In their second season under head coach John F. Bateman, the Scarlet Knights compiled a perfect 9–0 record (4–0 in conference games), won the MAC University Division championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 246 to 102.

[5] Center and team captain Alex Kroll was a consensus first-team All-American and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sam Mudie played quarterback on offense and safety on defense and was selected as the team's most valuable player.

[14] With Kroll's strength in the middle of the line, Rutgers used the quarterback sneak as an offensive weapon, scoring seven touchdowns on the play.

[15] Kroll and fullback Steve Simms received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Eastern football team.

The stars can be seen in a photo of the 1961 Rutgers team walking from the locker room to the field prior to the season finale against Columbia.