1961 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1961 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season. In its third year under head coach Bump Elliott, Michigan compiled a 6–3 record (3–3 against conference opponents), finished in sixth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a combined total of 212 to 163.[1][2]
| 1961 Michigan Wolverines football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Big Ten Conference |
| 1961 record | 6–3 (3–3 Big Ten) |
| Head coach | Bump Elliott (3rd season) |
| MVP | John Walker |
| Captain | George Mans |
| Home stadium | Michigan Stadium |
| 1961 Big Ten Conference football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 2 Ohio State $ | 6 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 0 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 6 Minnesota | 6 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 8 Michigan State | 5 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 7 | – | 2 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 12 Purdue | 4 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wisconsin | 4 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan | 3 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iowa | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Northwestern | 2 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 5 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiana | 0 | – | 6 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Illinois | 0 | – | 7 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 9 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After opening the season with convincing wins over No. 9 UCLA (29–6) and Army (38–8), Michigan was ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Poll. The team fell from the rankings after being shut out by Michigan State (0–28) the following week.
Right end George Mans was the team captain, and center/guard John Walker received the team's most valuable player award.[2] Left halfback Bennie McRae was selected by both the Associated Press and United Press International (UPI) as a first-team player on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team.[3][4] Fullback Bill Tunicliff also received second-team honors from the UPI.[4]
The team's statistical leaders included Dave Glinka with 588 passing yards, Dave Raimey with 496 rushing yards and 36 points scored, and Bennie McRae with 210 receiving yards.[5]
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30 | No. 9 UCLA* | W 29–6 | 73,019 | ||
| October 7 | Army* | No. 9 |
| W 38–8 | 65,012 |
| October 14 | No. 5 Michigan State | No. 6 |
| L 0–28 | 103,198 |
| October 21 | Purdue |
| W 16–14 | 66,805 | |
| October 28 | at Minnesota | L 20–23 | 63,898 | ||
| November 4 | Duke* |
| W 28–14 | 56,488 | |
| November 11 | at Illinois | W 38–6 | 40,179 | ||
| November 18 | Iowa |
| W 23–14 | 61,925 | |
| November 25 | No. 2 Ohio State |
| L 20–50 | 80,444 | |
| |||||
Season summary
Preseason
Michigan's 1961 recruiting class included Mel Anthony, Jim Conley, John Henderson, Arnie Simkus, and Bob Timberlake.[6]
Week 1: UCLA
|
On September 30, 1961, Michigan opened its season with a 29-6 victory over 1961 AAWU champion UCLA (ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll) before a crowd of 73,019 (including 13,000 high school band members) at Michigan Stadium. Michigan gained 253 yards, including 227 rushing yards, and held UCLA to 172 total yards. The Wolverines took a 16-0 lead at halftime on touchdowns by Bill Tunnicliff (one-yard run) and Dave Raimey (20-yard run) and a 29-yard field goal by Douglas Bickle. Michigan extended its lead to 29 points in the third quarter on a four-yard touchdown run by Bennie McRae and a 92-yard interception return by Ken Tureaud. UCLA scored its lone touchdown in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Dimkich.[7]
Week 2: Army
|
On October 7, 1961, Michigan defeated Army, 38-8, before a crowd of 65,012 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan's point total was its highest in 39 games, dating back to 1956. Michigan touchdowns were scored by Dave Raimey (13-yard run), Bennie McRae (47-yard run), Bill Tunnicliff (three-yard run), Bruce McLenna (seven-yard run), and Bob Brown (36-yard pass from Bob Chandler). Doug Bickle added a field goal and five extra points.[8]
Week 3: Michigan State
|
On October 14, 1961, Michigan (ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll) lost to Michigan State (ranked No. 5), 28-0, before a crowd of 103,198 and a national television audience at Michigan Stadium. The Spartans led, 14-0, at the end of the first quarter and 21-0 at halftime. Michigan was held to 92 rushing yards and 84 passing yards.[9]
Week 4: Purdue
|
On October 21, 1961, Michigan defeated Purdue, 16–14, before a crowd of 66,805 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring with a safety in the first quarter, when Purdue fumbled a pitchout in the end zone. Dave Raimey also scored in the opening quarter on a one-yard run. Bennie McRae caught six passes for 144 yards, including a touchdown reception that covered 72 yards in the third quarter.[10]
Week 5: at Minnesota
|
On October 28, 1961, Michigan lost to Minnesota, 23–20, at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis. Michigan led, 20-8, through the first three quarters as Tunnicliff ran eight yards for a touchdown and Dave Raimey scored twice on runs of 27 and four yards. Late in the fourth quarter, Michigan stopped a Minnesota drive at the nine-yard line, but Bennie McRae fumbled on the first play after Michigan took over, and Minnesota scored the winning touchdown with one minute and 24 seconds remaining.[11]
Week 6: Duke
|
On November 4, 1961, Michigan defeated 1961 ACC champion Duke, 28–14, before a crowd of 56,488 at Michigan Stadium. Bennie McRae scored three touchdowns on a five-yard run in the first quarter, a 15-yard pass from Dave Glinka in the second quarter, and a 34-yard interception return in the second quarter. Dave Raimey also rushed for 116 yards on 15 carries.[12]
Week 7: at Illinois
|
On November 11, 1961, Michigan defeated Illinois, 38–6, before a crowd of 40,179 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. The outcome was the second consecutive Michigan victory in the seven-year rivalry between head coaching brothers Bump Elliott and Pete Elliott. Michigan played all 38 players who traveled to Champaign in an effort to keep the score down. Michigan gained 309 rushing yards and held Illinois to 55 rushing yards. Dave Raimey began the scoring on a 54-yard punt return. J. Paul Raeder scored two touchdowns, and George Mans caught a touchdown pass from Dave Glinka.[13]
Week 8: Iowa
|
On November 18, 1961, Michigan defeated Iowa, 23–14, before a crowd of 61,925 at Michigan Stadium. Iowa was led by first-year head coach Jerry Burns who had played quarterback for Michigan. Michigan lost Bennie McRae with a shoulder separation in the first quarter, and Iowa took a 14-3 lead at halftime. Michigan rallied with three unanswered touchdowns in the second half. Dave Glinka ran 44 yards for his first collegiate touchdown. Dave Raimey totaled 102 rushing yards and scored on a one-yard run (set up by a 54-yard run by Harvey Chapman). Glinka threw a touchdown pass to Bob Brown that covered 20 yards. Iowa was held to two first downs and negative 16 rushing yards in the second half. Michigan outgained Iowa by 266 rushing yards to 97. In the Detroit Free Press, Joe Falls praised the courage of Bump Elliott's team and called the game "Elliott's finest victory of the season."[14]
Week 9: Ohio State
|
On November 25, 1961, Michigan lost to Ohio State, 50-20, before a crowd of 80,444 at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State fullback Bob Ferguson scored four touchdowns in the game. The Buckeyes' 50 points was the fourth highest point total allowed by a Michigan team up to that time, with two of the prior occasions occurring in the 1890s. Michigan's three touchdowns were scored on a 90-yard kickoff return by Dave Raimey and one-yard runs by Bruce McLenna and James Ward.[15]
Statistical leaders
Michigan's individual statistical leaders for the 1961 season include those listed below.[5][16]
Rushing
| Player | Attempts | Net yards | Yards per attempt | Touchdowns |
| Dave Raimey | 99 | 496 | 5.0 | 6 |
| Bennie McRae | 75 | 453 | 6.0 | 3 |
| Bill Tunnicliff | 96 | 396 | 4.1 | 3 |
Passing
| Player | Attempts | Completions | Interceptions | Comp % | Yards | Yds/Comp | TD | Long |
| Dave Glinka | 96 | 46 | 5 | 47.9 | 588 | 12.8 | 5 | 72 |
| Bob Chandler | 11 | 6 | 0 | 54.5 | 100 | 16.7 | 1 | 36 |
Receiving
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Yds/Recp | TD | Long |
| Bennie McRae | 10 | 210 | 21.0 | 2 | 72 |
| George Mans | 14 | 138 | 9.9 | 1 | 16 |
| Robert Brown | 5 | 110 | 22.0 | 2 | 45 |
Kickoff returns
| Player | Returns | Yards | Yds/Return | TD | Long |
| Dave Raimey | 10 | 308 | 30.8 | 1 | 90 |
| Bennie McRae | 8 | 148 | 18.5 | 0 | 29 |
| Ed Hood | 1 | 42 | 42.0 | 0 | 42 |
Punt returns
| Player | Returns | Yards | Yds/Return | TD | Long |
| Dave Raimey | 7 | 92 | 13.1 | 1 | 54 |
| Bennie McRae | 10 | 39 | 3.9 | 0 | 11 |
| Harvey Chapman | 4 | 32 | 8.0 | 0 | 17 |
Players
The starting lineup of the 1961 football team was made up of the following players. Players who started at least four games are shown with their names in bold.[2]
- Douglas Bickle - started 4 games at right tackle, 3 games at left tackle
- Harvey Chapman - started 1 game at left halfback
- Dave Glinka - started 2 games at quarterback
- Todd Grant - started 6 games at center
- Lee Hall - started 5 games at right guard, 3 games at left guard
- John Houtman - started 6 games at left tackle
- Dave Kurtz - started 1 game at right guard
- Scott Maentz - started 9 games at left end
- Frank Maloney - started 1 game at right guard
- George Mans - started 9 games at right end
- Bennie McRae - started 8 games at left halfback
- John Minko - started 6 games at left guard
- Joe O'Donnell - started 1 game at right guard
- Jim Raeder - started 4 games at fullback
- Dave Raimey - started 9 games at right halfback
- Jon Schopf - started 5 games at right tackle
- John Stamos - started 7 games at quarterback
- Bill Tunnicliff - started 1 game at fullback
- Ken Tureaud - started 3 games at fullback
- John Walker - started 3 games at center, 1 game at right guard
Awards and honors
- Captain: George Mans[2]
- All-Big Ten: Bennie McRae[2][3][4]
- Most Valuable Player: John Walker[2]
- Meyer Morton Award: Dave Raimey[2]
- John Maulbetsch Award: Harvey Chapman[2]
Coaching staff
- Head coach: Bump Elliott[2]
- Assistant coaches: Don Dufek, Henry Fonde, Jack Fouts, Robert Hollway, Jack Nelson[2]
- Trainer: Jim Hunt[2]
- Manager: Richard Asel[2]
References
- "1961 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- "1961 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- "Stephens Unanimous Choice on Big Ten". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 28, 1961.
- "Saimes and MacRae Selected on All-Big Ten Football Team". The Holland, Michigan, Evening Sentinel. November 29, 1961. p. 16.
- "1961 Michigan Wolverines Statistics". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- "1961 Michigan Football Roster". Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
- Lyall Smith (October 1, 1961). "U-M, MSU Open with Bang: UCLA Ripped, 29 to 6". Detroit Free Press. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
- Bob Pille (October 8, 1961). "U-M (38-8) and MSU (31-3) Roll On: Fumbles Kill The Army". Detroit Free Press. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
- Lyall Smith (October 15, 1961). "It's Michigan State: C-R-U-N-C-H, 28-0: Spartan Defense Ruins U-M". Detroit Free Press. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
- Joe Falls (October 22, 1961). "Safety First Pays Off for U-M: Purdue Beaten by 2-Pointer". Detroit Free Press. p. D1, D4 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Fumble Wrecks U-M, 23-20". Detroit Free Press. October 29, 1961. p. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
- "McRae Redeemed: M Wins, 28-14". Detroit Free Press. November 6, 1961. p. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
- Lyall Smith (November 12, 1961). "Oh Brother! -- M Clobbers Illini, 38-6". Detroit Free Press. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
- Joe Falls (November 19, 1961). "Big Finishes Win for M, MSU: Wolverines Overhaul Iowa, 23-14". Detroit Free Press. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Bucks Pour It On M, 50-20". Detroit Free Press. November 26, 1961. p. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page". Mgoblue.com. University of Michigan. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2017.(statistics retrieved by entering "1961" in the box for "Games & Totals by Season" and then, at the next screen, choosing "Display Season Totals")