1961 Delta State Statesmen football team

In their first year under head coach Horace McCool, the Statesmen compiled a 7–2–1 record and outscored opponents 210 to 83.

[1] The team played its home games at Delta Field in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Right halfback Billy Bowman led the team in scoring with 50 points on eight touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

Quarterback Sonny Hill completed 14th of 20 passes for 222 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.

[11] Hill broke his foot in the Southeast Missouri game and was replaced for the last half of the season by Chester Norris.