1961 Presidents' Athletic Conference football season

The 1961 Presidents' Athletic Conference football season was the season of college football played by the eight member schools of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) as part of the 1961 college football season.

1961 Presidents' Athletic Conference football season
SportFootball
Number of teams8
ChampionAllegheny
Football seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Presidents' Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Allegheny $ 5 1 0 6 1 0
John Carroll 4 1 0 5 2 0
Western Reserve 5 2 0 5 2 0
Case Tech 4 2 0 4 3 0
Bethany (WV) 2 4 0 2 5 0
Thiel 2 4 0 2 4 0
Wayne State (MI) 1 4 0 1 5 0
Washington & Jefferson 0 5 0 0 7 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1961 Allegheny Gators football team compiled a 6–1 record and won the PAC championship. Stoner Tracy led the team and received all-conference honors both at quarterback and defensive halfback.

The 1961 All-PAC football team was led by John Carroll (five spots); Western Reserve (five spots); Allegheny (four spots); and Case Tech (four spots).[1]

Teams

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Allegheny

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1961 Allegheny Gators football
PAC champion
ConferencePresidents' Athletic Conference
Record6–1 (5–1 PAC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Allegheny Gators football team represented Allegheny College of Meadville, Pennsylvania. In their fourth year under head coach John R. Chuckran, the team compiled a 6–1 record (5–1 against PAC opponents) and won the PAC championship. The Gators were undefeated through the first six games, losing to the Thiel Tomcats in the final game of the season.

Allegheny players took four spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Stoner Tracy (quarterback on offense, halfbacks on defense); Joe Valentino (defensive tackle); and Phil Crichton (cornerback).[1]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 7Bethany (WV)Meadville, PAW 33–14[2]
October 14at Washington & JeffersonWashington, PAW 10–03,500[3]
October 21Western Reserve Meadville, PAW 7–03,500[4]
October 28at Case Tech
  • Clarke Field
  • Cleveland, OH
W 33–14[5]
November 4at Grove City*Grove City, PAW 26–05,000[6]
November 11at Wayne State
W 20–82,089[7]
November 18at ThielGreenville, PAL 22–35[8]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming

[9]

John Carroll

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1961 John Carroll Blue Streaks football
ConferencePresidents' Athletic Conference
Record5–1 (4–1 PAC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 John Carroll Blue Streaks football team represented John Carroll University of University Heights, Ohio. In their third year under head coach John Ray, the team compiled a 5–1 record (4–1 against PAC opponents) and finished second in the PAC.

John Carroll took five spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Gordon Priemer (halfbacks on offense); Ted Uritis (end on offense); Gene Smith (guard on offense); John Kovach (end on defense); and Ron Timpanaro (linebacker).[1]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 7Case Tech
W 6–05,100[10]
October 14at ThielGreenville, PAW 41–8[11]
October 21Bethany (WV)Cleveland, OHW 34–12[12]
October 28Wayne State Hosford StadiumW 62–03,000[13]
November 4at Wabash*
L 6–7[14]
November 11Western Reserve
  • Clarke Field
  • Cleveland, OH
L 0–66,000[15]
November 18at Hobart
W 6–01,800[16]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming

Western Reserve

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1961 Western Reserve Red Cats football
ConferencePresidents' Athletic Conference
Record5–2 (5–1 PAC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Western Reserve Red Cats football team represented Western Reserve University (now part of Case Western Reserve University) of Cleveland. In their 11th year under head coach Edward L. Finnigan, the team compiled a 5–2 record (5–1 against PAC opponents) and finished third in the PAC.

Western Reserve players took five spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Bob Swingle (fullback); Jay Schnackle (offensive tackle); Rudy Elaus (offensive guard); Dave Heiser (middle guard); and Doug Wilson (cornerback).[1]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 7at Washington & JeffersonWashington, PAW 14–8
October 14Bethany (WV)Cleveland, OHW 20–0
October 21at AlleghenyMeadville, PAL 0–73,500[4]
October 28at ThielGreenville, PAW 12–6
November 4Wayne StateCleveland, OHW 28–6
November 11John Carroll
  • Clarke Field
  • Cleveland, OH
W 6–0
November 18Case TechCleveland, OHL 20–21

[17]

Case Tech

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1961 Case Tech Rough Riders football
ConferencePresidents' Athletic Conference
Record4–3 (4–2 PAC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Case Tech Rough Riders football team represented Case Institute of Technology (now part of Case Western Reserve University) of Cleveland. In their fifth year under head coach Doug Mooney, the team compiled a 4–3 record (4–2 against PAC opponents) and finished fourth in the PAC.

