The 1961 Cincinnati Bearcats football team was an American football team that represented the University of Cincinnati as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) during the 1961 college football season. In their first year under head coach Chuck Studley, the Bearcts compiled a 3–7 record (1–2 in conference games, finished in a three-way tie for second place out of four teams in the MVC, and were outscored by a total of 142 to 97.[1][2]
| 1961 Cincinnati Bearcats football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Missouri Valley Conference |
| Record | 3–7 (1–2 MVC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Captain | Ken Byers, Don Ross |
| Home stadium | Nippert Stadium |
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wichita $ | 3 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| North Texas State | 1 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati | 1 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tulsa | 1 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 8 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The team's statistical leaders included Larry Harp with 426 passing yards, Phil Goldner with 277 rushing yards, and Jim Paris with 185 receiving yards.
The team played its home games at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
Schedule
edit| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 16 | Dayton* | W 16–12 | 16,000 | [3] | |
| September 23 | at Boston College* | L 0–23 | 18,000 | ||
| September 30 | at Wichita | L 13–21 | 11,519 | [4] | |
| October 7 | Xavier* |
| L 12–17 | 28,000 | [5] |
| October 14 | Air Force* |
| L 6–8 | ||
| October 21 | Houston* |
| L 7–13 | 11,000 | [6] |
| October 28 | North Texas State |
| W 21–9 | [7] | |
| November 4 | at Tulsa | L 0–19 | 8,256 | ||
| November 18 | Miami (OH)* |
| L 3–7 | ||
| November 25 | Detroit* |
| W 19–13 | 7,500 | [8] |
| |||||
Statistics
editThe 1961 Bearcats were outgained by a total of 2,440 yards of net offense (244.0 yards per game) to 1,968 yards (196.8 yards per game) for the Bearcats.[2]
The team's passing offense was led by quarterback Larry Harp who completed 40 of 107 passes for 426 yards with one touchdown and seven interceptions. Harp was followed by Bruce Vogelgesong who completed 12 of 29 passes for 144 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. The leading receivers were Jim Paris (16 receptions, 185 yards) and Barry Hess (10 receptions, 118 yards.).[2]
The team had seven players with at least 35 carries and over 100 rushing yards. The group was led by fullback Phil Goldner with 277 rushing yards on 70 carries for an average of 4.0 yards per game. Goldner was followed by fullback John Grad (243 yards), right halfback Fred Hynoski (223 yards), right halfback Jack Van Buren (212 yards), left halfback Hurdie Phillips (157 yards), and Hurdie Phillips.[2][11]
The leading scorer was right halfback Fred Hynoski with three touchdowns for 18 points. Hynoski also punted 34 times for the team, tallying 1,311 yards, an average of 38.6 yards per punt.[2]
On defense, C. Reinstatler led the team with four interceptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. Phil Goldner tallied three intereptions for 102 return yards.
Awards and honors
editGuard Rufus Simmons and tackle Ken Byers were selected by the conference coaches as first-team players for first-team honors on the 1961 All-Missouri Valley Conference football team.[12]
Ken Byers and Don Ross were selected as the team captains.
References
edit- ^ a b "1961 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule and Results". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "UC Grid Stax". The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Dick Forbes (September 17, 1961). "UC Wins Opener Over Dayton, 16-12". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 1G – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Shockers Leading Bearcats 12 to 7: Fumble, Aerial Build WU Lead". The Wichita Eagle and Beacon. October 1, 1961. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "XU scores early, holds off UC, 17–12". The Cincinnati Enquirer. October 8, 1961. Retrieved May 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Dick Forbes (October 22, 1961). "Battling Bearcats Succumb To Comeback Cougars, 13-7". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 1E – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cincinnati trips North Texas, 21–9". The Spokesman-Review. October 29, 1961. Retrieved November 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Dick Forbes (November 26, 1961). "'Cats Finish On Winning Note, Upset Detroit". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 49 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1961 Football Schedule". University of Cincinnati Athletics. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- ^ "2009 University of Cincinnati Football Media Guide" (PDF). gobearcats.com. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
- ^ "1961 Cincinnati Bearcats Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wichita Dominates All-Missouri Valley Conference Team". Seminole Producer. November 28, 1961. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
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