# 1961 VMI Keydets football team

The 1961 VMI Keydets football team was an American football team that represented the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1961 college football season. In their ninth year head under coach John McKenna, the Keydets compiled a 6–4 record (4–2 in conference games), tied for third place in the SoCon, and outscored opponents by a total of 134 to 105.
The team's statistical leaders included Bobby Mitchell (949 passing yards), Stinson Jones (256 rushing yards, 30 points scored), and Ken Reeder (26 receptions, 323 receiving yards).
The team played its one home game at Alumni Field in Lexington, Virginia.

## Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 16 | at Marshall* | Fairfield StadiumHuntington, WV | W 33–6 | 8,000 |
| September 23 | at Villanova* | Villanova StadiumVillanova, PA | L 0–22 | 12,000 |
| September 29 | at Richmond | City StadiumRichmond, VA | W 8–6 | 12,000 |
| October 7 | at George Washington | District of Columbia StadiumWashington, DC | L 6–30 | 20,340 |
| October 14 | vs. Virginia* | Foreman FieldNorfolk, VA | L 7–14 | 8,500 |
| October 21 | at Davidson | Richardson StadiumDavidson, NC | W 13–0 | |
| October 28 | at William & Mary | Cary FieldWilliamsburg, VA (rivalry) | W 14–7 | |
| November 4 | The Citadel | Alumni FieldLexington, VA (rivalry) | L 8–14 | 9,000 |
| November 11 | at Buffalo* | Rotary FieldBuffalo, NY | W 39–6 | 6,093–6,300 |
| November 23 | vs. Virginia Tech | Victory StadiumRoanoke, VA (rivalry) | W 6–0 | 20,000 |
| *Non-conference game ||||||

## Statistics

The Keydets gained an average of 113.4 rushing yards and 109.0 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 153.4 rushing yards and 93.4 passing yards per game.
Quarterback Bobby Mitchell led the passing offense, completing 69 of 162 passes (42.6%) for 949 yards with six touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 91.7 quarterback rating. Butch Nunnally added 106 passing yards, completing nine of 32 passes (28.1%) with one touchdown, three interceptions, and a 47.5 quarterback rating.
Halfback Stinston Jones led the team with 256 rushing yards on 60 carries for a 4.3-yard average. Jones also ranked second on the team with 18 receptions for 305 yards. He also led the team in scoring with 30 points on five touchdowns
Halfback Ken Reeder led the team in receiving with 26 catches for 323 receiving yards.
Other significant contributors included John Traynham (197 yards, 41 receiving yards), Pat Morrison (158 rushing yards, 37 yards), and Butch Armistead (95 rushing yards).

## Awards and honors

Three VMI players received second-team honors on the 1961 All-Southern Conference football team: tackle Bill Hoehl; guard Gil Monor; and halfback Stinson Jones.

## Players

* Charlie Cole, center, 175 pounds
* J.R. Dunkley, end, 190 pounds
* Bill Hoehl, tackle, 205 pounds
* Stinson Jones, halfback, 185 pounds
* Bobby Mitchell, quarterback, 194 pounds
* Ken Reeder, halfback
* Fred Shirley, guard, 205 pounds
* Jim Shumaker, guard, 205 pounds
* John Traynham, halfback, 185 pounds
* Bill Welsh, tackle, 191 pounds
* Dick Willard, end, 197 pounds
* DeWitt Worrell, fullback, 180 pounds