1981 BYU Cougars football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1981 BYU Cougars football Western Athletic Conference WAC 11 13 11–2 7–1 LaVell Edwards 10th Roger French 1st West Coast Fred Whittingham 3rd 4–3 Cougar Stadium WAC championHoliday Bowl champion Holiday Bowl W 38–36 vs. Washington State The 1981 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University (BYU) in the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Cougars were led by 10th-year head coach LaVell Edwards and played their home games at Cougar Stadium in Provo, Utah. The team competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference, winning their sixth consecutive conference title with a conference record of 7–1. BYU was invited to the 1981 Holiday Bowl, where they defeated Washington State. They were ranked 13th in the final AP Poll with an overall record of 11–2. Schedule 1981 AP September 5 w y y 16 Long Beach State Anaheim Stadium Anaheim, CA 31–8 20,953 Long Beach: BYU Defense Is Too Much The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California September 6, 1981 III-7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8869205/long_beach_byu_defense_is_too_much/ Newspapers.com February 10, 2017 September 12 w 15 Air Force Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 45–21 38,712 Dunn Marion Bottom Line: BYU 45, AFA 21 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87466547/ October 20, 2021 Daily Herald September 13, 1981 6 Newspapers.com September 19 w y 13 UTEP Sun Bowl El Paso, TX 65–8 19,400 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-spectrum-byu-continues-winning/158218667/ The Daily Spectrum BYU continues winning string September 20, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com September 26 w y y 11 Colorado Folsom Field Boulder, CO 41–20 43,259 https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-byu-breezes-colo/158218849/ Honolulu Star-Bulletin BYU breezes; Colorado no match for McMahon & Co. September 27, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com October 2 Friday w y 10 Utah State Cougar Stadium Provo, UT rivalry 32–26 41,129 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-byu-interception-saves-wi/158218926/ The Times-News BYU interception saves winning streak October 3, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com October 10 l y 8 UNLV Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 41–45 39,852 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d7RQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VOIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6753%2C2904584 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon wire service reports Vegas shocks BYU, 45-41 October 11, 1981 6B October 17 w y 17 San Diego State Jack Murphy Stadium San Diego, CA 27–7 41,727 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-times-advocate-kofler-aztecs-blit/158219050/ Daily Times-Advocate Kofler, Aztecs blitzed by BYU in WAC shootout October 18, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com October 24 l y 13 Wyoming War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY 20–33 22,745 https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-idaho-press-wyoming-cowboys-bury-b/158219118/ South Idaho Press Wyoming Cowboys bury BYU Cougars, 33–20 October 25, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com October 31 w New Mexico Cougar Stadium Provo, UT 31–7 36,343 https://www.newspapers.com/article/carlsbad-current-argus-mcmahon-byu-roll/158219192/ Carlsbad Current-Argus McMahon, BYU roll by Lobos November 1, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com November 7 w y Colorado State Hughes Stadium Fort Collins, CO 63–14 17,851 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-byus-jim-mcmahon-pass/158219297/ The Roanoke Times BYU's Jim McMahon passes for seven TDs, 538 yards November 8, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 w y Hawaii 19 Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI 13–3 45,355 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salt-lake-tribune-cougar-defense-sto/158219390/ The Salt Lake Tribune Cougar defense stops Rainbows November 15, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 w 18 Utah Cougar Stadium Provo, UT Holy War 56–28 47,163 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-byu-crushes-utah/158219493/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution BYU crushes Utah November 22, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com