1961 Northeastern Huskies football team

1961 Northeastern Huskies football
Conference	Independent
Record	4–4
Head coach	Joe Zabilski (14th season)

1961 Eastern college football independents records

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Middlebury			–					5	–	1	–	1
Villanova			–					8	–	2	–	0
Southern Connecticut State			–					7	–	2	–	0
Alfred			–					6	–	2	–	0
Montclair State			–					6	–	2	–	0
Delaware Valley			–					6	–	2	–	0
No. 17 Penn State			–					8	–	3	–	0
No. 14 Syracuse			–					8	–	3	–	0
Trinity (CT)			–					5	–	2	–	1
Holy Cross			–					7	–	3	–	0
C. W. Post			–					6	–	3	–	0
Army			–					6	–	4	–	0
Merchant Marine			–					6	–	4	–	0
Tufts			–					5	–	3	–	0
Rochester			–					5	–	3	–	0
Hamilton			–					4	–	3	–	0
Cortland State			–					4	–	3	–	0
American International			–					5	–	4	–	0
Colgate			–					5	–	4	–	0
Northeastern			–					4	–	4	–	0
Coast Guard			–					4	–	4	–	0
Ithaca			–					4	–	4	–	0
Boston University			–					4	–	5	–	0
Buffalo			–					4	–	5	–	0
Bridgeport			–					4	–	5	–	0
Norwich			–					3	–	4	–	1
Worcester Tech			–					3	–	4	–	0
Boston College			–					4	–	6	–	0
Union (NY)			–					3	–	5	–	0
Pittsburgh			–					3	–	7	–	0
Nichols			–					2	–	3	–	0
Trenton State			–					1	–	6	–	0
King's (PA)			–					1	–	8	–	0
Springfield			–					0	–	7	–	1
Brockport			–					0	–	7	–	0
RPI			–					0	–	7	–	0
Hobart			–					0	–	8	–	0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1961 Northeastern Huskies football team was an American football team that represented Northeastern University as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their 14th season under head coach Jim Zabilski, the Yellow Jackets compiled a 4–4 record and were outscored by a total of 118 to 117.

The Huskies tallied 1,687 yard of total offense (210.9 yards per game), consisting of 1,036 rushing yards and 651 passing yards. Quarterback Gerald Varnum led the team with 567 passing yards (42 completions on 110 attempts), 604 yards of total offense, and 24 points scored (four touchdowns). The leading rushers were fullback Paul Luciano (207 yards) and halfback Peter Furia (154 yards). The leading receivers were halfback Edward Brady (8 receptions for 170 yards) and end Frank Schettino (10 receptions for 166 yards).^[1]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 23	Rhode Island	Kent Street Field Brookline, MA	W 26–13	2,500–5,100	[2][3]
September 30	at Norwich	Northfield, VT	W 24–2	2,500
October 7	at Bridgeport	Bridgeport, CT	L 0–12	3,000
October 14	at American International	AIC Park Springfield, MA	W 33–15	1,000–1,200	[4]
October 21	Springfield	Northeastern Field Brookline, MA	W 27–21	2,100–4,800	[5][6]
October 28	UMass	Kent Street Field Brookline, MA	L 7–25	7,600	[7]
November 4	Vermont	Kent Street Field Brookline, MA	L 0–6	7,000–7,300	[8][9]
November 11	at Southern Connecticut State	New Haven, CT	L 0–23	1,200–1,800	[10][11]

^[1]

References

1. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
2. Herb Ralby (September 24, 1961). "Varnum Leads NU Over Rhody: Scores 2 TDs In 26-13 Win". The Boston Globe. p. 87 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Rhode Island)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
4. Gerald E. Finn (October 15, 1962). "Northeastern Comes From Behind To Hand AIC Grid Team 33-15 Loss". The Springfield Sunday Republican. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
5. Herb Ralby (October 22, 1961). "NU Tips Springfield, 27-21". The Boston Globe. p. 84 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Springfield)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
7. Bob Holbrook (October 29, 1961). "Alert UMass Trounces N.U." The Boston Globe. pp. 63, 65 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "N.U. surprised by Vermont, 6–0". The Boston Globe. November 5, 1961. Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Vermont)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
10. Joseph R. Hrubi (November 12, 1961). "Northeastern Bows, 23-0, to So. Conn". The Boston Globe. p. 84 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Southern Connecticut State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved July 30, 2024.