1981 NCAA Division I-A football season
Encyclopedia
The 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the Clemson Tigers
, unbeaten and untied, taking the national championship
after a victory over traditional power Nebraska
in the Orange Bowl
. This was also the first year of the California Bowl
, played in Fresno
, California
; this game fancied itself as a "junior" version of the Rose Bowl
as it pitted the Big West
champion vs. the MAC
champion.
This was the final season in which the Ivy League
competed in Division I-A.; the league was lowered to Division I-AA (FCS) for 1982. Through 2009 season, the Ivy League has yet to participate in the post-season tournament, despite an automatic bid, citing academic concerns.
's match-up with North Carolina proved to be the landmark game of the season and a huge turning point for the ACC
. This game which Clemson won 10–8 marked the first time two ACC teams met while ranked in the top 10. ABC broadcast this game live nationally, a huge bit of exposure for what was usually known as a basketball conference. The game ended with Jeff Bryant
recovering a lateral with a minute left.
's Orange Bowl opponent Nebraska featured future NFL stars Roger Craig, Irving Fryar
, Mike Rozier
, and Dave Rimington
while finishing second nationally in rushing with 330 yards per game. But Clemson was able to take advantage of an injury to Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill
. Eight out of twelve Nebraska possessions ended in a three and out, they crossed the 50 only four times and ended up with just two scoring opportunities.
Entering the game, Clemson was ranked #1, Georgia #2, then Alabama and Nebraska in one poll and Pittsburgh in another. After Georgia and Alabama had lost in Sugar and Cotton Bowls respectively, The Orange Bowl was for the national championship, although with Pitt beating Georgia, it is likely that Nebraska would have split the title with Pitt had they beaten Clemson. The final score was 22–15.
Pittsburgh, which was the consensus number one until being beaten soundly by Penn State in their season finale, beat Georgia, fresh off its third national title, in the Sugar Bowl. Also in the national title hunt till the very end, Alabama lost to number six Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Kenneth Sims
of Texas was the first pick overall in the 1982 NFL Draft
and was the winner of the Lombardi Award
, given to the nation's best lineman.
Southern Methodist won the Southwest Conference and was ranked fifth, but was ineligible for post-season play due to NCAA probation, but could have still qualified for the national title.
1981 Clemson Tigers football team
The 1981 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers were led by head coach Danny Ford and played their home games in Memorial Stadium...
, unbeaten and untied, taking the national championship
Mythical National Championship
A mythical national championship is a colloquial term used to question the validity of national championship recognition that is not explicitly competitive...
after a victory over traditional power Nebraska
1981 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
The 1981 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Tom Osborne and played their home games in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.-Schedule:...
in the Orange Bowl
1982 Orange Bowl
The 1982 edition of the Orange Bowl featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Clemson Tigers.Clemson, coached by Danny Ford, came into the game unbeaten at 11-0 and ranked #1 and was attempting to win its first national championship...
. This was also the first year of the California Bowl
California Bowl
The California Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game played annually at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1981 to 1991. The games matched the championship teams from the Big West Conference with teams from the Mid-American Conference...
, played in Fresno
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
; this game fancied itself as a "junior" version of the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
as it pitted the Big West
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
champion vs. the MAC
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
champion.
This was the final season in which the Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
competed in Division I-A.; the league was lowered to Division I-AA (FCS) for 1982. Through 2009 season, the Ivy League has yet to participate in the post-season tournament, despite an automatic bid, citing academic concerns.
Octoberfest
Florida State played a brutal series of games known as "Octoberfest", playing traditional powers Nebraska, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and LSU all on the road and going 3-2 in that stretch.Important game
ClemsonClemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
's match-up with North Carolina proved to be the landmark game of the season and a huge turning point for the ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
. This game which Clemson won 10–8 marked the first time two ACC teams met while ranked in the top 10. ABC broadcast this game live nationally, a huge bit of exposure for what was usually known as a basketball conference. The game ended with Jeff Bryant
Jeff Bryant
Jeffrey Dwight Bryant is a former defensive end in the National Football League. Bryant played his whole twelve-season career for the Seattle Seahawks. He attended Clemson University.-References:...
recovering a lateral with a minute left.
Conference standings
The following is an incomplete list of conference standings:Orange Bowl
ClemsonClemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
's Orange Bowl opponent Nebraska featured future NFL stars Roger Craig, Irving Fryar
Irving Fryar
Irving Dale Fryar is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League.Fryar grew up in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey and played high school football at Rancocas Valley Regional High School...
, Mike Rozier
Mike Rozier
Michael Rozier is a former American collegiate and professional football running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1983. He was born in Camden, New Jersey. Mike and his wife, Rochelle, an attorney, reside in South Jersey and together they have one son. Mike has two other children who reside in...
, and Dave Rimington
Dave Rimington
Dave Brian Rimington is a former American football center. He is considered by many to be the greatest center in the history of college football.-College career:...
while finishing second nationally in rushing with 330 yards per game. But Clemson was able to take advantage of an injury to Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill
Turner Gill
Turner Hillery Gill is an American football coach who most recently served as the head coach at Kansas from 2010-2011, and was one of 11 African-American head coaches in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision at the time of his hiring.-College:Gill graduated from Arlington Heights High...
