# 1961 Ohio Athletic Conference football season

The 1961 Ohio Athletic Conference football season was the season of college football played by the 14 member schools of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), commonly referred to as the "Ohio Conference", as part of the 1961 college football season.
The 1961 Wittenberg Tigers football team, in their seventh season under head coach Bill Edwards, won the OAC championship with an 8–1 record (6–0 against OAC opponents). The team ranked fourth among small college teams with an average of 400.9 yards per game of total offense. The Tigers also ranked fifth nationally in total defense, allowing an average of only 118.3 yards per game.
The 1961 Akron Zips football team, led by second-year head coach Bob Winterburn, finished in second place with a 6–2 record (6–1 against OAC opponents). Quarterback Joe Mackey led the team with 978 yards of total offense, and fullback George Deo led the team with 860 rushing yards.

## Teams
### Wittenberg

The 1961 Wittenberg Tigers football team compiled an 8–1 record (6–0 against OAC opponents) and won the OAC championship.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | Akron | Wittenberg StadiumSpringfield, OH | W 7–0 | 5,100 |
| September 30 | at Alma* | Alma, MI | W 43–0 | |
| October 7 | at Heidelberg | Tiffin, OH | W 28–6 | 3,500 |
| October 14 | Marietta | Wittenberg StadiumSpringfield, OH | W 52–0 | |
| October 21 | at Capital | Columbus, OH | W 36–0 | |
| October 28 | Lenoir Rhyne* | Wittenberg StadiumSpringield, OH | L 14–34 | |
| November 4 | Denison | Wittenberg StadiumSpringfield, OH | W 26–0 | |
| November 11 | at Ohio Wesleyan | Delaware, OH | W 41–7 | |
| November 18 | Wayne State* | Wittenberg StadiumSpringfield, OH | W 77–0 | |
| *Non-conference gameHomecoming ||||||

### Akron

The 1961 Akron Zips football team compiled a 6–2 record (6–1 against OAC opponents) and finished in second place in the OAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | at Wittenberg | Wittenberg StadiumSpringfield, OH | L 0–7 | 5,100 |
| September 30 | Denison | Rubber BowlAkron, OH | W 28–0 | 35,061 |
| October 7 | vs. Ohio Wesleyan | Barberton StadiumBarberton, OH | W 32–21 | 4,500 |
| October 14 | at Heidelberg | Tiffin, OH | W 12–0 | 4,000 |
| October 21 | at Wooster | Wooster, OH | W 31–8 | 4,700 |
| October 28 | vs. No. 3 Baldwin–Wallace* | Clifford StadiumCuyahoga Falls, OH | L 0–7 | 6,531 |
| November 4 | Muskingum | Rubber BowlAkron, OH | W 35–14 | 6,511 |
| November 18 | at Mount Union | Mount Union StadiumAlliance, OH | W 47–0 | 3,500 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Otterbein

The 1961 Otterbein Cardinals football team compiled an 8–1 record (5–1 against OAC opponents) and finished in a tie for third place in the OAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | Findlay* | Westerville, OH | W 20–6 | |
| September 30 | at Heidelberg | Tiffin, OH | W 14–7 | 3,200 |
| October 7 | at Kenyon | Gambier, OH | W 35–0 | |
| October 14 | Oberlin | Westerville, OH | W 28–7 | 4,000 |
| October 21 | at Hiram | Hiram, OH | W 31–7 | |
| October 28 | Marietta | Westerville, OH | W 10–8 | |
| November 4 | Ashland* | Westerville, OH | W 15–13 | |
| November 11 | Capital | Westerville, OH | L 17–23 | |
| November 18 | at Centre* | Danville, KY | W 50–14 | |
| *Non-conference game ||||||

### Muskingum

The 1961 Muskingum Fighting Muskies football team compiled a 7–2 record (5–1 against OAC opponents) and finished ina tie for third place in the OAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | at Marietta | Marietta, OH | W 14–0 | |
| September 30 | at Baldwin-Wallace* | Berea, OH | L 6–35 | |
| October 7 | Denison | New Concord, OH | W 13–7 | |
| October 14 | Mount Union | New Concord, OH | W 36–0 | |
| October 21 | Heidelberg | McConagha StadiumNew Concord, OH | W 23–0 | 3,200 |
| October 28 | at West Chester* | West Chester, PA | W 19–16 | |
| November 4 | at Akron | Rubber BowlAkron, OH | L 14–35 | 6,511 |
| November 11 | at Wooster | Wooster, OH | W 6–0 | |
| November 18 | Findlay* | New Concord, OH | W 32–0 | |
| *Non-conference gameHomecoming ||||||

