1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football
Conference	Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	5–3 (4–2 IIAC)
Head coach	Art Dufelmeier (2nd season)
Home stadium	Hanson Field
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

1961 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Southern Illinois $	5	–	1	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
Western Illinois	4	–	2	–	0			5	–	3	–	0
Illinois State Normal	4	–	2	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Eastern Illinois	3	–	2	–	1			4	–	3	–	1
Northern Illinois	3	–	2	–	1			4	–	4	–	1
Central Michigan	1	–	5	–	0			2	–	8	–	0
Eastern Michigan	0	–	6	–	0			0	–	8	–	1
$ – Conference champion

The 1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team was an American football team that represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their second year under head coach Art Dufelmeier, the Leathernecks compiled a 5–3 record (4–2 in conference games) and tied for second place in the IIAC. ^[1]

Halfback Leroy Jackson led the team with 560 rushing yards and 56 points scored. ^[2] He also finished third in the NCAA in the 100-yard dash, received first-team honors on the 1961 Little All-America college football team, and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (11th overall pick) of the 1962 NFL draft. ^[3]

Quarterback Bill Roper led the team with 635 passing yards. ^[2]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 30	Eastern Michigan		Hanson Field Macomb, IL	W 43–0	4,000	[4]
October 7	at Central Michigan		Alumni Field Mount Pleasant, MI	W 12–7	5,000–5,100	[5] [6]
October 14	No. 5 Southern Illinois		Hansn Field Macomb, IL	W 22–13	9,900	[7]
October 21	at Northern Illinois		Glidden Field De Kalb, IL	L 22–23	12,000–14,000	[8] [9]
October 28	at Evansville *		Evansville, IN	W 26–0	3,800–5,000	[10]
November 4	at Eastern Illinois		Lincoln Field Charleston, IL	L 0–14	997–4,000	[11] [12]
November 11	Illinois State Normal		Hanson Field Macomb, IL	W 12–7	4,000	[13]
November 18	Bradley *		Hanson Field Macomb, IL	L 18–23	4,500	[14]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^{[1] [2]}

References

1. Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962, p. 141.
2. "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Western Illinois)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved July 31, 2024.
3. Harold Claassen (December 6, 1961). "Annual Little All-Americans -- Small College Stars Selected". The Shreveport Journal. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Western Whips Eastern Michigan". The Pantagraph. October 1, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Chips Fall, 12-7". Detroit Free Press. October 8, 1961. p. 48 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Central Michigan)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved December 14, 2022.
7. "Western Stops SIU, 22-13". The Southern Illinoisan. October 15, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Homecomings Are Wonderful: Ask Anyone at Northern . . ". The De Kalb Daily Chronicle. October 23, 1961. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Northern Illinois)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved December 12, 2022.
10. Tony Chamblin (October 29, 1961). "Jackson, Aces Blanked As Old Grads Mourn". Evansville Press. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
11. "EIU Upsets Western Ill". Mattoon Journal Gazette. November 6, 1961. p. 5. Retrieved June 11, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
12. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (1961 Eastern Illinois)". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved December 12, 2022.
13. "Western Rallies To Upset State". Jacksonville Journal Courier. November 12, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Bradley Tops Western In 23-18 Game". The Pantagraph. November 19, 1961. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.