1961 Western Michigan Broncos football team

The 1961 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach Merle Schlosser, the Broncos compiled a 5–4–1 record (4–1–1 against MAC opponents), finished in second place in the MAC, and were outscored by their opponents, 179 to 143.[1][2] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[3]

1961 Western Michigan Broncos football
Aviation Bowl, L 12–20 vs. New Mexico
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record5–4–1 (4–1–1 MAC)
Head coach
MVPEd Chlebek
CaptainMike Snodgrass, Ken Reasor
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Bowling Green $ 5 1 0 8 2 0
Western Michigan 4 1 1 5 4 1
Miami (OH) 3 2 0 6 4 0
Ohio 3 2 1 5 3 1
Toledo 2 4 0 3 7 0
Marshall 1 4 0 2 7 1
Kent State 1 5 0 2 8 0
  • $ – Conference champion

Center Mike Snodgrass and guard Ken Reasor were the team captains.[4] Quarterback Ed Chlebek received the team's most outstanding player award.[5]

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16at Central Michigan*W 27–216,800[6]
September 23at Detroit*L 14–2118,000–18,603[7]
September 30Miami (OH)W 6–316,500
October 7at Bowling Green
L 0–218,000
October 21at ToledoW 7–05,500
October 28Marshall
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 20–010,500
November 4Kent State
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 14–010,250
November 11Utah State*
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 22–6511,750–14,000[8]
November 18at OhioT 20–209,500
December 9vs. New Mexico*L 12–203,694[9]
  • *Non-conference game

[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1960 - 69". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "Waldo Stadium". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "Football History: Team Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "Broncos Slip Past Chips". Detroit Free Press. September 17, 1961. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Jack Berry (September 23, 1961). "Pitches Strike Against Western Mich.: Gross Gets the Titans Rolling, 21-14". Detroit Free Press. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Ags Slay Broncos 65-22 In Michigan". The Herald Journal. Logan, Utah. United Press International. November 12, 1961. p. 6. Retrieved December 18, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  9. ^ Dan Russel (December 10, 1961). "Lobos Capture Aviation Bowl, 28-12: Santiago, Chuck Selected Best Back, Lineman". Albuquerque Journal. pp. C1, C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 18, 2022.