The 1961 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) as part of the 1961 college football season. Albion compiled a perfect 8–0 record and was the MIAA champion for 1961.
| 1961 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season | |
|---|---|
| League | Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Sport | Football |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| Champion | Albion |
| Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albion $ | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 0 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olivet | 4 | – | 1 | – | 0 | 8 | – | 1 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kalamazoo | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma | 2 | – | 3 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adrian | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hope | 0 | – | 5 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 7 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Albion
edit| 1961 Albion Britons football | |
|---|---|
MIAA champion | |
| Conference | Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Record | 8–0 (5–0 MIAA) |
| Head coach |
|
| Captain | Dale Springer, Ray Hoag[1] |
| Home stadium | Alumni Field |
The 1961 Albion Britons football team compiled a perfect 8–0 record (5–0 against MIAA members), won the MIAA championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 186 to 56.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 16 | Eastern Michigan* |
| W 13–0 | 1,500–4,000 | [2] | ||
| September 30 | Kalamazoo |
| W 15–0 | 2,000–3,820 | [3] | ||
| October 7 | at Hope |
| W 26–14 | 4,500–4,850 | [4] | ||
| October 14 | Anderson (IN)* |
| W 35–6 | 1,100 | [5] | ||
| October 21 | Olivet |
| W 13–0 | 6,000 | [6] | ||
| October 28 | at Ferris Institute* | Big Rapids, MI | W 28–6 | 2,700 | [7] | ||
| November 4 | at Alma | Alma, MI | W 27–12 | 4,030 | [8] | ||
| November 11 | at Adrian | Adrian, MI | W 35–17 | 4,285 | [9] | ||
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Olivet
edit| 1961 Olivet Comets football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Record | 8–1 (4–1 MIAA) |
| Head coach |
|
The 1961 Olivet Comets football team represented Olivet College of Olivet, Michigan. In their third year under head coach Stuart Parsell, the Comets compiled an 8–1 record (4–1 against MIAA opponents), finished in second place in the MIAA, and outscored opponents by a total of 163 to 69.[11]
The team tallied 2,470 yards ot total offense (274.4 yards per game), consisting of 1,829 rushing yards and 641 passing yards. Halfback Tim Nesbitt led the team in both rushing (791 yards on 147 carries) and total offense (830 yards). On defense, the Comets held opponents to 1,694 yards (187.8 yards per game)[12]
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 16 | at Franklin* | Franklin, IN | W 27–7 | 600 | [13] | ||
| Seprember 23 | Indiana Central* | Olivet, MI | W 22–6 | ||||
| September 30 | Adrian | Olivet, MI | W 9–0 | ||||
| October 7 | at Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo, MI | W 13–6 | ||||
| October 14 | Hope | Olivet, MI | W 20–8 | ||||
| October 21 | at Albion | Albion, MI | L 0–13 | ||||
| October 28 | Illinois College* | Olivet, MI | W 40–20 | ||||
| November 4 | at Ohio Northern* | Ada, OH | W 6–3 | [14] | |||
| November 11 | at Alma | Alma, MI | W 26–6 | ||||
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Kalamazoo
edit| 1961 Kalamazoo Hornets football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Record | 4–4 (3–2 MIAA) |
| Head coach |
|
| Home stadium | Angell Field |
The 1961 Kalamazoo Hornets football team represented Kalamazoo College of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Led by head coach Bob Nulf, the Hornets compiled a perfect 4–4 record (3–2 in conference games), finished third in the conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 219 to 81.[15]
The Hornets tallied 2,424 yards of total offense (303.0 yards per game), consisting of 1,282 rushing yards and 1,142 passing yards. On defense, they held opponents to 2,134 yards (266.8 yards per game.[12]
Quarterback Jim Harkema completed 39 of 74 passes for 590 yards with five touchdown passes and nine interceptions. He also led the team with 590 yards of total offense. (Harkema later won 109 games as a head coach.) The team's other statistical leaders included halfback Norm Young with 342 rushing yards, fullback Eglis Lode with 30 points scored, and end John Persons with 25 receptions for 401 yards.[16]
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 23 | at Ohio Wesleyan* | Delaware, OH | L 6–32 | 2,500 | [17] | ||
| September 30 | at Albion | Albion, MI | L 0–14 | 2,000 | |||
| October 7 | Olivet |
| L 6–13 | 1,700 | |||
| October 14 | at Carthage* | Carthage, IL | L 6–33 | 2,300 | |||
| October 21 | Alma |
| W 30–24 | 1,200 | |||
| October 28 | at Adrian | Adrian, MI | W 26–7 | 2,000 | |||
| November 4 | Hiram* |
| W 28–6 | 2,100 | |||
| November 11 | Hope |
| W 42–12 | 1,000 | |||
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Alma
edit| 1961 Alma Scots football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Record | 2–6 (2–3 MIAA) |
| Head coach |
|
The 1961 Alma Scots football team represented Alma College of Alma, Michigan. In their sixth year under head coach Art Smith, the Scots compiled a 2–6 record (2–3 against MIAA opponents), finished in fourth place in the MIAA, and were outscored by a total of 159 to 71.[18]
The team tallied 1,081 yards of total offense (134 yards per game), consisting of 444 rushing yards and 637 passing yards. On defense, Alma allowed opponents to 2,078 yards (260 per game).[19]
