On 6 August 2011, Goodwillie scored a debut goal on a 76th minutes for Rovers in a friendly against Kilmarnock which Blackburn won 4–1. He made his competitive debut for the club on 13 August, on the opening day of the 2011–12 season, against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Ewood Park, replacing Morten Gamst Pedersen in the 72nd minute in a 2–1 defeat, and scored his first competitive goal in the 3–1 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the second round of the League Cup. In January 2012, Goodwillie scored his first Premier League goal at home to Stoke City. This was followed up five days later with his first FA Cup goal away to Newcastle United. Again in January, Goodwillie scored his second goal in the Premier League at away to Everton in a 1–1 draw.