1961 Missouri Tigers football team

1961 Missouri Tigers football
ConferenceBig Eight Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 11
APNo. 11
Record7–2–1 (5–2 Big 8)
Head coach
CaptainPaul Henley
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 Big Eight Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 7 Colorado $ 7 – 0 – 0 9 – 2 – 0
No. 11 Missouri 5 – 2 – 0 7 – 2 – 1
Kansas 5 – 2 – 0 7 – 3 – 1
Oklahoma 4 – 3 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Iowa State 3 – 4 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Oklahoma State 2 – 5 – 0 4 – 6 – 0
Nebraska 2 – 5 – 0 3 – 6 – 1
Kansas State 0 – 7 – 0 2 – 8 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1961 Missouri Tigers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Missouri in the Big Eight Conference (Big 8) during the 1961 college football season. In their fourth year under head coach Dan Devine, the Tigers compiled a 7–2–1 record (5–2 in conference games), finished in a tie for second place in the Big 8, and outscored opponents by a total of 124 to 57.[1][2]

Two games were decided based on Missouri's attempts for two-point conversions in the closing minutes:

  • On October 7, the Tigers trailed, 14–6, in the closing minutes against California. They scored a touchdown with 7:36 remaining, and Daryl Krugman scrambled for a two-point conversion to tie the game.[3]
  • Four weeks later, they trailed, 7–0, to Colorado. Missouri scored a touchdown with 6:14 remaining. Seeking to take the lead, halfback Mike Hunter overthrew Conrad Hitchler on the two-point attempt. Missouri lost, 7–6.[4]

Senior tackle Ed Blaine was selected as a first-team All-American. The team's statistical leaders included fullback Andy Russell with 412 rushing yards and quarterback Ron Taylor with 428 passing yards and 514 yards of total offense.[5]

The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.

  1. ^ "1961 Missouri Tigers Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  2. ^ "2016 Mizzou Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Missouri. p. 158. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "Missouri Tied by California, 14 to 14: Two-Point Conversion Saves Day for Tigers in Last-Quarter Rally". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 8, 1961. pp. 1F, 6F – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Dave Lipman (November 5, 1961). "Missouri Gamble Fails, Colorado Wins, 7-6". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. pp. 1F, 6F – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "2014 Mizzou Football Records Book" (PDF). University of Missouri. pp. 26–27. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2016.