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Minnesota Football Team History

Minnesota Golden Gophers

University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
Founded: 1851
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium
Capacity: 50,805
Colors: Maroon & Gold
Coach: Joe Salem
Conference: Big 10-

Select Year:

1882 <-- 1980 <- 1981 -> 1982 --> 2024

1981 Season Highlights

Joe Salem enters his 3rd season as Head Coach at Minnesota.

1981 Season

Date	Opponent	Score
Sat., Sep. 12	vs. Ohio	19	17	W
Sat., Sep. 19	vs. Purdue	16	13	W
Sat., Sep. 26	vs. Oregon State	42	12	W
Sat., Oct. 3	@ Illinois	29	38	L
Sat., Oct. 10	vs. Northwestern	35	23	W
Sat., Oct. 17	@ Indiana	16	17	L
Sat., Oct. 24	@ Iowa	12	10	W
Sat., Oct. 31	vs. Michigan	13	34	L
Sat., Nov. 7	vs. Ohio State	35	31	W
Sat., Nov. 14	@ Michigan State	36	43	L
Sat., Nov. 21	vs. Wisconsin	21	26	L

1981 Season Totals
Record	6-5
Points Scored	274
Scoring Average	24.9
Points Allowed	264
Defense Average	24.0
Opponents Record	59-66
Conference Record	4-5
Home Record	5-2
Away Record	1-3

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

While playing for the University of Hawaii from 2000 to 2004, quarterback Timmy Chang set an NCAA passing record with 17,072 yards.