Wikipedia

1961 Mississippi College Choctaws football team

The 1961 Mississippi College Choctaws football team was an American football team that represented Mississippi College as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their third year under head coach Hartwell McPhail, the Choctaws compiled an 8–1 record, shut out their first four opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 209 to 60 points.[1] The Choctaws' 8–1 record marked the program's best season since 1927 Choctaws compiled a perfect 8–0 record.[1] The team set a school record with an average of 264.0 rushing yards per game,[2] while holding opponents to an average of only 99.9 rushing yards per game.[1]

1961 Mississippi College Choctaws football
ConferenceIndependent
Record8–1
Head coach
MVPAlton Greenlee
CaptainAlton Greenlee, G. T. Thames
Home stadiumRobinson Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Southern college football independents records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Washington and Lee   –   9 – 0 – 0
Tampa   –   8 – 1 – 0
Mississippi College   –   8 – 1 – 0
Mississippi Southern   –   8 – 2 – 0
Memphis State   –   8 – 2 – 0
Delta State   –   7 – 2 – 1
Howard (AL)   –   7 – 2 – 0
South Carolina Trade   –   6 – 2 – 0
Maryville (TN)   –   6 – 2 – 0
Sewanee   –   5 – 2 – 1
Miles   –   5 – 2 – 0
Navy   –   7 – 3 – 0
Arlington State   –   7 – 3 – 0
Louisville   –   6 – 3 – 0
Miami (FL)   –   7 – 4 – 0
McMurry   –   6 – 4 – 0
Houston   –   5 – 4 – 1
Livingstone   –   5 – 4 – 0
Southwestern (TN)   –   4 – 4 – 0
Emory & Henry   –   4 – 4 – 0
Florida State   –   4 – 5 – 1
Norfolk State   –   3 – 4 – 0
Abilene Christian   –   4 – 6 – 0
Chattanooga   –   4 – 6 – 0
Georgetown (KY)   –   2 – 3 – 1
Arkansas State   –   3 – 6 – 0
Austin   –   2 – 7 – 0
Trinity (TX)   –   2 – 7 – 0
Millsaps   –   1 – 5 – 2
Centre   –   1 – 7 – 0

Quarterback Alton Greenlee, weighing only 150 pounds, was selected as the team's most valuable player.[3] He led the team in total offense (371 rushing yards, 272 passing yards) and 68 points scored (10 touchdowns and four two-point conversion).[1] Fullback G. T. Thames led the team in rushing with 483 yards on 98 carries (4.9 yard average). Reserve quarterback Charles Garrett set a new school record with an average of 20.0 yards on 11 punt returns.[2]

The team played its home games at Robinson Field in Clinton, Mississippi.

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 16at Arkansas A&MMonticello, ARW 27–0[4][5]
September 23at Southern State (AR)Magnolia, ARW 20–0[6]
September 30Austin
W 29–0[7]
October 7at Henderson StateArkadelphia, ARW 13–0[8][9]
October 14Southwestern (TN) 
  • Robinson Field
  • Clinton, MS
W 22–6[10]
October 21at Jacksonville State
L 6–21[11]
November 4Howard (AL)
  • Robinson Field
  • Clinton, MS
W 15–14[12][13][14]
November 11Carson–Newman
  • Robinson Field
  • Clinton, MS
W 25–14[15][16][17]
November 18at Sewanee
W 42–6[18]
  •  Homecoming

[19]

Personnel

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Players

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Players receiving varsity letters in 1961 were:

  • Fred Akers, fullback
  • Bill Bobo, guard
  • Bob Bobo, tackle, winner of most-improved player award[20]
  • George Bond, guard
  • John Bowlin, tackle
  • Vonnie Mac Breland, tackle
  • Jerry Bustin, guard
  • Charles Faulkner, end
  • Jerry Foshee, guard, winner of best blocker award
  • Charles Garrett, quarterback
  • Alton Greenlee, quarterback and co-captain
  • Dewey Herring, end
  • Benson Holland, halfback
  • Tommy Hudson, guard
  • Jimmy Jinkins, tackle
  • Billy Kelson, halfback
  • Eddie Killough, guard
  • Mart McMullan, center, winner of sportsmanship award
  • Benny McKibbens, end
  • Ray McPhail, halfback
  • James Merritt, fullback
  • Norman Minton, halfback
  • Billy Newman, end
  • Paul Pounds, end
  • Jimbo Robertson, center
  • Jack Root, quarterback
  • Charles Simmons, tackle
  • Clem Stovall, fullback
  • G. T. Thames, fullback and co-captain
  • Charles Underwood, halfback
  • Mike Vinson, end
  • Pat Watts, halfback
  • Bud Yeats, center

[3]

Coaches

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  • Bernard Blackwell (line)
  • Ken Bramlett (ends)
  • James Parkman (backfield)

[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Kerry Gough (November 23, 1961). "Choctaws' Statistics Show Top Team Effort". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b "Mississippi College Football Record Book" (PDF). Mississippi College. January 10, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Greenlee, Thames Are Choc Grid Captains". The Clarion-Ledger. November 29, 1961. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Choctaw Starters Set For Saturday Kickoff". The Clarion-Ledger. September 15, 1961. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Chocs Defeat A&M 27 To 0". The Clarion-Ledger. September 17, 1961. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Norman Gough (September 24, 1961). "Choctaws Scalp Southern St. 20-0". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Jerry Rankin (October 1, 1961). "MC Chocs Rap Austin By 29-0". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1F – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Choctaws Travel For Next Outing". The Clarion-Ledger. October 5, 1961. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Norman Gough (October 8, 1961). "Chocs Score Fourth Shutout In Row, 13-0". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Michael Simmons (October 15, 1961). "Mississippi College Ends Southwestern's Streak, 22-6". The Commercial Appeal – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Robert Fulton (October 22, 1961). "Chocs Suffer First Loss At Jacksonville, 21 To 6". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Chocs Gunning For Howard This Week". The Clarion-Ledger. October 29, 1961. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Chocs And Howard In Clinton Battle". The Clarion-Ledger. November 4, 1961. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Jerry Rankin (November 5, 1961). "Chocs Down Howard 15-14". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Chocs End Home Slate In Televised Contest". The Clarion-Ledger. November 8, 1961. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Choctaws Set For Top Carson-Newman Eleven". The Clarion-Ledger. November 11, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Jerry Rankin (November 12, 1961). "Choc Express Wins By 35-14". The Clarion-Ledger. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Chocs Tear Up Sewanee". The Clarion-Ledger. November 19, 1961. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Mississippi College Football Record Book" (PDF). Mississippi College. January 10, 2023. p. 4. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  20. ^ Bill and Bob Bobo were twin brothers.
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