1980–81 NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team
The 1980–81 NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team represented North Carolina State University during the 1980–81 men's college basketball season. It was Jim Valvano's 1st season as head coach.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings
The 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings was made up of two human polls, the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll, in addition to various other preseason polls.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings, AP Poll
The final writers' poll was released on Monday, March 9.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings, UPI Poll
The final coaches' poll was released on Monday, March 9.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 28, 1980, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments, and concluded with the 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game on March 30, 1981, at The Spectrum in Philadelphia. The Indiana Hoosiers won their fourth NCAA national championship with a 63–50 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Season outlook, Pre-season polls
The top 20 from the AP and UPI polls during the pre-season.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Regular season, Conference winners and tournaments
Note: From 1975 to 1982, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), a loosely organized sports federation of Northeastern colleges and universities, organized Division I ECAC regional tournaments for those of its members that were independents in basketball. Each 1981 tournament winner received an automatic bid to the 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament in the same way that the tournament champions of conventional athletic conferences did. The ECAC North was a separate, conventional conference.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Regular season, Informal championships
NOTE: All five teams finished with a 2–2 record in head-to-head competition, resulting in a five-way tie.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Post-Season Tournaments, NCAA Tournament
Indiana won its fourth NCAA title with a 63–50 win over North Carolina and coach Dean Smith. Precocious sophomore Isiah Thomas was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player in a title game delayed due to the shooting of President Ronald Reagan.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Post-Season Tournaments, National Invitation Tournament
Coach Nolan Richardson led Tulsa to the NIT Championship in his first year as a division I head coach – an 86–84 win over Syracuse. The Golden Hurricane's Greg Stewart was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, Coaching changes
A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season
The 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began in October 1980 and concluded with the 1981 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on March 28, 1981 at the Duluth Arena in Duluth, Minnesota. This was the 34th season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 86th year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season
For the first time the Hobey Baker Award was conferred after the conclusion of the regular season.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season
After the season four teams from the WCHA left to join the CCHA. As a result of dividing the four Big Ten schools that had previously been in the WCHA the Big Ten stopped declaring a conference ice hockey champion until the formation of a separate conference in 2013–14.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, Player stats, Scoring leaders
The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of the season.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, Player stats, Scoring leaders
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, Player stats, Leading goaltenders
The following goaltenders led the league in goals against average at the end of the regular season while playing at least 33% of their team's total minutes.


1980–81 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, Player stats, Leading goaltenders
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average


1980–81 NCAA Division II men's ice hockey season
The 1980–81 NCAA Division II men's ice hockey season began in November 1980 and concluded on March 14 of the following year. This was the 17th season of second-tier college ice hockey.


1980–81 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey season
The 1980–81 NCAA Division III men's ice hockey season began in November 1980 and concluded on March of the following year. This was the 8th season of Division III college ice hockey.


1980–81 NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs for the 1980 season began on December 28, 1980. The postseason tournament concluded with the Oakland Raiders defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV, 27–10, on January 25, 1981, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Participants
Within each conference, the three division winners and the two wild card teams (the top two non-division winners with the best overall regular season records) qualified for the playoffs. The three division winners were seeded 1 through 3 based on their overall won-lost-tied record, and the wild card teams were seeded 4 and 5. The NFL did not use a fixed bracket playoff system. In the first round, dubbed the wild-card playoffs or wild-card weekend, the fourth seed wild card hosted the fifth seed. All three division winners from each conference then received a bye in the first round.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Participants
The second round, the divisional playoffs, had a restriction where two teams from the same division cannot meet: the surviving wild card team visited the division champion outside its own division that had the higher seed, and the remaining two teams from that conference played each other. The two surviving teams from each conference's divisional playoff games then meet in the respective AFC and NFC Conference Championship games, hosted by the higher seed. Although the Super Bowl, the fourth and final round of the playoffs, was played at a neutral site, the designated home team was based on an annual rotation by conference.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Schedule
In the United States, CBS televised the NFC playoff games, while NBC broadcast the AFC games and Super Bowl XV.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 34, Los Angeles Rams 13
The Cowboys avenged a 38–14 loss to the Rams two weeks earlier (in a game they trailed 38–0) as Dallas running back Tony Dorsett rushed for 160 yards, caught three passes for 28 yards, and scored two touchdowns to lead his team to victory.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 34, Los Angeles Rams 13
A 14-yard punt return by Dallas running back James Jones set up kicker Rafael Septién's 28-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 3-0 lead. The Rams responded by driving 73 yards to score on running back Jewerl Thomas' 1-yard run. However, the ensuing extra point was blocked and Septien later made a 29-yard field goal to tie the game at 6.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 34, Los Angeles Rams 13
In the second quarter, Los Angeles drove 80 yards in six plays to score on Vince Ferragamo's 21-yard touchdown pass to receiver Preston Dennard, who finished the game with six receptions for 117 yards, but the Cowboys tied the game before halftime by moving the ball 71 yards on a drive that ended with Dorsett's 12-yard rushing touchdown.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 34, Los Angeles Rams 13
After the game was tied at halftime, 13–13, Dallas coach Tom Landry went to a 5-man defensive front and they dropped various combinations into seven and eight man coverage to confuse the Rams potent passing game. The result was a combination of pressure on Ferragamo, who completed just five of 13 second half passes for 49 yards and was intercepted three times.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 34, Los Angeles Rams 13
Danny White threw touchdown passes on Dallas' first three drives of the second half. His 37-yard completion to tight end Jay Saldi set up a score on a 10-yard pass to Dorsett, who caught the ball at the 7 and dragged Rams defenders Johnnie Johnson and Rod Perry all the way into the end zone. Then Cowboys defensive back Aaron Mitchell picked off a pass from Ferragamo and returned it 12 yards, setting off a 70-yard Dallas drive that ended with White's 35-yard touchdown completion to Butch Johnson. Now with a comfortable lead, Dallas put the game away early in the fourth quarter, driving 95 yards, including a 23-yard burst by Dorsett, to go up 34-13 on White's 11-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 34, Los Angeles Rams 13
Dallas then turned to a potent rushing attack to chew up time and keep the Rams offense off the field. By the end of the game, Dallas rushed 46 times for a franchise playoff record 338 yards, while also setting a franchise record for total yards with 528 and holding the Rams to 260. Jones finished the game with three kickoff returns for 72 yards, five punt returns for 81 yards, and another 38 yards on five carries.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 34, Los Angeles Rams 13
This was the sixth postseason meeting between the Rams and Cowboys. Dallas previously won three of the five meetings.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, AFC: Oakland Raiders 27, Houston Oilers 7
Even though the Oilers recorded more yards, more first downs, and more time of possession, the Raiders scored on big plays to win 27–7. This game was notable in that the Oilers starting quarterback was Ken Stabler, who had spent 10 years as Oakland's quarterback before he was traded to Houston prior to this season. Houston's offense also featured future hall of fame tight end Dave Casper, who had played for Oakland since 1974 until he was traded to the Oilers in Week 6.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, AFC: Oakland Raiders 27, Houston Oilers 7
Houston running back Earl Campbell lost a fumble on the first play of the game, which was recovered by Oakland safety Mike Davis, setting up Oakland kicker Chris Bahr's 47-yard field goal. After several more possessions, Stabler's 22-yard pass to Ronnie Coleman and a 15-yard run by Campbell got the Oilers moving on a 55-yard, 9-play drive that ended with Campbell's 1-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett completed a 37-yard pass to running back Kenny King before finishing the 59-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Todd Christensen, giving the Raiders a 10-7 lead which they took into halftime.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, AFC: Oakland Raiders 27, Houston Oilers 7
Houston mounted a scoring threat in the third quarter, but Raiders cornerback Lester Hayes intercepted Stabler in the end zone. Neither team would score again until the fourth quarter, when Oakland moved the ball 80 yards in four plays, with Plunkett completing a 33-yard pass to Cliff Branch before finding Arthur Whittington in the end zone for a 44-yard score. Later on, his 21-yard completion to running back Mark van Eeghen sparked a 55-yard drive that set up Bahr's 37-yard field goal. With about six minutes left in the game, Hayes returned an interception 20 yards to the end zone to clinch the Raiders' victory. This would the last playoff game Oakland would host until 2000.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, AFC: Oakland Raiders 27, Houston Oilers 7
Stabler threw for 243 yards, but was intercepted twice and sacked seven times. Campbell rushed for 91 yards and a score. Hayes had two interceptions, three pass deflections, and two sacks.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, AFC: Oakland Raiders 27, Houston Oilers 7
After the game, Oilers linebacker Thomas Henderson was so upset he threw several pieces of his equipment into the stands, including his shoes. "If I wouldn't have been arrested for indecent exposure, I would have thrown them my jock strap", he said later.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Wild Card playoffs, Sunday, December 28, 1980, AFC: Oakland Raiders 27, Houston Oilers 7
This was the third postseason meeting between the Oilers and Raiders. Oakland won both previous meetings back when both teams were in the AFL.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 31, Minnesota Vikings 16
The Eagles forced eight turnovers, seven in the second half, en route to a 31–16 victory, while also holding the Vikings to just 215 total yards, with a mere 36 on the ground. It marked a bitter repeat for Minnesota, who had lost to the Eagles 42-7 during the regular season.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 31, Minnesota Vikings 16
The Vikings scored 14 unanswered points in the first half, starting with wide receiver Sammy White's 30-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Tommy Kramer. Then after a punt, they drove 69 yards in 10 plays to score on running back Ted Brown's 1-yard touchdown run. However, Philadelphia scored before halftime by finishing off an 85-yard drive with quarterback Ron Jaworski's 9-yard touchdown completion to wide receiver Harold Carmichael. The Eagles then tied the game on the opening possession of the second half with Wilbert Montgomery's 8-yard touchdown run.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 31, Minnesota Vikings 16
Then the wave of turnovers began (11 total between both teams). First, Kramer threw a pass that was intercepted by Roynell Young on the Eagles 7-yard line. Minnesota then scored a safety when Jaworski was sacked in the end zone by Matt Blair and Doug Martin, but Reggie Wilkes recovered a fumbled punt return by Vikings running back Eddie Payton on the Minnesota 18 that set up Montgomery's 5-yard touchdown run, putting the Eagles up 21-16. With 16 seconds left in the third quarter, Eagles lineman Carl Hairston forced a recovered a fumble from Kramer on the Vikings 44-yard line. But this opportunity was wasted as Montgomery fumbled the ball back to Minnesota on the next play.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 31, Minnesota Vikings 16
Early in the fourth quarter, Eagles lineman Ken Clarke recovered a fumble from Doug Paschal, which was soon countered by Jaworski's interception to defensive back John Turner. A few plays later, Herm Edwards intercepted a pass from Kramer, only to see this later nullified by Jaworski's interception to defensive back Tom Hannon. With 9:16 left in regulation, Eagles linebacker Frank LeMaster returned an interception from Kramer seven yards to the Vikings 15, leading to Tony Franklin's 33-yard field goal to increase the Eagles lead to 24-16. Then on the Vikings next drive, Edwards intercepted another pass and returned it 14 yards to the Minnesota 31, leading to Perry Harrington's 1-yard rushing touchdown to make the final score 31-16. On the last play of the game, Young intercepted a pass from Kramer in the end zone.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 31, Minnesota Vikings 16
This was the first postseason meeting between the Vikings and Eagles.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14
Although San Diego outgained Buffalo in total yards, 397 to 244, they still found themselves trailing for most of the game. With 2:08 left in the fourth quarter, Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts threw the game-winning 50-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ron Smith to defeat the Bills, 20–14. This was San Diego's first postseason win since 1963 (in the AFL) and their first playoff win as an NFL team.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14
San Diego scored first with a 22-yard field goal by Rolf Benirschke on their opening drive. But the Bills stormed back with two unanswered touchdowns. First they responded to the field goal by driving 72 yards, aided by a 37-yard pass interference penalty on linebacker Ray Preston, to score on Roosevelt Leaks' 1-yard touchdown run. Late in the second quarter, Bills defensive back Charles Romes forced a fumble from Charlie Joiner that defensive back Bill Simpson recovered for Buffalo on the Chargers 33-yard line. The Bills then drove to a 14-3 lead in four plays, as Joe Ferguson completed an 18-yard pass to Frank Lewis and then found him in the end zone for a 9-yard score.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14
However, San Diego took the second half kickoff and quickly racked up yardage with an 18-yard run by Chuck Muncie and a 45-yard completion from Fouts to Joiner. Fouts eventually finished the 70-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Joiner, making the score 14-10. Then late in the third quarter, the Chargers forced the Bills to punt from their own 8-yard line and got the ball with great field position on the Buffalo 49. Fouts then led the team to the 1, but a penalty pushed them back and they ended up settling for Rolf Benirschke's 22-yard field goal to make it 14–13.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14
Buffalo had a great chance to put the game away when Lou Piccone blocked a Chargers punt that was recovered by linebacker Ervin Parker on the San Diego 38. But safety Glen Edwards intercepted a pass from Ferguson on the San Diego 9-yard line to keep the Bills from scoring. With 6:17 left in regulation, Buffalo got another chance to get a decisive score when they recovered a fumbled punt return from Mike Fuller. But two plays later, defensive tackle Fred Dean dropped Joe Cribbs for a 1-yard loss on third and 1, and then Nick Mike-Mayer missed a 49-yard field goal attempt, giving the ball back to San Diego with 3:59 left.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14
After driving to midfield, the Chargers faced third and 10 with 2:08 remaining. Buffalo sent safety Steve Freeman on a blitz for the next play, leaving Smith, San Diego's No. 3 receiver, one on one with Simpson. Earlier in the game, Simpson had knocked the ball out of Smith's hands during a catch attempt and then picked it off in mid air. But this time, Smith managed to get one step ahead of Simpson, make the catch, and evade his desperate diving tackle attempt, leaving Simpson face down on the turf as he raced 50 yards for a touchdown. Edwards sealed the victory for the Chargers after the ensuing kickoff by recording his second interception from Ferguson with 1:16 left in the game.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14
After the game, it was revealed that Ferguson had been playing with a fractured ankle, suffered three weeks earlier in a game against the New England Patriots. He finished the day with 180 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted three times. Fouts threw for 314 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. His top target was receiver John Jefferson, who caught seven passes for 102 yards. Prior to this game, Ron Smith had caught only 7 passes during the season, and his 50-yard game winning score was his only catch of the game.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, January 3, 1981, AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14
This was the third postseason meeting between the Bills and Chargers. Buffalo won both prior meetings when both teams resided in the AFL.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
In a play that has become known as Red Right 88, Browns quarterback Brian Sipe's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Raiders safety Mike Davis with 41 seconds left in the game to preserve Oakland's 14–12 victory. Instead of opting for a game-winning field goal, Cleveland decided to attempt a passing play because Browns kicker Don Cockroft had previously missed two of four field goal attempts, had another aborted following a bad snap, and had one extra point blocked. In addition, the field was frozen and slippery.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
With the game-time temperature at 4 °F (−16 °C), the coldest NFL game since the Ice Bowl of December 31, 1967, the first quarter contained nothing but punts and interceptions, with Cleveland's Ron Bolton and Oakland's Lester Hayes each recording a pick. Near the end of the quarter, Sipe's 20-yard completion to Reggie Rucker sparked a drive inside the Raiders 30-yard line, but it ended with no points early in the second quarter when Cockroft missed a field goal attempt from 47 yards. On Oakland's ensuing drive, quarterback Jim Plunkett lost a fumble while being sacked, but their defense kept the Browns in check and Cockroft missed another field goal try, this one from 30 yards out.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
Finally with 6:02 left in the second quarter, Bolton scored the first points of the day by recording his second interception from Plunkett and returning it 42 yards to the end zone. However, Cockroft's ensuing extra point was blocked by Ted Hendricks. After an exchange of punts, Oakland managed to get on the board, with Plunkett completing passes to Bob Chandler and Raymond Chester for gains of 15 and 26 yards on a 64-yard scoring drive. Mark van Eeghen finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left in the half, making the score 7–6.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
On Cleveland's opening drive of the second half, a 28-yard kickoff return to the 40-yard line by Charles White started off a 48-yard drive that ended with Cockroft's 30-yard field goal, retaking the lead for the Browns at 9–7. Then after forcing a punt, Cleveland drove to the Raiders 24-yard line, but on a field goal attempt, holder Paul McDonald was unable to handle a bad snap and was downed for an 11-yard loss. Starting out their next drive on the Raiders 44 after a punt, Cleveland drove to the 9, featuring a 21-yard reception by Dave Logan to score on another 30-yard field goal from Cockroft, making the score 12–7 going into the fourth quarter.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
Early in the final quarter, the Raiders took a 14–12 lead at the end of an 80-yard drive highlighted by Chester's 27-yard catch. On the last play, van Eeghen scored his second 1-yard touchdown run of the day. Later on, the Raiders had a chance to put the game away when they recovered a fumble from Sipe on the Browns 24-yard line with 4:19 left in the game. But after moving to a third and 1 situation on the 15, van Eeghen was stuffed for no gain on two consecutive plays.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
On the second play after the turnover, Sipe completed a 29-yard pass to tight end Ozzie Newsome and later a 23-yarder to Greg Pruitt. Then Mike Pruitt ran the ball 14 yards to the Raiders 14-yard line. Pruitt gained another yard on the next play, and the team called a timeout from the 13 with 49 seconds left.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
Browns coach Sam Rutigliano called for a pass play, Red Right 88, instructing Sipe that if no one was open "throw it to the blond in the first row". His intention was to give the team one last chance to score a touchdown before running the ball on third down to set up a Cockroft field goal. But on the pass play, Sipe was picked off by Davis while trying to connect with Newsome in the back of the end zone, allowing the Raiders to escape with a win.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
The quarterbacks of both teams were completely dominated throughout the game. Sipe completed just 13 of 40 passes for 183 yards and intercepted three times, while Plunkett completed only 14 of 30 passes for 149 yards, with two interceptions. Hayes and Bolton each had two interceptions.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
This was the first postseason meeting between the Raiders and Browns.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 30, Atlanta Falcons 27
The Cowboys scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to come from behind and defeat the Falcons 30–27. Atlanta jumped to a 10–3 lead, aided by quarterback Steve Bartkowski's 60-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Alfred Jenkins. In the second quarter, Dallas recovered a fumble in Atlanta territory and tied the game on quarterback Danny White's 5-yard touchdown completion to tight end Billy Joe DuPree. However, the Falcons responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Lynn Cain to take a 17–10 lead. Then after forcing a punt, Atlanta mounted another drive into Dallas territory, but defensive back Steve Wilson intercepted a pass from Bartkowski and the score remained 17–10 at halftime.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 30, Atlanta Falcons 27
Dallas started out the second half with a drive to midfield, but lost the ball on a play that initially appeared to go in their favor. Running back Preston Pearson caught a short pass from White and took off for a big gain, but linebacker Joel Williams, who initially pressured White into making the pass, managed to chase Pearson down and force a fumble on the 15-yard line. After recovering the fumble, Atlanta stormed down the field and increased their lead to 24–10 with Bartkowski's 12-yard touchdown pass to running back William Andrews.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 30, Atlanta Falcons 27
Starting a drive with 3:38 left in the third quarter, Dallas mounted an 85-yard drive that ended with Robert Newhouse's 1-yard touchdown run with 13:50 left in the game. Dallas subsequently forced a punt, but Atlanta safety Tom Pridemore intercepted a pass from White and returned it 22 yards to the Cowboys 37-yard line, setting up a 34-yard field goal from Tim Mazzetti to increase the lead to 27–17. Dallas then marched 62 yards to score on Drew Pearson's 14-yard touchdown reception with 3:04 left in the game.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 30, Atlanta Falcons 27
Then two plays after the ensuing kickoff, Dallas lineman Ed "Too Tall" Jones appeared to jump offsides, which would have given the Falcons a first down, but managed to maintain his footing and avoid crossing the line of scrimmage before the snap. As a result, his sudden movement threw off Atlanta's offense and he ended up making a key tackle to end the drive and force a punt. Following the punt, Dallas advanced 70 yards to score on Pearson's 23-yard touchdown catch with 47 seconds left.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 30, Atlanta Falcons 27
Charlie Waters fumbled the snap on the extra point attempt, keeping the score 30–27 and giving Atlanta a chance to drive for the tying field goal. But the Falcons turned the ball over on downs before they could move it out of their own territory.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 30, Atlanta Falcons 27
Jenkins finished the game with four receptions for 155 yards.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 30, Atlanta Falcons 27
The game is featured as one of the NFL's Greatest Games as the Duel in Dixie.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, January 4, 1981, NFC: Dallas Cowboys 30, Atlanta Falcons 27
This was the second postseason meeting between the Cowboys and Falcons. Dallas won the only prior meeting.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Dallas Cowboys 7
Although Philadelphia quarterback Ron Jaworski completed only nine of 29 passes for 91 yards and was intercepted twice, running back Wilbert Montgomery led the Eagles to a victory by rushing for 194 yards and a touchdown. Dallas had been the highest scoring team in the NFL during the regular season, but against the Eagles defense, they could only gain 206 yards and score a single touchdown. They also fumbled five times, losing three of them.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Dallas Cowboys 7
Dallas was forced to a three and out on their opening drive, and the kick from quarterback Danny White (who also served as the team's punter) went just 26 yards before John Sciarra returned it to the Cowboys 42-yard line. One play later, Montgomery scored on a 42-yard rushing touchdown. The Eagles earned themselves chances to score on their next two drives. However, they were stopped both times and their special teams unit failed to capitalize. First, they drove to the Dallas 23-yard line, only to have Tony Franklin's field goal attempt blocked by Dallas cornerback Aaron Mitchell. Then they drove to the Cowboys 16-yard line, where Harvey Martin sacked Jaworski on third down and a high snap on the field goal try sailed right through Jaworski's hands.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Dallas Cowboys 7
Midway through the second quarter, White, who had been held to negative passing yardage, finally got the Cowboys going on a 10-play, 68-yard drive, completing an 18-yard screen pass to Tony Dorsett and a 12-yarder to Drew Pearson before Dorsett wrapped it up with a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game. The score would remain 7–7 at halftime, due to another blown scoring chance by the Eagles when Jaworski's touchdown pass to Harold Carmichael was canceled out by a 15-yard personal foul penalty on guard Woody Peoples.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Dallas Cowboys 7
In the third quarter, the first turnover of the game occurred when Philadelphia's Billy Campfield recovered a fumbled punt return from James Jones. Dallas quickly took the ball back with Anthony Dickerson's interception, but they only held on for a few plays before White lost a fumble due to a massive hit from Carl Hairston, which defensive end Dennis Harrison recovered on the Dallas 11-yard line to set up Franklin's 26-yard field goal.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Dallas Cowboys 7
Dallas seemed to be in position to respond when tight end Jay Saldi made a leaping catch on the Eagles 40-yard line for a 28-yard gain, White's longest completion of the day. On the next play rookie cornerback Roynell Young stripped the ball from Dorsett, and linebacker Jerry Robinson returned it 22 yards to the Dallas 38-yard line. Six plays later, running back Leroy Harris scored a 9-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 17–7 lead. Later on, Montgomery's 55-yard carry put the Eagles in position to put the game away, but Mitchell kept Dallas' chances alive by intercepting a pass from Jaworski in the end zone.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Dallas Cowboys 7
Despite the interception, the Cowboys' offense was still unable to move the ball. For the rest of the game, the Cowboys never made it into Eagles territory, and after Philadelphia put together a 62-yard drive to score the final points of the game on Franklin's 20-yard field goal with 2:10 remaining, Young intercepted a pass from White on their final play of the game with 30 seconds remaining.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Dallas Cowboys 7
The Eagles, as the home team, elected to wear their road white jerseys instead of their home green jerseys so as to force Dallas to wear their rarely used blue jerseys rather than their familiar white jerseys; through the years, the Cowboys' blue jerseys were said to be jinxed since they often lost wearing them – especially in Super Bowl V. This would be the last game in which the Cowboys wore their royal blue jerseys; in 1981, they debuted a new navy blue uniform with a significantly different and darker shade of blue than that still used for the numbers on their white jerseys.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Dallas Cowboys 7
Montgomery finished with more all-purpose yards (208) then the entire Cowboys offense. This was the first time Dallas had ever allowed an opposing player to rush for over 100 yards in team postseason history. This would be the Eagles' last playoff victory until the 1992 season. Super Bowl XV began a five-game postseason losing streak for the franchise.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 20, Dallas Cowboys 7
This was the first postseason meeting between the Cowboys and Eagles.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
Oakland built a 28–7 first half lead, but had to hold off a furious comeback attempt to become the second wild card team in NFL history to make it to the Super Bowl.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
In the first quarter alone, Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett completed 5/6 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a score. On the third play of the game, Plunkett threw a pass that bounced off the hands of Kenny King and into the arms of tight end Raymond Chester, who took off to the end zone for a 65-yard touchdown reception.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
The Chargers seemed primed to respond, as Dan Fouts completed a 55-yard pass to Ron Smith on their first play of the next drive, but Oakland defensive back Lester Hayes, who recorded 13 interceptions in the regular season and four in the previous two playoff games, picked off a pass from Fouts and returned it 16 yards to the Raiders 25-yard line. However, the Chargers defense forced a punt and Fouts made up for his mistake on the next possession, hooking up with Charlie Joiner for a 48-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
Oakland stormed back with 21 unanswered points. First, Plunkett's 48-yard completion to receiver Cliff Branch on third down and 20 set off a 7-play, 76-yard drive that ended with his 5-yard touchdown run. Then the Raiders defense forced a punt, and Ira Matthews returned Rick Partridge's 41-yard kick 14 yards to the Chargers 49-yard line. Four plays later, Plunkett's 21-yard touchdown pass to King made the score 21–7 with 1:35 left in the first quarter.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
San Diego took the ball back and drove to the Raiders 21-yard line, featuring a 28-yard completion from tight end Kellen Winslow to John Jefferson on a trick play, but safety Burgess Owens ended the drive with an interception. Following a punt, San Diego running back Mike Thomas lost a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Ted Hendricks on the Chargers 29-yard line, and the Raiders capitalized with Plunkett's 23-yard completion to Branch leading to another touchdown, this one on a 3-yard run by Mark van Eeghen, to build a 28–7 lead. Following Hank Bauer's 27-yard kickoff return to the 36-yard line, San Diego drove 64 yards in 13 plays, including a 24-yard reception by Thomas, to score on Fouts' 8-yard touchdown completion to Joiner, cutting their deficit to 28–14 with 1:05 left in the half.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
The Chargers continued to cut away at the Raiders lead in the second half, driving 68 yards in 12 plays on their opening drive. Two dropped passes by Jefferson in the end zone spoiled their chances for a touchdown, but Rolf Benirschke kicked a 26-yard field goal, making the score 28-17. Their defense then forced a punt, which Mike Fuller returned 28 yards to the Raiders 41-yard line. From there, San Diego took the ball all the way to the end zone, scoring on a 7-play drive that ended on Chuck Muncie's 6-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 28–24.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
Oakland responded with a 68-yard drive, including a 22-yard completion from Plunkett to King, leading to Chris Bahr's 27-yard field goal to retake their 7-point lead. Then after a three and out, Matthews returned Partridge's next punt six yards to the Oakland 49, where the Raiders added a 33-yard field goal from Bahr to increase their lead to 34–24 with 9:46 left in the game.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
The Chargers then countered with a 72-yard drive ending with Benirschke's 27-yard field goal. The Raiders defense was exhausted and they implored their offense by saying "don't let them have the damn ball back"! The Raiders then held onto the ball for the last 6:52 of the game on a 15-play drive (12 runs, one pass, two quarterback kneels), with Plunkett scrambling twice on third down to pick up key first downs, to clinch the victory.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
Plunkett finished the game completing 14 of 18 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Chester caught five passes for a career postseason high 102 yards and a touchdown. Fouts threw for 336 yards and two scores, but was intercepted twice. Joiner caught six passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, January 11, 1981, AFC: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27
This was the first postseason meeting between the Raiders and Chargers.


