1981 Wisconsin Badgers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1981 Wisconsin Badgers football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 7–5 6–3 Dave McClain 4th Bill Dudley 2nd Triple option Jim Hilles 4th 3–4 Dave Levenick Dave Levenick Dave Mohapp Larry Spurlin Camp Randall Stadium Garden State Bowl L 21–28 vs. Tennessee The 1981 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 1981 Big Ten Conference football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Dave McClain, the Badgers compiled an overall record of 7–5 with a mark of 6–3 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the Big Ten. Wisconsin was invited to the Garden State Bowl, where the Badgers lost to Tennessee. The team played home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Several Wisconsin players ranked among the Big Ten leaders, including the following: Quarterback Jess Cole ranked seventh in the conference with 12 passing touchdowns and ninth with 1,180 passing yards.1981 Big Ten Conference Year Summary Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 19, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/1981.html Running back John Williams ranked second in the conference with 5.5 rushing yards per carry and seventh with 634 rushing yards. David Greenwood led the conference with 156 interception return yards, and he and Matt Vanden Boom tied for second in the conference with six interceptions each. Wisconsin made its first bowl game appearance since the 1963 Rose Bowl. Schedule 1981 AP September 12 w Michigan 1 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 21–14 68,733 Michigan jolted: Badger 'D' devours Wolverines The Michigan Daily Mike Mihanovic September 13, 1981 1, 11 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754662/149 Newspapers.com September 19 l y 20 UCLA 9 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 13–31 71,496 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-times-reporter-bruins-start-quick/158339923/ Herald-Times-Reporter Bruins start quick; dump Badgers September 20, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 26 w y y Western Michigan Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 21–10 67,196 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-reporter-badgers-plod-to-2110-win/158362161/ The Reporter Badgers plod to 21–10 win September 27, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 3 w Purdue Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 20–14 68,603 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-wisconsin-storms-pas/158373640/ The Macon Telegraph & News Wisconsin storms past Purdue October 4, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 10 w Ohio State 18 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 24–21 78,973 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-wisconsin-numbs-ohio-state/158376401/ News Journal Wisconsin numbs Ohio State 24–21 October 11, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 17 l y 14 Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 14–33 67,352 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-michigan-state-up/158374657/ The South Bend Tribune Michigan State upsets Wisconsin October 18, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 24 l y Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 21–23 67,413 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-illini-vault-into-title/158376488/ Quad-City Times Illini vault into title race October 25, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 31 w Northwestern Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 52–0 70,035 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-badgers-roll-520/158366078/ The Post-Crescent Badgers roll, 52–0 November 1, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 7 w y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN 28–7 44,218 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-badgers-beat-hoosier/158366939/ Journal and Courier Badgers beat Hoosiers, gain tie for Big Ten lead November 8, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 l Iowa Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI rivalry 7–17 78,731 https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-no-roses-for-the/158376582/ Green Bay Press-Gazette No roses for the Badgers November 15, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 w y Minnesota Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN rivalry 26–21 47,125 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-wrights-heroics-s/158375598/ The La Crosse Tribune Wright's heroics save Badgers November 22, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com December 13 l y y Tennessee Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ Garden