1961 Pittsburg State Gorillas football team

American college football season February 2026 January 2025 1961 Pittsburg State Gorillas football 1961 Pittsburg State Gorillas football team.png 285 Central Intercollegiate Conference CIC 11–0 5–0 Carnie Smith 13th Garry Snadon Richard Beal Tom Gosch Lewis Holmes Brandenburg Stadium NAIA national champion AP small college national champion UPI small college national champion CIC champion Camellia Bowl W 12–7 vs. Linfield The 1961 Pittsburg State Gorillas football team was an American football team that represented Kansas State College of Pittsburg (later renamed Pittsburg State University) as a member of the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) during the 1961 college football season. In their 13th season under head coach Carnie Smith, the Gorillas compiled an 11–0 record (5–0 in conference games) and were ranked No. 1 the final 1961 small college football rankings issued by both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI).Kansas School Nabs Small College Honor The Lawton Constitution Lawton, Oklahoma November 23, 1961 26 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8554599/poll_1961_1123_small_ap/ Newspapers.com January 25, 2017HSC 16th In Final UPI Small College Grid Poll Eureka Humboldt Standard Eureka, California November 22, 1961 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/eureka-humboldt-standard-final-upi-poll/153515633/ Newspapers.com During the regular season, Pittsburg State shut out seven of nine opponents and outscored all opponents by a total of 299 to 25. The Gorillas then advanced to the NAIA playoffs, defeating Northern State (28–14) in a semifinal game and Linfield (12–7) in the NAIA national championship game known as the Camellia Bowl. The team was led by quarterback Phil Vogrin, fullback Gary Snadon, and halfback Bill Presson. Vogrin broke the school's single-season total offense record; Snadon led the team in scoring and received first-team honors on the 1961 Little All-America college football team; and Presson was the team's leading rusher. Three of the team's linemen received first-team honors on the 1961 NAIA All-America team: center Jerry Archer and tackles Richard Beal and Harlan Hess. Carnie Smith received the NAIA's Coach of the Year award. The team's assistant coaches were Ray Laing, Tom Lester, Joe Murphy, Al Ortolani, and Sam Carter.The Kanza 1962 Kansas State University at Pittsburg 256 https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=kanza The team played its home games at Brandenberg Stadium in Pittsburg, Kansas. Schedule 1961 small college AP y y y September 16 at 1961 Southwest Missouri State Bears Southwest Missouri State<ncg> Springfield, MO W 21-0 Pittsburg State Stamps Out Springfield, 12-0 Hays Daily News September 17, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hays-daily-news-pittsburg-state-stam/153480425/ Newspapers.com September 23 1961 Central Missouri State Mules Central Missouri State<ncg> Brandenburg Stadium Pittsburg, KS W 47-0 Pittsburg Routs Missouri 47 to 0 The Wichita Sunday Eagle and Beacon September 24, 1961 18 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-pittsburg-routs/153480809/ Newspapers.com September 30 at 1961 Missouri–Rolla Miners Missouri–Rolla<ncg> Rolla, MO W 20-0 Unbeaten Pittsburg Rolls Over Rolla The Sunday News and Tribune (Jefferson City, MO) October 1, 1961 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-news-and-tribune-unbeaten-pit/153481156/ Newspapers.com October 7 at 1961 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats Northwest Missouri State<ncg> 7 Maryville, MO W 35-0 Pitt Drops Bearcats 35-0 St. Joseph news-Press October 8, 1961 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-pitt-drops-bearcat/153481435/ Newspapers.com October 14 St. Benedict's 4 Brandenburg Stadium Pittsburg, KS W 26-0 Pitt Adds Ravens to List, 26-0 St. Joseph News-Press October 18, 1961 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-joseph-news-press-pitt-adds-ravens-t/153481727/ Newspapers.com October 21 Fort Hays State<hc> 1 Brandenburg Stadium Pittsburg, KS W 41-7 13,000 Fort Hays State Tigers Become First Team To Score On Pittsburg This Year Hays Daily News October 22, 1961 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hays-daily-news-fort-hays-state-tige/153482087/ Newspapers.com October 28 at Washburn 1 Topeka, KS W 40-0 5,500 Gorillas Breeze in by 40: Washburn Just No Match as Top-Ranked