December 18 Friday w y y 14 Washington State 20 Jack Murphy Stadium San Diego, CA Holiday Bowl 38–36 52,419 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-mcmahon-leads-byu-t/158219599/ The Arizona Republic McMahon leads BYU to victory December 19, 1981 October 31, 2024 Newspapers.com 1981 Brigham Young Cougars Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 31, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/brigham-young/1981-schedule.html BYU '82 Football https://byucougars.com/sites/default/files/files/media_guides/m-football/pdf/MG_FB_1982.pdf BYU Athletics 2 January 8, 2023 Game summaries At Long Beach State BYU Cougars 2; text-align:center collapsed #16 BYU Cougars (0–0) at Long Beach State 49ers (0–0) September 5, 1981 BYU 7 10 14 0 Long Beach St 0 0 0 8 Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, California 20,953 Clear, 87 F C ESPN Box Score right Full game BYU highlights left BYU Cougars BYU Long Beach State Beach Long Beach St Jim McMahon 28/45, 403 Yds, 2 INT Scott Pettis 5 Rush, 37 Yds, TD Dan Plater 8 Rec, 99 Yds Angelo Gasca 11/24, 73 Yds, 3 INT Tim Gross 14 Rush, 40 Yds Louis Leidelmeyer 2 Rec, 43 Yds BYU LBS collapsed 1 BYU RushTD Scott Pettis 10 good Kurt Gunther run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 2 BYU IntTD Todd Shell 12 good Kurt Gunther run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 0 2 BYU FG 32 Kurt Gunther 17 0 3 BYU RushTD Waymon Hamilton 2 good Kurt Gunther run/pass good/failed/incomplete 24 0 3 BYU Other Blocked punt recovered in end zone for touchdown by Tom Holmoe, Kurt Gunther kick good 31 0 4 Long Beach St RecTD Darryl Stokes Doug Disney 11 run good 31 8 31 8 Air Force Air Force 0 7 7 7 BYU 10 14 7 14 September 12 Cougar Stadium, Provo, Utah 38,712 yes Q1 BYU Hudson 10 yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 7–0 Q1 BYU Gunther 32 yard field goal BYU 10–0 Q2 BYU Hamilton 1 yard run (Gunther kick) BYU 17–0 Q2 AFA Kirby 75 yard punt return (Pavlich kick) BYU 17–7 Q2 BYU Kozlowski 12 yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 24–7 Q3 BYU Hamilton 4 yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 31–7 Q3 AFA Sundquist 1 yard run (Pavlich kick) BYU 31–14 Q4 AFA James 13 yard run (Pavlich kick) BYU 31–21 Q4 BYU Hamilton 12 yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 38–21 Q4 BYU Sikahema 8 yard run (Gunther kick) BYU 45–21 yes "BYU Thumps Air Force." Gainesville Sun. 1981 Sept 13. At UTEP December 2022 At Colorado BYU 14 3 14 10 Colorado 0 0 6 14 September 26 Folsom Field • Boulder, Colorado 43,259 yes 1 BYU Plater 44-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 7-0 1 BYU Pettis 7-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 14-0 2 BYU Gunther 40-yard field goal BYU 17-0 3 BYU Kozlowski 3-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 24-0 3 COL James 33-yard pass from Essington (pass failed) BYU 24-6 3 BYU Hudson 11-yard pass from Young (Gunther kick) BYU 31-6 4 COL Rouson 7-yard run (pass failed) BYU 31-12 4 BYU Plater 22-yard pass from Young (Gunther kick) BYU 38-12 4 BYU Gunther 32-yard field goal BYU 41-12 4 COL Beebe 1-yard pass from Essington (Johnson pass from Essington) BYU 41-20 yes Eugene Register-Guard. 1981 Sept 27. Utah State Utah St 0 7 7 12 BYU 0 7 6 19 October 2 Cougar Stadium • Provo, Utah yes 2 USU Jones 8-yard pass from Canales (Money kick) Utah St 7-0 2 BYU Pettis 6-yard run (Gunther kick) Tie 7-7 3 USU McPherson 4-yard pass from Canales (Money kick) Utah St 14-7 3 BYU Hamilton 1-yard run (kick failed) Utah St 14-13 4 USU McPherson 5-yard pass from Canales (kick failed) Utah St 20-13 4 BYU Collie 8-yard pass from Young (Gunther kick) Tie 20-20 4 USU Turner 6-yard run (kick failed) Utah St 26-20 4 BYU Hamilton 42-yard run (kick failed) Tie 26-26 4 BYU Shell 19-yard interception return (kick failed) BYU 32-26 yes Eugene Register-Guard. 