1981 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

American college football season August 2023 January 2026 1981 Iowa Hawkeyes football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 15 18 8–4 6–2 Hayden Fry 3rd Bill Snyder 3rd Bill Brashier 3rd Mel Cole Tracy Crocker Pete Gales Bruce Kittle Andre Tippett Brad Webb Kinnick Stadium Big Ten co-champion Rose Bowl L 0–28 vs. Washington The 1981 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa in the Big Ten Conference during the 1981 Big Ten football season. In their third season under head coach Hayden Fry, the Hawkeyes compiled an 8–4 record (6–2 in conference games), tied with Ohio State for the Big Ten championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 260 to 129.1981 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football May 20, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1981-schedule.html2022 Iowa Football Media Guide 242 University of Iowa https://storage.googleapis.com/hawkeyesports-prod/2022/07/b99ff33b-2022_ia_fb_media-guide-online-version.pdf May 20, 2025 Iowa received the Big Ten's spot in the 1982 Rose Bowl, losing to Washington. It was Iowa's first winning season since 1961 and its first Rose Bowl since the 1958 season. They were ranked No. 15 in the final UPI poll and No. 18 in the final AP poll.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 196. The team limited opponents to only 79.7 rushing yards per game and 2.4 yards per carry, both of which remain Iowa single-season records.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 267. Two Iowa players were consensus All-Americans in 1981: defensive end Andre Tippett and punter Reggie Roby.Football Award Winners National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2016 March 18, 2017 3, 12 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/awards.pdf Seven Iowa players received first-team honors on the 1981 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Tippett (AP-1, UPI-1); Roby (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive lineman Pat Dean (AP-1, UPI-1); guard Mark Bortz (AP-1, UPI-1); linebacker Mel Cole (AP-1, UPI-1); guard Ron Hallstrom (AP-2, UPI-1); and defensive back Lou King (AP-1).Eason Edges Schlichter on All-Big Ten The Argus-Press, Owosso, Michigan (AP story) Joe Mooshil December 1, 1981 14 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19811201&id=vUMiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Uq0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1357,2601449Randy Minkoff Name All Big Ten The Bryan Times (UPI story) November 25, 1981 19 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19811124&id=23NNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-FEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6379,5449453 King led the Big Ten with eight interceptions.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 Kirk Ferentz joined the Iowa coaching staff as the offensive line coach in 1981.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 8. Schedule 1981 AP Central September 12 w y Nebraska 7 Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 10–7 60,160 https://www.newspapers.com/article/columbia-daily-tribune-hawkeyes-embarras/158377287/ Columbia Daily Tribune Hawkeyes embarrass Nebraska September 13, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 19 l y y Iowa State Cyclone Stadium Ames, IA rivalry 12–23 53,922 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-cyclones-kick/158377432/ The Des Moines Register Cyclones 'kick' Hawks, 23–12 September 20, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com September 26 w y UCLA 6 Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 20–7 60,004 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-hawkeyes-stun-ucl/158339970/ The Sioux City Journal Hawkeyes stun UCLA September 27, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 3 w y 18 Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 64–0 30,113 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-hawkeyes-devastate-nor/158365770/ The Post-Crescent Hawkeyes devastate Northwestern, 64–0 October 4, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 10 w y 15 Indiana Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 42–28 60,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-iowa-zaps-indiana/158366595/ Dayton Daily News Iowa zaps Indiana October 11, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 17 w y 12 Michigan 5 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 9–7 105,915 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-iowa-boots-michigan/158377580/ The Tampa Tribune-Times Iowa boots Michigan October 18, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 24 l 6 Minnesota Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA rivalry ABC 10–12 60,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-iowa-minnesota-1981-gamer-s/27541777/ Star Tribune Gophers upset No. 6 Iowa 12–10 October 25, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com October 31 l y 16 Illinois Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 7–24 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 w Purdue Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 33–7 60,114 https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-purdue-foiled-337-b/158374141/ Dayton Daily News Purdue foiled, 33–7, by stingy Hawkeye D November 8, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com November 14 w y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ESPN 17–7 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 19 Michigan State Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 36–7 60,103 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-the-reward-is-ro/158374849/ Wisconsin State Journal The reward is roses for Hawkeyes' victory November 22, 1981 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com January 1 l y y 13 Washington 12 Rose Bowl Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA NBC 0–28 105,611 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lincoln-star-washington-blanks-iowa/158342426/ The Lincoln Star Washington blanks Iowa, 28–0 January 2, 1982 November 3, 2024 Newspapers.com sports-reference.com 1981 Iowa Hawkeyes Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1981-schedule.html In 1981, Iowa played eight conference games, missing one opponent. The government of Iowa mandated that they resume their series with Iowa State. August 2022 Iowa did not play Ohio State in 1981; OSU was also 8-3 and 6-2 in the Big Ten to tie for the conference title. The Buckeyes won their bowl game, the 1981 Liberty Bowl over Navy, and finished at 9-3. Iowa was awarded the Rose Bowl berth because it had not been to Pasadena since the 1958 season, while Ohio State went two years earlier. Rankings 1981 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 14 NR NR NR NR 18 15 12 6 16 NR NR 19 13 13 18 Coaches 0 14 NR NR NR NR 20 15 12 7 16 NR 18 17 11 11 15 Iowa 1981 AP Football Rankings http://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/teams/by_season.cfm?seasonid=1981&teamid=61 Game summaries No. 7 Nebraska #7 Nebraska at Iowa No. 7 Cornhuskers Hawkeyes 0 0 0 7 7 3 0 0 September 12, 1981 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CDT 60,160 John Nealon Sources: Box Score yes 1 9:16 Iowa Eddie Phillips 2-yard run (Olejniczak kick) Iowa 7-0 2 14:55 Iowa Olejniczak 35-yard field goal Iowa 10-0 4 11:42 Neb Roger Craig 1-yard run (kick) Iowa 10-7 yes 1981 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team Iowa–Nebraska football rivalry September 13, 1981 Iowa Upset Nebraska, 10-7 https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/13/sports/no-headline-010718.html?pagewanted=all The New York Times November 8, 2015 At Iowa State Iowa at Iowa State Hawkeyes Cyclones 0 6 0 6 10 7 3 3 September 19, 1981 Cyclone Stadium, Ames, Iowa CDT 53,922 Sources: Box Score and Game Story yes 1 ISU Quinn 7-yard run (Giffords kick) ISU 7-0 1 ISU Giffords 48-yard field goal ISU 10-0 2 ISU Crutchfield 3-yard run (Giffords kick) ISU 17-0 2 Iowa Phillips 1-yard run (kick blocked) ISU 17-6 3 ISU Giffords 40-yard field goal ISU 20-6 4 ISU Giffords 34-yard field goal ISU 23-6 4 Iowa Blatcher 1-yard run (pass failed) ISU 23-12 yes 1981 Iowa State Cyclones football team Iowa–Iowa State football rivalry September 20, 1981 Iowa State 23, Iowa 12 https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/20/sports/iowa-state-23-iowa-12.html The New York Times November 18, 2015 No. 6 UCLA #6 UCLA at Iowa No. 6 Bruins 0 7 0 0 Hawkeyes 7 0 3 10 September 26 Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa 1:05 p.m. CDT 2:45 60,004 Glen Fortin Sources: Box Score yes 1 5:02 Iowa Gales 16-yard run (Olejniczak kick) Iowa 7-0 2 10:47 UCLA Tom Ramsey 1-yard run (Johnson kick) Tied 7-7 3 9:48 Iowa Nichol 35-yard field goal Iowa 10-7 4 2 13:37 Iowa Mark Bortz recovered fumble in end zone (Nichol kick) Iowa 17-7 6:24 Iowa Nichol 43-yard field goal Iowa 20-7 yes 1981 UCLA Bruins football team September 27, 1981 U.C.L.A. Is Upset By Iowa https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/27/sports/ucla-is-upset-by-iowa.html The New York Times November 8, 2015 September 28, 1981 Iowa's Performance Surprises Its Coach https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/28/sports/iowa-s-performance-surprises-its-coach.html The New York Times November 15, 2017 at Northwestern #18 Iowa at Northwestern No. 18 Hawkeyes Wildcats 30 0 20 14 0 0 0 0 October 3, 1981 Dyche Stadium, Evanston, Illinois 1:00 p.m. CDT 30,113 Otho Kortz Sources: Box Score and Game Story yes 1 5 13:39 Iowa Phillips 12-yard run (Nichol kick) Iowa 7-0 11:29 Iowa Granger 6-yard run (Nichol kick) Iowa 14-0 8:52 Iowa King blocked punt for a safety Iowa 16-0 6:39 Iowa Phillips 15-yard run (Nichol kick) Iowa 23-0 4:43 Iowa Webb 29-yard interception return (Nichol kick) Iowa 30-0 3 3 13:15 Iowa Brown 24-yard pass for Bohannon (Nichol kick) Iowa 37-0 11:34 Iowa Moritz 26-yard pass for Bohannon (kick failed) Iowa 43-0 2:40 Iowa Gill 20-yard run (Nichol kick) Iowa 50-0 4 6:58 Iowa Buggs 2-yard run (Nichol kick) Iowa 57-0 4 5:46 Iowa Brown 74-yard punt return (Nichol kick) Iowa 64-0 yes 1981 Northwestern Wildcats football team October 4, 1981 64-0! http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/10/04/page/54/article/64-0 Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 Indiana Indiana at #15 Iowa Hoosiers 7 7 7 7 No. 15 Hawkeyes 14 21 7 0 October 10 Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa 1:05 p.m. CDT 3:11 60,000 Tom Quinn Sources: Box Score yes 1 3 13:14 Indiana Gunn 58-yard pass from Laufenberg (Greenstein kick) Indiana 7-0 8:27 Iowa Granger 2-yard run (Nichol kick) Tied 7-7 0:54 Iowa Jones 51-yard pass from Bohannon (Nichol kick) Iowa 14-7 2 4 10:40 Indiana Roggeman 1-yard run (Greenstein kick) Tied 14-14 10:24 Iowa Granger 99-yard kick return (Nichol kick) Iowa 21-14 8:41 Iowa Hufford 21-yard pass from Bohannon (Nichol kick) Iowa 28-14 6:04 Iowa Blatcher 1-yard run (Nichol kick) Iowa 35-14 3 2 13:05 Indiana Gunn 71-yard pass from Laufenberg (Greenstein kick) Iowa 35-21 11:08 Iowa Hufford 11-yard pass from Bohannon (Nichol kick) Iowa 42-21 4 3:12 Indiana Hines 2-yard run (Greenstein kick) Iowa 42-28 yes 1981 Indiana Hoosiers football team October 11, 1981 'Surprise' get Iowa untracked http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/10/11/page/63/article/surprise-gets-iowa-untracked Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 At No. 5 Michigan #12 Iowa at #5 Michigan No. 12 Hawkeyes 6 0 3 0 No. 5 Wolverines 0 7 0 0 October 17 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Michigan 105,915 Sources: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 IOWA Tom Nichol 20-yard field goal IOWA 3–0 Q1 Iowa Nichol 36-yard field goal IOWA 6–0 Q2 MICH Anthony Carter 17-yard pass from Steve Smith (Haji-Sheikh kick) MICH 7–6 Q3 IOWA Nichol 30-yard field goal IOWA 9–7 yes 1981 Michigan Wolverines football team The Hawkeyes won 9-7 at #5 Michigan, their third victory over a top ten team during the 1981 season. It was Iowa's first victory over the Wolverines since 1962. October 18, 1981 3 Iowa Field Goals Stop Michigan, 9-7 https://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/18/sports/3-iowa-field-goals-stop-michigan-9-7.html The New York Times November 8, 2015 October 18, 1981 Iowa Defeats No. 5 Michigan https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1981/10/18/iowa-defeats-no-5-michigan/2bb5ae5d-20ed-48f0-9581-0f880643eec7// Washington Post November 8, 2015 Minnesota Minnesota at #6 Iowa Golden Gophers No. 6 Hawkeyes 0 9 0 3 0 0 10 0 October 24 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa CDT 60,000 ABC Sources: Box Score and Game Story yes 2 Minn Gallery 52-yard field goal Minn 3-0 2 Minn Gallery 31-yard field goal Minn 6-0 2 Minn Gallery 33-yard field goal Minn 9-0 3 IOWA Nichol 34-yard field goal Minn 9-3 3 IOWA Blatcher 2-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 10-9 4 2:22 Minn Gallery 27-yard field goal Minn 12-10 yes 1981 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team Floyd of Rosedale October 25, 1981 Minnesota kicks Iowa back down http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/10/25/page/57/article/minnesota-kicks-iowa-back-down Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 October 27, 1981 Iowa linebacker Mel Cole is a contradiction on a football team making a lot of noise this fall https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/10/27/Iowa-linebacker-Mel-Cole-is-a-contradiction-on-a/9327373006800/ UPI October 9, 2017 At Illinois #16 Iowa at Illinois #16 Hawkeyes Fighting Illini 0 7 0 0 3 14 0 7 October 31, 1981 Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois 66,877 Sources: Box Score and Game Story yes 1 Illinois Bass 27-yard field goal Illinois 3-0 2 Illinois Burgard fumble recovery in end zone (Bass kick) Illinois 10-0 2 Illinois Williams 56-yard pass from Eason (Bass kick) Illinois 17-0 2 Iowa Brown 12-yard pass from Bohannon (Nichol kick) Illinois 17-7 4 Illinois Williams 4-yard pass from Eason (Bass kick) Illinois 24-7 yes 1981 Illinois Fighting Illini football team November 1, 1981 Illinois turns to defense http://pantagraph.newspapers.com/newspage/69380996/ The Pantagraph November 18, 2015 Purdue Purdue at Iowa Boilermakers 0 0 0 7 Hawkeyes 17 13 3 0 November 7 Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, Iowa 60,114 Sources: Box Score and Game Story yes 1 Iowa Nichol 42-yard field goal Iowa 3-0 1 Iowa Blatcher 1-yard run (Nichol kick) Iowa 10-0 1 Iowa Bohannon 12-yard run (Nichol kick) Iowa 17-0 2 Iowa Crocker recovered blocked punt in end zone (kick failed) Iowa 23-0 2 Iowa Bohannon 7-yard run (Nichol kick) Iowa 30-0 3 Iowa Nichol 48-yard field goal Iowa 33-0 4 Purdue Feulner 1-yard run (Clark kick) Iowa 33-7 yes 1981 Purdue Boilermakers football team The 33-7 win was Iowa's first over the Boilermakers since 1960, and secured the Hawkeyes' first winning season since 1961.November 8, 1981 Iowa 33, Purdue 7 https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/08/sports/no-headline-084740.html The New York Times November 18, 2015 At Wisconsin Iowa at Wisconsin Hawkeyes 3 14 0 0 Badgers 0 0 0 7 November 14 Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, Wisconsin 78,731 ABC Sports Sources: Box Score and Game Story yes Q1 6:48 IOWA Tom Nichol 35-yard field goal IOWA 3–0 Q2 IOWA Phil Blatcher 1-yard run (Tom Nichol kick) IOWA 10–0 Q2 IOWA Phil Blatcher 2-yard run (Tom Nichol kick) IOWA 17–0 Q4 Wisc IOWA 17–7 yes 1981 Wisconsin Badgers football team Iowa–Wisconsin football rivalry November 15, 1981 Wisconsin's odor is not of roses http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/11/15/page/61/article/wisconsins-odor-is-not-of-roses Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 Michigan State Michigan State at #19 Iowa Spartans 0 7 0 0 Hawkeyes 16 0 10 10 November 21 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa 60,103 Mid-60s°F Sources: Box Score and Game Story yes 1 Iowa Blatcher 9-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 7-0 1 Iowa Safety, blocked punt through end zone IOWA 9-0 1 Iowa Phillips 1-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 16-0 2 Michigan St Hodo 1-yard pass from Clark (Andersen kick) IOWA 16-7 3 Iowa Nichol 26-yard field goal IOWA 19-7 3 Iowa Blatcher 1-yard run (Nichol kick) IOWA 26-7 4 Iowa Nichol 23-yard field goal IOWA 29-7 4 Iowa Campbell 9-yard pass from Gales (Nichol kick) IOWA 36-7 yes 1981 Michigan State Spartans football team Iowa earns first Rose Bowl since 1958 with Michigan's loss to Ohio State, which was announced with 6:14 left in the first quarter.Eugene Register-Guard. 