1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football 1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team.png 225px Photograph of 1961 football team trotting onto the field (from The Sahuaro 1962) Border Conference Border 7–3 3–0 Frank Kush 4th Sun Devil Stadium Border champion The 1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University as a member of the Border Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled a 7–3 record (3–0 in conference games), won the Border Conference championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 287 to 163.1961 Arizona State Sun Devils Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 26, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arizona-state/1961-schedule.html2016 ASU Football Media Guide Arizona State University 2016 121 http://www.sundevilguides.com/football/#121/z 2016-10-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20161025235122/http://www.sundevilguides.com/football/#121/z#121/z 2016-10-25 dead The team was led by senior quarterback Joe Zuger and senior halfback Nolan Jones. Zuger led the team in passing, total offense, interceptions, and punting. Jones led the team in rushing, scoring, place kicking, and punt returns, andranked second behind Zuger in total offense. The team played its home games at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Schedule September 23 w y Wichita Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 21–7 29,600–30,000 Sun Devils Beat Wichita 21-7 In Opener: McFalls Sparks Attack The Arizona Republic Arnott Duncan September 24, 1961 5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-sun-devils-beat-wic/154567090/ Newspapers.com September 30 w y y Colorado State Colorado Field Fort Collins, CO 14–6 8,800 Sun Devils Stop Stubborn Rams, 14 to 6 Fort Collins Coloradoan Les Kjos October 1, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-sun-devils-stop/153530326/ Newspapers.com October 7 l y Utah Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 26–28 31,300 Utah Hands Devils First Loss 28-26 The Arizona Republic Arnott Duncan October 8, 1961 1C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-utah-hands-devils-f/154702362/ Newspapers.com October 14 w y West Texas State Kimbrough Memorial Stadium Canyon, TX 28–11 17,000 Sun Devils Thrash West Texas, 28-11: Fabulous Pedro Throttled The Arizona Republic Abe Gutierrez October 15, 1961 1C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-sun-devils-thrash-w/154703517/ Newspapers.com October 21 w y Oregon State Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 24–23 32,231 Keller Earns ASU Starting Role: End Zone Grab Won OSU Tilt The Arizona Republic Frank Gianelli October 23, 1961 24 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-keller-earns-asu-st/154702828/ Newspapers.com October 28 w Hardin–Simmons Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 47–0 21,112 Sun Devils Romp To 47-0 Win: 5 Touchdowns Scored By Sophs The Arizona Republic Arnott Duncan October 29, 1961 1C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-sun-devils-romp-to/154695915/ Newspapers.com November 4 l y y San Jose State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA 26–32 19,000–20,000 Spartans Capture Thriller: San Jose Cops 32-26 Victory Vallejo Times-Herald November 5, 1961 20 https://www.newspapers.com/article/vallejo-times-herald-spartans-capture-th/154701363/ Newspapers.com November 11 w y Texas Western Kidd Field El Paso, TX 28–20 9,000 Sun Devils Outscore Texas Western, 48-28: ASU Overcomes 238 Penalty Yards The Arizona Republic Abe Gutierrez November 12, 1961 1C, 2C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-sun-devils-outscore/154700933/ Newspapers.comArizona Not Any Easier For Miners Than A. S. U. El Paso Herald-Post November 13, 1961 24 https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-herald-post-arizona-not-any-easi/153418950/ Newspapers.com November 18 w y Detroit Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ 40–6 23,508 Detroit Easy Prey For A-State Power Arizona Republic Abe Gutierrez November 19, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34824986/detroit_easy_prey_for_astate_power/ Newspapers.com November 25 l y Arizona Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ rivalry 13–22 40,164 Arizona Comes From Behind To Whip ASU 22-13 The Arizona Daily Star Abe Chanin