1961 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

American college football season

1961 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Lambert Trophy winner Gator Bowl champion
Gator Bowl, W 30–15 vs. Georgia Tech
Conference	Independent
Ranking
Coaches	No. 19
AP	No. 17
Record	8–3
Head coach	Rip Engle (12th season)
Captain	Jim Smith
Home stadium	Beaver Stadium
Seasons← 1960 1962 →

1961 Eastern college football independents records
v t e	Conf			Overall
Team	W	L	T	W		L		T
Middlebury		–		5	–	1	–	1
Villanova		–		8	–	2	–	0
Southern Connecticut State		–		7	–	2	–	0
Alfred		–		6	–	2	–	0
Montclair State		–		6	–	2	–	0
Delaware Valley		–		6	–	2	–	0
No. 17 Penn State		–		8	–	3	–	0
No. 14 Syracuse		–		8	–	3	–	0
Trinity (CT)		–		5	–	2	–	1
Holy Cross		–		7	–	3	–	0
C. W. Post		–		6	–	3	–	0
Army		–		6	–	4	–	0
Merchant Marine		–		6	–	4	–	0
Tufts		–		5	–	3	–	0
Rochester		–		5	–	3	–	0
Hamilton		–		4	–	3	–	0
Cortland State		–		4	–	3	–	0
American International		–		5	–	4	–	0
Colgate		–		5	–	4	–	0
Northeastern		–		4	–	4	–	0
Coast Guard		–		4	–	4	–	0
Ithaca		–		4	–	4	–	0
Boston University		–		4	–	5	–	0
Buffalo		–		4	–	5	–	0
Bridgeport		–		4	–	5	–	0
Norwich		–		3	–	4	–	1
Worcester Tech		–		3	–	4	–	0
Boston College		–		4	–	6	–	0
Union (NY)		–		3	–	5	–	0
Pittsburgh		–		3	–	7	–	0
Nichols		–		2	–	3	–	0
Trenton State		–		1	–	6	–	0
King's (PA)		–		1	–	8	–	0
Springfield		–		0	–	7	–	1
Brockport		–		0	–	7	–	0
RPI		–		0	–	7	–	0
Hobart		–		0	–	8	–	0

Rankings from AP Poll

The 1961 Penn State Nittany Lions football team was an American football team that represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their 12th year under head coach Rip Engle, the Nittany Lions compiled an 8–3 record, were ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll, and outscored opponents by a total of 231 to 128. They concluded their season with a 30–15 victory over No. 13 Georgia Tech in the 1961 Gator Bowl. The Nittany Lions also received the Lambert Trophy as the best major college football team in the East.

The team was led on offense by quarterback Galen Hall (951 passing yards) and halfback Roger Kochman (666 rushing yards, 226 receiving yards, 54 points). In addition, Robert Mitinger, who played at end on both offense and defense, was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.

Joe Paterno was the team's backfield coach. The team played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 23	Navy	No. 7	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA		W 20–10	39,340
September 29	at Miami (FL)	No. 8	Orange Bowl Miami, FL		L 8–25	45,657
October 6	at Boston University		Boston University Field Boston, MA		W 32–0	10,150
October 14	Army		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA		L 6–10	44,120
October 21	Syracuse		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry)		W 14–0	44,390
October 28	California		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA		W 33–16	30,265
November 4	at Maryland		Byrd Stadium College Park, MD (rivalry)		L 17–21	39,000
November 11	at West Virginia		Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (rivalry)		W 20–6	30,000
November 18	Holy Cross		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA		W 34–14	32,746
November 25	at Pittsburgh		Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)		W 47–26	37,271
December 30	vs. Georgia Tech		Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL (Gator Bowl)	CBS	W 30–15	50,202
Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Statistics

Quarterback Galen Hall led the team in passing during the regular season, completing 50 of 97 passes (51.5%) for 951 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. In the Gator Bowl, Hall completed 12 of 22 passes for 175 yards and three touchdown and was selected as the game's most valuable player.

Halfback Roger Kochman led the team in rushing during the regular season with 666 yards on 129 carries for a 5.2-yard average. He added 76 yards on 13 carries in the Gator Bowl. Kochman also led the team in scoring with 54 points on nine touchdowns.

The team's other leading passers were backup quarterbacks Don Caum (13-for-39, 33.3%, 210 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) and Pete Liske (17-for-32, 53.1%, 216 yards, two touchdowns, one interception).

