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.
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
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
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.
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]
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold