In their fourth year under head coach Dan Devine, the Tigers compiled a 7–2–1 record (5–2 in conference games), finished in a tie for second place in the Big 8, and outscored opponents by a total of 124 to 57.
[1][2] Two games were decided based on Missouri's attempts for two-point conversions in the closing minutes: Senior tackle Ed Blaine was selected as a first-team All-American.
Senior tckle Ed Blaine was selected as a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America for Look magazine.
[22] At the end of the 1961 season, the following 31 players received varsity letters for their participation on the football team.
Twenty other players were named provisional letter winners, "pending their performance in spring football drills.