1961 West Texas State Buffaloes football team

Last updated
1961 West Texas State Buffaloes football
Conference Border Conference
Record6–4 (3–1 Border)
Head coach
Home stadium Buffalo Bowl
Seasons
← 1960
1962  →
1961 Border Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
Arizona State §3 –0 –07 –3 –0
West Texas State 3 –1 –06 –4 –0
New Mexico State 2 –1 –05 –4 –1
Texas Western 1 –3 –03 –7 –0
Hardin–Simmons 0 –4 –00 –10 –0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1961 West Texas State Buffaloes football team was an American football team that represented West Texas State College (now known as West Texas A&M University) as a member of the Border Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their second season under head coach Joe Kerbel, the Buffaloes compiled a 6–4 record (3–1 in conference games), finished in second place in the Border Conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 309 to 221. [1]

Contents

Highlights of the season included a 27–23 victory over Arizona (the only loss for No. 18 Arizona) and high-scoring victories over BYU (55–8), Texas Western (56–27), and Hardin–Simmons (42–0).

Halfback Pete "Pistol Pete" Pedro ranked second among all major college players in the country in rushing (976 yards) and scoring (132 points) and led the country with 22 touchdowns. Pedro and guard Stu Johnson were selected as first-team players on the 1961 All-Border Conference football team.

The team played its home games at the Buffalo Bowl (later renamed Kimbrough Memorial Stadium) in Canyon, Texas.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23 BYU *
W 55–8
September 30at Texas Western
W 56–27 [2]
October 7 Wichita *
  • Buffalo Bowl
  • Canyon, TX
L 34–4115,000 [3]
October 14 Arizona State
  • Buffalo Bowl
  • Canyon, TX
L 11–2817,000 [4]
October 21 Hardin–Simmons
  • Buffalo Bowl
  • Canyon, TX
W 42–0
October 28 Arizona *
  • Buffalo Bowl
  • Canyon, TX
W 27–23 [5]
November 4at Bowling Green *
L 6–28> 11,000 [6]
November 11at Trinity (TX)
W 29–28
November 18at New Mexico State
W 35–22
December 2at Texas Tech
L 14–1625,000
  • *Non-conference game

Statistics

The 1961 Buffaloes gained an average of 247.5 rushing yards and 81.5 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 205.3 rushing yards and 47.7 passing yards per game.

Pete "Pistol Pete" Pedro ranked second among all major college players in the country with 976 rushing yards on 137 carries for an average of 7.12 yards per carry. He also ranked second in the country in scoring with 132 points and led the country with 22 touchdowns. [7] Pedro's scoring total included six touchdowns against Texas Western.

Quarterback Jim Dawson completed 46 of 92 yards (50%) for 566 yards with seven touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 109.4 quarterback rating. [8]

Behind Pedro, the team's other leading rushers were Bill Lorance (452 yards, 90 carries, 5.0-yard average), Ollie Ross (346 yards, 68 carries, 5.1-yard average), and Jerry Don Logan (228 yards, 32 carries, 7.1-yard average). [8]

Awards and honors

Two West Texas players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Border Conference football team based on a poll of the conference coaches. The West Texas honorees were Pete Pedro at halfback and Stu Johnson at guard. In addition, halfback Jerry Logan, end Dean Faulkenberry, guard Bill Bradley, and center Frank Thrasher were named to the second team. End Joe Granato received honorable mention. [9]

Related Research Articles

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1970 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1970 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1970 Big Ten Conference football season. In their second season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 9–1 record, tied for second place in the conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 288 to 90. Michigan's victories included intersectional contests with Arizona (20–9), Washington (17–3), and Texas A&M (14–10). The team won its first nine games before losing to rival Ohio State and was ranked No. 7 in the final UPI Poll and No. 9 in the final AP Poll

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 Washington Huskies football team</span> American college football season

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, finished in a tie for second place in the AAWU, and outscored opponents by a total of 119 to 98.

The 1961 USC Trojans football team was an American football team that represented the University of Southern California (USC) 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 second year under head coach John McKay, the Trojans compiled a 4–5–1 record, finished in a tie for second place in the AAWU, and were outscored by a total of 167 to 151. In non-conference games, they defeated SMU and Illinois, but lost to Georgia Tech, Iowa, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 LSU Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 1961 LSU Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Louisiana State University (LSU) as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1961 college football season. In their seventh and final year under head coach Paul Dietzel, the Tigers compiled a 10–1 record, tied with Alabama for the SEC championship, and were ranked No. 3 in the final UPI coaches poll and No. 4 in the final AP writers poll. After losing the season opener to Rice, The Tigers won 10 consecutive games, including a 10–0 victory over No. 3 Georgia Tech, a 10–7 victory over No. 2 Ole Miss, and a 25–7 victory over No. 7 Colorado in the 1962 Orange Bowl. They shut out five opponents, outscored all opponents by a total of 234 to 50, and ranked fourth nationally in both scoring defense and rushing defense.

