1961 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1961

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 23

| w/l = w

| rank = 7

| opponent = Navy

| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, PA

| score = 20–10

| attend = 39,340

| source = {{cite news|title=Penn State Squeaks By Middies, 20-10|newspaper=Elmira Star-Gazette|date=September 24, 1961|page=D1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-penn-state-squeaks-by-middi/153641099/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 29

| w/l = l

| away = y

| rank = 8

| opponent = Miami (FL)

| site_stadium = Orange Bowl

| site_cityst = Miami, FL

| score = 8–25

| attend = 45,657

| source = {{cite news|title=Roaring Hurricanes Chop Up Penn State With 25-8 Lacing|newspaper=The Miami Herald|author=Luther Evans|date=September 30, 1961|page=16A|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-roaring-hurricanes-chop/153640799/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 6

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Boston University

| site_stadium = Boston University Field

| site_cityst = Boston, MA

| score = 32–0

| attend = 10,150

| source = {{cite news|title=Penn St. Power Routs B.U., 32-0|newspaper=The Boston Globe|author=Francis Rosa|date=October 7, 1961|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-penn-st-power-routs-b/153437749/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 14

| w/l = l

| opponent = Army

| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, PA

| score = 6–10

| attend = 44,120

| source = {{cite news|title=Penn State Bows: Army's Heydt Kicks 4 Points for 10-6 Win|newspaper=Elmira Telegram|author=Cove Hoover|date=October 15, 1961|page=2D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette-penn-state-bows-armys-hey/153630687/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 21

| w/l = w

| opponent = Syracuse

| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, PA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 14–0

| attend = 44,390

| source = {{cite news|title=Syracuse Ailing, Hall Operating: State, 14-0, Holds Ernie To 36 Yards|newspaper=The Sunday Press (Binghamton, NY)|date=October 22, 1961|page=D1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin-syracuse-ailing/153639311/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 28

| w/l = w

| homecoming = y

| opponent = California

| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, PA

| score = 33–16

| attend = 30,265

| source = {{cite news|title=Engle's Gambling Racks in Golden Bears, 33 to 16|newspaper=The Patriot-News|author=Rusty Cowan|date=October 29, 1961|page=37|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-patriot-news-engles-gambling-racks/153638975/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 4

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Maryland

| site_stadium = Byrd Stadium

| site_cityst = College Park, MD

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 17–21

| attend = 39,000

| source = {{cite news|title=Maryland Triumphs, 21-17: Terps Whip Penn State After Building Up 21-6 Halftime Lead|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|author=W. Lawrence Null|date=November 5, 1961|pages=1, 2 (sports)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-maryland-triumphs-21/153643204/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-terps-score/139133995/|work=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|title=Terps score fast, hang on to upset Penn State, 21–17|date=November 5, 1961|accessdate=January 19, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 11

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = West Virginia

| site_stadium = Mountaineer Field

| site_cityst = Morgantown, WV

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 20–6

| attend = 30,000

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-penn-state-mauls-west/139128069/|work=Messenger-Inquirer|title=Penn State mauls West Virginia to win by 20 to 6|date=November 12, 1961|accessdate=January 19, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 18

| w/l = w

| opponent = Holy Cross

| site_stadium = Beaver Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, PA

| score = 34–14

| attend = 32,746

|

| source = {{cite news |title=Kochman, Torris Get 5 TDs as Penn State Conquers Holy Cross |first=Charlie |last=Frush |date=November 19, 1961 |page=S1 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |location=Philadelphia, Pa.|via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/68465237/1961-holy-cross-psu/ }}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 25

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Pittsburgh

| site_stadium = Pitt Stadium

| site_cityst = Pittsburgh, PA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 47–26

| attend = 37,271

| source = {{cite news|title=State Goes 'Bowling' Over Pitt Panthers|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=November 26, 1961|pages=2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-state-goes-bowling/153598043/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = December 30

