1961 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team

1961 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football
NCC co-champion
Conference	North Central Conference
Record	8–2 (5–1 NCC)
Head coach	Ralph Ginn (15th season)
Home stadium	State Field

1961 North Central Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
South Dakota State +	5	–	1	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
State College of Iowa +	5	–	1	–	0			7	–	2	–	0
North Dakota	4	–	2	–	0			6	–	3	–	0
Augustana (SD)	4	–	2	–	0			5	–	3	–	1
Morningside	2	–	4	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
North Dakota State	1	–	5	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
South Dakota	0	–	6	–	0			1	–	8	–	0
+ – Conference co-champions

The 1961 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team was an American football team that represented South Dakota State University in the North Central Conference during the 1961 NCAA College Division football season. In its 15th season under head coach Ralph Ginn, the team compiled an 8–2 record, tied for the NCC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 376 to 97.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result
September 9	at Bemidji State*	Bemidji, MN	W 34–8
September 16	Colorado State–Greeley*	Brookings, SD	W 36–13
September 23	St. Cloud State*	Brookings, SD	W 73–0
September 30	at Montana State*	Bozeman, MT	L 12–17
October 7	Augustana (SD)	Howard Wood Field Sioux Falls, SD	W 41–14
October 14	North Dakota		L 13–14
	South Dakota		W 34–6
	North Dakota State		W 41–12
	North Dakota		W 56–0
	State College of Iowa		W 36–13
*Non-conference game