1961 USC Trojans football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1961 USC Trojans football Athletic Association of Western Universities AAWU 4–5–1 2–1–1 John McKay 2nd Britt Williams Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum The 1961 USC Trojans football team was an American football team that represented the University of Southern California (USC) as a member of the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU), commonly known at the time as the Big 5 Conference, during the 1961 college football season. In their second year under head coach John McKay, the Trojans compiled a 4–5–1 record (2–1–1 in conference games), finished in a tie for second place in the AAWU, and were outscored by a total of 167 to 151. In non-conference games, they defeated SMU and Illinois, but lost to Georgia Tech, Iowa, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh.1961 USC Trojans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC S/R College Football August 21, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1961-schedule.html End Hal Bedsole was the leading receiver in the conference with 27 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns. Bedsole also led the team with 38 points scored. Quarterbacks Bill Nelsen and Pete Beathard combined for 1,165 passing yards, and fullback Ben Wilson led the team with 619 rushing yards. The team included a large group of sophomores and juniors (including Bedsole, Beathard, Nelsen, Wilson, Willie Brown, Frank Buncom, and Marv Marinovich) who returned to lead the undefeated 1962 USC Trojans football team to a national championship. The Trojans played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Schedule 1961 AP September 22 l y Georgia Tech Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 7–27 32,928-36,950 1962 USC yearbook, p. 267, attendance 36,950. September 29 w y SMU Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 21–16 29,148 Brown Runs 93 For TD; Trojans Win; 29,148 See SMU Bow, 21-16 Los Angeles Times Al Wolf September 30, 1961 1, 4 (part II) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-brown-runs-93-for/153897626/ Newspapers.com October 7 l y Iowa 1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 34–35 30,263 Top-Rated Iowa Holds Off USC, 35-34 Los Angeles Times Paul Zimmerman October 8, 1961 1, 4 (section H) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-top-rated-iowa-hol/153895548/ Newspapers.comOctober 10, 1961 Hollis Included on Injured List http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1961/di1961-10-10.pdf The Daily Iowan 4 August 12, 2018 October 14 l y y Notre Dame 8 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 0–30 50,427 Irish Slaughter USC: Trojans Battered by 30-0 Los Angeles Times Al Wolf October 15, 1961 1, 5 (section H) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-irish-slaughter-us/153897776/ Newspapers.com October 21 w y California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA 28–14 38,000 USC Upsets Cal on Beathard's Passes: Troy Tops Race With 28-14 Win Los Angeles Times Al Wolf October 22, 1961 1, 6 (section H) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-usc-upsets-cal-on/153898058/ Newspapers.com October 28 w y Illinois Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 14–10 28,694 USC Fights Off Inspired Illini, 14-10: Game Ends on Troy's 8-Yd. Line Los Angeles Times Al Wolf October 29, 1961 1, 2 (section H) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-usc-fights-off-ins/153895407/ Newspapers.com November 4 t y Washington Husky Stadium Seattle, WA 0–0 55,200 Trojans, Huskies Settle for Scorless Tie: Teams Blow Field Goals in Bitter Big 5 Game Los Angeles Times Paul Zimmerman November 5, 1961 1, 2 (section H) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-trojans-huskies-s/154465338/ Newspapers.com (attendance 55,200)1962 USC yearbook, p. 267, attendance 55,200. November 11 w y Stanford Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA rivalry 30–15 36,598 USC Stays in Bowl Race, Whips Tribe: Stanford Fumbles Assist USC, 30-15: Homecoming Crowd of 36,598 Sees Troy Set Up Rose Bowl Bid Game With UCLA Los Angeles Times Al Wolf November 12, 1961 1, 2 (section H) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-usc-stays-in-bowl/153895297/ Newspapers.com November 18 l y y Pittsburgh Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA 9–10 34,820 Pitt Edges Southern Cal, 10-9: Trojans Gamble For Victory Fails On Conversion Try The Pittsburgh Press Don Griffin November 19, 1961 1, 4 (section 4) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-pitt-edges-southern/153598313/ Newspapers.com November 25 l