. Eight out of twelve Nebraska possessions ended in a three and out, they crossed the 50 only four times and ended up with just two scoring opportunities.
Entering the game, Clemson was ranked #1, Georgia #2, then Alabama and Nebraska in one poll and Pittsburgh in another. After Georgia and Alabama had lost in Sugar and Cotton Bowls respectively, The Orange Bowl was for the national championship, although with Pitt beating Georgia, it is likely that Nebraska would have split the title with Pitt had they beaten Clemson. The final score was 22–15.
Pittsburgh, which was the consensus number one until being beaten soundly by Penn State in their season finale, beat Georgia, fresh off its third national title, in the Sugar Bowl. Also in the national title hunt till the very end, Alabama lost to number six Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Kenneth Sims
Kenneth Sims
Kenneth Wayne Sims is a former American professional football player who was selected by the New England Patriots as the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'5", 272 lbs. defensive end from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-time All-American...
of Texas was the first pick overall in the 1982 NFL Draft
1982 NFL Draft
The 1982 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 27–28, 1982...
and was the winner of the Lombardi Award
Lombardi Award
The Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
, given to the nation's best lineman.
Southern Methodist won the Southwest Conference and was ranked fifth, but was ineligible for post-season play due to NCAA probation, but could have still qualified for the national title.
Offense
- QB - Jim McMahonJim McMahonJames Robert "Jim" McMahon, Jr. is a former American football player. He played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a two-time All-American and later in the professional ranks with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona...
- Brigham Young - RB - Marcus AllenMarcus AllenMarcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
- Southern California - RB - Herschel WalkerHerschel WalkerHerschel Junior Walker is an American mixed martial artist and a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League...
- Georgia - WR - Anthony Carter - Michigan
- TE - Tim WrightmanTim WrightmanTimothy Jon "Tim" Wrightman is a former professional American football tight end. He played for two seasons for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Wrightman played college football at UCLA and was drafted in the 3rd round by the Chicago Bears in the 1982 NFL draft...
- UCLA - L - Sean FarrellSean FarrellSean Farrell is a former American Football guard who played mainly for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Farrell played college football for Penn State University, where he was named to two All-American teams. Sean starred at Westhampton Beach High School both on the football and track fields....
- Penn State - L - Roy Foster - Southern California
- L - Terry Crouch - Oklahoma
- L - Ed MuranskyEd MuranskyEdward William "Ed" Muransky is a former professional American football offensive tackle who played for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League and Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League . He was a member of the Super Bowl XVIII Champion Raiders...
- Michigan - L - Terry TauschTerry TauschTerry Tausch was a guard in the National Football League. Tausch attended the University of Texas at Austin....
- Texas - L - Kurt BeckerKurt BeckerKurt Frank Becker is a former professional American football player who played guard for nine seasons for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams. An offensive guard at the University of Michigan, Becker started in 36 consecutive games...
- Michigan - C - Dave RimingtonDave RimingtonDave Brian Rimington is a former American football center. He is considered by many to be the greatest center in the history of college football.-College career:...
- Nebraska
Defense
- L - Billy Ray Smith - Arkansas
- L - Kenneth SimsKenneth SimsKenneth Wayne Sims is a former American professional football player who was selected by the New England Patriots as the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'5", 272 lbs. defensive end from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-time All-American...
- Texas - L - Andre TippettAndre TippettAndre Bernard Tippett is a former American football linebacker who played for the New England Patriots of the NFL. Currently, he is the Patriots' Executive Director of Community Affairs. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.-Personal life:Tippett was born in Birmingham,...
- Iowa - L - Tim KrumrieTim KrumrieTimothy A. Krumrie is a former American football nose tackle who played his entire NFL career for the Cincinnati Bengals, from 1983 through 1994...
- Wisconsin - LB - Bob CrableBob CrableBob Crable . He is a 1978 graduate of Archbishop Moeller High School with an accomplished high school football career...
- Notre Dame - LB - Jeff DavisJeff Davis- People :*Jeff B. Davis , American actor, comedian and singer*Jeff Davis , professional NFL football player, member of Clemson's 1981 national championship team...
- Clemson - LB - Sal SunseriSal Sunseri- External links :* at Rivals.com* at panthers.com...
- Pittsburgh - DB - Tommy Wilcox - Alabama
- DB - Mike Richardson - Arizona State
- DB - Terry KinardTerry KinardAlfred "Terry" Terance Kinard , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Giants in the 1st round of the 1983 NFL Draft. A 6'1", 200-lb...
- Clemson - DB - Fred MarionFred MarionFred Donald Marion , is a former American football defensive back who was selected by the New England Patriots in the 5th round of the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'2". 192 lbs. defensive back from the University of Miami, Marion played for the Patriots, from 1982-1991...
