The 1981 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1981 Big Ten Conference football season . In their second season under head coach Muddy Waters , the Spartans compiled a 5–6 overall record (4–5 against Big Ten opponents) and finished in a tie for sixth place in the Big Ten Conference .[ 1] [ 2]
Four Spartans were recognized by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press International (UPI) as first-team players on the 1981 All-Big Ten Conference football team : center Tom Piette (AP-2; UPI-1); linebacker Carl Banks (AP-2; UPI-1); defensive back Jim Burroughs (AP-2; UPI-1); and placekicker Morten Andersen (AP-1; UPI-1).[ 3] [ 4]
Placekicker Morten Andersen led the conference with 15 field goals made and a 75.0 field goal percentage.[ 5]
Quarterback Bryan Clark ranked third in the conference with a 128.9 passing efficiency rating, fourth with a 53.4% pass completion percentage and seventh with 1,521 passing yards.[ 5]
Running back Aaron Roberts ranked seventh in the conference with 4.9 yards per carry and 10th with 461 rushing yards.[ 5]
Ted Jones ranked sixth in the conference with 44 receptions and ninth with 624 receiving yards.[ 5]
Daryl Turner ranked eighth in the conference with 653 receiving yards.[ 5]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 12 Illinois L 17–2754,945 [ 6] September 19 at No. 8 Ohio State L 13–2787,084 [ 7] September 26 Bowling Green * Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI W 10–764,323 [ 8] October 3 at Notre Dame * L 7–2059,074 [ 9] October 10 No. 6 Michigan Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI (rivalry ) L 20–3877,923 [ 10] [ 11] October 17 No. 14 Wisconsin Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI W 33–1467,652 [ 12] October 24 at Purdue L 26–2769,877 [ 13] October 31 Indiana Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI (rivalry ) W 26–360,131 [ 14] November 7 at Northwestern W 61–1424,104 [ 15] November 14 Minnesota Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI W 43–3656,571 [ 16] November 21 at No. 19 Iowa L 7–3660,103 [ 17] *Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
[ 18]
1981 Michigan State Spartans football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible
^ "Michigan State Yearly Results (1980-1984)" . College Football Data Warehouse . David DeLassus. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015 .^ "2015 Michigan State Football Media Guide" (PDF) . Michigan State University. p. 147. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016 .^ Joe Mooshil (December 1, 1981). "Eason Edges Schlichter on All-Big Ten" . The Argus-Press, Owosso, Michigan (AP story) . p. 14. ^ Randy Minkoff (November 25, 1981). "Name All Big Ten" . The Bryan Times (UPI story) . p. 19. ^ a b c d e "1981 Big Ten Conference Year Summary" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 19, 2016 .^ "Wilson who? Eason passes carry Illinois" . The Rock Island Argus . September 13, 1981. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "OSU flies 27–13" . St. Petersburg Times . September 20, 1981. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Spartans hang on" . Wisconsin State Journal . September 27, 1981. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Irish, Bell run past Michigan St" . Chicago Tribune . October 4, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ Jack Saylor (October 11, 1981). "U-M ground game grinds down MSU" . Detroit Free Press . pp. 1H, 7H – via Newspapers.com . ^ Mark Mihanovic (October 11, 1981). "Blue surge bombs MSU, 38–20" . The Michigan Daily . pp. 1, 10 – via Bentley Historical Library . ^ "Michigan State upsets Wisconsin" . The South Bend Tribune . October 18, 1981. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Wind saves Purdue from Michigan State" . Chicago Tribune . October 25, 1981. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Humming Spartans rout Indiana, 26–3" . Detroit Free Press . November 1, 1981. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Northwestern easily notches record of futility" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . November 8, 1981. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Michigan State dumps Minnesota" . Sunday News . November 15, 1981. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "The reward is roses for Hawkeyes' victory" . Wisconsin State Journal . November 22, 1981. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "1981 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 3, 2024 .