1981 Oct 3. UNLV December 2022 At San Diego State December 2022 At Wyoming BYU Cougars 2; text-align:center collapsed #13 BYU Cougars (6–1) at Wyoming Cowboys (4–2) October 24, 1981 BYU 14 0 0 6 Wyoming 0 14 7 12 War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyoming 22,745 Snow, 32 F C Box Score First quarter BYU – Waymon Hamilton 2-yard run (Kurt Gunther kick). BYU 7–0. BYU – Scott Collie 63-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Lee Johnson kick). BYU 14–0. Second quarter WYO – Phil Davis 30-yard run (kick failed). BYU 14–6. WYO – Charles Moore 25-yard run (run good). Tie 14–14. Third quarter WYO – Phil Davis 32-yard run (Steve Tobin kick). Wyoming 21–14. Fourth quarter WYO – James Williams 81-yard pass from Phil Davis (two-point conversion failed). Wyoming 27–14. WYO – Phil Davis 28-yard run (two-point conversion failed). Wyoming 33–14. BYU – David Mills 5-yard pass from Jim McMahon (kick failed). Wyoming 33–20. Top passers BYU – Jim McMahon – 29/47, 393 yards, 2 TD, INT WYO – Phil Davis – 5/11, 124 yards, TD Top rushers BYU – Scott Pettis – 9 rushes, 58 yards WYO – Phil Davis – 16 rushes, 140 yards, 3 TD Top receivers BYU – Scott Collie – 5 receptions, 123 yards, TD WYO – James Williams – 4 receptions, 114 yards, TD I'd rather lose and live in Provo than win and live in Wyoming. LaVell Edwards, following the loss New Mexico December 2022 At Colorado State December 2022 At Hawaii BYU 0 6 7 0 Hawaii 0 0 0 3 November 16 Aloha Stadium • Honolulu, Hawaii yes 2 BYU Gunther 19-yard field goal BYU 3-0 2 BYU Gunther 45-yard field goal BYU 6-0 3 BYU Balholm recovered fumble in end zone (Gunther kick) BYU 13-0 4 HAW Larsen 40-yard field goal BYU 13-3 yes Eugene Register-Guard. 1981 Nov 17. Utah Utah at #18 BYU Utah 10 11 7 0 BYU 14 21 14 7 Saturday, November 21 Cougar Stadium, Provo, Utah 47,163 Source: Eugene Register-Guard yes 1 UTAH Rodgers 87-yard run (Alvarez kick) Utah 7-0 1 BYU Pettis 6-yard run (Gunther kick) Tied 7-7 1 UTAH Alvarez 43-yard field goal Utah 10-7 1 BYU Hudson 8-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 14-10 2 UTAH Alvarez 27-yard field goal BYU 14-13 2 BYU Hamilton 1-yard run (Gunther kick) BYU 21-13 2 BYU Mills 6-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 28-13 2 BYU McKee 18-yard interception return (Gunther kick) BYU 35-13 2 UTAH Rodgers 1-yard run (Ferguson to Rodgers pass) BYU 35-21 3 UTAH Rodgers 8-yard run (Alvarez kick) BYU 35-28 3 BYU Hamilton 1-yard run (Gunther kick) BYU 42-28 3 BYU Plater 27-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 49-28 4 BYU Hudson 37-yard pass from McMahon (Gunther kick) BYU 56-28 yes Jim McMahon passes for 565 yards and becomes the NCAA's career leader in the category. Holiday Bowl (vs Washington State) 1981 Holiday Bowl December 2022 Personnel 1981 BYU Cougars f 57 Fr y Robert Anae OG C y 6 Fr Robbie Bosco QB y 2 So Bruce Hansen Bruce Hansen (American football) RB y 95 So Gordon Hudson TE y 7 RFr Glen Kozlowski WR y 9 RSr Jim McMahon QB y 50 Jr Bart Oates C y y 23 So Vai Sikahema RB y 8 So Steve Young QB y 78 Jr Chuck Ehin DT y 92 Fr Jim Herrmann DE y Jim Herrmann (defensive end) 46 Jr Tom Holmoe DB y 77 Jr Mike Morgan DE 47 So Todd Shell LB y 59 Sr Kyle Whittingham LB y 2 Jr Kurt Gunther K 10 Fr Lee Johnson P y Lee Johnson (punter) https://byucougars.com/sports/football/roster/season/1981 *LaVell Edwards Jim Paronto(Graduate assistant) https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d-UnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xIMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4815%2C1663062 Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah) Starting lineups December 18, 1981 12Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d-UnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xIMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5162%2C1671927 Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah) Holiday Bowl team rosters December 18, 1981 14B Awards and honors Jim McMahon – Sammy Baugh Trophy,http://www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com/Awards.htm#SAMMY Awards www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com https://web.archive.org/web/20110717080156/http://www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com/Awards.htm 2011-07-17 Davey O'Brien Awardhttps://www.espn.com/college-football/awards?awardId%3D3 College Football Awards - ESPN 2007-02-20 live https://web.archive.org/web/20090218123305/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/awards?awardId=3 2009-02-18 Team players in the NFL The following were selected in the 1982 NFL draft. Player Position Round Overall NFL team Jim McMahon Quarterback 1 5 Chicago Bears Dan Plater Wide receiver 4 106 Denver Broncos https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1982.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221202828/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1982.htm 2007-12-21 1982 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com References BYU Category:BYU Cougars football seasons Category:Western Athletic Conference football champion seasons Category:Holiday Bowl champion seasons BYU Cougars football