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1961 Evergreen Conference football season

(Redirected from 1961 Whitworth Pirates football team)

The 1961 Evergreen Conference football season was the season of college football played by the six member schools of the Evergreen Conference (EC) as part of the 1961 college football season.

1961 Evergreen Conference football season
SportFootball
Number of teams6
ChampionCentral Washington
Football seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Evergreen Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Central Washington $ 6 – 1 – 0 7 – 2 – 0
Whitworth * 6 – 1 – 0 ? – ? – ?
Western Washington 4 – 3 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Puget Sound 3 – 3 – 1 5 – 3 – 1
Pacific Lutheran 1 – 5 – 1 2 – 6 – 1
Eastern Washington 0 – 7 – 0 0 – 9 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • * – on probation; ineligible for conference title

The 1961 Central Washington Wildcats football team, led by head coach Adrian L. Beamer, compiled a 7–2 record (6–1 in conference games) and won the Evergreen Conference championship. Junior Phil Fitterer won all-conference honors at both quarterback and safety.

The 1961 Whitworth Pirates football team, led by head coach Sam Adams, compiled a 9-1 record (7-1 in conference games) but were ineligible for the championship, having been placed on probation because the track team had allowed an ineligible student to compete in preseason track meets. Whitworth end John Murio led all small college players in scoring (129 points scored) and receiving yards (811). Quarterback Dennis Spurlock led the country (both major and small colleges) with 1,760 yards of total offense and also ranked second nationally with 1,708 passing yards.

Western Washington and Central Washington dominated the 1961 Evergreen all-conference team, taking with ten and eight spots, respectively.

Conference overview

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Conf. rank Team Head coach Conf. record Overall record Points scored Points against
1 Central Washington Adrian L. Beamer 7-2 6-1 223 106
2 Whitworth Sam Adams 9-1 6-1 392 59
3 Western Washington Jim Lounsberry 5-4 4-3 93 126
4 Puget Sound John P. Heinrick 5-3-1 3-3-1 115 127
5 Pacific Lutheran Jim Gabrielson 2-5-1 1-5-1 73 244
6 Eastern Washington Ed Chissus 0-9 0-7 20 227

[1]

Teams

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Central Washington

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1961 Central Washington Wildcats football
Evergreen champion
ConferenceEvergreen Conference
Record7–2 (6–1 Evergreen)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Central Washington Wildcats football team represented Central Washington College of Education (now known as Central Washington University) of Ellensburg, Washington. In their first year under head coach Adrian L. Beamer, the team compiled a 7–2 record (6–1 against EC opponents) and won the conference championship.

Central Washington players took seven places on the 1961 Evergreen all-conference team: Phil Fitterer (quarterback on offense, safety on defense); Harvey Rath (halfback on offense); Dick Kinart (guard on offense, tackle on defense); Bill Betcher (center on offense, linebacker on defense) [2]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23WhitmanEllensburg, WAW 19–0[3]
September 30WhitworthEllensburg, WAW 33–14[4]
October 7Eastern WashingtonEllensburg, WAW 35–0[5]
October 14at Pacific LutheranTacoma, WAW 25–7[6]
October 21at Western WashingtonBellingham, WAW 19–13[7]
October 28Puget SoundEllensburg, WAW 33–21[8]
November 4WhitworthL 19–215,000[9]
November 11at Eastern WashingtonCheney, WAW 26–6[10]
November 16at Humboldt State*
L 14–24[11]
  • *Non-conference game

[12]

Whitworth

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1961 Whitworth Pirates football
ConferenceEvergreen Conference
Record9–1 (6–1 Evergreen)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Whitworth Pirates football team represented Whitworth College (now known as Whitworth University) of Spokane, Washington. In their fourth year under head coach Sam Adams, the team compiled a 9–1 record (6–1 against EC opponents), shut out seven of ten opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 281 to 59.

