| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Pittsburgh Panthers |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 3–7 |
| Head Coach: | John Michelosen |
| Hc Year: | 7th |
| Stadium: | Pitt Stadium |
The 1961 Pittsburgh Panthers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their seventh season under head coach John Michelosen, the Panthers compiled a 3–7 record and were outscored by a total of 209 to 145.[1]
Notable players included quarterback James Traficant, who passed for 437 yards and was later a member of U.S. Congress; back Paul Martha, who later became a consensus All-American and played seven years in the National Football League (NFL); Fred Cox, who later played 15 years in the NFL and was twice the NFL scoring leader; and offensive lineman Ed Adamchik.
The team played its home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh.
The team gained an average of 159.6 rushing yards and 83.8 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 178.0 rushing yards and 126.2 passing yards per game.
Quarterback James Traficant led the team in passing, completing 32 of 67 passes (47.8%) for 437 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. Trafficant later served in the U.S. Congress but was expelled in 2002 after being convicted of ten felonies.
The team's rushing leaders were Rick Leeson (452 yards, 103 carries, 4.4-yard average), Ed Clark (213 yards, 57 attempts, 3.7-yard average), Paul Martha (212 yards, 44 attempts, 4.8-yard average), Peter Billey (155 yards, 34 attempts, 4.6-yard average), and Fred Cox (136 yards, 46 attempts, 3.0-yard average).[2]
The receiving leaders were John Kuprok (18 receptions, 247 yards, 13.7-yard average), Fred Cox (12 receptions, 148 yards, 12.3-yard average), and Paul Martha (5 receptions, 144 yards, 28.8-yard average).[2]