Wikipedia

1961 William & Mary Indians football team

The 1961 William & Mary Indians football team was an American football team that represented the College of William & Mary as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach Milt Drewer, William & Mary compiled a 1–9 record (1–6 in conference games), finished in last place in the SoCon, and were outscored by a total of 279 to 125.[1]

1961 William & Mary Indians football
Team portrait from 1962 Colonial Echo
ConferenceSouthern Conference
Record1–9 (1–6 SoCon)
Head coach
CaptainRoger Hale, Eric Erdossy
Home stadiumCary Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Southern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
The Citadel $ 5 – 1 – 0 7 – 3 – 0
Richmond 5 – 2 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
VMI 4 – 2 – 0 6 – 4 – 0
West Virginia 2 – 1 – 0 4 – 6 – 0
Furman 2 – 2 – 0 7 – 3 – 0
George Washington 3 – 4 – 0 3 – 6 – 0
Virginia Tech 2 – 3 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Davidson 1 – 4 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
William & Mary 1 – 6 – 0 1 – 9 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The team's statistical leaders included Dan Henning (537 passing yards), Stan Penkunas (327 rushing yards), and Ernie Phillips (299 receiving yards).[2]

The team played its home games at Cary Field in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16vs. Virginia Tech
L 6–205,000[3]
September 23at Virginia*
L 6–2118,000[4]
September 30at Navy*
L 6–4417,803[5]
October 7Furman
W 19–64,000[6]
October 14The Citadel
  • Cary Field
  • Williamsburg, VA
L 8–106,200[7]
October 21at George Washington
L 12–499,280[8]
October 28VMI
  • Cary Field
  • Williamsburg, VA (rivalry)
L 7–14[9]
November 4Davidson
  • Cary Field
  • Williamsburg, VA
L 30–31[10]
November 11at Army*
L 13–4818,150[11]
November 23at Richmond
L 18–368,000[12]
  • *Non-conference game

Statistics

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William & Mary gained an average of 122.5 rushing yards and 116.4 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 212.3 rushing yards and 96.6 passing yards per game.[2]

Three players split time at quarterback: Dan Henning (30-for-86, 537 yards, five touchdowns, eight interceptions); Calvin Cox (41-for-69, 59.4%, three touchdowns, eight interceptions); and Dan Barton (14-for-33, 196 yards, no touchdowns, six interceptions).[2]

Six backs rushed for over 100 yards: Stan Penkunas (327 yards, 63 carries, 5.2-yard average); Roger Hale (326 yards, 72 carries, 4.5-yard average); Charlie Weaver (151 yards, 42 carries, 3.6-yard average); H.C. Thaxton (138 yards, 38 carries, 3.6-yard average); Dick Kern (110 yards, 19 carries, 5.8-yard aveage); and Dan Barton (106 yards, 38 carries, 2.8-yard average).[2]

The leading receivers were Ernie Phillips (26 receptions, 299 yards); Bill Corley (14 receptions, 218 yards); and Roger Hale (14 receptions, 182 yards).[2]

Awards and honors

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Guard Eric Erdossy was named to the first team of the 1961 All-Southern Conference football team. End Ernie Phillips, tackle John Sapinsky, and back Roger Hale were named to the second team.[13]

Personnel

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Players

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  • Dan Barton
  • Bill Corley
  • Calvin Cox
  • Eric Erdossy, guard
  • Roger Hale, back
  • Dan Henning
  • Dick Kern
  • Dennis O'Toole
  • Stan Penkunas
  • Ernie Phillips, end
  • John Sapinksy, tackle
  • Walt Scott
  • H.C. Thaxton
  • Charlie Weaver

Coaches and administrators

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References

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  1. ^ "1961 William & Mary Tribe Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "1961 William & Mary Tribe Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  3. ^ "Gobblers rally for 20–6 win over Indians". The Virginian-Pilot. September 17, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Virginia wins first since '58". The Lima Citizen. September 24, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Navy thumps W&M, 44–6". The Baltimore Sun. October 1, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Indians crush Furman's conference title hopes, 19–6". The Greenville News. October 8, 1961. Retrieved September 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "The Citadel whips W&M with goal". Durham Morning Herald. October 15, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Drummond shines, fired-up GW routs William and Mary, 49–12". Daily Press. October 21, 1961. Retrieved February 8, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "2 sophs lead VMI to victory". The Miami News. October 29, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Davidson wins, 31–30, as W&M heroics fail". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 5, 1961. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Army routs W&M, 48–13". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 12, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Spiders rout Tribe, 36–18". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 24, 1961. Retrieved August 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "1961 All-Southern Team: FU's Campbell Repeats; Gilgo And Eastern Named". The Greenville News. November 29, 1961. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Sophomores Loom Large in W&M Future". Ledger-Dispatch and Star. August 31, 1961. p. 53 – via Newspapers.com.
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