1961 Butler Bulldogs football team

The 1961 Butler Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Butler University as a member of the Indiana Collegiate Conference (ICC) during the 1961 NCAA College Division football season. In their 21st year under head coach Tony Hinkle, the Bulldogs compiled a perfect 9–0 record (6–0 against ICC opponents), won the ICC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 251 to 65.[1]

1961 Butler Bulldogs football
ICC champion
ConferenceIndiana Collegiate Conference
Record9–0 (6–0 ICC)
Head coach
Home stadiumButler Bowl
1961 Indiana Collegiate Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
Butler $ 6 –0 –09 –0 –0
Valparaiso 5 –1 –07 –2 –0
Evansville 3 –3 –04 –5 –0
DePauw 2 –4 –05 –4 –0
Ball State 2 –4 –02 –5 –1
Indiana State 2 –4 –02 –6 –0
Saint Joseph's (IN) 1 –5 –01 –7 –0
  • $ – Conference champion

Quarterback Phil Long, halfback Larry Shook, and tackle Don Benbow won first-team spots on the 1961 All-ICC football team. Long and Benbow were honored for the second consecutive year.[2] Long also received Butler's most valuable player award at the end of the 1961 season. During Long's three year's on Butler's football team, the team compiled a 26–1 record and won three consecutive ICC championships. Don Benbow won the team's Hilton Brown award for mental attitude and leadership.[3]

Prior to 1959, Butler had not had an undefeated season since 1936. Butler compiled two perfect seasons in three years with both the 1959 and 1961 teams going undefeated and untied. Between October 5, 1957, and October 20, 1962, the Bulldogs won four consecutive ICC championships and lost only two games.

The team played its home games at the Butler Bowl in Indianapolis.

Schedule
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23Bradley*
W 34–236,950[4]
September 30Ball State
  • Butler Bowl
  • Indianapolis, IN
W 48–67,450[5]
October 7at Wabash*Crawfordsville, IN (Iron Key)W 34–72,150[6]
October 14at DePauwGreencastle, IN (Old Gold Day)W 12–65,000[7]
October 21Saint Joseph's (IN)dagger
  • Butler Bowl
  • Indianapolis, IN
W 27–79,000[8]
October 28at Indiana StateTerre Haute, INW 26–01,000–1,100[9]
November 4Valparaiso
  • Butler Bowl
  • Indianapolis, IN (rivalry)
W 14–211,200[10]
November 11at EvansvilleEvansville, INW 30–71,000[11]
November 18Washington University*
  • Butler Bowl
  • Indianapolis, IN
W 26–7[12][13]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[14]

Players
  • Don Benbow, tackle, senior, 6'0", 220 pounds, Muncie, Indiana[2][15][16]
  • John Brown, halfback, junior, 5'7", 160 pounds, Indianapolis[16]
  • Ken Freeman, end,[2] senior, 6'3", 190 pounds[15][16]
  • Larry Goens, guard,[2] senior, 5'7", 210 pounds[15][16]
  • Gary Green, fullback,[2] senior, 6'0", 190 pounds, Wheatfield, Indiana[15][16]
  • Lee Grimm, guard, sophomore, 6'0", 195 pounds, Indianapolis[16]
  • Larry Helms, center,[2] senior, 6'3", 190 pounds[15]
  • Jack Krebs, end, senior, 6'2", 165 pounds, Shelbyville, Indiana[16]
  • Phil Long, quarterback, senior, 6'0", 175 pounds, Indianapolis[2][15][16]
  • Pete Madelaus, fullback, sophomore, 6'0", 175 pounds, Detroit[16]
  • Phil Mercer, halfback, junior, 5'9", 175 pounds, Indianapolis[16]
  • Dave Oberting, quarterback, senior, 6'2", 196 pounds, Indianapolis[16]
  • Mickey Seal, halfback,[2] senior, 6'0", 170 pounds[15][16]
  • Larry Shook, halfback, junior, 6'0", 170 pounds, Richmond, Indiana[2][15][16]
  • Jerry Shultz, tackle, senior, 6'4', 210 pounds, Memphis Tennessee[15][16]

References
  1. "Butler Yearly Results". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  2. "Butler, Valpo Dominate Picks On '61 All-ICC Football Squad". The Terre Haute Tribune. November 24, 1961. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Phil Long Named Butler's Most Valuable". Logansport Pharos-Tribune. November 30, 1961. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Bill Eggert (September 24, 1961). "Butler Runs, Passes Over Bradley: Bulldogs Capture 33d Game in 37 Starts". The Indianapolis Star. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Jep Cadou Jr. (October 1, 1961). "Bulldogs Grab 6 Fumbles, Trample Ball State, 48-6". The Indianapolis Star. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. John Bansch (October 8, 1941). "Butler Drubs Wabash; Blackburn Hospitalized". The Indianapolis Star. pp. IV-1, IV-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Max Stultz (October 15, 1961). "DePauw Scares Butler Before Faltering, 12-6". The Indianapolis Star. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Bob Collins (October 22, 1941). "Butler Gains 27-7 Revenge Before 9,000". The Indianapolis Star. pp. IV-1, IV-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Bill Eggert (October 29, 1961). "Butler Rips Sycamores, 26-0, For 12th In Row". The Indianapolis Star. pp. IV-1, IV-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Max Stultz (November 5, 1961). "Long's Arm, Stout Line Give Butler Title Share". The Indianapolis Star. pp. IV-1, IV-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Don Bernhardt (November 12, 1961). "Butler Shuffles Aces Late, 30-7". Evansville Courier and Press. p. 45 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Bob Collins (November 19, 1961). "Butler Drubs Washington For 2d Unbeaten Season In Three Years". The Indianapolis Star. pp. IV-1, IV-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. Frank Wilson (November 20, 1961). "Butler Celebrates 2d Unbeaten Grid Season". The Indianapolis Star. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  15. "Veteran Butler Gridders Wear 'Can't Miss' Label". The Indianapolis Star. September 3, 1961. p. IV-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Hink and His Bulldogs". The Indianapolis News. September 19, 1961. p. 17.
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