Wikipedia

1961 Ottawa Braves football team

The 1961 Ottawa Braves football team was an American football team that represented Ottawa University of Ottawa, Kansas, as a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their ninth season under head coach Richard Peters, the Braves compiled a 9–0 record, won the KCAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 289 to 42.[1] It was the third undefeated season in Ottawa football history.[2] The season was also part of a 23-game winning streak that began on November 13, 1959, and ended on October 13, 1962, including back-to-back perfect seasons in 1960 and 1961.[3]

1961 Ottawa Braves football
KCAC champion
ConferenceKansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
Record9–0 (9–0 KCAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumCook Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 16 Ottawa $ 9 – 0 – 0 9 – 0 – 0
College of Emporia 8 – 1 – 0 8 – 1 – 0
Southwestern (KS) 6 – 2 – 1 6 – 2 – 1
Baker 6 – 3 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Bethany (KS) 3 – 4 – 2 3 – 4 – 2
Kansas Wesleyan 4 – 5 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Bethel (KS) 3 – 6 – 0 3 – 6 – 0
McPherson 3 – 6 – 0 3 – 6 – 0
Sterling 1 – 8 – 0 1 – 8 – 0
Friends 0 – 8 – 1 0 – 8 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from NAIA poll

Mike Brown led the KCAC in scoring with 73 points on four touchdowns, 34 extra points, and five field goals. He also won NAIA All-America honors as a defensive end.

The team played its home games at Cook Field in Ottawa, Kansas.

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 16Friends
W 28–0[4]
September 23at Bethel (KS)North Newton, KSW 20–0[5]
September 29Sterling
  • Cook Field
  • Ottawa, KS
W 37–0[6]
October 7at College of EmporiaEmporia, KSW 20–10[7][8]
October 14Kansas Wesleyan
  • Cook Field
  • Ottawa, KS
W 38–13[9]
October 21Southwestern (KS) 
  • Cook Field
  • Ottawa, KS
W 42–0[10]
October 27at McPhersonMcPherson, KSW 34–0[11]
November 3Bethany
  • Cook Field
  • Ottawa, KS
W 28–6[12]
November 11at BakerBaldwin City, KSW 42–13[13]
  •  Homecoming

Statistics

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Ottawas led the KCAC in rushing offense with an average of 250.5 rushing yards per game. They ranked second in total offense with an average of 334.6 yards per game. Defensively, they led the conference in total defense (162. yards), rushing defense (117.7 yards per game), and passing defense (44.4 yards per game).[14]

Ottawa's Mike Brown led the conference in scoring with 73 points on four touchdowns, 34 extra points, and five field goals.[14] He successfully converted 21 consecutive extra point kicks.

Awards and honors

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Mike Brown was a first-team pick as a defensive end on the NAIA All-America football team.[15]

Ottawa players took 10 spots on the KCAC all-star offensive and defensive teams selected by the conference coaches. Mike Brown and Bill Shook were included on both offenive and defensive teams. The honorees were:

  • Mike Brown - end (offense), linebacker (defense)
  • Bill Shook - guard (offense), linebacker (defense)
  • Clarence Whitesell tackle (offense)
  • Pat Jeffereson - guard (offense)
  • Jerry Lawson - center (offense)
  • Jim King - linebacker (defense)
  • Ken Smart - defensive back
  • Jon McAninch - defensive back

[16]

Playerws

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The following 35 players received football letters for their participation on the 1961 team:

  • Duane Bissett, freshman
  • Mike Brown, senior
  • Bruce Bundy, freshman
  • Arlys Carter, senior
  • Steve Coe, freshman
  • Dan Coons, freshman
  • Richard Esterlund, freshman
  • Val Finney, sophomore
  • Jerry Freeman, freshman
  • Dave Gerber, freshman
  • Ed Hampton, sophomore
  • Jerry Harshaw, freshman
  • Pat Jefferson, junior
  • Jim King, co-captain, senior
  • John Krebbs, freshman
  • Jerry Lawson, senior
  • John McAninch, co-captain, junior
  • Roger Moore, sophomore
  • Bob Ord, sophomore
  • Bruce Pemberton, senior
  • Dennis Powers, sophomore
  • Warren Rinehart, sophomore
  • Bob Rose, freshman
  • Gene Sacha, sophomore
  • Con Schuyler, sophomore
  • Floyd Scott, freshman
  • Jim Shafer, sophomore
  • Bill Shook, co-captain, senior
  • Ken Smart, sophomore
  • Ron Smith, freshman
  • Richard Spong, sophomore
  • David Stotts, sophomore
  • Fred Thompson, junior
  • Clarence Whitesell, co-captain, senior
  • Larry Young, freshman

[17]

References

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  1. ^ "1961 - Ottawa (KS)". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "3rd Unbeaten Team In Ottawa U History". The Ottawa Herald. November 14, 1961. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Lamar Phillips (October 15, 1962). "Points Count, And C of E had More Than OU: Braves' Streak Snapped At 23". The Ottawa Herald. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Braves Off To Good Start In KCAC Race". The Ottawa Herald. September 18, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Braves Post 12th Straight Victory". The Ottawa Herald. September 25, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "OU Keeps Record Spotless: Whips Sterling, 37-0, For Third Straight Win". The Ottawa Herald. September 30, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Braves Down C. of E. 20-10; Lead League; Presby Defense Is Not Able to Stop Fast Ottawa Back". The Emporia Gazette. October 9, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Braves Come From Behind To Defeat Favored C Of E". The Ottawa Herald. October 9, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "OU Wins 15th Straight". The Ottawa Herald. October 16, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Braves Delight Homecoming Crowd". The Ottawa Herald. October 23, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Brown's Magic Toe Helps OU To 17th Straight Win". The Ottawa Herald. October 28, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Lamar Phillips (November 4, 1961). "Braves Roll To 18th Straight: Stubborn Swedes Dumped, 28-6". The Ottawa Herald. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "OU Dumps Baker, To Close Perfect Season: OU In Small Select Group". The Ottawa Herald. Associated Press. November 13, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "OU Defense Best In KCAC". The Ottawa Herald. November 18, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Ottawa's Brown Honored: Pittsburg Places Hess, Beal on NAIA Stars". The Wichita Eagle. December 8, 1961. p. 8B – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Ottawa Places Ten on 'Stars: KCAC Champions Dominant Choices". The Wichita Morning Eagle. December 5, 1961. p. 5B – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Approve Letters For 35 Braves". The Ottawa Herald. November 16, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
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