In their fourth year under head coach Jim Malosky, the Bulldogs compiled an 8–1 record (7–0 in conference games), won the MIAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 356 to 112.
[1][2] The team scored 70 points against Gustavus Adolphus, breaking the Duluth single-game scoring record of 61 points set one year earlier against St Thomas.
[4] Over the course of nine games, the team averaged 39.4 points per game, the second highest average in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) behind Florida A&M.
[6] Halfback John Nachtsheim ranked third in the NAIA with 112 points scored on 17 touchdowns and five two-point conversions.
[6] Minnesota-Duluth players took five first-team spots on the 1961 NAIA All-District 13 football team: John Nachtsheim are left halfback (offense); Ed Lundstrom at quarterback (offense); Tom Adams at left end (offense); Ron Kosteliz at left tackle (offense and defense).