The 1961 Davidson Wildcats football team was an American football team that represented Davidson College as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 1961 college football season. In their tenth year under head coach Bill Dole, the Wildcats compiled a 4–4 record (1–4 in conference game), finished in eighth place in the SoCon, and were outscored by a total of 163 to 138.[1]
Quarterback Earl Cole led the team with 759 passing yards and nine touchdown passes.[2]
The Wildcats tallied an average of 157.0 rushing yards and 114.5 passing yards per game. On defense, they gained 149.1 rushing yards and 127.5 passing yards per game.[2]
Quarterback Earl Cole completed 56 of 136 passes (41.2%) for 758 yards with nine touchdowns, five interceptions and a 102.5 quarterback rating. Backup quarterback Ben Coxton completed seven of 16 passes for 119 yards.[2]
The team had five backs with at least 100 rushing yards: Alex Gibbs (259 yards, 58 carries, 4.5-yard average), Jim Fuller (204 yards, 55 carries, 3.7-yard average), Jerry Sheffield (165 yards, 16 carries, 10.3-yard average), Joe Jones (126 yards, 39 carries, 3.2-yard average), and Dave Lopp (116 yards, 21 carries, 5.5-yard average).[2]
The team's passing leaders were Jerry Sheffield (11 receptions, 194 yards), Alex Gibbs (14 receptions, 176 yards), Lou Zirkle (13 receptions, 167 yards), and Booker Clarke (nine receptions, 139 yards).[2]
Awards and honors
End Booker Clark received honorable mention on the 1961 All-Southern Conference football team.[11]
