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Michigan State Football Team History


Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State University
 East Lansing, MI
Founded: 1855
Stadium: Spartan Stadium
Capacity: 75,005
Colors: Green & Gold
Coach: Frank Muddy Waters
Conference: Big 10-

Team Home Summary  Coaches Games by Year Opponents Rankings Bowls Conference


Select Year:    
1885  <-- 1980 <- 1981 -> 1982 --> 2024
1981 Season Highlights
 Frank Muddy Waters enters his 2nd season as Head Coach at Michigan State.
 
1981 Season
 Date   Opponent  Score   
 Sat., Sep. 12  vs. Illinois  17   27   L       
 Sat., Sep. 19  @ Ohio State  13   27   L       
 Sat., Sep. 26  vs. Bowling Green State  10   7   W       
 Sat., Oct. 3  @ Notre Dame  7   20   L       
 Sat., Oct. 10  vs. Michigan  20   38   L       
 Sat., Oct. 17  vs. Wisconsin  33   14   W       
 Sat., Oct. 24  @ Purdue  26   27   L       
 Sat., Oct. 31  vs. Indiana  26   3   W       
 Sat., Nov. 7  @ Northwestern  61   14   W       
 Sat., Nov. 14  vs. Minnesota  43   36   W       
 Sat., Nov. 21  @ Iowa  7   36   L       
 
1981 Season Totals
  Record5-6
  Points Scored263
  Scoring Average23.9
  Points Allowed249
  Defense Average22.6
  Opponents Record59-55
  Conference Record4-5
  Home Record4-2
  Away Record1-4
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 7-4287288 6-3264248  Mike White
Minnesota 6-5274264 4-5213235  Joe Salem
Indiana 3-8144293 3-6137251  Lee Corso
Michigan 9-3355162Won  33-146-3276125  Glenn Bo Schembechler
Ohio State 9-3387253Won  31-286-2271157  Earle Bruce
Iowa 8-4260157Lost  0-286-221892  Hayden Fry
Wisconsin 7-5268219Lost  21-286-3213150  Dave McClain
Michigan State 5-6263249 4-5246222  Frank Muddy Waters
Purdue 5-6242241 3-6200208  Jim Young
Northwestern 0-1182505 0-975425  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

Field goals in college football were originally worth five points. This was decreased to four points in 1904 and three points in 1909.