The 1961 Michigan Tech Huskies football team was an American football team that represented Michigan Technological University of Houghton, Michigan, as a member of the Northern State College Conference (NSCC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach Omer LaJeunesse, the Huskies compiled a 1–6–1 record (1–4 in conference games) and finished in fifth place out of six teams in the NSCC.[1][2] They were outscored by a total of 144 to 52.[3]
1961 Michigan Tech Huskies football | |
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Conference | Northern State College Conference |
Record | 1–6–1 (1–4 NSCC) |
Head coach |
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Home stadium | Sherman Field |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | T | W | L | T | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mankato State $ | 5 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 6 | – | 3 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moorhead State | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 5 | – | 4 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bemidji State | 3 | – | 2 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 6 | – | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Winona State | 2 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 4 | – | 3 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michigan Tech | 1 | – | 4 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
St. Cloud State | 0 | – | 4 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 6 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The season ended with a 61–6 defeat against Northern Michigan. It was the most points ever scored by a Northern Michigan team and the most one-sided loss Tech had suffered in the long Michigan Tech-Northern Michigan football rivalry.[4]
The team averaged 188.7 yards of total offense per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 221.5 yards per game.[3] Individual statistical leaders included Jack Boldt with 424 rushing yards and 32 points scored (five touchdowns and one two-point conversion) and Marv Lilley with 18 receptions for 263 yards. Quarterbacks Fred Pastori and Ralph Abata combined to complete 38 of 104 passes for 478 yards and five interceptions.[3]
Tackle Roger Hettinga was a standout on defense.[5]
Schedule
editDate | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
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September 16 | at Superior State* | Superior, WI | T 0–0 | 1,500 | [6] | ||
September 23 | St. Norbert* | Houghton, MI | L 6–7 | 1,929 | [7] | ||
September 30 | St. Cloud State | Houghton, MI | W 20–6 | 716 | [8][9] | ||
October 7 | at Mankato State | Mankato, MN | L 0–19 | 3,000 | [10] | ||
October 14 | Bemidji State | Houghton, MI | L 2–16 | 1,345 | |||
October 21 | Moorhead State | Houghton, MI | L 16–19 | 1,766 | [11] | ||
October 28 | at Winona State |
| L 2–16 | 3,000 | [12] | ||
November 4 | No. 4 Northern Michigan* |
| L 6–61 | 5,000 | [4] | ||
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References
edit- ^ "Football Standings; NSCC". The St. Cloud Daily Times. St. Cloud, Minnesota. November 1, 1961. p. 29. Retrieved June 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Football Media Guide & Yearbook" (PDF). Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. p. 108. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ a b "It's Northern, 61-6!". Detroit Free Press. November 5, 1961. p. D7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bill Robersen (September 29, 1961). "Roger Hettinga Is Defensive Standout". Wausau Daily Record-Herald. p. 19.
- ^ "Game summary". Leader-Telegram. September 17, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "St. Norbert Nips Michigan Tech, 7-6". Green Bay Press-Gazette. September 24, 1961. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "State Opens NSCC Play at Mich. Tech". St. Cloud Times. September 30, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Much-Improved State Looks to Winona Game". St. Cloud Times. October 2, 1961. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mankato Halts Huskies 19-0". Ironwood Daily Globe. October 9, 1961. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Tech to Have Homecoming". Ironwood Daily Globe. October 17, 1961. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gray Evans (October 30, 1961). "Warriors Rout Michigan Tech in Rain, 16-2". The Winona Daily News. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1961-62 Football". Michigan Technological University. Retrieved July 21, 2024.