American college football season
The 1981 UCLA Bruins football team was an American football team that represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season . In their sixth year under head coach Terry Donahue , the Bruins compiled a 7–4–1 record (5–2–1 Pac-10), finished in a tie for fourth place in the Pacific-10 Conference , and lost to Michigan in the 1981 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl .[1]
UCLA's offensive leaders in 1981 were quarterback Tom Ramsey with 1,793 passing yards, running back Kevin Nelson with 883 rushing yards, and wide receiver Cormac Carney with 539 receiving yards.[2]
This was the Bruins' final season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum , their home field since 1928 , sharing with the USC Trojans . UCLA moved to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the 1982 season.
Schedule [ edit ]
Date Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 12 at Arizona No. 12 W 35–1849,311
September 19 at No. 20 Wisconsin * No. 9 W 31–1369,212
September 26 at Iowa * No. 6 KTLA L 7–2060,004
October 3 Colorado * No. 16 W 27–740,347
October 10 at Stanford No. 17 L 23–2670,103
October 17 at No. 18 Washington State ABC T 17–1740,000
October 24 California Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 34–641,637
October 31 at Oregon W 28–1124,272
November 7 No. 16 Washington Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 31–041,818
November 14 No. 9 Arizona State No. 18 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA W 34–2447,361
November 21 at No. 10 USC No. 15 ABC L 21–2289,432
vs. No. 16 Michigan * No. 19 L 14–3350,107
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Personnel [ edit ]
1981 UCLA Bruins football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Season summary [ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
USC – Steve Jordan 38-yard field goal. USC 3–0. Drive:
UCLA – Kevin Nelson 11-yard run (Norm Johnson kick). UCLA 7–3. Drive:
Second quarter
USC – Steve Jordan 44-yard field goal. UCLA 7–6. Drive:
USC – Marcus Allen 7-yard run (pass failed). USC 12–7. Drive:
UCLA – Ricky Coffman 23-yard pass from Tom Ramsey (pass good). UCLA 15–12. Drive:
UCLA – Norm Johnson 32-yard field goal. UCLA 18–12. Drive:
Third quarter
UCLA – Norm Johnson 28-yard field goal. UCLA 21–12. Drive:
Fourth quarter
USC – Steve Jordan 22-yard field goal. UCLA 21–15. Drive:
USC – Marcus Allen 5-yard run (Steve Jordan kick), 2:14. USC 22–21. Drive:
Top passers
Top rushers
UCLA – Kevin Nelson – 26 rushes, 79 yards, TD
USC – Marcus Allen – 40 rushes, 219 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
Norm Johnson 's game-winning 46-yard field goal attempt was blocked in the final seconds and UCLA lost its opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl.
1982 NFL Draft [ edit ]
The following players were drafted into professional football following the season.
Player
Position
Round
Pick
Franchise
Luis Sharpe
Tackle
1
16
St. Louis Cardinals
Tim Wrightman
Tight end
3
62
Chicago Bears
[3]
References [ edit ]
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold