The 1961 Missouri Tigers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Missouri in the Big Eight Conference (Big 8) during the 1961 college football season. In their fourth year under head coach Dan Devine, the Tigers compiled a 7–2–1 record (5–2 in conference games), finished in a tie for second place in the Big 8, and outscored opponents by a total of 124 to 57.
Two games were decided based on Missouri's attempts for two-point conversions in the closing minutes:
- On October 7, the Tigers trailed, 14–6, in the closing minutes against California. They scored a touchdown with 7:36 remaining, and Daryl Krugman scrambled for a two-point conversion to tie the game.
- Four weeks later, they trailed, 7–0, to Colorado. Missouri scored a touchdown with 6:14 remaining. Seeking to take the lead, halfback Mike Hunter overthrew Conrad Hitchler on the two-point attempt. Missouri lost, 7–6.
Senior tackle Ed Blaine was selected as a first-team All-American. The team's statistical leaders included fullback Andy Russell with 412 rushing yards and quarterback Ron Taylor with 428 passing yards and 514 yards of total offense.
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.
Schedule
Awards
Senior tckle Ed Blaine was selected as a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America for Look magazine. Blaine was also chosen as a second-team All-American by the Associated Press (AP).
Five Missouri players were recognized on the 1961 All-Big Eight Conference football team: Blaine (AP-1, UPI-1); end Conrad Hitchler (AP-1, UPI-1); tackle Bill "Bucky" Wegener (AP-2, UPI-2); guard Paul Garvis (AP-2); and guard Paul Henley (UPI-2).
Team awards were presented to tackles Bucky Wegener and Ed Blaine as the outstanding linemen, and to quarterback Ron Taylor and halfback Normal Beal as the outstanding senior backs.
Statistics
Missouri averaged 177.6 rushing yards, 67.7 passing yards, and 12.4 points per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 107.8 rushing yards, 69.2 passing yards, and 5.7 points per game.
The team's rushing leaders were Andy Russell (412 yards, 100 carries), Norman Beal (287 yards, 57 carries), Bill Tobin (236 yards, 87 carries), and Paul Underhill (177 yards, 42 carries). The team's passing leaders were Ron Taylor (31 of 62, 428 yards, zero touchdowns, six interceptions) and Mike Hunter (9 of 20, 162 yards, four touchdowns, one interception). The team's receiving leaders were Conrad Hitchler (8 receptions, 124 yards) and Andy Russell (7 receptions, 100 yards). The scoring leaders were Ron Taylor (24 points) and Bill Tobin (18 points).
Players
At the end of the 1961 season, the following 31 players received varsity letters for their participation on the football team.
Twenty other players were named provisional letter winners, "pending their performance in spring football drills."
References
