1961 Colorado Buffaloes football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1961
| team = Colorado Buffaloes
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Big Eight Conference
| short_conf = Big 8
| CoachRank = 7
| APRank = 7
| record = 9–2
| conf_record = 7–0
| head_coach = Sonny Grandelius
| hc_year = 3rd
| mvp = Joe Romig
| captain = Joe Romig
| stadium = Folsom Field
| champion = Big 8 champion
| bowl = Orange Bowl
| bowl_result = L 7–25 vs. LSU
}}
{{1961 Big Eight Conference football standings}}
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
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 1961
| poll = AP
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 30
| time =
| w/l = w
| opponent = Oklahoma State
| site_stadium = Folsom Field
| site_cityst = Boulder, CO
| score = 24–0
| attend = 40,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Buffaloes Bomb Oklags on 2 Touchdown Aerials, 24-0|newspaper=Fort Collins Coloradoan|author=Frank Pitman|date=October 1, 1961|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-buffaloes-bomb-o/154192587/|via=Newspapers.com}}(attendance reported for the Oklahoma State game included 8,000 Band Day guests)
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 7
| time =
| w/l = w
| opponent = Kansas
| site_stadium = Folsom Field
| site_cityst = Boulder, CO
| score = 20–19
| attend = 42,700
| source = {{cite news|title=Colorado Stages Tremendous Rally To Turn Back Jayhawkers 20-19|newspaper=The Daily Sentinel|author=Frank Pitman|date=October 8, 1961|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-colorado-stages-treme/154191536/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = {{tooltip|October 13|Friday}}
| time =
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Miami (FL)
| site_stadium = Miami Orange Bowl
| site_cityst = Miami, FL
| score = 9–7
| attend = 40,393–40,397
| source = {{cite news|title=Colorado Stands Off Hurricanes' Tardy Comeback Bid to Escape with 9-7 Verdict|newspaper=The Miami Herald|author=Luther Evans|date=October 14, 1961|pages=19A, 21A|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-colorado-stands-off-hur/154193691/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 21
| time =
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 9
| opponent = Kansas State
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Manhattan, KS
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 13–0
| attend = 12,500
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 28
| time =
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 10
| opponent = Oklahoma
| site_stadium = Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| score = 22–14
| attend = 45,117
| source = {{cite news|title=Colorado Defeats Oklahoma, 22-14|newspaper=Fort Collins Coloradoan|date=October 29, 1961|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-colorado-defeats/154193083/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 4
| time =
| w/l = w
| homecoming = y
| rank = 8
| opponent = Missouri
| opprank = 10
| site_stadium = Folsom Field
| site_cityst = Boulder, CO
| score = 7–6
| attend = 43,000
| source = {{cite news|title=Missouri Gamble Fails, Colorado Wins, 7-6|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|author=Dave Lipman|date=November 5, 1961|pages=1F, 6F|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-missouri-gamble/153147229/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 11
| time =
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| rank = 8
| opponent = Utah
| site_stadium = Folsom Field
| site_cityst = Boulder, CO
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 12–21
| attend = 25,000
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 18
| time =
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 8
| opponent = Nebraska
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Lincoln, NE
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 7–0
| attend = 26,000–28,108
| source = {{cite news|title=Bowl-Hungry Buffs Eat Up Nebraska, 7-0: Huskers Get No First Downs on Muddy Turf|newspaper=Sunday Journal and Star (Lincoln, NE)|author=Don Bryant|date=November 19, 1961|page=1D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lincoln-star-bowl-hungry-buffs-eat-u/154190930/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 25
| time =
| w/l = w
| rank = 7
| opponent = Iowa State
| site_stadium = Folsom Field
| site_cityst = Boulder, CO
| score = 34–0
| attend = 30,399
| source = {{cite news|title=Colorado Rips Iowa State, Accepts Orange Bowl Bid|newspaper=Fort Collins Coloradoan|date=November 26, 1961|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-colorado-rips-io/154190353/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 2
| time =
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 7
| opponent = Air Force
| site_stadium = Folsom Field
| site_cityst = Boulder, CO
| score = 29–12
| attend = 23,287
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = {{tooltip|January 1|Monday}}, 1962
| time =
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| rank = 7
| opponent = LSU
| opprank = 4
| site_stadium = Miami Orange Bowl
| site_cityst = Miami, FL
| tv = ABC
| gamename = Orange Bowl
| score = 7–25
| attend = 62,391
| source = {{cite news|title=62,391 Watch in the Rain: LSU Mist-ifies Colorado, 25-7; Big 7 Champions Are Outclassed By Tiger Attack|newspaper=The Miami Herald|author=Jimmy Burns|date=January 2, 1962|pages=1A, 2A|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-62391-watch-in-the-rai/154074558/|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
}}
{{cite web |author= |title=1961 Colorado Buffaloes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/colorado/1961-schedule.html |website=College Football @ Sports-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=October 23, 2023 }}{{cite web |author= |title=1961 Football Schedule |url=https://cubuffs.com/sports/football/schedule/1961 |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder |access-date=October 23, 2023 }}{{cite web |author= |title=Colorado Football 2023 Record Book |url=https://static.cubuffs.com/custompages/football/2023_Info_Guide/2023_Info_Guide.pdf |publisher=University of Colorado Boulder |page=30 |access-date=October 23, 2023 }}
Statistics
During their 10-game regular season, the Buffaloes gained 3,101 yards of total offense, including 1,182 passing yards.{{cite news|title=CU Captures Big Share of Statistics|newspaper=Greeley Daily Tribune|date=December 5, 1961|page=18|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/greeley-daily-tribune-cu-captures-big-sh/154076069/|via=Newspapers.com}}
