1961 Minnesota Vikings season

1961 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coach Norm Van Brocklin
General manager Bert Rose
Home field Metropolitan Stadium
Results
Record 3–11–0
Division place 7th NFL Western
Playoff finish did not qualify

The 1961 Minnesota Vikings season was the first year of season play for the expansion franchise and the 42nd regular season of the National Football League. The Vikings finished with a record of three wins and eleven losses under head coach Norm Van Brocklin. The team's first ever regular season game was a victory against divisional rivals the Chicago Bears, 37–13. In that game, rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton came off the bench to toss 4 touchdown passes and ran for another.

The Vikings' defense surrendered 5.41 rushing yards-per-attempt in 1961, the fifth-most of all time.[1]

Offseason

Although the NFL had no interest in expanding, after Max Winter and Bill Boyer agreed to start an American Football League franchise in Minnesota, the NFL approached them to change leagues. After they accepted to join the NFL for the 1961 season, the Minnesota group joined Ole Haugsrud in the new team's ownership group, with Haugsrud dubbing the team the Minnesota Vikings.[2]

1961 Draft

Main article: 1961 NFL draft
=Pro Bowler = Hall of Famer
1961 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order Player name Position College
Round Choice Overall
1 1 1 Tommy Mason Running Back Tulane
2 1 15 Rip Hawkins Linebacker North Carolina
3 1 29 Fran Tarkenton Quarterback Georgia
4 1 43 Chuck Lamson Safety Wyoming
5 1 57 Ed Sharockman Cornerback Pittsburgh
6 1 71 Jerry Burch End Georgia Tech
7 1 85 Allan Ferrie End Wagner
8 1 99 Paul Lindquist Defensive Tackle New Hampshire
9 1 113 Dan Sheehan Offensive Tackle Tennessee-Chattanooga
10 1 127 Doug Mayberry Fullback Utah State
11 1 141 Jerry Mays Defensive Tackle Southern Methodist
12 1 155 Steve Stonebreaker Linebacker Detroit
13 1 169 Ray Hayes Fullback Central State
14 1 183 Ken Petersen Offensive lineman Utah
15 1 197 Mike Mercer Kicker Arizona State
16 1 211 Ted Karpowicz Running Back Detroit
17 1 225 Willie Jones Fullback Purdue
18 1 239 Bob Voigt Offensive Tackle Cal State-Los Angeles
19 1 253 Bill Hill Fullback Presbyterian
20 1 267 Mike McFarland Quarterback Western Illinois

1961 Expansion Draft

Main article: 1961 NFL expansion draft
Player name Position College Acquired from
Grady Alderman Guard Detroit Mercy Detroit Lions
Tom Barnett Running Back Purdue Pittsburgh Steelers
Byron Beams Offensive Tackle
Defensive Tackle		 Notre Dame Pittsburgh Steelers
Ken Beck Defensive Tackle Texas A&M Green Bay Packers
Bill Bishop Defensive Tackle North Texas State Chicago Bears
Don Boll Offensive Tackle Nebraska New York Giants
Ed Culpepper Defensive Tackle Alabama St. Louis Cardinals
Don Ellersick Defensive Back Washington State Los Angeles Rams
Dick Haley Defensive Back Pittsburgh Washington Redskins
Gerry Huth Guard Wake Forest Philadelphia Eagles
Charlie Janerette Guard Penn State Los Angeles Rams
Gene Johnson Defensive Back Cincinnati Philadelphia Eagles
Don Joyce Defensive End Tulane Baltimore Colts
Bill Kimber End Florida State New York Giants
Bill Lapham Center Iowa Philadelphia Eagles
Hugh McElhenny Running Back Washington San Francisco 49ers
Dave Middleton End Auburn Detroit Lions
Jack Morris Defensive Back Oregon Pittsburgh Steelers
Rich Mostardi Defensive Back Kent State Cleveland Browns
Fred Murphy End Georgia Tech Cleveland Browns
Clancy Osborne Linebacker Arizona State San Francisco 49ers
Dick Pesonen Defensive Back Minnesota-Duluth Green Bay Packers
Mike Rabold Guard Indiana St. Louis Cardinals
Perry Richards End Detroit Mercy St. Louis Cardinals
Bill Roehnelt Linebacker Bradley Washington Redskins
Karl Rubke Linebacker USC San Francisco 49ers
Gene Selawski Offensive Tackle Purdue Cleveland Browns
Glenn Shaw Fullback Kentucky Chicago Bears
Lebron Shields Defensive Tackle Tennessee Baltimore Colts
Zeke Smith Linebacker Auburn Baltimore Colts
Jerry Stalcup Linebacker Wisconsin Los Angeles Rams
Louis Stephens Guard San Francisco Washington Redskins
Charlie Sumner Defensive Back William & Mary Chicago Bears
Dave Whitsell Defensive Back Indiana Detroit Lions
Paul Winslow Running Back North Carolina Central Green Bay Packers
Frank Youso Offensive Tackle Minnesota New York Giants

