1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football
Consensus national champion Sugar Bowl champion SEC champion
Sugar Bowl, W 10–3 vs. Arkansas
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 1
AP	No. 1
1961 record	11–0 (7–0 SEC)
Head coach	Bear Bryant (4th year)
Captain	Billy Neighbors
Captain	Pat Trammell
Home stadium	Denny Stadium Legion Field Ladd Stadium

1961 SEC football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
#1 Alabama +	7	–	0	–	0			11	–	0	–	0
#4 LSU +	6	–	0	–	0			10	–	1	–	0
#5 Ole Miss	5	–	1	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
#13 Georgia Tech	4	–	3	–	0			7	–	4	–	0
Tennessee	4	–	3	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Florida	3	–	3	–	0			4	–	5	–	1
Auburn	3	–	4	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Kentucky	2	–	4	–	0			5	–	5	–	0
Georgia	2	–	5	–	0			3	–	7	–	0
Mississippi State	1	–	5	–	0			5	–	5	–	0
Tulane	1	–	5	–	0			2	–	8	–	0
Vanderbilt	1	–	6	–	0			2	–	8	–	0
+ – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "UA" or "Bama") represented the University of Alabama in the 1961 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 67th overall and 28th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Legion Field in Birmingham and Ladd Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They finished season undefeated with eleven wins (11–0 overall, 7–0 in the SEC), with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl and as consensus national champions.^[1] The 1961 national championship was the first of the six that Bear Bryant would win as head coach of the Crimson Tide.^[2]

Alabama opened the season with a win over Georgia on the road in week one, and then defeated Tulane in their home game at Ladd Stadium in week two. After they won their second road game of the season at Vanderbilt, Alabama returned to Tuscaloosa where they defeated NC State in the first Denny Stadium game of the season. The next week, Alabama defeated Tennessee for the first time since the 1954 season in the first Legion Field game of the year.

The Crimson Tide then defeated Houston in their final road game of the season and then returned home and defeated Mississippi State on homecoming in Tuscaloosa. The next week Alabama scored their most points in a game since the 1951 season when they defeated Richmond 66–0. They then closed the regular season with wins over Georgia Tech and Auburn in the Iron Bowl and captured the national championship as awarded by the major wire services. The Crimson Tide then closed the season with a victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.

Schedule

Date	Opponent^#	Rank^#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 23	at Georgia	No. 3	Sanford Stadium • Athens, Georgia		W 32–6	44,000
September 30	Tulane	No. 4	Ladd Stadium • Mobile, Alabama		W 9–0	33,000
October 7	at Vanderbilt	No. 4	Dudley Field • Nashville, Tennessee		W 35–6	32,500
October 14	NC State*	No. 3	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama		W 26–7	30,000
October 21	Tennessee	No. 5	Legion Field • Birmingham, Alabama (Third Saturday in October)	ABC	W 34–3	48,000
October 28	at Houston*	No. 4	Rice Stadium • Houston, Texas		W 17–0	24,000
November 4	Mississippi State	No. 4	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Rivalry)		W 24–0	39,000
November 11	Richmond*	No. 2	Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama		W 66–0	28,000
November 18	Georgia Tech	No. 2	Legion Field • Birmingham, Alabama		W 10–0	53,000
December 2	vs. Auburn	No. 1	Legion Field • Birmingham, Alabama (Iron Bowl)		W 34–0	54,000
January 1, 1962	vs. No. 9 Arkansas*	No. 1	Tulane Stadium • New Orleans (Sugar Bowl)	NBC	W 10–3	82,910
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. ^#Rankings from AP Poll.

• Source: Rolltide.com: 1961 Alabama football schedule^[3]

Game notes

Georgia

1 2 3 4 Total • #3 Alabama 3 7 7 15 32 Georgia 0 0 0 6 6 Date: September 23 Location: Sanford Stadium Athens, Georgia Game attendance: 44,000 Sources:[4][5]

To open the 1961 season, the Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 32–6 on the road at Athens.^[4][5][6] Alabama took a 10–0 halftime lead after Tim Davis connected on a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter and Mike Fracchia scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.^[4][5] After a 37-yard Pat Trammell touchdown pass to Butch Wilson in the third, the Crimson Tide scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns that extended their lead to 32–0.^[4][5] Fracchia scored first on a two-yard run and was followed with a seven-yard Mal Moore touchdown pass to Red Wilkins.^[4][5] The Bulldogs then scored on a 12-yard Langdale Williams touchdown pass to Carlton Guthrie that ended Alabama's bid for a shutout and made the final score 32–6.^[4][5] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 25–18–4.^[7]

