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1961 Houston Oilers season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| logo | 611112-Oilers-Patriots-program.jpg |
| team | Houston Oilers |
| year | 1961 |
| record | 10–3–1 |
| division_place | 1st AFL Eastern |
| owner | Bud Adams |
| general manager | Don Suman |
| coach | Lou Rymkus (1–3–1, fired) and |
| Wally Lemm (9–0) | |
| stadium | Jeppesen Stadium |
| playoffs | **Won [AFL Championship](1961-american-football-league-championship-game)** |
| (at [Chargers](1961-san-diego-chargers-season)) 10–3 | |
| shortnavlink | Oilers seasons |
Wally Lemm (9–0) (at Chargers) 10–3 The 1961 Houston Oilers season was the second season for the Houston Oilers as a professional American football franchise; For the second consecutive season, the Oilers scored a triumph in the AFL championship game over the San Diego Chargers (12–2), the Western Division champions.
The Oilers started slowly in 1961, with a 1–3–1 record. After a tie on October 13 with the Boston Patriots, head coach Lou Rymkus was fired by owner Bud Adams. Wally Lemm was hired, and the team went undefeated for the remainder of the season, including the championship game, a winning streak of ten games.
The Oilers set the AFL record for points scored in 1961, with 513 (36.6 points per game). They also set an American Football League record with a +271 point differential, by allowing only 242 points. The 1961 Oilers are the only team in AFL or NFL history to score 45 points or more six times in a single season.
Offseason
On January 14, end Willard Dewveall played out his option with the Chicago Bears of the NFL and joined the Oilers. He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another. Dewveall was the only one to move between leagues for five years, until placekicker Pete Gogolak moved from the Buffalo Bills to the New York Giants of the NFL in 1966.
AFL Draft
Main article: 1961 American Football League draft
- Houston Oilers draft picks (Selected eighth)
| Round | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike DitkaMike Ditka | Offensive End | Pittsburgh |
| 2 | Tom Goode]] | Center | Mississippi State |
| 3 | Walter SuggsWalter Suggs 1 | Tackle | Mississippi State |
| 4 | Bobby WaldenBobby Walden | Halfback | Georgia |
| 5 | Monte Lee]] | Linebacker | Texas |
| 6 | Jake GibbsJake Gibbs | Quarterback | Mississippi |
| 7 | Dick Reynolds]] | Tackle | North Carolina State |
| 8 | Houston AntwineHouston Antwine 1,2 | Guard | Southern Illinois |
| 9 | Ralph White]] | Tackle | Bowling Green |
| 10 | Charles LeeCharles Lee | Center | Iowa |
| 11 | Robert BirdRobert Bird | Guard | Bowling Green |
| 12 | Bob McLeod]] | Offensive End | Abilene Christian |
| 13 | Gerald HintonGerald Hinton | Guard | Louisiana Tech |
| 14 | Jimmy King]] | Tackle | Clemson |
| 15 | Dennis FerriterDennis Ferriter | Center | Marquette |
| 16 | Larry WoodLarry Wood | Halfback | Northwestern |
| 17 | Sam FewellSam Fewell | Tackle | South Carolina |
| 18 | Mike GrimsleyMike Grimsley | Halfback | Michigan State |
| 19 | Myron PearsonMyron Pearson | Halfback | Colorado |
| 20 | Lewis Johnson]] | Halfback | Florida A&M |
| 21 | Ron Miller]] | Quarterback | Wisconsin |
| 22 | Bob Kelly]] | Offensive End | New Mexico State |
| 23 | James Anderson]] | Fullback | Mississippi |
| 24 | Ken Gregory]] | Offensive End | Whittier |
| 25 | Jack KreiderJack Kreider | Halfback | Tulsa |
| 26 | Don FuellDon Fuell | Quarterback | Mississippi Southern |
| 27 | Boyd KingBoyd King | Center | Rice |
| 28 | John FrongilloJohn Frongillo | Center | Baylor |
| 29 | Tom LewisTom Lewis | Offensive End | Wake Forest |
| 29 | Errol LindenErrol Linden | Defensive end | Houston |
| 30 | Jim StroudJim Stroud | Tackle | Rice |
Roster
| Houston Oilers | border=2}};" | **1961 Houston Oilers roster** |
|---|---|---|
| **Quarterbacks** |
Standings
Season schedule
| Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Week | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Date | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Result | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Record | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Venue | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recap | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| September 9 | [Oakland Raiders](1961-oakland-raiders-season) | **W** 55–0 | 1–0 | Jeppesen Stadium | 16,231 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109090oti.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Bye* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 24 | at [San Diego Chargers](1961-san-diego-chargers-season) | **L** 24–34 | 1–1 | Balboa Stadium | 29,210 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109240sdg.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 1 | at [Dallas Texans](1961-dallas-texans-season) | **L** 21–26 | 1–2 | Cotton Bowl | 28,000 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110010kan.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 8 | **[Buffalo Bills](1961-buffalo-bills-season)** | **L** 12–22 | 1–3 | Jeppesen Stadium | 22,761 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110080oti.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 13 | at **[Boston Patriots](1961-boston-patriots-season)** | **T** 31–31 | 1–3–1 | Boston University Field | 15,070 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110130nwe.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 22 | [Dallas Texans](1961-dallas-texans-season) | **W** 38–7 | 2–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 21,237 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110220oti.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 29 | at **[Buffalo Bills](1961-buffalo-bills-season)** | **W** 28–16 | 3–3–1 | War Memorial Stadium | 23,228 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110290buf.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 5 | at [Denver Broncos](1961-denver-broncos-season) | **W** 55–14 | 4–3–1 | Bears Stadium | 11,564 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111050den.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 12 | **[Boston Patriots](1961-boston-patriots-season)** | **W** 27–15 | 5–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 35,649 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111120oti.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 19 | **[New York Titans](1961-new-york-titans-season)** | **W** 49–13 | 6–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 33,428 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111190oti.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 26 | [Denver Broncos](1961-denver-broncos-season) | **W** 45–14 | 7–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 27,864 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111260oti.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 3 | [San Diego Chargers](1961-san-diego-chargers-season) | **W** 33–13 | 8–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 37,845 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112030oti.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 10 | at **[New York Titans](1961-new-york-titans-season)** | **W** 48–21 | 9–3–1 | Polo Grounds | 9,462 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112100nyj.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 17 | at [Oakland Raiders](1961-oakland-raiders-season) | **W** 47–16 | 10–3–1 | Candlestick Park | 4,821 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112170rai.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Regular Season Game summaries
Week 1 (Saturday, September 9, 1961): vs. [[1961 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]
Week 3 (Sunday, September 24, 1961): at [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]
Week 4 (Sunday, October 1, 1961): at [[1961 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texans]]
Week 5 (Sunday, October 8, 1961): vs. [[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]
Week 6 (Friday, October 13, 1961): at [[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]]
Week 7 (Sunday, October 22, 1961): vs. [[1961 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texans]]
Week 8 (Sunday, October 29, 1961): at [[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]
Week 9 (Sunday, November 5, 1961): at [[1961 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
Week 10 (Sunday, November 12, 1961): vs. [[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]]
Week 11 (Sunday, November 19, 1961): vs. [[1961 New York Titans season|New York Titans]]
Week 12 (Sunday, November 26, 1961): vs. [[1961 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
Week 13 (Sunday, December 3, 1961): vs. [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]
Week 11 (Sunday, December 10, 1961): at [[1961 New York Titans season|New York Titans]]
Week 15 (Sunday, December 17, 1961): at [[1961 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]
Postseason
| Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Round | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Date | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Result | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Venue | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Recap | [AFL Championship](1961-afl-championship-game-at-san-diego-chargers) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at [San Diego Chargers](1961-san-diego-chargers-season) | **W** 10–3 | Balboa Stadium | 29,556 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112240sdg.htm) |
1961 AFL Championship Game (Sunday, December 24, 1961): at [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]
Main article: 1961 American Football League Championship Game
- Point spread: Oilers –5½
- Time of game:
| Houston Oilers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Oilers | Game statistics | San Diego Chargers | year=1961 | border=2}}" | Chargers | First downs | Rushes–yards | Passing yards | Passes | Sacked–yards | Net passing yards | Total yards | Return yards | Punts | Fumbles–lost | Penalties–yards | Time of possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 33–96 | 20–79 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 160 | 226 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 18–41–6 | 17–32–4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 0–0 | 0–49 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 160 | 177 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 256 | 256 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 126 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5–34.0 | 4–41.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5–1 | 2–2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5–68 | 10–106 |
References
References
- (December 24, 1961). "Chargers challenge for AFL grid title". Spokesman-Review.
- (December 25, 1961). "Blanda stars as Oilers win AFL title, 10-3". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- (December 25, 1961). "Blanda's arm and toe clear path as Houston takes 2d AFL crown". Spokesman-Review.
- (November 2, 1961). "Lemm lifts Oilers back toward top". Sarasota Journal.
- [http://pfref.com/tiny/oOaCL Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For]
- [http://pfref.com/tiny/scLSs Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1960 to 1969, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points Differential]
- [http://pfref.com/tiny/Fqjnh Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, requiring Points For >= 45, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.]
- (January 14, 1961). "Chicago Bears veteran Dewveall joins". Victoria Advocate.
- ''NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book'', Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p. 282
- (May 18, 1966). "Signing of Gogolak could trigger football battle". Ludington Daily News.
- "1961 Houston Oilers Draftees".
- ''[[Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro Football Reference]]''; [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112240sdg.htm 1961 AFL Championship Game – Houston Oilers at San Diego Chargers – December 24, 1961]
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