• Source: 1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team

    • The 1961 Arizona State Sun Devils football team was an American football team that represented Arizona State University as a member of the Border Conference during the 1961 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils compiled a 7–3 record (3–0 in conference games), won the Border Conference championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 287 to 163.
    The team was led by senior quarterback Joe Zuger and senior halfback Nolan Jones. Zuger led the team in passing, total offense, interceptions, and punting. Jones led the team in rushing, scoring, place kicking, and punt returns, andranked second behind Zuger in total offense.
    The team played its home games at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.


    Schedule




    Statistics


    The 1961 Sun Devils gained 3,354 yards of total offense (335.4 yards per game), consisting of 1,999 rushing yards (199.9 yards per game) and 1,355 passing yards (135.5 yards per game). On defense, they gave up 2,785 yards (278.5 yards per game), including 1,678 rushing yards and 1,107 passing yards.
    Senior quarterback Joe Zuger played on offense, defense, and special teams, and led the team in passing, total offense (162 plays, 861 yards), interceptions (11), and punting (42.1-yard average). He completed 67 of 133 passes (50.4%) for 879 yards with eight touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 113.7 quarterback rating.
    Senior halfback Nolan Jones led the team in rushing (85 carries, 411 yards, 4.8-yard average), scoring (77 points), place kicking (18 of 28 on extra points and three for three on field goals), and punt returns (17 for 104 yards). Jones also ranked second behind Zuger in total offense (88 plays, 429 yards).
    The Sun Devils had six players who carried the ball over 40 times and gained over 150 rushing yards. In addition to Jones, they were: John McFalls (387 yards, 66 carries, 5.9-yard average), Charley Taylor (277 yards, 57 carries, 4.9-yard average), Tony Lorick (239 yards, 44 carries, 5.4-yard average), Clay Freney (176 yards, 54 carries, 3.3-yard average), Dornel Nelson (171 yards, 44 carries, 3.9-yard average), and Ossie McCarty (160 yards, 41 carries, 3.9-yard average).
    The team also had six players who tallied over 100 passing yards: Charley Taylor (13 receptions, 235 yards, 18.1-yard average); Roger Locke (14 receptions, 222 yards, 16.5-yard average); Dale Keller (11 receptions, 183 yards, 16.6-yard average); Herman Harrison (14 receptions, 175 yards, 12.5-yard average); Ossie McCarty (eight receptions, 144 yards, 18.0-yard average); and John McFalls (eight receptions, 105 yards, 13.1-yard average).


    Awards and honors


    Seven Arizona State players received first-team honors, based on voting by the conference head coaches, on the 1961 All-Border Conference football team: Roger Locke at end; George Flint and Larry Reaves at tackle; Dick Locke at guard; Fred Rhoades at center; Nolan Jones at halfback; and Clay Freney at fullback. Roger and Dick Locke were brothers, coming to Arizona State from Muskegon, Michigan. Two others were named or the second team: Joe Zuger at quarterback and Dale Keller at end.


    Personnel




    = Players

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    Gallery

































    = Coaches

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    Head coach: Frank Kush
    Assistant coaches: Gene Felker (end coach and scout)


    References

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