In their sixth year under head coach Milt Bruhn, the Badgers compiled a 6–3 record (4–3 in conference games), finished fifth in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 179 to 158.
Quarterback Ron Miller led the country with 1,487 passing yards, won the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the best passer in college football, and was selected as Wisconsin's most valuable player.
End Pat Richter was the team's only first-team All-American and led the country with 817 receiving yards.
He was selected by the United Press International (UPI) as a first-team end on its 1961 All-America college football team.
[18] Richter was also chosen by both the AP and UPI as a first-team end on the 1961 All-Big Ten Conference football team.