1961 Nevada Wolf Pack football team

American college football season

1961 Nevada Wolf Pack football

Conference| Far Western Conference
Record| 5–4 (2–3 FWC)
Head coach|

* Dick Trachok (3rd season)

Home stadium| Mackay Stadium

Seasons

<- 1960

1962 ->

1961 Far Western Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

|
|
|
|

Team | W |  | L |  | T |  |  | W |  | L |  | T
No. 13/16 Humboldt State \+  | 4  | - | 1  | - | 0 |  |  | 8  | - | 2  | - | 0
San Francisco State \+  | 4  | - | 1  | - | 0 |  |  | 8  | - | 2  | - | 0
UC Davis | 3  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 5  | - | 4  | - | 0
Nevada | 2  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 5  | - | 4  | - | 0
Sacramento State | 2  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 4  | - | 5  | - | 0
Chico State | 0  | - | 5  | - | 0 |  |  | 4  | - | 6  | - | 0

* \+ - Conference co-champions

Rankings from NAIA poll and UPI small college poll

The 1961 Nevada Wolf Pack football team was an American football team that represented the University of Nevada as a member of the Far Western Conference (FWC) during the 1961 college football season. In their third year head under coach Dick Trachok, the Wolf Pack compiled a 5–4 record (2–3 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the FWC, and were outscored by a total of 179 to 153.[1][2]

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jack Renwick (724 rushing yards, 53 points scored), halfback Bobby Herron (444 rushing yards), and end Jim Whitaker (294 receiving yards).[2] Three Nevada players received first-team all-conference honors: end Jim Whitaker; defensive tackle Larry Moss; and linebacker Max Culp.

The team played its home games at Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nevada.

## Schedule

[edit]

Date| Opponent| Site| Result| Attendance| Source

|
|
|
|
|

September 23| at Redlands*|

* Redlands Stadium
* Redlands, CA

| L 0–25| 3,000| [3]
September 30| Portland State*|

* Mackay Stadium
* Reno, NV

| W 41–20| 4,000| [4]
October 7| Chico State|

* Mackay Stadium
* Reno, NV

| W 27–6| 3,350|
October 14| UC Davis|

* Mackay Stadium
* Reno, NV

| L 12–36| 4,500–4,600| [5]
October 21| at San Francisco State|

* Cox Stadium
* San Francisco, CA

| L 0–48| 4,500| [6]
October 28| Cal Poly Pomona*|

* Mackay Stadium
* Reno, NV

| W 28–20| 4,500–4,600| [7]
November 4| at Sacramento State|

* Charles C. Hughes Stadium
* Sacramento, CA

| W 14–8| 6,500|
November 11| at Humboldt State|

* Redwood Bowl
* Arcata, CA

| L 14–16| 7,400–7,500| [8]
November 18| Colorado State–Greeley*|

* Mackay Stadium
* Reno, NV

| W 17–0| 2,250| [9]

* *Non-conference game
* Homecoming

[2]

## Statistics

[edit]

The team tallied 2,055 yards of total offense (228.3 per game) consisting of 1,186 rushing yards (131.8 per game) and 869 passing yards (96.5 per game). On defense, they allowed opponents to gain 2,566 yards (285.1 per game) including 1,233 rushing yards (137.0 per game) and 1,333 passing yards (148.1 per game).[2]

QuarterbackJack Renwick led the team in passing, total offense, and scoring. He completed 52 of 111 passes for 724 yards with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also gained 110 rushing yards to boost his total offense to 834 yards. He scored 53 points on six touchdowns, 14 extra point kicks, and one field goal.[2]

The team's rushing leaders were halfbacks Bobby Herron (444 yards, 96 carries) and Cal Campbell (241 yards, 65 carries). Campbell also ranked second in scoring with 42 yards on seven touchdowns.[2]

The team's receiving leaders were end Jim Whitaker (21 receptions, 294 yards, one touchdown) and halfback Cal Campbell (11 receptions, 130 yards, three touchdowns).[2]

Backup quarterback Bob Alfred handled punting, averaging 39.9 yards on 48 punts. Alfred also completed 13 of 27 passes for 129 yards with three interceptions.[2]

## Awards and honors

[edit]

Three Nevada players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Far Western Conference football team: end Jim Whitaker (first-team offense, second-team defense); defensive tackle Larry Moss; and linebacker Max Culp. Five others received second-team honors: quarterback Jack Renwick; tackle Tony Klenakis; defensive end Gary Busch; and defensive tackle Tom McKerras.[10]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Nevada Football 2018 Media Guide" (PDF). University of Nevada, Reno. 2018. p. 134. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Nevada)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
3. ^ "Chaney guides U.R. to 25-0 win over Nevada". Redlands Daily Facts. September 25, 1961. p. 8 - via Newspapers.com.
4. ^ "Nevada Clubs Portland St. in 41-20 Clash". Nevada State Journal. October 1, 1961. p. 14 - via Newspapers.com.
5. ^ "Amazing Aggies Clobber Nevada 36-12: Carriere, Judd Lead Underdogs to Win; Defensive Play Great". The Sacramento Union. October 15, 1961. p. 3S - via Newspapers.com.
6. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (San Francisco State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
7. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Cal Poly Pomona)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
8. ^ Don Terbush (November 13, 1961). "HSC Wins Another Thriller, Portion Of FWC Crown". Eureka Humboldt Standard. Eureka, California. p. 21. Retrieved April 4, 2018 - via Newspapers.com.
9. ^ Ty Cobb (November 19, 1961). "Nevada Blanks Colorado State; Winds Up Best Year Since '48". Nevada State Journal. p. 16 - via Newspapers.com.
10. ^ "Name Six Humboldt Staters To All-FWC First Team". Humboldt Standard. December 2, 1961. p. 9 - via Newspapers.com.

* v
* t
* e

Nevada Wolf Pack football

Venues|

* Evans Field (1896–1905)
* Mackay Field and Stadium (I) (1915–1965)
* Mackay Stadium (1966–present)

Bowls & rivalries|

* Bowl games
* Boise State
* UNLV (Fremont Cannon)

Culture & lore|

* Alphie and Wolfie Jr.
* KTHX-FM

People|

* Head coaches
* NFL draftees
* Statistical leaders

Seasons|

* 1896
* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
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* 1905
* 1906–1914
* 1915
* 1916
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*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Conf.]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[T]: Ties
*[No.]: Number