1961 Millikin Big Blue football team

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1961 Millikin Big Blue football
CCI champion
ConferenceCollege Conference of Illinois
Record8–0 (7–0 CCI)
Head coach
CaptainJerry Domescik, Ryan Jorstad
Home stadiumMillikin Field
Seasons
← 1960
1962 →
1961 College Conference of Illinois football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 14 Millikin $ 6 0 0 8 0 0
Carroll (WI) 5 1 0 6 3 0
Carthage 4 2 0 7 2 0
North Central (IL) 3 3 0 5 4 0
Augustana (IL) 2 4 0 5 4 0
Illinois Wesleyan 1 5 0 2 7 0
Lake Forest 0 6 0 0 8 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from NAIA poll

The 1961 Millikin Big Blue football team was an American football team that represented Millikin University as a member of the College Conference of Illinois during the 1961 NAIA football season. In their sixth and final year under head coach Don Shroyer, the Big Blue compiled a perfect 8–0 record (6–0 against conference opponents), won the CCI championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 305 to 79.[1] Millikin was ranked 14th in the final National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) poll.[2] The 1961 campaign was one of only four undefeated seasons in Millikin football history.[3]

Senior halfback and co-captain Jerry Domescik rushed for 799 yards, scored 20 touchdowns, and led the NAIA with 120 points scored.[3][4] He was also named to the 1961 NAIA All-America team.[5]

Six Milliken players were named to the 1961 All-CCI football team: Domescik; Ryan Jorstad (offensive and defensive tackle); Bob Martin (offensive tackle); Bill Severino (offensive and defensive guard); Chuck Siebel (defensive end); Delmar Rutz (defensive halfback).[6]

Schedule[edit]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 23at Illinois State*
W 22–0[7]
September 30Carthage
W 32–30[8]
October 7North Park*
  • Millikin Field
  • Decatur, IL
W 72–0
October 14at Augustana (IL)Rock Island, ILW 39–7[9]
October 21Lake Forestdagger
  • Millikin Field
  • Decatur, IL
W 47–73,000[10]
October 28at Illinois Wesleyan
W 27–16[11]
November 4North Central (IL)
  • Millikin Field
  • Decatur, IL
W 19–0[12]
November 11at Carroll (WI)Waukesha, WIW 47–13[13]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

References[edit]

  1. ^ "CCIW Football History" (PDF). College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. p. 6. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "Linfield Third As Whittier Fourth; Pittsburgh Top Team". Humboldt Standard. Eureka, California. November 22, 1961. p. 10. Retrieved June 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  3. ^ a b "Millikin Announces 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees". Millikin University. September 19, 2023.
  4. ^ "Domescik NAIA Champ: Blue Halfback Wins Scoring Title by 6 Points". The Decatur Daily Review. December 6, 1961. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "J. Domescik Named NAIA All-America". The Decatur Daily Review. December 8, 1961. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Augie's Tingle Linebacker Pick on CCI All-Conference". The Rock Island Argus. November 23, 1961. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Ron Janecke (September 24, 1961). "ISNU's Rally in 2nd Half Too Late -- Millikin Wins, 22-16: Redbirds Scare Big Blue After Trailing, 22 to 0". The Pantagraph. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Millikin Football Team Opens CCI Play Against Carthage Here Today". Decatur Herald. September 30, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Dave Krone (October 16, 1961). "Powerful Millikin Dampens Augie Homecoming; Coasts to 39-7 Win". The Rock Island Argus. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Lake Forest Routed, 47-7, at Millikin". Chicago Tribune. October 22, 1961. p. Part 2, page 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Fred Young (October 29, 1961). "Millikin Rips Titans, 27-16: Big Blue Powers Way to Fourth CCI Win". The Pantagraph. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Domescik Paces Millikin to 5th CCI Win, 19-0". The Pantagraph. November 5, 1961. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Millikin Captures CCI Crown, 47-13: Jerry Domescik Leads Big Blue To Easy Triumph Over Carroll". The Pantagraph. November 12, 1961. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.