1981 Big Ten Conference football season


The 1981 Big Ten Conference football season was the 86th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season.
The 1981 Big Ten co-champions were Iowa and Ohio State.

Season overview

Results and team statistics

Key
AP final = Team's rank in the final AP Poll of the 1981 season
AP high = Team's highest rank in the AP Poll throughout the 1981 season
PPG = Average of points scored per game
PAG = Average of points allowed per game

Bowl games

Four Big Ten teams played in bowl games at the end of the 1981 season.

Statistical leaders

The Big Ten's individual statistical leaders include the following:

Passing yards

1. Tony Eason, Illinois
2. Scott Campbell, Purdue
3. Art Schlichter, Ohio State
4. Mike Hohensee, Minnesota
5. Babe Laufenberg, Indiana

Rushing yards

1. Butch Woolfolk, Michigan
2. Tim Spencer, Ohio State
3. Jim Gayle, Ohio State
4. Phil Blatcher, Iowa
5. Steve Smith, Michigan

Receiving yards

1. Chester Cooper, Minnesota
2. Steve Bryant, Purdue
3. Anthony Carter, Michigan
4. Gary Williams, Ohio State
5. Oliver Williams, Illinois

Total offense

1. Tony Eason, Illinois
2. Scott Campbell, Purdue
3. Art Schlichter, Ohio State
4. Mike Hohensee, Minnesota
5. Steve Smith, Michigan

Passing efficiency rating

1. Tony Eason, Illinois
2. Scott Campbell, Purdue
3. Bryan Clark, Michigan State
4. Steve Smith, Michigan
5. Art Schlichter, Ohio State

Rushing yards per attempt

1. Butch Woolfolk, Michigan
2. John Williams, Wisconsin
3. Tim Spencer, Ohio State
4. Manny Henry, Minnesota
5. Chucky Davis, Wisconsin

Yards per reception

1. Duane Gunn, Indiana
2. Daryl Turner, Michigan State
3. Oliver Williams, Illinois
4. Mike Martin, Illinois
5. Anthony Carter, Michigan

Points scored

1. Bob Atha, Ohio State
2. Morten Andersen, Michigan State
3. Steve Smith, Michigan
3. Tim Spencer, Ohio State
5. Steve Bryant, Purdue

All-conference players

All-Americans

The NCAA recognizes four selectors as "official" for the 1980 season. They are the American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America, and the United Press International.

Consensus All-Americans

The following Big Ten players were selected in the first six rounds of the draft:
NamePositionTeamRoundOverall pick
Art SchlichterQuarterbackOhio State14
Butch WoolfolkRunning backMichigan118
Ron HallstromGuardIowa122
Bubba ParisOffensive tackleMichigan229