| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Oklahoma Sooners |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Eight Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big 8 |
| Record: | 5–5 |
| Conf Record: | 4–3 |
| Head Coach: | Bud Wilkinson |
| Hc Year: | 15th |
| Captain: | Bill White |
| Stadium: | Oklahoma Memorial Stadium |
The 1961 Oklahoma Sooners football team was an American football team that represented the University of Oklahoma as a member of the Big Eight Conference (Big 8) during the 1961 college football season. In their 15th year under head coach Bud Wilkinson, the Sooners compiled a 5–5 record (4–3 in conference games), finished in fourth place in the Big 8, and were outscored by a total of 141 to 122.[1] The Sooners lost the first five games of the season before turning things around with five consecutive wins, including a victory over No. 10 Missouri, to finish the season. The 1960 and 1961 seasons were the only non-winning seasons in Wilkinson's 17-year tenure as Oklahoma's head coach.
Tackle Billy White was the team captain and received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Big Eight Conference football team. The team's statistical leaders included halfback Mike McClellan (508 rushing yards), quarterback Bob Page (233 passing yards), and halfback Jimmy Carpenter (12 catches, 143 receiving yards).[2]
The team played its home games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.
The 1961 Sooners tallied 2,486 yards of total offense for an average of 248.6 yards per game. Their offense was heavily oriented to the run with 1,960 rushing yards and only 526 passing yards. On defense, the Sooners gave up 2,631 yards to their opponents (263.1 yards per game), consisting of 1,928 rushing yards and 703 passing yards.[4]
The Sooners had five players with 65 or more rushing attempts on the season. The group was led by senior right halfback Mike McClellan with 508 yards on 82 attempts for an average of 6.2 yards per carry. Fullback Phil Lohmann ranked second with 436 yards on 98 attempts for an average of 4.45 yards per carry. Left halfback Jimmy Carpenter wass next with 342 rushign yards on 105 carries for a 3.26-yard average.[4]
Senior quarterback Bobby Page completed 17 of 40 passes (42.5%) for 233 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions. Sophomore Bill Van Burkleo ranked second in passing, completing 16 of 43 (37.2%) for 168 yars with no touchdowns and one interception.[4]
The team's leading receivers were senior halfbacks Jimmy Carpenter with 12 receptions for 143 yards and Mike McClellan with 10 catchers for 125 yards.[4]
Tackle Billy White was the team captain. He also received first-team honors from both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) on the 1961 All-Big Eight Conference football team. Three others received second-team honors: halfback Jimmy Carpenter (AP-1); halfback Mike McClellan (AP-2); and end Ronny Payne (UPI-2).[5] [6]