Pittsburg State Racks Up Seventh Straight Triumph, 40-0, in C.I.C. Game The Kansas City Star October 29, 1961 5B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-gorillas-breeze-in/153482526/ Newspapers.com November 4 at Emporia State 1 Emporia, KS W 35-0 Powerful Pittsburg State Romps Over Hornets 35-0 The Gazette (Emporia, KS) November 6, 1961 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-emporia-gazette-powerful-pittsburg-s/153482938/ Newspapers.com November 11 Omaha 1 Brandenburg Stadium Pittsburg, KS W 34-18 10,000 Pittsburg Stymies Omaha U. by 34-18 Sunday World-Herald November 12, 1961 1C, 11C https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-pittsburg-stymies-oma/153483430/ Newspapers.com November 23 Northern State<ncg> 1 Pittsburg, KS (NAIA semifinal) W 28-14 Pittsburg State Rambles Past Northern State to Earn Bowl Bid Great Bend Daily Tribune November 24, 1961 5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38516784/pittsburg_state_rambles_past_northern/ Newspapers.com December 9 vs No. 7 Linfield<ncg> 1 Charles C. Hughes Stadium Sacramento, CA (NAIA championship game—Camellia Bowl) W 12-7 10,000 Pittsburg State Drops Linfield 12-7: Pass Interception Is Key To First Camellia Game The Sacramento Union Marco Smolich December 10, 1961 C1, C5 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-pittsburg-state-drops/153442694/ Newspapers.comPittsburg Wins NAIA Football Championship Hays Daily News December 10, 1961 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38516498/pittsburg_wins_naia_football/ Newspapers.com Pittsburg State Football Record Book Pittsburg State August 29, 2023 86 https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/pittstate.sidearmsports.com/documents/2023/8/31/2023-FB-recordbook.pdf NAIA playoffs Semifinal After completing its undefeated regular season, Pittsburg State was one of four teams invited to participate in the NAIA playoffs. On November 23, Pittsburg State hosted the undefeated Northern State Wolves of South Dakota in an NAIA semifinal playoff game at Brandenburg Stadium in Pittsburg. In nine regular season games, Pittsburg State had held opponents to an average of 2.8 points per game. Northern State's offense pushed through Pittsburg State's line for 235 rushing yards and 14 points, but the Wolves lost three fumbles in the second half, each resulting in Pittsburg State touchdowns. On offense, Pittsburg's star fullback Gary Snadon rushed for 90 yards and scored three touchdowns. After the game, coach Carnie Smith credited Snadon with having "played his finest game today" and stated that Snadon "got the necessary yardage whenever we needed it." Camellia Bowl thumb|right|250px|Carnie Smith, Gary Snadon and Harlan Hess accept UPI trophy at Camellia Bowl On December 9, Pittsburg State defeated the Linfield Wildcats of Oregon, 12–7, in the NAIA national championship game known as the Camellia Bowl in Sacramento, California. On the first play from scrimmage, Pittsburg State halfback Bob Fulton took the ball on a pitchout from quarterback Phil Vogrin and ran around the right end for 64 yards and a touchdown. The extra point kick was blocked by Linfield middle guard Tom Buckner. After the opening play, neither team was able to score for the remainder of the first half or in the third quarter. Linfield intercepted two Pittsburg passes in the first half. Late in the second quarter, Linfield drove 65 yards to the Pittsburg 22-yard line, but the drive ended with an interception by Pittsburg's Gene John.The Kanza 1962 Kansas State University at Pittsburg 263 https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=kanza In the fourth quarter, Linfield drove deep into Pittsburg territory, but Pittsburg defensive halfback Archie Ringgenberg intercepted a Linfield pass and returned it 89 yards to the Linfield six-years line. Two plays later, Gary Snadon scored the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard run. The extra point kick failed again. Linfield then scored a touchdown with 4:08 remaining in the game and completed two passes in a final drive to the Pittsburg 40-yard line but the drive ended when the Gorillas sacked Linfield's quarterback on fourth down with 1:22 remaining in the game.Pittsburg State Record Book, p. 33. Pittsburg quarterback Phil Vogrin completed five of 12 passes for 42 yards and was selected as the outstanding back and outstanding player of the game. Awards and honors thumb|right|160px|NAIA Coach of the