| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Penn State Nittany Lions |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Coachrank: | 19 |
| Aprank: | 17 |
| Record: | 8–3 |
| Head Coach: | Rip Engle |
| Hc Year: | 12th |
| Captain: | Jim Smith |
| Champion: | Lambert Trophy winner Gator Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | Gator Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 30–15 vs. Georgia Tech |
The 1961 Penn State Nittany Lions football team was an American football team that represented the Pennsylvania State University as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their 12th year under head coach Rip Engle, the Nittany Lions compiled an 8–3 record, were ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll, and outscored opponents by a total of 231 to 128.[1] They concluded their season with a 30–15 victory over No. 13 Georgia Tech in the 1961 Gator Bowl. The Nittany Lions also received the Lambert Trophy as the best major college football team in the East.
The team was led on offense by quarterback Galen Hall (951 passing yards) and halfback Roger Kochman (666 rushing yards, 226 receiving yards, 54 points). In addition, Robert Mitinger, who played at end on both offense and defense, was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.
Joe Paterno was the team's backfield coach.[2] The team played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Quarterback Galen Hall led the team in passing during the regular season, completing 50 of 97 passes (51.5%) for 951 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. In the Gator Bowl, Hall completed 12 of 22 passes for 175 yards and three touchdown and was selected as the game's most valuable player.[3]
Halfback Roger Kochman led the team in rushing during the regular season with 666 yards on 129 carries for a 5.2-yard average. He added 76 yards on 13 carries in the Gator Bowl. Kochman also led the team in scoring with 54 points on nine touchdowns.[4]
The team's other leading passers were backup quarterbacks Don Caum (13-for-39, 33.3%, 210 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) and Pete Liske (17-for-32, 53.1%, 216 yards, two touchdowns, one interception).[5]
The other leading rushers were Buddy Torris (490 yards, 105 carries, 4.7-yard average); Dave Hayes (253 yards, 66 carries, 3.8-yard average); Junior Powell (226 yards, 41 carries, 5.5-yard average); Al Gursky (174 yards, 60 carries, 2.9-yard average); and Don Jonas (149 yards, 31 carries, 4.8-yard average).[5]
The receiving leaders were Junior Powell (332 yards, 15 receptions, 22.1-yard average); Jim Schwab (257 yards, 16 receptions, 16.1-yard average); and Roger Kochman (226 yards, 10 receptions, 22.6-yard average).[5]
The leading scorer following Kochman were Buddy Torris (24 points, four touchdowns). Four players had 18 points each.[5]
The Nittany Lions received the Lambert Trophy as the best major college football team in the East.[6]
Robert Mitinger, who played at end on both offense and defense, was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.[7]
Mitinger, quarterback Galen Hall, and halfback Roger Kochman all received first-team honors on the Associated Press (AP) 1961 All-Eastern football team.[8] [9]
Four Penn State players received first-team honors on the AP All-Pennsylvania football team: Hall; Mitinger; Jim Smith at tackle; and Jay Huffman at center. Kochman and end Jim Schwab received second-team honors.[10]