| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Texas Longhorns |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Southwest Conference |
| Short Conf: | SWC |
| Coachrank: | 4 |
| Aprank: | 3 |
| Record: | 10–1 |
| Conf Record: | 6–1 |
| Head Coach: | Darrell Royal |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
| Stadium: | Memorial Stadium |
| Champion: | SWC co-champion Cotton Bowl Classic champion |
| Bowl: | Cotton Bowl Classic |
| Bowl Result: | W 12–7 vs. Ole Miss |
The 1961 Texas Longhorns football team was an American football team that represented the University of Texas (now known as the University of Texas at Austin) as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth year under head coach Darrell Royal, the Longhorns compiled a 10–1 record (6–1 in conference games) and tied with Arkansas for the SWC championship. The Longhorns defeated Arkansas, 33–7, and were ranked No. 1 until they lost, 6–0, to unranked TCU on November 18. At the end of the regular season, the Longhorns were ranked No. 3 in the final AP poll and No. 4 in the final UPI poll. They concluded their season with a victory over No. 5 Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl Classic.[1]
Texas outscored all opponents by a total of 291 to 59. They were ranked fourth nationally in total offense (383.1 yards per game) and seventh nationally in total defense (176.1 yards per game). Consensus All-American Jimmy Saxton led the team with 846 rushing yards (7.9 yards per carry) and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. Tackle Don Talbert also received first-team All-American honors, and Darrell Royal was selected by the Football Writers Association of America as the 1961 "Coach of the Year".
The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Texas ranked fourth nationally in total offense, tallying 3,821 yards in ten regular-season games, an average of 383.1 yards per game. On defense, the Longhorns ranked seventh nationally, giving up 1,761 yards, an average of 176.1 yards per game.[2]
Texas had four of the top ten rushers in the Southwest Conference during the 1961 season. Jimmy Saxton led the conference with 846 yards on 107 carries for an average of 7.9 yards per carry. Jerry Cook ranked second in the conference with 527 yards on 96 carries (5.5-yard average). Tommy Ford ranked seventh with 415 yards on 83 carries (5.0-yard average). Ray Poage ranked ninth with 383 yards on 77 carries (5.1-yard average).[3]
Jimmy Saxton was also the team's total offense leader. Adding 46 passing yards to his 8846 rushing yards, he finished the regular season with 892 yards of total offense.[3]
Quarterback Mike Cotten led the Longhorns in passing, completing 44 of 77 (.574 completion percentage) for 400 yards with two interceptions and seven touchdown passes.[3]
End Bob Moses was the team's leading receiver, tallying 14 catches for 177 yards (12.6 yards per catch) and five touchdowns.[3]
Head coach Darrell Royal was selected by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) as the 1961 "Coach of the Year".[4]
Halfback Jimmy Saxton received numerous honors and awards following the 1961 season, including
Tackle Don Talbert was selected by the FWWA as a first-team All-American.[9]
Six Texas players received first-team honors from the AP or the UPI on the 1961 All-Southwest Conference football team: Saxton (AP-1, UPI-1); Talbert (AP-1, UPI-1); quarterback Mike Cotten (AP-1, UPI-1); end Bob Moses (AP-1, UPI-1); guard Johnny Treadwell (AP-1, UPI-2); and center David Kristynik (UPI-1). Ray Poage received second-team honors from the UPI.[10] [11]
Mike Cotten and Bob Moses were named co-most valubale players of the Cotton Bowl.
The following 37 players received varsity letters for their roles on the 1961 Texas team: