| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Western Illinois Leathernecks |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| Short Conf: | IIAC |
| Record: | 5–3 |
| Conf Record: | 4–2 |
| Head Coach: | Art Dufelmeier |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Stadium: | Hanson Field |
The 1961 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team was an American football team that represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their second year under head coach Art Dufelmeier, the Leathernecks compiled a 5–3 record (4–2 in conference games) and tied for second place in the IIAC.[1]
Halfback Leroy Jackson led the team with 560 rushing yards and 56 points scored. He also finished third in the NCAA in the 100-yard dash, received first-team honors on the 1961 Little All-America college football team, and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (11th overall pick) of the 1962 NFL draft.[2]
Quarterback Bill Roper led the team with 635 passing yards.