The team's individual statistical leaders included halfback Lou Economon with 187 rushing yards and 140 receiving yards, quarterback Terry Ebright with 444 passing yards, and halfback Van Mulligan with 14 points scored.[19]
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 16 | Ohio Northern* | Alma, MI | L 7–8 | 500 | [20] | ||
| September 23 | at Bluffton* | Bluffton, OH | L 0–14 | 2,000 | |||
| September 30 | Wittenberg* | Alma, MI | L 0–43 | 1,500 | |||
| October 14 | Adrian | Alma, MI | W 8–7 | 6,500 | |||
| October 21 | at Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo, MI | L 24–30 | 2,500 | |||
| October 28 | Hope | Alma, MI | W 14–10 | 1,500 | |||
| November 4 | at Albion | Albion, MI | L 12–21 | 3,000 | |||
| November 11 | Olivet | Alma, MI | L 6–26 | 2,000 | |||
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Adrian
edit| 1961 Adrian Bulldogs football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Record | 2–6 (1–4 MIAA) |
| Head coach |
|
The 1961 Adrian Bulldogs football team represented Adrian College of Adrian, Michigan. In their third and final year under head coach Les Leggett, the Bulldogs compiled a 2–6 record (1–4 against MIAA opponents) and finished in fifth place in the MIAA.[21]
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 16 | at Findlay* | Findlay, OH | L 8–20 | [22] | |||
| September 23 | Defiance* | Adrian, MI | W 7–0 | ||||
| September 30 | at Olivet | Olivet, MI | L 0–9 | ||||
| October 14 | at Alma | Alma, MI | L 7–8 | ||||
| October 21 | at Ferris Institute* | Big Rapids, MI | L 0–24 | [23] | |||
| October 28 | Kalamazoo | Adrian, MI | L 7–26 | ||||
| November 4 | at Hope | Holland, MI | W 25–14 | ||||
| November 11 | Albion | Adrian, MI | L 17–35 | ||||
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Hope
edit| 1961 Hope Flying Dutchmen football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Record | 0–7 (0–5 MIAA) |
| Head coach |
|
The 1961 Hope Flying Dutchmen football team represented Hope College of Hope, Michigan. In their seventh year under head coach Russ DeVette, the Dutchmen compiled a 0–7 record (0–5 against MIAA opponents) and finished in last place in the MIAA.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 23 | Valparaiso* |
| L 6–14 | ||||
| September 30 | Wheaton (IL)* |
| L 0–20 | 2,500 | [24] | ||
| October 7 | Albion |
| L 14–26 | ||||
| October 14 | vs. Olivet | Charlotte, MI | L 8–20 | 1,500 | |||
| October 28 | at Alma | Alma, MI | L 0–14 | ||||
| November 4 | Adrian | Holland, MI | L 14–25 | ||||
| November 11 | at Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo, MI | L 12–42 | ||||
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References
edit- ^ "Joe Shurmur Named Most Valuable Briton". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 17, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Albion Wins, 13-0: Elzy Paces Grid Opener; Britons Victorious Before 1,500 Fans". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. September 17, 1961. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Olivet, Albion Win MIAA Grid Battles". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 1, 1961. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Strong 2nd Half Gives Albion Win Over Hope: Britons Score 26-14 Victory Over Dutch". The Holland Sentinel. October 9, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Albion, Mich. Eleven Hands Anderson 1st Setback In Four Starts, 35-6". Anderson Herald. October 15, 1961. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Albion Knocks Off Olivet in MIAA Showdown, 13-0: 6,000 Watch Grid Thriller". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 22, 1961. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Albion '11' Runs Over Ferris, 28-6". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 29, 1961. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Albion Whips Alma, 21-12, For 7th Straight Victory". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 5, 1961. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Albion Wraps Up Perfect Season". The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. November 12, 1961. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Albion 1961)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ^ "Olivet (MI) Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics". NCAA. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Olivet Spanks Grizzlies, 27-7". The Franklin Evening Star. September 18, 1961. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Olivet Defeats Ohio Northern". The Ironton Tribune. November 5, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Kalamazoo Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Kalamazoo 1961)". NCAA. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "O. Wesleyan 32 Kalamazoo 6". The Akron Beacon Journal. September 24, 1961. p. 43 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Alma Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ a b "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Alma 1961)". NCAA. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Polar Bears Trip Alma, Mich., 8-7". The Lima News. September 17, 1961. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Adrian Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "Tippie Hurls Findlay Over Adrian, 20 To 8". The Lima News. September 17, 1961. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ex-Portland Star Helps Ferris Beat Adrian". Lansing State Journal. October 22, 1961. p. 54 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hope Drops 2nd Game to Wheaton: Crusaders Score 3 Times In First Half". The Holland Evening Sentinel. October 2, 1961. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.