### Capital

The 1961 Capital Crusaders football team compiled a 5–2–1 record ( 5–2–1 against OAC opponents) and finished in fifth place in the OAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | Heidelberg | Columbus, OH | T 0–0 | 2,500 |
| September 30 | at Ohio Wesleyan | Delaware, OH | L 21–27 | |
| October 7 | at Hiram | Hiram, OH | W 40–0 | |
| October 14 | Kenyon | Columbus, OH | W 28–0 | |
| October 21 | Wittenberg | Columbus, OH | L 0–36 | |
| October 28 | Wooster | Columbus, OH | W 10–8 | |
| November 4 | at Marietta | Marietta, OH | W 15–6 | |
| November 11 | at Otterbein | Westerville, OH | W 23–17 | |

### Wooster

The 1961 Wooster Fighting Scots football team compiled a 6–3 record (5–3 against OAC opponents) and finished in sixth place in the OAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | at Ashland* | Redwood StadiumAshland, OH | W 28–6 | |
| September 30 | Kenyon | Wooster, OH | W 41–0 | |
| October 7 | at Mount Union | Alliance, OH | W 16–6 | 1,500 |
| October 14 | at Denison | Deeds FieldGranville, OH | W 3–0 | 2,368 |
| October 21 | Akron | Wooster, OH | L 8–31 | |
| October 28 | at Capital | Columbus, OH | L 8–10 | |
| November 4 | Ohio Wesleyan | Wooster, OH | W 22–9 | |
| November 11 | Muskingum | Wooster, OH | L 0–6 | |
| November 18 | at Oberlin | Oberlin, OH | W 22–7 | |
| *Non-conference game ||||||

### Ohio Wesleyan

The 1961 Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops football team compiled a 6–3 record (4–3 against OAC opponents) and finished in seventh place in the OAC.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | Kalamazoo* | Delaware, OH | W 32–6 | |
| September 30 | Capital | Delaware, OH | W 27–21 | |
| October 7 | vs. Akron | Barberton StadiumBarberton, OH | L 21–32 | 4,500 |
| October 14 | Hiram | Delaware, OH | W 29–0 | |
| October 21 | at Oberlin | Oberlin, OH | W 20–10 | |
| October 28 | Wabash* | Delaware, OH | W 13–7 | |
| November 4 | at Wooster | Wooster, OH | L 9–22 | |
| November 11 | Wittenberg | Delaware, OH | L 7–41 | |
| November 18 | at Denison | Granville, OH | W 8–0 | |
| *Non-conference game ||||||

### Kenyon

The 1961 Kenyon Lords football team represented Kenyon College of Gambier, Ohio. In their first year under head coach Arthur Lave, the Lords compiled a 3–4–1 record (2–4–1 against OAC opponents), finished in a three-way tie for eighth place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 204 to 137.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
| September 23 | Wilmington* | Gambier, OH | W 26–0 |
| September 30 | at Wooster | Wooster, OH | L 0–41 |
| October 7 | Otterbein | Gambier, OH | L 0–35 |
| October 14 | at Capital | Columbus, OH | W 0–28 |
| October 21 | Marietta | Gambier, OH | T 41–41 |
| October 28 | at Oberlin | Oberlin, OH | W 28–13 |
| November 4 | at Mount Union | Alliance, OH | L 18–32 |
| November 11 | Hiram | Gambier, OH | W 24–14 |
| *Non-conference game ||||||

### Mount Union

The 1961 Mount Union Purple Raiders football team represented the University of Mount Union of Alliance, Ohio. In their sixth and final season under head coach Duke Barret, the Purple Raiders compiled a 3–6 record (2–5 against OAC opponents), finished in ninth place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 208 to 121.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | West Virginia Wesleyan* | Alliance, OH | L 6–29 | |
| September 30 | at Marietta | Marietta, OH | W 12–7 | |
| October 7 | Wooster | Alliance, OH | L 6–16 | 1,500 |
| October 14 | at Muskingum | New Concord, OH | L 0–36 | |
| October 21 | Denison | Alliance, OH | L 20–21 | |
| October 28 | at Hiram | Hiram, OH | L 20–21 | |
| November 4 | Kenyon | Alliance, OH | W 32–18 | |
| November 11 | at Ashland* | Redwood StadiumAshland, OH | W 25–13 | |
| November 18 | Akron | Alliance, OH | L 0–47 | |
| *Non-conference game ||||||

### Denison

The 1961 Denison Big Red football team represented Denison University of Granville, Ohio. In their eighth year under head coach Keith W. Piper, the Big Red compiled a 3–6 record (2–5 against OAC opponents), finished in tenth place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 149 to 105.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | Centre | Granville, OH | W 35–6 | |
| September 30 | at Akron | Akron, OH | L 0–28 | |
| October 7 | at Muskingum | Deeds FieldNew Concord, OH | L 7–13 | |
| October 14 | Wooster | Granville, OH | L 0–3 | 2,368 |
| October 21 | Mount Union | Alliance, OH | W 21–20 | |
| October 28 | Heidelberg | Granville, OH | L 7–35 | 3,000 |
| November 4 | at Wittenberg | Springfield, OH | L 0–26 | |
| November 11 | Oberlin | Granville, OH | W 35–10 | |
| November 18 | Ohio Wesleyan | Granville, OH | L 0–8 | |
| Homecoming ||||||

### Heidelberg

The 1961 Heidelberg Student Princes football team represented Heidelberg College of Tiffin, Ohio. In their second and final year under head coach Bob Winterburn, the Student Princes compiled a 1–7–1 record (1–4–1 against OAC opponents), finished in eleventh place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 159 to 68.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | at Capital | Columbus, OH | T 0–0 | 2,500 |
| September 30 | Otterbein | Tiffin, OH | L 7–14 | 3,200 |
| October 7 | Wittenberg | Tiffin, OH | L 6–28 | 2,500–3,500 |
| October 14 | Akron | Tiffin, OH | L 0–12 | 3,900 |
| October 21 | at Muskingum | New Concord, OH | L 0–23 | 3,200 |
| October 28 | at Denison | Granville, OH | W 35–7 | 3,600 |
| November 4 | at No. 2 Baldwin-Wallace* | Berea, OH | L 7–33 | 8,300 |
| November 11 | Wabash* | Tiffin, OH | L 6–21 | 2,500 |
| November 18 | at Hillsdale* | Hillsdale, MI | L 7–21 | |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game ||||||

### Hiram

The 1961 Hiram Terriers football team represented the Hiram College of Hiram, Ohio. In their third and final year under head coach Mike Koval, the Terriers compiled a 1–7 record (1–5 against OAC opponents), tied for twelfth place in the OAC, and were outscored opponents by a total of 229 to 71.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 30 | at Oberlin | Oberlin, OH | L 15–35 | 2,000 |
| October 7 | Capital | Hiram, OH | L 0–40 | |
| October 14 | at Ohio Wesleyan | Delaware, OH | L 0–29 | |
| October 21 | Otterbein | Hiram, OH | L 7–31 | |
| October 28 | Mount Union | Hiram, OH | W 21–20 | |
| November 4 | at Kalamazoo* | Kalamazoo, MI | L 6–28 | |
| November 11 | at Kenyon | Gambier, OH | L 14–28 | |
| November 18 | Grove City* | Hiram, OH | L 8–22 | |
| *Non-conference game ||||||

### Oberlin

The 1961 Oberlin Yeomen football team represented Oberlin College of Oberlin, Ohio. In their fourth season under head coach J. William Grice, the Yeomen compiled a 2–5–1 record (1–5 against OAC opponents).
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 30 | Hiram | Oberlin, OH | W 35–15 | 2,000 |
| October 7 | Carnegie Tech* | Oberlin, OH | W 26–7 | |
| October 14 | at Otterbein | Westerville, OH | L 7–28 | 4,000 |
| October 21 | Ohio Wesleyan | Oberlin, OH | L 10–20 | |
| October 28 | Kenyon | Oberlin, OH | L 13–28 | |
| November 4 | at Susquehanna* | University FieldSelinsgrove, PA | T 7–7 | 3,000 |
| November 11 | at Denison | Granville, OH | L 10–35 | |
| November 18 | at Wooster | Wooster, OH | L 7–22 | |
| *Non-conference game ||||||

### Marietta

The 1961 Marietta Pioneers football team represented the Marietta College of Marietta, Ohio. In their fifth year under head coach Kenneth A. Mead, the Pioneers compiled a 0–8–1 record (0–5–1 against OAC opponents), finished in last place in the OAC, and were outscored by a total of 223 to 101.
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | Muskingum | Marietta, OH | L 0–14 | |
| September 30 | Mount Union | Marietta, OH | L 7–12 | |
| October 7 | West Liberty State* | Marietta, OH | L 12–21 | |
| October 14 | at Wittenberg | Springield, OH | L 0–52 | |
| October 21 | at Kenyon | Gambier, OH | T 41–41 | |
| October 28 | at Otterbein | Westerville, OH | L 8–10 | |
| November 4 | Capital | Marietta, OH | L 6–15 | |
| November 11 | at Waynesburg* | Waynesburg, PA | L 7–32 | |
| November 18 | at Geneva* | Beaver Falls, PA | L 20–26 | 5,000 |
| *Non-conference game ||||||