- Miami (FL) - P - Reggie RobyReggie RobyReginald Henry "Reggie" Roby was an American football punter in the National Football League and a three-time Pro Bowler. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 1983 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa...
- Iowa
#1 and #2 Progress
| WEEKS | #1 | #2 | Event | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRE | Michigan | Oklahoma | ||
| 1 | Michigan | Alabama | Wisconsin 21, Michigan 14 | Sep 12 |
| 2 | Notre Dame | USC | Michigan 25, Notre Dame 7 | Sep 19 |
| 3 | USC | Oklahoma | USC 28, Oklahoma 24 | Sep 26 |
| 4-5 | USC | Penn State | Arizona 13, USC 10 | Oct 10 |
| 6 | Texas | Penn State | Arkansas 42, Texas 11 | Oct 17 |
| 7-8 | Penn State | Pittsburgh | Miami 17, Penn State 14 | Oct 31 |
| 9-12 | Pittsburgh | Clemson | Penn State 48, Pitt 14 | Nov 28 |
| 13 | Clemson | Georgia | Clemson 22, Nebraska 15 | Jan 1 |
Bowl Games
- Rose BowlRose Bowl GameThe Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
: Washington 28, Iowa 0 - Cotton Bowl Classic: Texas 14, Alabama 12
- Fiesta BowlFiesta BowlThe Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
: Penn State 26, Southern California 10 - Orange Bowl: Clemson 22, Nebraska 15
- Sugar BowlSugar BowlThe Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
: Pittsburgh 24, Georgia 20 - Peach Bowl: West Virginia 26, Florida 6
- Hall of Fame Classic: Mississippi State 10, Kansas 0
- Bluebonnet BowlBluebonnet BowlThe Bluebonnet Bowl was an annual college football bowl game played in Houston, Texas. A civic group was appointed by the Houston Chamber of Commerce Athletics Committee in 1959 to organize the bowl game. It was held at Rice Stadium from 1959 through 1967, and again in 1985 and 1986. The game was...
: Michigan 33, UCLA 14 - Liberty BowlLiberty BowlThe Liberty Bowl is an annual U.S. American college football bowl game played in December of each year from 1959 to 2007 and in January in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty Bowl was sponsored by AXA Financial and was known as the AXA Liberty Bowl from 1997 to 2003...
: Ohio State 31, Navy 28 - Gator BowlGator BowlThe Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
: North Carolina 31, Arkansas 27 - Sun BowlSun BowlThe Sun Bowl is an annual U.S. college football bowl game that is usually played at the end of December in El Paso, Texas. The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl...
: Oklahoma 40, Houston 14 - California BowlCalifornia BowlThe California Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game played annually at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, California, from 1981 to 1991. The games matched the championship teams from the Big West Conference with teams from the Mid-American Conference...
: Toledo 27, San Jose State 25 - Tangerine BowlCapital One BowlThe Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
: Missouri 19, Southern Mississippi 17 - Holiday BowlHoliday BowlThe Holiday Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A college football bowl game that has been played annually at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, since 1978. Beginning with the 2010 playing the bowl will officially be known as the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl after...
: Brigham Young 38, Washington State 36 - Garden State BowlGarden State BowlThe Garden State Bowl was an annual post-season college football bowl game played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, from 1978 to 1981...
: Tennessee 28, Wisconsin 21 - Independence BowlIndependence BowlThe Independence Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I college football bowl game that is played annually at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana, so named because it was inaugurated in the United States bicentennial year, 1976....
: Texas A&M 33, Oklahoma State 16
Final AP Poll
- Clemson
- Texas
- Penn State
- Pittsburgh
- Southern Methodist
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Miami (FL)
- North Carolina
- Washington
- Nebraska
- Michigan
- Brigham Young
- Southern California
- Ohio State
- Arizona State
- West Virginia
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
Heisman Trophy
- Marcus AllenMarcus AllenMarcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
- TB, Southern California - Herschel WalkerHerschel WalkerHerschel Junior Walker is an American mixed martial artist and a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League...
- TB, Georgia - Jim McMahonJim McMahonJames Robert "Jim" McMahon, Jr. is a former American football player. He played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a two-time All-American and later in the professional ranks with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona...
- QB, Brigham Young - Dan MarinoDan MarinoDaniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
- QB, Pittsburgh - Art SchlichterArt SchlichterArthur Ernest Schlichter is a retired college and professional American football quarterback, sometimes known for his compulsive gambling and the legal problems especially gambling that arose from it...
- QB, Ohio State
Award winners
- Maxwell - Marcus AllenMarcus AllenMarcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
- RB, Southern California - Outland - Dave RimingtonDave RimingtonDave Brian Rimington is a former American football center. He is considered by many to be the greatest center in the history of college football.-College career:...
- C, Nebraska - Camp - Marcus AllenMarcus AllenMarcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
- RB, Southern California - Lombardi - Kenneth Simms - DT, Texas
- O'Brien - Jim McMahonJim McMahonJames Robert "Jim" McMahon, Jr. is a former American football player. He played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a two-time All-American and later in the professional ranks with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona...
- QB, Brigham Young