1961 Virginia Cavaliers football team

American college football season August 2023 December 2025 1961 Virginia Cavaliers football 1961 Virginia Cavaliers football team.png 285 Atlantic Coast Conference ACC 4–6 2–4 Bill Elias 1st Louis Martig Ron Gassert Scott Stadium The 1961 Virginia Cavaliers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Virginia as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 1961 college football season. In their first year under head coach Bill Elias, the Cavaliers compiled a 4–6 record (2–4 in conference games), were outscored by a total of 190 to 123, and finished in eighth place out of eight teams in the ACC. Despite the last place finish, Elias was named ACC Coach of the Year, becoming the second in conference history to win the award in a coach's first year at the school.http://raycomsports.com/sports_labs_docs/m-footbl/2016accfbguide.pdf 2016 ACC Football Media Guide 122 Elias, who had been the Southern Conference Coach of the Year the previous season at George Washington, snapped Virginia's 28-game losing streak by beating William & Mary in the first game of the season.Virginia's Bill Elias ACC Coach of Year The Washington Post December 5, 1961 A23 Their win against South Carolina snapped an 18-game losing streak against ACC foes. The team's statistical leaders included junior quarterback Gary Cuozzo (382 passing yards) and sophomore halfback Doug Thomson (294 rushing yards). The team played its home games at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia. Schedule 1961 AP September 23 w y William & Mary Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA 21–6 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111948031/virginia-wins-first-since-58/ The Lima Citizen Virginia wins first since '58 September 24, 1961 October 24, 2022 Newspapers.com September 30 l y Duke City Stadium Richmond, VA Tobacco Bowl 0–42 20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-blue-devils-take/139129549/ Richmond Times-Dispatch Blue Devils take to air, smash Cavaliers by 42–0 October 1, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 7 l y NC State Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA 14–21 16,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-new-running-attack-h/139135320/ The Birmingham News New running attack helps N.C. State get first win October 8, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 14 w y y VMI Foreman Field Norfolk, VA 14–7 8,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-fischer-leads-u-va/139125480/ The Virginian-Pilot Fischer leads U. Va. in win over VMI October 15, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 21 l y y Virginia Tech Victory Stadium Roanoke, VA Harvest Bowl, rivalry 0–20 17,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-techmen-take-stunni/139128560/ Kingsport Times-News Techmen take stunning 20–0 Harvest Bowl win October 22, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com October 28 l y Wake Forest Bowman Gray Stadium Winston-Salem, NC 15–21 7,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-riley-throws-2-touc/139136303/ Kingsport Times-News Riley throws 2 touchdowns to pace Wake Forest over Virginia, 21 to 15 October 29, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 4 w South Carolina Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA 28–20 18,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-news-leader-cavaliers-surprise/139135930/ The Daily News Leader Cavaliers surprise S.C. November 5, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 18 l y y Navy Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD 3–13 23,565 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-sais-heroics-pus/139136639/ The Charlotte Observer Sai's heroics push Navy past Virginia November 19, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com November 25 w Maryland Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA rivalry 28–16 19,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florence-morning-news-virginia-apparentl/139134330/ Florence Morning News Virginia apparently knocks Maryland out of a bowl, 28–16 November 26, 1961 January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com December 2 l y North Carolina Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill, NC South's Oldest Rivalry 0–24 28,000 Farris, Elliott Lead UNC to 24-0 Grid Win: Heels Finish Season 2nd In Conference The Daily Tar Heel Harry W. Lloyd December 3, 1961 4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tar-heel-farris-elliott-lead/155010696/ Newspapers.comTar Heels Close Play By Blanking Virginia The News and Observer Joe Tiede December 3, 1961 1, 4 (section II) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-tar-heels-close-pl/155010741/ Newspapers.com https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia/1961-schedule.html 1961 Virginia Cavaliers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC June 16, 2018https://virginiasports.com/all-time-virginia-box-score-game-statistics/ All-Time Virginia Box Score Game Statistics Virginia Cavaliers Official Athletic Site June 5, 2021 Statistics Gary Cuozzo and Stanford Fischer both saw significant action at quarterback. Cuozzo completed 42 of 93 passes (45.2%) for 382 yards with five touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 91.0 quarterback rating. Fischer completed 27 of 69 passes (39.1%) for 361 yards with one touchdown, eight interceptions, and a 64.7 quarterback rating.1961 Virginia Cavaliers Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 30, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia/1961.html The Cavaliers had six players who rushed for over 100 yards, led by Doug Thomson (294 yards, 70 carries, 4.2-yard average); Tony Ulehla (190 yards, 54 carries, 3.5-yard average); Bobby Freeman (187 yards, 62 carries, 3.0-yard average); and Ted Rzempoluch (162 yards, 48 carries, 3.4-yard average). The leading receivers were Carl Kuhn (six receptions, 87 yards) and Tony Ulehla (nine receptions, 85 yards). Awards and honors Though Virginia finished in last place in the ACC, Bill Elias was selected by the ACC Sportswriters Association as the ACC Coach of the Year. He was credited with turning the Virginia football program around after a 28-game losing streak dating back to 1958.Virginia Mentor Elias Is ACC's Coach Of Year Durham Morning Herald December 5, 1961 3B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-virginia-mentor-elias-is/156346989/ Newspapers.com Senior guard Louis Martig and senior tackle Ron Gassert were selected as the team co-captains.http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/va/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2017-18/misc_non_event/2017FootballFactBook82-134.pdf 2017 Cavalier Football Fact Book Virginia Cavaliers Athletics 120 2018-06-17 2017-12-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054224/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/va/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2017-18/misc_non_event/2017FootballFactBook82-134.pdf dead Gassert was selected by the Associated Press and United Press International as a second-team player on the 1961 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team.Terps' Gary Collins Is All-ACC Lineman; Gabriel of NC State Chosen Ken Alyta The Morning Herald (MD) November 30, 1961 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3449609/1961_all_acc_football_team/Gabriel Leads All-ACC Club Statesville Record & Landmark December 1, 1961 10 https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-gabriel/154308506/ Newspapers.com Personnel Players right|thumb|150px|Tackle and co-captain Ron Gassert right|thumb|150px|Guard and co-captain Louis Martig Dennis Andrews (#80), end, junior, 6'5", 208 pounds, Huntington, Long Island, NY Gary Cuozzo (#11), quarterback, junior, 6'1", 187 pounds, Glen Ridge, NJ Stanford Fischer, quarterback, junior, 6'0", Kempsville, VA Bobby Freeman, halfback, junior, 5'11", 182 pounds, Richmond, VA Ron Gassert (#77), tackle and co-captain, senior, 6'3", 235 pounds, Mt. Holly, NJ Dave Graham (#76), tackle, 235 pounds Tom Griggs, fullback, junior, 6'0", 190 pounds, Richmond, VA John Hepler (#40), halfback, sophomore, 5'11", 175 pounds, Winchester, VA William Kanto, tackle, senior, 6'1", 220 pounds, Norton, VA Joe Kehoe, end, junior, 6'2", 187 pounds, Wharton, NJ Carl Kuhn (#42), halfback, junior, 5'11", 177 pounds, Lancaster, PA Louis Martig, guard and co-captain, senior, 5'10", 202 pounds, Pittsburgh, PA Myron McWilliams, end, sophomore, 6'1", 200 pounds, Blades, DE Edward Menzer (#85), end, senior, 6'1", 197 pounds, Memphis, TN Andy Moran (#51), center, 6'0", 210 pounds, Syracuse, NY Robert Rowley (#62), guard, junior, 6'1", 210 pounds, Cumberland, MD Ted Rzempoluch (#21), halfback, junior, 6'1", 182 pounds, Cliffside Park, NJ Terry Sieg, halfback, sophomore, 6'1", 185 pounds, Rumson, NJ Emory Thomas (#68), guard, senior, 6'0", 200 pounds, Richmond, VA Doug Thomson, halfback, sophomore, 5'11", 186 pounds, Baltimore, MD Tony Ulehla, halfback, senior, 6'0", 188 pounds, Belcamp, MD Willis Williams (#38), fullback, junior, 5'10", 180 pounds, Elmira, NY Elias Hopeful For Winning Season With Good UVA Team The News-Virginian September 14, 1961 16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-virginian-elias-hopeful-for-win/156346294/ Newspapers.comU. Va. Choice Today The Virginian-Pilot October 14, 1961 22 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-u-va-choice-today/156346022/ Newspapers.com Coaches and administration Head coach: Bill Elias Assistant coaches: Bill Neal, Al Carapella, Hayden Buckley, Ralph Humphreys, Zeke Fantino1962 University of Virginia yearbook, p. 96. Athletic director: Gus Tebell References Virginia Category:Virginia Cavaliers football seasons Virginia Cavaliers football