State Bowl 21–28 53,220 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107857243/tennessees-speed-burns-wisconsin/ Clarion-Ledger Tennessee's speed burns Wisconsin December 14, 1981 August 18, 2022 Newspapers.com 1981 Wisconsin Badgers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 3, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wisconsin/1981-schedule.html Game summaries Michigan #1 Michigan at Wisconsin Michigan 0 7 7 0 Wisconsin 0 14 7 0 Saturday, September 12 Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin 68,733 Source: Gainesville Sun yes 2 Michigan S. Smith 4 yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) Michigan 7-0 2 Wisconsin Neal 17 yard pass from Cole (Doran kick) Tie 7-7 2 Wisconsin Davis 1 yard run (Doran kick) Wisconsin 14-7 3 Michigan Woolfolk 89 yard run (Haji-Sheikh kick) Tie 14-14 3 5:13 Wisconsin Williams 71 yard pass from Cole (Doran kick) Wisconsin 21-14 yes Wisconsin safety Matt Vanden Boom had three interceptions, including the game-clincher with two seconds left at his own 17. It was the Badgers first win against Michigan since 1962 and the first time they scored points against the Wolverines since 1976. At Minnesota Wisconsin Badgers white 2; text-align:center collapsed Wisconsin Badgers (6–4) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (6–4) November 21, 1981 Wisconsin Minnesota Memorial Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota 47,125 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/22/The-only-thing-quarterback-Jess-Cole-and-his-Wisconsin/1067375253200/ Wisconsin 26, Minnesota 21 November 22, 1981 UPI Archives December 18, 2022 Head coach Dave McClain inserted backup Randy Wright in the fourth quarter after Minnesota took the lead for the first time, on the reason "because Cole was not having a good day throwing." Following the victory, Wisconsin accepted the bid from the Garden State Bowl to play Tennessee.https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/11/22/The-only-thing-quarterback-Jess-Cole-and-his-Wisconsin/1067375253200/ Wisconsin 26, Minnesota 21 November 22, 1981 UPI Archives December 18, 2022 left Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin y Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota n Jess Cole 6/17, 84 Yds Mike Hohensee 17/34, 254 Yds, TD Chester Cooper 6 Rec, 123 Yds, TD WISC MINN collapsed 4 Minnesota RecTD Chester Cooper Mike Hohensee 4 good Jim Gallery run/pass good/failed/incomplete 20 21 4 1:05 Wisconsin RecTD Michael Jones Randy Wright 7 26 21 26 21 Personnel 1981 Wisconsin Badgers f 10 So Jess Cole QB 23 So Chucky Davis RB 70 Sr Jerry Doerger T y 41 Fr Gary Ellerson FB y 37 Sr Craig Fredrick TE 36 Jr Gerald Green FB 8 Sr Paul Hughes FB 82 Fr Michael Jones WR 71 Sr Leo Joyce G 35 Jr Troy King RB 20 So Thad McFadden Thad McFadden (American football) WR y 38 Sr Kyle McKinnon WR 28 Sr Dave Mohapp FB C 88 Jr Jeff Nault TE 22 Jr Marvin Neal WR 86 So Bret Pearson TE 84 Sr Greg Rabas TE 33 Sr Curtis Richardson RB 34 Sr Al Seamonson WR 52 Jr Pete Severson G 42 Sr Tim Stracka WR y y 53 Jr Mark Subach G 66 Sr Scott Swan T 73 So Melvin Terrell G y 87 Fr Al Toon WR y 58 Jr Ron Versnik C y 74 So Carlton Walker T 1 Jr John Williams John Williams (running back) RB y 79 Jr Bob Winckler T 12 So Randy Wright QB y 26 Jr Brett Armstrong CB 95 Sr Guy Boliaux LB 32 Jr Kyle Borland LB y 72 Fr Jeff Dellenbach DT y 31 Jr David Greenwood David Greenwood (American football) S/P y 93 Jr Jack Grundy NT 50 Jr Tim Krumrie NT y 47 Sr Dave Levenick LB y C 94 Jr Jeff Luko LB y 45 Sr Von Mansfield CB y 15 So Brian Marrow CB 33 Fr James Melka LB y y 11 Jr Dan Messenger S y 44 Jr Jody O'Donnell LB 71 So Chris Osswald DT 76 Jr Mark Shumate DT y y 9 Jr Clint Sims CB 60 So Darryl Simms DT 49 Sr Larry Spurlin LB C 2 Sr Ron Steverson S 27 Jr Vaughn Thomas S y 5 So Jerry Vance CB 39 Jr Matt Vanden Boom S 7 Sr John Westphal S 31 Jr David Greenwood David Greenwood (American football) S P y 24 So Mark Doran K 6 So Wendell Gladem K *Dave McClain Bill Dudley – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks and Receivers Jim Hilles – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Doug Graber – Defensive Backs Arnold Jeter – Defensive Line Cliff Knox – Running Backs Mike Nelson – Defensive Ends Bob Palcic – Tackles and Tight Ends Mario Russo – Centers and Guards Jerry Fishbain – Recruiting Coordinator 1982 NFL draft Wisconsin Badgers Player Position Round Pick NFL club Von Mansfield Cornerback 5 122 Atlanta Falcons Jerry Doerger Tackle 8 200 Chicago Bears Guy Boliaux Linebacker 11 283 Chicago Bears Dave Levenick Linebacker 12 315 Atlanta Falcons 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 Wisconsin Category:Wisconsin Badgers football seasons Wisconsin Badgers football