Year Carnie Smith Carnie Smith was named "Coach of the Year" by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).Smith Gets NAIA Honor The Sacramento Union December 10, 1961 25 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-union-smith-gets-naia-hon/153442546/ Newspapers.com Smith compiled a 116-52-6 record in 18 years as Pittsburg State's head coach.Smith dies at age 69 Lawrence Journal-World January 26, 1979 13 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-LtfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AOcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5409,5280774&dq=carnie+smith+died&hl=en Fullback Gary Snadon received first-team honors on the 1961 Little All-America college football team.Annual Little All-Americans -- Small College Stars Selected The Shreveport Journal Harold Claassen December 6, 1961 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88758261/annual-little-all-americans-small/ Newspapers.com Snadon also won the W.G. Parrott Award as the Pittsburg State's most valuable player.Pittsburg State Football Record Book, p. 48. Center/linebacker Jerry Archer (6'4", 245 pounds) and tackles Richard Beal (6', 225 pounds) and Harlan Hess (6'3", 220 pounds) were selected as first-team NAIA All-Americans.Pittsburg State Football Record Book, p. 11.Pittsburg Places Hess, Beal on NAIA Stars The Wichita Morning Eagle December 8, 1961 8B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-pittsburg-places-hess/153515786/ Newspapers.com Seven Pittsburg State players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-CIC football team: Phil Vogrin at quarterback; Gary Snadon at fullback; Bruce Roach at end; Jerry Archer at center; Richard Beal and Harlan Hess at tackle; and Eddie Carter at guard. Three others received second-team honors: Bill Presson at halfback; Tom Gosch at end; and Bill Beeson at guard.Pitt State Football All-CIC Players Pittsburg State Gorillas August 17, 2024 https://pittstategorillas.com/sports/2012/4/19/FB_0419122343.aspx?id=122 Five members of the 1961 team have been inducted into the Pittsburg State Hall of Fame: quarterback Phil Vogrin (1988); fullback Gary Snadon (1989); tackle Harlan Hess (1990); center Jerry Archer (1992); tackle Richard Beal (1993); and halfback Bill Presson (2019). The first five were also named to Pittsburg State's 100th anniversary all-time football team.Class of 2019, Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame Pittsburg State Gorillas August 16, 2024 https://pittstategorillas.com/sports/2019/10/15/class-of-2019.aspx?id=376 Richard Beal, Tom Gosch, and Lewis Holmes were selected at the team captains.Pittsburg State Football Record Book, p. 2 Statistics The team recorded seven shutouts during the 1961 season. This remains a Pittsburg State single-season record.Pittsburg State Football Record Book, p. 61 Halfback Bill Presson led the team in rushing with 640 yards and also established the school's career punt return record with an average of 17.25 yards per return.Pittsburg State Football Record Book, p. 20. Presson also played on Pittsburg State's 1957 NAIA championship team.Gorilla Boy Knows Winning Ways The Kansas City Times December 11, 1961 33 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-gorilla-boy-knows/153490675/ Newspapers.com Quarterback Phil Vogrin led the team during the nine-game regular season in passing, completing 64 of 108 passes for 902 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. Vogrin also tallied 241 rushing yards in the regular season on 60 carries and led the team in total offense, setting a new school record with 1,143 yards. He also converted 39 of 47 extra point kicks.Northwest Notes The Oregonian November 29, 1961 4 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-northwest-notes/153503176/ Newspapers.com Fullback Gary Snadon led the team in scoring with 15 touchdowns for 90 points scored.Northwest Notes The Oregonian November 29, 1961 4 (sports) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-northwest-notes/153503176/ Newspapers.com (Snadon had 14 touchdowns through the NAIA semifinal game and added one more in the Camellia Bowl) Player gallery References Pittsburg State Category:Pittsburg State Gorillas football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Category:NCAA Small College Football Champions Category:Central Intercollegiate Conference football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Pittsburg State Gorillas football