1981 Austin Kangaroos football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1981 Austin Kangaroos football Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association TIAA 11–1–1 9–1 Larry Kramer 9th Louis Calder Stadium NAIA Division II national co-championTIAA co-champion NAIA Division II Championship Game T 24–24 vs. Concordia–Moorhead The 1981 Austin Kangaroos football team was an American football team represented Austin College as a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) during the 1981 NAIA Division II football season. In their ninth season under head coach Larry Kramer, the Kangaroos compiled an 11–1–1 record (9–1 against TIAA opponents), and tied for the TIAA championship. After losing their second game, the Kangaroos won 10 straight games. They participated in the NAIA Division II playoffs, defeating 1981 Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies Oklahoma Panhandle State (27–16) in the quarterfinals and 1981 William Jewell Cardinals William Jewell (33–28) in the semifinals. In the national championship game, the Kangaroos played a 24–24 tie with Concordia–Moorhead, resulting in a shared national championship.Thinking on Austin College's 1981 football season Herald Democrat Dwayne Wilder December 9, 2021 https://www.heralddemocrat.com/story/opinion/2021/12/09/wilders-whole-world-thinking-austin-colleges-1981-football-season/6450666001/Austin College (in Sherman) has football program The Marshall News Messenger Denne H. Freeman Associated Press December 11, 1981 3B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90378041/austin-college-in-sherman-has/ Newspapers.com The team played its home games at Louis Calder Stadium in Sherman, Texas. Schedule y y September 12 1981 Lubbock Christian Chaparrals Lubbock Christian Louis Calder Stadium Sherman, TX W 31-6 September 19 at 1981 Sul Ross Lobos Sul Ross Alpine, TX L 7-17 September 26 1981 Tarleton State Texans Tarleton State Louis Calder Stadium Sherman, TX W 50-7 Austin College demolishes Tarleton State, 50-7 Fort Worth Star-Telegram September 27, 1981 14B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90378842/austin-college-demolishes-tarleton/ Newspapers.com October 3 at 1981 Trinity Tigers Trinity (TX) San Antonio, TX W 24-3 October 10 1981 McMurry Indians McMurry Louis Calder Stadium Sherman, TX W 30-7 October 17 at Lubbock Christian Lubbock, TX W 17-7 October 24 Sul Ross Louis Calder Stadium Sherman, TX W 17-14 October 31 at Tarleton State Stephenville, TX W 30-21 Shillings powers Austin College win Fort Worth Star-Telegram November 1, 1981 11B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90389426/shillings-powers-austin-college-win/ Newspapers.com November 7 Trinity (TX) Louis Calder Stadium Sherman, TX W 42-20 November 14 at McMurry Abilene, TX W 26-13 November 21 at 1981 Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies Oklahoma Panhandle State<ncg> Goodwell, OK (NAIA Division II Quarterfinal) W 27–16 Kangaroos Kick Aggies The Daily Oklahoman Kathy Perovich November 22, 1981 2B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90378194/kangaroos-kick-aggies/ Newspapers.com December 5 1981 William Jewell Cardinals William Jewell<ncg> Louis Calder Stadium Sherman, TX (NAIA Division II Semifinal) W 33–28 William Jewell eliminated by Austin College, 33-28 St. Joseph News-Press December 6, 1981 3F https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90378323/william-jewell-eliminated-by-austin/ Newspapers.com December 12 Concordia–Moorhead<ncg> Louis Calder Stadium Sherman, TX (NAIA Division II Championship Game) T 24-24 3,540 Concordia, Austin 'both No. 1': 57-yard field goal with 1:12 left ties Cobbers 24-24 Minneapolis Tribune Paul Hagen December 13, 1981 14C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90376336/concordia-austin-both-no-1/ Newspapers.comAustin shares title Fort Worth Star-Telegram December 13, 1981 10B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90377884/austin-shares-title/ Newspapers.com Individual honors The team was led on offense by quarterback Larry Shilling who was selected as the TIAA Offensive Player of the Year in 1980 and returned for the 1981 season.Austin College Expecting To Battle For TIAA Crown Tyler Morning Telegraph September 4, 1981 B5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90379050/austin-college-expecting-to-battle-for/ Newspapers.com At the end of the 1981 season, Shillings was selected by the American Football Coaches Association as the first-team quarterback on the Kodak College Division II All-America team.College all-stars The Missoulian December 3, 1981 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90389496/college-all-stars/ Newspapers.com Austin players were selected as first-team players at seven positions on the 1981 All-TIAA football team: quarterback Larry Shillings (tie); wide receiver Clay Oliphant; placekicker and punter Gene Branum; defensive back Chris Luper; linebacker Jeff Robins; and defensive lineman Larry Hickman. Several Austin players also received second-team honors, including running back David Simmons; wide receiver Rory Dukes; offensive guard Don Parnell; offensive tackle David Adams; defensive lineman Rex Baker; linebacker David Bowen; and defensive back Kenny Kirby.Five Indians All-TIAA Abilene Reporter-News November 26, 1981 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90389711/all-tiaa/ Newspapers.com Coach Larry Kramer finished third in voting by the Texas Sports Writers Association for Texas college coach of the year, behind Southwest Texas State coach Jim Wacker and SMU coach Ron Meyer.Wacker named Texas' best The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise January 21, 1982 5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90389971/wacker-named-texas-best/ Newspapers.com References Austin Category:Austin Kangaroos football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Austin Kangaroos football