1961 Washington Huskies football team

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1961

| poll = AP

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 23

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Purdue

| site_stadium = University of Washington Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| score = 6–13

| attend = 54,752

| source = {{cite news|title=Purdue's 13-6 Win Impressive: Honor of Big Ten Defended Before 55,000 at Seattle|newspaper=The Journal and Courier|author=Gordon Graham|date=September 25, 1961|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-purdues-13-6-win-im/153687474/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 30

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Illinois

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Champaign, IL

| score = 20–7

| attend = 41,319

| source = {{cite news|title=Young Illini Lose To Huskies, 20-7: Washington's Ground Game Topples Illinois|newspaper=The Pantagraph|author=Fred Young|date=October 1, 1961|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-young-illini-lose-to-husk/153937318/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 7

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Pittsburgh

| site_stadium = University of Washington Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| score = 22–17

| attend = 54,411

| source = {{cite news|title=Washington Shades Pitt, 22 To 17: Huskies Grab Victory In Final Minutes|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|author=Bob Drum|date=October 8, 1961|pages=1, 5 (section 4)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-washington-shades-p/153601242/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 14

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = California

| site_stadium = California Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Berkeley, CA

| score = 14–21

| attend = 43,000

| source = {{cite news|title=Bears Outbattle Huskies: Balliett Leads Cal To First Victory, 21-14|newspaper=Oakland Tribune|author=Emmons Byrne|date=October 15, 1961|pages=21, 27|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-bears-outbattle-huskies/154486837/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 21

| w/l = w

| opponent = Stanford

| site_stadium = University of Washington Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| score = 13–0

| attend = 53,200

| source = {{cite news|title=Washington Bounces Into Big Five Win Column: Huskies Score On Stanford Miscues|newspaper=Tri-City Herald|author=Charlie Van Sickel|date=October 22, 1961|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-washington-bounces-into/154487048/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 28

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Oregon

| site_stadium = Multnomah Stadium

| site_cityst = Portland, OR

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 6–7

| attend = 32,681

| source = {{cite news|title=Ducks Stun Huskies, 7-6: PAT Spells Difference In Victory; Veres' TD Pass, Oregon Defense Halt UW Bid|newspaper=The Oregonian|author=Don McLeod|date=October 29, 1961|pages=1, 7 (sports)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-ducks-stun-huskies/154405841/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 4

| w/l = t

| opponent = USC

| site_stadium = University of Washington Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| score = 0–0

| attend = 55,200

| source = {{cite news|title=Trojans, Huskies Settle for Scorless Tie: Teams Blow Field Goals in Bitter Big 5 Game|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=November 5, 1961|pages=1, 2 (section H)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-trojans-huskies-s/154465338/|via=Newspapers.com}} (attendance 55,200)1962 USC yearbook, p. 267, attendance 55,200.

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 11

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Oregon State

| site_stadium = University of Washington Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| score = 0–3

| attend = 51,500

| source = {{cite news|title=Beavers Triumph; Richman's Field Goal Trips UW|newspaper=Sunday Oregonian|date=November 12, 1961|page=1 (section 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sunday-oregonian-beavers-triumph-ri/154486567/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Beavers Edge Huskies by 3-0: On Richman Boot|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|date=November 12, 1961|page=1B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-eugene-guard-beavers-edge-huskies-by/154486347/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 18

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = UCLA

| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA

| score = 17–13

| attend = 33,969

| source = {{cite news|title=Bruins Lose in 'Give-Away' Duel, 17-13: Mitchell Ignites Huskies|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Paul Zimmerman|date=November 19, 1961|pages=1, 4 (section H)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-bruins-lose-in-gi/154482049/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 25

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Washington State

| site_stadium = University of Washington Stadium

| site_cityst = Seattle, WA

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 21–17

| attend = 48,500

| source = {{cite news|title=UW Nips Cougars In 21-17 Thriller: Huskies Rally Late In Game|newspaper=Tri-City Herald|author=Charlie Van Sickel|date=November 26, 1961|page=15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-uw-nips-cougars-in-21-17/154464775/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Late Husky Explosion Earns 21-17 Win Over Embattled Cougars Before 48,500|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|author=Harry Missildine|date=November 26, 1961|pages=1, 7 (sports)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-late-husky-explosio/153125202/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

}}

Washington ran a run-oriented offense, averaging 216.9 rushing yards and only 51.3 passing yards per game. On defense, the team held opponents to an average of 149.7 rushing yards and 110.7 passing yards per game.