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Georgia Tech

| site_stadium = Gator Bowl Stadium

| site_cityst = Jacksonville, FL

| gamename = Gator Bowl

| tv = CBS

| score = 30–15

| attend = 50,202

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tallahassee-democrat-energetic-penn-stat/133246853/|work=Tallahassee Democrat|title=Energetic Penn State wins|date=December 31, 1961|accessdate=October 10, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

}}

Quarterback Galen Hall led the team in passing during the regular season, completing 50 of 97 passes (51.5%) for 951 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. In the Gator Bowl, Hall completed 12 of 22 passes for 175 yards and three touchdown and was selected as the game's most valuable player.{{cite news|title=Hall Pulls Stinger Of Georgia Jackets|newspaper=Sunday Patriot-News|date=December 31, 1961|page=17|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-patriot-news-hall-pulls-stinger-of-g/153635491/|via=Newspapers.com}}

Halfback Roger Kochman led the team in rushing during the regular season with 666 yards on 129 carries for a 5.2-yard average. He added 76 yards on 13 carries in the Gator Bowl. Kochman also led the team in scoring with 54 points on nine touchdowns.{{cite web|title=Penn State Wins|publisher=Tax Slayer Bowl|accessdate=August 19, 2024|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905195632/http://www.taxslayerbowl.com/wp-content/uploads/boxscores/17thBoxScores.pdf}}

The team's other leading passers were backup quarterbacks Don Caum (13-for-39, 33.3%, 210 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) and Pete Liske (17-for-32, 53.1%, 216 yards, two touchdowns, one interception).{{cite web|title=1961 Penn State Nittany Lions Stats|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|accessdate=August 19, 2024|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/1961.html}}

The other leading rushers were Buddy Torris (490 yards, 105 carries, 4.7-yard average); Dave Hayes (253 yards, 66 carries, 3.8-yard average); Junior Powell (226 yards, 41 carries, 5.5-yard average); Al Gursky (174 yards, 60 carries, 2.9-yard average); and Don Jonas (149 yards, 31 carries, 4.8-yard average).

The receiving leaders were Junior Powell (332 yards, 15 receptions, 22.1-yard average); Jim Schwab (257 yards, 16 receptions, 16.1-yard average); and Roger Kochman (226 yards, 10 receptions, 22.6-yard average).

The leading scorer following Kochman were Buddy Torris (24 points, four touchdowns). Four players had 18 points each.

The Nittany Lions received the Lambert Trophy as the best major college football team in the East.{{cite news|title=PSU 'Subs' Take Lambert Trophy|newspaper=The Lock Haven Express|date=December 11, 1961|page=12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-express-psu-subs-take-lambert-trop/153639750/|via=Newspapers.com}}

Robert Mitinger, who played at end on both offense and defense, was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.{{cite news|title=Three Holdovers Make 1961 All-America Football Team|newspaper=The York Dispatch|date=December 1, 1961|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-york-dispatch-three-holdovers-make-1/153636606/|via=Newspapers.com}}

Mitinger, quarterback Galen Hall, and halfback Roger Kochman all received first-team honors on the Associated Press (AP) 1961 All-Eastern football team.{{cite news|title=Kroll and Simms Are Voted To AP All-East First Team|newspaper=The Daily Home News|date=December 1, 1961|page=22|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106256083/kroll-and-simms-are-voted-to-ap/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Penn State Puts Three on All-Eastern Team|newspaper=The Beaver County Times |date=December 7, 1961|page=18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hukuAAAAIBAJ&dq=1961+All-Eastern+football+team&pg=PA31&article_id=6035,1195662}}

Four Penn State players received first-team honors on the AP All-Pennsylvania football team: Hall; Mitinger; Jim Smith at tackle; and Jay Huffman at center. Kochman and end Jim Schwab received second-team honors.{{cite news|title=Four Nittany Lions Are Named to AP All-State Grid Team|newspaper=The Progress (PA)|date=December 11, 1961|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-progress-four-nittany-lions-are-name/153640040/|via=Newspapers.com}}

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