Wikipedia

1961 Middlebury Panthers football team

The 1961 Middlebury Panthers football team was an American football team that represented Middlebury College as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their 16th year under head coach Duke Nelson, the Panthers compiled a 5–1–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 106 to 72. [1] The Panthers took the Vermont state football championship for the fourth time in six years.[2]

1961 Middlebury Panthers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record5–1–1
Head coach
CaptainPorter Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Eastern college football independents records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Middlebury   –   5 – 1 – 1
Villanova   –   8 – 2 – 0
Southern Connecticut State   –   7 – 2 – 0
Alfred   –   6 – 2 – 0
Montclair State   –   6 – 2 – 0
Delaware Valley   –   6 – 2 – 0
No. 17 Penn State   –   8 – 3 – 0
No. 14 Syracuse   –   8 – 3 – 0
Trinity (CT)   –   5 – 2 – 1
Holy Cross   –   7 – 3 – 0
C. W. Post   –   6 – 3 – 0
Army   –   6 – 4 – 0
Merchant Marine   –   6 – 4 – 0
Tufts   –   5 – 3 – 0
Rochester   –   5 – 3 – 0
Hamilton   –   4 – 3 – 0
Cortland State   –   4 – 3 – 0
American International   –   5 – 4 – 0
Colgate   –   5 – 4 – 0
Northeastern   –   4 – 4 – 0
Coast Guard   –   4 – 4 – 0
Ithaca   –   4 – 4 – 0
Boston University   –   4 – 5 – 0
Buffalo   –   4 – 5 – 0
Bridgeport   –   4 – 5 – 0
Norwich   –   3 – 4 – 1
Worcester Tech   –   3 – 4 – 0
Boston College   –   4 – 6 – 0
Union (NY)   –   3 – 5 – 0
Pittsburgh   –   3 – 7 – 0
Nichols   –   2 – 3 – 0
Trenton State   –   1 – 6 – 0
King's (PA)   –   1 – 8 – 0
Springfield   –   0 – 7 – 1
Brockport   –   0 – 7 – 0
RPI   –   0 – 7 – 0
Hobart   –   0 – 8 – 0
Rankings from AP Poll

The team tallied 1,352 yards of total offense (193 yards per game), consisting of 826 rushing yards and 526 passing yards. On defense, the team allowed 1,308 yards by opponents (187 yards per game), consisting of 1,005 rushing yards and 303 passing yards.[3]

Quarterback duties were split between Kernan "Kernie" Claflin (24 of 49 passing for 277 yards) and Christopher Morse (15 of 43 for 232 yards). Claflin also led the team with 411 yards of total offense. Fullback Gordon Van Nes led the team in rushing (228 yards) and scoring (36 points). Right end Gilbert Owren was the leading receiver with 15 catches for 196 yards; Owren was also the team's second leading scorer with 28 points.[3]

Five Middlebury players were selected by WCAX-TV (Burlington) as first-team players on its 1961 all-state football team: Kernie Claflin; Jim Shattuck; Gordie Van Nes; Gil Owren; and Paul Fava. Duke Nelson was also named Coach of the year for the third consecutive year.[4]

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 30at Wesleyan
W 20–143,200[5]
October 7at Worcester TechWorcester, MAW 6–23,100–3,700[6][7]
October 14Williams 
L 0–122,000[8]
October 21Bates
  • Porter Field
  • Middlebury, VT
T 20–203,500[9]
October 28at RPI
W 20–62,800[10]
November 4at Norwich
W 13–122,500[11]
November 11Vermont
  • Porter Field
  • Middlebury, VT
W 27–63,200–4,500[12][13][14]
  •  Homecoming

[3]

References

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  1. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book 1962, p. 120.
  2. ^ "Middlebury Coach Lauds 5-1-1 Record". Evening Banner (Bennington, VT). November 15, 1961. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Middlebury)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  4. ^ "Claflin on All State". December 7, 1961. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Middlebury Beats Wesleyan, 20-14". The Burlington Free Press. October 2, 1961. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Middlebury Tips Worcester Tech On Blocked Kick". The Boston Globe. October 8, 1961. p. 79 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Worcester Tech)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  8. ^ "Williams Stuns Middlebury, 12-0". Portland Press Herald. October 15, 1961. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Vic Maerki (October 23, 1961). "Bates Scores in Final Two Minutes To Gain 20-20 Tie at Middlebury". The Burlington Free Press. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Joe Presbrey (October 20, 1961). "Middlebury Defeats RPI, 20-6, at Troy". The Burlington Free Press. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Walt Hickey (November 6, 1961). "Middlebury Edges Norwich, 13-12, on Morse's Placekick". The Burlington Free Press. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Panthers top Vermont, 27–6". The Times Argus. November 13, 1961. Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Vic Maerki (November 13, 1961). "Panthers Win State Title With Second Half Burst". The Burlington Free Press. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Vermont)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
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