1961 Kentucky Wildcats football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1961 Kentucky Wildcats football Southeastern Conference SEC 5–5 2–4 Blanton Collier 8th McLean Stadium The 1961 Kentucky Wildcats football team was an American football team that represented the University of Kentucky as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1961 college football season. In their eighth season under head coach Blanton Collier, the Wildcats compiled a 5–5 record (2–4 in conference games), finished in eighth place in the SEC, and outscored opponents by a total of 138 to 123.1961 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 30, 2021 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/1961-schedule.html The Wildcats' statistical leaders included quarterback Jerry Woolum (892 passing yards), end Tom Hutchinson (32 receptions, 543 receiving yards), Gary Steward (285 rushing yards). Hutchinson was the only Kentucky player to receive first-team honors on the 1961 All-SEC football team. The team played its home games at McLean Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. Schedule y y September 23 Miami (FL)<ncg> McLean Stadium Lexington, KY L 7–14 35,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-ailing-passer-turns-tid/133299031/ The Sunday Courier & Press Ailing passer turns Tide for Miami September 24, 1961 October 11, 2023 Newspapers.com September 30 No. 2 Ole Miss McLean Stadium Lexington, KY L 6–20 33,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-ole-miss-shoots-down/133245394/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Ole Miss shoots down eager Wildcats, 20–6 October 1, 1961 October 11, 2023 Newspapers.com October 7 at Auburn Cliff Hare Stadium Auburn, AL W 14–12 32,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-kentucky-smacks-aub/133248059/ The Huntsville Times Kentucky smacks Auburn by 14–12 October 8, 1960 October 11, 2023 Newspapers.com October 14 Kansas State<ncg> McLean Stadium Lexington, KY W 21–8 23,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal-k-state-falls/133299234/ The Salina Journal K-State falls October 15, 1960 October 10, 2023 Newspapers.com October 21 at No. 10 LSU Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA L 14–24 66,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-lauderdale-news-lsus-defense-keys/133235719/ Fort Lauderdale News LSU's defense keys 24–14 win October 22, 1961 October 11, 2023 Newspapers.com October 28 at Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA L 15–16 31,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-georgia-stops-kentuc/133299465/ The Macon Telegraph & News Georgia stops Kentucky, 16–15 October 29, 1961 October 11, 2023 Newspapers.com November 4 Florida State<ncg> McLean Stadium Lexington, KY W 20–0 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-kentucky-raps-fo/133299563/ Chattanooga Sunday Times Kentucky ruins Vandy homecoming November 12, 1961 October 11, 2023 Newspapers.com November 11 at Vanderbilt (rivalry) Dudley Field Nashville, TN W 16–3 23,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-kentucky-ruins-vand/133299654/ Kingsport Times-News Kentucky raps Florida State 20–0, but may have lost Woolum November 5, 1961 October 11, 2023 Newspapers.com November 18 Xavier<ncg> McLean Stadium Lexington, KY W 9–0 25,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-wildcats-slip-by-stub/124371121/ Wildcats slip by stubborn Xavier, 9–0 Messenger-Inquirer November 19, 1961 May 10, 2023 Newspapers.com November 25 Tennessee (rivalry) McLean Stadium Lexington, KY L 16–26 37,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99704146/tennessee-downs-arch-rival-kentucky-261/ The Paducah Sun-Democrat Tennessee downs arch-rival Kentucky 26–16 November 26, 1961 April 13, 2022 Newspapers.com Statistics The Wildcats gained an average of 132.7 rushing yards and 126.5 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 117.1 rushing yards and 89.3 passing yards per game.1961 Kentucky Wildcats Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 5, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/kentucky/1961.html Quarterback Jerry Woolum completed 70 of 125 passes (56.0%) for 892 yards with four touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 115.3 quarterback rating. Backup quarterback John Rampulla completed 25 of 60 (41.7%) for 373 yards.UK Final Grid Statistics Lexington Herald-Leader December 6, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-uk-final-grid-st/156623331/ Newspapers.com Kentucky had five backs who gained over 160 yards, led by halfback Gary Steward (285 yards, 79 carries, 3.6 yards per carry), halfback Bill Ransdell (278 yards, 73 carries, 3.8 yards per carry), and fullback Howard Dunnebacke (276 yards, 67 carries, 4.1 yards per carry). End Tom Hutchinson led the team with 32 receptions for 543 yards and also led the team in scoring with 30 points. Darrell Cox returned 21 punts for 281 yards, an average of 13.4 yards per return. Awards and honors End Tom Hutchinson won first-team honors from both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) on the 1961 All-SEC football team. Quarterback Jerry Woolum, center Irv Goode, and end Dave Gash were named to the third team by the UPI.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2576453/the_monroe_newsstar/ AP's All-SEC The Monroe News-Star December 5, 1961 8 Newspapers.com June 8, 2015 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2576490/the_delta_democrattimes/ The Delta Democrat-Times UPI All-Southeastern November 29, 1961 12 Newspapers.com June 8, 2015 Personnel Players Perky Bryant, fullback Bob Butler, tackle/guard Mel Chandler, guard Gary Cochran, fullback Darrell Cox, halfback Jerry Dickerson, guard Howard Dunnebacke, fullback Dave Gash, end, junior Irv Goode, center, senior Junior Hawthorne, tackle, junio4 Tom Hutchinson, end, junior Jon Jurgens, guard John Mutchler, center John Rampulla, quarterback Bill Ransdell, halfback Tommy Simpson, end, junior Gary Steward, halfback Herschel Turner, tackle Jerry Woolum, quarterback Coaches and administrators Head coach: Blanton Collier Assistant coaches: References Kentucky Category:Kentucky Wildcats football seasons Kentucky Wildcats football