1961 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1961 Minnesota Golden Gophers football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 6 6 8–2 6–1 Murray Warmath 8th Sandy Stephens John Mulvena Memorial Stadium Rose Bowl champion Rose Bowl W 21–3 vs. UCLA The 1961 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Minnesota in the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth year under head coach Murray Warmath, the Golden Gophers compiled an 8–2 record (6–1 in conference games), outscored opponents by a total of 140 to 75, and were ranked No. 6 in the final AP and UPI polls. They defeated UCLA, 21–3, in the 1962 Rose Bowl.1961 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 1, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1961-schedule.htmlhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zf1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6614%2C752325 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Champion vote goes to Alabama December 5, 1961 2Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3lBYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=evcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6729%2C220534 Bend Bulletin Oregon UPI Joyce Dick Alabama No. 1 football team in final UPI poll December 5, 1961 3 The team averaged 176.7 rushing yards, 88.2 passing yards, and 14 points per game. On defense, the team gave up an average of 84.3 rushing yards, 115.4 passing yards, and 7.5 points per game. Quarterback Sandy Stephens led the team in passing, rushing, and scoring. He was a consensus first-team All-American, finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, and received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the Big Ten's most valuable player. Tackle Bobby Bell was also named a first-team All-American. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis. Total attendance at six home games was 366,491, an average of 61,081, and the season high was against Purdue on November 18. Keiser Jeff 2007 Media Guide 160 2007 http://www.gophersports.com//pdf3/80498.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 July 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes Schedule 1961 AP September 30 l y Missouri Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 0–6 58,840 Missouri Tips Gophers 6-0 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon October 1, 1961 1S, 10S https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-missouri-tips-gophers-6-0/153047604/ Newspapers.com October 7 w y Oregon Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 14–7 50,499 Gophers Whip Oregon 14-7 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon October 8, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-whip-oregon-14-7/153047101/ Newspapers.com October 14 w y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 10–3 41,251 Gophers Stun Wildcats 10-3 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon October 15, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-stun-wildcats-10-3/153048625/ Newspaper.com October 21 w y Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 33–0 52,247 Gophers Bomb Illinois 33-0 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon October 22, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-bomb-illinois-33-0/153049054/ Newspapers.comIllinois Bows To Minnesota The Pantagraph Fred Young October 22, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph/153049354/ Newspapers.com October 28 w y Michigan Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN Little Brown Jug 23–20 63,898 Gopher Rally Nips Michigan 23-20 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon October 29, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gopher-rally-nips-michigan/153046367/ Newspapers.comFumble 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 November 4 w Michigan State 1 Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 13–0 59,941 Gophers Shock Spartans 13-0 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon November 5, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-shock-spartans-13-0/153046709/ Newspapers.comState Dreams Dimmed in Gopherland Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton November 5, 1961 55, 56 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-state-dreams-dimme/153021871/ Newspapers.com November 11 w y 5 Iowa Iowa Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry 16–9 60,100 Gophers Blast Iowa 16-9; Retain Share of Big Ten Lead Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon November 12, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-blast-iowa-16-9-re/153048127/ Newspapers.com November 18 w 5 Purdue 7 Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 10–7 67,081 Gophers Whip Purdue 10-7 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon November 19, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-whip-purdue-10-7/153045798/ Newspapers.comPurdue 10-7 Victim Before 67,081: Gophers Still Bowling Along The Indianapolis Star Bill Eggert November 19, 1961 1 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-purdue-10-7-victim/153684900/ Newspapers.com November 25 l 3 Wisconsin Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN rivalry 21–23 66,232 Badgers Spoil 'U' Title Hopes: Gophers Beaten 23-21 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon November 26, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-badgers-spoil-u-title-hop/153045412/ Newspapers.com January 1 w y y 6 UCLA 16 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl 21–3 98,214 Warmath, Gopher Football Vindicated The Minneapolis Star January 2, 1961 13B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star-warmath-gopher-foo/153046071/ Newspapers.com Awards Quarterback Sandy Stephens won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the most valuable player in the Big Ten.Gophers' Stephens 'MV' in Big Ten Minneapolis Sunday Tribune December 17, 1961 1 (Sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-stephens-mv-in-b/153032115/ Newspapers.com He also finished fourth in voting for the 1961 Heisman Trophy.1961 Heisman Trophy Voting Sports Reference LLC August 10, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1961.html Two Minnesota players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-America team. Stephens was a first-team pick by the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Tackle Bobby Bell was a first-team pick by the American Football Coaches Association, FWAA, Sporting News, and Central Press Association. The following Minnesota players were recognized on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team: quarterback Sandy Stephens (AP-1, UPI-1); tackle Bobby Bell (AP-1, UPI-1); end Tom Hall (AP-2, UPI-1); halfback Bill Munsey (AP-3, UPI-2); and guard Robin Tellor (AP-3, UPI-3).Stephens, Bell Unanimous Choices on All-Big Ten St. Cloud Times November 28, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-cloud-times-stephens-bell-unanimous/153031762/ Newspapers.comStephens, Bell, Hall on UPI Big Ten First Team The Minneapolis Star November 28, 1961 12B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star-stephens-bell-hal/153031117/ Newspapers.com Statistical leaders Quarterback Sandy Stephens led the team in multiple statistical categories, including passing (47 of 142 for 794 yards with nine touchdown passes and 13 interceptions); rushing (487 yards on 110 attempts); and scoring 48 points (eight touchdowns).1961 Minnesota Golden Gophers Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 10, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1961.html The team's rusing leaders after Stephens were Judge Dickson (275 yards), Bill Munsey (211 yards), Dave Mulholland (176 yards), Jim Cairns (171 yards), and Jerry Jones (167 yards). The team's receiving leaders were Tom Hall with nine receptions for 197 yards; Jim Cairns with eight receptions for 156 yards; John Campbell with three receptions for 117 yards; and Bob Deegan with five receptions for 72 yards. Roster 20em Bobby Bell*, tackle, 6'4", 220 poundsHere Are Profiles of Football Gophers Minneapolis Sunday Tribune BillMcGrane September 10, 1961 31, 32 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-here-are-profiles-of-footba/153030517/ Newspapers.com Paul Benson, halfback, 6'1", 186 pounds Duane Blaska, quarterback, 5'11", 184 pounds Terry Brown, halfback, 5'11", 178 pounds Jim Cairns, halfbacks, 6'0", 185 pounds John Campbell, end, 6'3", 204 pounds Timothy Cashman Bob Deegan, end, 6'2-1/2", 205 pounds Duane Dickson, fullback, 6'2", 210 pounds Carl Eller*, tackle, 6'5", 226 pounds Dick Enga, center, 6'0", 190 pounds Al Fischer, halfbacks, 5'9", 164 pounds Bob Frisbee, center, 6'3", 230 pounds Tom Hall, end, 6'1-1/2", 195 pounds Terry Hedstrom, fullback, 5'10", 201 pounds Julian J. Hook, center, 5'9-1/2", 183 pounds Jerry Jones, fullback, 5'11", 195 pounds Steve Kereakos, tackle, 5'11-1/2", 222 pounds Tom King Tom Loechler, tackle, 6'2", 230 pounds David Lothner, end, 6'2", 195 pounds Dave Mulholland, halfbacks, 6'0", 190 pounds John Mulvena, guard and captain, 6'1", 206-1/2 pounds Roland Mudd, guard, 6'1", 205 pounds Bill Munsey*, halfback, 5'11", 196 pounds Jerry Pelletier, quarterback, 5'8", 150 pounds Jack Perkovich, guard, 6'1-1/2", 195 pounds Bob Prawdzik, end, 6'2", 203 pounds Ted Rude, end, 6'2", 210 pounds Bob Sadek, quarterback, 6'2", 185 pounds Charlie Smith, halfbacks, 6'1", 186 pounds Sandy Stephens, quarterback, 6'0", 215 pounds Robin Tellor, guard, 6'0", 216 pounds Jim Wheeler, tackle, 6'2", 206 pounds References Minnesota Category:Minnesota Golden Gophers football seasons Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons Minnesota Golden Gophers football