Preseason

Game Date Opponent Result Location
1 August 5, 1961 Dallas Cowboys L 13-38 Sioux Falls, SD, Howard Wood Field
2 August 18, 1961 at Baltimore Colts L 3-13 Memorial Stadium
3 August 26, 1961 San Francisco 49ers L 10-14 Portland, OR
4 September 2, 1961 Chicago Bears L 7-30 Cedar Rapids, IA
5 September 10, 1961 Los Angeles Rams L 17-21 Metropolitan Stadium

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 17 Chicago Bears W 37–13 1–0 Metropolitan Stadium 32,236
2 September 24 at Dallas Cowboys L 7-21 1–1 Cotton Bowl 20,500
3 October 1 at Baltimore Colts L 33-34 1–2 Memorial Stadium 54,259
4 October 8 Dallas Cowboys L 0-28 1–3 Metropolitan Stadium 33,070
5 October 15 San Francisco 49ers L 24-38 1–4 Metropolitan Stadium 34,415
6 October 22 Green Bay Packers L 7-33 1–5 Metropolitan Stadium 42,007
7 October 29 at Green Bay Packers L 10-28 1–6 Milwaukee County Stadium 44,112
8 November 5 at Los Angeles Rams L 17-31 1–7 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 38,594
9 November 12 Baltimore Colts W 28–20 2–7 Metropolitan Stadium 38,010
10 November 19 Detroit Lions L 10-37 2–8 Metropolitan Stadium 32,296
11 November 26 at San Francisco 49ers L 28-38 2–9 Kezar Stadium 43,905
12 December 3 Los Angeles Rams W 42–21 3–9 Metropolitan Stadium 30,068
13 December 10 at Detroit Lions L 7-13 3–10 Tiger Stadium 42,655
14 December 17 at Chicago Bears L 35-52 3–11 Wrigley Field 34,539

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 1: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bears 0 6 0713
Vikings 3 7 141337

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • MIN – Jerry Reichow 29-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 17–6.
  • MIN – Hugh McElhenny 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 24–6.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

This was the first regular season game in Vikings history. George Shaw started the game at quarterback for the Vikings, but he was soon replaced by rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton. Tarkenton threw four touchdown passes and ran for another as the Vikings won 37–13. They were the last expansion team to win their first game until the 2002 Houston Texans.

Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 007
Cowboys 7 7 0721

at Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas

Game information

First quarter
  • DAL – Amos Marsh 6-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 7–0.
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • None.
Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Amos Marsh 20-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 21–7.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 3: at Baltimore Colts

Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Colts – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 10 101033
Colts 7 7 71334

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • MIN – A. D. Williams 7-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–7.
  • BAL – Lenny Moore 4-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 14–10.
  • MIN – Mike Mercer 26-yard field goal. Colts 14–13.
Third quarter
  • BAL – Lenny Morre 17-yard pass from Lamar McHan (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 21–13.
  • MIN – Mike Mercer 10-yard field goal. Colts 21–16.
  • MIN – Jerry Reichow 23-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 23–21.
Fourth quarter
  • BAL – Lenny Morre 23-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 28–23.
  • MIN – Ray Hayes 4-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 30–28.
  • BAL – Steve Myhra 37-yard field goal. Colts 31–30.
  • MIN – Mike Mercer 29-yard field goal. Vikings 33–31.
  • BAL – Steve Myhra 52-yard field goal. Colts 34–33.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 4: Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 7 7728
Vikings 0 0 000

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • DAL – Don Perkins 3-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 14–0
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Frank Clarke 52-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 28–0.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 5: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
49ers 7 7 101438
Vikings 7 10 7024

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • MIN – Jerry Reichow 42-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–7.
  • MIN – Mike Mercer 24-yard field goal. Vikings 17–7.
  • SF – Billy Kilmer 1-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). Vikings 17–14.
Third quarter
  • SF – Billy Kilmer 2-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 21–17.
  • MIN – Hugh McElhenny 32-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 24–21.
  • SF – Tommy Davis 12-yard field goal. Tied 24–24.
Fourth quarter
  • SF – Billy Kilmer 5-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 31–24.
  • SF – Billy Kilmer 20-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 38–24.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 10 3 31733
Vikings 0 7 007

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 10–7.
  • GB – Paul Hornung 18-yard field goal. Packers 13–7.
Third quarter
  • GB – Paul Hornung 13-yard field goal. Packers 16–7.
Fourth quarter
  • GB – Paul Hornung 16-yard field goal. Packers 19–7.
  • GB – Jim Taylor 3-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 26–7.
  • GB – Dan Currie 21-yard interception return (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 33–7.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 7: at Green Bay Packers

Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 3010
Packers 14 7 0728

at Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Game information

First quarter
  • GB – Paul Hornung 1-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 7–0.
  • GB – Ron Kramer 10-yard pass from Paul Hornung (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 14–0.
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • MIN – Mike Mercer 13-yard field goal. Packers 21–10.
Fourth quarter
  • GB – Max McGee 23-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 28–10.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 3 7017
Rams 14 3 01431

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • LA – Danny Villanueva 16-yard field goal. Rams 17–7.
  • MIN – Mike Mercer 34-yard field goal. Rams 17–10.
Third quarter
  • MIN – Fran Tarkenton 52-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 17–17.
Fourth quarter
  • LA – Tommy Wilson 14-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 24–17.
  • LA – Joe Marconi 7-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 31–17.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • MIN – Gordie Smith – 2 rec, 49 yards, TD
  • LA – Jon Arnett – 2 rec, 36 yards

Week 9: vs. Baltimore Colts

Week 9: Baltimore Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 0 14 3320
Vikings 7 7 7728

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • BAL – Steve Myhra 37-yard field goal. Colts 17–14.
  • MIN – Dave Middleton 57-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 21–17.
Fourth quarter
  • BAL – Steve Myhra 38-yard field goal. Vikings 21–20.
  • MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 28–20.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 10: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Lions 0 14 91437
Vikings 10 0 0010

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • DET – Jim Martin 15-yard field goal. Lions 17–10.
  • DET – Gail Cogdill 37-yard pass from Earl Morrall (kick failed). Lions 23–10.
Fourth quarter
  • DET – Terry Barr 9-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Jim Martin kick). Lions 30–10.
  • DET – Joe Schmidt 8-yard interception return (Jim Martin kick). Lions 37–10.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 11: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 14 7728
49ers 14 10 7738

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • SF – J. D. Smith 15-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 31–14.
  • MIN – Gordie Smith 71-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 31–21.
Fourth quarter
  • SF – John Brodie 16-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 38–21.
  • MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 38–28.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • MIN – Gordie Smith – 3 rec, 123 yards, TD
  • SF – R. C. Owens – 5 rec, 138 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week 12: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Rams 0 14 7021
Vikings 7 14 14742

