Wikipedia

1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1961 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 67th overall and 28th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season undefeated with eleven wins (11–0 overall, 7–0 in the SEC), with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl and as consensus national champions.[1] The 1961 national championship was the first of the six that Bear Bryant would win as head coach of the Crimson Tide.[2]

1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Billy Neighbors during NC State game, 1961
Consensus national champion
Sugar Bowl champion
SEC co-champion
Sugar Bowl, W 10–3 vs. Arkansas
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 1
APNo. 1
Record11–0 (7–0 SEC)
Head coach
Captains
Home stadiumDenny Stadium
Legion Field
Ladd Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Alabama + 7 – 0 – 0 11 – 0 – 0
No. 4 LSU + 6 – 0 – 0 10 – 1 – 0
No. 5 Ole Miss 5 – 1 – 0 9 – 2 – 0
No. 13 Georgia Tech 4 – 3 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Tennessee 4 – 3 – 0 6 – 4 – 0
Florida 3 – 3 – 0 4 – 5 – 1
Auburn 3 – 4 – 0 6 – 4 – 0
Kentucky 2 – 4 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Georgia 2 – 5 – 0 3 – 7 – 0
Mississippi State 1 – 5 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Tulane 1 – 5 – 0 2 – 8 – 0
Vanderbilt 1 – 6 – 0 2 – 8 – 0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

Alabama opened the season with a win over Georgia on the road in week one, and then defeated Tulane in its first home game at Ladd Stadium in week two. After they won their second road game of the season at Vanderbilt, Alabama returned to Tuscaloosa where they defeated NC State in the first Denny Stadium game of the season. The next week, Alabama defeated Tennessee for the first time since the 1954 season in the first Legion Field game of the year.

The Crimson Tide then defeated Houston in their final road game of the season and then returned home and defeated Mississippi State on homecoming in Tuscaloosa. The next week Alabama scored their most points in a game since the 1951 season when they defeated Richmond, 66–0. They then closed the regular season with wins over Georgia Tech and Auburn in the Iron Bowl. At the end of the regular season, they were ranked No. 1 in both the AP writers poll and the UPI coaches poll. The Crimson Tide then closed the season with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.

Schedule

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DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 23at GeorgiaNo. 3
W 32–644,000[3]
September 30TulaneNo. 4
W 9–033,000[4]
October 7at VanderbiltNo. 4
W 35–632,500[5]
October 14NC State*No. 3
W 26–730,000[6]
October 21TennesseeNo. 5
ABCW 34–348,000[7]
October 28at Houston*No. 4
W 17–024,000[8]
November 4Mississippi State No. 4
  • Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)
W 24–039,000[9]
November 11Richmond*No. 2
  • Denny Stadium
  • Tuscaloosa, AL
W 66–028,000[10]
November 18Georgia TechNo. 2
  • Legion Field
  • Birmingham, AL (rivalry)
W 10–053,000[11]
December 2vs. AuburnNo. 1
W 34–054,000[12]
January 1, 1962vs. No. 9 Arkansas*No. 1
NBCW 10–382,910[13]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[14]

Game summaries

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Georgia

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See also: 1961 Georgia Bulldogs football team
1 234Total
• #3 Alabama 3 7715 32
Georgia 0 006 6
  • Date: September 23
  • Location: Sanford Stadium
    Athens, Georgia
  • Game attendance: 44,000

To open the 1961 season, the Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 32–6 on the road at Athens.[15][16][17] Alabama took a 10–0 halftime lead after Tim Davis connected on a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter and Mike Fracchia scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.[15][16] After a 37-yard Pat Trammell touchdown pass to Butch Wilson in the third, the Crimson Tide scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns that extended their lead to 32–0.[15][16] Fracchia scored first on a two-yard run and was followed with a seven-yard Mal Moore touchdown pass to Red Wilkins.[15][16] The Bulldogs then scored on a 12-yard Langdale Williams touchdown pass to Carlton Guthrie that ended Alabama's bid for a shutout and made the final score 32–6.[15][16] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 25–18–4.[18]

