1961 Oregon Collegiate Conference football season

The 1961 Oregon Collegiate Conference football season was the season of college football played by the five member schools of the Oregon Collegiate Conference (OCC) as part of the 1961 college football season. The 1961 Southern Oregon Red Raiders football team, led by head coach Al Akins, compiled an undefeated 4–0 record in conference games (1–4 in non-conference games) and won the OCC conference championship.[1][2]

1961 Oregon Collegiate Conference football season
SportFootball
Number of teams5
ChampionSouthern Oregon
Football seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Oregon Collegiate Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Southern Oregon $ 4 0 0 5 4 0
Oregon College of Education 2 1 1 4 3 1
Portland State 2 2 0 3 5 0
Oregon Tech 1 2 1 4 4 1
Eastern Oregon 0 4 0 1 7 0
  • $ – Conference champion

Southern Oregon led the OCC in total offense with 3,037 yards, an average of 337.4 yards per game. Oregon Tech led the conference defensively, giving up an average of 256.1 yards per game in total defense and 152.7 yards per game in rushing defense.

The 1961 OCC all-conference team was led by Southern Oregon with seven players named to the first team and Oregon College of Education (OCE) with six first-team honorees. Southern Oregon quarterback Doug Olsen set new OCC records with 1,377 passing yards and 1,462 yards of total offense. OCE halfback Bob Pennel also set a new conference record with 864 rushing yards. Portland State's Bill White was the OCC scoring leader with 84 points. Southern Oregon end Howard Hartman was the OCC's leading receiver with 51 receptions for 631 yards.[3]

Conference overview

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Conf. rank Team Head coach Conf. record Overall record Points scored Points against Total offense (yds/game) Total defense (yds/game)
1 Southern Oregon Al Akins 4–0 5–4 200 140 337.4 272.5
2 Oregon College of Education Bill McArthur 2–1–1 4–3–1 159 132 296.8 287.8
3 Portland State Hugh Smithwick 2–2 3–5 141 222 279.0 339.8
4 Oregon Tech Rex Hunsaker 1–2–1 4–4–1 84 139 194.6 256.1
5 Eastern Oregon Archie Dunsmoor 0–4 1–7 80 210 179.8 318.7

[4][3]

Teams

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Southern Oregon

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1961 Southern Oregon Red Raiders football
OCC champion
ConferenceOregon Collegiate Conference
Record5–4 (4–0 OCC)
Head coach
Home stadiumFuller Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Southern Oregon Red Raiders football team represented Southern Oregon College (now known as Southern Oregon University) of Ashland, Oregon. In their seventh year under head coach Al Akins, the team compiled a 5–4 record (4–0 against OCC opponents) and won the OCC championship.

Seven Southern Oregon players were named to the 1961 OCC all-conference team: quarterback Doug Olsen; fullback Al Barnes; ends Howard Hartman and Dave Hughes; defensive end Jess Munyon; linebacker John Buck; and defensive halfback Doyle Branson.[5]

Olsen set OCC records with 1,377 passing yards and 1,462 yards of total offense. End Howard Hartman was the OCC's leading receiver with 51 receptions for 631 yards.[3]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16at Chico State*
L 0–273,800[6]
September 23at Linfield*
L 25–34[7]
September 30Lewis & Clark*
L 26–28[8]
October 7at Sacramento State*L 6–253,000[9]
October 14at Portland StatePortland, ORW 39–19[10]
October 21Oregon Tech 
  • Fuller Field
  • Ashland, OR
W 6–0[11][12]
October 28Oregon College of Education
  • Fuller Field
  • Ashland, OR
W 26–7[13]
November 4at Eastern OregonLa Grande, ORW 39–0[14]
November 11at Pacific (OR)*
W 33–0[15][16]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming

[17]

Oregon College of Education

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1961 Oregon College of Education Wolves football
ConferenceOregon Collegiate Conference
Record4–3–1 (2–1–1 OCC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Oregon College of Education Wolves football team represented Oregon College of Education (commonly referred to as "OCE", now known as Western Oregon University) of Monmouth, Oregon. In their sixth year under head coach Bill McArthur, the team compiled a 4–3–1 record (2–1–1 against OCC opponents) and finished in second place in the OCC.

Six OCE players were named to the 1961 OCC all-conference football team: halfback Bob Pennel; tackle Herb Harmann; center Francis Tresler; defensive end Frank Colburn; and defensive halfbacks Dick Wildfang.[5]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 30at Linfield
L 7–13[18]
October 7Eastern OregonMonmouth, ORW 34–14[19]
October 14at Pacific (OR)Forest Grove, ORW 27–14[20]
October 21Portland State Monmouth, ORW 26–24[21]
October 28at Southern Oregon
L 7–26[13]
November 4at Oregon Tech
  • Modoc Field
  • Klamath Falls, OR
T 7–7[22]
November 11Lewis & ClarkMonmouth, ORL 13–28[23]
November 18Lower Columbia JCMonmouth, ORW 38–6[24]
  •  Homecoming

[25]

Portland State

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1961 Portland State Vikings football
ConferenceOregon Collegiate Conference
Record3–5 (2–2 OCC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Portland State Vikings football team represented Portland State College (now known as Portland State University) of Portland, Oregon. In their third and final year under head coach Hugh Smithwick, the team compiled a 3–5 record (2–2 against OCC opponents) and finished in third place in the OCC.

Four Portland State players were named to the 1961 OCC all-conference team: halfback Bill White; tackle Bob Williams; defensive tackle Mike Hafterson; and linebacker Bob Holcomb.[5]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23Lewis & Clark*
L 6–392,300[26]
September 30at Nevada*L 20–414,000[27]
October 7Oregon TechPortland, ORW 13–7[28]
October 14Southern OregonPortland, ORL 19–39[10]
October 21Oregon College of EducationMonmouth, ORL 24–26[21]
October 28at Eastern OregonLa Grande, ORW 27–7[29]
November 11Linfield*
  • Maxwell Field
  • McMinnville, OR
L 19–55[30]
November 18Western Washington *Portland, ORW 13–7[31]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming

[32]

Oregon Tech

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1961 Oregon Tech Owls football
ConferenceOregon Collegiate Conference
Record4–4–1 (1–2–1 OCC)
Head coach
Home stadiumModoc Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Oregon Tech Owls football team represented Oregon Tehnical Institute (now known as Oregon Institute of Technology) of Klamath Falls, Oregon. In their second year under head coach Rex Hunsaker, the team compiled a 4–4–1 record (1–2–1 against OCC opponents) and finished in fourth place in the OCC.

Four Oregon Tech players, all on defense, were selected to the 1961 OCC all-conference team: defensive tackle Jim Madden; guard W. Winterbottom; linebacker Jack Williams; and defensive halfbacks Andrew Cook.[5]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16Westminster (ID)*W 12–6[33]
September 23at Whitworth*Spokane, WAL 0–47[34]
September 30Grays Harbor*
  • Modoc Field
  • Klamath Falls, OR
W 14–7[35]
October 7at Portland StatePortland, ORL 7–13[28]
October 14Eastern Oregon
  • Modoc Field
  • Klamath Falls, OR
W 25–13[36]
October 21Southern OregonAshland, ORL 0–6[11][12]
October 28at Humboldt StateL 7–414,500[37]
November 4Oregon College of Education 
  • Modoc Field
  • Klamath Falls, OR
T 7–7[22]
November 11College of Idaho*
  • Modoc Field
  • Klamath Falls, OR
W 12–6[38]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming

[39]

Eastern Oregon

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1961 Eastern Oregon Mountaineers football
ConferenceOregon Collegiate Conference
Record1–7 (0–4 OCC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →

The 1961 Eastern Oregon Mountaineers football team represented Eastern Oregon College (now known as Eastern Oregon University) of La Grande, Oregon. In their seventh year under head coach Archie Dunsmoor, the team compiled a 1–7 record (0–4 against OCC opponents) and finished in last place in the OCC.

Eastern Oregon offensive guard Gordon Meyers was named to the 1961 OCC all-conference football team.[5]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23College of Idaho*La Grande, ORL 0–14[40]
September 30at Whitman*Walla Walla, WAW 19–13[41]
October 7at Oregon College of EducationMonmouth, ORL 14–34[19][42]
October 14at Oregon TechKlamath Falls, ORL 13–25[36]
October 21at Olympic JC*Bremerton, WAL 7–18[43]
October 28Portland StateLa Grande, ORL 7–27[29]
November 4Southern OregonLa Grande, ORL 0–39[14]
November 11Columbia Basin*La Grande, ORL 20–40[44]
  • *Non-conference game

[45]

Statistical leaders

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Team statistics

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Total offense

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  1. Southern Oregon - 3,037 yards (337.4 yards per game) on 605 plays
  2. OCE - 2,375 yards (296.8 yards per game) on 457 plays
  3. Portland State - 2,232 yards (279.0 yards per game) on 527 plays
  4. Oregon Tech - 1,752 yards (194.6 yards per game) on 508 plays
  5. Eastern Oregon - 1,439 yards (179.8 yards per game) on 447 plays

[3]

Rush offense

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  1. OCE - 1,777 yards (222.1 yards per game)
  2. Southern Oregon - 1,612 yards (179.1 yards per game)
  3. Portland State - 1,401 yards (175.1 yards per game)
  4. Oregon Tech - 1,313 yards (145.8 yards per game)
  5. Eastern Oregon - 898 yards (112.2 yards per game)

[3]

Pass offense

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  1. Southern Oregon - 1,425 yards
  2. Portland State - 831 yards
  3. OCE - 598 yards
  4. Eastern Oregon - 541 yards
  5. Oregon Tech - 439 yards

[3]

Total defense

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  1. Oregon Tech - 2,305 yards (256.1 yards per game) on 513 plays
  2. Southern Oregon - 2,453 yards (272.5 yards per game) on 550 plays
  3. OCE - 2,303 yards (287.8 yards per game) on 489 plays
  4. Eastern Oregon - 2,550 yards (318.7 yards per game) on 522 plays
  5. Portland State - 2,719 yards (339.8 yards per game) on 497 plays

[3]

Rush defense

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  1. Oregon Tech - 1,375 yards (152.7 yards per game)
  2. OCE - 1,364 yards (170.5 yards per game)
  3. Southern Oregon - 1,572 yards (174.6 yards per game)
  4. Eastern Oregon - 1,688 yards (191.3 yards per game)
  5. Portland State - 1,876 yards (234.5 yards per game)

[3]

Pass defense

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  1. Southern Oregon - 65 completions, 881 yards, 417 completion pct.
  2. Oregon Tech - 68 completions, 930 yards, .524 completion pct.
  3. Portland State - 54 completions, 843 yards, .403 completion pct.
  4. Eastern Oregon - 59 completions, 862 yards, .476 completion pct.
  5. OCE - 75 completions, 939 yards, .490 completion pct.

[3]

Individual statistics

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Scoring

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  1. Bill White, Portland State - 84 points (14 TD)
  2. Al Barnes, Southern Oregon - 60 points (10 TD)
  3. Bob Pennel, OCE - 48 points (6 TD)
  4. Clayton Ladd, OCE - 48 points (6 TD)
  5. Howard Hartman, Southern Oregon - 43 points (6 TD, 1 PAT)

[3]

Rushing

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  1. Bob Pennel, OCE - 864 yards on 151 carries (5.7 yards per carry)
  2. White, Portland State - 851 yards on 144 carries (5.9 yards per carry)
  3. Al Barnes, Southern Oregon - 727 yards on 142 carries (5.1 yards per carry)
  4. Showers, Eastern Oregon - 545 yards on 157 carries (3.4 yards per carry)
  5. Ladd, OCE - 533 yards on 114 carries (4.6 yards per carry)

[3]

Passing

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  1. Doug Olsen, Southern Oregon - 103 of 195 passing for 1,377 yards
  2. Grant, Portland State - 56 of 145 passing for 828 yards
  3. Ransome, Oregon Tech - 44 of 125 passing for 440 yards
  4. Burns, OCE - 40 of 67 passing for 569 yards
  5. Showers, Eastern Orego - 31 of 190 passing for 311 yards

[3]

Receiving

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  1. Howard Hartman, Southern Oregon - 51 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns
  2. Huges, Southern Oregon - 32 receptions for 445 yards and 2 touchdowns
  3. Bates, Eastern Oregon - 17 receptions for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns
  4. Myers, Oregon Tech - 11 receptions for 177 yards and 1 touchdown
  5. Weber, Portland State - 10 receptions for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns

[3]

All-conference selections

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After the season, the conference coaches selected their 1961 all-conference team consisting of the following players:

Offense

  • Quarterback - Doug Olsen, sophomore, Southern Oregon
  • Fullback - Al Barnes, junior, Southern Oregon
  • Halfbacks - Bill White, sophomore, Portland State; Bob Pennel, junior, Oregon College of Education
  • Ends - Howard Hartman, sophomore, Southern Oregon; Dave Hughes, junior, Southern Oregon
  • Tackles - Bob Williams, senior, Portland State; Herb Hermann, senior, Oregon College of Education
  • Guards - Gordon Meyers, senior, Eastern Oregon; Jerry Gilman, senior, Oregon College of Education;
  • Center Francis Tresler, senior Oregon College of Education

Defense

  • Defensive ends - Jess Munyon, junior, Southern Oregon; Frank Colburn, senior, Oregon College of Educaation
  • Defensive tackles - Jim Madden, senior, Oregon Tech; Mike Hafterson, sophomore, Portland State
  • Guard - W. Winterbottom, junior, Oregon Tech
  • Linebackers - John Buck, junior, Southern Oregon; Bob Holcomb, senior, Portland State; Jack Williams, sophomore, Oregon Tech
  • Defensive halfbacks - Doyle Bransom, Southern Oregon; Andrew Cook, senior, Oregon Tech; Dick Wildfang, freshman, Oregon College of Education

[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Doug Olsen Gains OCC Back Honor". Mail Tribune. Medford, Oregon. November 10, 1961. p. 13. Retrieved October 29, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .
  2. ^ "The Owler 1962". The Owler. Klamath Falls, Oregon: Oregon Institute of Technology: 70. 1962. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "White Takes Over Pennel's Crown As OCC's Top Scorer". Statesman. November 25, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Official Collegiate Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 65.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Owls Rate Four All-Conference Berths". Herald and News. December 1, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Eddie Booth (September 18, 1961). "Wildcats Throttle Red Raiders, 27-0". Enterprise-Record. pp. 4B, 5B – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Wildcats Dump SOC". Herald and Press. September 24, 1961. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Pioneers Nose Out Red Raiders 28-26". Medford Mail Tribune. October 2, 1961. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Tom Horton. "Hornets Click to Trim Southern Oregon 25-6". The Sacramento Union. pp. 1S, 2S – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b "Raiders Chalk Up Victory". Herald and News. October 15, 1961. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b Wayne Scott (October 22, 1961). "Red Raiders Shade Oregon Tech 6-0". Herald and News. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b "SOC Likcs OTI 6-0". Statesman. October 22, 1961. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b "SOC Trips OCE 26-7". Statesman. October 29, 1961. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "Red Raiders Whip Mountaineers 39-0". Statesman. November 5, 1961. p. II-14 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "SOC Downs Pacific 33-0". Statesman. November 12, 1961. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "SOC Blanks Pacific In Gridiron Finale". Medford Mail Tribune. November 13, 1961. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 158.
  18. ^ "Wildcats Get Past Wolves 13-7". The Oregon Statesman. October 1, 1961. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ a b Ron Blankenbaker (October 8, 1961). "OCE Win Sparked By Pennel". Statesman. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Oregon College Tops Pacific Eleven 27-14". Statesman. October 15, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ a b "OCE Wins Wild Game". Statesman. October 22, 1961. pp. 11 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b Wayne Scott (November 5, 1961). "Owls, Wolves Prove Nothing In 7-7 Tie: Homecoming Tilt Is Defense Battle". Herald and News. p. 6A – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Lewis and Clark Subdues Oregon College 28-13". Statesman. November 12, 1961. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "OCE Ends Season In 38-6 Contest". Statesman. November 19, 1961. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 127.
  26. ^ "Pioneers Rip PSC 39-6". Statesman. September 24, 1961. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Nevada Clubs Portland St. in 41-20 Clash". Nevada State Journal. October 1, 1961. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ a b "Oregon Tech Stumbles To Vikings In OCC Opener". Herald and News. October 8, 1961. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ a b Dale Conklin (October 30, 1961). "Vikings Post 27-7 Victory Over Eastern Oregon College". La Grande Observer. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Linfield in 55-19 Win Over PSC". The Oregon Statesman. November 12, 1961. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "PSC Upsets Viks, 13-7". Statesman. November 19, 1961. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 128.
  33. ^ "OTI Owls Top Westminster In 12-6 'Squeaker'". Herald and News. September 17, 1961. p. 7A – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Owls Run Into Pirate Buzz Saw, Lose 47-0". Herald and News. September 24, 1961. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Floyd L. Wynne (October 1, 1961). "Alert Techmen Take Breaks, Beat Chokers 14-0". Herald and Press. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ a b Wayne Scott (October 15, 1961). "Oregon Tech Mauls Mounts 25-13 For First OCC Victory". Herald and News. p. 1D – via Newspaper.com.
  37. ^ Don Terbush (October 30, 1961). "Humboldt State Captures Fifth Grid Win Of Season". Eureka Humboldt Standard. Eureka, California. p. 23. Retrieved April 4, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. 
  38. ^ Wayne Scott (November 12, 1961). "Owls Edge Coyotes 12-6 In '61 Finale". Herald and News. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 155.
  40. ^ "Eastern Oregon Drops Football Opener To College Of Idaho". La Grande Observer. September 25, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Mounties Post Victory Over Missionaries". La Grande Observer. October 2, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "OCE Defeats Mounts 34-14". La Grande Observer. October 9, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ Dale Conklin (October 23, 1961). "Mountaineer Eleven Drops Grid Game To Olympic 18-7". La Grande Observer. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Mounties Drop Final Game To Columbia Basin 40-20". La Grande Observer. November 13, 1961. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 149.