| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Baylor Bears |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Southwest Conference |
| Short Conf: | SWC |
| Record: | 6–5 |
| Conf Record: | 2–5 |
| Head Coach: | John Bridgers |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Captain: | Ronald Stanley, Bill Hicks, Bobby Lane |
| Stadium: | Baylor Stadium |
| Champion: | Gotham Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | Gotham Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 24–9 vs. Utah State |
The 1961 Baylor Bears football team was an American football team that represented Baylor University as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1961 college football season. In their third year under head coach John Bridgers, the Bears compiled a 6–5 record (2–5 in conference games), tied for sixth place in the Big 8, and outscored opponents by a total of 188 to 164.[1] Baylor played in the first Gotham Bowl, defeating the previously undefeated Utah State Aggies, 24–9.
Senior halfback Ronnie Bull led the team in rushing (441 yards), scoring (48 points), and pass receptions (19). Center Bill Hicks and guard Herbie Adkins received first-team honors on the 1961 All-Southwest Conference football team:
The team played its home games at Baylor Stadium in Waco, Texas.
During the regular season, the 1961 Baylor team outscored opponents by a total of 188 to 164. They outgained opponents by a total of 2,867 yards to 2,486. In the air, they outgained opponents by 1,314 yards to 927.[3]
Senior halfback Ronnie Bull led the team in both rushing (441 yards on 91 carries, 4.8-yard average), scoring (48 points), and pass receptions (19 receptions for 199 yards). Claude Pearson led the team in receiving yards with 217 yards on 18 receptions.[4]
The team's passing leaders were Bobby Ply (39-for-86, 468 yards, six touchdowns, four interceptions), Ronnie Stanley (44-for-84, 451 yards, four touchdowns, eight interceptions), and Don Trull (26-for-56, 359 yards, four touchdowns, four interceptions).[4]
Three Baylor players were honored on the 1961 All-Southwest Conference football team: center Bill Hicks (AP-1); guard Herby Adkins (AP-2, UPI-1); and halfback Ronnie Bull (AP-2).[5] [6]