Tulane

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See also: 1961 Tulane Green Wave football team
1 234Total
Tulane 0 000 0
• #4 Alabama 6 003 9
  • Date: September 30
  • Location: Ladd Stadium
    Mobile, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 33,000

After their victory over Georgia in their season opener, Alabama dropped one position in the polls to the No. 4 position.[21] At Mobile, the Crimson Tide shutout the Tulane Green Wave for the first time since the 1959 season in this 9–0 victory.[17][19][20] Alabama scored their only touchdown in the first quarter on a 22-yard Pat Trammell pass to Tommy Brooker for a 6–0 lead.[19][20] The Crimson Tide did not score again until a 25-yard Tim Davis field goal in the fourth quarter made the final score 9–0.[19][20] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 19–10–3.[22]

Vanderbilt

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See also: 1961 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
1 234Total
• #4 Alabama 13 1570 35
Vanderbilt 0 600 6
  • Date: October 7
  • Location: Dudley Field
    Nashville, Tennessee
  • Game attendance: 32,500

After their victory over Tulane at Ladd Stadium, Alabama retained the No. 4 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.[25] Against the Commodores, the Crimson Tide won by a final score of 35–6 at Dudley Stadium in Nashville.[17][23][24] Alabama took a 13–0 first quarter lead on touchdown runs of 66-yards by Mike Fracchia and eight-yards by Pat Trammell.[23][24] Early in the second quarter, Trammell scored his second touchdown on a 16-yard run. This was followed with a 13-yard Henry Lesesne touchdown pass to Marion Starling for the Commodores and a one-yard Larry Wall touchdown run for Alabama that made the halftime score 28–6.[23][24] Trammell then scored the final touchdown of the game in the third on a three-yard run that made the final score 35–6.[23][24] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 20–16–4.[26]

NC State

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See also: 1961 NC State Wolfpack football team
1 234Total
NC State 0 700 7
• #3 Alabama 0 12014 26
  • Date: October 14
  • Location: Denny Stadium
    Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 30,000

After their victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama moved up one position in the polls to the No. 3 spot prior to their first Denny Stadium game of the season.[29] In what was their first non-conference game of the season, Alabama defeated the NC State Wolfpack 26–7 in Tuscaloosa.[17][27][28] After a scoreless first quarter, the Wolfpack scored their only points of the game on a one-yard Roman Gabriel touchdown run for a 7–0 lead.[27][28] The Crimson Tide responded with 26 unanswered points and won the game 26–7. Alabama touchdowns were scored on Pat Trammell passes of 12-yards to Richard Williamson and two-yards to Bill Battle in the second and on runs of five-yards by Trammell and 45-yards by Eddie Versprille in the fourth quarter.[27][28] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against NC State to 2–0.[30]

Tennessee

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See also: 1961 Tennessee Volunteers football team
Third Saturday in October
1 234Total
Tennessee 3 000 3
• #5 Alabama 14 677 34
  • Date: October 21
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 48,000

Prior to their game against Tennessee, Alabama dropped two positions in the polls to the No. 5 spot prior to their first Legion Field game of the season.[33] Against the Volunteers, Alabama won 34–3, and the victory was both the first for Alabama over Tennessee since the 1954 season and the largest since their 51–0 win in 1906.[17][31][32] After Tennessee took an early 3–0 lead on a 53-yard George Shuford field goal, Alabama responded with 34 unanswered points.[31][32] The Crimson Tide scored first-quarter touchdowns on a five-yard Mike Fracchia run and a nine-yard Pat Trammell pass to Butch Wilson and a pair of Tim Davis field goals in the second quarter for a 20–3 halftime lead.[31][32] They then closed the game with touchdown runs of eight-yards by Billy Richardson in the third and one-yard by Trammell in the fourth quarter.[31][32] After their win, Alabama was formally extended an invitation to compete in the inaugural National Trophy Bowl at Washington, D.C., only to later decline the invitation.[34] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 19–19–6.[35]

