| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Northwestern State Demons |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Gulf States Conference |
| Short Conf: | GSC |
| Record: | 7–3 |
| Conf Record: | 3–2 |
| Head Coach: | Jack Clayton |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
The 1961 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State College of Louisiana—now known as Northwestern State University—as a member of the Gulf States Conference (GSC) during the 1961 college football season. led by fifth-year head coach Jack Clayton, the Demons compiled an overall record of record of 7–3 with a mark of 3–2 in conference play, tying for third place in the GSC. On October 27, the Demons were tied for No. 7 in the AP small college football rankings with Hofstra.[1]