The other leading rushers were Buddy Torris (490 yards, 105 carries, 4.7-yard average); Dave Hayes (253 yards, 66 carries, 3.8-yard average); Junior Powell (226 yards, 41 carries, 5.5-yard average); Al Gursky (174 yards, 60 carries, 2.9-yard average); and Don Jonas (149 yards, 31 carries, 4.8-yard average).

The receiving leaders were Junior Powell (332 yards, 15 receptions, 22.1-yard average); Jim Schwab (257 yards, 16 receptions, 16.1-yard average); and Roger Kochman (226 yards, 10 receptions, 22.6-yard average).

The leading scorer following Kochman were Buddy Torris (24 points, four touchdowns). Four players had 18 points each.

Awards

The Nittany Lions received the Lambert Trophy as the best major college football team in the East.

Robert Mitinger, who played at end on both offense and defense, was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.

Mitinger, quarterback Galen Hall, and halfback Roger Kochman all received first-team honors on the Associated Press (AP) 1961 All-Eastern football team.

Four Penn State players received first-team honors on the AP All-Pennsylvania football team: Hall; Mitinger; Jim Smith at tackle; and Jay Huffman at center. Kochman and end Jim Schwab received second-team honors.

References

^ "1961 Penn State Nittany Lions Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
Chester L. Smith (October 17, 1961). "Paterno Produces Grad A QBs For Nittany Lions". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com.
"Penn State Squeaks By Middies, 20-10". Elmira Star-Gazette. September 24, 1961. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
Luther Evans (September 30, 1961). "Roaring Hurricanes Chop Up Penn State With 25-8 Lacing". The Miami Herald. p. 16A – via Newspapers.com.
Francis Rosa (October 7, 1961). "Penn St. Power Routs B.U., 32-0". The Boston Globe. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
Cove Hoover (October 15, 1961). "Penn State Bows: Army's Heydt Kicks 4 Points for 10-6 Win". Elmira Telegram. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
"Syracuse Ailing, Hall Operating: State, 14-0, Holds Ernie To 36 Yards". The Sunday Press (Binghamton, NY). October 22, 1961. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
Rusty Cowan (October 29, 1961). "Engle's Gambling Racks in Golden Bears, 33 to 16". The Patriot-News. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
W. Lawrence Null (November 5, 1961). "Maryland Triumphs, 21-17: Terps Whip Penn State After Building Up 21-6 Halftime Lead". The Baltimore Sun. pp. 1, 2 (sports) – via Newspapers.com.
"Terps score fast, hang on to upset Penn State, 21–17". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. November 5, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
"Penn State mauls West Virginia to win by 20 to 6". Messenger-Inquirer. November 12, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
Frush, Charlie (November 19, 1961). "Kochman, Torris Get 5 TDs as Penn State Conquers Holy Cross". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pa. p. S1 – via Newspapers.com.
"State Goes 'Bowling' Over Pitt Panthers". The Pittsburgh Press. November 26, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
"Energetic Penn State wins". Tallahassee Democrat. December 31, 1961. Retrieved October 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Hall Pulls Stinger Of Georgia Jackets". Sunday Patriot-News. December 31, 1961. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "1961 Penn State Nittany Lions Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
^ "Penn State Wins" (PDF). Tax Slayer Bowl. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
"PSU 'Subs' Take Lambert Trophy". The Lock Haven Express. December 11, 1961. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
"Three Holdovers Make 1961 All-America Football Team". The York Dispatch. December 1, 1961. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
"Kroll and Simms Are Voted To AP All-East First Team". The Daily Home News. December 1, 1961. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
"Penn State Puts Three on All-Eastern Team". The Beaver County Times. December 7, 1961. p. 18.
"Four Nittany Lions Are Named to AP All-State Grid Team". The Progress (PA). December 11, 1961. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.

v t e Penn State Nittany Lions football
Venues	Old Main lawn (until 1891) Beaver Field (1892–1908) New Beaver Field (1909–1959) Beaver Stadium (1960–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Alabama Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota: Governor's Victory Bell Ohio State Old Ironsides Pittsburgh Syracuse West Virginia
Culture & lore	Nittany Lion "Fight On, State" Penn State Blue Band Uplifting Athletes Joe Paterno statue Something for Joey 1982 Nebraska game Child sex abuse scandal 2016 Ohio State game Paterno White Out 2021 Illinois game
People	Head coaches All-Americans NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1881 1882–1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National championship seasons in bold

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