1961 VMI Keydets football team: Difference between revisions

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|October 28|at|[[1961 William & Mary Indians football team|William & Mary]]|[[Zable Stadium|Cary Field]]|[[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg, VA]] ([[VMI–William & Mary football rivalry|rivalry]])|W 14–7||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111948637/2-sophs-lead-vmi-to-victory/|work=The Miami News|title=2 sophs lead VMI to victory|date=October 29, 1961|accessdate=October 24, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

|October 28|at|[[1961 William & Mary Indians football team|William & Mary]]|[[Zable Stadium|Cary Field]]|[[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg, VA]] ([[VMI–William & Mary football rivalry|rivalry]])|W 14–7||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111948637/2-sophs-lead-vmi-to-victory/|work=The Miami News|title=2 sophs lead VMI to victory|date=October 29, 1961|accessdate=October 24, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

|November 4||[[1961 The Citadel Bulldogs football team|The Citadel]]|Alumni Field|Lexington, VA ([[Military Classic of the South|rivalry]])|L 8–14|9,000|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rocky-mount-telegram-citadel-downs-vmi-t/139124965/|work=The Rocky Mount Telegram|title=Citadel downs VMI to clinch Southern Conference title|date=November 5, 1961|accessdate=January 19, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

|November 4||[[1961 The Citadel Bulldogs football team|The Citadel]]| Field|Lexington, VA ([[Military Classic of the South|rivalry]])|L 8–14|9,000|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rocky-mount-telegram-citadel-downs-vmi-t/139124965/|work=The Rocky Mount Telegram|title=Citadel downs VMI to clinch Southern Conference title|date=November 5, 1961|accessdate=January 19, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

|November 11|at|[[1961 Buffalo Bulls football team|Buffalo]]<ncg>|[[Rotary Field]]|[[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo, NY]]|W 39–6|6,093–6,300|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier-express-mitchell-sparkle/139125584/|work=Buffalo Courier Express|title=Mitchell sparkles as VMI wallops UB|date=November 12, 1961|accessdate=January 19, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref name=NCAA>{{cite web |author=<!–Not stated–> |title=Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Buffalo) |url=https://stats.ncaa.org/team/86/stats/12865 |publisher=[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] |access-date=August 18, 2024}}</ref>

|November 11|at|[[1961 Buffalo Bulls football team|Buffalo]]<ncg>|[[Rotary Field]]|[[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo, NY]]|W 39–6|6,093–6,300|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier-express-mitchell-sparkle/139125584/|work=Buffalo Courier Express|title=Mitchell sparkles as VMI wallops UB|date=November 12, 1961|accessdate=January 19, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref name=NCAA>{{cite web |author=<!–Not stated–> |title=Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Buffalo) |url=https://stats.ncaa.org/team/86/stats/12865 |publisher=[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] |access-date=August 18, 2024}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 22:59, 27 December 2025

American college football season

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 college football season. In their ninth year head under coach John McKenna, the Keydets compiled a 6–4 record (4–2 in conference games), tied for third place in the SoCon, and outscored opponents by a total of 134 to 105.[1]

The team’s statistical leaders included Bobby Mitchell (949 passing yards), Stinson Jones (256 rushing yards, 30 points scored), and Ken Reeder (26 receptions, 323 receiving yards).[2]

The team played its one home game at Alumni Field in Lexington, Virginia.

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source
September 16 at Marshall* W 33–6 8,000 [3][4]
September 23 at Villanova* L 0–22 12,000 [5]
September 29 at Richmond W 8–6 12,000 [6]
October 7 at George Washington L 6–30 20,340 [7]
October 14 vs. Virginia* L 7–14 8,500 [8]
October 21 at Davidson W 13–0 [9]
October 28 at William & Mary W 14–7 [10]
November 4 The Citadel L 8–14 9,000 [11][12]
November 11 at Buffalo* W 39–6 6,093–6,300 [13][14]
November 23 vs. Virginia Tech W 6–0 20,000 [15]

The Keydets gained an average of 113.4 rushing yards and 109.0 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 153.4 rushing yards and 93.4 passing yards per game.[2]

Quarterback Bobby Mitchell led the passing offense, completing 69 of 162 passes (42.6%) for 949 yards with six touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 91.7 quarterback rating. Butch Nunnally added 106 passing yards, completing nine of 32 passes (28.1%) with one touchdown, three interceptions, and a 47.5 quarterback rating.[2]

Halfback Stinston Jones led the team with 256 rushing yards on 60 carries for a 4.3-yard average. Jones also ranked second on the team with 18 receptions for 305 yards. He also led the team in scoring with 30 points on five touchdowns[2]

Halfback Ken Reeder led the team in receiving with 26 catches for 323 receiving yards.[2]

Other significant contributors included John Traynham (197 yards, 41 receiving yards), Pat Morrison (158 rushing yards, 37 yards), and Butch Armistead (95 rushing yards).[2]

Three VMI players received second-team honors on the 1961 All-Southern Conference football team: tackle Bill Hoehl; guard Gil Monor; and halfback Stinson Jones.[16]

  • Charlie Cole, center, 175 pounds
  • J.R. Dunkley, end, 190 pounds
  • Bill Hoehl, tackle, 205 pounds
  • Stinson Jones, halfback, 185 pounds
  • Bobby Mitchell, quarterback, 194 pounds
  • Ken Reeder, halfback
  • Fred Shirley, guard, 205 pounds
  • Jim Shumaker, guard, 205 pounds
  • John Traynham, halfback, 185 pounds
  • Bill Welsh, tackle, 191 pounds
  • Dick Willard, end, 197 pounds
  • DeWitt Worrell, fullback, 180 pounds

[17]

  1. ^ “1961 Virginia Military Institute Keydets Schedule and Results”. College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f “1961 Virginia Military Institute Keydets Stats”. SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  3. ^ “Perry Scouts Marshall–VMI: Falcon Defense Slated For Work This Week”. The Daily Sentinel-Tribune. September 18, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ “Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Marshall)”. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  5. ^ “Villanova tops V.M.I., 22–0, displays sturdy defense”. The Baltimore Sun. September 24, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ “VMI trips Richmond, 8–6”. Daily Press. September 30, 1961. Retrieved August 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ “GW uses sharp passing, good defense for conference victory over Keydets”. The Progress-Index. October 8, 1961. Retrieved February 8, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ “Fischer leads U. Va. in win over VMI”. The Virginian-Pilot. October 15, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ “Keydets score late for 13–0 conference win over ‘Cats”. The Progress-Index. October 22, 1961. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ “2 sophs lead VMI to victory”. The Miami News. October 29, 1961. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ “Citadel downs VMI to clinch Southern Conference title”. The Rocky Mount Telegram. November 5, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ “Bulldogs And Keydets To Face Off Sunday”. The Cadet. November 3, 1961. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  13. ^ “Mitchell sparkles as VMI wallops UB”. Buffalo Courier Express. November 12, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ “Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Buffalo)”. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  15. ^ “Special play wins mud bowl for VMI”. Ledger-Star. November 24, 1961. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ “1961 All-Southern Team: FU’s Campbell Repeats; Gilgo And Eastern Named”. The Greenville News. November 29, 1961. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ “Turkey Day Starting Lineups”. Roanoke World-News. November 22, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.

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