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Michigan Tech Huskies football, 1960–1969

The Michigan Tech Huskies football program, 1960–1969 represented Michigan Technological University, known prior to 1965 as the Michigan College of Mines and Technology, as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC), known as the Northern State College Conference (NSCC) prior to 1963.[1]

Michigan Tech won three NIC championships during the 1960s:

  • The 1963 Michigan Tech Huskies football team compiled a 6–2 record (4–1 in conference games) and won the NIC championship.
  • The 1965 team compiled a 6–2 record (4–1 in conference games) and won the program's second NIC championship of the decade.
  • The 1969 team compiled a 5–4 record (4–1 in conference games) and won the program's third NIC championship of the decade.

Michigan Tech also registered two winless season in the 1960s as the 1962 and 1967 teams failed to win a game. These were the only winless seasons for the Michigan Tech football program in the post-World War II modern era from 1946 through 2024.

Omer LaJeunesse was the team's head coach from 1957 to 1962. Bill Lucier took over from 1963 to 1968, and Ted Kearly held the post from 1969 to 1972.

1960

1960 Northern State College Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Mankato State $ 4 – 0 – 1 5 – 3 – 1
Michigan Tech 4 – 1 – 0 5 – 3 – 0
St. Cloud State 2 – 3 – 0 3 – 5 – 0
Bemidji State 2 – 3 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
Winona State 1 – 3 – 1 4 – 3 – 1
Moorhead State 1 – 4 – 0 2 – 7 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1960 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented the Michigan College of Mines and Technology (now known as Michigan Technological University) as a member of the Northern State College Conference (NSCC) during the 1960 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach Omer LaJeunesse, the Huskies compiled a 5–3–1 record (4–0–1 in conference games) and finished in second place in the NSCC.[2]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 17Superior State*Houghton, MIW 21–02,750
September 24at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNW 33–82,000
October 1at Moorhead StateMoorhead, MNW 21–62,750
October 8Winona StateHoughton, MIW 7–03,500
October 15at St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MNW 13–62,000
October 22Mankato StateHoughton, MIL 0–16500
October 29Northern Michigan*Houghton, MIL 0–463,447
November 12at St. Norbert*De Pere, WIL 7–262,000
  • *Non-conference game

[3][4]

1961

1961 Northern State College Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Mankato State $ 5 – 0 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Moorhead State 3 – 2 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Bemidji State 3 – 2 – 0 3 – 6 – 0
Winona State 2 – 2 – 1 4 – 3 – 1
Michigan Tech 1 – 4 – 0 1 – 6 – 1
St. Cloud State 0 – 4 – 1 1 – 6 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1961 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University of Houghton, Michigan, as a member of the Northern State College Conference (NSCC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fifth season under head coach Omer LaJeunesse, the Huskies compiled a 1–6–1 record (1–4 in conference games) and finished in fifth place out of six teams in the NSCC.[5][6] They were outscored by a total of 144 to 52.[7]

The season ended with a 61–6 defeat against Northern Michigan. It was the most points ever scored by a Northern Michigan team and the most one-sided loss Tech had suffered in the long Michigan Tech-Northern Michigan football rivalry.[8]

The team averaged 188.7 yards of total offense per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 221.5 yards per game.[7] Individual statistical leaders included Jack Boldt with 424 rushing yards and 32 points scored (five touchdowns and one two-point conversion) and Marv Lilley with 18 receptions for 263 yards. Quarterbacks Fred Pastori and Ralph Abata combined to complete 38 of 104 passes for 478 yards and five interceptions.[7]

Tackle Roger Hettinga was a standout on defense.[9]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16at Superior State*Superior, WIT 0–01,500[10]
September 23St. Norbert*Houghton, MIL 6–71,929[11]
September 30St. Cloud StateHoughton, MIW 20–6716[12][13]
October 7at Mankato StateMankato, MNL 0–193,000[14]
October 14Bemidji StateHoughton, MIL 2–161,345
October 21Moorhead StatedaggerHoughton, MIL 16–191,766[15]
October 28at Winona State
L 2–163,000[16]
November 4 No. 4 Northern Michigan*
L 6–615,000[8]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[7][17]

1962

1962 Northern State College Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Winona State $ 5 – 0 – 0 6 – 1 – 1
Mankato State 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
St. Cloud State 2 – 2 – 1 5 – 3 – 1
Moorhead State 2 – 3 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Bemidji State 2 – 3 – 0 3 – 6 – 0
Michigan Tech 0 – 4 – 1 0 – 6 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1962 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented the Michigan College of Mines and Technology (now known as Michigan Technological University) as a member of the Northern State College Conference (NSCC) during the 1962 NCAA College Division football season. In their sixth season under head coach Omer LaJeunesse, the Huskies compiled a 0–6–1 record (0–4–1 in conference games) and finished in sixth and last place in the NSCC.[18]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 15Superior State*Houghton, MIL 0–12
September 22at Ferris Institute*Big Rapids, MIL 0–41
September 29Mankato StateHoughton, MIL 6–27
October 6at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNL 12–43
October 13at Moorhead StateMoorhead, MNL 18–34
October 20Winona StateHoughton, MNL 0–6
October 27at St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MNT 6–6
  • *Non-conference game

[19]

1963

1963 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Michigan Tech $ 4 – 1 – 0 6 – 2 – 0
Bemidji State 3 – 1 – 1 6 – 1 – 1
St. Cloud State 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Mankato State 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 4 – 1
Moorhead State 1 – 3 – 1 4 – 4 – 1
Winona State 0 – 5 – 0 1 – 7 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1963 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented the Michigan College of Mines and Technology (now known as Michigan Technological University) as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1963 NCAA College Division football season. In their first year under head coach Bill Lucier, the team compiled a 6–2 record (4–1 in conference games) and won the NIC championship.[20]

The team tallied 1,261 rushing yards (157.6 yards per game) and 482 passing yards (60.2 yards per game). On defense, they gave up 1,164 rushing yards (145.5 yards per game) and 741 passing yards (92.6 yards per game).[21] Individual statistical leaders include:

  • Quarterback Ralph Abata led the team in passing (451 yards), total offense (665 yards), and punting (52 punts, 34.6-yard average).[21]
  • Halfback Doug King led the team in rushing with 296 yards on 83 carries.[21]
  • Halfback Dave Thompson led the team in receiving (15 receptions, 183 yards).[21]
  • Fullback Paul Butkovich led the team in scoring with 38 points on six touchdowns and a two-point conversion.[21]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 14at Superior State*Superior, WIW 21–02,750
September 21Ferris StateHoughton, MIW 8–7
September 28at Winona State
  • Maxwell Field
  • Winona, MN
W 16–13
October 5St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MIL 6–72,550
October 12at Mankato StateMankato, MNW 21–19
October 19Bemidji StateHoughton, MIW 14–132,150
October 26Moorhead StateHoughton, MIW 23–143,110
November 2Milwaukee*Houghton, MIW 20–01,250
  • *Non-conference game

[21]

1964

1964 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Winona State $ 5 – 0 – 0 6 – 1 – 0
Moorhead State 4 – 1 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Bemidji State 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Michigan Tech 2 – 3 – 0 4 – 4 – 1
Mankato State 1 – 4 – 0 2 – 7 – 0
St. Cloud State 0 – 5 – 0 1 – 7 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1964 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented the Michigan College of Mines and Technology (now known as Michigan Technological University) as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1964 NCAA College Division football season. In their second year under head coach Bill Lucier, the Huskies compiled a 4–4–1 record (2–3 in conference games) and finished in fourth place.

The 1964 Huskies tallied 1,372 rushing yards (152.4 per game) and 708 passing yards (78.7 per game). On defense, they gave up 994 rushing yards (110.4 per game) and 540 passing yards (60.0 per game). Sophomore halfback Tom Csmarich led the team in rushing (436 yards), total offense (444 yards), and scoring (20 points on three touchdowns and a two-point conversion). Quarterbacks Jay Dishnow and Bob Luhmann tallied 357 and 343 passing yards, respectively. End Dan Van Able was the leading receiver with 20 receptions for 294 yards.[22]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 12Superior State*Houghton, MIW 7–01,116
September 19at Ferris State*Big Rapids, MIT 14–144,500
September 25at Moorhead State
L 2–3471
October 3Winona StateHoughton, MIL 12–142,543
October 10at St. Cloud State
W 16–62,347
October 17Mankato StatedaggerHoughton, MIW 20–03,204
October 24at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNL 7–351,110
October 31Edinboro State*Houghton, MIW 8–72,100
November 7at Wisconsin-Milwaukee*Milwaukee, WIL 8–214,000
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[22]

1965

1965 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Michigan Tech $ 4 – 1 – 0 6 – 2 – 0
Winona State 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 2 – 0
Mankato State 3 – 2 – 0 5 – 3 – 1
Bemidji State 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Moorhead State 2 – 3 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
St. Cloud State 0 – 5 – 0 2 – 6 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1965 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1965 NCAA College Division football season. In their third year under head coach Bill Lucier, the Huskies compiled a 6–2 record (4–1 in conference games) and won the NIC championship.

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Jay Dishnow with 1,039 passing yards, halfback Tom Csmarich with 499 rushing yards and 54 points scored, and end Dan Van Abel with 34 receptions for 533 yards.[23]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 18Ferris StateHoughton, MIW 29–0
September 25Moorhead StateHoughton, MIW 14–7
October 2at Winona StateWinona, MNW 13–12
October 9St. Cloud StateHoughton, MIW 29–0
October 16at Mankato StateMankato, MNW 21–12
October 23Bemidji StateBemidji, MNL 8–9
October 30at Northwood InstituteMidland, MIL 13–20
November 5at Superior StateSuperior, WIW 26–13

[23]

1966

1966 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Moorhead State $ 4 – 1 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Mankato State 2 – 2 – 1 3 – 4 – 2
St. Cloud State 2 – 2 – 1 3 – 5 – 1
Michigan Tech 2 – 3 – 0 4 – 3 – 0
Bemidji State 2 – 3 – 0 3 – 5 – 0
Winona State 2 – 3 – 0 2 – 6 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1966 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1966 NCAA College Division football season. In their fourth year under head coach Bill Lucier, the Huskies compiled a 4–3 record (2–3 in conference games) and tied for fourth place in the NIC.

The team's statistical leaders included Jay Dishnow with 945 passing yards, Tom Csmarich with 479 rushing yards, Dan Van Abel with 22 receptions for 365 yards, and Hall with 57 points on nine touchdowns, one two-point conversion, and one extra-point kick.[24] It was Cmarich's third consecutive season as Tech's rushing leader. In the Northwood game, he broke the school's all-time career rushing record previously set by Jim Lahr from 1948 to 1951.[25]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 17at Alma*Alma, MIW 13–0[26]
September 24at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNW 18–0
October 1at Moorhead StateMoorhead, MNL 20–21
October 8Winona StateHoughton, MIL 14–21
October 15at St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MNL 7–12
October 22Mankato StateHoughton, MIW 27–7
October 29Northwood InstituteHoughton, MIW 61–8[25]
  • *Non-conference game

[24]

1967

1967 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
St. Cloud State $ 5 – 0 – 0 8 – 1 – 0
Winona State 4 – 1 – 0 6 – 3 – 0
Mankato State 3 – 2 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Bemidji State 1 – 3 – 1 3 – 5 – 1
Moorhead State 1 – 3 – 1 2 – 5 – 1
Michigan Tech 0 – 5 – 0 0 – 7 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1967 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1967 NCAA College Division football season. In their fifth year under head coach Bill Lucier, the Huskies compiled a 0–7–1 record (0–5 in conference games) and finished in last place in the NIC.[27]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16AlmaHoughton, MIL 7–331,500
September 23at Wayne State (MI)
L 7–481,500[28]
September 30Bemidji StateHoughton, MIL 0–102,755
October 7at Mankato StateMankato, MNL 7–284,000
October 14Bemidji StateHoughton, MIL 14–212,500
October 21Moorhead StateHoughton, MIL 13–342,000
October 28at Winona StateWinona, MNL 6–101,800
November 4at Ferris State*Big Rapids, MIT 0–01,200
  • *Non-conference game

[29]

1968

1968 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Mankato State + 4 – 1 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Winona State + 4 – 1 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
St. Cloud State 3 – 2 – 0 5 – 3 – 1
Moorhead State 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Bemidji State 1 – 4 – 0 3 – 6 – 0
Michigan Tech 0 – 5 – 0 1 – 7 – 0
Minnesota Morris *   –   7 – 1 – 0
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • * – did not compete for championship

The 1968 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1968 NCAA College Division football season. In their sixth and final year under head coach Bill Lucier, the Huskies compiled a 1–7 record (0–5 in conference games) and finished in sixth place in the NIC.[30]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 21Wayne State (MI)*Houghton, MIL 13–233,250[31]
September 28Mankato StateHoughton, MIL 7–562,400
October 5at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNL 7–142,000
October 12at Moorhead StateMoorhead, MNL 19–482,000
October 19Winona StateHoughton,MIL 8–121,500
October 26at St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MNL 13–352,000
November 2Ferris State*Houghton, MIL 3–61,000
November 9at Northland (WI)W 7–0500
  • *Non-conference game

[32]

1969

1969 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Michigan Tech $ 4 – 1 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
Minnesota Morris 3 – 1 – 0 7 – 2 – 0
Moorhead State 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Bemidji State 2 – 2 – 1 4 – 3 – 1
St. Cloud State 1 – 3 – 1 1 – 7 – 1
Winona State 0 – 4 – 0 2 – 7 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1969 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1969 NCAA College Division football season. In their first year under head coach Ted Kearly, the Huskies compiled a 5–4 record (4–1 in conference games), won the NIC championship, and outscored opponent by a total of 129 to 83.[33]

