1981 Duke Blue Devils football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1981 Duke Blue Devils football Duke_Chronicle_1982-08-30_page_15.jpg A page from The Chronicle, the student newspaper of Duke University A page from The Chronicle, the student newspaper of Duke University Atlantic Coast Conference ACC 6–5 3–3 Shirley Wilson 3rd Steve Spurrier 2nd Air Ball Dick Hopkins 1st 4–3 Cedric Jones Greg Bamberger Cedric Jones Dennis Tabron Dan Yellott Wallace Wade Stadium The 1981 Duke Blue Devils football team was an American football team that represented Duke University as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third year under head coach Shirley Wilson, the Blue Devils compiled an overall record of 6–5, with a conference record of 3–3, and finished fourth in the ACC. Duke's offense became the first in ACC history to average over 300 yards a game passing.WRAL.com. Retrieved 2020-Apr-22. Schedule 1981 AP Eastern September 12 l y y Ohio State 11 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 13–34 86,266 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-buckeyes-incons/139766923/ The Akron Beacon Journal Buckeyes inconsistent in win September 13, 1981 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com September 19 l y y South Carolina Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC 3–17 56,321 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-south-carolina-duke-game/126037187/ Greensboro News & Record South Carolina defeats Duke September 20, 1981 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com September 26 w y Virginia Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA 29–24 27,523 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-news-leader-duke-squeaks-by-vi/139767035/ The Daily News Leader Duke squeaks by Virginia September 27, 1981 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com October 3 w y East Carolina Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC 24–14 18,250 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72673627/late-pack-spurt-zaps-pesky-bucs/ The News and Observer Late Pack spurt zaps pesky Bucs September 20, 1981 March 4, 2021 Newspapers.com October 10 1:30 p.m. w y Virginia Tech Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC 14–7 32,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90685114/tabron-steals-one-for-blue-devils/ The News and Observer Tabron steals one for Blue Devils October 11, 1981 December 16, 2021 Newspapers.com October 17 l y Clemson 6 Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC 10–38 26,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-independent-mail-clemson-bedevi/139763431/ Anderson Independent-Mail Clemson bedevils Duke, 38–10 October 18, 1981 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com October 24 l y Maryland Byrd Stadium College Park, MD 21–24 31,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-maryland-slips-by/139766232/ The Charlotte Observer Maryland slips by Blue Devils for 24–21 win October 25, 1981 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com October 31 w y y Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA 38–24 30,232 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-rallying-duke-wrec/139767162/ The News and Observer Rallying Duke wrecks Tech November 1, 1981 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com November 7 w y Wake Forest Groves Stadium Winston-Salem, NC rivalry 31–10 22,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/danville-register-and-bee-rush-minded-de/139767368/ The Danville Register Rush-minded Devils crush defenseless Wake November 8, 1981 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 w NC State Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC rivalry 17–7 26,750 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-sub-ron-sally-sparks-duke-ov/139767520/ Daily Press Sub Ron Sally sparks Duke over Wolfpack November 15, 1981 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 l North Carolina 12 Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC Victory Bell 10–31 38,525 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-lauderdale-news-tar-heels-gain-gato/139765284/ Fort Lauderdale News Tar Heels gain Gator Bowl bid November 22, 1981 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com1981 Duke Blue Devils Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC January 28, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/duke/1981-schedule.html Personnel 1981 Duke Blue Devils y 14 So Ben Bennett QB y Chris Castor WR y Carl Franks TE Mark Militello WR Shirley Wilson Steve Spurrier (OC) Dick Hopkins (DC/DB) Rod Broadway (DL) Awards and honors Chris Castor, ACC Offensive Player of the Year References Duke Category:Duke Blue Devils football seasons Duke Blue Devils football