Tulane

1 2 3 4 Total Tulane 0 0 0 0 0 • #4 Alabama 6 0 0 3 9 Date: September 30 Location: Ladd Stadium Mobile, Alabama Game attendance: 33,000 Sources:[8][9]

After their victory over Georgia in their season opener, Alabama dropped one position in the polls to the No. 4 position.^[10] At Mobile, the Crimson Tide shutout the Tulane Green Wave for the first time since the 1959 season in this 9–0 victory.^[6][8][9] Alabama scored their only touchdown in the first quarter on a 22-yard Pat Trammell pass to Tommy Brooker for a 6–0 lead.^[8][9] The Crimson Tide did not score again until a 25-yard Tim Davis field goal in the fourth quarter made the final score 9–0.^[8][9] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 19–10–3.^[11]

Vanderbilt

1 2 3 4 Total • #4 Alabama 13 15 7 0 35 Vanderbilt 0 6 0 0 6 Date: October 7 Location: Dudley Field Nashville, Tennessee Game attendance: 32,500 Sources:[12][13]

After their victory over Tulane at Ladd Stadium, Alabama retained the No. 4 position in the AP Poll prior to their game against Vanderbilt.^[14] Against the Commodores, the Crimson Tide won by a final score of 35–6 at Dudley Stadium in Nashville.^[6][12][13] Alabama took a 13–0 first quarter lead on touchdown runs of 66-yards by Mike Fracchia and eight-yards by Pat Trammell.^[12][13] Early in the second quarter, Trammell scored his second touchdown on a 16-yard run. This was followed with a 13-yard Henry Lesesne touchdown pass to Marion Starling for the Commodores and a one-yard Larry Wall touchdown run for Alabama that made the halftime score 28–6.^[12][13] Trammell then scored the final touchdown of the game in the third on a three-yard run that made the final score 35–6.^[12][13] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 20–16–4.^[15]

NC State

1 2 3 4 Total NC State 0 7 0 0 7 • #3 Alabama 0 12 0 14 26 Date: October 14 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 30,000 Sources:[16][17]

After their victory over Vanderbilt, Alabama moved up one position in the polls to the No. 3 spot prior to their first Denny Stadium game of the season.^[18] In what was their first non-conference game of the season, Alabama defeated the NC State Wolfpack 26–7 in Tuscaloosa.^[6][16][17] After a scoreless first quarter, the Wolfpack scored their only points of the game on a one-yard Roman Gabriel touchdown run for a 7–0 lead.^[16][17] The Crimson Tide responded with 26 unanswered points and won the game 26–7. Alabama touchdowns were scored on Pat Trammell passes of 12-yards to Richard Williamson and two-yards to Bill Battle in the second and on runs of five-yards by Trammell and 45-yards by Eddie Versprille in the fourth quarter.^[16][17] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against NC State to 2–0.^[19]

Tennessee

Third Saturday in October

1 2 3 4 Total Tennessee 3 0 0 0 3 • #5 Alabama 14 6 7 7 34 Date: October 21 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 48,000 Sources:[20][21]

Prior to their game against Tennessee, Alabama dropped two positions in the polls to the No. 5 spot prior to their first Legion Field game of the season.^[22] Against the Volunteers, Alabama won 34–3, and the victory was both the first for Alabama over Tennessee since the 1954 season and the largest since their 51–0 win in 1906.^[6][20][21] After Tennessee took an early 3–0 lead on a 53-yard George Shuford field goal, Alabama responded with 34 unanswered points.^[20][21] The Crimson Tide scored first-quarter touchdowns on a five-yard Mike Fracchia run and a nine-yard Pat Trammell pass to Butch Wilson and a pair of Tim Davis field goals in the second quarter for a 20–3 halftime lead.^[20][21] They then closed the game with touchdown runs of eight-yards by Billy Richardson in the third and one-yard by Trammell in the fourth quarter.^[20][21] After their win, Alabama was formally extended an invitation to compete in the inaugural National Trophy Bowl at Washington, D.C., only to later decline the invitation.^[23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 19–19–6.^[24]

