1961 William & Mary Indians football team

The 1961 William & Mary Indians football team was an American football team that represented the College of William & Mary as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach Milt Drewer, William & Mary compiled a 1–9 record (1–6 in conference games), finished in last place in the SoCon, and were outscored by a total of 279 to 125.[1]

1961 William & Mary Indians football
Team portrait from 1962 Colonial Echo
ConferenceSouthern Conference
Record1–9 (1–6 SoCon)
Head coach
Captains
  • Roger Hale
  • Eric Erdossy
Home stadiumCary Field
Seasons
 1960
1962 
1961 Southern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
The Citadel $510730
Richmond520550
VMI420640
West Virginia210460
Furman220730
George Washington340360
Virginia Tech230450
Davidson140440
William & Mary160190
  • $ Conference champion

The team's statistical leaders included Dan Henning (537 passing yards), Stan Penkunas (327 rushing yards), and Ernie Phillips (299 receiving yards).[2]

The team played its home games at Cary Field in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16vs. Virginia TechL 6–205,000[3]
September 23at Virginia*L 6–2118,000[4]
September 30at Navy*L 6–4417,803[5]
October 7FurmanW 19–64,000[6]
October 14The Citadel
  • Cary Field
  • Williamsburg, VA
L 8–106,200[7]
October 21at George WashingtonL 12–499,280[8]
October 28VMI
  • Cary Field
  • Williamsburg, VA (rivalry)
L 7–14[9]
November 4Davidson
  • Cary Field
  • Williamsburg, VA
L 30–31[10]
November 11at Army*L 13–4818,150[11]
November 23at RichmondL 18–368,000[12]
  • *Non-conference game

Statistics

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William & Mary gained an average of 122.5 rushing yards and 116.4 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 212.3 rushing yards and 96.6 passing yards per game.[2]

Three players split time at quarterback: Dan Henning (30-for-86, 537 yards, five touchdowns, eight interceptions); Calvin Cox (41-for-69, 59.4%, three touchdowns, eight interceptions); and Dan Barton (14-for-33, 196 yards, no touchdowns, six interceptions).[2]

Six backs rushed for over 100 yards: Stan Penkunas (327 yards, 63 carries, 5.2-yard average); Roger Hale (326 yards, 72 carries, 4.5-yard average); Charlie Weaver (151 yards, 42 carries, 3.6-yard average); H.C. Thaxton (138 yards, 38 carries, 3.6-yard average); Dick Kern (110 yards, 19 carries, 5.8-yard average); and Dan Barton (106 yards, 38 carries, 2.8-yard average).[2]

The leading receivers were Ernie Phillips (26 receptions, 299 yards); Bill Corley (14 receptions, 218 yards); and Roger Hale (14 receptions, 182 yards).[2]

Awards and honors

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Guard Eric Erdossy was named to the first team of the 1961 All-Southern Conference football team. End Ernie Phillips, tackle John Sapinsky, and back Roger Hale were named to the second team.[13]

Personnel

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Players

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  • Dan Barton
  • Bill Corley
  • Calvin Cox
  • Eric Erdossy, guard
  • Roger Hale, back
  • Dan Henning
  • Dick Kern
  • Dennis O'Toole
  • Stan Penkunas
  • Ernie Phillips, end
  • John Sapinksy, tackle
  • Walt Scott
  • H.C. Thaxton
  • Charlie Weaver

Coaches and administrators

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References

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  1. "1961 William & Mary Tribe Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "1961 William & Mary Tribe Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  3. "Gobblers rally for 20–6 win over Indians". The Virginian-Pilot. September 17, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Virginia wins first since '58". The Lima Citizen. September 24, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Navy thumps W&M, 44–6". The Baltimore Sun. October 1, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Indians crush Furman's conference title hopes, 19–6". The Greenville News. October 8, 1961. Retrieved September 15, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "The Citadel whips W&M with goal". Durham Morning Herald. October 15, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Drummond shines, fired-up GW routs William and Mary, 49–12". Daily Press. October 21, 1961. Retrieved February 8, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "2 sophs lead VMI to victory". The Miami News. October 29, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Davidson wins, 31–30, as W&M heroics fail". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 5, 1961. Retrieved August 29, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Army routs W&M, 48–13". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 12, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Spiders rout Tribe, 36–18". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 24, 1961. Retrieved August 23, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  13. "1961 All-Southern Team: FU's Campbell Repeats; Gilgo And Eastern Named". The Greenville News. November 29, 1961. p. 11 via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Sophomores Loom Large in W&M Future". Ledger-Dispatch and Star. August 31, 1961. p. 53 via Newspapers.com.