Two Whitworth players ranked first nationally among small college players in various statistical categories:

  • End John Murio led all small college players in scoring with 129 points (15 touchdowns, 33 extra points, 2 field goals); he was the first end to win the national scoring championship.[13][14] Murio also led small college players with 811 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns.[15]
  • Quarterback Dennis Spurlock led the country (both major and small colleges) with 1,760 yards of total offense. He also ranked second nationally with 1,708 passing yards.[16]

Murio was a second-team selection and Spurlock a third-team pick on the 1961 Little All-America college football team.[17]

The Pirates were ineligible for the conference championship, because the team had been placed on probation by the Evergreen Conference. Coach Sam Adams, who was also the school's track coach, had allowed an ineligible student to participate in three preseason track meets. The conference therefore ruled that, if Adams remained the coach, Whitworth's track and football teams would be ineligible to compete for the conference championship during the 1961-62 academic year.[18]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23Oregon TechSpokane, WAW 47–0[19]
September 30at Central WashingtonEllensburg, WAL 14–33[20]
October 7Pacific Lutheran
W 67–02,000[21]
October 14at Puget SoundTacoma, WAW 29–73,500[22]
October 21at Eastern WashingtonCheney, WAW 52–02,500[23]
October 28Western Washington Spokane, WAW 53–05,000[24]
November 4Central WashingtonW 21–195,000[25]
November 11at Pacific Lutheran
  • Lincoln Bowl
  • Tacoma, WA
W 45–0[26]
November 18Western MontanaSpokane, WAW 54–0[27]
November 23Humboldt State
W 10–03,500[28]
  •  Homecoming

[29]

Western Washington

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1961 Western Washington Vikings football
ConferenceEvergreen Conference
Record5–4 (4–3 Evergreen)
Head coach
Home stadiumBattersby Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Western Washington Vikings football team represented Western Washington State College (now known as Western Washington University) of Bellingham, Washington. In their second year under head coach Jim Lounsberry, the team compiled a 5–4 record (4–3 against EC opponents), was outscored by a total of 126 to 93, and finished in third place in the Evergreen conference.[1]

Western Washington took 10 spots on the 1961 All-Evergreen Conference football team: Ron Ladines (fullback on offense and linebacker on defense); Harvey Rath (halfback on offense); Gary Moore (end on offense and defense); Harry Leons (tackle on offense); Matt Kjelstad (guard on defense); Gary Fumano (linebacker); Ken Fry (linebacker); and Doug Ringebach (safety on defense).[2]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23British Columbia*
W 13–6[30]
September 30Pacific Lutheran
  • Battersby Field
  • Bellingham, WA
W 13–7[31]
October 7at Puget SoundTacoma, WAW 13–0[32]
October 14Eastern WashingtonCheney, WAW 7–0[33]
October 21Central Washington
  • Battersby Field
  • Belingham, WA
L 13–19[34]
October 28at WhitworthSpokane, WAL 0–535,000[35]
November 4at Pacific LutheranTacoma, WAW 21–14[36]
November 11Puget Sound 
  • Battersby Field
  • Bellingham, WA
L 6–144,000[37]
November 18at Portland State*Portland, ORL 7–13[38]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming

[39]

Puget Sound

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1961 Puget Sound Loggers football
ConferenceEvergreen Conference
Record5–3–1 (3–3–1 Evergreen)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Puget Sound Loggers football team represented the University of Puget Sound of Tacoma, Washington. In their 14th year under head coach John P. Heinrick, the team compiled a 5–3–1 record (3–3–1 against EC opponents), was outscored by a total of 127 to 115, and finished in fourth place in the Evergreen conference.[1]

Puget Sound players took four spots on the 1961 All-Evergreen football team: Ralph Ferguson at tackle on offense and guard on defense; Gary Daso at halfback on offense; and Cal Christoph at end on defense.[40]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23WillametteTacoma, WAW 20–19[41]
September 30Eastern WashingtonW 7–0
October 7Western WashingtonTacoma, WAL 0–13[32]
October 14WhitworthTacoma, WAL 7–293,500[42]
October 21Pacific LutheranT 13–13
October 28at Central WashingtonEllensburg, WAL 21–33
November 4Eastern WashingtonW 12–7
November 11Western Washington
W 14–64,000[43]
November 18Pacific Lutheran
  • Lincoln Bowl
  • Tacoma, WA
W 21–7

[44]

Pacific Lutheran

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1961 Pacific Lutheran Lutes football
ConferenceEvergreen Conference
Record2–5–1 (1–5–1 Evergreen)
Head coach
Home stadiumLincoln Bowl
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Pacific Lutheran Lutes football team represented the Pacific Lutheran University of Parkland, Washington. In their fourth year under head coach Jim Gabrielson, the team compiled a 2–5–1 record (1–5–1 against EC opponents), was outscored by a total of 244 to 73, and finished in fifth place in the Evergreen conference.[1]

