| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | NC State Wolfpack |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Atlantic Coast Conference |
| Short Conf: | ACC |
| Record: | 4–6 |
| Conf Record: | 3–4 |
| Head Coach: | Earle Edwards |
| Hc Year: | 8th |
| Captain: | Roman Gabriel |
The 1961 NC State Wolfpack football team was an American football team that represented North Carolina State University (NC State) as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 1961 college football season. In their eighth year head coach Earle Edwards, the Wolfpack compiled a 4–6 record (3–4 in conference games), tied for fifth place in the ACC, and were outscored by a total of 149 to 129.[1]
Senior quarterback Roman Gabriel set 22 NC State records, was selected as the 1961 ACC Player of the Year and a first-team All-American, and had his jersey retired (the first in program history) in a January 1962 ceremony. Gabriel was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
The team played its home games at Riddick Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The 1967 NC State Wolfpack gained an average of 123.7 rushing yards and 96.6 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 192.8 rushing yards and 78.4 passing yards per game.[3]
Roman Gabriel completed 99 of 186 passes (53.2%) for 937 passing yards with eight touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 103.3 quarterback rating.[3] He also rushed for 196 yards and led the ACC with 1,133 yards of total offense. He set 22 NC State and nine ACC records.
The Wolfpack had five players who rushed for over 150 yards:
End Johnny Morris led the team with 325 receiving yards on 24 receptions for a 13.5-yard average.[3]
Senior quarterback Roman Gabriel received multiple honors at the end of the 1961 season, including the following:
In 1989, Gabriel was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[6]
Two NC State player were honored on the 1961 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team. Gabriel received first-team honors from the AP, UPI, and Atlantic Coast Sports Writers Association (ACSWA). End Johnny Morris received first-team honors from the AP and ACSWA.[7] [8] [9]