The 1961 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team was an American football team that represented the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1961 college football season. In their 17th year under head coach Bobby Dodd, the Yellow Jackets compiled a 7–3 record (4–3 in conference games), tied for fourth place in the SEC, and outscored opponents by a total of 162 to 50. They were ranked 13th in the final AP and UPI polls, and were invited to the 1961 Gator Bowl, where they lost to Penn State.
The team played its home games at Grant Field in Atlanta.
Schedule
2011 Georgia Tech Media Guide . p. 171.
Statistics The team gained an average of 164.9 rushing yards and 91.2 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 105.4 rushing yards and 47.0 passing yards per game.
The passing offense was led by quarterbacks Stan Gann (43-for-79, 450 yards) and Billy Lothridge (26-for-63, 371 yards).
The rushing offense was led by backs Mike McNamee (350 yards, 94 carries, 3.7-yard average), Billy Williamson (331 yards, 63 carries, 5.3-yard average), and Chick Graning (184 yards, 48 carries, 3.8-yard average).
The team's leading receivers were Billy Martin (16 receptions, 233 yards), Billy Williamson (21 receptions, 221 yards), and Joe Auer (10 receptions, 145 yards).
Awards and honors The team selected three captains for the 1961 team: center Willie McGaughey and halfbacks Billy Williamson and Chick Graning.
Guard Dave Watson was selected by both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) as a first-team player on the 1961 All-SEC football team. Others receiving All-SEC honors were halfback Billy Williamson (AP-3, UPI-2) and guards Harold Erickson (AP-2) and Rufus Guthrie (UPI-2).
Personnel Players
Joe Auer, halfback Foy Bentley, guard Mike Biddle, guard Bobby Caldwell, center Mickey Carmack, halfback Joe Chapman, end Ed Chancey, center Doug Cooper, halfback Ted Davis, end Wink Davis, linebacker Bob Dobyns, guard Buddy Elders, end Harold Erickson, guard Bill Farrington, tackle Russ Foret, tackle Stan Gann, quarterback Chick Granning, halfback Ed Griffin, tackle Ronnie Grubbs, guard Rufus Guthrie, guard Raymond Holt, center Vic Laxson, tackle Al Lederle, end Bob Lincoln, tackle Harry Littleton, halfback Billy Lothridge, quarterback Billy Martin, end Jon Martin, fullback John Matlock, guard Willie McGaughey, center Mike McNames, fullback Ray Mendheim, fullback Jack Moss, guard Jimmy Nail, halfback Mike Nicholl, tackle Mike O'Neill, fullback Lee Reid, fullback Frank Sexton, end Bob Sheridan, halfback Zollie Sircy, halfback Bob Solomon, end Larry Stallings, tackle Dave Steadman, tackle George Swanson, guard/tackle Don Toner, corner linebacker/halfback Carlton Waskey, center Dave Watson, guard Ed Weinman, corner linebacker/fullback Billy Williamson, halfback Bill Wilson, tackle Tom Winninger, halfback John Wright, end
1962 Georgia Tech yearbook, pp. 242-243.
Coaches and administrators Head coach: Bobby Dodd Assistant coaches: Jack Griffin, Charlie Tate, Lewis Woodruff, Dick Inman, John Robert Bell, Jimmy Carlen, Art Davis, Jesse Berry, Jim Luck, Spec Landrum, Billy "Dynamite" Goodloe1962 Georgia Tech yearbook, p. 241. Trainer: Henry L. "Buck" Andel Athletic director: Bobby Dodd
References