The 1961 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team represented Western Kentucky State College (now known as Western Kentucky University) as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 1961 NCAA College Division football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Nick Denes, the Hilltoppers compiled an overall record of 6–3 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, plaching third place in the OVC. The team's captain was Winton Boone.[1]