1961 VMI Keydets football team

The 1961 VMI Keydets football team was an American football team that represented the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. Led by ninth-year head coach John McKenna, the Keydets compiled an overall record of 6–4 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, tying for third place in the SoCon.^[1]

1961 VMI Keydets football
Conference	Southern Conference
Record	6–4 (4–2 SoCon)
Head coach	John McKenna (9th season)
Home stadium	Alumni Field
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

1961 Southern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
The Citadel $	5	–	1	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
Richmond	5	–	2	–	0			5	–	5	–	0
VMI	4	–	2	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
West Virginia	2	–	1	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
Furman	2	–	2	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
George Washington	3	–	4	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
VPI	2	–	3	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
Davidson	1	–	4	–	0			4	–	4	–	0
William & Mary	1	–	6	–	0			1	–	9	–	0
$ – Conference champion

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	at Marshall*	Fairfield Stadium Huntington, WV	W 33–6	8,000	^[2]
September 23	at Villanova*	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	L 0–22	12,000	^[3]
September 29	at Richmond	City Stadium Richmond, VA	W 8–6	12,000	^[4]
October 7	at George Washington	District of Columbia Stadium Washington, DC	L 6–30	20,340	^[5]
October 14	vs. Virginia*	Foreman Field Norfolk, VA	L 7–14	8,500	^[6]
October 21	at Davidson	Richardson Stadium Davidson, NC	W 13–0		^[7]
October 28	at William & Mary	Cary Field Williamsburg, VA (rivalry)	W 14–7		^[8]
November 4	The Citadel	Alumni Field Lexington, VA (rivalry)	L 8–14	9,000	^[9]
November 11	at Buffalo*	Rotary Field Buffalo, NY	W 39–6	6,093	^[10]
November 23	vs. VPI	Victory Stadium Roanoke, VA (rivalry)	W 6–0	20,000	^[11]
*Non-conference game

References

1. "1961 Virginia Military Institute Keydets Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
2. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
3. "Villanova tops V.M.I., 22–0, displays sturdy defense". The Baltimore Sun. September 24, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "VMI trips Richmond, 8–6". Daily Press. September 30, 1961. Retrieved August 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "GW uses sharp passing, good defense for conference victory over Keydets". The Progress-Index. October 8, 1961. Retrieved February 8, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Fischer leads U. Va. in win over VMI". The Virginian-Pilot. October 15, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Keydets score late for 13–0 conference win over 'Cats". The Progress-Index. October 22, 1961. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "2 sophs lead VMI to victory". The Miami News. October 29, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Citadel downs VMI to clinch Southern Conference title". The Rocky Mount Telegram. November 5, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Mitchell sparkles as VMI wallops UB". Buffalo Courier Express. November 12, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Special play wins mud bowl for VMI". Ledger-Star. November 24, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.