Houston

1 2 3 4 Total • #4 Alabama 0 10 7 0 17 Houston 0 0 0 0 0 Date: October 28 Location: Rice Stadium Houston, Texas Game attendance: 24,000 Sources:[25][26]

After their victory over Tennessee, the Crimson Tide moved up into the No. 4 position in the polls prior to their road game at Houston.^[27] In the first night game of the year, Alabama defeated a tough Cougars squad 17–0 at Rice Stadium.^[6][25][26] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 10–0 halftime lead on a 33-yard Tim Davis field goal and a five-yard Pat Trammell touchdown pass to Bill Oliver in the second quarter.^[25][26] Trammell then made the final score 17–0 with his two-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.^[25][26] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Houston to 3–0.^[28]

Mississippi State

1 2 3 4 Total Mississippi State 0 0 0 0 0 • #4 Alabama 14 3 0 7 24 Date: November 4 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 39,000 Sources:[29][30]

After their road shutout at Houston, Alabama returned to play Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa as the No. 4 ranked team for the second consecutive week.^[31] On what was homecoming in Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide shutout the Bulldogs 24–0.^[6][29][30] Alabama took a 14–0 first quarter lead on touchdown runs of four-yards by Billy Richardson and one-yard by Pat Trammell, and after a 26-yard Tim Davis field goal in the second quarter led 17–0 at halftime.^[29][30] After a scoreless third quarter, the Crimson Tide closed the game with a one-yard Larry Wall touchdown run in the fourth quarter and made the final score 24–0.^[29][30] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Mississippi State to 33–10–3.^[32]

Richmond

1 2 3 4 Total Richmond 0 0 0 0 0 • #2 Alabama 14 20 13 19 66 Date: November 11 Location: Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, Alabama Game attendance: 28,000 Sources:[33][34]

Prior to their game against Richmond, the Crimson Tide moved into the No. 2 position in the weekly polls.^[35] In what was the only all-time meeting against the Spiders, Alabama won 66–0 and scored the most points in a game since their 89–0 win over Delta State in 1951.^{[6][33][34][36]} The Crimson Tide took a 34–0 halftime lead after first-quarter touchdown runs of one-yard by Pat Trammell and 30-yards by Larry Wall and second-quarter touchdowns on a four-yard Trammell pass to Richard Williamson and runs of 12 and one-yard by Wall.^[33][34] Alabama then closed the game with five second half touchdowns and won 66–0. Touchdowns were scored in the third quarter on a 66-yard Benny Nelson punt return and a 26-yard Jack Hurlbut pass to Red Wilkins and in the fourth quarter on runs of three-yards by Eddie Versprille, two-yards by Marlin Mooneyham and on a 28-yard Mal Moore pass to Jimmy Dill.^[33][34]

Georgia Tech

1 2 3 4 Total Georgia Tech 0 0 0 0 0 • #2 Alabama 0 7 3 0 10 Date: November 18 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 53,000 Sources:[37][38]

For their game at Legion Field against Georgia Tech, the Crimson Tide remained in the No. 2 position in the national polls.^[39] Against the Yellow Jackets, Alabama won in a 10–0 shutout to move their record to nine wins and zero losses.^[6][37][38] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide scored their only touchdown on a 16-yard Mike Fracchia run for a 7–0 lead. Tim Davis then made the final score 10–0 with his 32-yard field goal in the third quarter.^[37][38] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 22–18–3.^[40]

Auburn

Iron Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total Auburn 0 0 0 0 0 • #1 Alabama 7 17 7 3 34 Date: December 2 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, Alabama Game attendance: 54,000 Sources:[41][42]

After their win over Tech combined with No. 1 Texas' loss to TCU, the Crimson Tide moved into the No. 1 position in the polls prior to their game against Auburn.^[43] Against the Tigers in the annual Iron Bowl game at Legion Field, Alabama shutout Auburn for the third consecutive season, this time by a score of 34–0 and completed an undefeated regular season.^[6][41][42] After Billy Richardson gave Alabama a 7–0 first quarter lead with his 11-yard touchdown run, they scored 17 second quarter points and took a 24–0 halftime lead.^[41][42] In the second, Pat Trammell scored on a one-yard run, Tim Davis connected on a 35-yard field goal and Trammell threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Richard Williamson.^[41][42] Alabama then closed the game with a six-yard Richardson touchdown run in the third and a 34-yard field goal in the fourth to win 34–0.^[41][42] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 12–13–1.^[44]

Arkansas

1962 Sugar Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total #9 Arkansas 0 0 3 0 3 • #1 Alabama 7 3 0 0 10 Date: January 1, 1962 Location: Tulane Stadium New Orleans Game attendance: 82,910 Sources:[45][46]

After the Crimson Tide was recognized as national champions by the major wire services, they defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 10–3 in the 1962 edition of the Sugar Bowl in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools.^[45][46][47] The Crimson Tide took a 10–0 halftime lead after they scored on a 12-yard Pat Trammell touchdown run in the first quarter and on a 32-yard Tim Davis field goal in the second quarter.^[45][46] Although Alabama was held scoreless in the second half, the Razorbacks only managed to score a 23-yard Mickey Cissell field goal in the third quarter that made the final score 10–3 in favor of Alabama.^[45][46]

Awards

After the season, Alabama had several players recognized individually for their on-field performances. Billy Neighbors was a unanimous selection to the 1961 College Football All-America Team at the tackle position.^[48] Second Team All-America selections included Lee Roy Jordan at center and Pat Trammell at quarterback.^[49] Additionally, Alabama had four players selected to the All-SEC First Team: Mike Fracchia at back, Jordan, Neighbors and Trammell.^[49][50] Trammell was also selected as the SEC Most Valuable Player for the 1961 season and Neighbors won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy.^[51] In having led his team to both the SEC and national championships, Bear Bryant was recognized as the AP, UPI and coaches' SEC Coach of the Year.^[51]

NFL/AFL Draft

Several players that were varsity lettermen from the 1961 squad were drafted into the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) between the 1962 and 1965 drafts. These players included the following:

Year	Round	Overall	Player name	Position	NFL/AFL team
1962 NFL Draft [52]	4	43	Neighbors, BillyBilly Neighbors	Tackle	Washington Redskins
	5	69	Rice, BillBill Rice	End	St. Louis Cardinals
	16	211	Brooker, TommyTommy Brooker	End	Washington Redskins
	16	219	Abruzzese, RayRay Abruzzese	Running back	Baltimore Colts
1962 AFL Draft [53]	5	39	Rice, BillBill Rice	End	Houston Oilers
	6	46	Neighbors, BillyBilly Neighbors	Guard	Boston Patriots
	17	131	Brooker, TommyTommy Brooker	End	Dallas Texans
	23	180	Abruzzese, RayRay Abruzzese	Safety	Buffalo Bills
	24	187	Trammell, PatPat Trammell	Quarterback	Dallas Texans
1963 NFL Draft [52]	1	6	Jordan, Lee RoyLee Roy Jordan	Linebacker	Dallas Cowboys
	2	24	Wilson, ButchButch Wilson	Back	Baltimore Colts
	3	33	Fracchia, MikeMike Fracchia	Back	St. Louis Cardinals
1963 AFL Draft [54]	2	14	Jordan, Lee RoyLee Roy Jordan	Linebacker	Boston Patriots
	6	41	Wilson, ButchButch Wilson	Tight end	Oakland Raiders
	7	55	Williamson, RichardRichard Williamson	End	Boston Patriots
1964 NFL Draft [52]	5	61	Nelson, BennyBenny Nelson	Halfback	Detroit Lions
	11	151	Versprille, EddieEddie Versprille	Running back	Cleveland Browns
1964 AFL Draft [55]	12	94	Nelson, BennyBenny Nelson	Defensive back	Houston Oilers

Freshman squad

Prior to the 1972 college football season, NCAA rules prohibited freshmen from participating on the varsity team, and as such many schools fielded freshmen teams.^[56][57] For the 1961 season, the Alabama freshmen squad was coached by Sam Bailey and finished their season with a record of two wins and one tie (2–0–1).^[58] The 1961 freshman squad was noted for its being led by Joe Namath at quarterback after he chose to attend Alabama after he received more than 50 athletic scholarship offers from other schools.^[59]

In their first game of the season, Alabama came from behind and defeated Mississippi State 20–14 before 3,500 fans at Denny Stadium.^[60] After the Bulldogs took a 7–0 first quarter lead on a six-yard Ray Reed pass to Tommy Inman, Alabama tied the game 7–7 on an eight-yard Namath touchdown run early in the second. The Crimson Tide then took a 13–7 halftime lead on a nine-yard Namath pass to Creed Gilmer late in the second.^[60] State retook a 14–13 lead in the third on an eight-yard Reed to Inman pass, but Alabama scored the game winning touchdown on a 36-yard Ron McKinney run that made the final score 20–13.^[60]

In their second game, the Baby Tide defeated Tulane 32–6 at Denny Stadium in a game they scored touchdowns in all four quarters.^[61] After the Green Wave scored their only points on the first play of the game when Leon Verriere recovered the fumbled kickoff in the end zone for a touchdown, Alabama responded on the next drive and tied the game 6–6 after Namath threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ray Ogden.^[61] The Crimson Tide then took a 12–6 lead in the second quarter on a 26-yard Tommy Tolleson double reverse. Alabama then closed the game with a pair of Namath touchdown runs and a touchdown pass to Creed Gilmer in the second half that made the final score 32–6.^[61]

In their final game of the season, Alabama tied the Auburn freshman team 7–7 before 7,000 fans in the rain at Cliff Hare Stadium.^[58] Both touchdowns came in the first quarter. Alabama took a 7–0 lead when Namath threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Creed Gilmer, and Auburn tied the game 7–7 on the kickoff that ensued after Tucker Frederickson returned it 92-yards for a touchdown.^[58]

Personnel

Varsity letter winners Player Hometown Position Ray Abruzzese Philadelphia Halfback Steve Allen Athens, Alabama Guard Bill Battle Birmingham, Alabama End Tom Bible Piedmont, Alabama Tackle Tommy Brooker Demopolis, Alabama End Cotton Clark Kansas, Alabama Halfback Elbert Cook Jacksonville, Florida Linebacker Curtis Crenshaw Mobile, Alabama Tackle Ingram Culwell Tuscaloosa, Alabama Halfback Tim Davis Columbus, Georgia Placekicker Mike Fracchia Memphis, Tennessee Fullback Butch Henry Selma, Alabama End Darwin Holt Gainesville, Texas Linebacker Mike Hopper Huntsville, Alabama End Lee Roy Jordan Excel, Alabama Linebacker Al Lewis Covington, Kentucky Guard Gary Martin Dothan, Alabama Halfback Duff Morrison Memphis, Tennessee Halfback Billy Neighbors Northport, Alabama Tackle Benny Nelson Huntsville, Alabama Halfback John O’Linger Scottsboro, Alabama Center Bill Oliver Livingston, Alabama Defensive back James Patton Tuscumbia, Alabama End Charley Pell Albertville, Alabama Tackle Bob Pettee Bradenton, Florida Guard William Rice Troy, Alabama Guard Billy Richardson Jasper, Alabama Halfback Norbie Ronsonet Biloxi, Mississippi End Jack Rutledge Birmingham, Alabama Guard Jimmy Sharpe Montgomery, Alabama Guard Pat Trammell Scottsboro, Alabama Quarterback Eddie Versprille Norfolk, Virginia Fullback Larry Wall Fairfax, Alabama Fullback Red Wilkins Bay Minette, Alabama End Richard Williamson Fort Deposit, Alabama End Butch Wilson Hueytown, Alabama Halfback Jimmy Wilson Haleyville, Alabama Guard Reference:[62]

Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Alabama Alma Mater Bear Bryant Head coach 4 Alabama (1936) Sam Bailey Assistant coach 4 Ouachita Baptist (1949) Charlie Bradshaw Assistant coach 4 Kentucky (1950) Phil Cutchin Assistant coach 4 Kentucky (1943) Jim Goostree Assistant coach 5 Tennessee (1952) Clem Gryska Assistant coach 2 Alabama (1948) Dude Hennessey Assistant coach 2 Kentucky (1955) Pat James Assistant coach 4 Kentucky (1951) Carney Laslie Assistant coach 5 Alabama (1934) Hayden Riley Assistant coach 4 Alabama (1948) Howard Schnellenberger Assistant coach 1 Kentucky (1956) Gene Stallings Assistant coach 4 Texas A&M (1957) Reference:[63]

References

General

• "1961 Season Recaps" (PDF). RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
• "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book" (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2013.

Specific

1. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "Football Bowl Subdivision Records: Consensus National Champions" (PDF). 2012 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 78. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
2. Gold, Eli (2005). Crimson Nation: The Shaping of the South's Most Dominant Football Team. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson. p. 107. ISBN 1418553999. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
3. "1961 Alabama football schedule". RollTide.com. University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
4. Land, Charles (September 24, 1961). "Alabama swamps Georgia, 32–6". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 1. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
5. "Power-packed Tide, stuns Bulldogs in 32–6 romp". Rome News-Tribune. Google News Archives. UPI. September 24, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
6. 1961 Season Recap
7. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
8. Land, Charles (October 1, 1961). "Alabama nips Tulane 9 to 0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
9. "Bama turns fumbles into 9–0 victory". The Miami News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. October 1, 1961. p. 7C. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
10. Corrigan, Ed (September 26, 1961). "Iowa on top in AP Poll". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
11. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tulane". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
12. Ballard, Barney (October 8, 1961). "Tide rolls 35–6". The Gadsden Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
13. Land, Charles (October 8, 1961). "Tide engulfs Vandy, 35 to 6". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
14. Weiss, Don (October 3, 1961). "Tide stays fourth". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
15. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Vanderbilt". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
16. Land, Charles (October 15, 1961). "Bama beats State at own game". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
17. Dygard, Tom (October 15, 1961). "Trammell leader as Tide rallies, 26–7". The Florence Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 4-1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
18. Clary, Jack (October 10, 1961). "Tide is No. three in nation". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 12. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
19. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs North Carolina State". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
20. Land, Charles (October 22, 1961). "Tide smashes Vols, 34–3". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
21. Smits, Ted (October 22, 1961). "Tide slaughters Vols, 34 to 3". The Florence Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 4-1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
22. "Spartans top poll, Tide 5th". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. October 17, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
23. "Tide gets bowl bid". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. October 22, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
24. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Tennessee". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
25. Land, Charles (October 29, 1961). "Stubborn Houston falls, 17–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
26. Skelton, Max B. (October 29, 1961). "Crimson Tide wins 17–0 to remain undefeated". The Florence Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 4-1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
27. Hand, Jack (October 24, 1961). "Spartans up lead; Tide climbs notch". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
28. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Houston". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
29. "Alabama wins seventh in row". The Miami News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. November 5, 1961. p. 2C. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
30. Dygard, Tom (November 5, 1961). "Tide scores 24–0 win on soggy grid as Fracchia stars". The Florence Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 4-1. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
31. Rathet, Mike (October 31, 1961). "Tide stays fourth". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
32. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Mississippi State". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
33. Land, Charles (November 12, 1961). "Alabama stuns Richmond, 66–0". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
34. "Alabama crushes Richmond 66 to 0". The News and Courier. Google News Archives. UPI. November 12, 1961. p. 3D. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
35. Jack, Hand (November 7, 1961). "Texas takes top spot; Alabama ranked second". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
36. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Richmond (VA)". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
37. "Alabama rips Tech". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. November 19, 1961. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
38. "Alabama trips Tech". Rome News-Tribune. Google News Archives. UPI. November 19, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
39. Ed, Corrigan (November 14, 1961). "Tide stays Number 2". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
40. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Georgia Tech". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
41. Watkins, Ed (December 3, 1961). "Bama heads to Sugar Bowl with 34–0 win over Auburn". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 13. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
42. Griffin, John Chandler (2001). "1961: Alabama wins the national championship". Alabama vs. Auburn: Gridiron Grudge Since 1893. Athens, Georgia: Hill Street Press. pp. 166–168. ISBN 1-58818-044-1.
43. Hand, Jack (November 21, 1961). "Tide becomes No. 1 eleven". The Florence Times. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 2-2. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
44. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
45. Land, Charles (January 2, 1962). "Mighty Tide rolls over Razorbacks, 10–3". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
46. "Alabama proves right to No. 1". The Miami News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. January 2, 1962. p. 6C. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
47. DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Arkansas". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
48. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Award Winners (PDF). 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 7. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
49. 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, p. 218
50. Butler, Vernon (December 5, 1961). "Neighbors, Winston lead; Fracchia, Trammell picked". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. Associated Press. p. 10. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
51. 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, p. 220
52. "Draft History by School–Alabama". National Football League. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
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62. 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 187–201
63. 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book, pp. 202–203