| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Middle Atlantic Conference |
| Division: | University Division |
| Short Conf: | MAC |
| Record: | 4–4 |
| Conf Record: | 3–2 |
| Head Coach: | David M. Nelson |
| Hc Year: | 11th |
| Captain: | Bill Grossman (injured) John Scholato (acting) |
| Stadium: | Delaware Stadium |
The 1961 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team was an American football team that represented the University of Delaware in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) during the 1961 college football season. In its 11th season under head coach David M. Nelson, the team compiled a 4–4 record (3–2 in MAC games), tied for third place in the MAC University Division, and outscored opponents by a total of 161 to 98.
Sophomore halfback Mike Brown led the team in both rushing (404 yards) and scoring (seven touchdowns). Three Delaware players were selected as first-team players on the 1961 All-MAC football team: center/linebacker Johnny Scholato; halfback Karl Lorenz; and guard Earl Ritchie.
The team played its home games at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware.
Delware tallied 2,245 yards of total offense (280.5 per game), consisting of 1,524 rushing yards (190.5 per game) and 720 passing yards (90 per game). On defense, the team gave up 1,624 yards (204.4 per game), including 813 rushing yards and 811 passing yards.[1]
Sophomore halfback Mike Brown led the team in rushing with 404 yards in 89 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. A sprinter for the track team, Brown was the fastest man on the team. The team's other rushing leaders were Joe Slobojan (354 yards, 89 carries), Johnny Wallace (201 yards), and Karl Lorenz (177 yards).
Brown also led the team in scoring with seven touchdowns, including one on an interception returned for a score. The other scoring leaders were Slobojan (30 points) and Wallace (23 points).[2]
Quarterback Ted Kempski led the team in passing, completing 40 of 85 pases for 606 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.r[2]
The team's receiving leaders were end Ollie Baker (165 yards, six catchers), end Dick Broadbent (132 yards, 10 receptions), end Barry Fetterman (118 yards, eight reception), and Johnny Wallace (100 yards, five receptions).[2]
End Arnie Rozental led the team in punting with 37 punts for 1,314 yards (36.5 yards per punt).[2]
Tackle Bill Grossman was selected as the 1961 team captain, but he sustained an eye injury in the opening game and missed the remainder of the season. Center and linebacker John Scholato served as acting team captains in several games following the injury to Grossman.[3]
Three Delaware players were selected as first-team players on the 1961 All-MAC football team: center/linebacker Johnny Scholato; halfback Karl Lorenz; and guard Earl Ritchie. Halfback Mike Brown was named to the second team. Honorable mention was given to end Dick Broadbend, tackles Dick Evers and Paul Chesmore, guard Jim Quirk, and backs Ted Kempski, Joe Slobojan, and John Wallace.[4]
Ted Kempski was later inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame.
The following 30 players received varsity letters for their participation in the 1961 Delaware football team: