1961 Holy Cross Crusaders football team

The 1961 Holy Cross Crusaders football team was an American football team that represented the College of the Holy Cross as an independent during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. Eddie Anderson returned for the 12th consecutive year as head coach, his 18th year overall. The team compiled a record of 7–3. [1]

1961 Holy Cross Crusaders football
Conference	Independent
1961 record	7–3
Head coach	Eddie Anderson (18th season)
Captains	Jack Fellin Jack Whalen
Home stadium	Fitton Field

1960 NCAA University Division independents football records
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Rutgers			–					8	–	1	–	0
No. 4 Navy			–					9	–	2	–	0
Memphis State			–					8	–	2	–	0
Detroit			–					7	–	2	–	0
No. 19 Syracuse			–					7	–	2	–	0
No. 16 Penn State			–					7	–	3	–	0
Oregon			–					7	–	3	–	1
Army			–					6	–	3	–	1
Oregon State			–					6	–	3	–	1
Holy Cross			–					6	–	4	–	0
Houston			–					6	–	4	–	0
Miami (FL)			–					6	–	4	–	0
San Jose State			–					5	–	4	–	0
Pittsburgh			–					4	–	3	–	3
Xavier			–					5	–	5	–	0
Washington State			–					4	–	5	–	1
Air Force			–					4	–	6	–	0
Boston University			–					3	–	5	–	2
Pacific (CA)			–					4	–	6	–	0
Boston College			–					3	–	6	–	1
Florida State			–					3	–	6	–	1
Marquette			–					3	–	6	–	0
Colgate			–					2	–	7	–	0
Notre Dame			–					2	–	8	–	0
Villanova			–					2	–	8	–	0
Dayton			–					1	–	9	–	0
Idaho			–					1	–	9	–	0
Rankings from AP Poll

All home games were played at Fitton Field on the Holy Cross campus in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 30	Villanova	Fitton Field Worcester, Massachusetts	L 6–20	16,000	[2][3]
October 7	at Buffalo	Rotary Field Buffalo, New York	W 20–8	9,327	[4]
October 14	at Boston University	Boston University Field Boston, Massachusetts	W 20–7	10,000	[5]
October 21	Dartmouth	Fitton Field Worcester, Massachusetts	W 17–13	18,000	[6]
October 28	at Syracuse	Archbold Stadium Syracuse, New York	L 6–34	31,000	[7]
November 4	Dayton^	Fitton Field Worcester, Massachusetts	W 28–0	8,000	[8][9]
November 11	Massachusetts	Fitton Field Worcester, Massachusetts	W 44–7	15,000	[10]
November 18	at Penn State	Beaver Stadium University Park, Pennsylvania	L 14–34	28,500	[11]
November 25	at Connecticut	Memorial Stadium Storrs, Connecticut	W 14–3	7,936	[12][13]
December 2	Boston College	Fitton Field Worcester, Massachusetts (rivalry)	W 38–26	24,200	[14]
Homecoming ^ Family Weekend

Statistical leaders

Statistical leaders for the 1961 Crusaders included:[15]

• Rushing: Pat McCarthy, 512 yards and 8 touchdowns on 128 attempts
• Passing: Pat McCarthy, 1,081 yards, 76 completions and 11 touchdowns on 165 attempts
• Receiving: Al Snyder, 558 yards and 5 touchdowns on 38 receptions
• Scoring: Pat McCarthy, 54 points from 8 touchdowns and 3 two-point conversions
• Total offense: Pat McCarthy, 1,593 yards (1,081 passing, 512 rushing)
• All-purpose yards: Al Snyder, 1,112 yards (558 receiving, 370 returning, 184 rushing)

References

1. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. p. 122. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
2. "Villanova Beats Holy Cross, 20-6". The New York Times. New York, New York. Associated Press. October 1, 1961. p. S15.
3. Clif Keane (October 1, 1961). "HC Tipped, 20-6, by Villanova". The Boston Globe. pp. 73, 80 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Holy Cross Wallops Buffalo Eleven, 20-8". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, N.Y. October 8, 1961. p. 8C – via Newspapers.com.
5. "H.C. Long Passes Down B.U., 20-7". The Boston Globe. October 15, 1961. p. 69 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "H.C. 17-13 Winner". The Boston Globe. October 22, 1961. pp. 79, 82 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Syracuse Crushes H.C., 34-6". The Boston Globe. October 29, 1961. p. 63 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Holy Cross Tops Dayton, 28 to 0". The New York Times. New York, New York. United Press International. November 5, 1961. p. S5.
9. "H.C. Air Game Bombs Dayton". The Boston Globe. November 5, 1961. p. 81.
10. Bob Holbrook (November 12, 1961). "Holy Cross Slams UMass, 44-7". The Boston Globe. p. 84 – via Newspapers.com.
11. Frush, Charlie (November 19, 1961). "Kochman, Torris Get 5 TDs as Penn State Conquers Holy Cross". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pa. p. S1 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Holy Cross Beats Connecticut, 14-3". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. November 26, 1961. p. S3.
13. Clif Keane (November 26, 1961). "Holy Cross Tips UConns, 14-3". The Boston Globe. p. 84 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Quick-Hitting H.C. Shocks B.C., 38-26". The Boston Globe. December 3, 1961. pp. 85, 88 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. p. 68-70. Retrieved June 15, 2020.