American college football season
The 1961 California Golden Bears football team was an American football team that represented the University of California, Berkeley in the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU) during the 1961 college football season . In its second year under head coach Marv Levy , the team compiled a 1–8–1 record (1–3 against AAWU opponents), finished in last place in the AAWU, and was outscored by its opponents by a combined total of 268 to 118.[ 1] [ 2]
The team's statistical leaders included Randy Gold with 403 passing yards, Alan Nelson with 331 rushing yards, and Bob Wills with 302 receiving yards.[ 3]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 23 No. 4 Texas * L 3–2841,500 [ 4]
September 30 at No. 1 Iowa * L 7–2856,000
October 7 at Missouri * T 14–1442,000 [ 5]
October 14 Washington California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA W 21–1435,371
October 21 USC California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA L 14–2838,000
October 28 at Penn State * L 16–3330,265 [ 6]
November 4 at UCLA L 15–3533,192
November 11 Air Force * California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA L 14–1538,000 [ 7]
November 18 Kansas * California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA L 7–5330,000
November 25 at Stanford L 7–2079,000
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
[ 8]
1961 California Golden Bears football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
QB
Randy Gold
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
^ "1961 California Golden Bears Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "California 2015 Football Information Guide" (PDF) . CalBears.com . Cal Golden Bears Athletics. p. 164. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "1961 California Golden Bears Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "Bears ripped; Texas halts Cal 28 to 3 in opener" . Oakland Tribune . September 24, 1961. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Missouri Tied by California, 14 to 14: Two-Point Conversion Saves Day for Tigers in Last-Quarter Rally" . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . October 8, 1961. pp. 1F, 6F – via Newspapers.com .
^ Rusty Cowan (October 29, 1961). "Engle's Gambling Racks in Golden Bears, 33 to 16" . The Patriot-News . p. 37 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "AF does it on gamble" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Ass ociated Press. November 12, 1961. p. 2, sports.
^ 2015 Football Information Guide (PDF) . Cal Athletics. 2015. p. 164. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 26, 2016.
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