The 1981 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1981 Big Ten football season. In their second season under head coach Muddy Waters, the Spartans compiled a 5–6 record (4–5 in conference games), tied for sixth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 263 to 249. In four games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 8 Ohio State, No. 6 Michigan, and No. 19 Iowa, and defeated No. 14 Wisconsin.
Four Spartans were recognized by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press International (UPI) as first-team players on the 1981 All-Big Ten Conference football team: center Tom Piette (AP-2; UPI-1); linebacker Carl Banks (AP-2; UPI-1); defensive back Jim Burroughs (AP-2; UPI-1); and placekicker Morten Andersen (AP-1; UPI-1). Several Michigan State players ranked among the Big Ten leaders, including the following: Placekicker Morten Andersen led the conference with 15 field goals made and a 75.0 field goal percentage. Quarterback Bryan Clark ranked third in the conference with a 128.9 passing efficiency rating, fourth with a 53.4% pass completion percentage and seventh with 1,521 passing yards. Clark was also selected as the team's most valuable player.2025 Media Guide, p. 300. Running back Aaron Roberts ranked seventh in the conference with 4.9 yards per carry and 10th with 461 rushing yards. Ted Jones ranked sixth in the conference with 44 receptions and ninth with 624 receiving yards. Daryl Turner ranked eighth in the conference with 653 receiving yards.
The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.
Schedule
Roster
References