1961 Wisconsin State College Conference football season

The 1961 Wisconsin State College Conference football season was the season of college football played by the ten (10) member schools of the Wisconsin State College Conference (WSCC) as part of the 1961 college football season. Stevens Point, led by head coach Duaine Counsell, compiled an 8–1 record (7–1 against WSCC opponents) and won the WSCC championship.^[1][2]

1961 Wisconsin State College Conference football season
Sport	Football
Number of teams	10
Champion	Stevens Point State

1961 Wisconsin State College Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Stevens Point State $	7	–	1	–	0			8	–	1	–	0
La Crosse State	5	–	1	–	0			5	–	3	–	0
River Falls State	4	–	2	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Whitewater State	3	–	3	–	0			6	–	3	–	0
Superior State	2	–	3	–	1			3	–	4	–	2
Stout State	2	–	3	–	1			3	–	4	–	1
Eau Claire State	3	–	5	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
Oshkosh State	2	–	4	–	0			2	–	4	–	0
Milwaukee	2	–	4	–	0			2	–	6	–	0
Platteville State	1	–	5	–	0			1	–	6	–	0
$ – Conference champion

Teams

Stevens Point State

1961 Stevens Point Pointers football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	8–1 (7–1 WSCC)
Head coach	Duaine Counsell (5th season)
Home stadium	Goerke Field
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 Stevens Point Pointers football team represented Central State College at Stevens Point (now known as University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point) in the Wisconsin State College Conference (WSCC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth year under head coach Duaine Counsell, the Pointers compiled an 8–1 record (7–1 against WSCC opponents) and won the WSCC championship.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 9	at Eau Claire State	Carson Park Eau Claire, WI	W 38–13		[3]
September 16	Lakeland*	Goerke Field Stevens Point, WI	W 39–0		[4]
September 23	at Oshkosh State	Oshkosh, WI	W 33–6		[5]
October 2	Whitewater State	Goerke Field Stevens Point, WI	W 20–3	> 3,000	[6]
October 7	Stout State	Goerke Field Stevens Point, WI	W 14–7		[7]
October 14	Wisconsin-Milwaukee	Goerke Field Stevens Point, WI	W 27–0		[8]
October 21	at Platteville State	Platteville, WI	W 27–0
October 28	at River Falls State	River Falls, WI	W 26–0
November 4	at La Crosse State	Memorial Field La Crosse, WI	L 14–22	3,000	[9]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

La Crosse State

1961 La Crosse State Indians football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	5–3 (5–1 WSCC)
Head coach	Bill Vickroy (11th season)
Home stadium	Memorial Field
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 La Crosse State Indians football team represented Wisconsin State College–La Crosse (now known as University of Wisconsin–La Crosse) of La Crosse, Wisconsin. In their tenth year under head coach Bill Vickroy, the Eagles compiled a 5–3 record (5–1 against WSCC opponents) and finished in second place in the WSCC.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	at St. Norbert*	West De Pere, WI	L 3–14	2,800	[10]
September 23	at Stout State	Menomonie, WI	W 3–0		[11]
September 30	Oshkosh		Cancelled		[12]
October 7	at Whitewater State	Whitewater, WI	W 21–13		[13]
October 14	River Falls State	Memorial Field La Crosse, WI	W 33–7		[14]
October 21	at Eau Claire State	Eau Claire, WI	L 13–20		[15]
October 28	Superior State	Memorial Field La Crosse, WI	W 40–13		[16]
November 4	Stevens Point	Memorial Field La Crosse, WI	W 22–14	3,000	[9]
November 11	at Southern Illinois*	McAndrew Stadium Carbondale, IL	L 13–47	8,000	[17]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

^[18]

River Falls State

1961 River Falls State Falcons football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	5–4 (4–1 WSCC)
Head coach	Fran Polsfoot (5th season)
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 River Falls State Falcons football team represented River Falls State College (now known as University of Wisconsin–River Falls) in the Wisconsin State College Conference (WSCC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Fran Polsfoot, the Falcons compiled a 5–4 record (4–1 against WSCC opponents) and finished third in the WSCC.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 9	Augsburg*	River Falls, WI	L 7–19		[19]
September 16	Northland*	River Falls, WI	W 19–6
September 22	at Superior State	Superior, WI	W 6–0
September 30	Eau Claire State	River Falls, WI	W 7–6
October 7	at Oshkosh State	Oshkosh, WI	W 12–6
October 14	at La Crosse State	Memorial Field La Crosse, WI	L 7–33
October 21	Stout State	River Falls, WI	W 19–6
October 28	Stevens Point	River Falls, WI	L 0–26
November 4	at Winona State*	Winona, MN	L 7–31
*Non-conference game

^[20]

