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1961 Washington Huskies football
Center Ray Mansfield and halfback Bill Siler, 1961
Conference	Athletic Association of Western Universities
Record	5–4–1 (2–1–1 AAWU)
Head coach	Jim Owens (5th season)
Captains	John Meyers Kermit Jorgensen
Home stadium	Husky Stadium
Seasons← 19601962 →

The 1961 Washington Huskies football team was an American football team that represented the University of Washington as a member of the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU), commonly known at the time as the Big 5 Conference, during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach Jim Owens, the Huskies compiled a 5–4–1 record (2–1–1 in conference games), finished in a tie for second place in the AAWU, and outscored opponents by a total of 119 to 98.

Fullback Jim Stiger played on both offense and defense and led the team in rushing (582 yards), total offense (582 yards), and interceptions (five with 51 return yards). Quarterback Kermit Jorgensen was the team captain and ranked second in total offense with 331 rushing yards and 105 passing yards. Halfback Charlie Mitchell, tackle John Meyers, and guard Jim Skaggs received first-team All-Pacific Coast or all-conference honors.

The team played home games at Husky Stadium in Seattle.

Schedule

Statistics

Washington ran a run-oriented offense, averaging 216.9 rushing yards and only 51.3 passing yards per game. On defense, the team held opponents to an average of 149.7 rushing yards and 110.7 passing yards per game.

Fullback Jim Stiger led the team in both rushing and total offense, tallying 582 yards on 130 carries, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. At that time, his rushing total for 1961 was the third best season total in Washington history, trailing only Hugh McElhenny and Credell Green. Stiger also played on defense and led the team with five interceptions and 51 return yards.

Junior halfback Charlie Mitchell ranked second in rushing for the Huskies with 457 yards on 96 carries for a 4.8-yard average. Mitchell also scored the game-winning touchdown against Washington State on a 23-yard run. Mitchell was also the team's leading kickoff returner with 185 yards on five returns.

Senior quarterback Kermit Jorgensen ranked second in total offense with 331 rushing yards and 105 passing yards (10-for-26, 38.5%). Junior quarterback Pete Ohler was the leading passer, completing 17 of 59 (28.8%) for 394 yards with three touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 74.6 quarterback rating.

The team's leading scorers, each with 20 points, were halfbacks Charlie Mitchell and Nat Whitmyer. Despite missing a game with a broken hand, end Lee Bernhardi was the team's leading receiver with five catches for 137 yards, an average of 27.4 yards per catch. Junior halfback Martin Wyatt led the team in punt returns with 117 yards on six returns, including a 73-yard return for touchdown against California.

Other significant contributors to the Huskies' rushing attack were Bill Siler (205 yards, 33 carries, 6.2-yard average); Martin Wyatt (201 yards, 41 carries, 4.9-yard average); and Nat Whitmyer (151 yards, 40 carries, 3.8-yard average).

Awards and honors

No Washington players received All-America honors. Five were honored on the 1961 All-Pacific Coast football team: halfback Charlie Mitchell (AP-1; BIG5-1); tackle John Meyers (AP-1; BIG5-1); guard Jim Skaggs (AP-2, BIG6-1); center Ray Mansfield (AP-2); and halfback Jim Stiger (AP-2).

Personnel

Players

• Andy Alkire (#86), end, junior, 210 pounds
• Lee Bernhardi (#91), end, junior, 195 pounds
• Mike Briggs (#76), tackle, sophomore
• Tim Bullard (#58), center, senior, 210 pounds
• Gary Clark (#97), end, junior
• Norm Dicks (#63), guard, junior, 190 pounds
• Kermit Jorgensen (#12), quarterback, senior, 195 pounds
• Glenn Kezer, end, junior
• Dave Kopay (#40), halfback, sophomore
• Tony Kopay (#27), fullback, senior
• Jake Kupp (#81), end, sophomore, 200 pounds
• Duane Locknane (#85), end, junior, 190 pounds
• Ray Mansfield (#50), center, junior, 220 pounds
• John Meyers (#79), tackle, senior, 240 pounds
• Charlie Mitchell (#21), halfback, junior, 182 pounds
• Bob Monroe (#39), halfback, junior, 180 pounds
• John Nelson (#54), center, senior
• Pete Ohler (#16), quarterback, junior
• Dave Phillips (#59), guard, junior, 190 pounds
• Rod Scheyer (#78), tackle, junior, 210 pounds
• Bill Siler (#14), halfback, sophomore, 165 pounds
• Jim Skaggs (#70), guard, senior, 220 pounds
• Rick Sortum (#77), tackle, sophomore
• Chuck Steel (#20), quarterback, sophomore
• Jim Stiger (#35), fullback, junior, 185 pounds
• John Stupey (#67), guard, sophomore
• Nat Whitmyer (#23), halfback, junior
• Martin Wyatt (#36), halfback, junior

Coaches

• Head coach: Jim Owens
• Assistant coaches: Tom Tipps (head assistant coach, line coach), Chesty Walker (backfield coach), Bert Clark, Dick Heatly, Don White (end coach), Ed Peasley

Professional football draft selections

Two University of Washington Huskies were selected in the 1962 NFL draft, which lasted 20 rounds with 280 selections. One of those Huskies was also selected in the 1962 AFL draft, which lasted 34 rounds with 272 selections.

References

1. "Washington Yearly Results (1960-1964)". College Football Data Warehouse. David DeLassus. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
2. Gordon Graham (September 25, 1961). "Purdue's 13-6 Win Impressive: Honor of Big Ten Defended Before 55,000 at Seattle". The Journal and Courier. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Fred Young (October 1, 1961). "Young Illini Lose To Huskies, 20-7: Washington's Ground Game Topples Illinois". The Pantagraph. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Bob Drum (October 8, 1961). "Washington Shades Pitt, 22 To 17: Huskies Grab Victory In Final Minutes". The Pittsburgh Press. pp. 1, 5 (section 4) – via Newspapers.com.
5. Emmons Byrne (October 15, 1961). "Bears Outbattle Huskies: Balliett Leads Cal To First Victory, 21-14". Oakland Tribune. pp. 21, 27 – via Newspapers.com.
6. Charlie Van Sickel (October 22, 1961). "Washington Bounces Into Big Five Win Column: Huskies Score On Stanford Miscues". Tri-City Herald. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Don McLeod (October 29, 1961). "Ducks Stun Huskies, 7-6: PAT Spells Difference In Victory; Veres' TD Pass, Oregon Defense Halt UW Bid". The Oregonian. pp. 1, 7 (sports) – via Newspapers.com.
8. Paul Zimmerman (November 5, 1961). "Trojans, Huskies Settle for Scorless Tie: Teams Blow Field Goals in Bitter Big 5 Game". Los Angeles Times. pp. 1, 2 (section H) – via Newspapers.com. (attendance 55,200)
9. 1962 USC yearbook, p. 267, attendance 55,200.
10. "Beavers Triumph; Richman's Field Goal Trips UW". Sunday Oregonian. November 12, 1961. p. 1 (section 2) – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Beavers Edge Huskies by 3-0: On Richman Boot". Eugene Register-Guard. November 12, 1961. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
12. Paul Zimmerman (November 19, 1961). "Bruins Lose in 'Give-Away' Duel, 17-13: Mitchell Ignites Huskies". Los Angeles Times. pp. 1, 4 (section H) – via Newspapers.com.
13. Charlie Van Sickel (November 26, 1961). "UW Nips Cougars In 21-17 Thriller: Huskies Rally Late In Game". Tri-City Herald. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
14. Harry Missildine (November 26, 1961). "Late Husky Explosion Earns 21-17 Win Over Embattled Cougars Before 48,500". The Spokesman-Review. pp. 1, 7 (sports) – via Newspapers.com.
15. ^ "Stiger Gains Third In Husky Rushing Parade". Tri-City Herald. November 30, 1961. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "1961 Washington Huskies Stats". S/R College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
17. 1962 University of Washington yearbook, pp. 204-205.
18. "1962 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
19. "1962 AFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
20. "The Husky Hall of Fame". gohuskies.com. Retrieved October 17, 2019.

• 1961 Athletic Association of Western Universities football season
• Washington Huskies football seasons
• 1961 in sports in Washington (state)