1961 San Francisco State Gators football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1961 San Francisco State Gators football Far Western Conference FWC 8–2 4–1 Vic Rowen 1st Cox Stadium FWC co-champion The 1961 San Francisco State Gators football team was an American football team that represented San Francisco State College (now known as San Francisco State University) as a member of the Far Western Conference (FWC) during the 1961 college football season. In their first year under head coach Vic Rowen, the Gators compiled an 8–2 record (4–1 in conference games), shared the FWC title with Humboldt State, and outscored opponents by a total of 261 to 102. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Dick Valdas (1,235 passing yards), halfback Tom Manney (561 rushing yards), and halfback Jesse Racines (396 receiving yards, 48 points scored). The team played its home games at Cox Stadium in San Francisco. Schedule September 16 w y UC Santa Barbara Cox Stadium San Francisco, CA 59–0 2,500 September 23 w y Long Beach State Cox Stadium San Francisco, CA 14–9 5,500 September 30 w y y Cal Poly Pomona L.A. State Stadium Los Angeles, CA 26–19 3,000–4,200 Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Cal Poly Pomona) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/91/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association May 25, 2022 October 7 l Humboldt State Cox Stadium San Francisco, CA 6–7 6,200 Humboldt State Nips San Francisco In FWC Opener Eureka Humboldt Standard Eureka, California Don Terbush October 9, 1961 10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18924112/humboldt_state_nips_san_francisco_in/ Newspapers.com April 4, 2018 October 14 l y y Los Angeles State L.A. State Stadium Los Angeles, CA 21–28 3,750 October 21 w Nevada Cox Stadium San Francisco, CA 48–0 4,500 Gators Romp Over Nevada: Jaramillo Paces 48-0 Thumping The San Francisco Examiner October 22, 1961 III-4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-gators-romp-o/156882713/ Newspapers.com October 28 w UC Davis Cox Stadium San Francisco, CA 13–8 4,500 Burnett Tallies Twice As SF Tips Ags 13-8 The Sacramento Bee October 29, 1961 D1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-burnett-tallies-twice/156881882/ Newspapers.com November 4 w y y 1961 San Diego Toreros San Diego Torero Stadium San Diego, CA 25–6 4,500 November 11 w y Sacramento State Charles C. Hughes Stadium Sacramento, CA 7–0 4,282 Hornets Yield To SF Gators, 7-0: Victors Cash In On 3rd Period Drive The Sacramento Bee Marco Smolich November 12, 1961 D1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-hornets-yield-to-sf-g/156882158/ Newspapers.com November 18 w y Chico State College Field Chico, CA 42–25 5,000 SF State Topples Chico 42-25, Ties For Title The Sacramento Bee November 19, 1961 D6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-sf-state-topples-chic/156882377/ Newspapers.com Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 San Francisco State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/628/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association May 10, 2022 Statistics The Gators tallied 3,098 yards of total offense (309.8 per game) consisting of 1,668 rushing yards (166.8 per game) and 1,430 passing games (143.0 per game). On defense, they gave up 2,039 yards (203.9 per game) including 1,153 rushing yards (115.3 per game) and 886 passing yards (88.6 per game). Quarterback Dick Valois completed 88 of 156 passes for 1,235 yards with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Valois also led the team in total offense with 1,060 yards (a figure diminished by negative 175 rushing yards). The team's rushing leaders were halfbacks Tom Manney (561 yards, 107 carries, 5.2-yard average) and Mike Jaramillo (505 yards, 84 carries, 6.0-yard average). The leading receivers were halfback Jesse Racines (27 receptions, 396 yards, eight touchdowns) and end Jim Collopy (25 receptions, 319 yards, two touchdowns). The leading scorers were halfbacks Jesse Racines (eight touchdowns, 48 points) and Tom Manney (seven touchdowns, 42 points). George Moorhouse was the team's punter, kicking 42 times for an average of 38.7 yard per punt. Awards and honors Eight San Francisco State players were selected as first-team players on the 1961 All-Far Western Conference football team: Dick Valois - quarterback (offense) Jesse Racines - halfback (offense) Jim Collopy - end (offense) Neil Loughlin - guard (offense) Ray Ponce - end (defense) Allan Abraham - guard (defense) Bill Baird - wingback (defense) John McGregor - halfback (defense) Seven others were recognized on the second team: Bob Martin - end (offense) Mike Jaramillo - back (offense) Tom Manney - back (offense) Bob Burnette - fullback (offense) Ted Freeman - tackle (defense) Don Briemle - linebacker (defense) Lou Goins - halfback (defense) Center Sam Dumas received honorable mention.Name Six Humboldt Staters To All-FWC First Team Humboldt Standard December 2, 1961 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/eureka-humboldt-standard-name-six-humbol/156860029/ Newspapers.com Professional football No San Francisco State players were selected in the 1962 NFL draft.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1962.htm 1962 NFL Draft January 12, 2017https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/sanfranciscost/ San Francisco St. Players/Alumni July 5, 2017http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?abbr=S&collegeName=San+Francisco+State&abbrFlag=0&type=school Draft History: San Francisco State April 3, 2017 Fullback Willie Simpson was not drafted, but appeared in 10 games for the 1962 Oakland Raiders.Willie Simpson Sports Reference LLC Pro-Football-Reference.com October 9, 2024 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpWi00.htm References San Francisco State Category:San Francisco State Gators football seasons Category:Northern California Athletic Conference football champion seasons San Francisco State Gators football Category:1961 in San Francisco