The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Al Allison (803 passing yards), halfback/fullback Bill Morris (389 yards), and end Ed Burton (566 receiving yards, 44 points scored).[1] Mario Serafin received first-team all-conference honors as a linebacker and second-team honors as an offensive guard.
The team played its home games at College Field in Chico, California.
The Wildcats tallied 2,672 yards of total offense (267.2 per game), consisting of 1,608 rushing yards (160.8 per game) and 1,064 passing yards (106.4 per game). On defense, they gave up 3,269 yards (326.9 per game) including 2,393 rushing yards (239.3 per game) and 876 passing yards (87.6 per game).[1]
Quarterback Al Allison completed 54 of 139 passes for 803 yards with six touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also led the team with 777 yards of total offense (including negative 26 rushing yards).[1]
The team's leading rushers were halfback/fullback Bill Morris (389 yards, 93 carries, 4.18 yards per carry) and halfback Jess Castillo (365 yards, 69 carries, 5.29 yards per carry).[1]
End Ed Burton led the team in both receiving (40 receptions, 566 yards) nand scoring (44 points on five touchdowns, 11 extra point kicks, and a field goal).[1]
Awards and honors
Mario Serafin was selected as a first-team linebacker on the 1961 All-Far Western Conference football team. He was also selected as a second-team guard on the offensive team. Two others received second team honors: end Ed Burton (offense); and tackle Tom McKerras (defense).[6]
Notes
^This stadium is the predecessor to the current Mackay Stadium, which was opened for the 1966 season.[3]