1981 Nov 22. Statistics Phil Blatcher 27 Rush, 247 YdsIowa Hawkeyes athletics website. November 22, 1981 Iowa Wins Trip to Rose Bowl https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/22/sports/iowa-wins-trip-to-rose-bowl.html The New York Times November 18, 2015 November 22, 1981 Iowa Goes to Rose Bowl as Michigan Loses https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1981/11/22/iowa-goes-to-rose-bowl-as-michigan-loses/400ea84d-32a3-453b-bf76-398a7f233e43/ The Washington Post November 18, 2015 November 22, 1981 Hawkeyes make Iowa sick with Rose Bowl fever http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/11/22/page/53/article/hawkeyes-make-iowa-sick-with-rose-bowl-fever Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 vs. No. 12 Washington (Rose Bowl) #12 Washington vs. #13 Iowa Huskies 0 13 0 15 Hawkeyes 0 0 0 0 January 1, 1982 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California PST 105,611 Rich McVay Dick Enberg, Merlin Olsen NBC Sources: yes 2 UW Robinson 1-yard run (Nelson kick) UW 7-0 2 UW Coby 1-yard run (pass failed) UW 13-0 4 UW Robinson 34-yard run (Pelluer pass to Skansi) UW 21-0 4 UW Cowan 3-yard run (Nelson kick) UW 28-0 yes 1982 Rose Bowl 1981 Washington Huskies football team January 2, 1981 Iowa flat embarrassed by Washington romp http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1982/01/02/page/61/article/iowa-flat-embarrassed-by-washington-romp Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 January 2, 1981 Washington Wilts Iowa's Rose, 28-0 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1982/01/02/washington-wilts-iowas-rose-28-0/ba9f1f86-4a0b-422d-9fad-f63c2e14fc09/ The Washington Post November 18, 2015 Roster 1981 Iowa Hawkeyes f 87 So John Alt TE y 69 So Bill Bailey C 28 Sr Phil Blatcher RB 11 Sr Gordy Bohannon QB 27 Jr Jeff Brown WR 8 Jr Dave Chambers QB 12 Sr Pete Gales QB C 33 Fr Owen Gill RB y 26 So Norm Granger RB y 76 Sr Ron Hallstrom G y 53 So Joel Hilgenberg C y Sr Bruce Kittle OT C y 55 So Joe Levelis G y 16 Fr Chuck Long QB y 65 Sr Dave Mayhan T 79 Jr Brett Miller Brett Miller (American football) T y 5 So Dave Moritz WR 83 Jr Lon Olejniczak WR y 22 So Eddie Phillips RB 71 Sr Paul Postler T 66 So Jon Roehlk OG y 25 Sr Ivory Webb WB 63 Jr Mark Bortz DL y 31 Sr Mel Cole LB 32 Jr James Erb LB 46 Sr Tracy Crocker DB C 58 Sr Pat Dean DL 10 Sr Jim Frazier DB 43 Sr Lou King DB 77 Fr George Little George Little (defensive lineman) DT y 74 Sr Jim Pekar DL 37 Sr Todd Simonsen LB y 41 Jr Bob Stoops DB y 2 So Mike Stoops DB y 99 Sr Andre Tippett DE y C 94 Sr Brad Webb DL C 3 Fr Tom Nichol K 83 Jr Lon Olejniczak K 7 Jr Reggie Roby P y *Hayden Fry Bill Snyder – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Bill Brashier – Defensive coordinator Kirk Ferentz – Offensive line Carl Jackson – Running backs Del Miller – Offensive assistant Dan McCarney – Defensive line Barry Alvarez – Linebackers Don Patterson – Defensive Backs Bernie Wyatt – Defensive ends/recruiting coordinator Bill Dervich – Strength and conditioning Statistical achievements Iowa tallied 2,153 rushing yards and 1,422 passing yards in 1981. On defense, they held opponents to 953 rushing yards and 1,834 passing yards.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 160. The team limited opponents to only 79.7 rushing yards per game and 2.4 yards per carry, both of which remain Iowa single-season records.