They led the NCC until the final game of the season when they lost to South Dakota State, resulting in the two teams sharing the conference championship.

Fullback and co-captain Dan Boals set a new school record with 1,003 rushing yards and was selected as one of the two outstanding backs in the NCC.

[8] Fullback Dan Boals, end Carl Bowman, halfback Bruce Wiegmann, and guard Wendel Williams were the team's co-captains.

[11] Three SCI players were included on the 1961 All-North Central Conference football team: Boals; Williams; and tackle Al Sonnenberg.

[12][13] Several other received second-team honors: quarterback Dave Cox; halfback Howard Becker; end Carl Bowman; and tackle Ken Kroemer.