1961 Northwestern State Demons football team

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.