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 267. The team's individual statistical leaders included: Gordy Bohannon completed 72 of 142 passes (50.7%) for 999 yards, six touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 113.9 passer rating. Freshman Chuck Long completed one pass for 15 yards.1981 Iowa Hawkeye Stats Sports reference LLC SR/College Football May 21, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1981.html Phil Blatcher led the team with 737 rushing yards on 145 carries for an average of 4.9 yards per carry. He was selected as the UPI Midwest Offensive Player of the Week after tallying 247 rushing yards against Michigan State.Blatcher is player of week The Gazette November 24, 1981 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-blatcher/172883102/ Newspapers.com Blatcher ranked second on the team in soring with 48 points. The team's leading receivers were Dave Moitz (17 receptions for 390 yards) and Jeff Brown (20 receptions for 301 yards). Kicker Tom Nichol led the team in scoring with 59 points on 11 field goals and 26 extra points.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 279. Linebacker Mel Cole led the team with 94 total tackles.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 280. Defensive back Lou King led the team with eight interceptions. His eight interceptions remains tied for the Iowa single-season record.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 265. Total attendance at home games was 360,381, an average of 60,063 per game. It was the first team Iowa drew an average of at least 60,000 spectators per game.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 260. Awards and honors Two Iowa players were selected as consensus first-team All-Americans. Defensive end Andre Tippett, a team captain, set Iowa's all-time record in 1980 with 20 tackles for losses totaling 153 yards and received the consensus All-America recogniation in 1981. Punter Reggie Roby broke the NCAA record with an average of 49.8 yards per punt and also received consensus All-America recognition.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 204. Roby averaged 55.8 yards per punt against Nebraska on September 12, 1981.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 265. Linebacker Mel Cole, the team's leading tackler, was selected as the team's most valuable player.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 222. Hayden Fry was selected by the media for the Big Ten Coach of the Year award. He was the first Iowa coach to receive the honor.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 202. Seven Iowa players received first-team honors from the Associated Press (AP) or United Press International (UPI) on the 1981 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Tippett (AP-1, UPI-1); Roby (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive linemen Pat Dean (AP-1, UPI-1); linebacker Mel Coe (AP-1, UPI-1) guard Mark Bortz (AP-1, UPI-2); guard Ron Hallstrom (AP-2, UPI-1); and defensive back Lou King (AP-1).Six Hawks on all-Big Ten 1st team Iowa city Press-Citizen Associated Press December 1, 1981 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-six-hawks-on-all/172881233/ Newspapers.com5 Hawks on UPI 1st team The Gazette Cedar Rapids, Iowa UPI November 25, 1981 1C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-5-hawks-on-upi-1st-team/172881451/ Newspapers.com The team had five co-captains: defensive back Tracy Crocker; quarterback Pete Gales; offensive tackle Bruce Kittle; defensive end Andre Tippett; and defensive end Brad Webb.2022 Iowa Football Media Guide, p. 220. 1982 NFL draft 1982 NFL draft 2 Iowa Hawkeyes Player Position Round Pick NFL club Ron HallstromGuard 1 22 Green Bay Packers Andre Tippett Linebacker 2 41 New England Patriots pro-football-reference.com 1982 NFL Draft https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1982.htm 2018-03-28 2007-12-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221202828/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1982.htm dead References Iowa Category:Iowa Hawkeyes football seasons Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Iowa Hawkeyes football