Pacific Lutheran took two spots on the 1961 All-Evergreen Conference football team: Dave Bottemiller at offensive end and Norm Juggert at offensive guard.[2]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23at Pacific (OR)Forest Grove, ORW 12–9
September 30at Western Washington
L 7–13[31]
October 7Whitworth
L 0–672,000[21]
October 14Central WashingtonTacoma, WAL 7–25
October 21Puget SoundT 13–13
October 28Eastern WashingtonW 13–0
November 4Western WashingtonL 14–21[36]
November 11Whitworth
  • Lincoln Bowl
  • Tacoma, WA
L 0–45[26]
November 18Puget Sound
  • Lincon Bowl
  • Tacoma, WA
L 7–21

[45]

Eastern Washington

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1961 Eastern Washington Savages football
ConferenceEvergreen Conference
Record0–9 (0–7 Evergreen)
Head coach
Home stadiumWoodward Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Eastern Washington Savages football team represented Eastern Washington State College (now known as Eastern Washington University) of Cheney, Washington. In their second year under head coach Ed Chissus, the team compiled a 0–9 record (0–7 against EC opponents), was outscored by a total of 227 to 20, and finished in last place in the Evergreen conference.[1]

Eastern Washington took two spots on the 1961 All-Evergreen Conference football team: Paul Lerch at defensive end and Harley Allen at defensive tackle.[2]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23at Humboldt State
L 0–535,500[46]
September 30Puget Sound
L 0–7
October 7Central WashingtonEllensburg, WAL 0–35[5]
October 14Western Washington
  • Woodward Field
  • Cheney, WA
L 0–7[33]
October 21Whitworth
  • Woodward Field
  • Cheney, WA
L 0–522,500[23]
October 28Pacific Lutheran
  • Woodward Field
  • Cheney, WA
L 0–13
November 4at Puget SoundTacoma, WAL 7–12
November 11Central Washington
  • Woodward, WA
  • Cheney, WA
L 6–26[10]
November 18College of Idaho
  • Woodward Field
  • Cheney, WA
L 7–22

[47]

All-conference selections

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At the end of the season, the conference coaches voted on an all-conference team. Whitworth players were not considered because the school was on probation.[2] The all-conference selections were as follows:

Offense

  • Quarterback - Phil Fitterer, Central Washington, junior
  • Fullback - Ron Ladines, Western Washington, senior
  • Halfback - Harvey Rath, Central Washington, junior; Ken Fry, Western Washington, junior; Gary Dasso, Puget Sound, junior
  • Ends - Dave Bottemiller, Pacific Luthern, senior; Gary Moore, Western Washington, junior
  • Tackles - Harry Leons, Western Washington, senior; Ralph Ferguson, Puget Sound, senior
  • Guards - Norm Juggert, Pacific Lutheran, junior; Dick Kinart, Central Washington, junior
  • Center - Bill Betcher, Central Washington, senior

[2][40]

Defense

  • Ends - Cal Christoph, Puget Sound, junior; Gary Moore, Western Washington, junior (tie); Paul Lerch, Eastern Washington, senior (tie)
  • Tackles - Harley Allen, Eastern, senior; Dick Kinart, Central Washington, junior
  • Guard - Ralph Ferguson, Puget Sound, senior; Matt Kjelstad, Western Washington, junior
  • Linebackers - Gary Fumano, Western Washington, junior; Bill Betcher, Central Washington, senior; Ron Ladines, Western Washington, senior; Ken Fry, Western Washington, senior
  • Safety - Phil Fitterer, Central Washington, junior (tie); Doug Ringebach, Western Washington (tie)

