1961 Colorado Buffaloes football team

American college football season August 2023 December 2025 1961 Colorado Buffaloes football Big Eight Conference Big 8 7 7 9–2 7–0 Sonny Grandelius 3rd Joe Romig Joe Romig Folsom Field Big 8 champion Orange Bowl L 7–25 vs. LSU The 1961 Colorado Buffaloes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Colorado, now known as the University of Colorado Boulder, as a member of the Big Eight Conference (Big 8) during the 1961 college football season. In their third and final year under head coach Sonny Grandelius, the Buffaloes compiled a 9–2 record (7–0 in conference games), won the Big 8 championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 184 to 104. Colorado defeated both Oklahoma and Nebraska on the road and defeated No. 10 Missouri at home. Their only loss in the regular season was to Utah. The Buffaloes were ranked No. 7 in the final AP writers and UPI coaches polls and concluded their season with a 25–7 loss to No. 4 LSU in the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day. The team included several notable players including: Guard and team captain Joe Romig was the team captain, a consensus first-team All-American, and the winner of the 1961 UPI Lineman of the Year award and Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy. The Buffaloes also retired Romig's jersey (No. 67). End Jerry Hillebrand also received first-team All-America honors and was the No. 2 scorer in the Big 8 with 49 points. Quarterback Gale Weidner set multiple school records during the 1961 season, including most career yards of total offense (3,091) and most career passing yardage (3,033). The team played its home games on campus at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. Schedule 1961 AP September 30 w Oklahoma State Folsom Field Boulder, CO 24–0 40,000 Buffaloes Bomb Oklags on 2 Touchdown Aerials, 24-0 Fort Collins Coloradoan Frank Pitman October 1, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-buffaloes-bomb-o/154192587/ Newspapers.com(attendance reported for the Oklahoma State game included 8,000 Band Day guests) October 7 w Kansas Folsom Field Boulder, CO 20–19 42,700 Colorado Stages Tremendous Rally To Turn Back Jayhawkers 20-19 The Daily Sentinel Frank Pitman October 8, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-colorado-stages-treme/154191536/ Newspapers.com October 13 Friday w y y Miami (FL) Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL 9–7 40,393–40,397 Colorado Stands Off Hurricanes' Tardy Comeback Bid to Escape with 9-7 Verdict The Miami Herald Luther Evans October 14, 1961 19A, 21A https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-colorado-stands-off-hur/154193691/ Newspapers.com October 21 w y 9 Kansas State Memorial Stadium Manhattan, KS rivalry 13–0 12,500 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hVoyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9eUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5712%2C4900495 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Buffs win humbly, 56-14 November 20, 1988 5B October 28 w y 10 Oklahoma Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK 22–14 45,117 Colorado Defeats Oklahoma, 22-14 Fort Collins Coloradoan October 29, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-colorado-defeats/154193083/ Newspapers.com November 4 w y 8 Missouri 10 Folsom Field Boulder, CO 7–6 43,000 Missouri Gamble Fails, Colorado Wins, 7-6 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Dave Lipman November 5, 1961 1F, 6F https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-missouri-gamble/153147229/ Newspapers.com November 11 l y 8 Utah Folsom Field Boulder, CO rivalry 12–21 25,000 November 18 w y 8 Nebraska Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE rivalry 7–0 26,000–28,108 Bowl-Hungry Buffs Eat Up Nebraska, 7-0: Huskers Get No First Downs on Muddy Turf Sunday Journal and Star (Lincoln, NE) Don Bryant November 19, 1961 1D https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lincoln-star-bowl-hungry-buffs-eat-u/154190930/ Newspapers.com November 25 w 7 Iowa State Folsom Field Boulder, CO 34–0 30,399 Colorado Rips Iowa State, Accepts Orange Bowl Bid Fort Collins Coloradoan November 26, 1961 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-colorado-rips-io/154190353/ Newspapers.com December 2 w y 7 Air Force Folsom Field Boulder, CO 29–12 23,287 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n1spAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_ecDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5210%2C1084629 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Colorado zooms into Orange Bowl December 3, 1961 3, sports January 1 Monday, 1962 l y y 7 LSU 4 Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL ABC Orange Bowl 7–25 62,391 62,391 Watch in the Rain: LSU Mist-ifies Colorado, 25-7; Big 7 Champions Are Outclassed By Tiger Attack The Miami Herald Jimmy Burns