1961 North Texas State Eagles football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 North Texas State Eagles football 1961 North Texas Eagles football team.png 285 1961 North Texas team portrait from The Yucca yearbook Missouri Valley Conference MVC 5–4–1 1–2 Odus Mitchell 16th Fouts Field The 1961 North Texas State Eagles football team was an American football team that represented North Texas State University (now known as the University of North Texas) during the 1961 college football season as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). In their 16th year under head coach Odus Mitchell, the Eagles compiled a 5–4–1 record (1–2 in conference games), finished in a three-way tie for second place out of four teams in the MVC, and were outscored by a total of 206 to 162.1961 North Texas Mean Green Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 15, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/north-texas/1961-schedule.html Newspapers.com Sophomore halfback Bobby Smith led the team in both rushing (541 yards) and scoring (42 points). Smith and right halfback Billy Christle were among the first African-American players to play for a historically-white Southern football team; both received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Missouri Valley Conference football team. The team played its home games at Fouts Field in Denton, Texas. Schedule 1961 AP September 23 w y y Hardin–Simmons Public Schools Stadium Abilene, TX 9–7 4,000 North Texas edges Pokes on FG, 9–7 Abilene Reporter-News September 24, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88232187/north-texas-edges-pokes-on-fg-97/ November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com September 30 w y BYU Fouts Field Denton, TX 41–30 8,000 Eagles claw Cougars The Daily Herald October 1, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88232470/eagles-claw-cougars/ November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com October 7 t y New Mexico State Fouts Field Denton, TX 14–14 8,000 Aggies, Eagles tie at 14–14: All scoring in first half for deadlock Las Cruces Sun-News October 8, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17350753/aggies_eagles_tie_at_1414_all/ November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com October 14 l Wichita Fouts Field Denton, TX 14–26 5,000 Wichita tromps North Texas 24–14; Keeps conference lead Great Bend Tribune October 15, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88232870/wichita-tromps-north-texas-2414-keeps/ November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com October 21 w y Tulsa Fouts Field Denton, TX 23–12 15,000 North Texas jolts Tulsa The Norman Transcript October 22, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88233100/north-texas-jolts-tulsa/ November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com October 28 l y Cincinnati Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH 9–21 10,000 Forbes Dick Overdue Bearcats Bomb N. Texas, 21-9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/173356021/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Cincinnati, Ohio October 29, 1961 1G May 28, 2025 Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88233289/cincinnati-trips-north-texas-219/ The Spokesman-Review Cincinnati trips North Texas, 21–9 October 29, 1961 November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com November 4 w y Drake Fouts Field Denton, TX 28–21 5,000 Drake fails, 28–21, after two rallies The Des Moines Register November 5, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88233533/drake-fails-2821-after-two-rallies/ November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com November 11 l y y Memphis State Crump Stadium Memphis, TN 0–41 6,921 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88233760/tigers-are-back-on-winning-way-victors/ The Commercial Appeal Tigers are back on winning way, Victors by 41–0 November 11, 1961 November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com November 18 l y Louisville Fouts Field Denton, TX 0–20 4,000 Cardinals clip Eagles by 20–0 Fort Worth Star-Telegram November 19, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88233988/cardinals-clip-eagles-by-200/ November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Lousiville) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/367/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association December 20, 2022 November 25 w y y Texas Western Kidd Field El Paso, TX 24–14 5,000 North Texas nips Miners by 24–14 Fort Worth Star-Telegram November 26, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88234361/north-texas-nips-miners-by-2414/ November 2, 2021 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1961 North Texas State) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/174219 NCAA Statistics National Collegiate Athletic Association May 28, 2025 Statistics The 1961 North Texas team tallied 210.9 rushing yards and 33.5 passing yards per game. On defense, the team allowed opponents an average of 171.7 rushing yards and 118.0 passing yards per game. Sophomore halfback Bobby Smith led both the team and the MVC with 541 rushing yards on 120 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry.Cincy Votes Smith Best Of Opponents Denton Record-Chronicle December 6, 1961 1 (section 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/denton-record-chronicle-cincy-votes-smit/155369098/ Newspapers.com Smith also led North Texas State in scoring with 42 points scored on seven touchdowns. right|160px|thumb|Billy Christle and Bobby Smith receive all-conference honors Another halfback, Billy Christle, ranked second on the team in rushing with 524 yards on 98 carries for a 5.3-yard average. Smith and Christle were among the early African-Americans to play for North Texas, which became the first racially integrated football program in Texas two years earlier.Fouts Field Tribute North Texan https://northtexan.unt.edu/issues/fouts-field-tribute September 15, 2024 Quarterback Billy Ryan completed 20 of 50 passes (40.0%) for 179 passing yards for no touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 62.1 quarterback rating. End Mike Pirkle was the team's leading receiver with 72 receiving yards on four catches.1961 North Texas Mean Green Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 15, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/north-texas/1961.html Newspapers.com Awards and honors Halfbacks Bobby Smith and Billy Christle received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Missouri Valley Conference football team.Wichita Dominates All-Missouri Valley Conference Team Seminole Producer November 28, 1961 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/seminole-producer-wichita-dominates-all/155335784/ Newspapers.com Tackle Bill Kirbie, guard Billy Weaver, and fullback Arthur Perkins were named to the second team. Tackles Gerry Hawkins and Richard Farris and end Mike Pirkle received honorable mention.The Yucca 1962 (North Texas State University yearbook), p. 172. Tackle Bill Kirbie and guard Billy Weaver were selected as the co-captains. Coaches Head coach Odus Mitchell won his 100th game in the final game of the 1961 season. His assistant coaches were Fred McCain (backfield), Herb Ferrill (line), and Ken Bahnsen.The Yucca 1962 (North Texas State University yearbook), p. 171. References North Texas State Category:North Texas Mean Green football seasons North Texas State Mean Green football