1961 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

Schedule

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Statistics

Quarterback Galen Hall led the team in passing during the regular season, completing 50 of 97 passes (51.5%) for 951 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions.

Halfback Roger Kochman led the team in rushing during the regular season with 666 yards on 129 carries for a 5.2-yard average.

The team's other leading passers were backup quarterbacks Don Caum (13-for-39, 33.3%, 210 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) and Pete Liske (17-for-32, 53.1%, 216 yards, two touchdowns, one interception).

The other leading rushers were Buddy Torris (490 yards, 105 carries, 4.7-yard average); Dave Hayes (253 yards, 66 carries, 3.8-yard average); Junior Powell (226 yards, 41 carries, 5.5-yard average); Al Gursky (174 yards, 60 carries, 2.9-yard average); and Don Jonas (149 yards, 31 carries, 4.8-yard average).

The receiving leaders were Junior Powell (332 yards, 15 receptions, 22.1-yard average); Jim Schwab (257 yards, 16 receptions, 16.1-yard average); and Roger Kochman (226 yards, 10 receptions, 22.6-yard average).

The leading scorer following Kochman were Buddy Torris (24 points, four touchdowns). Four players had 18 points each.

Awards

The Nittany Lions received the Lambert Trophy as the best major college football team in the East.

Robert Mitinger, who played at end on both offense and defense, was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.

Mitinger, quarterback Galen Hall, and halfback Roger Kochman all received first-team honors on the Associated Press (AP) 1961 All-Eastern football team.

Four Penn State players received first-team honors on the AP All-Pennsylvania football team: Hall; Mitinger; Jim Smith at tackle; and Jay Huffman at center. Kochman and end Jim Schwab received second-team honors.

References

References

1. "1961 Penn State Nittany Lions Schedule and Results". Sports Reference LLC.
2. Chester L. Smith. (October 17, 1961). "Paterno Produces Grad A QBs For Nittany Lions". The Pittsburgh Press.
3. (September 24, 1961). "Penn State Squeaks By Middies, 20-10". Elmira Star-Gazette.
4. Luther Evans. (September 30, 1961). "Roaring Hurricanes Chop Up Penn State With 25-8 Lacing". The Miami Herald.
5. Francis Rosa. (October 7, 1961). "Penn St. Power Routs B.U., 32-0". The Boston Globe.
6. Cove Hoover. (October 15, 1961). "Penn State Bows: Army's Heydt Kicks 4 Points for 10-6 Win". Elmira Telegram.
7. (October 22, 1961). "Syracuse Ailing, Hall Operating: State, 14-0, Holds Ernie To 36 Yards". The Sunday Press (Binghamton, NY).
8. Rusty Cowan. (October 29, 1961). "Engle's Gambling Racks in Golden Bears, 33 to 16". The Patriot-News.
9. W. Lawrence Null. (November 5, 1961). "Maryland Triumphs, 21-17: Terps Whip Penn State After Building Up 21-6 Halftime Lead". The Baltimore Sun.
10. (November 5, 1961). "Terps score fast, hang on to upset Penn State, 21–17". The Knoxville News-Sentinel.
11. (November 12, 1961). "Penn State mauls West Virginia to win by 20 to 6". Messenger-Inquirer.
12. Frush, Charlie. (November 19, 1961). "Kochman, Torris Get 5 TDs as Penn State Conquers Holy Cross". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]].
13. (November 26, 1961). "State Goes 'Bowling' Over Pitt Panthers". The Pittsburgh Press.
14. (December 31, 1961). "Energetic Penn State wins". Tallahassee Democrat.
15. (December 31, 1961). "Hall Pulls Stinger Of Georgia Jackets". Sunday Patriot-News.
16. "1961 Penn State Nittany Lions Stats". Sports Reference LLC.
17. (December 11, 1961). "PSU 'Subs' Take Lambert Trophy". The Lock Haven Express.
18. (December 1, 1961). "Three Holdovers Make 1961 All-America Football Team". The York Dispatch.
19. (December 1, 1961). "Kroll and Simms Are Voted To AP All-East First Team". The Daily Home News.
20. (December 7, 1961). "Penn State Puts Three on All-Eastern Team". [[The Beaver County Times]].
21. (December 11, 1961). "Four Nittany Lions Are Named to AP All-State Grid Team". The Progress (PA).