1981 Western Illinois Leathernecks football
Mid-Con co-champion
ConferenceAssociation of Mid-Continent Universities
Record5–6 (2–1 Mid-Con)
Head coach
Home stadiumHanson Field
Seasons
← 1980
1982 →
1981 Association of Mid-Continent Universities football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Eastern Illinois + 2 – 1 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Northern Iowa + 2 – 1 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Western Illinois + 2 – 1 – 0 5 – 6 – 0
Southwest Missouri State 0 – 3 – 0 3 – 5 – 2
  • + – Conference co-champions

The 1981 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team represented Western Illinois University as a member of the Association of Mid-Continent Universities during the 1981 NCAA Division I-AA football season. They were led by third-year head coach Pete Rodriguez and played their home games at Hanson Field. The Leathernecks finished the season with a 5–6 record overall and a 2–1 record in conference play, making them conference co-champions with Eastern Illinois and Northern Iowa.[1][2]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 5at Illinois State*
L 7–319,179[3]
September 12South Dakota State*
W 17–13[4]
September 19at Drake*
L 6–2110,185[5]
September 26Southwest Missouri State
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
W 19–79,003[6]
October 3at Northeast Missouri State*
W 17–7[7]
October 10Northern Iowa
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
W 21–146,200[8]
October 17at Eastern Illinois
L 8–205,000[9]
October 24No. 2 Northern Michigan*
  • Hanson Field
  • Macomb, IL
L 14–2811,794[10]
October 31at New Mexico State*
L 24–31[11]
November 7at Youngstown State*
L 22–34[12]
November 14Howard*
  • Hanson Stadium
  • Macomb, IL
W 20–17[13]

References

  1. ^ "Western Illinois Football Record Book" (PDF). Western Illinois University Athletics. p. 71. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  2. ^ "Eastern Illinois loses". The Southern Illinoisan. Associated Press. November 1, 1981. p. 14. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Lewis, Mark (September 6, 1981). "ISU destroys Western". The Pantagraph. p. C1. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Jacks come up short". Argus Leader. September 13, 1981. p. 1C. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Grett, Wayne (September 20, 1981). "Unbeaten Drake pins Leathernecks, 21-6". Des Moines Register. p. 1D. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Mayes, Warren (September 27, 1981). "Errors cost SMS league loss to Western Illinois". Springfield News-Leader. p. 3F. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "W. Illinois 17, NE Missouri 7". Belleville News-Democrat. UPI. October 4, 1981. p. 6B. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Western Illinois hands UNI its 5th loss, 21-14". The Gazette. UPI. October 11, 1981. p. 6C. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Fallstrom, Bob (October 18, 1981). "Davis rushes from nobody to somebody". Herald and Review. p. B1. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Western falters late". The Dispatch. UPI. October 25, 1981. p. 30. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Aggies ring Leathernecks". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Associated Press. November 1, 1981. p. B3. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Leathernecks upended". The Dispatch. UPI. November 8, 1981. p. 32. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Punt return sparks Western by Howard". The Pantagraph. Associated Press. November 15, 1981. p. C7. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.


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