| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Dartmouth Indians |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Ivy League |
| Short Conf: | Ivy |
| Record: | 6–3 |
| Conf Record: | 5–2 |
| Head Coach: | Bob Blackman |
| Hc Year: | 7th |
| Captain: | James Lemen |
| Stadium: | Memorial Field |
The 1961 Dartmouth Indians football team was an American football team that represented Dartmouth College as a member of the Ivy League during the 1961 college football season. In their seventh season under head coach Bob Blackman, the Indians compiled a 6–3 record (5–2 in conference games), tied for third place in the Ivy League, and outscored opponents by a toal of 197 to 104. Fullback James Lemen was the team captain.[1] They outscored Ivy opponents, 156 to 84.[2]
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Bill King with 711 passing yards and John Krumme with 416 rushing yards and 192 receiving yards. Tackle Carter Strickland was selected as a second-team player on the 1961 All-Ivy League football team.[3]
Dartmouth played its home games at Memorial Field on the college campus in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Junior quarterback Bill King completed 49 of 98 passes (50.0%) for 711 yards with 10 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 136.5 quarterback rating. He also had 176 rushing yards and led the team in scoring with 36 points.
Halfback John Krumme led the team in both rushing (416 yards, 99 carries, 4.2-yard average) and receiving (17 receptions, 192 yards).[4]
Other significant contributors included halfbacks Tom Spangenberg (393 rushing yards on 90 carries, 120 receiving yards on nine receptions), Dave Lawson (149 rushing yards on 33 carries, 37 receiving yards on four receptions), and Chris Vancura (135 rushing yards on 41 carries, 38 receiving yards on four receptions), and ends Frank Finsthwait (three receptions, 87 receiving yards), Dave Usher (82 receiving yards), and Carl Funke (two receptions, 75 receiving yards).[4]