In their 11th year under head coach Phil Sarboe, the Lumberjacks compiled an 8–2 record (4–1 in conference games), tied for the FWC championship with San Francisco State, and outscored opponents by a total of 239 to 112.
[1] Five Humboldt players were selected as first-team players on the 1961 All-Far Western Conference football team: fullback Ed White; offensive end Drew Roberts; offensive tackle Vester Flanagan; offensive guard Al Frakes; defensive end Jim Walker; and defensive halfback Dennis Guiuntini.
The team played its home games at the Redwood Bowl in Arcata, California.
[1] Six Humboldt players were selected by the conference coaches and athletic directors for first-team honors on the 1961 All-Far Western Conference football team: end Drew Roberts; tackle Vester Flanagan; guard Al Frakes; fullback Ed White; defensive end Jim Walker; and defensive halfback Dennis Giuntini.
Two others were named to the second team: center Parker Pollock and wingback Earl Love.