1980–81 NFL playoffs, Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10
This was the first Super Bowl meeting between the Raiders and Eagles.


1980–81 NHL season
The 1980–81 NHL season was the 64th season of the National Hockey League. The New York Islanders were the top regular season team and the top playoff team, winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup.


1980–81 NHL season, League business
This was the first season that the Calgary Flames played in Calgary, Alberta. Previously, they were the Atlanta Flames and played in Atlanta, Georgia.


1980–81 NHL season, Regular season
Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers broke Bobby Orr's single season assist record, scoring 109 assists, and Phil Esposito's point record, scoring 164 points. He won his second of an unmatched eight straight Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player


1980–81 NHL season, Regular season
Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders became only the second man in NHL history to score 50 goals in his first 50 games. In the 50th game, played at his home rink, he had 48 goals going into the 3rd and final period (before the advent of overtime games). Bossy admitted being so embarrassed and upset that he contemplated not going out on the ice for the final period. However, Bossy got his 49th goal with 5:15 left to go in the game and the 50th with 1:50 remaining, sending the Nassau Coliseum into a delirium. Maurice Richard, the only other man to accomplish this feat, was on hand to congratulate Bossy.


1980–81 NHL season, Regular season
Bossy's Islanders finished as regular season champions with 110 points with the St. Louis Blues finishing a close second at 107 points.


1980–81 NHL season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutesNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold


1980–81 NHL season, Playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs would see the New York Islanders dominate on their way to winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup. Notably, in the first round against the Maple Leafs, the Isles swept a three-game series, outscoring Toronto 20–4. The Islanders would go on to defeat Edmonton in six games in the quarter-finals, and in the semi-finals, the Islanders swept the Rangers and outscored them 22–8.


1980–81 NHL season, Playoffs
In game one of the Edmonton-Montreal series, Wayne Gretzky had five assists. This was a single game playoff record. Another distinction was in the Minnesota North Stars' sweep of the Boston Bruins; the two games the North Stars won in Boston Garden were the first games that the team had won in Boston, either regular season or playoff, since the team had joined the NHL in 1967.


1980–81 NHL season, Playoff bracket, Stanley Cup Finals
The Islanders easily defeated the Minnesota North Stars in the finals in five games. The Islanders were defeated three times during the playoffs.


1980–81 NHL season, Player statistics, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points


1980–81 NHL season, Milestones, Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1980–81 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):


1980–81 NHL season, Milestones, Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1980–81 (listed with their last team):


1980–81 NK Hajduk Split season
The 1980–81 season was the 70th season in Hajduk Split’s history and their 35th in the Yugoslav First League. Their 5th place finish in the 1979–80 season meant it was their 35th successive season playing in the Yugoslav First League.


1980–81 NK Rijeka season
The 1980–81 season was the 35th season in Rijeka’s history and their 19th season in the Yugoslav First League. Their 10th place finish in the 1979–80 season meant it was their seventh successive season playing in the Yugoslav First League.


1980–81 NK Rijeka season, Notes
1. Rijeka’s Milan Ružić was sent off when the result was 1–1. The referee abandoned the match following the scuffle that ensued. The match was voided and awarded 3–0 to Vardar. Ružić was suspended for six months.


1980–81 NTFL season
The 1980/81 NTFL season was the 60th season of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL).


1980–81 NTFL season
Nth. Darwin (Palmerston) have won their first ever Premiership title while defeating the Wanderers Eagles in the grand final by 6 points (1 goal).


1980–81 National Basketball League season
The 1980–81 Rotary Watches National Basketball League season was the ninth season of the National Basketball League.


1980–81 National Basketball League season
The league was sponsored by Rotary Watches for the third consecutive year and Birmingham Team Fiat broke the Crystal Palace monopoly by taking the league title. Sunderland provided a major shock when securing the Play Offs title. Palace, who were expected to make a clean sweep of silverware, gained some consolation by winning the National Cup.


1980–81 National Basketball League season, Team changes
Coventry Team Fiat were rebranded Birmingham and moved to a larger venue at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre which served as a catalyst for their success. Manchester took on the name Trafford for the season but apart from this the teams remained the same. A team called Solent Stars backed by a millionaire businessman called Harry Smith  easily won the second division and competed successfully against first division teams in tournaments.


1980–81 National Football League (Ireland)
The 1980–81 National Football League was the 50th staging of the National Football League (NFL), an annual Gaelic football tournament for the Gaelic Athletic Association county teams of Ireland.


1980–81 National Football League (Ireland), Format, Titles
Teams in all four divisions competed for one league title.


1980–81 National Football League (Ireland), Format, Round-Robin Format
Each team played every other team in its division once, either home or away.


1980–81 National Football League (Ireland), Format, Points awarded
2 points were awarded for a win and 1 for a draw.


1980–81 National Football League (Ireland), Format, Separation of teams on equal points
In the event that teams finish on equal points, then a play-off will be used to determine group placings if necessary, i.e. where to decide relegation places or quarter-finalists.


1980–81 National Hurling League
The 1980–81 National Hurling League was the 50th season of the National Hurling League (NHL), an annual hurling competition for the GAA county teams. It was won by Cork.


1980–81 National Hurling League, Division 1, Structure
The National Hurling League's top division was divided into two groups - 1A and 1B. The top two teams in Division 1A advance to the semi-finals. The third- and fourth-placed teams in 1A, as well as the top two from 1B, play in the quarter-finals.


1980–81 Nationale A season
The 1980–81 Nationale A season was the 60th season of the Nationale A, the top level of ice hockey in France. 10 teams participated in the league, and CSG Grenoble won their first league title.


1980–81 Nationalliga A, Overview
It was contested by 14 teams, and FC Zürich won the championship.


1980–81 Nationalliga A season
The 1980–81 Nationalliga A season was the 43rd season of the Nationalliga A, the top level of ice hockey in Switzerland. Eight teams participated in the league, and EHC Biel won the championship.


1980–81 Nemzeti Bajnokság I, Overview
It was contested by 18 teams, and Ferencvárosi TC won the championship.


1980–81 New Jersey Nets season
The 1980–81 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 5th season in the NBA. It was their final season of play at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, as the team moved to Brendan Byrne Arena in the Meadowlands for the following season.


1980–81 New York Islanders season
The 1980-81 New York Islanders season was the ninth season in the franchise's history. It involved winning the Stanley Cup.


1980–81 New York Islanders season, Offseason, NHL Draft
New York's draft picks at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec.


1980–81 New York Islanders season, Regular season, Season standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1980–81 New York Islanders season, Player statistics
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals      MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts;


1980–81 New York Islanders season, Playoffs, 1981 New York Islanders Stanley Cup Champions
Gord Lane, Jean Potvin, Bob Lorimer, Denis Potvin, Stefan Persson, Mike McEwen, Ken Morrow, Dave Langevin, Duane Sutter, Garry Howatt, Clark Gillies, Lorne Henning, Hector Marini, Wayne Merrick, Bob Bourne, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Bob Nystrom, John Tonelli, Anders Kallur, Butch Goring, Billy Carroll, Roland Melanson, Billy Smith, Al Arbour (coach), Bill Torrey (general manager), Ron Waske, Jim Pickard (trainers)


1980–81 New York Knicks season
The 1980–81 New York Knicks season was the 35th season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In the regular season, the Knicks finished in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 50–32 win–loss record, qualifying for the 1981 NBA Playoffs. New York lost in the best-of-three first round to the Chicago Bulls in a two-game sweep.


1980–81 New York Knicks season, NBA Draft
Note: This is not an extensive list; it only covers the first and second rounds, and any other players picked by the franchise that played at least one game in the league.


1980–81 New York Rangers season
The 1980–81 New York Rangers season was the 55th season for the team in the National Hockey League (NHL). In the regular season, the Rangers finished in fourth place in the Patrick Division with 74 points and earned a berth in the playoffs. New York won series with the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues to reach the NHL semi-finals, where the team was defeated by the New York Islanders in a four-game sweep.


1980–81 New York Rangers season, Regular season
Fred Shero, citing a drinking problem, chose to resign as coach. Craig Patrick, the Rangers' director of operations, replaced him. Craig Patrick became the third generation of the Patrick family to coach the Rangers, after Lester Patrick, Lynn Patrick and Muzz Patrick.


1980–81 New York Rangers season, Regular season
Halfway through the season, veteran Phil Esposito decided to retire. He retired after 18 seasons, the last six with the Rangers. He finished his career with 717 goals and 1,590 points.


