| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Minnesota Golden Gophers |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Coachrank: | 6 |
| Aprank: | 6 |
| Record: | 8–2 |
| Conf Record: | 6–1 |
| Head Coach: | Murray Warmath |
| Hc Year: | 8th |
| Mvp: | Sandy Stephens |
| Captain: | John Mulvena |
| Stadium: | Memorial Stadium |
| Champion: | Rose Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | Rose Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 21–3 vs. UCLA |
The 1961 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Minnesota in the 1961 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth year under head coach Murray Warmath, the Golden Gophers compiled an 8–2 record (6–1 in conference games), outscored opponents by a total of 140 to 75, and were ranked No. 6 in the final final AP and UPI polls. They defeated UCLA, 21–3, in the 1962 Rose Bowl.[1] [2] [3]
The team averaged 176.7 rushing yards, 88.2 passing yards, and 14 points per game. On defense, the team gave up an average of 84.3 rushing yards, 115.4 passing yards, and 7.5 points per game. Quarterback Sandy Stephens led the team in passing, rushing, and scoring. He was a consensus first-team All-American, finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, and received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the Big Ten's most valuable player. Tackle Bobby Bell was also named a first-team All-American.
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis. Total attendance at six home games was 366,491, an average of 61,081, and the season high was against Purdue on November 18.
Quarterback Sandy Stephens won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the most valuable player in the Big Ten.[4] He also finished fourth in voting for the 1961 Heisman Trophy.[5]
Two Minnesota players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-America team. Stephens was a first-team pick by the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Tackle Bobby Bell was a first-team pick by the American Football Coaches Association, FWAA, Sporting News, and Central Press Association.
The following Minnesota players were recognized on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team: quarterback Sandy Stephens (AP-1, UPI-1); tackle Bobby Bell (AP-1, UPI-1); end Tom Hall (AP-2, UPI-1); halfback Bill Munsey (AP-3, UPI-2); and guard Robin Tellor (AP-3, UPI-3).[6] [7]
Quarterback Sandy Stephens led the team in multiple statistical categories, including passing (47 of 142 for 794 yards with nine touchdown passes and 13 interceptions); rushing (487 yards on 110 attempts); and scoring 48 points (eight touchdowns).[8]
The team's rusing leaders after Stephens were Judge Dickson (275 yards), Bill Munsey (211 yards), Dave Mulholland (176 yards), Jim Cairns (171 yards), and Jerry Jones (167 yards).[8]
The team's receiving leaders were Tom Hall with nine receptions for 197 yards; Jim Cairns with eight receptions for 156 yards; John Campbell with three receptions for 117 yards; and Bob Deegan with five receptions for 72 yards.[8]