1981 Akron Zips football team

The 1981 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1981 NCAA Division I-AA football season as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference. Led by ninth-year head coach Jim Dennison, the Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 5–5 overall and 4–4 in OVC play to tie for fourth place.

1981 Akron Zips football
Conference	Ohio Valley Conference
Record	5–5 (4–4 OVC)
Head coach	Jim Dennison (9th season)
Captain	Don Schutz Dennis Brumfield Brad Reese
Home stadium	Rubber Bowl
Seasons ← 1980 1982 →

1981 Ohio Valley Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 1 Eastern Kentucky $^	8	–	0	–	0			12	–	2	–	0
No. 9 Murray State	5	–	3	–	0			8	–	3	–	0
Youngstown State	5	–	3	–	0			7	–	4	–	0
Tennessee Tech	4	–	4	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Middle Tennessee	4	–	4	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Western Kentucky	4	–	4	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Akron	4	–	4	–	0			5	–	5	–	0
Austin Peay	3	–	5	–	0			5	–	5	–	0
Morehead State	0	–	8	–	0			1	–	9	–	0
$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant Rankings from NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee poll

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 5	Middle Tennessee	Rubber Bowl Akron, OH	L 7–10	31,004	[1]
September 12	at Eastern Michigan*	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI	W 14–7	9,200	[2]
September 19	at Kent State*	Dix Stadium Kent, OH (Wagon Wheel)	L 6–17	13,169	[3]
September 26	at No. 5 Eastern Kentucky	Hanger Field Richmond, KY	L 0–37	15,800	[4]
October 3	Youngstown State	Rubber Bowl Akron, OH (Steel Tire)	L 7–34		[5]
October 10	at Tennessee Tech	Tucker Stadium Cookeville, TN	W 10–7	8,345	[6]
October 17	Morehead State	Rubber Bowl Akron, OH	W 31–14		[7]
October 24	No. 4 Murray State	Rubber Bowl Akron, OH	W 20–10		[8]
October 31	at Austin Peay	Clarksville Municipal Stadium Clarksville, TN	W 23–19	4,750	[9]
November 7	Western Kentucky	Rubber Bowl Akron, OH	L 14–19	6,002	[10]
*Non-conference game Rankings from NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee Poll released prior to the game

^[11]

References

1. "Akron shows no zip in 10–7 opening loss". The Plain Dealer. September 6, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "'New beginning' as Zips halt losing streak". The Akron Beacon Journal. September 13, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Kent State stops Akron, 17–6". The Des Moines Register. September 20, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Thompson, Eastern Ky. romp past Zips 37–0". The Akron Beacon Journal. September 27, 1981. Retrieved March 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Youngstown State romps over Akron". Springfield News-Sun. October 4, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Strong second half helps Akron defeat Tenn. Tech". The Akron Beacon Journal. October 11, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Akron routs Morehead". The Ironton Tribune. October 18, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Akron stuns Murray State". The Jackson Sun. October 25, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Zips nip Austin Peay for 4th straight win". The Akron Beacon Journal. November 1, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Western Kentucky 19, Akron 14". The Paducah Sun. November 8, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "2019 Akron Zips Football Media Guide: Records" (PDF). University of Akron. p. 170. Retrieved May 10, 2020.