1961 Villanova Wildcats football team

1961 Villanova Wildcats football
Sun Bowl champion
Sun Bowl, W 17–9 vs. Wichita State
Conference	Independent
1961 record	8–2
Head coach	Alexander F. Bell (2nd season)
Captain	Richard Ross
Home stadium	Villanova Stadium
Seasons

1961 NCAA University Division independents football records
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 15 Rutgers			–					9	–	0	–	0
No. 17 Arizona			–					8	–	1	–	1
Memphis State			–					8	–	2	–	0
Villanova			–					8	–	2	–	0
No. 17 Penn State			–					8	–	3	–	0
No. 14 Syracuse			–					8	–	3	–	0
Holy Cross			–					7	–	3	–	0
Navy			–					7	–	3	–	0
Miami (FL)			–					7	–	4	–	0
Army			–					6	–	4	–	0
San Jose State			–					6	–	4	–	0
Xavier			–					6	–	4	–	0
Colgate			–					5	–	4	–	0
Detroit			–					5	–	4	–	0
Pacific			–					5	–	4	–	0
Houston			–					5	–	4	–	1
Notre Dame			–					5	–	5	–	0
Oregon State			–					5	–	5	–	0
Florida State			–					4	–	5	–	1
Boston University			–					4	–	5	–	0
Boston College			–					4	–	6	–	0
Oregon			–					4	–	6	–	0
Air Force			–					3	–	7	–	0
Pittsburgh			–					3	–	7	–	0
Washington State			–					3	–	7	–	0
Idaho			–					2	–	7	–	0
Dayton			–					2	–	8	–	0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1961 Villanova Wildcats football team represented the Villanova University during the 1961 NCAA University Division football season. The head coach was Alexander F. Bell, coaching his second season with the Wildcats. The team played their home games at Villanova Stadium in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Villanova won the 1961 Sun Bowl and finished the season 8–2.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result
September 16	at Miami (OH)*	Miami Field Oxford, OH	W 33–0
September 23	VMI	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	W 22–0
September 30	at Holy Cross*	Fitton Field Worchester, MA	W 20–6
October 7	at UMass*	Alumni Field Amherst, MA	W 33–13
October 14	Buffalo	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	W 28–6
October 21	at Boston College	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA	L 6–22
October 28	[[{{{school}}}|Quantico Marines]]*	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	W 34–0
November 4	[[{{{school}}}|West Chester]]*	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	W 40–13
November 10	at Detroit	University of Detroit Stadium Detroit, MI	L 6–20
December 30	vs. [[{{{school}}}|Wichita]]	Sun Bowl El Paso, TX (Sun Bowl)	W 17–9
*Non-conference game