In their 22nd season under head coach Frank Howard, the Tigers compiled a 5–5 record (3–3 in conference games), tied for third place in the ACC, and outscored opponents by a total of 199 to 126.

The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

[16] Senior fullback Ron Scrudato led the ACC in scoring with 48 points on eight touchdowns.

[17][16] The quarterback role was split between sophomore Jim Parker and junior Joe Anderson.

Four Clemson players were recognized by one or more of the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), and the Atlantic Coast Sports Writers Association (ACSWA) on the 1961 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team: end Tommy King (AP-1); center Ron Andreo (UPI-1); quarterback Jim Parker (AP-2, UPI-2, ACSWA-2); and guard Calvin West (AP-2, UPI-2, ACSWA-2).