Fullback Jim Stiger led the team in both rushing and total offense, tallying 582 yards on 130 carries, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. At that time, his rushing total for 1961 was the third best season total in Washington history, trailing only Hugh McElhenny and Credell Green. Stiger also played on defense and led the team with five interceptions and 51 return yards.{{cite news|title=Stiger Gains Third In Husky Rushing Parade|newspaper=Tri-City Herald|date=November 30, 1961|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-stiger-gains-third-in-hu/154461245/|via=Newspapers.com}}

Junior halfback Charlie Mitchell ranked second in rushing for the Huskies with 457 yards on 96 carries for a 4.8-yard average. Mitchell also scored the game-winning touchdown against Washington State on a 23-yard run. Mitchell was also the team's leading kickoff returner with 185 yards on five returns.

Senior quarterback Kermit Jorgensen ranked second in total offense with 331 rushing yards and 105 passing yards (10-for-26, 38.5%). Junior quarterback Pete Ohler was the leading passer, completing 17 of 59 (28.8%) for 394 yards with three touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 74.6 quarterback rating.{{cite web|title=1961 Washington Huskies Stats|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=S/R College Football|accessdate=September 1, 2024|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington/1961.html}}

The team's leading scorers, each with 20 points, were halfbacks Charlie Mitchell and Nat Whitmyer. Despite missing a game with a broken hand, end Lee Bernhardi was the team's leading receiver with five catches for 137 yards, an average of 27.4 yards per catch. Junior halfback Martin Wyatt led the team in punt returns with 117 yards on six returns, including a 73-yard return for touchdown against California.

Other significant contributors to the Huskies' rushing attack were Bill Siler (205 yards, 33 carries, 6.2-yard average); Martin Wyatt (201 yards, 41 carries, 4.9-yard average); and Nat Whitmyer (151 yards, 40 carries, 3.8-yard average).

No Washington players received All-America honors. Five were honored on the 1961 All-Pacific Coast football team: halfback Charlie Mitchell (AP-1; BIG5-1); tackle John Meyers (AP-1; BIG5-1); guard Jim Skaggs (AP-2, BIG6-1); center Ray Mansfield (AP-2); and halfback Jim Stiger (AP-2).

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Andy Alkire (#86), end, junior, 210 pounds
• Lee Bernhardi (#91), end, junior, 195 pounds
• Mike Briggs (#76), tackle, sophomore
• Tim Bullard (#58), center, senior, 210 pounds
• Gary Clark (#97), end, junior
• Norm Dicks (#63), guard, junior, 190 pounds
• Kermit Jorgensen (#12), quarterback, senior, 195 pounds
• Glenn Kezer, end, junior
• Dave Kopay (#40), halfback, sophomore
• Tony Kopay (#27), fullback, senior
• Jake Kupp (#81), end, sophomore, 200 pounds
• Duane Locknane (#85), end, junior, 190 pounds
• Ray Mansfield (#50), center, junior, 220 pounds
• John Meyers (#79), tackle, senior, 240 pounds
• Charlie Mitchell (#21), halfback, junior, 182 pounds
• Bob Monroe (#39), halfback, junior, 180 pounds
• John Nelson (#54), center, senior
• Pete Ohler (#16), quarterback, junior
• Dave Phillips (#59), guard, junior, 190 pounds
• Rod Scheyer (#78), tackle, junior, 210 pounds
• Bill Siler (#14), halfback, sophomore, 165 pounds
• Jim Skaggs (#70), guard, senior, 220 pounds
• Rick Sortum (#77), tackle, sophomore
• Chuck Steel (#20), quarterback, sophomore
• Jim Stiger (#35), fullback, junior, 185 pounds
• John Stupey (#67), guard, sophomore
• Nat Whitmyer (#23), halfback, junior
• Martin Wyatt (#36), halfback, junior

{{Div col end}}

• Head coach: Jim Owens
• Assistant coaches: Tom Tipps (head assistant coach, line coach), Chesty Walker (backfield coach), Bert Clark, Dick Heatly, Don White (end coach), Ed Peasley1962 University of Washington yearbook, pp. 204-205.

Two University of Washington Huskies were selected in the 1962 NFL draft, which lasted 20 rounds with 280 selections.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1962.htm |title=1962 NFL Draft Listing |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=October 17, 2019}} One of those Huskies was also selected in the 1962 AFL draft, which lasted 34 rounds with 272 selections.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1962_AFL/draft.htm |title=1962 AFL Draft Listing |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=October 17, 2019}}

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