The 1981 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second season under head coach Larry Smith, the Wildcats compiled a 6–5 record (4–4 against Pac-10 opponents), finished in a tie for sixth place in the Pac-10, and outscored their opponents, 253 to 205.[1][2] The team played its home games in Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.
A memorable highlight of the season occurred in October when Arizona upset #1 USC, which was Arizona's first win over a top-ranked opponent in school history. It was also the Wildcats’ first win over the Trojans in program history. Losses to Fresno State and rival Arizona State in the final two games of the regular season were factors that prevented the Wildcats from going to a bowl game, although Arizona finished with a winning record (at the time, a 6–5 record did not always guarantee a bowl appearance due to very few bowls).[3]
The team's statistical leaders included Tom Tunnicliffe with 1,420 passing yards, Vance Johnson with 654 rushing yards, and Bob Carter with 427 receiving yards.[4] Linebacker Ricky Hunley led the team with 121 total tackles.[5]
^"1981 Arizona Wildcats Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
^"Arizona Football 2016 Media Guide" (PDF). University of Arizona. 2016. p. 107. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
^"Cats' 6-5 record not quite good enough for bowl berth". Arizona Daily Star. December 9, 1981.
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