Wikipedia

1961 Wyoming Cowboys football team

The 1961 Wyoming Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wyoming as a member of the Skyline Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth and final season under head coach Bob Devaney, the Cowboys compiled a 6–1–2 record (5–0–1 in conference game), tied for the conference championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 171 to 74. The Cowboys were ranked No. 17 in the final UPI coaches poll.[1][2]

1961 Wyoming Cowboys football
Skyline co-champion
ConferenceSkyline Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 17
Record6–1–2 (5–0–1 Skyline)
Head coach
Captains
Home stadiumWar Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Skyline Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 10 Utah State + 5 – 0 – 1 9 – 1 – 1
Wyoming + 5 – 0 – 1 6 – 1 – 2
New Mexico 3 – 3 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Utah 3 – 3 – 0 6 – 4 – 0
Montana 2 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
BYU 2 – 4 – 0 2 – 8 – 0
Colorado State 0 – 6 – 0 0 – 10 – 0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

Wyoming ranked sixth nationally in rushing offense (245.0 yards per game) and fifth in total defense (167.9 yards per game). Senior quarterback and co-captain Chuck Lamson led the team in total offense (623 yards), rushing (451 yards), and scoring (32 points).

In February 1962, Devaney resigned as head coach at Wyoming to become head coach at Nebraska, and defensive line coach Lloyd Eaton was promoted as the new Wyoming head coach.[3]

The team played its home games on campus at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming.

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16vs. Montana
W 29–08,100[4][5]
September 23NC State*
W 15–1417,301[6]
September 30at Kansas*
T 6–633,000[7]
October 7Utah State
  • War Memorial Stadium
  • Laramie, WY (rivalry)
T 6–618,090[8]
October 14Colorado State
  • War Memorial Stadium
  • Laramie, WY (rivalry)
W 18–711,808[9]
October 21BYU 
  • War Memorial Stadium
  • Laramie, WY
W 36–815,381[10]
October 28at Utah
W 13–619,151[11]
November 4at Arizona*
L 15–2025,150[12]
November 11at New Mexico
W 33–720,113[13]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming

Statistics

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The team gained an average of 245.0 rushing yards and 78.1 passing yards per game. The Cowboys' average of 245 rushing yards per game ranked sixth nationally among major college teams. On defense, Wyoming gave up an average of 89.2 rushing yards and 78.7 passing yards per game. The team's total defense of 167.9 yards per game ranked fifth nationally among major college teams.[14][15]

Senior quarterback and co-captain Chuck Lamson played on both offense and defense and led the team in total offense, rushing, and scoring. He tallied 623 yards of total offense. As a passer, he completed 13 of 25 passes (52.0%) for 172 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and a 128.2 quarterback rating. He also tallied a team-high 451 rushing yards on 93 carries for an average of 4.8 yards per carry. Lamson also tied for the team's leadership in scoring with 32 points on four touchdowns and eight of eleven points after touchdown.[14][16]

Senior quarterback Andy Melosky ranked second with 534 yards of total offense. He led the team in passing yardage, completing 33 of 72 passes (45.8%) for 464 yards with three touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 102.6 quarterback rating. He also tallied 70 rushing yards on 24 carries.[14]

Sophomore halfback Mike Walker tied with Lamson for scoring leadership with 32 points on five touchdowns and two points after touchdown. Walker led the team in receiving with nine receptions for 118 yards. Walker also ranked third on the team with 350 rushing yards on 91 carries.[14][16]

Senior fullback and co-captain Bob Bisacre finished second in rushing with 368 yards on 82 carries for a 4.5-yard average.[16]

Awards and honors

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Three Wyoming players received first-team honors from the Associated Press on its 1961 Skyline Conference all-star football team: Chuck Lamson at quarterback; Daryl Mathews at guard; and Lonnie Dunn at end. Three others received second-team honors: Mike Walker at back; Chuck Schmitt at end; and Dan Grego at tackle.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "1961 Wyoming Cowboys Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  2. ^ "2018 Wyoming Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Wyoming. 2018. p. 212. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  3. ^ "Eaton Becomes Wyoming's Grid Coach". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. February 4, 1962. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Wyoming rolls over Montana". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. September 17, 1961. p. 11.
  5. ^ "Wyoming hot for 29-0 win over U of M". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. September 17, 1961. p. 2, sports.
  6. ^ "Wyoming overcomes Wolfpack by 15–14". Richmond Times-Dispatch. September 24, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Almost Too Much For K.U." The Manhattan Mercury. October 1, 1961. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Pokes-Utags Knock Heads To Deadlock, 6-6". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. October 8, 1961. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Wyoming Cowboys Subdue Stubborn CSU". Fort Collins Coloradoan. October 15, 1961. pp. 13, 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Ray Giffin (October 22, 1961). "Cowboys Clobber Cougar Club by 36 to 8". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Wyoming Outclasses Utah by 13 to 6: HB Walker Scores Twice for Cowboys". Casper Tribune-Herald & Star. October 29, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Abe Chanin (November 5, 1961). "Wildcats Stun Unbeaten Wyoming In 20-15 Thriller: Ed Wilson Passes For Two TDs". The Arizona Daily Star. pp. 1A, 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Dan Russel (November 12, 1961). "Wyoming Clinches 4th Straight Crown With 33-7 Lashing of Lobos". Albuquerque Journal. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b c d "1961 Wyoming Cowboys Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  15. ^ Offficial Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962.
  16. ^ a b c "Lamson's Final Bid real Humdinger At New Mexico". Casper Morning Star. November 15, 1961. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Frank Pitman (November 30, 1961). "Utah State Dominates Skyline All-Stars; Pokes Place Three". The Casper Tribune-Herald. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
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