In their fourth year under head coach Phil Dickens, the Hoosiers compiled a 2–7 record (0–6 in conference games), finished in a tie for last place in the Big Ten Conference, and were outscored by a total of 162 to 96.

[1] The Hoosiers were led on offense by Byron Broome who played fullback in 1959, tailback in 1960, and quarterback in 1961.

He tallied 627 passing yards at his new position and was selected as the team's most valuable player.

[2] Woodson was selected by the Associated Press as a second-team player on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team.

The Hoosiers played their home games at Seventeenth Street Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.