1961 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football 150 Southeastern Conference SEC 13 13 7–4 4–3 Bobby Dodd 17th Chick Graning Willie McGaughey Billy Williamson Grant Field Gator Bowl L 15–30 vs. Penn State The 1961 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team was an American football team that represented the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1961 college football season. In their 17th year under head coach Bobby Dodd, the Yellow Jackets compiled a 7–3 record (4–3 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the SEC, and outscored opponents by a total of 162 to 50. They were ranked 13th in the final AP and UPI polls, and were invited to the 1961 Gator Bowl, where they lost to Penn State.1961 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 19, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/1961-schedule.html The team played its home games at Grant Field in Atlanta. Schedule 1961 AP September 22 Friday w y y USC Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 27–7 36,950 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-hard-hitting-georgia-tech/133246321/ The Fresno Bee Hard hitting Georgia Tech toys with Troy in 27–7 win September 23, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com September 30 w y Rice 7 Grant Field Atlanta, GA 24–0 43,501 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-yellow-jackets/133246412/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Yellow Jackets chill Rice, 24–0 October 1, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com October 7 l y 3 LSU Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 0–10 66,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/monroe-morning-world-lsu-tigers-upset-va/133235517/ Monroe Morning World LSU Tigers upset vaunted Georgia Tech, 10–0 October 8, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com October 14 w y Duke Grant Field Atlanta, GA 21–0 44,015 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-gann-leads-tech-to-21/133246497/ The Tampa Tribune Gann leads Tech to 21–0 win over Duke October 15, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com October 21 w 8 Auburn Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 7–6 45,376 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-decatur-daily-auburn-gamble-fails-as/133246598/ The Decatur Daily Auburn gamble fails as Tech gains 7 to 6 victory October 22, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com October 28 w y 9 Tulane Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA 35–0 22,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85674967/yellow-jackets-smother-tulane-for-fifth/ Monroe Morning World Yellow Jackets smother Tulane for fifth victory October 29, 1961 September 20, 2021 Newspapers.com November 4 w y 7 Florida Grant Field Atlanta, GA 20–0 44,940 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-revenge-minded-jack/133246675/ The Orlando Sentinel Revenge-minded Jackets thumo Florida, 20–0 November 6, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com November 11 l y 9 Tennessee Shields–Watkins Field Knoxville, TN rivalry 6–10 46,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99703658/vols-upset-engineers-106/ Richmond Times Dispatch Vols upset Engineers, 10–6 November 12, 1961 April 13, 2022 Newspapers.com November 18 l y Alabama 2 Legion Field Birmingham, AL rivalry 0–10 53,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-alabama-wins-100/133234697/ Daily Press Alabama wins, 10–0 November 19, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com December 2 w Georgia Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry 22–7 47,098 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-ga-tech-whips-geor/133246767/ Kingsport Times-News Ga. Tech whips Georgia, 22–7 December 3, 1961 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com December 30 l y y 13 Penn State 17 Gator Bowl Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL CBS 15–30 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 2011 Georgia Tech Media Guide https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094655/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/geot/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/prospectus/prospectus.pdf 2016-03-04 . p. 171. Statistics The team gained an average of 164.9 rushing yards and 91.2 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 105.4 rushing yards and 47.0 passing yards per game.1961 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 4, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia-tech/1961.html The passing offense was led by quarterbacks Stan Gann (43-for-79, 450 yards) and Billy Lothridge (26-for-63, 371 yards). The rushing offense was led by backs Mike McNamee (350 yards, 94 carries, 3.7-yard average), Billy Williamson (331 yards, 63 carries, 5.3-yard average), and Chick Graning (184 yards, 48 carries, 3.8-yard average). The team's leading receivers were Billy Martin (16 receptions, 233 yards), Billy Williamson (21 receptions, 221 yards), and Joe Auer (10 receptions, 145 yards). Awards and honors The team selected three captains for the 1961 team: center Willie McGaughey and halfbacks Billy Williamson and Chick Graning.Tri-Captains on the Flats: Jackets Choose McGaughey, Graning and Williamson The Atlanta Constitution Al Thomy January 17, 1961 27, 28 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-tri-captains-on/156564759/ Newspapers.com Guard Dave Watson was selected by both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) as a first-team player on the 1961 All-SEC football team. Others receiving All-SEC honors were halfback Billy Williamson (AP-3, UPI-2) and guards Harold Erickson (AP-2) and Rufus Guthrie (UPI-2).https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-trammell-watso/156562175/ Trammell, Watson Head AP All-SEC The Atlanta Constitution Vernon Butler December 6, 1961 41 Newspapers.comhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-1961-upi-all-se/156562454/ The Atlanta Constitution Four Tiders Selected For UPI All-SEC Team: Tech Guard Dave Watson Only Jacket on Dream Team November 30, 1961 37 Newspapers.com Personnel Players 30em Joe Auer, halfback Foy Bentley, guard Mike Biddle, guard Bobby Caldwell, center Mickey Carmack, halfback Joe Chapman, end Ed Chancey, center Doug Cooper, halfback Ted Davis, end Wink Davis, linebacker Bob Dobyns, guard Buddy Elders, end Harold Erickson, guard Bill Farrington, tackle Russ Foret, tackle Stan Gann, quarterback Chick Granning, halfback Ed Griffin, tackle Ronnie Grubbs, guard Rufus Guthrie, guard Raymond Holt, center Vic Laxson, tackle Al Lederle, end Bob Lincoln, tackle Harry Littleton, halfback Billy Lothridge, quarterback Billy Martin, end Jon Martin, fullback John Matlock, guard Willie McGaughey, center Mike McNames, fullback Ray Mendheim, fullback Jack Moss, guard Jimmy Nail, halfback Mike Nicholl, tackle Mike O'Neill, fullback Lee Reid, fullback Frank Sexton, end Bob Sheridan, halfback Zollie Sircy, halfback Bob Solomon, end Larry Stallings, tackle Dave Steadman, tackle George Swanson, guard/tackle Don Toner, corner linebacker/halfback Carlton Waskey, center Dave Watson, guard Ed Weinman, corner linebacker/fullback Billy Williamson, halfback Bill Wilson, tackle Tom Winninger, halfback John Wright, end 1962 Georgia Tech yearbook, pp. 242-243. Coaches and administrators Head coach: Bobby Dodd Assistant coaches: Jack Griffin, Charlie Tate, Lewis Woodruff, Dick Inman, John Robert Bell, Jimmy Carlen, Art Davis, Jesse Berry, Jim Luck, Spec Landrum, Billy "Dynamite" Goodloe1962 Georgia Tech yearbook, p. 241. Trainer: Henry L. "Buck" Andel Athletic director: Bobby Dodd References Georgia Tech Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football seasons Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football