Wikipedia

1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

The 1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team was an American football team that represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their second year under head coach Art Dufelmeier, the Leathernecks compiled a 5–3 record (4–2 in conference games) and tied for second place in the IIAC.[1]

1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football
ConferenceInterstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record5–3 (4–2 IIAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumHanson Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Southern Illinois $ 5 – 1 – 0 7 – 3 – 0
Western Illinois 4 – 2 – 0 5 – 3 – 0
Illinois State Normal 4 – 2 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Eastern Illinois 3 – 2 – 1 4 – 3 – 1
Northern Illinois 3 – 2 – 1 4 – 4 – 1
Central Michigan 1 – 5 – 0 2 – 8 – 0
Eastern Michigan 0 – 6 – 0 0 – 8 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion

Halfback Leroy Jackson led the team with 560 rushing yards and 56 points scored.[2] He also finished third in the NCAA in the 100-yard dash, received first-team honors on the 1961 Little All-America college football team, and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (11th overall pick) of the 1962 NFL draft.[3]

Quarterback Bill Roper led the team with 635 passing yards.[2]

Schedule

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DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 30Eastern Michigan
W 43–04,000[4]
October 7at Central Michigan
W 12–75,000–5,100[5][6]
October 14 No. 5 Southern Illinois
  • Hansn Field
  • Macomb, IL
W 22–139,900[7]
October 21at Northern Illinois
L 22–2312,000–14,000[8][9]
October 28at Evansville*Evansville, INW 26–03,800–5,000[10]
November 4at Eastern Illinois
L 0–14997–4,000[11][12]
November 11Illinois State Normal
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
W 12–74,000[13]
November 18Bradley*
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
L 18–234,500[14]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962, p. 141.
  2. ^ a b c "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Western Illinois)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  3. ^ Harold Claassen (December 6, 1961). "Annual Little All-Americans -- Small College Stars Selected". The Shreveport Journal. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Western Whips Eastern Michigan". The Pantagraph. October 1, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Chips Fall, 12-7". Detroit Free Press. October 8, 1961. p. 48 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Central Michigan)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  7. ^ "Western Stops SIU, 22-13". The Southern Illinoisan. October 15, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Homecomings Are Wonderful: Ask Anyone at Northern . . ". The De Kalb Daily Chronicle. October 23, 1961. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Northern Illinois)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  10. ^ Tony Chamblin (October 29, 1961). "Jackson, Aces Blanked As Old Grads Mourn". Evansville Press. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "EIU Upsets Western Ill". Mattoon Journal Gazette. November 6, 1961. p. 5. Retrieved June 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Eastern Illinois)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  13. ^ "Western Rallies To Upset State". Jacksonville Journal Courier. November 12, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Bradley Tops Western In 23-18 Game". The Pantagraph. November 19, 1961. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
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