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1961 Arizona Wildcats football
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
APNo. 17
Record8–1–1
Head coach
CaptainBob Garis, Eddie Wilson
Home stadium Arizona Stadium
Seasons
←  1960
1962 →
1961 NCAA University Division independents football records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 15 Rutgers     9 0 0
No. 17 Arizona     8 1 1
Memphis State     8 2 0
Villanova     8 2 0
No. 17 Penn State     8 3 0
No. 14 Syracuse     8 3 0
Holy Cross     7 3 0
Navy     7 3 0
Miami (FL)     7 4 0
Army     6 4 0
San Jose State     6 4 0
Xavier     6 4 0
Colgate     5 4 0
Detroit     5 4 0
Houston     5 4 1
Notre Dame     5 5 0
Oregon State     5 5 0
Florida State     4 5 1
Boston University     4 5 0
Boston College     4 6 0
Oregon     4 6 0
Air Force     3 7 0
Pittsburgh     3 7 0
Washington State     3 7 0
Idaho     2 7 0
Dayton     2 8 0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1961 Arizona Wildcats college football team season represented the University of Arizona as an independent during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. In their third season under head coach Jim LaRue, the Wildcats compiled an 8–1–1 record, were ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll, and outscored their opponents, 288 to 131. [1] [2] The team captains were Bob Garis and Eddie Wilson. [3] The team played its home games in Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.

The team's statistical leaders included Eddie Wilson with 1,294 passing yards and Bobby Thompson with 752 rushing yards and 468 receiving yards. [4]

Arizona joined the newly formed Western Athletic Conference in 1962. [5]

Until 1979, this season was the last in which the Wildcats defeated Arizona State on the road. [6] Also, Arizona went undefeated at home in the season (not including tie games). This feat would not happen again until 1993. [7] In addition, this season was the only one in which Arizona played Idaho on the road. Prior to that and ever since, all Arizona-Idaho games have been played in Tucson. [8]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 23 Colorado State*W 28–6
September 30at Nebraska*T 14–14
October 7 Hardin-Simmons
  • Arizona Stadium
  • Tucson, AZ
W 53–7
October 14at Oregon* Portland, ORW 15–6
October 21 New Mexico
  • Arizona Stadium
  • Tucson, AZ ( rivalry)
W 22–21
October 28at West Texas State Canyon, TXL 23–27
November 4 Wyoming*
  • Arizona Stadium
  • Tucson, AZ
W 20–15
November 11at Idaho* Boise, IDW 43–7
November 18 Texas Western
  • Arizona Stadium
  • Tucson, AZ
W 48–15
November 25at Arizona StateW 22–13
  • *Non-conference game

References

  1. ^ "1961 Arizona Wildcats Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  2. ^ "Arizona Football 2016 Media Guide" (PDF). University of Arizona. 2016. p. 106. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  3. ^ 2016 Media Guide, p. 102.
  4. ^ "1961 Arizona Wildcats Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  5. ^ "Western Athletic Conference Meet To Draft Bylaws". Arizona Daily Sun. July 19, 1962. p. 13.
  6. ^ "UA vs. ASU: 100 years of the 'Duel in the Desert' football rivalry". The Arizona Republic. November 24, 1999.
  7. ^ "Wildcat football finishes unbeaten at home". Arizona Daily Wildcat. November 8, 1993.
  8. ^ "Wildcat football prepare for season opener against Idaho". Arizona Daily Wildcat. August 27, 2008.