The 1961 Lamar Tech Cardinals football team represented Lamar State College of Technology—now known as Lamar University—as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1961 NCAA College Division football season. Led by ninth-year head coach James B. Higgins, the Cardinals compiled an overall record of an 8–2–1 with a mark of 4–2–1 in conference play, placing third in the LSC. Lamar Tech was invited to the Tangerine Bowl, where the beat Middle Tennessee, 21–14.