1961 Minnesota Vikings season

Offseason

Although the NFL originally had no interest in expanding, after Max Winter and Bill Boyer agreed to start an American Football League (AFL) franchise in Minnesota, the NFL approached them to change leagues. The "Vikings" name was given to the team by Ole Haugsrud, who had been given a 10% stake in the franchise as a result of having sold the Duluth Eskimos back to the league in the 1920s.

1961 draft

Main article: 1961 NFL draft

1961 expansion draft

Main article: 1961 NFL expansion draft

Roster

OLB/MLB

SS/FS

Preseason

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears

First quarter

• MIN – Mike Mercer 12-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0. Second quarter
• MIN – Bob Schnelker 14-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–0.
• CHI – Rick Casares 3-yard run (kick failed). Vikings 10–6. Third quarter
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 29-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 17–6.
• MIN – Hugh McElhenny 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 24–6. Fourth quarter
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton 2-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 31–6.
• MIN – Dave Middleton 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (kick failed). Vikings 37–6.
• CHI – Willie Galimore 10-yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Vikings 37–13. Top passers
• CHI – Bill Wade – 6/10, 109 yards, TD
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 17/23, 250 yards, 4 TD Top rushers
• CHI – Willie Galimore – 12 rushes, 47 yards
• MIN – Mel Triplett – 8 rushes, 26 yards Top receivers
• CHI – Johnny Morris – 4 receptions, 92 yards
• MIN – Jerry Reichow – 3 receptions, 103 yards, TD This was the first regular season game in Vikings history. George Shaw started the game at quarterback for the Vikings, but he was soon replaced by rookie Fran Tarkenton, who threw four touchdown passes and ran for another as the Vikings won 37–13. They were the last expansion team to win their first game until the 1996 Baltimore Ravens.

Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• DAL – Amos Marsh 6-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 7–0. Second quarter
• DAL – Don Meredith 20-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 14–0.
• MIN – Tommy Mason 4-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Cowboys 14–7. Third quarter
• No scoring plays. Fourth quarter
• DAL – Amos Marsh 20-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 21–7. Top passers
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 8/24, 117 yards
• DAL – Don Meredith – 12/22, 163 yards, TD Top rushers
• MIN – Mel Triplett – 9 rushes, 57 yards
• DAL – Don Perkins – 17 rushes, 108 yards Top receivers
• MIN – A. D. Williams – 4 receptions, 78 yards
• DAL – Don Perkins – 5 receptions, 61 yards

Week 3: at Baltimore Colts

First quarter

• MIN – Mike Mercer 20-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
• BAL – Lenny Moore 72-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 7–3. Second quarter
• MIN – A. D. Williams 7-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–7.
• BAL – Lenny Moore 4-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 14–10.
• MIN – Mike Mercer 26-yard field goal. Colts 14–13. Third quarter
• BAL – Lenny Morre 17-yard pass from Lamar McHan (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 21–13.
• MIN – Mike Mercer 10-yard field goal. Colts 21–16.
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 23-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 23–21. Fourth quarter
• BAL – Lenny Morre 23-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 28–23.
• MIN – Ray Hayes 4-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 30–28.
• BAL – Steve Myhra 37-yard field goal. Colts 31–30.
• MIN – Mike Mercer 29-yard field goal. Vikings 33–31.
• BAL – Steve Myhra 52-yard field goal. Colts 34–33. Top passers
• MIN – George Shaw – 17/30, 208 yards, 2 TD
• BAL – Johnny Unitas – 13/27, 284 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• MIN – Tommy Mason – 10 rushes, 45 yards
• BAL – Johnny Unitas – 2 rushes, 26 yards Top receivers
• MIN – Ray Hayes – 4 receptions, 69 yards
• BAL – Lenny Moore – 5 receptions, 143 yards, 3 TD

Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• DAL – Billy Howton 12-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 7–0. Second quarter
• DAL – Don Perkins 3-yard run (Allen Green kick). ''Cowboys 14–0''' Third quarter
• DAL – Frank Clarke 23-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 21–0. Fourth quarter
• DAL – Frank Clarke 52-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 28–0. Top passers
• DAL – Don Meredith – 8/16, 124 yards, 2 TD
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/21, 151 yards Top rushers
• DAL – Don Perkins – 19 rushes, 73 yards, TD
• MIN – Mel Triplett – 9 rushes, 44 yards Top receivers
• DAL – Franklin Clarke – 3 receptions, 91 yards, 2 TD
• MIN – Jerry Reichow – 4 receptions, 74 yards

Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

• SF – Bob Waters 6-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 7–0.
• MIN – Hugh McElhenny 13-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 7–7. Second quarter
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 42-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–7.
• MIN – Mike Mercer 24-yard field goal. Vikings 17–7.
• SF – Billy Kilmer 1-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). Vikings 17–14. Third quarter
• SF – Billy Kilmer 2-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 21–17.
• MIN – Hugh McElhenny 32-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 24–21.
• SF – Tommy Davis 12-yard field goal. Tied 24–24. Fourth quarter
• SF – Billy Kilmer 5-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 31–24.
• SF – Billy Kilmer 20-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 38–24. Top passers
• SF – John Brodie – 11/14, 209 yards
• MIN – George Shaw – 7/17, 85 yards, TD Top rushers
• SF – Billy Kilmer – 20 rushes, 115 yards, 4 TD
• MIN – Hugh McElhenny – 10 rushes, 81 yards Top receivers
• SF – Monty Stickles – 5 receptions, 102 yards
• MIN – Jerry Reichow – 2 receptions, 54 yards, TD

Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers

First quarter

• GB – Boyd Dowler 78-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). ''Packers 7–0'''
• GB – Paul Hornung 14-yard field goal. Packers 10–0. Second quarter
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 10–7.
• GB – Paul Hornung 18-yard field goal. Packers 13–7. Third quarter
• GB – Paul Hornung 13-yard field goal. Packers 16–7. Fourth quarter
• GB – Paul Hornung 16-yard field goal. Packers 19–7.
• GB – Jim Taylor 3-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 26–7.
• GB – Dan Currie 21-yard interception return (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 33–7. Top passers
• GB – Bart Starr – 9/19, 206 yards, TD
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 15/24, 130 yards Top rushers
• GB – Tom Moore – 16 rushes, 159 yards
• MIN – Hugh McElhenny – 11 rushes, 57 yards Top receivers
• GB – Boyd Dowler – 2 receptions, 100 yards, TD
• MIN – Jerry Reichow – 5 receptions, 50 yards

Week 7: at Green Bay Packers

First quarter

• GB – Paul Hornung 1-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 7–0.
• GB – Ron Kramer 10-yard pass from Paul Hornung (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 14–0. Second quarter
• GB – Jim Taylor 8-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 21–0.
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 19-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 21–7. Third quarter
• MIN – Mike Mercer 13-yard field goal. Packers 21–10. Fourth quarter
• GB – Max McGee 23-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 28–10. Top passers
• MIN – George Shaw – 9/18, 119 yards, TD
• GB – Bart Starr – 18/24, 311 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• MIN – Hugh McElhenny – 12 rushes, 99 yards
• GB – Paul Hornung – 12 rushes, 70 yards, TD Top receivers
• MIN – Jerry Reichow – 4 receptions, 52 yards, TD
• GB – Boyd Dowler – 5 receptions, 121 yards

Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams

First quarter

• LA – Jon Arnett 3-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 7–0.
• LA – Ollie Matson 15-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 14–0.
• MIN – Gordie Smith 29-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Rams 14–7. Second quarter
• LA – Danny Villanueva 16-yard field goal. Rams 17–7.
• MIN – Mike Mercer 34-yard field goal. Rams 17–10. Third quarter
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton 52-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 17–17. Fourth quarter
• LA – Tommy Wilson 14-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 24–17.
• LA – Joe Marconi 7-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 31–17. Top passers
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/19, 156 yards, TD
• LA – Frank Ryan – 6/16, 59 yards Top rushers
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11 rushes, 99 yards, TD
• LA – Ollie Matson – 8 rushes, 64 yards, TD Top receivers
• MIN – Gordie Smith – 2 receptions, 49 yards, TD
• LA – Jon Arnett – 2 receptions, 36 yards

Week 9: vs. Baltimore Colts

First quarter

• MIN – Mel Triplett 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 7–0. Second quarter
• BAL – Alex Hawkins 2-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Tied 7–7.
• MIN – Hugh McElhenny 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–7.
• BAL – Lenny Moore 3-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Tied 14–14. Third quarter
• BAL – Steve Myhra 37-yard field goal. Colts 17–14.
• MIN – Dave Middleton 57-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 21–17. Fourth quarter
• BAL – Steve Myhra 38-yard field goal. Vikings 21–20.
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 28–20. Top passers
• BAL – Johnny Unitas – 14/31, 138 yards
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/18, 179 yards, TD Top rushers
• BAL – Joe Perry – 19 rushes, 100 yards
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11 rushes, 58 yards, TD Top receivers
• BAL – Raymond Berry – 8 receptions, 86 yards
• MIN – Dave Middleton – 3 receptions, 76 yards, TD

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions

First quarter

• MIN – Mike Mercer 13-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 23-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–0. Second quarter
• DET – Nick Pietrosante 1-yard run (Jim Martin kick). Vikings 10–7.
• DET – Terry Barr 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Jim Martin kick). Lions 14–10. Third quarter
• DET – Jim Martin 15-yard field goal. Lions 17–10.
• DET – Gail Cogdill 37-yard pass from Earl Morrall (kick failed). Lions 23–10. Fourth quarter
• DET – Terry Barr 9-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Jim Martin kick). Lions 30–10.
• DET – Joe Schmidt 8-yard interception return (Jim Martin kick). Lions 37–10. Top passers
• DET – Earl Morrall – 13/17, 154 yards, 3 TD
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 13/24, 116 yards, TD Top rushers
• DET – Earl Morrall – 7 rushes, 62 yards
• MIN – Tommy Mason – 3 rushes, 36 yards Top receivers
• DET – Terry Barr – 8 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TD
• MIN – Dave Middleton – 3 receptions, 60 yards

Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

• SF – J. D. Smith 6-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 7–0.
• SF – R. C. Owens 40-yard pass from John Brodie (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 14–0. Second quarter
• SF – C. R. Roberts 1-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 21–0.
• MIN – Tommy Mason 9-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 21–7.
• SF – Tommy Davis 42-yard field goal. 49ers 24–7.
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 17-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 24–14. Third quarter
• SF – J. D. Smith 15-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 31–14.
• MIN – Gordie Smith 71-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 31–21. Fourth quarter
• SF – John Brodie 16-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 38–21.
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 38–28. Top passers
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 16/24, 277 yards, 2 TD
• SF – John Brodie – 14/24, 246 yards, TD Top rushers
• MIN – Tommy Mason – 14 rushes, 62 yards, TD
• SF – J. D. Smith – 28 rushes, 168 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• MIN – Gordie Smith – 3 receptions, 123 yards, TD
• SF – R. C. Owens – 5 receptions, 138 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Rams

First quarter

• MIN – Hugh McElhenny 17-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 7–0. Second quarter
• MIN – Tommy Mason 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–0.
• LA – Ollie Matson 69-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Vikings 14–7.
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 51-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 21–7.
• LA – Red Phillips 10-yard pass from Zeke Bratkowski (Danny Villanueva kick). Vikings 21–14. Third quarter
• LA – Dick Bass 73-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Tied 21–21.
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 28–21.
• MIN – Ray Hayes 2-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 35–21. Fourth quarter
• MIN – Gordie Smith 12-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 42–21. Top passers
• LA – Zeke Bratkowski – 12/23, 153 yards, TD
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 21/30, 252 yards, 4 TD Top rushers
• LA – Dick Bass – 8 rushes, 113 yards, TD
• MIN – Ray Hayes – 18 rushes, 123 yards, TD Top receivers
• LA – Ollie Matson – 4 receptions, 75 yards
• MIN – Jerry Reichow – 6 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TD

Week 13: at Detroit Lions

First quarter

• No scoring plays. Second quarter
• DET – Jim Ninowski 7-yard run (Jim Martin kick). Lions 7–0. Third quarter
• MIN – Hugh McElhenny 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 7–7.
• DET – Jim Martin 43-yard field goal. Lions 10–7. Fourth quarter
• DET – Jim Martin 23-yard field goal. Lions 13–7. Top passers
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 15/34, 141 yards, TD
• DET – Jim Ninowski – 8/20, 157 yards Top rushers
• MIN – Mel Triplett – 7 rushes, 53 yards
• DET – Dan Lewis – 12 rushes, 52 yards Top receivers
• MIN – Jerry Reichow – 4 receptions, 69 yards
• DET – Jim Gibbons – 6 receptions, 84 yards

Week 14: at Chicago Bears

First quarter

• MIN – Hugh McElhenny 81-yard punt return (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 7–0.
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 30-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–0.
• CHI – Angelo Coia 62-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Vikings 14–7. Second quarter
• CHI – Willie Galimore 8-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Tied 14–14.
• CHI – Mike Ditka 2-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 21–14.
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 11-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 21–21. Third quarter
• CHI – Angelo Coia 16-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 28–21.
• CHI – Roger LeClerc 17-yard field goal. Bears 31–21.
• CHI – Mike Ditka 30-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 38–21.
• MIN – Gordie Smith 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Bears 38–28.
• CHI – Charlie Bivins 30-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 45–28. Fourth quarter
• MIN – Jerry Reichow 24-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Bears 45–35.
• CHI – Willie Galimore 60-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 52–35. Top passers
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/22, 161 yards, 4 TD
• CHI – Bill Wade – 23/34, 355 yards, 4 TD Top rushers
• MIN – Mel Triplett – 15 rushes, 121 yards
• CHI – Willie Galimore – 13 rushes, 97 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• MIN – Jerry Reichow – 6 receptions, 90 yards, 3 TD
• CHI – Mike Ditka – 8 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD

Standings

Awards and honors

Both halfback Hugh McElhenny and receiver (end) Jerry Reichow were voted to the East–West Pro Bowl game, played January 14, 1962, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The coach for the West squad was Vikings head coach Norm Van Brocklin. McElhenny scored a third-quarter touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr, and the West won the game 31–30.

Statistics

Team leaders

Note that sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL.

League rankings

References

References

1. (September 18, 1961). "Vikings, 49ers, Colts, Eagles win openers". Eugene Register-Guard.
2. "Cold Hard Football Facts: The 5.0 Club: run defense in '11 lit up like hippies in '69".
3. Gruver, ''The American Football League'', pp. 22–23.
4. (January 15, 1962). "Unitas' last-second pass nips East; 31–30". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].
5. "Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference".