1961 OSLAA Champions
The Gee-Gees were undefeated in 1961, earning the Ontario Senior Intercollegiate Football League title. The Garnet and Grey then met Loyola for the Ottawa-St. Lawerence Football Conference championship, winning by a 27-18 margin in Montreal.
The end of the season featured some controversy as a skirmish broke out during the fourth quarter of the final league game, causing the referee to stop the game. Ottawa was leading Ontario Agriculture College (Guelph) 33-14 when the game was stopped due to the benches clearing. The result was allowed to stand, giving Ottawa the title. Meanwhile, McMaster played in the Atlantic Bowl as the representative of the Ontario Senior League, despite Ottawa winning the league. McMaster was defeated 14-0 at the Atlantic Bowl.
The 1961 season started with many departures from the 1960 team - almost half of the team had graduated. Pete Barnabe starred at halfback for the Gee-Gees with Rick Carbonneau handling quarterbacking and punting duties, while also serving as a defensive back in the OSLAA championship game.
GAME RESULTS:
W 21-7 vs Waterloo, Sept. 30: TDs by Riley Hearn (run), Bill Hendy (run), Ron Verrall (blocked punt return, 55 yards), Pete Barnabe (30 yard reception from Hendy)
W 9-6 at McMaster, Oct 7: TD by Pete Barnabe (2-yard run)
W 45-0 at RMC, Oct 14: TDs by Pete Barnabe (3)
W 13-12 vs Carleton, Oct. 21 (Panda Game): TDs by Derek Callan (run), Mike Blain (run)
W 20-7 vs RMC, Oct. 28: TDs by Pete Barnabe (2 rushes, one for 72 yards), Mike Blain (4-yard run)
W 15-6 vs Carleton, Nov. 4: TDs by Mike Blain, Rick Charbonneau
W 33-14 vs OAC, Nov. 11: TDS by Paul Benoit (2 rushes, one pass for 25 yards), Carbonneau (23-yard run), Mike Blain (65-yard run)
W 27-18 at Loyola, Nov. 18: TDs by Rick Carbonneau, Bill Hendy (pass), Mike Blain and Derek Callan.
RECAP: Ottawa U Defeats Loyola 27-18 to Retain Conference Crown
Montreal (CP): Quarterback PEte Carbonneau led the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees to a 27-18 victory over Loyola Warriors Saturday to retain the Ottawa-St. Lawrence Intercollegiate Association football championship.
Carbonneau, playing his last game for Gee-Gees, scored nine points and punted effectively. He played 60 minutes, turning in a strong performance as defensive halfback also.
Loyola fumbled seven times, losing five. Two were recovered within the Loyola 25-yard line and led directly to touchdowns. The Gee Gees didn't fumble once.
Ottawa's four touchdowns were scored by Carbonneau, Bill Hendy, Mike Blain and Derek Callan. Carbonneau also counted two converts and a single.
Loyola's three unconverted touchdowns were scored by Paul St. George, Mike Kostin and captain John Roche. The teams were evenly matched and Loyola got 15 first downs to the Gee Gees' 10.
Ottawa outrushed the Warriors 179 yards to 113 but Loyola had the edge in passing, 123 yards to 59. It was a clean game, with the referees calling the play closely after both teams were involved in brawls last weekend. Ottawa drew 78 yards in penalties against Loyola's 55.
Loyola scored two of their three touchdowns on long passes from quarterback Bernie Young. One of the Gee Gees' touchdowns came on a pass from Carbonneau to Hendy and the others were scored on ground plays.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter - Ottawa, single (Danaher rouged on Carbonneau's punt) at 3:20. Ottawa, touchdown (Hendy) at 5:07
2nd Quarter - Ottawa, touchdown (Carbonneau) at 2:18. Loyola, touchdown (St. George) at 10:26.
3rd Quarter - Loyola, touchdown (Kostin) at 7:37. Ottawa, touchdown (Blain) and convert (Carbonneau) at 9:47.
4th Quarter - Ottawa touchdown (Callan) and convert (Carbonneau) at 11:21. Loyola touchdown (Roche) at 12:08.
Note: the above article and summary originally appeared in the Ottawa Journal, Monday November 20, 1961.