Houston

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See also: 1961 Houston Cougars football team
1 234Total
• #4 Alabama 0 1070 17
Houston 0 000 0
  • Date: October 28
  • Location: Rice Stadium
    Houston, Texas
  • Game attendance: 24,000

After their victory over Tennessee, the Crimson Tide moved up into the No. 4 position in the polls prior to their road game at Houston.[38] In the first night game of the year, Alabama defeated a tough Cougars squad 17–0 at Rice Stadium.[17][36][37] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 10–0 halftime lead on a 33-yard Tim Davis field goal and a five-yard Pat Trammell touchdown pass to Bill Oliver in the second quarter.[36][37] Trammell then made the final score 17–0 with his two-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.[36][37] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Houston to 3–0.[39]

Mississippi State

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See also: 1961 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
1 234Total
Mississippi State 0 000 0
• #4 Alabama 14 307 24
  • Date: November 4
  • Location: Denny Stadium
    Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 39,000

After their road shutout at Houston, Alabama returned to play Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa as the No. 4 ranked team for the second consecutive week.[42] On what was homecoming in Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide shutout the Bulldogs 24–0.[17][40][41] Alabama took a 14–0 first quarter lead on touchdown runs of four-yards by Billy Richardson and one-yard by Pat Trammell, and after a 26-yard Tim Davis field goal in the second quarter led 17–0 at halftime.[40][41] After a scoreless third quarter, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a one-yard Larry Wall touchdown run in the fourth quarter and made the final score 24–0.[40][41] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 33–10–3.[43]

Richmond

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See also: 1961 Richmond Spiders football team
1 234Total
Richmond 0 000 0
• #2 Alabama 14 201319 66
  • Date: November 11
  • Location: Denny Stadium
    Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 28,000

Prior to their game against Richmond, the Crimson Tide moved into the No. 2 position in the weekly polls.[46] In what was the only all-time meeting against the Spiders, Alabama won 66–0 and scored the most points in a game since their 89–0 win over Delta State in 1951.[17][44][45][47] The Crimson Tide took a 34–0 halftime lead after first-quarter touchdown runs of one-yard by Pat Trammell and 30-yards by Larry Wall and second-quarter touchdowns on a four-yard Trammell pass to Richard Williamson and runs of 12 and one-yard by Wall.[44][45] Alabama then closed the game with five second half touchdowns and won 66–0. Touchdowns were scored in the third quarter on a 66-yard Benny Nelson punt return and a 26-yard Jack Hurlbut pass to Red Wilkins and in the fourth quarter on runs of three-yards by Eddie Versprille, two-yards by Marlin Mooneyham and on a 28-yard Mal Moore pass to Jimmy Dill.[44][45]

Georgia Tech

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See also: 1961 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team
1 234Total
Georgia Tech 0 000 0
• #2 Alabama 0 730 10
  • Date: November 18
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 53,000

For their game at Legion Field against Georgia Tech, the Crimson Tide remained in the No. 2 position in the national polls.[50] Against the Yellow Jackets, Alabama won in a 10–0 shutout to move their record to nine wins and zero losses.[17][48][49] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored their only touchdown on a 16-yard Mike Fracchia run for a 7–0 lead. Tim Davis then made the final score 10–0 with his 32-yard field goal in the third quarter.[48][49] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 22–18–3.[51]

Auburn

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See also: 1961 Auburn Tigers football team
Iron Bowl
1 234Total
Auburn 0 000 0
• #1 Alabama 7 1773 34
  • Date: December 2
  • Location: Legion Field
    Birmingham, Alabama
  • Game attendance: 54,000

