1961 UC Riverside Highlanders football team

The 1961 UC Riverside Highlanders football team represented the University of California, Riverside as an independent during the 1961 college football season. Led by third-year head coach Jim Whitley, UC Riverside compiled a record of 1–7. The team was outscored by its opponents 159 to 101 for the season. The Highlanders played home games at UCR Athletic Field in Riverside, California.