press Joe Falls November 19, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15580316/big_finishes_win_for_m_msu_wolverines/ Newspapers.com Week 9: Ohio State Ohio State 7 14 0 29 Michigan 0 6 6 8 November 25 Michigan Stadium 80,444 On November 25, 1961, Michigan lost to Ohio State, 50–20, before a crowd of 80,444 at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State fullback Bob Ferguson scored four touchdowns in the game. The Buckeyes' 50 points was the fourth highest point total allowed by a Michigan team up to that time, with two of the prior occasions occurring in the 1890s. Michigan's three touchdowns were scored on a 90-yard kickoff return by Dave Raimey and one-yard runs by Bruce McLenna and James Ward.Bucks Pour It On M, 50-20 Detroit Free Press November 26, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15572745/bucks_pour_it_on_m_5020_ferguson/ Newspapers.com Post-season At the end of the 1961 season, center and linebacker John Walker received the team's most valuable player award.Walker Most Valuable: Brown Elected Captain by Teammates The Michigan Daily November 28, 1961 6 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754266/530 Bentley Historical Library Halfback Bennie McRae received first-team honors from both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Halfback Dave Raimey received second-team honors from the AP and UPI, and fullback Bill Tunicliff received second team honors from the UPI. Statistical leaders Michigan's individual statistical leaders for the 1961 season include those listed below.Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page University of Michigan Mgoblue.com November 6, 2017 http://statsarchive.ath.umich.edu/VS-Football/footstart.php https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151629/http://statsarchive.ath.umich.edu/VS-Football/footstart.php April 2, 2015 dead(statistics retrieved by entering "1961" in the box for "Games & Totals by Season" and then, at the next screen, choosing "Display Season Totals")Season's Story in Statistics The Michigan Daily December 7, 1961 14 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754266/602 Bentley Historical Library Rushing 2 Michigan Wolverines Player Attempts Net yards Yards per attempt Touchdowns Dave Raimey994965.06Bennie McRae754536.03Bill Tunnicliff963964.13 Passing 2 Michigan Wolverines Player Attempts Completions Interceptions Comp % Yards Yds/Comp TD Long Dave Glinka9646547.958812.8572Bob Chandler116054.510016.7136 Receiving 2 Michigan Wolverines Player Receptions Yards Yds/Recp TD Long Bennie McRae1021021.0272George Mans141389.9116Robert Brown511022.0245 Kickoff returns 2 Michigan Wolverines Player Returns Yards Yds/Return TD Long Dave Raimey1030830.8190Bennie McRae814818.5029Ed Hood14242.0042 Punt returns 2 Michigan Wolverines Player Returns Yards Yds/Return TD Long Dave Raimey79213.1154Bennie McRae10393.9011Harvey Chapman4328.0017 Scoring 2 Michigan Wolverines Player Touchdowns Extra points Field goals Points Dave Raimey80048Bennie McRae60036Doug Bickle020-234-732 Personnel Letter winners The following 40 players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1961 team.Footballers Receive 72 'M' Awards: Elliott Gives Monographs For Season The Michigan Daily December 7, 1961 14 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754266/602 Bentley Historical Library Players who started at least four games are shown with their names in bold. Doug Bickle, 6'3", 210 pounds, sophomore, Traverse City, MI - started 4 games at right tackle, 3 games at left tackle Robert M. Brown, 6'4", 225 pounds, senior, Kalamazoo, MI - end Bob Chandler, 6'3", 210 pounds, junior, LaGrange Park, IL - quarterback Harvey Chapman, 5'11", 175 pounds, sophomore, Farmington Hills, MI - started 1 game at left halfback Guy Curtis, 6'0", 215 pounds, senior, South Bend, IN - tackle William Dougall Jr., 6'2", 190 pounds, senior, Detroit - quarterback Dave Glinka, 5'11", 195 pounds, junior, Toledo, OH - started 2 games at quarterback Todd Grant, 6'4", 230 pounds, senior, Lathrup Village, MI - started 6 games at center Lee Hall, 6'0", 210 pounds, senior, Charlotte, MI - started 5 games at right guard, 3 games at left guard Edward Hood, 5'9", 175 pounds, junior, Detroit - halfback William Hornbeck, 6'1", 185 pounds, senior, Los Angeles - halfback John Houtman, 6'4", 235 pounds, junior, Adrian, MI - started 6 games at left tackle Tom Keating, 6'3", 220 pounds, sophomore, Chicago - tackle James Korowin, 6'2", 195 pounds, senior, Wyandotte, MI - end Dave Kurtz, 6'0", 201 pounds, sophomore, Toledo, OH - started 1 game at right guard John J. Lehr, 6'0", 225 pounds, junior, Cincinnati - tackle Scott Maentz, 6'3", 230 pounds, senior, East Grand Rapids, MI - started 9 games at left end Frank Maloney, 5'11", 195 pounds, senior, Chicago - started 1 game at right guard George Mans, 6'4", 212 pounds, senior, Trenton, MI - started 9 games at right end Bruce McLenna, 6'3", 218 pounds, sophomore, Fenton, MI - halfback Bennie McRae, 6'0", 172 pounds, senior, Newport News, VA - started 8 games at left halfback John Minko, 6'1", 222 pounds, junior, Connellsville, PA - started 6 games at left guard Delbert Nolan, 5'11", 205 pounds, sophomore, Clare, MI - guard Joe O'Donnell - started 1 game at right guard Thomas Prichard, 5'10", 198 pounds, sophomore, Marion, OH - quarterback Jim Raeder, 5'11", 190 pounds, senior, Lorain, OH - started 4 games at fullback Dave Raimey, 5'10", 195 pounds, junior, Dayton, OH - started 9 games at right halfback Paul Schmidt, 6'4", 245 pounds, senior, Skokie, IL - tackle Jon Schopf, 6'2", 230 pounds, senior, Grand Rapids, MI - started 5 games at right tackle David Slezak, 5'11", 185 pounds, junior, Ann Arbor, MI - center Jeffrey A. Smith, 6'3", 200 pounds, senior, Kohler, WI - end Ron Spacht, 5'10", 180 pounds, senior, Kent, OH - halfback John Stamos, 6'1", 208 pounds, senior, Chicago - started 7 games at quarterback Willard Stawski, 6'3", 215 pounds, junior, Caledonia, MI - tackle Jack Strobel, 5'10", 175 pounds, junior, Maywood, IL - halfback Richard Szymanski, 5'10", 185 pounds, junior, Toledo, OH - guard Bill Tunnicliff, 6'0", 230 pounds, senior, Ferndale, MI - started 1 game at fullback Ken Tureaud, 6'0", 194 pounds, senior, Detroit - started 3 games at fullback John Walker, 6'0", 205 pounds, senior, Walled Lake, MI - started 3 games at center, 1 game at right guard James A. Ward, 6'1", 195 pounds, Tr., Imlay City, MI - halfback E. James Zubkus, 6'1", 205 pounds, senior, Munhall, PA - end Freshmen Mel Anthony, 5'11", 190 pounds, Cincinnati - fullback Rick Bay, 5'9", 165 pounds, Waukegan, IL - halfback Jim Conley, 6'0", 190 pounds, Springdale, PA - end John Henderson, 6'3", 195 pounds, Dayton, OH - end Richard Rindfuss, 5'10", 176 pounds, Niles, MI - halfback Arnie Simkus, 6'3", 230 pounds, Detroit - tackle Bob Timberlake, 6'3", 210 pounds, Franklin, OH - quarterback Coaching staff Head coach: Bump Elliott Assistant coaches: Don Dufek, Sr. - freshman coach Henry Fonde - backfield coach Jack Fouts - interior line coach Bob Hollway - line coach Jack Nelson - end coach Trainer: Jim Hunt Manager: Richard Asel References Michigan Category:Michigan Wolverines football seasons Michigan Wolverines football