The1961 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team, also known as theVPI Gobblers, was anAmerican football team that represented the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University orVirginia Tech) as a member of theSouthern Conference (SoCon) during the1961 college football season. In their first year under head coachJerry Claiborne, the Gobblers compiled a 4–5 record (2–3 in conference games), finished seventh in the SoCon, and were outscored by a total of 112 to 93.[1][2]
Quarterback Warren Price led the team in passing yards (381), rushing yards (356), andtotal offense (736 yards). Price was described as "the heart and soul of the Tech offense, a genuine triple-threater."[3]
Quarterback Warren Price led the team in passing (37-for-93, 39.8%, 381 yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions), rushing (356 yards on 93 carries, 3.8-yard average), total offense (736 yards), and scoring.[13]
Other significant contributors included Gerald Bobbitte (261 rushing yards, 62 carries, 4.2-yard average) and Terry Strock (223 rushing yards, 68 receiving yards), Buddy Perry (212 rushing yards, 61 receiving yards), and Buddy Weihe (148 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards).[13]
Three Virginia Tech players were selected as first-team players on the 1961 Virginia All-Big Five football team: quarterback Warren Price; back Terry Strock; and tackle Joe Moss. Two others were placed on the second team: end Leon Tomblin and guard Ray Barile. Three others received honorable mention: back Gerald Bobbitte; tackle Gene Breen; and guard Newt Green.[14]
Tackle Gene Breen was selected as a first-team player on the 1961 All-Southern Conference football team. Tackle Joe Moss and quarterback Warren Price were named to the second team.[15]