January 2, 1962 1A, 2A https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-62391-watch-in-the-rai/154074558/ Newspapers.com 1961 Colorado Buffaloes Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/colorado/1961-schedule.html College Football @ Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference October 23, 2023 1961 Football Schedule https://cubuffs.com/sports/football/schedule/1961 University of Colorado Boulder October 23, 2023 Colorado Football 2023 Record Book https://static.cubuffs.com/custompages/football/2023_Info_Guide/2023_Info_Guide.pdf University of Colorado Boulder 30 October 23, 2023 Statistics During their 10-game regular season, the Buffaloes gained 3,101 yards of total offense, including 1,182 passing yards.CU Captures Big Share of Statistics Greeley Daily Tribune December 5, 1961 18 https://www.newspapers.com/article/greeley-daily-tribune-cu-captures-big-sh/154076069/ Newspapers.com Quarterback Gale Weidner completed 74 of 162 passes (45.7%) for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.1961 Colorado Buffaloes Stats Sports Reference LLC S/R College Football August 26, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/colorado/1961.html During the 1961 season, Weidner set five University of Colorado records: most career yards of total offense (3,091); most career pass completions (219); most career passing yardage (3,033); most career touchdown passes (18); and most single-season touchdown passes (8).Weidner Sets Marks Fort Collins Coloradoan December 14, 1961 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-weidner/154075593/ Newspapers.com The team's rushing leaders were Ted Woods (525 yards, 107 carries, 4.9-yard average), Loren Schweninger (512 yards, 122 carries, 4.2-yard average), Bill Harris (434 yards, 82 carries, 5.3-yard average), and Larry Mavity (183 yards, 38 carries, 4.8-yard average). Jerry Hillebrand and Ken Blair ranked second and third in receiving in the Big 8. Hillebrand caught 15 for 323 yards, and Blair caught 10 for 263 yards. Hillebrand was the No. 2 scorer in the Big 8 with 49 points. Leon Mavity led the conference in punt return average, returning 10 punts for 130 yards, an average of 13.0 yards per return. Awards and honors Senior guard Joe Romig also played linebacker on defense and was the team captain.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-team-captain/129060086/ Team Captain Associated Press Independent Record Helena, Montana 8 December 2, 1960 July 28, 2023 Newspapers.com After the season, Romig received multiple awards and honors: Rommig a consensus first-team pick on the 1961 All-America team,Football Award Winners National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2016 October 21, 2017 9 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/awards.pdf receiving first-team honors from the United Press International (UPI), American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Romig also received the UPI Lineman of the Year award for 1961. He also received the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy as the collegiate lineman of the year. Romig's jersey No. 67 was retired by the Colorado Buffaloes following the 1961 season. End Jerry Hillebrand received first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press (AP) and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).CU's Hillebrand on All-America Team Fort Collins Coloradoan December 8, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-cus-hillebrand/154085980/ Newspapers.comDavenport's Hillebrand Gains Look All-America The Des Moines Register Maury White December 5, 1961 11 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-davenports-hill/154086026/ Newspapers.com Six Colorado players were recognized by the AP and/or the United Press International (UPI) on the 1961 All-Big Eight Conference football team: Romig (AP-1, UPI-1), Hillebrand (AP-1, UPI-1), center Walter Klinker (AP-1, UPI-1); quarterback Gale Weidner (AP-2, UPI-1), fullback Loren Schweninger (AP-2); and end Ken Blair (AP-2).Bowl Bound Colorado Buffaloes Land 3 On All-Big Eight Team The Bee: Danville, Virginia November 28, 1961 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3189562/bowl_bound_colorado_buffaloes_land_3_on/Colorado Dominates All-Big Eight Team Warren County Observer December 6, 1961 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3189602/colorado_dominates_all_big_eight_team/ Romig was also the team captain. Personnel Players 30em Ken Blair (#87), end, junior, 6'1", 201 pounds Ed Coleman (#31), halfback, junior, 5'11", 180 pounds John Denvir (#72), tackle, senior, 6'2", 236 pounds Bill Frank (#76), tackle, sophomore, 6'4", 235 pounds Dan Grimm (#77), tackle, junior, 6'3", 229 pounds Bill Harris (#33), halfback, sophomore, 6'2", 210 pounds Ralph Heck (#51), guard, junior, 6'1", 211 pounds Jerry Hillebrand (#82), end, senior, 6'4", 235 pounds Walt Klinker (#67), center, senior, 6'0", 202 pounds Leroy Loudermilk (#14), quarterback, junior, 6'0", 186 pounds Leon Mavity (#27), halfback, sophomore, 5'10", 179 pounds Chuck McBride (#88), end, senior, 6'1" 203 pounds Noble Milton (#32), fullback, sophomore, 6'0", 195 pounds Frank Montera (#11), quarterback, senior, 5'11", 180 pounds Jim Perkins (#74), tackle, senior, 6'5", 239 pounds Joe Romig (#67), guard and linebacker, senior, 5'10", 196 pounds Loren Schweninger (#31), fullback, senior, 6'0", 195 pounds Ted Somerville (#41), halfback, sophomore, 5'10", 181 pounds Gale Weidner (#10), quarterback, senior, 6'1", 184 pounds Ted Woods (#35), halfback, senior, 6'0", 196 pounds Colorado Probable Starting Lineup The Oklahoma Daily October 28, 1961 16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oklahoma-daily-colorado-probable-sta/154094547/ Newspapers.comColorado Buffaloes Fremont Tribune November 16, 1961 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-colorado-buffaloes/154094824/ Newspapers.comThe Buffalo Squad The Norman Transcript October 27, 1961 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-norman-transcript-the-buffalo-squad/154138906/ Newspapers.comColorado's Roster Columbia Missourian November 3, 1961 7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-missourian-colorados-roster/154139527/ Newspapers.com Coaching staff Sonny Grandelius (head coach) Hohn Polonchek (assistant head coach) Chuck Boerio (linebackers)https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TlcxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GuUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6844%2C5378848 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Grandelius' future is hazy and two aides laud action March 19, 1962 11 Bob Ghilotti (ends) Buck Nystrom (line) Recruiting controversy In March 1962, Grandelius was fired by the university regents for recruiting violations, primarily due to the operation of a slush fund for players and families.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ROFRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5972%2C3061660 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Colorado fires football coach March 18, 1962 4Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GKFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hecDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5608%2C1100073 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Regents fire Buff's coach Grandelius March 18, 1962 1, sports Ten days later, alumni director Bud Davis was hired as the interim head coach;https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VFcxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GuUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6753%2C5929232 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Alum chief is Buff coach, players threaten a revolt March 27, 1962 9https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kMZeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3046%2C4369157 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Alumni leader new Colorado football coach March 28, 1962 8https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YDtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6790%2C5058235 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Davis named grid coach at Colorado March 28, 1962 2Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9jsnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P0gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6327%2C5375612 Deseret News Salt Lake City, Utah UPI Meakins Gene Colorado coach seeks team support March 28, 1962 B7http://www.cubuffs.com/pdf6/47951.pdf?SPSID=62928&SPID=255&DB_OEM_ID=600 Colorado Football Media Guide PDF 2007-01-09 he had no collegiate coaching experience, just five years as a high school head coach. A month later, the NCAA put Colorado's football program on probation for two years; because the university began the investigation and took action, the penalties were relatively light.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Xz0yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=O-UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6977%2C2218692 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Colorado given a 2-year slap by ruling body April 28, 1962 9https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wPpVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zOIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1586%2C5351883 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press NCAA puts Colorado on probation April 28, 1962 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5essAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3080%2C771580 Bend Bulletin Oregon UPI Colorado put on probation, patted on back April 28, 1962 2 References Colorado Category:Colorado Buffaloes football seasons Category:Big Eight Conference football champion seasons Colorado Buffaloes football