| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Michigan State Spartans |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Coachrank: | 9 |
| Aprank: | 8 |
| Record: | 7–2 |
| Conf Record: | 5–2 |
| Head Coach: | Duffy Daugherty |
| Hc Year: | 8th |
| Mvp: | George Saimes |
| Captain: | Ed Ryan |
| Stadium: | Spartan Stadium |
The 1961 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University in the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 7–2 record (5–2 in conference games), finished in third place in the Big Ten Conference, and were ranked No. 8 in the final AP poll. They outscored opponents by a total of 192 to 50.[1] [2]
The team tallied an average of 237.2 passing yards, 83.3 passing yards, and 21.3 points per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 116.1 rushing yards, 78.4 passing yards, and 5.6 points per game.
The Spartans defeated rivals Michigan (28-0), Notre Dame (17-7), and Indiana (35-0), and were ranked No. 1 in the AP poll in early November. They then lost consecutive games on the road to Minnesota (0–13) and Purdue (6–7), dropping from No. 1 to No. 9.
Fullback George Saimes led the team in both rushing (451 yards, 5.5 yards per carry) and scoring (48 points) and was selected as the team's most valuable player.
Junior fullback George Saimes was selected as the team's most valuable player. He won first-team honors from the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team.[3] [4] [5] [6] Other notable players on the 1961 team included:
Tackle Dave Behrman was selected by the AP and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) on the 1961 All-America team.[7]
Sophomore halfback Sherman Lewis received second-team all-conference honors from the AP.[8]
Guard Ed Budde received third-team all-conference honors from the AP.[8]
Quarterback Pete Smith led the team in passing, completing 42 of 94 passes for 630 yards with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions.[9]
George Saimes led the team with 451 rushing yards on 82 carries for an average of 5.5 yards per carry. He also led the team in scoring with 48 yards on eight rushing touchdowns.[9]
Lonnie Sanders led the team in receiving with 15 catches for 247 yards.[9]
Sherman Lewis ranked second on the team in both rushing (399 yards) and scoring (30 points).[9]
A total of 42 players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1961 Michigan State team. Players who went on to play professional football are marked with an asterisk.