1981 USC Trojans football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1981
| team = USC Trojans
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Pacific-10 Conference
| short_conf = Pac-10
| CoachRank = 13
| APRank = 14
| record = 9–3
| conf_record = 5–2
| head_coach = John Robinson
| hc_year = 6th
| off_coach =
| oc_year =
| off_scheme =
| def_coach = R. C. Slocum
| dc_year = 1st
| def_scheme =
| captain = Marcus Allen
| captain2 = Chip Banks
| stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| bowl = Fiesta Bowl
| bowl_result = L 10–26 vs. Penn State
}}
{{1981 Pacific-10 Conference football standings}}
The 1981 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California (USC) in the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their sixth year under head coach John Robinson, the Trojans compiled a 9–3 record (5–2 against conference opponents), finished in a tie for second place in the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10), and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 284 to 170.{{cite web|title=Southern California Yearly Results (1980-1984)|publisher=David DeLassus|work=College Football Data Warehouse|access-date=July 20, 2015|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/southern_california/1980-1984_yearly_results.php|archive-date=July 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722083955/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/s/southern_california/1980-1984_yearly_results.php|url-status=dead}}
Quarterback John Mazur led the team in passing, completing 93 of 194 passes for 1,128 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Marcus Allen led the team in rushing with 433 carries for 2,427 yards and 22 touchdowns. Jeff Simmons led the team in receiving yards with 28 catches for 543 yards and one touchdown.{{cite web|title=1981 Southern California Trojans Stats|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|access-date=July 21, 2015|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1981.html}} Allen became the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 2,000 yards in one season. He also gained a total of 2,683 offensive yards, led the nation in scoring, and won the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award and was also the Pac-10 player of the year.
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 1981
| poll = AP
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 12
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 5
| opponent = Tennessee
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| score = 43–7
| attend = 62,147
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107855944/usc-puts-tennessee-to-rout-in-437-win/|work=The Los Angeles Times|title=USC puts Tennessee to rout in 43–7 win|date=September 13, 1981|accessdate=August 18, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 19
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| rank = 2
| opponent = Indiana
| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Bloomington, IN
| tv = ONTV
| score = 21–0
| attend = 51,167
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chronicle-tribune-allen-runs-through-iu/158341592/|work=Chronicle Tribune|title=Allen runs through IU|date=September 20, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 26
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Oklahoma
| opprank = 2
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| tv = ABC
| score = 28–24
| attend = 85,651
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-usc-beats-oklahoma-in-la/158341660/|work=Chicago Tribune|title=USC beats Oklahoma in last 2 seconds|date=September 27, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 3
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Oregon State
| site_stadium = Parker Stadium
| site_cityst = Corvallis, OR
| score = 56–22
| attend = 33,000
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-allen-gains-233-yards/158334610/|work=The Roanoke Times|title=Allen gains 233 yards as USC breezes 56–22|date=October 4, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 10
| w/l = l
| rank = 1
| opponent = Arizona
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| score = 10–13
| attend = 56,315
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-arizona-jolts-u/158339508/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|title=Arizona jolts USC off top|date=October 11, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 17
| w/l = w
| homecoming = y
| rank = 7
| opponent = Stanford
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 25–17
| attend = 76,291
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/mount-vernon-argus-usc-guns-down-stanfor/158338630/|work=Mount Vernon Argus|title=USC guns down Stanford, 25–17|date=October 18, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 24
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| rank = 5
| opponent = Notre Dame
| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium
| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 14–7
| attend = 59,075
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muskegon-chronicle-trojans-defeat-ir/158212344/|work=The Muskegon Chronicle|title=Trojans defeat Irish in bout of heavyweights|date=October 25, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 31
| w/l = w
| rank = 4
| opponent = Washington State
| opprank = 14
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| score = 41–17
| attend = 60,972
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-allen-southern-cal/158341237/|work=The Macon Telegraph & News|title=Allen, Southern Cal roll past Cougars 41–17|date=November 1, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 7
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 3
| opponent = California
| site_stadium = California Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Berkeley, CA
| score = 21–3
| attend = 74,000
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-uscs-trojans-wear-d/158337651/|work=Santa Cruz Sentinel|title=USC's Trojans wear down Cal|date=November 8, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 14
| w/l = l
| away = y
| rank = 3
| opponent = Washington
| site_stadium = Husky Stadium
| site_cityst = Seattle, WA
| score = 3–13
| attend = 47,347
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-usc-blown/158341765/|work=The San Bernardino County Sun|title=USC 'blown out' in Seattle|date=November 15, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 21
| w/l = w
| rank = 10
| opponent = UCLA
| opprank = 15
| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA
| gamename = Victory Bell
| tv = ABC
| score = 22–21
| attend = 89,432
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-blocked-field-goal-cos/158340381/|work=Statesman Journal|title=Blocked field goal costs UCLA|date=November 22, 1981|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = {{dow tooltip|January 1, 1982}}, 1982
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| rank = 8
| opponent = Penn State
| opprank = 7
| site_stadium = Sun Devil Stadium
| site_cityst = Tempe, AZ
| tv = NBC
| gamename = {{Alternate links|1982 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta Bowl|title=Fiesta Bowl}}
| score = 10–26
| attend = 71,053
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-penn-state-pounds-u/158217523/|work=The Arizona Republic|title=Penn State pounds USC in Fiesta Bowl|date=January 2, 1982|accessdate=November 2, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
}}
Personnel
{{American football roster/Header
| year = 1981
| team = USC Trojans
| teamcolors = f
| offensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=33|class=Sr|first=Marcus|last=Allen|pos=RB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Brad|last=Anderson|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Mark|last=Boyer|pos=TE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Fred|last=Cornwell|pos=TE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Fred|last=Crutcher|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=64|class=Sr|first=Roy|last=Foster|dab=Roy Foster (American football)|pos=OG|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Anthony|last=Gibson|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=John|last=Kamana|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Zephrini|last=Lee|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=66|class=Jr|first=Bruce|last=Matthews|dab=Bruce Matthews (American football)|pos=C|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=11|class=So|first=John|last=Mazur|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Bob|last=McClanahan|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=22|class=So|first=Malcolm|last=Moore|pos=WR|link=y|dab=Malcolm Moore (American football)}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=72|class=Jr|first=Don|last=Mosebar|pos=OT|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=7|class=Fr|first=Sean|last=Salisbury|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=29|class=Jr|first=Jeff|last=Simmons|dab=Jeff Simmons (American football)|pos=WR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=So|first=Tony|last=Slaton|pos=OL|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Todd|last=Spencer|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=93|class=Jr|first=Kelly|last=Thomas|pos=OL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=15|class=Jr|first=Scott|last=Tinsley|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Timmie|last=Ware|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Timmy|last=White|pos=WR}}
| defensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=George|last=Achica|pos=MG}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=51|class=Sr|first=Chip|last=Banks|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Jeff|last=Brown|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=47|class=Jr|first=Joey|last=Browner|pos=S|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Keith|last=Browner|pos=DL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=87|class=Jr|first=August|last=Curley|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=94|class=Jr|first=Byron|last=Darby|pos=DT|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=52|class=Fr|first=Jack|last=Del Rio|pos=LB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Dennis|last=Edwards|pos=DL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=John|last=Harvey|pos=DL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Neil|last=Hope|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Tim|last=Sullivan|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Joe|last=Turner|pos=DB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Charles|last=Ussery|pos=DL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Troy|last=West|pos=DB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Marv|last=Williams|pos=DB}}
| special_teams_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=5|class=Fr|first=Steve|last=Jordan|pos=K}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Scott|last=Livingston|pos=K}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Dave|last=Pryor|pos=P}}
}}
{{American football roster/Footer
| head_coach = *John Robinson
| asst_coach =
| accessdate=
}}
Awards and honors
- Marcus Allen, Heisman Trophy{{cite web|url=http://www.heisman.com/winners/hsmn-winners.html |title=Heisman.com - Heisman Trophy |access-date=2007-04-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070411031301/http://www.heisman.com/winners/hsmn-winners.html |archive-date=2007-04-11 }}
- Marcus Allen, Maxwell Award
- Marcus Allen, Walter Camp Award{{cite web | url=http://collegefootball.about.com/od/collegefootballawards/a/award-camp.htm | title=Football | access-date=2008-12-09 | archive-date=2011-07-07 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707074829/http://collegefootball.about.com/od/collegefootballawards/a/award-camp.htm | url-status=dead }}
- Marcus Allen, Pac-10 Player of the Year
- Marcus Allen, All-Pac-10{{Cite web|url=http://football.about.com/cs/marcusallen/a/bl_marcusallen.htm|title=Sports|access-date=2009-01-30|archive-date=2008-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210121047/http://football.about.com/cs/marcusallen/a/bl_marcusallen.htm|url-status=dead}}