November 26, 1961 1A, 1D https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-arizona-comes-from-be/153620694/ Newspapers.com Statistics The 1961 Sun Devils gained 3,354 yards of total offense (335.4 yards per game), consisting of 1,999 rushing yards (199.9 yards per game) and 1,355 passing yards (135.5 yards per game). On defense, they gave up 2,785 yards (278.5 yards per game), including 1,678 rushing yards and 1,107 passing yards.1961 Arizona State Sun Devils Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 26, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arizona-state/1961.html Senior quarterback Joe Zuger played on offense, defense, and special teams, and led the team in passing, total offense (162 plays, 861 yards), interceptions (11), and punting (42.1-yard average). He completed 67 of 133 passes (50.4%) for 879 yards with eight touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 113.7 quarterback rating.Jones, Zuger Nab Statistical Firsts The Arizona Republic November 29, 1961 43 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-jones-zuger-nab-st/154688062/ Newspapers.com Senior halfback Nolan Jones led the team in rushing (85 carries, 411 yards, 4.8-yard average), scoring (77 points), place kicking (18 of 28 on extra points and three for three on field goals), and punt returns (17 for 104 yards). Jones also ranked second behind Zuger in total offense (88 plays, 429 yards). The Sun Devils had six players who carried the ball over 40 times and gained over 150 rushing yards. In addition to Jones, they were: John McFalls (387 yards, 66 carries, 5.9-yard average), Charley Taylor (277 yards, 57 carries, 4.9-yard average), Tony Lorick (239 yards, 44 carries, 5.4-yard average), Clay Freney (176 yards, 54 carries, 3.3-yard average), Dornel Nelson (171 yards, 44 carries, 3.9-yard average), and Ossie McCarty (160 yards, 41 carries, 3.9-yard average). The team also had six players who tallied over 100 passing yards: Charley Taylor (13 receptions, 235 yards, 18.1-yard average); Roger Locke (14 receptions, 222 yards, 16.5-yard average); Dale Keller (11 receptions, 183 yards, 16.6-yard average); Herman Harrison (14 receptions, 175 yards, 12.5-yard average); Ossie McCarty (eight receptions, 144 yards, 18.0-yard average); and John McFalls (eight receptions, 105 yards, 13.1-yard average). Awards and honors Seven Arizona State players received first-team honors, based on voting by the conference head coaches, on the 1961 All-Border Conference football team: Roger Locke at end; George Flint and Larry Reaves at tackle; Dick Locke at guard; Fred Rhoades at center; Nolan Jones at halfback; and Clay Freney at fullback. Roger and Dick Locke were brothers, coming to Arizona State from Muskegon, Michigan. Two others were named or the second team: Joe Zuger at quarterback and Dale Keller at end.ASU Lands 7 On All-Border Team The Arizona Republic November 30, 1961 65 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-asu-lands-7-on-all/154691603/ Newspapers.com Personnel Players 30em Jesse Bradford (#76), guard, 190 pounds Ron Cosner (#11), quarterback, 185 pounds Ken Craft (#65), guard, 200 pounds Steve Fedorchak (#70), center, 210 pounds George Flint (#64), tackle, 225 pounds Clay Freney (#35), fullback, 180 pounds Herman Harrison (#86), end, 200 pounds Nolan Jones (#16), halfback, 170 pounds Dale Keller (#88), end, 210 pounds Mike Krofchik (#61), tackle, 206 pounds Joe Kush (#69), guard, 190 pounds Tim Lee (#83), end, 180 pounds Dick Locke (#67), guard, 210 pounds Roger Locke (#87), end, 205 pounds Tony Lorick (#26), halfback, 210 pounds Ossie McCarty (#23), halfback, 165 pounds John McFalls (#25), halfback, 170 pounds Hase McKey (#77), tackle, 235 pounds Dornel Nelson (#42), fullback, 196 pounds Larry Reaves (#66), tackle, 220 pounds Fred Rhoades (#58), center, 200 pounds Charlie Taylor (#37), halfback, 186 pounds Bob Widmer (#62), guard, 185 pounds Joe Zuger (#15), 190 pounds Tonight's Cat-Devil Lineups Tucson Daily Citizen November 25, 1961 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tucson-daily-citizen-tonights-cat-devil/154688811/ Newspapers.com Gallery Coaches Head coach: Frank Kush Assistant coaches: Gene Felker (end coach and scout) References Arizona State Category:Arizona State Sun Devils football seasons Category:Border Conference football champion seasons Arizona State Sun Devils football