1980–81 New York Rangers season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1980–81 New York Rangers season, Player statistics
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Rangers. Stats reflect time with Rangers only. ‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.


1980–81 New York Rangers season, Draft picks
New York's picks at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, Quebec, Canada at the Montreal Forum.


1980–81 Newport County A.F.C. season
The 1980–81 season was Newport County's first season back in the Third Division since relegation in 1962 and their 53rd season overall in the Football League.


1980–81 Newport County A.F.C. season
The club finished a credible 12th in the Third Division but this season was all about County's first European competition, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.


1980–81 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team
The 1980–81 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team represented University of North Carolina. Led by senior guard-forward Al Wood, it won the 1981 ACC Tournament and reached the championship of the NCAA Tournament, falling to Indiana University 62-50. The head coach was Dean Smith. The team played its home games at Carmichael Auditorium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.


1980–81 Northern Football League
The 1980–81 Northern Football League season was the 83rd in the history of Northern Football League, a football competition in England.


1980–81 Northern Football League, Clubs
Division One featured 20 clubs which competed in the league last season, no new clubs joined the division this season.


1980–81 Northern League (ice hockey) season
The 1980-81 Northern League season was the 15th season of the Northern League, the top level ice hockey league in northern England and Scotland. Eight teams participated in the league, and the Murrayfield Racers won the championship. The top four teams qualified for the Spring Cup, which served as the Northern League playoffs.


1980–81 Northern League (ice hockey) season, Spring Cup, Final
The final between the Murrayfield Racers and the Billingham Bombers was not contested.


1980–81 Northern Premier League
The 1980–81 Northern Premier League was the thirteenth season of the Northern Premier League, a regional football league in Northern England, the northern areas of the Midlands and North Wales. The season began on 16 August 1980 and concluded on 3 May 1981.


1980–81 Northern Premier League, Overview, Team changes
The following club left the League at the end of the previous season:


1980–81 Northern Premier League, Overview, Team changes
The following club joined the League at the start of the season:


1980–81 Northern Premier League, Cup results, Northern Premier League Shield
Between Champions of NPL Premier Division and Winners of the NPL Cup. As Runcorn won both the Northern Premier League and the Challenge Cup, Mossley qualified as 2nd placed team of the NPL.


1980–81 Northern Premier League, Cup results, FA Cup
Only one of the twenty-two Northern Premier League clubs reached the second round:


1980–81 Northern Premier League, Cup results, FA Trophy
One of the twenty-two Northern Premier League clubs reached the fourth round:


1980–81 Northern Premier League, End of the season
At the end of the thirteenth season of the Northern Premier League, Runcorn applied to join the Alliance Premier League and were successful.


1980–81 Northern Premier League, End of the season, Promotion and relegation
The following club left the League at the end of the season:


1980–81 Norwegian 1. Divisjon season
The 1980–81 Norwegian 1. Divisjon season was the 42nd season of ice hockey in Norway. Ten teams participated in the league, and Stjernen won the championship.


1980–81 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team
The 1980–81 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was coached by Digger Phelps and was ranked in the Associated Press poll for the entirety of the season. As a 2 seed, the Fighting Irish defeated the 10 seed James Madison in the second round, 54–45. Notre Dame would fall to BYU in the 1981 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament.


1980–81 Nottingham Forest F.C. season
The 1980–81 season was Nottingham Forest's 116th year in existence and fourth campaign consecutive in the First Division.


1980–81 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Summary
During May the Club Board appointed Geoffrey McPherson as its new chairman replacing Stuart Dryden. On 30 May 1980 McPherson negotiated a three-year new contract for the soccer pair (Clough-Taylor) after they won the European Cup Final. The club reinforced the squad with Forward Ian Wallace bought from Coventry City in £1.25 million  and Swiss player Raimondo Ponte from Grasshopper Club Zürich in expect to boost an already ageing midfield.


1980–81 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Summary
On 15 October the club transferred out Garry Birtles after Manchester United paid a £1.25 million fee  prompting the arrival of Forward Peter Ward from Brighton and Hove Albion a former player of Taylor. In spite of these new arrivals, during the season the team plummeted to the mid-table, and by Spring the midfield was weakened after the departures of Martin O'Neill, Raimondo Ponte, Ian Bowyer and defender Larry Lloyd. Forward Trevor Francis suffered an injury that shattered the ofensive line chances with not playing until 20 December missing the first half of the season. In League the squad finished on a disappointing 7th place 10 massive points behind Champions  Aston Villa and not qualifying for the upcoming 1981-82 UEFA Cup thanks to a draw 1–1 against Coventry City on the final round losing the European spot by goal average to Southampton F.C..


1980–81 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Summary
Meanwhile, in European Cup the squad was shockingly defeated by CSKA Sofia in two legs of the first round. In League Cup the team was early eliminated in Fourth Round by Watford F.C.. Also, in European Super Cup the club lost the trophy against Valencia CF by away goals. During February in Tokyo the squad lost the Intercontinental Cup against Nacional by a 0–1 score. Finally, in FA Cup the team was early eliminated in Quarterfinals by Ipswich Town after a replay match.


1980–81 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1980–81 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Competitions
A list of Nottingham Forest's matches in the 1980–81 season.


1980–81 OB I bajnoksag season
The 1980–81 OB I bajnokság season was the 44th season of the OB I bajnokság, the top level of ice hockey in Hungary. Three teams participated in the league, and Alba Volan Szekesfehervar won the championship.


1980–81 OHL season
The 1980–81 OHL season was the first season of the newly established Ontario Hockey League, renaming itself from the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League. The OMJHL formally severed ties with the Ontario Hockey Association over the summer, and affiliated with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. The OHL inaugurated the Jack Ferguson Award for the first overall draft pick in the OHL entry draft. Twelve teams each played 68 games. The Kitchener Rangers won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.