After their win over Tech combined with No. 1 Texas' loss to TCU, the Crimson Tide moved into the No. 1 position in the polls prior to their game against Auburn.[54] Against the Tigers in the annual Iron Bowl game at Legion Field, Alabama shutout Auburn for the third consecutive season, this time by a score of 34–0 and completed an undefeated regular season.[17][52][53] After Billy Richardson gave Alabama a 7–0 first quarter lead with his 11-yard touchdown run, they scored 17 second quarter points and took a 24–0 halftime lead.[52][53] In the second, Pat Trammell scored on a one-yard run, Tim Davis connected on a 35-yard field goal and Trammell threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Richard Williamson.[52][53] Alabama then closed the game with a six-yard Richardson touchdown run in the third and a 34-yard field goal in the fourth to win 34–0.[52][53] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 12–13–1.[55]

Arkansas

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See also: 1961 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
1962 Sugar Bowl
1 234Total
#9 Arkansas 0 030 3
• #1 Alabama 7 300 10
  • Date: January 1, 1962
  • Location: Tulane Stadium
    New Orleans
  • Game attendance: 82,910

After the Crimson Tide was recognized as national champions by the major wire services, they defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 10–3 in the 1962 edition of the Sugar Bowl in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools.[56][57][58] The Crimson Tide took a 10–0 halftime lead after they scored on a 12-yard Pat Trammell touchdown run in the first quarter and on a 32-yard Tim Davis field goal in the second quarter.[56][57] Although Alabama was held scoreless in the second half, the Razorbacks only managed to score a 23-yard Mickey Cissell field goal in the third quarter that made the final score 10–3 in favor of Alabama.[56][57]

Awards

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After the season, several Alabama players were recognized for their on-field performances. Billy Neighbors was a unanimous selection to the 1961 College Football All-America Team at the tackle position.[59] Second-team All-America selections included Lee Roy Jordan at center and Pat Trammell at quarterback.[60] Additionally, Alabama had four players selected to the All-SEC First Team: Mike Fracchia at back, Jordan, Neighbors and Trammell.[60][61] Trammell was also selected as the SEC Most Valuable Player for the 1961 season and Neighbors won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy.[62] In addition, Bear Bryant was recognized as the AP, UPI and coaches' SEC Coach of the Year.[62]

NFL/AFL Draft

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Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1961 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) between the 1962 and 1965 drafts. These players included the following:

Year Round Overall Player name Position NFL/AFL team
1962 NFL draft
[63] 		4 43 Billy Neighbors Tackle Washington Redskins
5 69 Bill Rice End St. Louis Cardinals
16 211 Tommy Brooker End Washington Redskins
16 219 Ray Abruzzese Running back Baltimore Colts
1962 AFL Draft
[64] 		5 39 Bill Rice End Houston Oilers
6 46 Billy Neighbors Guard Boston Patriots
17 131 Tommy Brooker End Dallas Texans
23 180 Ray Abruzzese Safety Buffalo Bills
24 187 Pat Trammell Quarterback Dallas Texans
1963 NFL draft
[63] 		1 6 Lee Roy Jordan Linebacker Dallas Cowboys
2 24 Butch Wilson Back Baltimore Colts
3 33 Mike Fracchia Back St. Louis Cardinals
1963 AFL Draft
[65] 		2 14 Lee Roy Jordan Linebacker Boston Patriots
6 41 Butch Wilson Tight end Oakland Raiders
7 55 Richard Williamson End Boston Patriots
1964 NFL draft
[63] 		5 61 Benny Nelson Halfback Detroit Lions
11 151 Eddie Versprille Running back Cleveland Browns
1964 AFL Draft
[66] 		12 94 Benny Nelson Defensive back Houston Oilers

Freshman squad

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Prior to the 1972 NCAA University Division football season, NCAA rules prohibited freshmen from participating on the varsity team, and as such many schools fielded freshmen teams.[67][68] For the 1961 season, the Alabama freshmen squad was coached by Sam Bailey and finished their season with a record of two wins and one tie (2–0–1).[69] The 1961 freshman squad was noted for its being led by Joe Namath at quarterback after he chose to attend Alabama after he received more than 50 athletic scholarship offers from other schools.[70]

In their first game of the season, Alabama came from behind and defeated Mississippi State 20–14 before 3,500 fans at Denny Stadium.[71] After the Bulldogs took a 7–0 first quarter lead on a six-yard Ray Reed pass to Tommy Inman, Alabama tied the game 7–7 on an eight-yard Namath touchdown run early in the second. The Crimson Tide then took a 13–7 halftime lead on a nine-yard Namath pass to Creed Gilmer late in the second.[71] State retook a 14–13 lead in the third on an eight-yard Reed to Inman pass, but Alabama scored the game-winning touchdown on a 36-yard Ron McKinney run that made the final score 20–13.[71]

In their second game, the Baby Tide defeated Tulane 32–6 at Denny Stadium in a game they scored touchdowns in all four quarters.[72] After the Green Wave scored their only points on the first play of the game when Leon Verriere recovered the fumbled kickoff in the end zone for a touchdown, Alabama responded on the next drive and tied the game 6–6 after Namath threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ray Ogden.[72] The Crimson Tide then took a 12–6 lead in the second quarter on a 26-yard Tommy Tolleson double reverse. Alabama then closed the game with a pair of Namath touchdown runs and a touchdown pass to Creed Gilmer in the second half that made the final score 32–6.[72]

In their final game of the season, Alabama tied the Auburn freshman team 7–7 before 7,000 fans in the rain at Cliff Hare Stadium.[69] Both touchdowns came in the first quarter. Alabama took a 7–0 lead when Namath threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Creed Gilmer, and Auburn tied the game 7–7 on the kickoff that ensued after Tucker Frederickson returned it 92-yards for a touchdown.[69]

Personnel

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Varsity letter winners

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Player Number Position Weight Hometown
Ray Abruzzese 44 Halfback 188 Philadelphia
Steve Allen 63 Guard 210 Athens, Alabama
Bill Battle 84 End 197 Birmingham, Alabama
Tom Bible 75 Tackle Piedmont, Alabama
Tommy Brooker 81 End 212 Demopolis, Alabama
Glynn Burleson Linebacker Pine Hill, Alabama
James Cain Tackle Pensacola, Florida
Cotton Clark 45 Halfback 185 Kansas, Alabama
Elbert Cook 51 Linebacker 185 Jacksonville, Florida
Curtis Crenshaw 88 Tackle 202 Mobile, Alabama
Ingram Culwell 11 Halfback, Punter 187 Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tim Davis 40 Placekicker 165 Columbus, Georgia
Mike Fracchia 30 Fullback 185 Memphis, Tennessee
Butch Henry 80 End 201 Selma, Alabama
Darwin Holt 32 Linebacker 174 Gainesville, Texas
Mike Hopper 86 End 178 Huntsville, Alabama
Lee Roy Jordan 54 Linebacker 202 Excel, Alabama
Al Lewis 78 Guard 219 Covington, Kentucky
Gary Martin 42 Halfback 173 Dothan, Alabama
Duff Morrison 24 Halfback 189 Memphis, Tennessee
Billy Neighbors 73 Tackle 229 Northport, Alabama
Benny Nelson 28 Halfback 173 Huntsville, Alabama
John O'Linger 52 Center 187 Scottsboro, Alabama
Bill Oliver 21 Defensive back 170 Livingston, Alabama
James Patton 82 End 182 Tuscumbia, Alabama
Charley Pell 69 Tackle 199 Albertville, Alabama
Bob Pettee 62 Guard 186 Bradenton, Florida
William Rice 70 Guard 218 Troy, Alabama
Billy Richardson 35 Halfback 172 Jasper, Alabama
Norbie Ronsonet End Biloxi, Mississippi
Jack Rutledge 60 Guard 198 Birmingham, Alabama
Jimmy Sharpe 61 Guard 191 Montgomery, Alabama
Pat Trammell 12 Quarterback 193 Scottsboro, Alabama
Eddie Versprille 31 Fullback 181 Norfolk, Virginia
Larry Wall 36 Fullback 179 Fairfax, Alabama
Red Wilkins 85 End 198 Bay Minette, Alabama
Richard Williamson 83 End 181 Fort Deposit, Alabama
Butch Wilson 20 Halfback 204 Hueytown, Alabama
Jimmy Wilson 64 Guard 198 Haleyville, Alabama
Reference:[73][74]

Coaching staff

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Name Position Seasons at
Alabama		 Alma Mater
Bear Bryant Head coach 4 Alabama (1936)
Sam Bailey Assistant coach 4 Ouachita Baptist (1949)
Charlie Bradshaw Assistant coach 4 Kentucky (1950)
Phil Cutchin Assistant coach 4 Kentucky (1943)
Jim Goostree Assistant coach 5 Tennessee (1952)
Clem Gryska Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1948)
Dude Hennessey Assistant coach 2 Kentucky (1955)
Pat James Assistant coach 4 Kentucky (1951)
Carney Laslie Assistant Head coach, 4 Alabama (1934)
Hayden Riley Assistant coach 4 Alabama (1948)
Howard Schnellenberger Assistant coach 1 Kentucky (1956)
Gene Stallings Assistant coach 4 Texas A&M (1957)
Reference:[75]

References

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General

  • "1961 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  • "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book" (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.

Specific

  1. ^ National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "Football Bowl Subdivision Records: Consensus National Champions" (PDF). 2012 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 78. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  2. ^ Gold, Eli (2005). Crimson Nation: The Shaping of the South's Most Dominant Football Team. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson. p. 107. ISBN 1418553999. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  3. ^ "Alabama whips Georgia". Chattanooga Sunday Times. September 24, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Alabama wallops Tulane in 9–0 arc-light battle". The Selma Times-Journal. October 1, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Alabama mangles Vanderbilt, 35–6". The Macon Telegraph & News. October 8, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Nationally rankes Alabama claws State, 26–7". Asheville Citizen-Times. October 15, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Trammell stars as Tide crushes Tennessee 34–3". The Decatur Daily. October 22, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Alabama slaps Houston, 17–0". The Tyler Courier-Times. October 29, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Alabama breaks Bulldogs, 24–0". The Commercial Appeal. November 5, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Tide romps 66 to 0 and looks to Tech". The Birmingham News. November 12, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Alabama wins, 10–0". Daily Press. November 19, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Tide rips Auburn 34–0 in final bid for No. 1". The Huntsville Times. December 3, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Alabama's national champs hogtie Arkansas, 10–3". The Knoxville Journal. January 2, 1962. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "1961 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Land, Charles (September 24, 1961). "Alabama swamps Georgia, 32–6". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Power-packed Tide, stuns Bulldogs in 32–6 romp". Rome News-Tribune. UPI. September 24, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 1961 Season Recap
  18. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  19. ^ a b c d Land, Charles (October 1, 1961). "Alabama nips Tulane 9 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  20. ^ a b c d "Bama turns fumbles into 9–0 victory". The Miami News. Associated Press. October 1, 1961. p. 7C. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  21. ^ Corrigan, Ed (September 26, 1961). "Iowa on top in AP Poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  22. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  23. ^ a b c d e Ballard, Barney (October 8, 1961). "Tide rolls 35–6". The Gadsden Times. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  24. ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (October 8, 1961). "Tide engulfs Vandy, 35 to 6". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  25. ^ Weiss, Don (October 3, 1961). "Tide stays fourth". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  26. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  27. ^ a b c d Land, Charles (October 15, 1961). "Bama beats State at own game". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  28. ^ a b c d Dygard, Tom (October 15, 1961). "Trammell leader as Tide rallies, 26–7". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 4-1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  29. ^ Clary, Jack (October 10, 1961). "Tide is No. three in nation". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 12. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  30. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs North Carolina State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  31. ^ a b c d e Land, Charles (October 22, 1961). "Tide smashes Vols, 34–3". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  32. ^ a b c d e Smits, Ted (October 22, 1961). "Tide slaughters Vols, 34 to 3". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 4-1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  33. ^ "Spartans top poll, Tide 5th". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 17, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  34. ^ "Tide gets bowl bid". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. October 22, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  35. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  36. ^ a b c d Land, Charles (October 29, 1961). "Stubborn Houston falls, 17–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  37. ^ a b c d Skelton, Max B. (October 29, 1961). "Crimson Tide wins 17–0 to remain undefeated". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 4-1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  38. ^ Hand, Jack (October 24, 1961). "Spartans up lead; Tide climbs notch". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  39. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Houston". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  40. ^ a b c d "Alabama wins seventh in row". The Miami News. Associated Press. November 5, 1961. p. 2C. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  41. ^ a b c d Dygard, Tom (November 5, 1961). "Tide scores 24–0 win on soggy grid as Fracchia stars". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 4-1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  42. ^ Rathet, Mike (October 31, 1961). "Tide stays fourth". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  43. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  44. ^ a b c d Land, Charles (November 12, 1961). "Alabama stuns Richmond, 66–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  45. ^ a b c d "Alabama crushes Richmond 66 to 0". The News and Courier. UPI. November 12, 1961. p. 3D. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  46. ^ Jack, Hand (November 7, 1961). "Texas takes top spot; Alabama ranked second". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  47. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Richmond (VA)". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  48. ^ a b c "Alabama rips Tech". The Tuscaloosa News. November 19, 1961. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  49. ^ a b c "Alabama trips Tech". Rome News-Tribune. UPI. November 19, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  50. ^ Ed, Corrigan (November 14, 1961). "Tide stays Number 2". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  51. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  52. ^ a b c d e Watkins, Ed (December 3, 1961). "Bama heads to Sugar Bowl with 34–0 win over Auburn". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 13. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  53. ^ a b c d e Griffin, John Chandler (2001). "1961: Alabama wins the national championship". Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893. Athens, Georgia: Hill Street Press. pp. 166–168. ISBN 1-58818-044-1.
  54. ^ Hand, Jack (November 21, 1961). "Tide becomes No. 1 eleven". The Florence Times. Associated Press. p. 2-2. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  55. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  56. ^ a b c d Land, Charles (January 2, 1962). "Mighty Tide rolls over Razorbacks, 10–3". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  57. ^ a b c d "Alabama proves right to No. 1". The Miami News. Associated Press. January 2, 1962. p. 6C. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  58. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Arkansas". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  59. ^ National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Award Winners (PDF). NCAA.org. p. 7. Retrieved February 17, 2013. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  60. ^ a b 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, p. 218
  61. ^ Butler, Vernon (December 5, 1961). "Neighbors, Winston lead; Fracchia, Trammell picked". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
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  63. ^ a b c "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  64. ^ "1962 AFL Draft". Sports Reference, LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
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  67. ^ Kersey, Jason (August 27, 2012). "NCAA's decision to allow freshman eligibility changed football landscape". The Oklahoman. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  68. ^ Reed, Delbert (January 21, 1972). "Unanimous vote makes SEC frosh eligible". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 6. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  69. ^ a b c "Tide frosh, Auburn play to 7–7 tie". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 7, 1961. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  70. ^ Land, Charles (September 6, 1961). "Tide frosh check-in". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  71. ^ a b c "Namath, McKinney spark Baby Tide to 20–14 victory". The Tuscaloosa News. September 16, 1961. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  72. ^ a b c Davis, Paul (October 8, 1961). "Baby Tide blasts Tulane freshman". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  73. ^ 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 187–201
  74. ^ "Vandy, Tide Lineups". The Tennessean. October 7, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  75. ^ 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203
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