1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

Last updated

1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football
Conference Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record5–3 (4–2 IIAC)
Head coach
Home stadium Hanson Field
Seasons
 1960
1962 
1961 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
Southern Illinois $ 5 1 07 3 0
Western Illinois 4 2 05 3 0
Illinois State Normal 4 2 05 4 0
Eastern Illinois 3 2 14 3 1
Northern Illinois 3 2 14 4 1
Central Michigan 1 5 02 8 0
Eastern Michigan 0 6 00 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

DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 30 Eastern Michigan W 43–04,000 [4]
October 7at Central Michigan
W 12–75,000–5,100 [5] [6]
October 14 No. 5 Southern Illinois
  • Hansn Field
  • Macomb, IL
W 22–139,900 [7]
October 21at Northern Illinois L 22–2312,000–14,000 [8] [9]
October 28at Evansville *Evansville, INW 26–03,800–5,000 [10]
November 4at Eastern Illinois
L 0–14997–4,000 [11] [12]
November 11 Illinois State Normal
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
W 12–74,000 [13]
November 18 Bradley *
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
L 18–234,500 [14]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[1] [2]

Related Research Articles

The 1961 Northern Illinois State Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Howard Fletcher, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 4–4–1 with a mark of 3–2–1 in conference play, tying for third place in the IIAC.

The 1961 Eastern Michigan Hurons football team was an American football team that represented Eastern Michigan University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their 10th season under head coach Fred Trosko, the Hurons compiled a 0–8–1 record, finished last in the IIAC, and were outscored by a total of 171 to 49. The team's only game that was not a loss was a scoreless tie with Ball State. The 1961 season was part of a 30-game winless streak that spanned from 1959 to 1962.

The 1960 Eastern Michigan Hurons football team represented Eastern Michigan University in the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1960 college football season. In their ninth season under head coach Fred Trosko, the Hurons compiled a 0–8–1 record and were outscored by their opponents, 230 to 38. The team played Illinois State to a 14–14 tie. Alfred E. Iverson was the team captain. The team's statistical leaders included Bill Yanis with 388 yards of total offense and the same measure in receiving yards, George Beaudette with 339 passing yards, and Jim Dills with 231 rushing yards. Leonard Natkowski received the team's most valuable player award.

The 1964 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1964 NCAA College Division football season. In their 14th season under head coach Kenneth Kelly, the Chippewas compiled a 4–5 record and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 148 to 117.

The 1961 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their 11th season under head coach Kenneth Kelly, the Chippewas compiled a 2–8 record and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 214 to 95.

The 1959 Central Michigan Chippewas (football team) represented Central Michigan University in the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1959 college football season. In their ninth season under head coach Kenneth Kelly, the Chippewas compiled a 7–3 record (4–2 against IIAC opponents) and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 233 to 155.

The 1954 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan College of Education, renamed Central Michigan University in 1959, in the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1954 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach Kenneth Kelly, the Chippewas compiled an 8–2 record, tied for the IIAC championship, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 321 to 107.

The 1961 Southern Illinois Salukis football team was an American football team that represented Southern Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their third year under head coach Carmen Piccone, the Salukis compiled a 7–3 record and won the IIAC championship.

The 1955 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1955 college football season. Led by second-year head coach Wes Stevens, the Leathernecks finished the season with an overall record of 6–3–1 and a mark of 3–2–1 in conference play, placing fourth in the IIAC. Western Illinois later forfeited its win over Illinois State Normal, dropping its season record to 5–4–1 overall and 2–3–1 in the IIAC, putting the team into a fourth-place tie with Illinois State. The forfeit came as a result of Western Illinois using an ineligible player, quarterback Sam Esposito; while Esposito also played in other games for the team, Illinois State Normal was the only school to protest their result.

The 1969 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1969 NCAA College Division football season. They were led by first-year head coach Darrell Mudra and played their home games at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 8–2 record and a 3–0 record in conference play, winning the IIAC title.

The 1964 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1964 NCAA College Division football season. They were led by fifth-year head coach Art Dufelmeier and played their home games at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 6–3 record overall and a 3–1 record in conference play, sharing the IIAC title with Northern Illinois.

The 1959 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1959 college football season. They were led by third-year head coach Lou Saban and played their home games at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks finished the season with a perfect 9–0 record overall and a 6–0 record in conference play, winning the IIAC title. Despite its record, the team was unable to participate in a postseason bowl game, as the Illinois state teachers college board banned its schools from participating in postseason sporting events.

The 1958 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1958 college football season. They were led by second-year head coach Lou Saban and played their home games at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 6–1–1 record overall and a 5–1 record in conference play, winning the IIAC title.

The 1953 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1953 college football season. They were led by fifth-year head coach Vince DiFrancesca and played their home games at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 8–2 record overall and a 5–1 record in conference play, placing second in the IIAC. They were invited to the postseason Corn Bowl, where they defeated Iowa Wesleyan 32–0.

The 1949 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1949 college football season. They were led by first-year head coach Vince DiFrancesca and played their home games at Morgan Field. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 9–1 record overall and a 4–0 record in conference play, winning the IIAC title. They were invited to the postseason Corn Bowl, where they defeated the Wheaton Crusaders, 13–0.

The 1951 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 1951 college football season. Led by third-year head coach Vince DiFrancesca, the Leathernecks compiled an overall record of 7–1–1 with a mark of 4–1–1 in conference play, placing second in the IIAC.

The 1950 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1950 college football season. They were led by second-year head coach Vince DiFrancesca and played their home games at Hanson Field, which opened at the beginning of the season. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 7–1 record overall and a 4–1 record in conference play, placing second in the IIAC.

The 1954 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1954 college football season. They were led by first-year head coach Wes Stevens and played their home games at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 6–1–3 record overall and a 3–1–2 record in conference play, placing third in the IIAC.

The 1961 Eastern Illinois Panthers football team represented Eastern Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. The team was led by fifth-year head coach Ralph Kohl and played their home games at Lincoln Field in Charleston, Illinois. The Panthers finished the season with a 4–3–1 record overall and a 3–2–1 record in conference play.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 Illinois State Normal Redbirds football team</span> American college football season

The 1961 Illinois State Normal Redbirds football team was an American football team that represented Illinois State Normal University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their 17th year under head coach Edwin Struck, the Redbirds compiled a 5–4 record, tied for second place in the IIAC, and were outscored by a total of 142 to 129.

References

  1. 1 2 Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962, p. 141.
  2. 1 2 3 "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (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 (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 (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 (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.