Wikipedia

1961 McNeese State Cowboys football team

The 1961 McNeese State Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented McNeese State College (now known as McNeese State University) as a member of the Gulf States Conference (GSC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth year under head coach Les DeVall, the team compiled a 7–2 (4–1 in conference games), tied for the GSC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 207 to 85.[1]

1961 McNeese State Cowboys football
GSC co-champion
ConferenceGulf States Conference
Record7–2 (4–1 GSC)
Head coach
Home stadiumWildcat Stadium
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Gulf States Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 7 Southeastern Louisiana + 4 – 1 – 0 9 – 1 – 0
No. 10 McNeese State + 4 – 1 – 0 7 – 2 – 0
Northwestern State 3 – 2 – 0 7 – 3 – 0
Louisiana Tech 3 – 2 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Northeast Louisiana State 1 – 4 – 0 3 – 7 – 0
Southwestern Louisiana 0 – 5 – 0 2 – 8 – 0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from NAIA poll

The team played its home games at Wildcat Stadium in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16Pensacola NAS*
W 24–66,000[2]
September 30Louisiana Tech
  • Wildcat Stadium
  • Lake Charles, LA
L 16–217,500–8,000[3][4]
October 7Arlington State*
  • Wildcat Stadium
  • Lake Charles, LA
L 19–225,500[5]
October 14at Northeast Louisiana State
W 7–04,500–4,800[6][7]
October 21at Instituto Politécnico Nacional*
W 60–830,000[8]
October 28at Louisiana College*
W 7–66,000[9]
November 4at Northwestern State
W 28–147,000[10]
November 11No. 3 Southeastern Louisiana
  • Wildcat Stadium
  • Lake Charles, LA
W 21–87,400[11]
November 18at Southwestern Louisiana
W 25–06,000[12]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[1]

Statistics

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The Cowboys gained 2,666 yards of total offense (296.2 per game) consisting of 1,476 rushing yards (164.0 per game) and 1,190 passing yards (132.2 per game). On defense, they allowed opponents to gain 1,836 yards (204.1 per game), including 1,085 rushing yards (120.6 per game) and 752 passing yards (83.6 per game).[1]

Senior quarterbacks Don Breaux and Nolan Viator led the offense. Breaux completed 55 of 103 passes for 713 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He also led the team with 724 yards of total offense. Viator completed 25 of 56 passes for 410 yards with four touchdowns and one interceptions. He also tallied 195 passing yards and ranked second on the team with 605 yards of total offense.[1]

Fullback Don Bossier led the team with 499 rushing yards on 116 carries. He also led the team in scoring with 36 points on six touchdowns.[1]

Halfback Lloyd Guillot ranked second in rushing with 248 yards on 46 carries, an average of 5.4 yards per carry.[1]

End Jay Hebert set two school receiving records with 19 receptions and 292 yards.[13] Halfback Charles Stevenson (15 receptions, 207 yards).[1]

Awards and honors

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Guard Johnny Steed received the "outstanding lineman" award in the Gulf Coast Conference, and Les DeVall was selected as the coach of the year. Four McNeese players were selected to the first team of the 1961 All-Gulf States Conference football team: quarterback Don Breaux; back Don Bossler; end Tom Sestak; and guard Johnny Steed. Two others were named to the second team: end Jay Hebert; and tackle Julius Fincke.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  2. ^ "McNeese tumbles Goshawks by 24–6". Pensacola News Journal. September 17, 1961. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Slaughter leads Bulldogs by Pokes in 21–16 GSC thriller". Lake Charles American-Press. October 1, 1961. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "Miscues cost Pokes victory; Lose 22–19". Lake Charles American-Press. October 8, 1961. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Bossier leads Cowboys over Northeast by 7–0". Lake Charles American-Press. October 15, 1961. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Northeast Louisiana State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "McNeese tramples out 60–8 shellacking over Mexico Tech". Lake Charles American-Press. October 22, 1961. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Officials' rocks given some blame for Cats' two one-point grid losses". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. October 30, 1961. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "McNeese in 28–14 upset over Demons". Daily World. November 5, 1961. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "McNeese lists upset by shocking Lions". The Shreveport Times. November 12, 1961. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Cowboys run over USL to share crown". Monroe Morning World. November 19, 1961. Retrieved February 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "McNeese Wraps Up Banner Grid Year". Lake Charles American Press. November 20, 1961. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Breaux, Bossier, Steed, Sestak Make All-GSC". Lake Charles American Press. December 12, 1961. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
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