1961 Middlebury Panthers football team

American college football season February 2026 January 2025 1961 Middlebury Panthers football Independent 5–1–1 Duke Nelson 16th Porter Field The 1961 Middlebury Panthers football team was an American football team that represented Middlebury College as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their 16th year under head coach Duke Nelson, the Panthers compiled a 5–1–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 106 to 72.Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962, p. 120. The Panthers took the Vermont state football championship for the fourth time in six years.Middlebury Coach Lauds 5-1-1 Record Evening Banner (Bennington, VT) November 15, 1961 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner-middlebury-coach-lauds/152280153/ Newspapers.com The team tallied 1,352 yards of total offense (193 yards per game), consisting of 826 rushing yards and 526 passing yards. On defense, the team allowed 1,308 yards by opponents (187 yards per game), consisting of 1,005 rushing yards and 303 passing yards. Quarterback duties were split between Kernan "Kernie" Claflin (24 of 49 passing for 277 yards) and Christopher Morse (15 of 43 for 232 yards). Claflin also led the team with 411 yards of total offense. Fullback Gordon Van Nes led the team in rushing (228 yards) and scoring (36 points). Right end Gilbert Owren was the leading receiver with 15 catches for 196 yards; Owren was also the team's second leading scorer with 28 points. Five Middlebury players were selected by WCAX-TV (Burlington) as first-team players on its 1961 all-state football team: Kernie Claflin; Jim Shattuck; Gordie Van Nes; Gil Owren; and Paul Fava. Duke Nelson was also named Coach of the year for the third consecutive year.Claflin on All State December 7, 1961 7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brattleboro-reformer-claflin/152505474/ Newspapers.com Schedule y y September 30 at Wesleyan Andrus Field Middletown, CT W 20-14 3,200 Middlebury Beats Wesleyan, 20-14 The Burlington Free Press October 2, 1961 18 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-middlebury-bea/152281389/ Newspapers.com October 7 at Worcester Tech Worcester, MA W 6-2 3,100–3,700 Middlebury Tips Worcester Tech On Blocked Kick The Boston Globe October 8, 1961 79 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-middlebury-tips-worcest/152421323/ Newspapers.com Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Worcester Tech) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/808/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association August 1, 2024 October 14 Williams<hc> Porter Field Middlebury, VT L 0-12 2,000 Williams Stuns Middlebury, 12-0 Portland Press Herald October 15, 1961 4B https://www.newspapers.com/article/portland-press-herald-williams-stuns-mid/152505687/ Newspapers.com October 21 1961 Bates Bobcats Bates Porter Field Middlebury, VT T 20-20 3,500 Bates Scores in Final Two Minutes To Gain 20-20 Tie at Middlebury The Burlington Free Press Vic Maerki October 23, 1961 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-bates-scores-i/152280899/ Newspapers.com October 28 at RPI '86 Field Troy, NY W 20-6 2,800 Middlebury Defeats RPI, 20-6, at Troy The Burlington Free Press Joe Presbrey October 20, 1961 18 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-middlebury-def/152444837/ Newspapers.com November 4 at 1961 Norwich Cadets Norwich Sabine Field Northfield, VT W 13-12 2,500 Middlebury Edges Norwich, 13-12, on Morse's Placekick The Burlington Free Press Walt Hickey November 6, 1961 18 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-middlebury/152505198/ Newspapers.com November 11 Vermont Porter Field Middlebury, VT W 27-6 3,200–4,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79153259/panthers-top-vermont-276/ The Times Argus Panthers top Vermont, 27–6 November 13, 1961 June 7, 2021 Newspapers.comPanthers Win State Title With Second Half Burst The Burlington Free Press Vic Maerki November 13, 1961 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-panthers-win-s/152280601/ Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Vermont) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/738/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association August 1, 2024 Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Middlebury) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/420/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association August 2, 2024 References Middlebury Category:Middlebury Panthers football seasons Middlebury Panthers football