The 1961 Susquehanna Crusaders football team was an American football team that represented Susquehanna University as a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) during the 1961 college football season. In their second season under head coach Jim Garrett, the Crusaders compiled an 8–0–1 record (6–0 in conference games), won the MAC Northern College Division championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 224 to 71. The season was part of a 22-game unbeaten streak that began on October 22, 1960, and ended on September 21, 1963.
Two Susquehanna players received first-team honors on the 1961 MAC Southern College Division all-star team. The honorees were senior guard and team captain Ben DiFrancesco and sophomore fullback Larry Kerstetter. Di Francesco was also selected by the Associated Press as a second-team player on the 1961 All-Pennsylvania football team.
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Statistics Susquehanna tallied 2,781 yards of total offense (309 yards per game), consisting of 2,376 rushing yards (264 yards per game) and 405 passing yards (45 yards per game). On defense, the team gave up 1,363 yards by opponents (151.4 yards per game) with 726 rushing yards (80.7 yards per game) and 637 passing yards (70.8 yards per game).
The team's individual statistical leaders included fullback Larry Kerstetter with 610 rushing yards and 62 points scored (nine touchdowns and four catches for two-point conversions); quarterback Don Green with 915 yards of total offense and 395 passing yards; end Ken Hauser with 11 receptions for 135 yards.
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