Whitewater State

1961 Whitewater State Warhawks football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	6–3 (3–3 WSCC)
Head coach	Forrest Perkins (16th season)
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 Whitewater State Warhawks football team represented Whitewater State College (now known as University of Wisconsin–Whitewater) in the Wisconsin State College Conference (WSCC) during the 1961 college football season. In their sixth year under head coach Forrest Perkins, the Quakers compiled a 6–3 record (3–3 against WSCC opponents) and finished in fourth place in the WSCC.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	Carroll (WI)*	Whitewater, WI	W 28–6		[21]
September 23	Platteville State	Whitewater, WI	W 38–0
October 2	at Stevens Point State	Goerke Field Stevens Point, WI	L 3–20	> 3,000	[6]
October 7	La Crosse State	Whitewater, WI	L 13–21		[13]
October 14	at Oshkosh State	Oshkosh, WI	W 12–0
October 21	at Superior State	Superior, WI	L 0–31
October 28	Wisconsin-Milwaukee	Whitewater, WI	W 28–0
November 4	St. Norbert*	Whitewater, WI	W 12–7		[22]
November 11	at Arkansas State*	Kays Stadium Jonesboro, AR	W 8–7		[23]
*Non-conference game

Superior State

1961 Superior State Yellowjackets football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	3–4–2 (2–3–1 WSCC)
Head coach	Mertz Mortorelli (8th season)
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 Superior State Yellowjackets football team represented Superior State College (now known as University of Wisconsin–Superior) in the Wisconsin State College Conference (WSCC) during the 1961 college football season. In their eighth year under head coach Mertz Mortorelli, the Yellowjackets compiled a 3–4–2 record (2–3–1 against WSCC opponents) and finished in a tie for fifth place in the WSCC.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 9	at Minnesota–Duluth*	Duluth, MN	L 6–43	3,901	[24]
September 16	Michigan Tech*	Superior, WI	T 0–0	1,500	[25][26]
September 22	River Falls State	Superior, WI	L 0–6
	Stout State		T 0–0
October 7	at Milwaukee	Milwaukee, WI	W 14–0
October 14	at Eau Claire State	Eau Claire, WI	L 14–34
October 21	Whitewater State	Superior, WI	W 31–0
October 28	at La Crosse State	Memorial Field La Crosse, WI	L 13–40		[16]
	Bemidji State*		W 13–9
*Non-conference game

Stout State

1961 Stout State Blue Devils football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	3–4–1 (2–3–1 WSCC)
Head coach	Bob Bostwick (4th season)
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 Stout State Blue Devils football team represented Stout State College (now known as University of Wisconsin–Stout) in the Wisconsin State College Conference (WSCC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fourth year under head coach Bob Bostwick, the Blue Devils compiled a 3–4–1 record (2–3–1 against WSCC opponents) and finished in a tie for fifth place in the WSCC.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
	Winona State*		L 0–12
	St. Cloud State*		W 19–6
September 23	La Crosse State	Menomonie, WI	L 0–3		[11]
	Superior State		T 0–0
	Central State*		L 7–14
October 14	Platteville	Menomonie, WI	W 19–14
October 21	at River Falls	River Falls, WI	L 6–19
October 28	Eau Claire State	Menomonie, WI	W 18–6
*Non-conference game

Eau Claire State

1961 Eau Claire State Blugolds football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	4–5 (3–5 WSCC)
Head coach	James J. Rice (5th season)
Home stadium	Carson Park
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 Eau Claire State Blugolds football team represented Eau Claire State College (now known as University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire) in the Wisconsin State College Conference (WSCC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth year under head coach James J. Rice, the Blugolds compiled a 4–5 record (3–5 against WSCC opponents) and placed seventh in the WSCC.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 9	Stevens Point	Carson Park Eau Claire, WI	L 13–38		[3]
September 16	Winona State*	Eau Claire, WI	W 6–0
September 23	Wisconsin-Milwaukee	Carson Park Eau Claire, WI	W 26–6
September 30	at River Falls	River Falls, WI	L 6–7
October 7	Platteville State	Platteville, WI	L 0–6
October 14	Superior State	Eau Claire, WI	W 34–14
October 21	La Crosse State	Eau Claire, WI	W 20–13		[15]
October 28	at Stout State	Menomonie, WI	L 6–18
November 4	at Oshkosh State	Oshkosh, WI	L 0–13
*Non-conference game

Oshkosh State

1961 Oshkosh State Titans football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	2–4 (2–4 WSCC)
Head coach	Robert Kolf (30th season)
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 Oshkosh State Titans football team represented Wisconsin State College–Oshkosh (now known as University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In their 30th year under head coach Robert Kolf, the Eagles compiled a 2–4 record (2–4 against WSCC opponents) and tied for eighth place in second place in the WSCC.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 23	Stevens Point State	Oshkosh, WI	L 6–33		[5]
October 7	River Falls State	Oshkosh, WI	L 6–12
October 14	Whitewater State	Oshkosh, WI	L 0–12
October 21	at Wisconsin-Milwaukee	Milwaukee, WI	L 12–27
October 28	at Platteville State	Platteville, WI	W 19–14
November 4	Eau Claire State	Oshkosh, WI	W 13–0

^[27]