Quarterback Gale Weidner completed 74 of 162 passes (45.7%) for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.{{cite web|title=1961 Colorado Buffaloes Stats|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=S/R College Football|accessdate=August 26, 2024|url=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).{{cite news|title=Weidner Sets Marks|newspaper=Fort Collins Coloradoan|date=December 14, 1961|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-weidner/154075593/|via=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.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-team-captain/129060086/ |title=Team Captain |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Independent Record |location=Helena, Montana |page=8 |date=December 2, 1960 |access-date=July 28, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} After the season, Romig received multiple awards and honors:
- Rommig a consensus first-team pick on the 1961 All-America team,{{cite web|title=Football Award Winners|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)|year=2016|access-date=October 21, 2017|page=9|url=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).{{cite news|title=CU's Hillebrand on All-America Team|newspaper=Fort Collins Coloradoan|date=December 8, 1961|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-collins-coloradoan-cus-hillebrand/154085980/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Davenport's Hillebrand Gains Look All-America|newspaper=The Des Moines Register|author=Maury White|date=December 5, 1961|page=11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-davenports-hill/154086026/|via=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).{{cite news|title=Bowl Bound Colorado Buffaloes Land 3 On All-Big Eight Team|newspaper=The Bee: Danville, Virginia|date=November 28, 1961|page=3D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3189562/bowl_bound_colorado_buffaloes_land_3_on/}}{{cite news|title=Colorado Dominates All-Big Eight Team|newspaper=Warren County Observer|date=December 6, 1961|page=23|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3189602/colorado_dominates_all_big_eight_team/}} Romig was also the team captain.
Personnel
=Players=
{{Div col|colwidth=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
- 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
{{Div col end}}
{{cite news|title=Colorado Probable Starting Lineup|newspaper=The Oklahoma Daily|date=October 28, 1961|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oklahoma-daily-colorado-probable-sta/154094547/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Colorado Buffaloes|newspaper=Fremont Tribune|date=November 16, 1961|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune-colorado-buffaloes/154094824/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=The Buffalo Squad|newspaper=The Norman Transcript|date=October 27, 1961|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-norman-transcript-the-buffalo-squad/154138906/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Colorado's Roster|newspaper=Columbia Missourian|date=November 3, 1961|page=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-missourian-colorados-roster/154139527/|via=Newspapers.com}}
=Coaching staff=
- Sonny Grandelius (head coach)
- Hohn Polonchek (assistant head coach)
- Chuck Boerio (linebackers){{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TlcxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GuUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6844%2C5378848 |work=Lawrence Daily Journal-World |location=(Kansas) |agency=Associated Press |title=Grandelius' future is hazy and two aides laud action |date=March 19, 1962 |page=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.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ROFRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5972%2C3061660 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Colorado fires football coach |date=March 18, 1962 |page=4B}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GKFWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hecDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5608%2C1100073 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Regents fire Buff's coach Grandelius |date=March 18, 1962 |page=1, sports}} Ten days later, alumni director Bud Davis was hired as the interim head coach;{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VFcxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GuUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6753%2C5929232 |work=Lawrence Daily Journal-World |location=(Kansas) |agency=Associated Press |title=Alum chief is Buff coach, players threaten a revolt |date=March 27, 1962 |page=9}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kMZeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3046%2C4369157 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|agency=Associated Press |title=Alumni leader new Colorado football coach |date=March 28, 1962 |page=8}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YDtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6790%2C5058235|work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Davis named grid coach at Colorado |date=March 28, 1962 |page=2B}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9jsnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P0gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6327%2C5375612 |work=Deseret News |location=(Salt Lake City, Utah) |agency=UPI |last=Meakins |first=Gene |title=Colorado coach seeks team support |date=March 28, 1962 |page=B7}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cubuffs.com/pdf6/47951.pdf?SPSID=62928&SPID=255&DB_OEM_ID=600|title=Colorado Football Media Guide|format=PDF|access-date=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.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Xz0yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=O-UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6977%2C2218692 |work=Lawrence Daily Journal-World |location=(Kansas) |agency=Associated Press |title=Colorado given a 2-year slap by ruling body
|date=April 28, 1962 |page=9}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wPpVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zOIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1586%2C5351883 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=NCAA puts Colorado on probation |date=April 28, 1962 |page=1B}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5essAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3080%2C771580 |work=Bend Bulletin |location=(Oregon) |agency=UPI |title=Colorado put on probation, patted on back |date=April 28, 1962 |page=2}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Colorado Buffaloes football navbox}}
{{Big Eight Conference football champions}}
Category:Colorado Buffaloes football seasons