In their fourth year under head coach Lee Tressel, the Yellow Jackets compiled a 9–0 record and outscored opponents by a total of 204 to 55.
[1] They were the only Ohio football team to completee a perfect season in 1961 and were ranked No.
[5] Tressel remained at Baldwin-Wallace until 1980 and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
[13] The team's passing leaders were quarterbacks Tom French (28-for-55, .509 percentage, 529 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions) and Bill Lacey (24-for-38, .632 percentage, 255 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions).
[13] The receiving leaders were end Bill Eyerdom (19 receptions for 369 yards, 19.4-yard average, and four touchdowns) and halfback Bill Ridge (eight receptions for 146 yards, 18.2-yard average, and one touchdown).