1961 Minnesota Vikings season

NFL team season (inaugural) August 2023 March 2026 Minnesota Vikings 1961 3–11 7th NFL Western Norm Van Brocklin Bert Rose Metropolitan Stadium Did not qualify RB Hugh McElhennyTE Jerry Reichow File:Vikings 1961.png None true Vikings seasons The 1961 season was the Minnesota Vikings' first in the National Football League (NFL) after being created as an expansion franchise to become the league's fourteenth team. Their inaugural regular season game was a 37–13 victory at home to the Chicago Bears; rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton came off the bench to toss four touchdown passes and run for another.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZPtVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6864%2C3184298 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Vikings, 49ers, Colts, Eagles win openers September 18, 1961 3B However, under head coach Norm Van Brocklin, the Vikings won just two of their remaining 13 games, including a seven-game losing streak, and finished the season with a 3–11 record. The Vikings' defense surrendered 5.41 rushing yards per attempt in 1961, the fifth-most of all time.https://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/11_5396_The_5.0_Club%3A_run_defense_in_%2711_lit_up_like_hippies_in_%2769.html Cold Hard Football Facts: The 5.0 Club: run defense in '11 lit up like hippies in '69 May 16, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120514024915/http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/11_5396_The_5.0_Club:_run_defense_in_'11_lit_up_like_hippies_in_'69.html May 14, 2012 dead Offseason Although the NFL originally had no interest in expanding, after Max Winter and Bill Boyer agreed to start an American Football League (AFL) franchise in Minnesota, the NFL approached them to change leagues. The "Vikings" name was given to the team by Ole Haugsrud, who had been given a 10% stake in the franchise as a result of having sold the Duluth Eskimos back to the league in the 1920s.Gruver, The American Football League, pp. 22–23. 1961 expansion draft 1961 NFL expansion draft Player name Position College Acquired from Grady Alderman Guard Detroit Detroit Lions Tom Barnett Running back Purdue Pittsburgh Steelers Byron Beams Offensive tackle Notre Dame Pittsburgh Steelers Ken Beck Defensive tackle Texas A&M Green Bay Packers Bill Bishop Defensive tackle North Texas State Chicago Bears Don Boll Offensive tackle Nebraska New York Giants Ed Culpepper Defensive tackle Alabama St. Louis Cardinals Don Ellersick Defensive back Washington State Los Angeles Rams Dick Haley Cornerback Pittsburgh Washington Redskins Gerry Huth Guard Wake Forest Philadelphia Eagles Charlie Janerette Guard Penn State Los Angeles Rams Gene Johnson Defensive back Cincinnati Philadelphia Eagles Don Joyce Defensive end Tulane Baltimore Colts Bill Kimber End Florida State New York Giants Bill Lapham Center Iowa Philadelphia Eagles Hugh McElhenny Running back Washington San Francisco 49ers Dave Middleton End Auburn Detroit Lions Jack Morris Defensive back Oregon Pittsburgh Steelers Rich Mostardi Defensive back Kent State Cleveland Browns Fred Murphy End Georgia Tech Cleveland Browns Clancy Osborne Linebacker Arizona State San Francisco 49ers Dick Pesonen Defensive back Minnesota–Duluth Green Bay Packers Mike Rabold Guard Indiana St. Louis Cardinals Perry Richards End Detroit St. Louis Cardinals Bill Roehnelt Linebacker Bradley Washington Redskins Karl Rubke Linebacker USC San Francisco 49ers Gene Selawski Offensive tackle Purdue Cleveland Browns Glenn Shaw Fullback Kentucky Chicago Bears Lebron Shields Defensive tackle Tennessee Baltimore Colts Zeke Smith Linebacker Auburn Baltimore Colts Jerry Stalcup Linebacker Wisconsin Los Angeles Rams Louis Stephens Guard San Francisco Washington Redskins Charlie Sumner Safety William & Mary Chicago Bears Dave Whitsell Cornerback Indiana Detroit Lions Paul Winslow Running back North Carolina Central Green Bay Packers Frank Youso Offensive tackle Minnesota New York Giants 1961 draft 1961 NFL draft Pro Bowler Hall of Famer 1961 Minnesota Vikings Draft Draft order Player name Position College Notes Round Overall 1 1 Tommy Mason RB Tulane 2 15 Rip Hawkins LB North Carolina 3 29 Fran Tarkenton QB Georgia 4 43 Chuck Lamson S Wyoming 5 57 Ed Sharockman CB Pittsburgh 6 71 Jerry Burch E Georgia Tech 7 85 Allan Ferrie E Wagner 8 99 Paul Lindquist DT New Hampshire 9 113 Dan Sheehan OT Chattanooga 10 127 Doug Mayberry FB Utah State 11 141 Jerry Mays DE SMU 12 155 Steve Stonebreaker LB Detroit 13 169 Ray Hayes FB Central State (OK) 14 183 Ken Petersen G Utah 15 197 Mike Mercer K Arizona State 16 211 Ted Karpowicz HB Detroit 17 