1981 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1981 Illinois Fighting Illini football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 7–4 6–3 Mike White 2nd Tony Eason Kelvin Atkins Ron Ferrari Dan GregusMike Bass Greg Boeke Ron Ferrari Jack Squirek Memorial Stadium The 1981 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1981 Big Ten season. In their second year under head coach Mike White, the Illini compiled a 7–4 record (6–3 in conference games), finished in three-way tie for third place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 288 to 287.1981 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 25, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1981-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders included 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.1981 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 25, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1981.html 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.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 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. Kirby Wilson ranked second in the conference with 546 kickoff return yards. 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. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule 1981 AP September 5 l y y Pittsburgh 8 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA 6–26 46,022 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-pitt-overcomes-j/158217698/ Wisconsin State Journal Pitt overcomes jitters, Illinois September 6, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 12 w y Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 27–17 54,945 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-wilson-who-eason/158374472/ The Rock Island Argus Wilson who? Eason passes carry Illinois September 13, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 19 w y Syracuse Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 17–14 57,579 https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-winless-syracuse/158210560/ Democrat and Chronicle Winless Syracuse beaten by Illinois September 20, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 3 w Minnesota Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 38–29 63,814 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vincennes-sun-commercial-illinois-du/158375185/ The Vincennes Sun-Commercial Illinois dumps Gophers October 4, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 10 l y Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN rivalry 20–44 69,846 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-defensive-element-of-d/158373736/ Herald and Review Defensive element of disguise fools Illinois October 11, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 17 l y Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH Illibuck 27–34 87,158 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-ohio-state-survives-air/158376834/ The Plain Dealer Ohio State survives air assault by Illini October 18, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 24 w Wisconsin Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 23–21 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 Iowa 16 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 24–7 66,877 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-defense-leads-illini-ove/158376934/ Chicago Tribune Defense leads Illini over Iowa November 1, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 7 l y Michigan 12 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 21–70 105,570 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-unbelievable-um-burns/158377028/ The Flint Journal Unbelievable; UM burns Illini for 63 unanswered points November 8, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 w Indiana Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 35–14 56,143 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-illini-rout-indi/158367024/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Illini rout Indiana, 35–14 November 15, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 w y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL rivalry 49–12 23,116 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-illinois-proves/158366340/ Wisconsin State Journal Illinois proves superior in chilly 110-pass circus November 22, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com Roster 1981 Illinois Fighting Illini f 33 Jr Mitchell Brookins RB y 3 Jr Tony Eason QB y 65 Jr Marty Finis OG 72 Sr Dennis Flynn OT 55 Jr Adam Lingner C y 13 Sr John Lopez WR 4 Jr Mike Martin WR y Mike Martin (wide receiver) 86 Sr Tim McAvoy TE 42 Sr Calvin Thomas Calvin Thomas (American football) FB y 11 Fr Jack Trudeau QB y Jr John Wells QB 44 Jr Kevin West FB 17 Jr Oliver Williams WR y Oliver Williams (American football) 37 Jr Charles Armstead DB 84 Sr Kelvin Atkins OLB y 61 So Ed Brady LB y Ed Brady (American football) 31 Sr Pete Burgard OLB 51 So Tom Buron DT 53 So Mark Butkus DT 57 Jr Darryl Byrd OLB y 29 Sr Ron Ferrari LB y 34 Sr Jack Squirek LB y 96 So Don Thorp DT y 24 Jr Mike Toney DB 94 Jr Mark Tuck DL Jr Tom Varrige DB 7 Sr John Vengoni OLB https://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/7/18/football_alltimerosters_1975_1999.aspx?#1981 *Mike White Brad Childress (Wide receivers) Season summary Northwestern Tony Eason threw three touchdown passes to set the Big Ten single season record. The two teams overall combined to throw 109 passes, breaking the conference mark set earlier in the year by Minnesota and Ohio State.Eugene Register-Guard. 1981 Nov 22. Retrieved 2018-Dec-12. References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football Category:Long stubs with short prose