1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

American college football season February 2026 January 2025 1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference IIAC 5–3 4–2 Art Dufelmeier 2nd Hanson Field The 1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team was an American football team that represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their second year under head coach Art Dufelmeier, the Leathernecks compiled a 5–3 record (4–2 in conference games) and tied for second place in the IIAC.Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962, p. 141. Halfback Leroy Jackson led the team with 560 rushing yards and 56 points scored. He also finished third in the NCAA in the 100-yard dash, received first-team honors on the 1961 Little All-America college football team, and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (11th overall pick) of the 1962 NFL draft.Annual Little All-Americans -- Small College Stars Selected The Shreveport Journal Harold Claassen December 6, 1961 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88758261/annual-little-all-americans-small/ Newspapers.com Quarterback Bill Roper led the team with 635 passing yards. Schedule 1961 small college AP y y y September 30 Eastern Michigan Hanson Field Macomb, IL W 43-0 4,000 Western Whips Eastern Michigan The Pantagraph October 1, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-western-whips-eastern-mic/152426370/ Newspapers.com October 7 at Central Michigan Alumni Field Mount Pleasant, MI W 12-7 5,000–5,100 Chips Fall, 12-7 Detroit Free Press October 8, 1961 48 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16712402/chips_fall_127/ Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Central Michigan) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/129/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association December 14, 2022 October 14 No. 5 Southern Illinois Hansn Field Macomb, IL W 22-13 9,900 Western Stops SIU, 22-13 The Southern Illinoisan October 15, 1961 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-western-stops-siu-2/154727124/ Newspapers.com October 21 at Northern Illinois Glidden Field De Kalb, IL L 22-23 12,000–14,000 Homecomings Are Wonderful: Ask Anyone at Northern . . . The De Kalb Daily Chronicle October 23, 1961 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-chronicle-homecomings-are-wond/152426717/ Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Northern Illinois) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/503/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association December 12, 2022 October 28 at Evansville<ncg> Evansville, IN W 26-0 3,800–5,000 Jackson, Aces Blanked As Old Grads Mourn Evansville Press Tony Chamblin October 29, 1961 1C https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-jackson-aces-blanked-a/152425261/ Newspapers.com November 4 at Eastern Illinois Lincoln Field Charleston, IL L 0-14 997–4,000 EIU Upsets Western Ill. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103605432/journal-gazette/ June 11, 2022 Mattoon Journal Gazette November 6, 1961 5 Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Eastern Illinois) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/201/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association December 12, 2022 November 11 Illinois State Normal Hanson Field Macomb, IL W 12-7 4,000 Western Rallies To Upset State Jacksonville Journal Courier November 12, 1961 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/jacksonville-journal-courier-western-ral/154813463/ Newspapers.com November 18 Bradley<ncg> Hanson Field Macomb, IL L 18-23 4,500 Bradley Tops Western In 23-18 Game The Pantagraph November 19, 1961 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-bradley-tops-western-in-2/151680811/ Newspapers.com Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Western Illinois) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/771/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association July 31, 2024 References Western Illinois Category:Western Illinois Leathernecks football seasons Western Illinois Leathernecks football