The 1961 Allegheny Gators football team represented Allegheny College of Meadville, Pennsylvania. In their fourth year under head coach John R. Chuckran, the team compiled a 6–1 record (5–1 against PAC opponents) and won the PAC championship. The Gators were undefeated through the first six games, losing to the Thiel Tomcats in the final game of the season.
Allegheny players took four spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Stoner Tracy (quarterback on offense, halfbacks on defense); Joe Valentino (defensive tackle); and Phil Crichton (cornerback).[1]
The 1961 John Carroll Blue Streaks football team represented John Carroll University of University Heights, Ohio. In their third year under head coach John Ray, the team compiled a 5–1 record (4–1 against PAC opponents) and finished second in the PAC.
John Carroll took five spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Gordon Priemer (halfbacks on offense); Ted Uritis (end on offense); Gene Smith (guard on offense); John Kovach (end on defense); and Ron Timpanaro (linebacker).[1]
The 1961 Western Reserve Red Cats football team represented Western Reserve University (now part of Case Western Reserve University) of Cleveland. In their 11th year under head coach Edward L. Finnigan, the team compiled a 5–2 record (5–1 against PAC opponents) and finished third in the PAC.
Western Reserve players took five spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Bob Swingle (fullback); Jay Schnackle (offensive tackle); Rudy Elaus (offensive guard); Dave Heiser (middle guard); and Doug Wilson (cornerback).[1]
The 1961 Case Tech Rough Riders football team represented Case Institute of Technology (now part of Case Western Reserve University) of Cleveland. In their fifth year under head coach Doug Mooney, the team compiled a 4–3 record (4–2 against PAC opponents) and finished fourth in the PAC.
Case Tech players took four spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Dick Millie (quarterback on offense, halfback on defense); Ron Shilling (offensive end); and Bob Hugus (center).[1]
The 1961 Bethany Bison football team represented Bethany College of Bethany, West Virginia. In their ninth year under head coach John J. Knight, the team compiled a 2–5 record (2–4 against PAC opponents) and tied for fifth place in the PAC.
Bethany took three spots on the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team: Don Ashton (halfbacks on offense) and Ray Hack (tackle on offense and defense).[1]
The 1961 Thiel Tomcats football team represented Thiel College of Greenville, Pennsylvania. In their seventh year under head coach Joe Difebo, the team compiled a 2–4 record (2–4 against PAC opponents) and tied for fifth place in the PAC.
Thiel defensive end was named to the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team.[1]
The 1961 Wayne State Tartars football team represented Wayne State University of Detroit. In their second year under head coach Harold D. Willard, the team compiled a 1–6 record (1–4 against PAC opponents), was outscored by a total of 271 to 37, and finished seventh in the PAC.
Wayne State linebacker Barry Sarver was named to the 1961 All-Presidents Athletic Conferene football team.[1]
On October 28, Wayne State suffered the worst defeat in PAC history, losing, 62-0, against John Carroll. The Tartars talied minus-nine yards rushing in the game.[24] Three weeks later, the team then lost to Wittenberg by a 77-0 margin.
The 1961 Washington & Jefferson Presidents football team represented Washington & Jefferson College of Washington, Pennsylvania. In their second year under head coach Chuck Ream, the team compiled a 0–7 record (0–5 against PAC opponents) and finished last in the PAC.