The team's statistical leaders included: halfback Larry Ras with 1,010 rushing yards and 24 points scored; Mike Scally with 459 passing yards; and tight end Al Hartman with 17 receptions for 296 yards.[34]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 13at Southwest State*Marshall, MNL 7–13
September 20Minnesota MorrisHoughton, MIL 3–6
September 27at Winona State
W 21–0[35]
October 4St. Cloud StateHoughton, MIW 3–0
October 11at Mankato State*Mankato, MNL 21–43[36]
October 18Bemidji StatedaggerHoughton, MIW 7–6[37]
October 25Moorhead StateHoughton, MIW 27–6[38]
November 1at Ferris State*Big Rapids, MIL 6–9[39]
November 7Northland (WI)*Houghton, MIW 34–01,350[40]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[34]

References

  1. ^ "Football Year-By-Year Results". Michigan Technological University. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  2. ^ "NSCC (Final)". The St. Cloud Daily Times. St. Cloud, Minnesota. November 3, 1960. p. 15. Retrieved June 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  3. ^ "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Michigan Tech 1960)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  4. ^ "1960-61 Football Schedule". Michigan Technological University. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  5. ^ "Football Standings; NSCC". The St. Cloud Daily Times. St. Cloud, Minnesota. November 1, 1961. p. 29. Retrieved June 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  6. ^ "Football Media Guide & Yearbook" (PDF). Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. p. 108. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "Brief Summary Of Cumulative Football Statistics (Michigan Tech 1961)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "It's Northern, 61-6!". Detroit Free Press. November 5, 1961. p. D7 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Bill Robersen (September 29, 1961). "Roger Hettinga Is Defensive Standout". Wausau Daily Record-Herald. p. 19.
  10. ^ "Game summary". Leader-Telegram. September 17, 1961. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "St. Norbert Nips Michigan Tech, 7-6". Green Bay Press-Gazette. September 24, 1961. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "State Opens NSCC Play at Mich. Tech". St. Cloud Times. September 30, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Much-Improved State Looks to Winona Game". St. Cloud Times. October 2, 1961. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Mankato Halts Huskies 19-0". Ironwood Daily Globe. October 9, 1961. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Tech to Have Homecoming". Ironwood Daily Globe. October 17, 1961. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Gray Evans (October 30, 1961). "Warriors Rout Michigan Tech in Rain, 16-2". The Winona Daily News. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "1961-62 Football Schedule". Michigan Technological University. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  18. ^ "Area Grid Standings". The St. Cloud Daily Times. St. Cloud, Minnesota. October 31, 1962. p. 27. Retrieved June 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  19. ^ "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Michigan Tech, 1962)". NCAA. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  20. ^ "Northern Intercollegiate Final Standings". La Crosse Tribune. La Crosse, Wisconsin. November 13, 1963. p. 29. Retrieved June 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  21. ^ a b c d e f "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Michigan Tech 1963)". NCAA. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Brief Summary of Cumulative Football Statistics (Michigan Tech 1964)". NCAA. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "Final Huskie [sic] Stat Chart". Michigan technological University. November 8, 1965. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  24. ^ a b "Final Huskie [sic] Stat Chart". Michigan Technological University. October 30, 1966. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  25. ^ a b "Tech Routs Northwood". The Saginaw News. October 30, 1966. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Michigan Tech powers Past Alma College, 13-0". The Saginaw News. September 18, 1966. p. D4 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide 1968 (78th ed.). Phoenix, Arizona: College Athletics Publishing Service. 1968. p. 39. Retrieved January 8, 2025 – via Internet Archive.
  28. ^ "Tartars Bomb Huskies, 48-7". Detroit Free Press. September 24, 1967. p. 5C – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Michigan Tech 1967)". NCAA. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  30. ^ "NIC Final". The Minneapolis Star. Minneapolis, Minnesota. November 11, 1968. p. 11B. Retrieved June 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  31. ^ "Tartars Pressed To Conquer Tech". Detroit Free Press. September 22, 1968. p. 5C – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Michigan Tech 1968)". NCAA. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  33. ^ "Michigan Tech NIC Champion". The St. Cloud Daily Times. St. Cloud, Minnesota. November 17, 1969. p. 24. Retrieved June 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  34. ^ a b "Cumulative Football Statistics Report". NCAA. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  35. ^ "Winona State Drives Fizzle, Tech Wins 21-0". The Winona Daily News. September 28, 1969. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Mankato State Wins Homecoming". The Minneapolis Tribune. October 12, 1969. p. 8S – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Tech Ends Beavers Hopes With Last Minute Victory". Bemidji Daily Pioneer. October 20, 1969. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Tech Tops Moorhead to Near NIC Title". The Minneapolis Tribune. October 26, 1969. p. 10S – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Late Fumble Foils Huskies, Lose, 9 to 6". Green Bay Press-Gazette. November 2, 1969. p. D6 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "Tech Routs Northland". The Grand Rapids Press. November 9, 1969. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.