1961 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 Michigan State Spartans football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 9 8 7–2 5–2 Duffy Daugherty 8th George Saimes Ed Ryan Spartan Stadium The 1961 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University in the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 7–2 record (5–2 in conference games), finished in third place in the Big Ten Conference, and were ranked No. 8 in the final AP poll. They outscored opponents by a total of 192 to 50.2016 Football Media Guide Michigan State University 146, 155 June 18, 2017 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/msu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/msu-media-guide-history-145-19.pdf January 17, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170117203046/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/msu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/msu-media-guide-history-145-19.pdf dead1961 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 18, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1961-schedule.html The team tallied an average of 237.2 passing yards, 83.3 passing yards, and 21.3 points per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 116.1 rushing yards, 78.4 passing yards, and 5.6 points per game. The Spartans defeated rivals Michigan (28–0), Notre Dame (17–7), and Indiana (35–0), and were ranked No. 1 in the AP poll in early November. They then lost consecutive games on the road to Minnesota (0–13) and Purdue (6–7), dropping from No. 1 to No. 9. Fullback George Saimes led the team in both rushing (451 yards, 5.5 yards per carry) and scoring (48 points) and was selected as the team's most valuable player. Schedule 1961 AP September 30 w y 10 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 20–0 50,584 State Power Crunches Badgers, 20-0 Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 1, 1961 49, 54 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-state-power-crunch/153020760/ Newspapers.comSpartans Rout Sputtering Badgers: Wisconsin Eleven 'Boots' Numerous Chances Wisconsin State Journal Monte McCormick October 1, 1961 1, 4 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-spartans-rout-sp/153713648/ Newspapers.com October 7 w y 6 Stanford Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 31–3 61,367 Fumble-Plagued Michigan State Stifles Stubborn Stanford, 31-3 Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 8, 1961 53, 58 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-fumble-plagued-mic/153015380/ Newspapers.com October 14 w y 5 Michigan 6 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 28–0 103,198 It's Michigan State: C-R-U-N-C-H, 28-0: Spartan Defense Ruins U-M Detroit Free Press Lyall Smith Lyall Smith October 15, 1961 D1, D3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15572548/its_michigan_state_crunch_280/ Newspapers.com October 21 w y 1 Notre Dame 6 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 17–7 76,132 Spartans' Rousing Rally Downs Irish Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 22, 1961 49, 51 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-rousing/153015688/ Newspapers.com October 28 w y 1 Indiana Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 35–0 55,361 State's TD Cascade Swamps Hoosiers Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton October 29, 1961 49, 54 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-states-td-cascade/153015971/ Newspapers.com November 4 l y 1 Minnesota Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 0–13 59,941 Gophers Shock Spartans 13-0 Minneapolis Sunday Tribune Dick Gordon November 5, 1961 1, 2 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-shock-spartans-13-0/153046709/ Newspapers.comState Dreams Dimmed in Gopherland Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton November 5, 1961 55, 56 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-state-dreams-dimme/153021871/ Newspapers.com November 11 l y 6 Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 6–7 45,638 Purdue Kills Slim State Title Hope, 7-6 Lansing State Journal Bob Hoerner November 12, 1961 55, 56 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-purdue-kills-slim/153021563/ Newspapers.com November 18 w 9 Northwestern Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 21–13 51,403 Spartans Back on Victory Road, 21-13 Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton November 19, 1961 53, 54 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-back-on-v/153016204/ Newspapers.com November 25 w 8 Illinois Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 34–7 38,344 Spartans Outclass Illinois, 34 to 7 Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton November 26, 1961 57, 58 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-outclass/153016430/ Newspapers.com Award winners Junior fullback George Saimes was selected as the team's most valuable player. He won first-team honors from the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team.Big Line Tops Classy AP All-America Team APMiami's Bill Miller Chosen As All-American Sarasota Herald-Tribune December 8, 1961 36 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19611202&id=OZocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QGUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7402,1733355Stephens Unanimous Choice on Big Ten Pittsburgh Post-Gazette November 28, 1961 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19611127&id=zm0xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G2wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7127,5722758Saimes and MacRae Selected on All-Big Ten Football Team The Holland, Michigan, Evening Sentinel November 29, 1961 16 https://www.newspapers.com/image/15943497/?terms=stephens%2B%2Bferguson%2Bsaimes%2Bcoaches Other notable players on the 1961 team included: Tackle Dave Behrman was selected by the AP and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) on the 1961 All-America team.FWAA All-America Since 1944: The All-Time Team Ted Gangi February 8, 2015 http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf June 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150612055653/http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf dead Sophomore halfback Sherman Lewis received second-team all-conference honors from the AP.OSU's Bob Ferguson Heads All-Big Ten Football Team Battle Creek Enquirer and News November 28, 1961 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-osus-bob-ferguson/153010703/ Newspapers.com Guard Ed Budde received third-team all-conference honors from the AP. Statistical leaders Quarterback Pete Smith led the team in passing, completing 42 of 94 passes for 630 yards with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions.1961 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football August 10, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1961.html George Saimes led the team with 451 rushing yards on 82 carries for an average of 5.5 yards per carry. He also led the team in scoring with 48 yards on eight rushing touchdowns. Lonnie Sanders led the team in receiving with 15 catches for 247 yards. Sherman Lewis ranked second on the team in both rushing (399 yards) and scoring (30 points). Varsity letters A total of 42 players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1961 Michigan State team. Players who went on to play professional football are marked with an asterisk. 20em George Azar Gary Ballman*, halfback and wide receiver Dave Behrman*, center and tackle James Bobbitt Arthur Bandstatter Charles Brown Ed Budde*, guard Carl Charon*, defensive back and fullback Ernie Clark*, linebacker James Corgiat Michael Currie Wayne Fontes*, defensive back Ron Hatcher*, fullback Dave Herman*, guard Larry Hudas Herman Johnston Thomas Jordan Peter Kakela Jim Kanicki*, defensive tackle Anthony Kumiega Earl Latimer Sherman Lewis*, halfback Dewey Lincoln Roger Lopes Dave Manders*, centr Stephen Mellinger Mitchell Newman Roy Parrott Richard Proebstle Ronald Rubick Edward Ryan George Saimes*, fullback Lonnie Sanders*, cornerback John Sharp Peter Smith Matt Snorton*, tight end Donald Stewart Bob Suci*, defensive back Robert Swast Dan Underwood Thomas Winiecki Edward Youngs Duffy Is 'Fed Up' With Griping Fans Lansing State Journal George S. Alderton November 28, 1961 21, 22 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-duffy-is-fed-up/153010027/ Newspapers.com References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football