In their second season under head coach Jim Garrett, the Crusaders compiled an 8–0–1 record (6–0 in conference games), won the MAC Northern College Division championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 224 to 71.
The season was part of a 22-game unbeaten streak that began on October 22, 1960, and ended on September 21, 1963.
[1] Two Susquehanna players received first-team honors on the 1961 MAC Southern College Division all-star team.
The honorees were senior guard and team captain Ben DiFrancesco and sophomore fullback Larry Kerstetter.
[2] Di Francesco was also selected by the Associated Press as a second-team player on the 1961 All-Pennsylvania football team.