1981 Illinois Fighting Illini football team information
American college football season
1981Illinois Fighting Illini football
Conference
Big Ten Conference
Record
7–4 (6–3 Big Ten)
Head coach
Mike White (2nd season)
MVP
Tony Eason, Kelvin Atkins, Ron Ferrari, Dan Gregus, Mike Bass
Captain
Greg Boeke, Ron Ferrari, Jack Squirek
Home stadium
Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1980
1982 →
1981 Big Ten Conference football standings
v
t
e
Conf
Overall
Team
W
L
T
W
L
T
No. 15 Ohio State +
6
–
2
–
0
9
–
3
–
0
No. 18 Iowa +
6
–
2
–
0
8
–
4
–
0
No. 12 Michigan
6
–
3
–
0
9
–
3
–
0
Illinois
6
–
3
–
0
7
–
4
–
0
Wisconsin
6
–
3
–
0
7
–
5
–
0
Minnesota
4
–
5
–
0
6
–
5
–
0
Michigan State
4
–
5
–
0
5
–
6
–
0
Purdue
3
–
6
–
0
5
–
6
–
0
Indiana
3
–
6
–
0
3
–
8
–
0
Northwestern
0
–
9
–
0
0
–
11
–
0
+ – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll
The 1981 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois during the 1981 Big Ten Conference football season. In their second year under head coach Mike White, the Illini compiled a 7–4 record and finished in three-way tie for third place in the Big Ten Conference.[1]
The team's offensive leaders were quarterback Tony Eason with 3,360 passing yards, running back Calvin Thomas with 390 rushing yards, and wide receiver Oliver Williams with 760 receiving yards.[2] Several Illinois players ranked among the Big Ten leaders, including the following:
Tony Eason led the conference with 248 pass completions, a 61.1 pass completion percentage, 3,360 passing yards, a 140.0 passing efficiency rating, 20 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and 3,331 total yards.[3]
Oliver Williams ranked third in the conference with six receiving touchdowns and 20.0 yards per reception and ranked fifth in the conference with 760 receiving yards.[3]
Kirby Wilson ranked second in the conference with 546 kickoff return yards.[3]
Mike Bass ranked third in the conference with 33 extra points made, fifth with 10 field goals and a 58.8% field goal percentage, and sixth with 63 points scored.[3]
^"1981 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
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