1961 Washington Huskies football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 Washington Huskies football Ray Mansfield and Bill Siler (1961).png 285 Center Ray Mansfield and halfback Bill Siler, 1961 Athletic Association of Western Universities AAWU 5–4–1 2–1–1 Jim Owens 5th John Meyers Kermit Jorgensen University of Washington Stadium The 1961 Washington Huskies football team was an American football team that represented the University of Washington 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 fifth season under head coach Jim Owens, the Huskies compiled a 5–4–1 record (2–1–1 in conference games), finished in a tie for second place in the AAWU, and outscored opponents by a total of 119 to 98.Washington Yearly Results (1960-1964) David DeLassus College Football Data Warehouse December 14, 2015 http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/w/washington/1960-1964_yearly_results.php December 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222114908/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/w/washington/1960-1964_yearly_results.php dead Fullback Jim Stiger played on both offense and defense and led the team in rushing (582 yards), total offense (582 yards), and interceptions (five with 51 return yards). Quarterback Kermit Jorgensen was the team captain and ranked second in total offense with 331 rushing yards and 105 passing yards. Halfback Charlie Mitchell, tackle John Meyers, and guard Jim Skaggs received first-team All-Pacific Coast or all-conference honors. Home games were played on campus in Seattle at Husky Stadium known at the time as University of Washington Stadium. Schedule 1961 AP September 23 l y Purdue University of Washington Stadium Seattle, WA 6–13 54,752 Purdue's 13-6 Win Impressive: Honor of Big Ten Defended Before 55,000 at Seattle The Journal and Courier Gordon Graham September 25, 1961 16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-purdues-13-6-win-im/153687474/ Newspapers.com September 30 w y y Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 20–7 41,319 Young Illini Lose To Huskies, 20-7: Washington's Ground Game Topples Illinois The Pantagraph Fred Young October 1, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-young-illini-lose-to-husk/153937318/ Newspapers.com October 7 w y Pittsburgh University of Washington Stadium Seattle, WA 22–17 54,411 Washington Shades Pitt, 22 To 17: Huskies Grab Victory In Final Minutes The Pittsburgh Press Bob Drum October 8, 1961 1, 5 (section 4) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-washington-shades-p/153601242/ Newspapers.com October 14 l y California California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA 14–21 35,000–43,000 Bears Outbattle Huskies: Balliett Leads Cal To First Victory, 21-14 Oakland Tribune Emmons Byrne October 15, 1961 21, 27 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-bears-outbattle-huskies/154486837/ Newspapers.com October 21 w Stanford University of Washington Stadium Seattle, WA 13–0 53,200 Washington Bounces Into Big Five Win Column: Huskies Score On Stanford Miscues Tri-City Herald Charlie Van Sickel October 22, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-washington-bounces-into/154487048/ Newspapers.com October 28 l y y Oregon Multnomah Stadium Portland, OR rivalry 6–7 32,681 Ducks Stun Huskies, 7-6: PAT Spells Difference In Victory; Veres' TD Pass, Oregon Defense Halt UW Bid The Oregonian Don McLeod October 29, 1961 1, 7 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-ducks-stun-huskies/154405841/ Newspapers.com November 4 t USC University of Washington 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 l y Oregon State University of Washington Stadium Seattle, WA 0–3 51,500 Beavers Triumph; Richman's Field Goal Trips UW Sunday Oregonian November 12, 1961 1 (section 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-beavers-triumph-ri/154486567/ Newspapers.comBeavers Edge Huskies by 3-0: On Richman Boot Eugene Register-Guard November 12, 1961 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-eugene-guard-beavers-edge-huskies-by/154486347/ Newspapers.com November 18 w y UCLA Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 17–13 33,969 Bruins Lose in 'Give-Away' Duel, 17-13: Mitchell Ignites Huskies Los Angeles Times Paul Zimmerman November 19, 1961 1, 4 (section H) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-bruins-lose-in-gi/154482049/ Newspapers.com November 25 w y Washington State University of Washington Stadium Seattle, WA rivalry 21–17 48,500 UW Nips Cougars In 21-17 Thriller: Huskies Rally Late In Game Tri-City Herald Charlie Van Sickel November 26, 1961 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-uw-nips-cougars-in-21-17/154464775/ Newspapers.comLate Husky Explosion Earns 21-17 Win Over Embattled Cougars Before 48,500 The Spokesman-Review Harry Missildine November 26, 1961 1, 7 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-late-husky-explosio/153125202/ Newspapers.com Statistics Washington ran a run-oriented