1961 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1961 Virginia Tech Gobblers football 1961 VPI Gobblers football team.png 285 Southern Conference SoCon 4–5 2–3 Jerry Claiborne 1st Miles Stadium The 1961 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team, also known as the VPI Gobblers, was an American football team that represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Tech) as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1961 college football season. In their first year under head coach Jerry Claiborne, the Gobblers compiled a 4–5 record (2–3 in conference games), finished seventh in the SoCon, and were outscored by a total of 112 to 93.1961 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC September 30, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia-tech/1961-schedule.htmlFootbal 1961 HokieSports.com September 30, 2024 https://hokiesports.com/sports/football/roster/season/1961 Quarterback Warren Price led the team in passing yards (381), rushing yards (356), and total offense (736 yards). Price was described as "the heart and soul of the Tech offense, a genuine triple-threater."'Heart and Soul': Price Is Key Man Of Tech Football Team The Times (Roanoke, VA) October 20, 1961 28 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-heart-and-soul-pric/156397181/ Newspapers.com The team played its home games at Miles Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. Schedule Eastern September 16 w y William & Mary Victory Stadium Roanoke, VA 20–6 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111947873/gobblers-rally-for-206-win-over-indians/ The Virginian-Pilot Gobblers rally for 20–6 win over Indians September 17, 1961 October 24, 2022 Newspapers.com October 7 l y West Virginia Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV rivalry 0–28 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-west-virginia-winner-f/139127517/ The Tampa Tribune West Virginia winner first time in 18 games October 8, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 14 l y y Tulane Tulane Stadium New Orleans, LA 14–27 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85674679/rush-led-tulane-raps-virginia-tech-by-27/ Daily Press Rush-led Tulane raps Virginia Tech by 27–14 October 15, 1961 September 20, 2021 Newspapers.com October 21 2:30 p.m. w y y Virginia Victory Stadium Roanoke, VA Harvest Bowl, rivalry 20–0 17,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-techmen-take-stunni/139128560/ Kingsport Times-News Techmen take stunning 20–0 Harvest Bowl win October 22, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 28 w y y Florida State Miles Stadium Blacksburg, VA 10–7 14,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-news-virginia-state-upsets-flo/139128722/ The Macon Telegraph & News Virginia State upsets Florida State, 10–7 October 29, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 4 l y Richmond City Stadium Richmond, VA 0–11 14,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84027038/richmond-drops-vpi-110-as-pratts-pun/ Daily Press Richmond drops VPI, 11–0, as Pratt's punts sparkle November 5, 1961 August 23, 2021 Newspapers.com November 11 l y y Wake Forest Bowman Gray Stadium Winston-Salem, NC 15–24 8,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-wake-gets-all-breaks-whips-vp/139128835/ The State Wake gets all breaks, whips VPI November 12, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 17 1:15 p.m. w George Washington Miles Stadium Blacksburg, VA 14–3 5,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69722445/virginia-tech-defeats-george-washington/ The Tampa Tribune Virginia Tech defeats George Washington 14–3 November 18, 1961 February 7, 2021 Newspapers.com November 23 l y VMI Victory Stadium Roanoke, VA rivalry 0–6 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-star-special-play-wins-mud-bowl-f/139125665/ Ledger-Star Special play wins mud bowl for VMI November 24, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com Statistics Quarterback Warren Price led the team in passing (37-for-93, 39.8%, 381 yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions), rushing (356 yards on 93 carries, 3.8-yard average), total offense (736 yards), and scoring.1961 Virginia Tech Hokies Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 1, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia-tech/1961.html Other significant contributors included Gerald Bobbitte (261 rushing yards, 62 carries, 4.2-yard average) and Terry Strock (223 rushing yards, 68 receiving yards), Buddy Perry (212 rushing yards, 61 receiving yards), and Buddy Weihe (148 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards). Awards and honors Three Virginia Tech players were selected as first-team players on the 1961 Virginia All-Big Five football team: quarterback Warren Price; back Terry Strock; and tackle Joe Moss. Two others were placed on the second team: end Leon Tomblin and guard Ray Barile. Three others received honorable mention: back Gerald Bobbitte; tackle Gene Breen; and guard Newt Green.Richmond, Virginia Tech Dominate Honor Grid Team: Each Lands Three Players On 1961 All-Big Five Teams Picked By AP The Register Ed Yount December 1, 1961 8B https://www.newspapers.com/article/danville-register-and-bee-richmond-virg/156388406/ Newspapers.com Tackle Gene Breen was selected as a first-team player on the 1961 All-Southern Conference football team. Tackle Joe Moss and quarterback Warren Price were named to the second team.Spiders' Earl Stoudt Is SC's Player Of Year The Roanoke Times Ed Young November 29, 1961 18 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-spiders-earl-stoudt-i/156389118/ Newspapers.com Personnel Players The following players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1961 Virginia Tech football team: Ray Barile, guard, senior Herb Bowling, end-linebacker, junior Gene Breen, tackle, sophomore, 6'2", 210 pounds Bloice Davison, guard, senior John Farmer, tackle, senior Dave Gillespie, center Dick Goode, end, junior Ron Hawkins, halfback, junior Charlie Hines, center, senior Gerald Holbrook, guard, senior Warren Maccaroni, fullback, senior Ray Massie, halfback, junior Joe Moss, tackle, senior, 6'4", 233 pounds, Burkes Garden, VA Noah Redding "Buddy" Perry, halfback, senior Warren Price, quarterback/halfback, senior, 5'10", 165 pounds, Miami, FL Aster "Cat" Sizemore, back, junior Charlie Speck, end, senior Terry L. Strock, quarterback, senior, 5'10", 172 pounds, Hagerstown, MD Leon Tomblin, end, senior Other players identified from the roster published in the 1962 edition of The Bugle, the Virginia Tech yearbook, included: Jake Adams, end Kyle Marlon Albright, center William McLemore "Billy" Babb, halfback Gerald Bobbitte Harold Bolden, halfback Mike Cahill, halfback/quarterback Alex Camaioni, guard Phillip W. Cary Pete Cartwright, halfback Dickie Cranwell Lacy Lee Edwards, Jr., halfback Randall Edwards, center Ronald Wayne Frank David Green, guard Walter Newton Green, Jr. Thomas Morgan Hawkins, halfback James Venable Hickam, guard Don Jensen, guard John W. Minichan, tackle Bob Peak, tackle Art Pruett, fullback Bill Robertson, tackle Joseph Gilleece "Skip" Vance, halfback Al Verthein, halfback Thomas Merritt Walker, halfback K. T. "Buddy" Weihe, halfback Roger Whitley, fullback Virginia Tech Bugle https://spec.lib.vt.edu/archives/bugle/bugl1962/1962_BUGLE.pdf The Bugle 1962 213 1962 2018-01-21 Coaches and administration Head coach: Jerry Claiborne (1st year) Assistant coaches: John Shelton, Cecil Ingram, Jack Prater, Bob Edwards, Doug Shively, Dick Redding (freshmen coach), Bill Conde1962 Virginia Tech yearbook, p. 212. Athletic director: Frank O. Moseley References Virginia Tech Category:Virginia Tech Hokies football seasons Virginia Tech Gobblers football