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Illinois Football Team History

Illinois Fighting Illini

University of Illinois
Champaign, IL
Founded: 1867
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Capacity: 70,904
Colors: Orange & Blue
Coach: Mike White
Conference: Big 10-

Select Year:

1890 <-- 1980 <- 1981 -> 1982 --> 2024

1981 Season Highlights

Mike White enters his 2nd season as Head Coach at Illinois.

1981 Season

Date	Opponent	Score
Sat., Sep. 5	@ Pittsburgh	6	26	L
Sat., Sep. 12	@ Michigan State	27	17	W
Sat., Sep. 19	vs. Syracuse	17	14	W
Sat., Oct. 3	vs. Minnesota	38	29	W
Sat., Oct. 10	@ Purdue	20	44	L
Sat., Oct. 17	@ Ohio State	27	34	L
Sat., Oct. 24	vs. Wisconsin	23	21	W
Sat., Oct. 31	vs. Iowa	24	7	W
Sat., Nov. 7	@ Michigan	21	70	L
Sat., Nov. 14	vs. Indiana	35	14	W
Sat., Nov. 21	@ Northwestern	49	12	W

1981 Season Totals
Record	7-4
Points Scored	287
Scoring Average	26.1
Points Allowed	288
Defense Average	26.2
Opponents Record	67-58
Conference Record	6-3
Home Record	5-0
Away Record	2-4

1981 NCAA Final Rankings
Rank	Record	Source
was not ranked.

1981 Big 10- Standings
	Season			Bowls	Conference
Team	W/L/T	PF	PA		W/L/T	PF	PA	Coach
Illinois	7-4	287	288		6-3	264	248	Mike White
Minnesota	6-5	274	264		4-5	213	235	Joe Salem
Indiana	3-8	144	293		3-6	137	251	Lee Corso
Michigan	9-3	355	162	Won 33-14	6-3	276	125	Glenn Bo Schembechler
Ohio State	9-3	387	253	Won 31-28	6-2	271	157	Earle Bruce
Iowa	8-4	260	157	Lost 0-28	6-2	218	92	Hayden Fry
Wisconsin	7-5	268	219	Lost 21-28	6-3	213	150	Dave McClain
Michigan State	5-6	263	249		4-5	246	222	Frank Muddy Waters
Purdue	5-6	242	241		3-6	200	208	Jim Young
Northwestern	0-11	82	505		0-9	75	425	Dennis Green

1981 All American Awards
Player	Position	Class	Ht.	Wt.	Award	Team	Source
Coming Someday

1981 All Big 10 Conference Players
Player	Position	Class	Ht.	Wt.	Team	Source
Coming Someday

Some records may be incomplete.

Great Moments in College Football History

In the 1940s, college football teams competed for the Oil Bowl, the Salad Bowl and the Raisin Bowl, which were all played on New Year's Day.