1961 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

The 1961 Central Michigan Chippewas football team represented Central Michigan University in the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 NCAA College Division football season. In their 11th season under head coach Kenneth Kelly, the Chippewas compiled a 2–8 record (1–5 against IIAC opponents) and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 214 to 95.^[1]

1961 Central Michigan Chippewas football
Conference	Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Record	2–8 (1–5 IIAC)
Head coach	Kenneth Kelly (11th season)
MVP	Jim Hasse
Home stadium	Alumni Field
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

1961 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Southern Illinois $	5	–	1	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
Western Illinois	4	–	2	–	0			5	–	3	–	0
Illinois State Normal	4	–	2	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Eastern Illinois	3	–	2	–	1			4	–	3	–	1
Northern Illinois	3	–	2	–	1			4	–	4	–	1
Central Michigan	1	–	5	–	0			2	–	8	–	0
Eastern Michigan	0	–	6	–	0			0	–	8	–	1
$ – Conference champion

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Gary Harrington with 239 passing yards and Chuck Koons with 402 rushing yards and 130 receiving yards.^[2] Guard Jim Hasse received the team's most valuable player award.^[3] Two Central Michigan players (Hasse and defensive end Bill Johnson) received first-team honors on the All-IIAC team.^[4]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 9	vs. Northern Michigan*	Arthur Hill Stadium Saginaw, MI	L 0–35	8,500	^[5]
September 16	Western Michigan*	Alumni Field Mount Pleasant, MI (rivalry)	L 21–27	6,800	^[6]
September 21	at Youngstown*	Youngstown, OH	L 7–36	7,500	^[7]
September 30	at Southern Illinois	McAndrew Stadium Carbondale, IL	L 0–18	5,500	^[8]
October 7	Western Illinois	Alumni Field Mount Pleasant, MI	L 7–12	5,100	^[9]
October 14	at Illinois State Normal	McCormick Field Normal, IL	L 21–32	5,000	^[10]
October 21	at Eastern Michigan	Briggs Field Ypsilanti, MI (rivalry)	W 13–11	5,500	^[11]
October 28	Northern Illinois	Alumni Field Mount Pleasant, MI	L 0–11	8,000–8,100	^[12]
November 4	Hillsdale*	Alumni Field Mount Pleasant, MI	W 13–10	5,000	^[13]
November 11	Eastern Illinois	Alumni Field Mount Pleasant, MI	L 13–22	5,000	^[14]
*Non-conference game

^[15]

References

1. (PDF). Central Michigan University. 2015. pp. 100, 110. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 26, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
2. 2015 Media Guide, pp. 88-89.
3. 2015 Media Guide, p. 95.
4. 2015 Media Guide, p. 96.
5. "Chippewas Lose To Northern, 35-0". The Lansing State Journal. September 11, 1961. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Broncos Slip Past Chips". Detroit Free Press. September 17, 1961. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Youngstown '11' Stuns Chips, 36-7". The Lansing State Journal. September 22, 1961. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Chips Lose To SI, 18-0". The Lansing State Journal. October 1, 1961. p. 54 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Chips Fall, 12-7". Detroit Free Press. October 8, 1961. p. 48 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "State Normal Raps Central". The Pantagraph. October 15, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Chips Win First Game, 13 to 11". The Lansing State Journal. October 22, 1961. p. 54 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Chips Knocked Off". Detroit Free Press. October 29, 1961. p. D7 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Chips Silence Critics". Detroit Free Press. November 5, 1961. p. D7 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "C. Michigan Beaten, 22-13, by E. Illinois". Chicago Tribune. November 12, 1961. p. 2:3 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 14, 2022.