1961 Western Michigan Broncos football team

The 1961 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1961 NCAA College Division football season. In their fifth season under head coach Merle Schlosser, the Broncos compiled a 5–4–1 record (4–1–1 against MAC opponents), finished in second place in the MAC, and were outscored by their opponents, 179 to 143.^[1][2] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.^[3]

1961 Western Michigan Broncos football
Aviation Bowl, L 12–20 vs. New Mexico
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Record	5–4–1 (4–1–1 MAC)
Head coach	Merle Schlosser (5th season)
MVP	Ed Chlebek
Captain	Mike Snodgrass, Ken Reasor
Home stadium	Waldo Stadium
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

1961 Mid-American Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Bowling Green $	5	–	1	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
Western Michigan	4	–	1	–	1			5	–	4	–	1
Miami (OH)	3	–	2	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Ohio	3	–	2	–	1			5	–	3	–	1
Toledo	2	–	4	–	0			3	–	7	–	0
Marshall	1	–	4	–	0			2	–	7	–	1
Kent State	1	–	5	–	0			2	–	8	–	0
$ – Conference champion

Center Mike Snodgrass and guard Ken Reasor were the team captains.^[4] Quarterback Ed Chlebek received the team's most outstanding player award.^[5]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	at Central Michigan*	Alumni Field Mount Pleasant, MI (rivalry)	W 27–21	6,800	^[6]
September 23	at Detroit*	University of Detroit Stadium Detroit, MI	L 14–21	18,000–18,603	^[7]
September 30	Miami (OH)	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	W 6–3	16,500
October 7	at Bowling Green	University Stadium Bowling Green, OH	L 0–21	8,000
October 21	at Toledo	Glass Bowl Toledo, OH	W 7–0	5,500
October 28	Marshall	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	W 20–0	10,500
November 4	Kent State	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	W 14–0	10,250
November 11	Utah State*	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	L 22–65	11,750–14,000	^[8]
November 18	at Ohio	Peden Stadium Athens, OH	T 20–20	9,500
December 9	vs. New Mexico*	Welcome Stadium Dayton, OH (Aviation Bowl)	L 12–20	3,694	^[9]
*Non-conference game

^[10]

References

1. "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
2. "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1960 - 69". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
3. . Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
4. "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
5. "Football History: Team Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
6. "Broncos Slip Past Chips". Detroit Free Press. September 17, 1961. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
7. Jack Berry (September 23, 1961). "Pitches Strike Against Western Mich.: Gross Gets the Titans Rolling, 21-14". Detroit Free Press. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Ags Slay Broncos 65-22 In Michigan". The Herald Journal. Logan, Utah. United Press International. November 12, 1961. p. 6. Retrieved December 18, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
9. Dan Russel (December 10, 1961). "Lobos Capture Aviation Bowl, 28-12: Santiago, Chuck Selected Best Back, Lineman". Albuquerque Journal. pp. C1, C1 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 18, 2022.