1981 Elon Fightin' Christians football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1981 Elon Fightin' Christians football South Atlantic Conference SAC 11–1–1 6–1 Jerry Tolley 5th NAIA Division I national championSAC champion NAIA Division I Championship Game W 3–0 vs. 1981 Pittsburg State Gorillas Pittsburg State The 1981 Elon Fightin' Christians football team was an American football team that represented Elon University of Elon, North Carolina, as a member of the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) during the 1981 NAIA Division I football season. In their fifth and final year under head coach Jerry Tolley, the Christians compiled an 11–1–1 record (6–1 against SAC opponents) and won the SAC championship.Elon Year-by-Year vs. Opponents Elon University December 20, 2021 https://elonphoenix.com/sports/2020/1/28/elon-football-year-by-year-results.aspx#1980 The team lost to 1981 Catawba Indians Catawba and tied with 1981 Norfolk State Spartans Norfolk State. The team advanced to the NAIA Division I playoffs, defeating 1981 Concord Mountain Lions Concord (38–8) in the quarterfinals, 1981 Hillsdale Chargers Hillsdale (41–13) in the semifinals, and 1981 Pittsburg State Gorillas Pittsburg State (3–0) in the national championship game. Schedule y y September 12 1981 Mars Hill Lions Mars Hill Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 8-0 September 19 at 1981 Guilford Quakers Guilford<ncg> Greensboro, NC W 38-0 October 3 1981 Lenoir–Rhyne Bears Lenoir–Rhyne Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 12-3 October 10 at 1981 Norfolk State Spartans Norfolk State<ncg> Norfolk, VA T 20-20 15,500 Norfolk State 20, Elon 20 The Charlotte Observer October 11, 1981 3C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90891263/norfolk-state-20-elon-20/ Newspapers.com October 17 at 1981 Presbyterian Blue Hose Presbyterian Clinton, SC W 16-10 Unbeaten Elon Trips Presbyterian 16-10 The State Richard Chesley October 18, 1981 5D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90890980/unbeaten-elon-trips-presbyterian-16-10/ Newspapers.com October 24 1981 Catawba Indians Catawba Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC L 30-17 October 31 1981 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs Gardner–Webb Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 56-10 November 7 at 1981 Newberry Indians Newberry Newberry, SC W 27-21 3,000 Elon captures Pettus, holds off Indians The Greenville News November 8, 1981 4C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90890670/elon-captures-pettus/ Newspapers.com November 14 1981 Winston-Salem State Rams Winston-Salem State<ncg> Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC W 30-20 6,500 Elon 30, Winston-Salem State 20 The Charlotte Observer November 15, 1981 6D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90890403/elon-30-winston-salem-state-20/ Newspapers.com November 21 at 1981 Carson–Newman Eagles Carson–Newman Jefferson City, TN W 23-14 Elon clinches a tie The Greenville News November 22, 1981 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90888162/elon-clinches-a-tie/ Newspapers.com December 5 at 1981 Concord Mountain Lions Concord<ncg> Bluefield, WV (NAIA Division I quarterfinal) W 37-8 1,500 Bangley, defense lead Elon to 38-7 victory The News and Observer December 6, 1981 9-II https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90889066/bangley-defense-lead-elon-to-38-7/ Newspapers.com December 12 1981 Hillsdale Chargers Hillsdale<ncg> Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC (NAIA Division I semifinal) W 41-13 4,500 Elon Marches To NAIA Title Game The Charlotte Observer David Scott December 13, 1981 9D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90888805/elon-marches-to-naia-title-game/ Newspapers.com December 19 1981 Pittsburg State Gorillas Pittsburg State<ncg> Burlington Memorial Football Stadium Burlington, NC (NAIA Division I National Championship Game) W 3-0 3,705 Elon captures NAIA crown (part 1) The News and Observer Bill Woodward December 20, 1981 II-1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90888422/elon-captures-naia-crown/ Newspapers.comElon captures NAIA crown (part 2) The News and Observer Bill Woodward December 20, 1981 II-1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90888565/elon-captures-naia-crown-part-2/ Newspapers.com References External links Elon University film on the 1980-81 seasons Elon Category:Elon Phoenix football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Elon Fightin' Christians football Category:South Atlantic Conference football champion seasons