225 Willie Jones FB Purdue 18 239 Bob Voigt DT Los Angeles State 19 253 Bill Hill FB Presbyterian 20 267 Mike McFarland QB Western Illinois Undrafted free agents + 1961 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeKen BairdRunning backBethelGlenn HarkeWide receiverWisconsin–Stout Roster 1961 Minnesota Vikings 14 George Shaw American football 10 Fran Tarkenton y 23 Jamie Caleb 44 Billy Gault y 32 Ray Hayes y 20 Tommy Mason y 35 Doug Mayberry y 39 Hugh McElhenny 33 Mel Triplett 84 Dave Middleton 89 Jerry Reichow 82 A. D. Williams 88 Fred Murphy American football player 87 Gordon Smith American football y 67 Grady Alderman T 62 Bob Denton T/G 52 Bill Lapham C 65 Gerry Huth G 66 Ken Petersen C/G y 64 Mike Rabold G 72 Frank Youso T 73 Bill Bishop American football DT 71 Ed Culpepper DT 76 Paul Dickson American football DT 83 Don Joyce American football DE 59 Jim Leo DE 70 Jim Marshall defensive end DE 79 Jim Prestel DT 77 Lebron Shields DE 50 Dick Grecni y OLB/MLB 58 Rip Hawkins y MLB 31 Clancy Osborne OLB 54 Karl Rubke OLB 25 Dean Derby SS 40 Jack Morris American football CB 24 Rich Mostardi SS/FS 22 Dick Pesonen CB 47 Justin Rowland CB 45 Ed Sharockman y CB 43 Will Sherman defensive back FS 26 Charlie Sumner FS 18 Mike Mercer American football y K/P Paul Winslow American football WR IR John Wilkins y no T IR Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 August 5 Dallas Cowboys L 13–38 0–1 Howard Wood Field (Sioux Falls, SD) 4,954 2 August 18 at Baltimore Colts L 3–13 0–2 Memorial Stadium 10,203 3 August 26 at San Francisco 49ers L 10–14 0–3 Multnomah Stadium (Portland, OR) 27,044 4 September 2 Chicago Bears L 7–30 0–4 Kingston Stadium (Cedar Rapids, IA) 12,500 5 September 10 Los Angeles Rams L 17–21 0–5 Metropolitan Stadium 27,982 Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 17 Chicago Bears W 37–13 1–0 Metropolitan Stadium 32,236 2 September 24 at Dallas Cowboys L 7–21 1–1 Cotton Bowl 20,500 3 October 1 at Baltimore Colts L 33–34 1–2 Memorial Stadium 54,259 4 October 8 Dallas Cowboys L 0–28 1–3 Metropolitan Stadium 33,070 5 October 15 San Francisco 49ers L 24–38 1–4 Metropolitan Stadium 34,415 6 October 22 Green Bay Packers L 7–33 1–5 Metropolitan Stadium 42,007 7 October 29 at Green Bay Packers L 10–28 1–6 Milwaukee County Stadium 44,112 8 November 5 at Los Angeles Rams L 17–31 1–7 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 38,594 9 November 12 Baltimore Colts W 28–20 2–7 Metropolitan Stadium 38,010 10 November 19 Detroit Lions L 10–37 2–8 Metropolitan Stadium 32,296 11 November 26 at San Francisco 49ers L 28–38 2–9 Kezar Stadium 43,905 12 December 3 Los Angeles Rams W 42–21 3–9 Metropolitan Stadium 30,068 13 December 10 at Detroit Lions L 7–13 3–10 Tiger Stadium 42,655 14 December 17 at Chicago Bears L 35–52 3–11 Wrigley Field 34,539 Game summaries Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 1: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary September 17 12:00 p.m. CST Bears 0 6 0 7 Vikings 3 7 14 13 Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota 52,364 61 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter MIN – Mike Mercer 12-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0. Second quarter MIN – Bob Schnelker 14-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–0. CHI – Rick Casares 3-yard run (kick failed). Vikings 10–6. Third quarter MIN – Jerry Reichow 29-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 17–6. MIN – Hugh McElhenny 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 24–6. Fourth quarter MIN – Fran Tarkenton 2-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 31–6. MIN – Dave Middleton 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (kick failed). Vikings 37–6. CHI – Willie Galimore 10-yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Vikings 37–13. Top passers CHI – Bill Wade – 6/10, 109 yards, TD MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 17/23, 250 yards, 4 TD Top rushers CHI – Willie Galimore – 12 rushes, 47 yards MIN – Mel Triplett – 8 rushes, 26 yards Top receivers CHI – Johnny Morris – 4 receptions, 92 yards MIN – Jerry Reichow – 3 receptions, 103 yards, TD This was the first regular season game in Vikings history. George Shaw started the game at quarterback for the Vikings, but he was soon replaced by rookie Fran Tarkenton, who threw four touchdown passes and ran for another as the Vikings won 37–13. They were the last expansion team to win their first game until the 1996 Baltimore Ravens. Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary September 24 Vikings 0 7 0 0 Cowboys 7 7 0 7 Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas 82 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter DAL – Amos Marsh 6-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 7–0. Second quarter DAL – Don Meredith 20-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 14–0. MIN – Tommy Mason 4-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Cowboys 14–7. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter DAL – Amos Marsh 20-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 21–7. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 8/24, 117 yards DAL – Don Meredith – 12/22, 163 yards, TD Top rushers MIN – Mel Triplett – 9 rushes, 57 yards DAL – Don Perkins – 17 rushes, 108 yards Top receivers MIN – A. D. Williams – 4 receptions, 78 yards DAL – Don Perkins – 5 receptions, 61 yards Week 3: at Baltimore Colts Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Colts – Game summary October 1 Vikings 3 10 10 10 Colts 7 7 7 13 Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland 58 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter MIN – Mike Mercer 20-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0. BAL – Lenny Moore 72-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 7–3. Second quarter MIN – A. D. Williams 7-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–7. BAL – Lenny Moore 4-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 14–10. MIN – Mike Mercer 26-yard field goal. Colts 14–13. Third quarter BAL – Lenny Morre 17-yard pass from Lamar McHan (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 21–13. MIN – Mike Mercer 10-yard field goal. Colts 21–16. MIN – Jerry Reichow 23-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 23–21. Fourth quarter BAL – Lenny Morre 23-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 28–23. MIN – Ray Hayes 4-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 30–28. BAL – Steve Myhra 37-yard field goal. Colts 31–30. MIN – Mike Mercer 29-yard field goal. Vikings 33–31. BAL – Steve Myhra 52-yard field goal. Colts 34–33. Top passers MIN – George Shaw – 17/30, 208 yards, 2 TD BAL – Johnny Unitas – 13/27, 284 yards, 2 TD Top rushers MIN – Tommy Mason – 10 rushes, 45 yards BAL – Johnny Unitas – 2 rushes, 26 yards Top receivers MIN – Ray Hayes – 4 receptions, 69 yards BAL – Lenny Moore – 5 receptions, 143 yards, 3 TD Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys {{Americanfootballbox |titlestyle=Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; |state=autocollapse |title=Week 4: Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary |date=October 8 |time= |road=Cowboys |R1=7|R2=7|R3=7|R4=7 |home=Vikings |H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0 |stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota |attendance= |weather=66 F C |referee= |TV= |TVAnnouncers= |reference=Pro-Football-Reference.com |scoring= First quarter DAL – Billy Howton 12-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 7–0. Second quarter DAL – Don Perkins 3-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 14–0Third quarterDAL – Frank Clarke 23-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 21–0.Fourth quarterDAL – Frank Clarke 52-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 28–0. |stats=Top passersDAL – Don Meredith – 8/16, 124 yards, 2 TD MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/21, 151 yardsTop rushersDAL – Don Perkins – 19 rushes, 73 yards, TD MIN – Mel Triplett – 9 rushes, 44 yardsTop receiversDAL – Franklin Clarke – 3 receptions, 91 yards, 2 TD MIN – Jerry Reichow – 4 receptions, 74 yards }} Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ers Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 5: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary October 15 49ers 7 7 10 14 Vikings 7 10 7 0 Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota 56 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter SF – Bob Waters 6-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 7–0. MIN – Hugh McElhenny 13-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 7–7. Second quarter MIN – Jerry Reichow 42-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–7. MIN – Mike Mercer 24-yard field goal. Vikings 17–7. SF – Billy Kilmer 1-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). Vikings 17–14. Third quarter SF – Billy Kilmer 2-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 21–17. MIN – Hugh McElhenny 32-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 24–21. SF – Tommy Davis 12-yard field goal. Tied 24–24. Fourth quarter SF – Billy Kilmer 5-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 31–24. SF – Billy Kilmer 20-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 38–24. Top passers SF – John Brodie – 11/14, 209 yards MIN – George Shaw – 7/17, 85 yards, TD Top rushers SF – Billy Kilmer – 20 rushes, 115 yards, 4 TD MIN – Hugh McElhenny – 10 rushes, 81 yards Top receivers SF – Monty Stickles – 5 receptions, 102 yards MIN – Jerry Reichow – 2 receptions, 54 yards, TD Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers {{Americanfootballbox |titlestyle=Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; |state=autocollapse |title=Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary |date=October 22 |time= |road=Packers|R1=10|R2=3|R3=3|R4=17 |home=Vikings |H1=0|H2=7|H3=0|H4=0 |stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota |attendance= |weather=48 F C |referee= |TV= |TVAnnouncers= |reference=Pro-Football-Reference.com |scoring=First quarter''' GB – Boyd Dowler 78-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 7–0GB – Paul Hornung 14-yard field goal. Packers 10–0.Second quarterMIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 10–7. GB – Paul Hornung 18-yard field goal. Packers 13–7.Third quarterGB – Paul Hornung 13-yard field goal. Packers 16–7.Fourth quarterGB – Paul Hornung 16-yard field goal. Packers 19–7. GB – Jim Taylor 3-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 26–7. GB – Dan Currie 21-yard interception return (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 33–7. |stats=Top passersGB – Bart Starr – 9/19, 206 yards, TD MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 15/24, 130 yardsTop rushersGB – Tom Moore – 16 rushes, 159 yards MIN – Hugh McElhenny – 11 rushes, 57 yardsTop receivers'GB – Boyd Dowler – 2 receptions, 100 yards, TD MIN – Jerry Reichow – 5 receptions, 50 yards }} Week 7: at Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary October 29 Vikings 0 7 3 0 Packers 14 7 0 7 Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 57 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter GB – Paul Hornung 1-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 7–0. GB – Ron Kramer 10-yard pass from Paul Hornung (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 14–0. Second quarter GB – Jim Taylor 8-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 21–0. MIN – Jerry Reichow 19-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 21–7. Third quarter MIN – Mike Mercer 13-yard field goal. Packers 21–10. Fourth quarter GB – Max McGee 23-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 28–10. Top passers MIN – George Shaw – 9/18, 119 yards, TD GB – Bart Starr – 18/24, 311 yards, 2 TD Top rushers MIN – Hugh McElhenny – 12 rushes, 99 yards GB – Paul Hornung – 12 rushes, 70 yards, TD Top receivers MIN – Jerry Reichow – 4 receptions, 52 yards, TD GB – Boyd Dowler – 5 receptions, 121 yards Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary November 5 Vikings 7 3 7 0 Rams 14 3 0 14 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 65 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter LA – Jon Arnett 3-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 7–0. LA – Ollie Matson 15-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 14–0. MIN – Gordie Smith 29-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Rams 14–7. Second quarter LA – Danny Villanueva 16-yard field goal. Rams 17–7. MIN – Mike Mercer 34-yard field goal. Rams 17–10. Third quarter MIN – Fran Tarkenton 52-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 17–17. Fourth quarter LA – Tommy Wilson 14-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 24–17. LA – Joe Marconi 7-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 31–17. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/19, 156 yards, TD LA – Frank Ryan – 6/16, 59 yards Top rushers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11 rushes, 99 yards, TD LA – Ollie Matson – 8 rushes, 64 yards, TD Top receivers MIN – Gordie Smith – 2 receptions, 49 yards, TD LA – Jon Arnett – 2 receptions, 36 yards Week 9: vs. Baltimore Colts Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 9: Baltimore Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary November 12 Colts 0 14 3 3 Vikings 7 7 7 7 Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota 50 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter MIN – Mel Triplett 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 7–0. Second quarter BAL – Alex Hawkins 2-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Tied 7–7. MIN – Hugh McElhenny 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–7. BAL – Lenny Moore 3-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Tied 14–14. Third quarter BAL – Steve Myhra 37-yard field goal. Colts 17–14. MIN – Dave Middleton 57-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 21–17. Fourth quarter BAL – Steve Myhra 38-yard field goal. Vikings 21–20. MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 28–20. Top passers BAL – Johnny Unitas – 14/31, 138 yards MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/18, 179 yards, TD Top rushers BAL – Joe Perry – 19 rushes, 100 yards MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11 rushes, 58 yards, TD Top receivers BAL – Raymond Berry – 8 receptions, 86 yards MIN – Dave Middleton – 3 receptions, 76 yards, TD Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 10: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary November 19 Lions 0 14 9 14 Vikings 10 0 0 0 Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota 23 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter MIN – Mike Mercer 13-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0. MIN – Jerry Reichow 23-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–0. Second quarter DET – Nick Pietrosante 1-yard run (Jim Martin kick). Vikings 10–7. DET – Terry Barr 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Jim Martin kick). Lions 14–10. Third quarter DET – Jim Martin 15-yard field goal. Lions 17–10. DET – Gail Cogdill 37-yard pass from Earl Morrall (kick failed). Lions 23–10. Fourth quarter DET – Terry Barr 9-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Jim Martin kick). Lions 30–10. DET – Joe Schmidt 8-yard interception return (Jim Martin kick). Lions 37–10. Top passers DET – Earl Morrall – 13/17, 154 yards, 3 TD MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 13/24, 116 yards, TD Top rushers DET – Earl Morrall – 7 rushes, 62 yards MIN – Tommy Mason – 3 rushes, 36 yards Top receivers DET – Terry Barr – 8 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TD MIN – Dave Middleton – 3 receptions, 60 yards Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 11: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary November 26 Vikings 0 14 7 7 49ers 14 10 7 7 Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California 53 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter SF – J. D. Smith 6-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 7–0. SF – R. C. Owens 40-yard pass from John Brodie (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 14–0. Second quarter SF – C. R. Roberts 1-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 21–0. MIN – Tommy Mason 9-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 21–7. SF – Tommy Davis 42-yard field goal. 49ers 24–7. MIN – Jerry Reichow 17-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 24–14. Third quarter SF – J. D. Smith 15-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 31–14. MIN – Gordie Smith 71-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 31–21. Fourth quarter SF – John Brodie 16-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 38–21. MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 38–28. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 16/24, 277 yards, 2 TD SF – John Brodie – 14/24, 246 yards, TD Top rushers MIN – Tommy Mason – 14 rushes, 62 yards, TD SF – J. D. Smith – 28 rushes, 168 yards, 2 TD Top receivers MIN – Gordie Smith – 3 receptions, 123 yards, TD SF – R. C. Owens – 5 receptions, 138 yards, TD Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Rams Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 12: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary December 3 Rams 0 14 7 0 Vikings 7 14 14 7 Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota 37 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter MIN – Hugh McElhenny 17-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 7–0. Second quarter MIN – Tommy Mason 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–0. LA – Ollie Matson 69-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Vikings 14–7. MIN – Jerry Reichow 51-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 21–7. LA – Red Phillips 10-yard pass from Zeke Bratkowski (Danny Villanueva kick). Vikings 21–14. Third quarter LA – Dick Bass 73-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Tied 21–21. MIN – Jerry Reichow 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 28–21. MIN – Ray Hayes 2-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 35–21. Fourth quarter MIN – Gordie Smith 12-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 42–21. Top passers LA – Zeke Bratkowski – 12/23, 153 yards, TD MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 21/30, 252 yards, 4 TD Top rushers LA – Dick Bass – 8 rushes, 113 yards, TD MIN – Ray Hayes – 18 rushes, 123 yards, TD Top receivers LA – Ollie Matson – 4 receptions, 75 yards MIN – Jerry Reichow – 6 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TD Week 13: at Detroit Lions Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 13: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary December 10 Vikings 0 0 7 0 Lions 0 7 3 3 Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan 36 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter DET – Jim Ninowski 7-yard run (Jim Martin kick). Lions 7–0. Third quarter MIN – Hugh McElhenny 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 7–7. DET – Jim Martin 43-yard field goal. Lions 10–7. Fourth quarter DET – Jim Martin 23-yard field goal. Lions 13–7. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 15/34, 141 yards, TD DET – Jim Ninowski – 8/20, 157 yards Top rushers MIN – Mel Triplett – 7 rushes, 53 yards DET – Dan Lewis – 12 rushes, 52 yards Top receivers MIN – Jerry Reichow – 4 receptions, 69 yards DET – Jim Gibbons – 6 receptions, 84 yards Week 14: at Chicago Bears Minnesota Vikings 1961 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary December 17 Vikings 14 7 7 7 Bears 7 14 24 7 Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois 33 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter MIN – Hugh McElhenny 81-yard punt return (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 7–0. MIN – Jerry Reichow 30-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–0. CHI – Angelo Coia 62-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Vikings 14–7. Second quarter CHI – Willie Galimore 8-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Tied 14–14. CHI – Mike Ditka 2-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 21–14. MIN – Jerry Reichow 11-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 21–21. Third quarter CHI – Angelo Coia 16-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 28–21. CHI – Roger LeClerc 17-yard field goal. Bears 31–21. CHI – Mike Ditka 30-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 38–21. MIN – Gordie Smith 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Bears 38–28. CHI – Charlie Bivins 30-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 45–28. Fourth quarter MIN – Jerry Reichow 24-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Bears 45–35. CHI – Willie Galimore 60-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 52–35. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/22, 161 yards, 4 TD CHI – Bill Wade – 23/34, 355 yards, 4 TD Top rushers MIN – Mel Triplett – 15 rushes, 121 yards CHI – Willie Galimore – 13 rushes, 97 yards, 2 TD Top receivers MIN – Jerry Reichow – 6 receptions, 90 yards, 3 TD CHI – Mike Ditka – 8 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD Standings Awards and honors Both halfback Hugh McElhenny and receiver (end) Jerry Reichow were voted to the East–West Pro Bowl game, played January 14, 1962, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The coach for the West squad was Vikings head coach Norm Van Brocklin. McElhenny scored a third-quarter touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr, and the West won the game 31–30.Unitas' last-second pass nips East; 31–30 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8ygNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IGwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7284%2C2149325 January 23, 2012 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette January 15, 1962 Associated Press 23 Statistics Team leaders Category Player(s) Value Passing yards Fran Tarkenton 1,997 Passing touchdowns Fran Tarkenton 18 Rushing yards Hugh McElhenny 570 Rushing touchdowns Fran Tarkenton 5 Receiving yards Jerry Reichow 859 Receiving touchdowns Jerry Reichow 11 Points Jerry Reichow 66 Kickoff return yards Tommy Mason 603 Punt return yards Hugh McElhenny 155 Interceptions Rip Hawkins 5SacksJim Marshall6Note that sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL.''Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference https://www.sports-reference.com/blog/2021/07/pre-1982-sacks-added-to-pro-football-reference/ 2023-12-18 Sports-Reference.com en League rankings Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank(out of 14) Passing offense 1,989 142.1 13th Rushing offense 1,897 135.5 6th Total offense 3,886 277.6 12th Passing defense 2,926 209.0 13th Rushing defense 2,667 190.5 14th Total defense 5,593 399.5 14th References 1961 Draft Pro Football Hall of Fame https://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=1451 April 8, 2007 1961 Minnesota Vikings DatabaseFootball http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=MIN&lg=nfl&yr=1961 April 8, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070411162503/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=MIN&lg=nfl&yr=1961 11 April 2007 usurped Category:Minnesota Vikings seasons Minnesota Minnesota Vikings