[2][40]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Official Collegiate Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 65.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Central Washington Leads All-Evergreen Grid Team". The Spokesman-Review. November 26, 1961. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Central Blanks Whitman Eleven By 19-0 Score". The Bellingham Herald. September 24, 1961. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Pirates Fall to Central in Upset". The Spokesman-Review. October 1, 1961. p. Sports 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Central Romps Over Eastern". The Spokesman-Review. October 8, 1961. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Redden Paces Central Win". Tri-City Herald. October 15, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Central Moves To First Place". Tri-City Herald. October 22, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Central Rally Claims Victory Over Loggers". The Bellingham Herald. October 29, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Danny May (November 5, 1961). "Central Rally Short, Late as Whitworth Wins 21-19". The Spokesman-Review. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b Danny May (November 12, 1961). "Central Washington Downs Eastern, Takes Title Home". The Spokesman-Review. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Terbush, Don (November 17, 1962). "Humboldt State Blasts Western Washington, 32-0". Humboldt Standard. Eureka, California. p. 8. Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  12. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 158.
  13. ^ "Whitworth Back Cops Point Title". The Olympian. December 11, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Offficial Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 82.
  15. ^ Offficial Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 89.
  16. ^ Offficial Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. pp. 88–89.
  17. ^ "Two Whitworth Aces Earn AP Grid Honors: Murio, Spurlock 2nd, 3rd Picks". Spokane Chronicle. December 6, 1961. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Whit Officials Pondering Probation by Conference". Spokane Chronicle. May 27, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Owls Run Into Pirate Buzz Saw, Lose 47-0". Herald and News. September 24, 1961. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Pirates Fall to Central in Upset". The Spokesman-Review. October 1, 1961. p. Sports 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ a b "Whits Trample Lutes 67-0". The Spokesman-Review. October 8, 1961. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Ed Honeywell (October 15, 1961). "Whitworth Races by UPS 29-7". The News Tribune. p. B12 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ a b Danny May (October 22, 1961). "Pirates Clip Eastern, 52-0, With Pass Offense, Defense". The Spokesman-Review. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Danny May (October 29, 1961). "Whitworth Splatters Viks in 53-0 Homecoming Romp". The Spokesman-Review. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Danny May (November 5, 1961). "Central Rally Short, Late as Whitworth Wins 21-19". The Spokesman-Review. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ a b Gary Lindgren (November 12, 1961). "Whitworth Wallops PLU 45-0". The News Tribune. p. B12 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ Danny May (November 19, 1961). "Spurlock Sets Pass Mark While Whits Win 54 to 0". The Spokesman-Review. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ Don Terbush (November 24, 1961). "Humboldt State Blanked In 'Mud Bowl' Contest". Eureka Humboldt Standard. Eureka, California. p. 15. Retrieved April 4, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. 
  29. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 142.
  30. ^ Wallie Lindsley (September 24, 1961). "Vikings Defeat UBC 13-6 in Home Grid Opener". The Bellingham Herald. pp. 1, 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ a b Wallie Lindsley (October 1, 1961). "Viks Notch Win In Conference Opener, 13-7". The Bellingham Herald. pp. 1, 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ a b "Vikings Triumph Over UPS 13-0". The Bellingham Herald. October 8, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ a b Danny May (October 15, 1961). "Ken Fry's 50-Yard Ramble Leads Viks Past Eastern". The Spokesman-Review. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Wallie Lindsley (October 22, 1961). "Vikings Bow To Central, 19-13". The Bellingham Herald. pp. 1, 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Danny May (October 29, 1961). "Whitworth Splatters Viks in 53-0 Homecoming Romp". The Spokesman-Review. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ a b "Vik Victory Keeps Up Title Hope". The Bellingham Herald. November 5, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ Wallie Lindsley (November 12, 1961). "Logger 'Shotgun' Spoils Western Homecoming, 14-6". The Bellingham Herald. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "PSC Upsets Viks, 13-7". Statesman. November 19, 1961. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 142.
  40. ^ a b c "All-Evergreen Gridders Named: Four Spots Awarded To UPS Stars". The News Tribune. November 26, 1961. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ Gordon Rice (September 24, 1961). "Loggers Shade Bearcats in Opener 20-19". Statesman. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ Ed Honeywell (October 15, 1961). "Whitworth Races by UPS 29-7". The News Tribune. p. B12 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ Wallie Lindsley (November 12, 1961). "Logger 'Shotgun' Spoils Western Homecoming, 14-6". The Bellingham Herald. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 129.
  45. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 127.
  46. ^ Don Terbush (September 25, 1961). "Humboldt State Batters Eastern Washington, 53-0". Eureka Humboldt Standard. Eureka, California. p. 17. Retrieved April 4, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 142.
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