Case Tech players took four spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Dick Millie (quarterback on offense, halfback on defense); Ron Shilling (offensive end); and Bob Hugus (center).[1]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 7John Carroll
  • Clarke Field
  • Cleveland, OH
L 0–6
October 14at Wayne State
W 19–7[18]
October 21Thiel 
  • Clarke Field
  • Cleveland, OH
W 29–12
October 28Allegheny
  • Clarke Field
  • Cleveland, OH
L 14–33[5]
November 4at Bethany (WV)Bethany, WVW 18–12
November 11at Indiana (PA)Indiana, PAL 6–37
November 18Western ReserveCleveland, OHW 21–20
  •  Homecoming

[19]

Bethany

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1961 Bethany Bison football
ConferencePresidents' Athletic Conference
Record2–5 (2–4 PAC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Bethany Bison football team represented Bethany College of Bethany, West Virginia. In their ninth year under head coach John J. Knight, the team compiled a 2–5 record (2–4 against PAC opponents) and tied for fifth place in the PAC.

Bethany took three spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Don Ashton (halfbacks on offense) and Ray Hack (tackle on offense and defense).[1]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 7at AlleghenyMeadville, PAL 14–33[2]
October 14at Western ReserveCleveland, OHL 0–20
October 21at John CarrollCleveland, OHL 12–34
October 28Washington & JeffersonBethany, WVW 14–12
November 4Case TechBethany, WVL 12–18
November 11ThielBethany, WVW 14–12
November 18West Virginia Wesleyan*Bethany, WVL 0–30[20]
  • *Non-conference game

[21]

Thiel

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1961 Thiel Tomcats football
ConferencePresidents' Athletic Conference
Record2–4 (2–4 PAC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Thiel Tomcats football team represented Thiel College of Greenville, Pennsylvania. In their seventh year under head coach Joe Difebo, the team compiled a 2–4 record (2–4 against PAC opponents) and tied for fifth place in the PAC.

Thiel defensive end was named to the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team.[1]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 7Lebanon ValleyCancelled[22]
October 14John CarrollGreenville, PAL 8–41
October 21at Case Tech
L 12–29
October 28Western ReserveGreenville, PAL 6–12
November 4at Washington & JeffersonWashington, PAW 28–7
November 11Bethany (WV)Bethany, WVL 12–14
November 18AlleghenyGreenville, PAW 35–22[8]

[23]

Wayne State

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1961 Wayne State Tartars football
ConferencePresidents' Athletic Conference
Record1–6 (1–4 PAC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Wayne State Tartars football team represented Wayne State University of Detroit. In their second year under head coach Harold D. Willard, the team compiled a 1–6 record (1–4 against PAC opponents), was outscored by a total of 271 to 37, and finished seventh in the PAC.

Wayne State linebacker Barry Sarver was named to the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conferene football team.[1]

On October 28, Wayne State suffered the worst defeat in PAC history, losing, 62-0, against John Carroll. The Tartars talied minus-nine yards rushing in the game.[24] Three weeks later, the team then lost to Wittenberg by a 77-0 margin.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 7Wheaton (IL)*
L 0–57[25]
October 14Case Tech
  • Tartar Field
  • Detroit, MI
L 7–19[26]
October 21Washington & Jefferson
  • Tartar Field
  • Detroit, MI
W 16–8[27]
October 28at John Carroll 
L 0–623,000[24][28]
November 4at Western ReserveCleveland, OHL 6–28[29][30]
November 11Allegheny 
  • Tartar Field
  • Detroit, MI
L 8–202,089[7]
November 18at Wittenberg*Springfield, OHL 0–77[31][32]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming

[33]

Washington & Jefferson

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1961 Washington & Jefferson Presidents football
ConferencePresidents' Athletic Conference
Record0–7 (0–5 PAC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Washington & Jefferson Presidents football team represented Washington & Jefferson College of Washington, Pennsylvania. In their second year under head coach Chuck Ream, the team compiled a 0–7 record (0–5 against PAC opponents) and finished last in the PAC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 7Western ReserveWashington, PAL 8–14
October 14AlleghenyWashington, PAL 0–101,100[3]
October 21at Wayne State
  • Tartar Field
  • Detroit, MI
L 8–16[27]
October 28at Bethany (WV)Bethany, WVL 12–14
November 4ThielWashington, PAL 7–28
November 11at Grove CityGrove City, PAL 0–26
November 18at Carnegie TechPittsburgh, PAL 2–34

