1961 Houston Cougars football team
American college football season

The 1961 Houston Cougars football team was an American football team that represented the University of Houston as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth and final season under head coach Hal Lahar, the Cougars compiled a 5–4–1 record.
Ken Bolin, Bill Brown, and Joe Bob Isbell were the team captains.
The team played its home games at Rice Stadium in Houston.
Schedule
Statistics
The Cougars gained an average of 127.3 rushing yards and 96.9 passing yards per game during the 1961 season. On defense, they held opponents to 107.3 rushing yards and 106.6 passing yards per game.
The team's passing leaders were quarterbacks Don Sessions (48 of 111 for 549 yards, four touchdowns, 10 interceptions) and Billy Roland (41 of 79 for 420 yards, four touchdowns, five interceptions).
The team's rushing leaders were Ken Bolin (355 yards, 50 carries, 5.9 yard average), Billy Roland (288 yards, 108 carries, 2.7 yard average), Bobby Brezina (236 yards, 60 carries, 3.9 yard average), and Larry Broussard (213 yards, 65 carries, 3.3 yard average).
The team's receiving leaders were Bill McMillan (15 receptions, 244 yards) and Clem Beard (10 receptions, 124 yards).
Billy Roland and Larry Broussard tied as the team's leading scorers with 24 points each.
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