UCLA Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA Victory Bell 7–10 57,580 UCLA Sloshes To Bowl Over USC, 10-7: Rain Pelts 57,580 at Big Battle Los Angeles Times Paul Zimmerman November 26, 1961 1, 5 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-ucla-sloshes-to-bo/153895203/ Newspapers.com Statistics Quarterback duties were split between Bill Nelsen and Pete Beathard. Nelson led the team in passing yards (39-for-86, 683 yards, 4 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 115.8 quarterback rating). Nelson also ranked third in the conference in total offense with 835 yards. Beathard led the team in pass completions (40-for-83, 482 yards, 3 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 92.0 quarterback rating).1961 Southern California Trojans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 21, 2015 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1961.html Beathard was also the team's second leading scorer with five touchdowns (including a 52-yard punt return for touchdown) for 30 points.1962 USC yearbook, p. 267. End Hal Bedsole was the conference's leading receiver with 27 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns. Bedsole also led the team, and ranked third in the conference, with 38 points scored (six touchdowns and a reception for a two-point conversion). USC had three of the top ten rushers in the conference. Fullback Ben Wilson led the team, and ranked third in the conference, with 619 rushing yards on 139 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. Willie Brown ranked seventh in the conference with 333 yards on 57 carries, and Pete Beathard ranked tenth with 290 yards on 54 carries.Bowl-Bound Bruins Nail Down Three of Six Titles Daily News-Post November 28, 1961 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-post-bowl-bound-bruins-nail-d/153893807/ Newspapers.com Ernie Jones was the leading punter in the conference, averaging 39.6 yards on 38 punds.Bruin Tailbacks Win Big 5 Crowns Independent (Long Beach) November 30, 1961 E4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/independent-bruin-tailbacks-win-big-5-cr/153894901/ Newspapers.com Awards and honors Five USC players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Pacific Coast football team selected by the Associated Press (AP), the All-West Coast team selected by the United Press International (UPI), or the all-conference team announced by the AAWU: fullback Ben Wilson (AP-1, UPI-1, AAWU-1); end Hal Bedsole (AP-2, UPI-1, AAWU-1); guard Britt Williams (AP-1, AAWU-1); tackle Frank Buncom (AAWU-1, AP-2); and quarterback Pete Beathard (AAWU-1).AP West Coast All-Stars: Easbay Players Named Oakland Tribune December 7, 1961 56 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-ap-west-coast-alll-stars/153877831/ Newspapers.com8 Schools on UPI All-Coast Team Independent-Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA) December 3, 1961 C5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/independent-8-schools-on-upi-all-coast-t/153876946/ Newspapers.comFive From SC Picked Valley Times December 7, 1961 26 https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times-five-from-sc-picked/153877115/ Newspapers.com Bedsole was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Guard Britt Williams was selected prior to the season to serve as the team captain. He was USC's first solo captain since 1949.Britt Williams Named USC 1961 Grid Captain The Los Angeles Times September 2, 1961 3 (part II) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-britt-williams-nam/153895087/ Newspapers.com Personnel Players 30em Chuck Anderson (#61), guard, 210 pounds Pete Beathard, quarterback, 190 pounds Hal Bedsole (#19), end, 215 pounds Willie Brown (#26), halfback, 170 pounds Frank Buncom (#78), tackle, 218 pounds Mike Bundra (#79), tackle, 230 pounds Ken Del Conte (#20), halfback, 175 pounds Phil Hoover (#85), end, 190 pounds Skip Johnson (#54), center, 187 pounds Ernie Jones, kicker Pete Lubisch (#69), guard, 195 pounds Jim Maples (#33), halfback, 175 pounds Marv Marinovich, guard Rich McMahon (#43), fullback Bill Nelsen (#16), quarterback, 190 pounds Ben Rosin (#81), end, 195 pounds Hal Tobin (#45), fullback Britt Williams (#64), captain and guard, 6'1", 212 pounds Ben Wilson (#49), fullback, 215 pounds Coaches and administrators Head coach - John McKay (third year) Assistant coaches - Mel Hein, Roy George, Charlie Hall, Mike Giddings, Marv Goux, Dave Levy, and Joe Margucci1962 USC yearbook, p. 266. Athletic director - Jess Hill1962 USC yearbook, p. 260. Trainer - Jack Ward1962 USC yearbook, p. 261. References USC Category:USC Trojans football seasons USC Trojans football