1961 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1961 Penn State Nittany Lions football Independent 19 17 8–3 Rip Engle 12th Jim Smith Beaver Stadium Lambert Trophy winnerGator Bowl champion Gator Bowl W 30–15 vs. Georgia Tech The 1961 Penn State Nittany Lions football team was an American football team that represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their 12th year under head coach Rip Engle, the Nittany Lions compiled an 8–3 record, were ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll, and outscored opponents by a total of 231 to 128.1961 Penn State Nittany Lions Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 19, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/1961-schedule.html They concluded their season with a 30–15 victory over No. 13 Georgia Tech in the 1961 Gator Bowl. The Nittany Lions also received the Lambert Trophy as the best major college football team in the East. The team was led on offense by quarterback Galen Hall (951 passing yards) and halfback Roger Kochman (666 rushing yards, 226 receiving yards, 54 points). In addition, Robert Mitinger, who played at end on both offense and defense, was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. Joe Paterno was the team's backfield coach.Paterno Produces Grad A QBs For Nittany Lions The Pittsburgh Press Chester L. Smith October 17, 1961 32 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-paterno-produces-gr/153637740/ Newspapers.com The team played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Schedule 1961 AP Eastern September 23 w 7 Navy Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 20–10 39,340 Penn State Squeaks By Middies, 20-10 Elmira Star-Gazette September 24, 1961 D1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-penn-state-squeaks-by-middi/153641099/ Newspapers.com September 29 l y 8 Miami (FL) Orange Bowl Miami, FL 8–25 45,657 Roaring Hurricanes Chop Up Penn State With 25-8 Lacing The Miami Herald Luther Evans September 30, 1961 16A https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-roaring-hurricanes-chop/153640799/ Newspapers.com October 6 w y Boston University Boston University Field Boston, MA 32–0 10,150 Penn St. Power Routs B.U., 32-0 The Boston Globe Francis Rosa October 7, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-penn-st-power-routs-b/153437749/ Newspapers.com October 14 l Army Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 6–10 44,120 Penn State Bows: Army's Heydt Kicks 4 Points for 10-6 Win Elmira Telegram Cove Hoover October 15, 1961 2D https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-penn-state-bows-armys-hey/153630687/ Newspapers.com October 21 w Syracuse Beaver Stadium University Park, PA rivalry 14–0 44,390 Syracuse Ailing, Hall Operating: State, 14-0, Holds Ernie To 36 Yards The Sunday Press (Binghamton, NY) October 22, 1961 D1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-syracuse-ailing/153639311/ Newspapers.com October 28 w y California Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 33–16 30,265 Engle's Gambling Racks in Golden Bears, 33 to 16 The Patriot-News Rusty Cowan October 29, 1961 37 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-patriot-news-engles-gambling-racks/153638975/ Newspapers.com November 4 l y Maryland Byrd Stadium College Park, MD rivalry 17–21 39,000 Maryland Triumphs, 21-17: Terps Whip Penn State After Building Up 21-6 Halftime Lead The Baltimore Sun W. Lawrence Null November 5, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-maryland-triumphs-21/153643204/ Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-terps-score/139133995/ The Knoxville News-Sentinel Terps score fast, hang on to upset Penn State, 21–17 November 5, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 11 w y West Virginia Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV rivalry 20–6 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-penn-state-mauls-west/139128069/ Messenger-Inquirer Penn State mauls West Virginia to win by 20 to 6 November 12, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 18 w Holy Cross Beaver Stadium University Park, PA 34–14 32,746 Kochman, Torris Get 5 TDs as Penn State Conquers Holy Cross Charlie Frush November 19, 1961 S1 The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, Pa. Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68465237/1961-holy-cross-psu/ November 25 w y Pittsburgh Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA rivalry 47–26 37,271 State Goes 'Bowling' Over Pitt Panthers The Pittsburgh Press November 26, 1961 2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-state-goes-bowling/153598043/ Newspapers.com December 30 w y Georgia Tech Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL Gator Bowl CBS 30–15 50,202 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tallahassee-democrat-energetic-penn-stat/133246853/ Tallahassee Democrat Energetic Penn State wins December 31, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com Statistics Quarterback Galen Hall led the team in passing during the regular season, completing 50 of 97 passes (51.5%) for 951 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. In the Gator Bowl, Hall completed 12 of 22 passes for 175 yards and three touchdown and was selected as the game's most valuable player.Hall Pulls Stinger Of Georgia Jackets Sunday Patriot-News December 31, 1961 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-patriot-news-hall-pulls-stinger-of-g/153635491/ Newspapers.com Halfback Roger Kochman led the team in rushing during the regular season with 666 yards on 129 carries for a 5.2-yard average. He added 76 yards on 13 carries in the Gator Bowl. Kochman also led the team in scoring with 54 points on nine touchdowns.Penn State Wins Tax Slayer Bowl August 19, 2024 http://www.taxslayerbowl.com/wp-content/uploads/boxscores/17thBoxScores.pdf September 5, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150905195632/http://www.taxslayerbowl.com/wp-content/uploads/boxscores/17thBoxScores.pdf dead The team's other leading passers were backup quarterbacks Don Caum (13-for-39, 33.3%, 210 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) and Pete Liske (17-for-32, 53.1%, 216 yards, two touchdowns, one interception).1961 Penn State Nittany Lions Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 19, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/1961.html The other leading rushers were Buddy Torris (490 yards, 105 carries, 4.7-yard average); Dave Hayes (253 yards, 66 carries, 3.8-yard average); Junior Powell (226 yards, 41 carries, 5.5-yard average); Al Gursky (174 yards, 60 carries, 2.9-yard average); and Don Jonas (149 yards, 31 carries, 4.8-yard average). The receiving leaders were Junior Powell (332 yards, 15 receptions, 22.1-yard average); Jim Schwab (257 yards, 16 receptions, 16.1-yard average); and Roger Kochman (226 yards, 10 receptions, 22.6-yard average). The leading scorer following Kochman were Buddy Torris (24 points, four touchdowns). Four players had 18 points each. Awards The Nittany Lions received the Lambert Trophy as the best major college football team in the East.PSU 'Subs' Take Lambert Trophy The Lock Haven Express December 11, 1961 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-express-psu-subs-take-lambert-trop/153639750/ Newspapers.com Robert Mitinger, who played at end on both offense and defense, was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.Three Holdovers Make 1961 All-America Football Team The York Dispatch December 1, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-york-dispatch-three-holdovers-make-1/153636606/ Newspapers.com Mitinger, quarterback Galen Hall, and halfback Roger Kochman all received first-team honors on the Associated Press (AP) 1961 All-Eastern football team.Kroll and Simms Are Voted To AP All-East First Team The Daily Home News December 1, 1961 22 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106256083/kroll-and-simms-are-voted-to-ap/ Newspapers.comPenn State Puts Three on All-Eastern Team The Beaver County Times December 7, 1961 18 https://books.google.com/books?id=hukuAAAAIBAJ&dq=1961+All-Eastern+football+team&pg=PA31&article_id=6035,1195662 Four Penn State players received first-team honors on the AP All-Pennsylvania football team: Hall; Mitinger; Jim Smith at tackle; and Jay Huffman at center. Kochman and end Jim Schwab received second-team honors.Four Nittany Lions Are Named to AP All-State Grid Team The Progress (PA) December 11, 1961 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-progress-four-nittany-lions-are-name/153640040/ Newspapers.com References Penn State Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football seasons Category:Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy seasons Category:Gator Bowl champion seasons Penn State Nittany Lions football