offense, averaging 216.9 rushing yards and only 51.3 passing yards per game. On defense, the team held opponents to an average of 149.7 rushing yards and 110.7 passing yards per game. Fullback Jim Stiger led the team in both rushing and total offense, tallying 582 yards on 130 carries, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. At that time, his rushing total for 1961 was the third best season total in Washington history, trailing only Hugh McElhenny and Credell Green. Stiger also played on defense and led the team with five interceptions and 51 return yards.Stiger Gains Third In Husky Rushing Parade Tri-City Herald November 30, 1961 16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-stiger-gains-third-in-hu/154461245/ Newspapers.com Junior halfback Charlie Mitchell ranked second in rushing for the Huskies with 457 yards on 96 carries for a 4.8-yard average. Mitchell also scored the game-winning touchdown against Washington State on a 23-yard run. Mitchell was also the team's leading kickoff returner with 185 yards on five returns. Senior quarterback Kermit Jorgensen ranked second in total offense with 331 rushing yards and 105 passing yards (10-for-26, 38.5%). Junior quarterback Pete Ohler was the leading passer, completing 17 of 59 (28.8%) for 394 yards with three touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 74.6 quarterback rating.1961 Washington Huskies Stats Sports Reference LLC S/R College Football September 1, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington/1961.html The team's leading scorers, each with 20 points, were halfbacks Charlie Mitchell and Nat Whitmyer. Despite missing a game with a broken hand, end Lee Bernhardi was the team's leading receiver with five catches for 137 yards, an average of 27.4 yards per catch. Junior halfback Martin Wyatt led the team in punt returns with 117 yards on six returns, including a 73-yard return for touchdown against California. Other significant contributors to the Huskies' rushing attack were Bill Siler (205 yards, 33 carries, 6.2-yard average); Martin Wyatt (201 yards, 41 carries, 4.9-yard average); and Nat Whitmyer (151 yards, 40 carries, 3.8-yard average). Awards and honors No Washington players received All-America honors. Five were honored on the 1961 All-Pacific Coast football team: halfback Charlie Mitchell (AP-1; BIG5-1); tackle John Meyers (AP-1; BIG5-1); guard Jim Skaggs (AP-2, BIG6-1); center Ray Mansfield (AP-2); and halfback Jim Stiger (AP-2). Personnel Players 30em Andy Alkire (#86), end, junior, 210 pounds Lee Bernhardi (#91), end, junior, 195 pounds Mike Briggs (#76), tackle, sophomore Tim Bullard (#58), center, senior, 210 pounds Gary Clark (#97), end, junior Norm Dicks (#63), guard, junior, 190 pounds Kermit Jorgensen (#12), quarterback, senior, 195 pounds Glenn Kezer, end, junior Dave Kopay (#40), halfback, sophomore Tony Kopay (#27), fullback, senior Jake Kupp (#81), end, sophomore, 200 pounds Duane Locknane (#85), end, junior, 190 pounds Ray Mansfield (#50), center, junior, 220 pounds John Meyers (#79), tackle, senior, 240 pounds Charlie Mitchell (#21), halfback, junior, 182 pounds Bob Monroe (#39), halfback, junior, 180 pounds John Nelson (#54), center, senior Pete Ohler (#16), quarterback, junior Dave Phillips (#59), guard, junior, 190 pounds Rod Scheyer (#78), tackle, junior, 210 pounds Bill Siler (#14), halfback, sophomore, 165 pounds Jim Skaggs (#70), guard, senior, 220 pounds Rick Sortum (#77), tackle, sophomore Chuck Steel (#20), quarterback, sophomore Jim Stiger (#35), fullback, junior, 185 pounds John Stupey (#67), guard, sophomore Nat Whitmyer (#23), halfback, junior Martin Wyatt (#36), halfback, junior Coaches Head coach: Jim Owens Assistant coaches: Tom Tipps (head assistant coach, line coach), Chesty Walker (backfield coach), Bert Clark, Dick Heatly, Don White (end coach), Ed Peasley1962 University of Washington yearbook, pp. 204-205. Professional football draft selections Two University of Washington Huskies were selected in the 1962 NFL draft, which lasted 20 rounds with 280 selections.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1962.htm 1962 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com October 17, 2019 One of those Huskies was also selected in the 1962 AFL draft, which lasted 34 rounds with 272 selections.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962_AFL/draft.htm 1962 AFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com October 17, 2019 = Husky Hall of Famehttps://static.gohuskies.com/custompages/halloffame/listbysport.html The Husky Hall of Fame gohuskies.com October 17, 2019 September 18, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190918195632/https://static.gohuskies.com/custompages/halloffame/listbysport.html dead League Player Position Round Pick Franchise NFL John Meyers Tackle 3rd 31 Los Angeles Rams NFL Jim Skaggs Guard 10th 139 Philadelphia Eagles AFL John Meyers Tackle 4th 25 Oakland Raiders References Washington Category:Washington Huskies football seasons Washington Huskies football