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • LA – Dick Bass 73-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Tied 21–21.
  • MIN – Jerry Reichow 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 28–21.
  • MIN – Ray Hayes 2-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 35–21.
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Gordie Smith 12-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 42–21.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • LA – Dick Bass – 8 rushes, 113 yards, TD
  • MIN – Ray Hayes – 18 rushes, 123 yards, TD
Top receivers

Week 13: at Detroit Lions

Week 13: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 707
Lions 0 7 3313

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

First quarter
  • None.
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
  • DET – Jim Martin 23-yard field goal. Lions 13–7.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 14: at Chicago Bears

Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 14 7 7735
Bears 7 14 24752

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • CHI – Willie Galimore 8-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Tied 14–14.
  • CHI – Mike Ditka 2-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 21–14.
  • MIN – Jerry Reichow 11-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 21–21.
Third quarter
  • CHI – Angelo Coia 16-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 28–21.
  • CHI – Roger LeClerc 17-yard field goal. Bears 31–21.
  • CHI – Mike Ditka 30-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 38–21.
  • MIN – Gordie Smith 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Bears 38–28.
  • CHI – Charlie Bivins 30-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 45–28.
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Jerry Reichow 24-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Bears 45–35.
  • CHI – Willie Galimore 60-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 52–35.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Standings

NFL Western Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Green Bay Packers 11 3 0 .786 9–3 391 223 W1
Detroit Lions 8 5 1 .615 7–4–1 270 258 L1
Chicago Bears 8 6 0 .571 7–5 326 302 W2
Baltimore Colts 8 6 0 .571 6–6 302 307 W1
San Francisco 49ers 7 6 1 .538 6–5–1 346 272 L1
Los Angeles Rams 4 10 0 .286 3–9 263 333 L1
Minnesota Vikings 3 11 0 .214 3–9 285 407 L2

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Postseason

Both halfback Hugh McElhenny and receiver (end) Jerry Reichow were voted to the East-West Pro Bowl game, played January 14, 1962, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The coach for the West squad was Vikings head coach Norm Van Brocklin. McElhenny scored a third-quarter touchdown on a ten-yard pass from West teammate Bart Starr, and the West won a close 31-30 contest.[3]

Statistics

Team leaders

Category Player(s) Value
Passing Yards Fran Tarkenton 1,997
Passing Touchdowns Fran Tarkenton 18
Rushing Yards Hugh McElhenny 570
Rushing Touchdowns Fran Tarkenton 5
Receiving Yards Jerry Reichow 859
Receiving Touchdowns Jerry Reichow 11
Points Jerry Reichow 66
Kickoff Return Yards Tommy Mason 603
Punt Return Yards Hugh McElhenny 155
Interceptions Rip Hawkins 5

League rankings

Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 14)
Passing Offense 1,989 Yards 142.1 YPG 13th
Rushing Offense 1,897 Yards 135.5 YPG 6th
Total Offense 3,886 Yards 277.6 YPG 12th
Passing Defense 2,926 Yards 209.0 YPG 13th
Rushing Defense 2,667 Yards 190.5 YPG 14th
Total Defense 5,593 Yards 399.5 YPG 14th

References

  1. ↑ Cold Hard Football Facts: The 5.0 Club: run defense in '11 lit up like hippies in '69
  2. ↑ Gruver, The American Football League, pp. 22–23.
  3. ↑ "Unitas' last-second pass nips East; 31–30". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. AP. January 15, 1962. p. 23. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
Franchise
Stadiums
Culture
Rivalries
Lore
Division championships (19)
Conference championships (4)
League championships (0†)
Retired numbers
Current league affiliations
Seasons (56)
Championship seasons in bold
Bold indicates NFL Championship or Super Bowl victory
Italics indicates Super Bowl appearance
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/26/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.