[34]

All-conference selections

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At the end of the season, the conference coaches selected an all-conference team as follows:

Offense

  • Quarterbacks - Dick Millie, Case Tech; Stoner Tracy, Allegheny
  • Halfbacks - Don Ashton, Bethany; Gordon Priemer, John Carroll
  • Fullback - Bob Swingle, Western Reserve
  • Ends - Ted Uritis, John Carroll; Ron Shilling, Case Tech
  • Tackles - Jay Schnackle, Western Reserve; Ray Hack, Bethany
  • Guards - Gene Smith, John Carroll; Rudy Elaus, Western Reserve
  • Center - Bob Hugus, Case Tech

Defense

  • Ends - John Kovach, John Carroll; Bill Merkovsky, Thiel
  • Tackles - Joe Valentino, Allegheny; Ray Hack, Bethany
  • Middle guard - Dave Heiser, Western Reserve
  • Linebackers - Barry Sarver, Wayne State; Ron Timpanaro, John Carroll
  • Cornerbacks - Phil Crichton, Allegheny; Doug Wilson, Western Reserve
  • Halfbacks - Dick Millie, Case Tech; Stoner Tracy, Allegheny

[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Tracy, Hack On PAC Team". The Pittsburgh Press. December 7, 1961. p. 59 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b "Allegheny, 33-14". The Scrantonian. October 8, 1961. p. 50 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Allegheny Wins". The Scrantonian. October 15, 1961. p. 49 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Allegheny Snaps Red Cats' Streak". The Plain Dealer. October 22, 1961. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Allegheny's Tracy Solves Case, 33-14". The Plain Dealer. October 29, 1961. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Allegheny Romps Over Grove City". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 5, 1961. p. IV-4.
  7. ^ a b Joe Dowdall (November 12, 1961). "Tartars Do Best, Still Lose". Detroit Free Press. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "Allegheny Fails In 'Perfect' Bid". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 19, 1961. p. 2S – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 96.
  10. ^ Chuck Heaton (October 8, 1961). "Carroll Wins in Final Quarter, 6-0". The Plain Dealer. p. 7C – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "John Carroll Rips Thiel, 41-8". The Pittsburgh Press. October 15, 1961. p. IV-6 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Bob Dolgan (October 22, 1961). "JCU Wins as Heavey Runs Wild". The Plain Dealer. pp. 1C, 6C – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Streaks Rip Wayne, 62-0, to Set Mark". The Plain Dealer. October 29, 1961. pp. 1C, 6C – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Carroll Suffers First Loss, 7-6". The Plain Dealer. November 5, 1961. p. 7C – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Bob Dolgan (November 12, 1961). "Reserve 'Hunters' Win, 6-0". The Plain Dealer. pp. 1C, 7C – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Dave Rosenblood (November 19, 1961). "Statesmen Close Season With 8th Straight Loss". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. p. 5C – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 142.
  18. ^ "Case Tech Tops Wayne State, 19-7". The Plain Dealer. October 15, 1961. p. 7C – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 101.
  20. ^ "Wesleyan 11 WVC Champs". Post-Herald and Register. November 19, 1961. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 146.
  22. ^ The game was cancelled following the sudden death of John Zola, a 20-year-old player for Lebanon Valley.
  23. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 136.
  24. ^ a b "Tartars Ripped to Bits, 62-0". Detroit Free Press. October 29, 1961. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Joe Dowdall (October 8, 1961). "Wheaton Crushes The Tartars, 57-0". Detroit Free Press. p. https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-wheaton-crushes-the-t/151282060/ – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Joe Dowdall (October 15, 1961). "'Pass-Lateral Play' Hands Tartars Second Loss, 19-7". Detroit Free Press. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ a b Joe Dowdall (October 22, 1961). "Big Defense A Winner For Wayne". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1D, 6D – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Streaks Rip Wayne, 62-0, to Set Mark". The Plain Dealer. October 29, 1961. pp. 1C, 6C – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Wayne Gets Its Lumps Again, 28-6". Detroit Free Press. November 5, 1961. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Swingle Sets 2 Record for Reserve". The Plain Dealer. November 5, 1961. p. 7C – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Dick Hibbett (November 19, 1961). "Wittenberg Ends Season With 77-0 Romp Over Wayne State". Springfield News-Sun. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Tartars Murdered In Ohio, 77-0!". Detroit Free Press. November 19, 1961. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 141.
  34. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 140.