1961 Tennessee Volunteers football team explained

Year:1961
Team:Tennessee Volunteers
Sport:football
Conference:Southeastern Conference
Short Conf:SEC
Record:6–4
Conf Record:4–3
Head Coach:Bowden Wyatt
Hc Year:7th
Captain:Mike Lucci
Stadium:Shields–Watkins Field

The 1961 Tennessee Volunteers football team (variously "Tennessee", "UT" or the "Vols") was an American football team that represented the University of Tennessee as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1961 college football season. In their seventh year under head coach Bowden Wyatt, the team compiled a 6–4 record (4–3 in conference games). tied for fourth place in the SEC, and outscored opponents by a total of 221 to 149.[1]

Tailback Mallon Faircloth led the team in passing (460 yards), rushing (475 yards), total offense (935 yards), and scoring (36 points, six touchdowns). Center and captain Mike Lucci was the only Tennessee player to receive first-team honors on the 1961 All-SEC football team.

The team played its home games at Shields–Watkins Field in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Statistics

The Volunteers gained an average of 183.2 rushing yards and 62.0 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 159.7 rushing yards and 117.6 passing yards per game.[2]

Tailback Mallon Faircloth completed 31 of 52 passes (59.6%) for 460 yards with eight touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 184.7 quarterback rating. He also led the team in rushing (475 yards), total offense (935 yards), and scoring (36 points, six touchdowns).[2]

The team's leading rushers after Faircloth were Bunny Orr (332 yards, 67 carries), Glenn Glass (261 yards, 59 carries), Jack Nichols (231 yards, 53 carries), and George Canale (146 yards, 42 carries).[2]

The team's leading receivers were Hubert McClain (11 receptions, 149 yards) and Mike Stratton (nine receptions, 142 yards).[2]

Awards and honors

Center Mike Lucci was selected as the team captain.[3] Lucci also won first-team honors from the Associated Press (AP) on the 1961 All-SEC football team and second-team honors from the United Press International (UPI). Tailback Mallon Faircloth was named to the second team by the AP and the third team by the UPI.[4] [5] [6]

Halfback Glenn Glass was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 17th round of the 1962 NFL draft.[7]

Personnel

Players

[8] [9]

Coaches and administrators

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1961 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule and Results. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. October 4, 2024.
  2. Web site: 1961 Tennessee Volunteers Stats. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. October 4, 2024.
  3. 1962 The Volunteer (University of Tennessee yearbook), p. 97.
  4. News: Trammell, Neighbors, Fracchia Picked From Bama To All-SEC. The Evening Independent. December 5, 1961.
  5. News: AP's All-SEC. The Monroe News-Star. December 5, 1961. 8. Newspapers.com. June 8, 2015.
  6. News: UPI All-Southeastern. The Delta Democrat-Times. November 29, 1961. 12. Newspapers.com. June 8, 2015.
  7. Web site: 1962 NFL Draft . Pro-Football-Reference.com . March 8, 2012.
  8. News: Today's Rosters. The Knoxville Journal. September 30, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
  9. 1962 The Volunteer (University of Tennessee yearbook), pp. 98-99.
  10. 1962 The Volunteer, p. 96.

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