Milwaukee

1961 Milwaukee Cardinals football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	2–6 (2–4 WSCC)
Head coach	Wally Dreyer (2nd season)
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 Milwaukee Cardinals football team represented Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee (now known as University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee) in the Wisconsin State College Conference (WSCC) during the 1961 college football season. In their second year under head coach Wally Dreyer, the Green Gulls compiled a 2–6 record (2–4 against WSCC opponents) and tied for seventh place in the WSCC.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	at Ferris Institute*	Big Rapids, MI	L 6–32		[28]
September 23	at Eau Claire State	Carson State Eau Claire, WI	L 6–26
September 30	Platteville State	Milwaukee, WI	W 6–0
October 7	Superior State	Milwaukee, WI	L 0–14
October 14	at Stevens Point	Goerke Field Stevens Point, WI	L 0–27		[8]
October 21	Oshkosh State	Milwaukee, WI	W 27–17
October 28	at Whitewater State	Whitewater, WI	L 0–28
November 4	Bradley*	Milwaukee, WI	L 0–33		[29]
*Non-conference game

Platteville State

1961 Platteville State Pioneers football
Conference	Wisconsin State College Conference
Record	1–7 (1–5 WSCC)
Head coach	Lester Leitl (16th season)
Seasons ← 1960 1962 →

The 1961 Platteville State Pioneers football team represented Wisconsin State College–Platteville (now known as University of Wisconsin–Platteville) of Platteville, Wisconsin. In their 16th year under head coach Lester Leitl, the Pioneers compiled a 1–7 record (1–6 against WSCC opponents) and finished in last place in second place in the WSCC.

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	St. Thomas (MN)*	Saint Paul, MN	L 0–20
September 23	at Whitewater State	Whitewater, WI	L 0–38
September 30	at Wisconsin-Milwaukee	Milwaukee, WI	L 0–6
October 7	Eau Claire State	Platteville, WI	W 6–0
October 14	Stout State	Menomonie, WI	L 14–19
October 21	Stevens Point State	Platteville, WI	L 0–27
October 28	Oshkosh State	Platteville, WI	L 14–19
November 4	Mankato State*	Platteville, WI	L 12–13
*Non-conference game

^[20]

References

1. "Indians Ruin CSC Unbeaten Bid". Stevens Point Daily Journal. Stevens Point, Wisconsin. November 6, 1961. p. 10. Retrieved February 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
2. "WIAC Football All-Time Standings" (PDF). Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. p. 5. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
3. "CSC Impressive In 38-13 Win Over Eau Claire '11". Stevens Point Daily Journal. September 11, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Pointers Rout Lakeland '11', 39-0". Stevens Point Daily Journal. September 18, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Pointers Rip Titans, 33-6 For Third Straight Win". Stevens Point Daily Journal. September 25, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Pointers End Long Whitewater Win Streak With 20-3 Victory". The Stevens Point Journal. October 3, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Late CSC Rally Beats Stout, 14-7". Stevens Point Journal. October 9, 1961. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Pointers Trounce UW-M, 27-0, For 6th Straight SCC Victory". Stevens Point Daily Journal. October 16, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Ken Blanchard (November 5, 1961). "La Crosse Rocks Inspired Point 22-14: LSC Scores Three Times With Passes". La Crosse Tribune. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "St. Norbert Defeats La Crosse 14-3". The La Crosse Tribune. September 17, 1961. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "LSC Tops Stout On Harris' Field Goal". The La Crosse Tribune. September 24, 1961. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Kopf Rejects LSC Bid To Play Game". La Crosse Tribune. October 3, 1961. p. 8.
13. "La Crosse Pulls Upset Over Whitewater 21-13". The La Crosse Tribune. October 8, 1961. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "LSC Explodes, Whips River Falls 33-7: Andy Fenderson Scores 3 Times". The La Crosse Tribune. October 15, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Eau Claire Upsets Favorted La Crosse State 20-13". The La Crosse Tribune. October 22, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "La Crosse Trims Superior 40-13". The La Crosse Tribune. October 29, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Southern Illinois Rips La Crosse 47-13". La Crosse Tribune. November 12, 1961. p. 14. Retrieved January 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
18. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 152.
19. "Augsburg Beats River Falls, 19-7". Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. September 10, 1961. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
20. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 156.
21. "Whitewater State Cops Opener, 28-6". Wisconsin State Journal. September 17, 1961. p. 4 (section 3) – via Newspapers.com.
22. "St. Norbert Fumbles Season's Finale to Whitewater 12 to 7". Green Bay Press-Gazette. November 5, 1961. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Whitewater defeats Arkansas State 8–7". The La Crosse Tribune. November 12, 1961. Retrieved October 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Minnesota–Duluth)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
25. "Game summary". Leader-Telegram. September 17, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
26. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Michigan Tech)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
27. Official Collegiate Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 1962. p. 155.
28. "Ivan Ranger Stars In Ferris Grid Win". Battle Creek Enquirer. September 17, 1961. p. IV-2 – via Newspapers.com.
29. "Bradley Wins in a Romp at Milwaukee". Chicago Tribune. November 5, 1961. p. II-8 – via Newspapers.com.