The 1961 Carthage Redmen football team was an American football team that represented Carthage College of Carthage, Illinois, as a member of the College Conference of Illinois (CCI) during the 1961 college football season.
In their seventh season under head coach Art Keller, the Redmen compiled a 7–2 record (4–3 in CCI games), finished in third place in the CCI, and outscored opponents by a total of 267 to 127.
[1] On October 7, 1961, Carthage commenced a 19-game winning streak, that continued through the entire 1962 season, became the longest winning streak in the country, and ended with a loss to Augustana on October 26, 1963.
[3] Quarterback Bob Halsey led the team in multiple categories, including passing yards (814), total offense (1,379 yards), and scoring (86 points on 10 touchdowns and 26 extra point kicks).
[3] Six Carthage players received first-team honors on the 1961 All-CCI football team: Bob Halsey at quarterback; Erv Olson at fullback; Jim Nelson at center; Tom Finn at tackle (defense); Doug Donoho at linebacker; and Daver Werner at defensive halfbacks.