1961 SMU Mustangs football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1961 SMU Mustangs football Southwest Conference SWC 2–7–1 1–5–1 Bill Meek 5th Bobby Hunt Max Christian Mike Rice Cotton Bowl The 1961 SMU Mustangs football team was an American football team that represented Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Bill Meek, the Mustangs compiled a 2–7–1 record (1–5–1 in conference games), finished last out of eight teams in the SWC, and were outscored by a total of 191 to 92.1961 SMU Mustangs Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 16, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-methodist/1961-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders were Jerry Rhome (693 passing yards), Billy Gannon (187 rushing yards), and Buddy Nichols (161 receiving yards).1961 SMU Mustangs Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 16, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-methodist/1961-roster.html A few hours after the final game of the season, SMU announced that Meek had been fired as the team's head coach. In five seasons under Meek, SMU won only 10 SWC games and compiled an overall record of 17–29–4. The team played its home games at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Schedule 1961 AP September 23 l y Maryland Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX 6–14 17,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-terps-stymie-la/139133344/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Terps stymie late SMU drives, post 14–6 victory September 24, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com September 29 l y y USC Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 16–21 29,148 Brown Runs 93 For TD; Trojans Win; 29,148 See SMU Bow, 21-16 Los Angeles Times Al Wolf September 30, 1961 1, 4 (part II) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-brown-runs-93-for/153897626/ Newspapers.com October 7 w y Air Force Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX 9–7 28,000 October 21 l y Rice Rice Stadium Houston, TX rivalry 0–10 37,000 Owls Score in First Half To Beat Mustangs, 10-0 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Paul Brookshire October 22, 1961 3 (section 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-owls-score-in-f/155316847/ Newspapers.com October 28 w Texas Tech Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX 8–7 17,000 Ponies Pin 8-7 Defeat On Raiders Fort Worth Star-Telegram Galyn Wilkins October 29, 1961 1, 4 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-ponies-pin-8-7/155317169/ Newspapers.com November 4 l Texas 3 Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX 0–27 41,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123815464/saxton-puts-texas-by-smu/ The Victoria Advocate Saxton puts Texas by SMU November 5, 1961 April 30, 2023 Newspapers.com November 11 l y Texas A&M Kyle Field College Station, TX 12–25 18,000 Aggies Stop Pony Star, Win, 25-12: Cadets Control Ball In Fourth Quarter Fort Worth Star-Telegram George Wallace November 12, 1961 1, 4 (section 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-aggies-stop-pon/155123132/ Newspapers.com November 18 l Arkansas Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX 7–21 17,000 Hogs Whip Ponies, 21-7, Pull Into Tie for Lead Fort Worth Star-Telegram Herb Owens November 19, 1961 2 (section 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-hogs-whip-ponie/155316568/ Newspapers.com November 25 l y Baylor Baylor Stadium Waco, TX 6–31 17,000 Bruins Explode Early, Bury Mustangs; Stanley Sets Air Mark in 31-6 Romp Waco Tribune-Herald Dave Campbell November 26, 1961 1B, 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/waco-tribune-herald-bruins-explode-early/155309756/ Newspapers.com December 2 t y TCU Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX rivalry 28–28 20,000 Ponies Fight Back, Tie TCU, 28-28: Big Rallies Mark Wild SWC Fray Fort Worth Star-Telegram Bill Van Fleet December 3, 1961 1, 4 (section 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-ponies-fight-ba/155315542/ Roster 1961 SMU Mustangs f 17 So Jerry Rhome QB y *Bill Meek 2015-12-20 References SMU Category:SMU Mustangs football seasons SMU Mustangs football