| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Ohio Bobcats |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Mid-American Conference |
| Short Conf: | MAC |
| Record: | 5–3–1 |
| Conf Record: | 3–2–1 |
| Head Coach: | Bill Hess |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Stadium: | Peden Stadium |
The 1961 Ohio Bobcats football team was an American football team that represented Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their fourth season under head coach Bill Hess, the Bobcats compiled a 5–3–1 record (3–2–1 against MAC opponents), finished in fourth place in the MAC, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 129 to 116.[1] [2] They played their home games in Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio.[3]
The team's statistical leaders included Otis Wagner with 441 rushing yards, Bob Babbitt with 573 passing yards, and John Trevis with 258 receiving yards.[4]