1961 Illinois State Normal Redbirds football team

American college football season February 2026 January 2025 1961 Illinois State Normal Redbirds football 1961 Illinois State Normal Redbirds football team.png 285 Official 1961 team portrait from "The Index" yearbook Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference IIAC 5–4 4–2 Edwin Struck 17th Ron Schieber Keith Rieger Dave Babcock McCormick Field The 1961 Illinois State Normal Redbirds football team was an American football team that represented Illinois State Normal University (now known as Illinois State University) as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their 17th year under head coach Edwin Struck, the Redbirds compiled a 5–4 record (4–2 in conference games), tied for second place in the IIAC, and were outscored by a total of 142 to 129.Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962, p. . The team played its home games at McCormick Field in Normal, Illinois. Schedule y y September 23 Millikin<ncg> McCormick Field Normal, IL L 16-22 1,000 ISNU's Rally in 2nd Half Too Late -- Millikin Wins, 22-16: Redbirds Scare Big Blue After Trailing, 22 to 0 The Pantagraph Ron Janecke September 24, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-isnus-rally-in-2nd-half/142180994/ Newspapers.com September 30 at Eastern Illinois Lincoln Field Charleston, IL (rivalry) W 18-0 2,000 Barnhart Jim State Normal Pummels Eastern Illinois, 18-0 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103584948/the-pantagraph/ June 11, 2022 The Pantagraph October 1, 1961 13 Newspapers.com October 6 at Eastern Michigan Briggs Field Ypsilanti, MI W 13-0 State Normal Tops Eastern Michigan The Pantagraph October 7, 1963 8 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-state-normal-tops-eastern/154751103/ Newspapers.com October 14 Central Michigan McCormick Field Normal, IL W 32-21 5,000 State Normal Raps Central The Pantagraph October 15, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16712535/state_normal_raps_central/ Newspapers.com October 21 at Northern Michigan<ncg> Memorial Stadium Marquette, MI L 6-47 Northern Michigan Whips ISNU: No. 1 Rated Team Rolls Past Redbirds, 47 to 6 The Pantagraph October 22, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-northern-michigan-whips-i/151549827/ Newspapers.com October 28 Southern Illinois<hc> McCormick Field Normal, IL L 14-34 6,000 Southern Ill. Wins; Takes IIAC Lead Chicago Tribune October 29, 1961 4 (section 2) https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-southern-ill-wins-take/154802709/ Newspapers.com November 4 at Northern Illinois Glidden Field DeKalb, IL W 7-0 11,500 ISNU Whips Northern, 7-0, Boosts IIAC Record to 4-1 The Pantagraph November 5, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-isnu-whips-northern-7-0/154813394/ Newspapers.com November 11 at Western Illinois Hanson Field Macomb, IL L 7-12 4,000 Western Rallies To Upset State Jacksonville Journal Courier November 12, 1961 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/jacksonville-journal-courier-western-ral/154813463/ Newspapers.com Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Western Illinois) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/771/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association July 31, 2024 November 18 1961 Illinois Wesleyan Titans Illinois Wesleyan<ncg> McCormick Field Normal, IL W 16-6 4,000 All's Quiet At Wesleyan: 7th Defeat The Pantagraph November 19, 1961 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-alls-quiet-at-wesleyan/154813517/ Newspapers.com Cumulative Football Statistics Report (1961 Illinois State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/299/stats/12865 National Collegiate Athletic Association August 3, 2024 Statistics thumb|right|140px|Ron Schieber carries the ball against Central Michigan The 1961 Redbirds gained 1,913 yards of total offense (212.5 per game) consisting of 1,358 rushing yards (150.8 per game) and 555 passing yards (61.6 per game). On defense, they gave up 2,279 yards (253.2 per game), including 1,431 rushing yard (159 per game) and 848 passing yards (94.2 per game). The team's leading rushers were halfbacks Ron Schieber (577 yards, 134 carries) and Bert Popejoy (424 yards, 100 carries, 4.24-yard average). Schieber also led the team in total offense (577 yards) and scoring (54 points on nine touchdowns). Quarterback Keith Rieger completed 52 of 121 passes (42.9%) for 540 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions. End Bill Monken was the leading receiver with 22 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Awards and honors Senior quarterback Keith Rieger from Forrest, Illinois, and senior tackle Dave Babock from Cerro Gordo, Illinois, were the team's co-captains. Halfback Ron Schieber was selected as the team's most valuable player for the 1961 season.The Index 1962 (Illinois State Normal yearbook), p. 206. Three Illinois State players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-IIAC football team: Bill Monken at offensive end; Tom Mackiewicz at defensive end; and Dave Babcock at defensive tackle.SIU Places Seven on IIAC All-Star Teams Alton Evening Telegraph November 21, 1961 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/alton-evening-telegraph-siu-places-seven/154705158/ Newspapers.com Gallery References Illinois State Normal Category:Illinois State Redbirds football seasons Illinois State Normal football