1961 Sacramento State Hornets football team

1961 Sacramento State Hornets football
Conference	Far Western Conference
Record	4–5 (2–3 FWC)
Head coach	Ray Clemons (1st season)
Home stadium	Charles C. Hughes Stadium
Seasons ←  1960 1962  →

1961 Far Western Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 13/16 Humboldt State +	4	–	1	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
San Francisco State +	4	–	1	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
UC Davis	3	–	2	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Nevada	2	–	3	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Sacramento State	2	–	3	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
Chico State	0	–	5	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
+ – Conference co-champions Rankings from NAIA poll and UPI small college poll

The 1961 Sacramento State Hornets football team was an American football team that represented Sacramento State College (now known as California State University, Sacramento) as a member of the Far Western Conference (FWC) during the 1961 college football season. In their first year under head coach Ray Clemons, the Hornets compiled a 4–5 record (2–3 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the FWC, and were outscored by a total of 117 to 106. \ The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Wayne Paulk (644 passing yards), fullback Gene Reyes (462 rushing yards), and end Jim Curtis (201 receiving yards). Three Sacramento State players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Far Western Conference football team: Adolphus McGee at back; John Moreno at linebacker; and Gil Garcia at wingback.

The team played its home games at Charles C. Hughes Stadium in Sacramento, California.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16		Pepperdine *	Charles C. Hughes Stadium Sacramento, CA	W 21–0
September 22	8:00 p.m.	at Cal Poly Pomona *	L.A. State Stadium Los Angeles, CA	L 12–27	1,500	[1] [2] [3]
September 30		at Long Beach State *	Veterans Stadium Long Beach, CA	L 18–21	4,400	[4]
October 7		Southern Oregon *	Charles C. Hughes Stadium Sacramento, CA	W 25–6	3,000	[5]
October 14		No. 2 Humboldt State	Charles C. Hughes Stadium Sacramento, CA	W 19–7	6,000	[6]
October 21		at Chico State	College Field Chico, CA	W 14–10	6,600	[7]
November 4		Nevada	Charles C. Hughes Stadium Sacramento, CA	L 8–14	6,500	[8]
November 11		San Francisco State	Charles C. Hughes Stadium Sacramento, CA	L 0–7	4,282	[9]
November 17		at UC Davis	Aggie Field Davis, CA (rivalry)	L 0–14
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Pacific time

^[10]

Statistics

Junior fullback Gene Reyes led the team in rushing, tallying 462 yards on 101 carries for a 4.6-yard average. Adolphus McGee ranked second with 450 yards. ^[11]

Senior quarterback Wayne Paulk completed 46 of 112 passes for 644 yards. Paulk also ranked third on the team with 194 rushing yards on 77 carries for a 2.5-yard average. ^[11]

Senior end Jim Curtis led the team in receiving with 12 catches for 201 yards. Adolphus McGee caught 14 passes for 155 yards, and Gary Kelly followed with 11 catches for 149 yards. ^[11]

Awards and honors

Three Sacramento State players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Far Western Conference football team: Adolphus McGee at back (offense); John Moreno at linebacker (defense); and Gil Garcia at wingback (defense). Three others were named to the second team: Ed Auston at tackle (offense); John Moreno at guard (offense); and Gary Vincent at end (defense). ^[12]

References

1. Miles, Jerry (September 22, 1961). "Cal Poly, Sacramento State Clash". Progress-Bulletin . Pomona, California. p. 1, section 3. Retrieved February 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com .
2. Miles, Jerry (September 23, 1961). "Poly Routs State". Progress-Bulletin . Pomona, California. p. 7, section 1. Retrieved February 6, 2023– via Newspapers.com .
3. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Cal Poly Pomona)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved May 25, 2022.
4. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Long Beach State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved December 20, 2022.
5. Tom Horton. "Hornets Click to Trim Southern Oregon 25-6". The Sacramento Union. pp. 1S, 2S – via Newspapers.com.
6. Don Terbush (October 16, 1961). "HSC Upset By Sacramento State In FWC Contest". Eureka Humboldt Standard. Eureka, California. p. 26. Retrieved April 4, 2018– via Newspapers.com.
7. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Chico State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved May 20, 2022.
8. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Nevada)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved May 23, 2022.
9. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 San Francisco State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved May 10, 2022.
10. "1961 Football Schedule". Hornets Sports. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
11. "Reyes, Paulk, Curtis Lead Sacramento State In Offensive Statistics". The Sacramento Bee. November 22, 1961. p. B5 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Name Six Humboldt Staters To All-FWC First Team". Humboldt Standard. December 2, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.