The 1961 Army Cadets football team was an American football team that represented the United States Military Academy as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their third year under head coach Dale Hall, the Cadets compiled a 6–4 record and outscored opponents by a total of 224 to 118.

The 1961 Duke Blue Devils football team was an American football team that represented Duke University as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 1961 college football season. In their eleventh year under head coach Bill Murray, the Blue Devils compiled a 7–3 record, won the ACC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 183 to 106. In non-conference games, they defeated Navy and Notre Dame but lost to Georgia Tech and Michigan. They were ranked No. 14 in the final UPI coaches poll and No. 20 in the final AP writers poll.

The 1961 Arizona Wildcats football team was an American football team that represented the University of Arizona as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their third season under head coach Jim LaRue, the Wildcats compiled an 8–1–1 record, were ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll, and outscored their opponents by a total of 288 to 131.

The 1940 Arizona State Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State Teachers College in the Border Conference during the 1940 college football season. In their third season under head coach Dixie Howell, the Bulldogs compiled a 7–2–2 record, won the conference championship, lost to Western Reserve in the 1941 Sun Bowl, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 198 to 100.

The 1950 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State College in the Border Conference during the 1950 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach Ed Doherty, the Sun Devils compiled a 9–2 record, lost to Miami (OH) in the Salad Bowl, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 404 to 154.

The 1957 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State College in the Border Conference during the 1957 college football season. In their third and final season under head coach Dan Devine, the Sun Devils compiled a 10–0 record, won the conference championship, were ranked No. 12 in the final AP Poll, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 397 to 66. They were the first team in school history to finish the season ranked in any poll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team</span> American college football season

The 1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University as a member of the Border Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled a 7–3 record, won the Border Conference championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 287 to 163.

The 1961 Wyoming Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wyoming as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth and final season under head coach Bob Devaney, the Cowboys compiled a 6–1–2 record, tied for the conference championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 171 to 74. The Cowboys were ranked No. 17 in the final UPI coaches poll.

The 1961 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team was an American football that represented Oklahoma State University as a member of the Big Eight Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their seventh season under head coach Cliff Speegle, the Cowboys compiled a 4–6 record, tied for sixth place in the Big 8, and were outscored by a total of 166 to 154.

The 1961 New Mexico Lobos football team was an American football team that represented the University of New Mexico in the Skyline Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their second season under head coach Bill Weeks, the Lobos compiled a 7–4 record, finished in a tie for third place in the conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 215 to 197. The Lobos concluded their season with a victory over Western Michigan in the inaugural Aviation Bowl, played in snow and sleet at Dayton, Ohio.

The 1961 Texas Western Miners football team was an American football team that represented Texas Western College as a member of the Border Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth and final season under head coach Ben Collins, the Miners compiled a 3–7 record, finished fourth out of five teams in the Border Conference, and were outscored by a total of 283 to 176.

The 1961 Buffalo Bulls football team was an American football team that represented the University of Buffalo as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their seventh season under head coach Dick Offenhamer, the Bulls compiled a 4–5 record and were outscored by a total of 163 to 136. The team played home games at Rotary Field in Buffalo, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 Wichita Shockers football team</span> American college football season

The 1961 Wichita Shockers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wichita as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) during the 1961 college football season. In its second season under head coach Hank Foldberg, the team compiled an 8–3 record, won the MVC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 230 to 189. Wichita finished the season with a 17–9 loss to Villanova in the Sun Bowl.

The 1961 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team was an American football team that represented the University of Delaware in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) during the 1961 college football season. In its 11th season under head coach David M. Nelson, the team compiled a 4–4 record, tied for third place in the MAC University Division, and outscored opponents by a total of 161 to 98.

The 1961 Boston University Terriers football team was an American football team that represented Boston University as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach Steve Sinko, the Terriers compiled a 4–5 record and were outscored by a total of 142 to 100.

References

  1. ↑ "1961 West Texas A&M Buffaloes Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  2. ↑ Bob Ingram (October 2, 1961). "The Big Change". El Paso Herald-Post. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Wichita Hands Buffs First Defeat, 41-34". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 8, 1961. p. 4 (section 4) – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Abe Gutierrez (October 15, 1961). "Sun Devils Thrash West Texas, 28-11: Fabulous Pedro Throttled". The Arizona Republic. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Abe Chanin (October 22, 1961). "Wilson's Pin-Point Passing Gives Cats 22-21 Victory: '2-Pointer' Gives UA Triumph". The Arizona Daily Star. pp. 1A, 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Gene Welty (November 6, 1961). "Pistol Pete 'Misfires,' Falcons Best Buffaloes: Bell, Weaver Score In BG's 28-6 Win". The Daily Sentinel-Tribune. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Pilot Is Third Aggie Back to Win 2 Titles". The News and Observe. December 17, 1961. p. II-8 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 "1961 West Texas A&M Buffaloes Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Johnson, Pistol Pete On All-Border Team". The Amarillo Globe-Times. November 29, 1961. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.