1980–81 OHL season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against; PTS = Points; x = clinched playoff berth; y = clinched first round bye; z = clinched division title & first round bye


1980–81 Oklahoma City Chiefs men's basketball team
The 1980–81 Oklahoma City Chiefs men's basketball team represented Oklahoma City University in the 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season as a member of the Midwestern City Conference. They finished the season 14-15 overall, tied for second in the MCC regular season title with a 7–4 record and won the 1981 Midwestern City Conference Men's Basketball Tournament. However, the conference did not receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament. They were coached by Ken Trickey in his second season as head coach of the Chiefs. They played their home games at Frederickson Fieldhouse in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.


1980–81 Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team
The 1980–81 Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team represented the University of Mississippi in the 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Rebels were led by fifth-year head coach, Bob Weltlich. The Rebels played their home games at Tad Smith Coliseum in Oxford, Mississippi as members of the Southeastern Conference. This season marked the first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.


1980–81 PAOK FC season
The 1980–81 season was PAOK Football Club's 55th in existence and the club's 22nd consecutive season in the top flight of Greek football. The team entered the Greek Football Cup in first round.


1980–81 PAOK FC season, Players, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1980–81 PAOK FC season, Statistics, Squad statistics
Appearances denote players in the starting lineup, with the numbers in parentheses denoting appearances as substitute.


1980–81 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season
The 1980–81 season was Paris Saint-Germain's 11th season in existence. PSG played their home league games at the Parc des Princes in Paris, registering an average attendance of 22,969 spectators per match. The club was presided by Francis Borelli and the team was coached by Georges Peyroche. Dominique Bathenay was the team captain.


1980–81 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Players, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1980–81 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Players, Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1980–81 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Transfers, Arrivals
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1980–81 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Transfers, Departures
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1980–81 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Kits
French radio RTL was the shirt sponsor. French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif was the kit manufacturer.


1980–81 Partick Thistle F.C. season
The 1980–81 season saw Partick Thistle compete in the Scottish Premier Division, the top tier of Scottish football, where they finished 6th on 30 points. They also competed in the Scottish Cup, where they were eliminated in the fourth round, and the Scottish League Cup, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.


1980–81 Partick Thistle F.C. season, Season summary
After Bertie Auld left to manage Hibernian in November 1980, Peter Cormack was appointed as manager on 5 December 1980.


1980–81 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team
The 1980–81 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 1980–81 season.


1980–81 Philadelphia 76ers season
The 1980–81 NBA season was the 76ers 32nd season in the NBA and 18th season in Philadelphia The team finished the regular season with a 62-20 record, however they lost the tie breaker with the Boston Celtics who had the home court advantage with the same regular season record. In the playoffs, they lost a seven-game series to the Boston Celtics, in the Eastern Conference Finals, after having a three games to one series lead. This was the second time this occurred between the two teams (other in 1968), and the final 3 games of the series were decided by 5 points total. Julius Erving would win the Most Valuable Player of the League.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 14th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). After finishing second in the Patrick Division, the Flyers lost in the quarterfinals to the Calgary Flames in seven games.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season
Bobby Clarke wore the number 16 throughout his entire NHL career except for two games during the 1980–81 season. Prior to a road game on February 27, 1981, Clarke's jersey was stolen. Clarke wore the only other jersey available, number 36, in the next two games. A month later, Clarke hit a personal milestone in memorable fashion. On March 19 during a game against the Boston Bruins, a Reggie Leach slapshot struck Clarke. After leaving the ice, he re-appeared moments later stitched up and with his jersey covered in blood. 31 seconds into the third period Clarke beat Bruins goalie Marco Baron for his 19th goal of the season and his 1000th career point.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season, Season standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Playoffs
After a tough, five-game preliminary round series win against the Quebec Nordiques, the Flyers moved on to face the Calgary Flames in the quarterfinals. After falling behind 3 games to 1, they managed to force a Game 7 by winning the next two games. The Flyers lost Game 7, 4–1, at the Spectrum.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions
The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 25, 1980, the day after the deciding game of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 21, 1981, the day of the deciding game of the 1981 Stanley Cup Finals.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Signings, Free agency
The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Signings, Internal
The following players were either re-signed by the Flyers or, in the case of the team's selections in the NHL Entry Draft, signed to contracts.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Waivers
The Flyers were not involved in any waivers transactions. The 1980 NHL Waiver Draft was held on October 8, 1980. The Flyers protected the following players: goaltenders Phil Myre and Pete Peeters, defensemen Norm Barnes, Frank Bathe, Mike Busniuk, Glen Cochrane, Bob Dailey, Jack McIlhargey, Jimmy Watson, and Behn Wilson, and forwards Bill Barber, Mel Bridgman, Bobby Clarke, Tom Gorence, Al Hill, Paul Holmgren, Reggie Leach, Ken Linseman, Rick MacLeish, and Gary Morrison. The Flyers left the following players unprotected: goaltender Robbie Moore, defenseman Terry Murray, and forwards Ron Areshenkoff, Gordie Clark, Paul Evans, Danny Lucas, and Yves Preston.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Departures
The following players left the team via free agency, release, or retirement. Players who were under contract and left the team during the season are marked with an asterisk (*).


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Draft picks
Philadelphia's picks at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, on June 11, 1980.


1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season, Farm teams
The Flyers were affiliated with the Maine Mariners of the AHL and the Toledo Goaldiggers of the IHL.


1980–81 Phoenix Suns season
The 1980–81 Phoenix Suns season was the 13th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. At 57–25, the team had finished with its best regular season record. For the Suns, they had appeared in their first Finals five years ago but never could claim a divisional title as their own. Atop the Western Conference standings for the first time, the Suns had earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The offense was highlighted by balanced attack, with four starters averaging 15 points or more a game, but none greater than 19.


1980–81 Phoenix Suns season
This, despite a trade that meant the departure of four-time All-NBA Paul Westphal, who was swapped for fourth-year All-Star guard Dennis Johnson. In the conference semifinals, the Suns would meet the Kansas City Kings, a team they had defeated in the first round one season ago but found more difficult to handle this season. After a 22-point win in game one, the Suns would go on to lose game seven and the series. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.


1980–81 Phoenix Suns season
Johnson was a tough defender and later earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors. He was also named to the All-NBA First Team. In the All-Star Game, Johnson was joined by teammates Walter Davis and Truck Robinson. It was the first time the Suns sent three players to the All-Star Game.


1980–81 Phoenix Suns season
Johnson and Robinson shared top scoring marks for the Suns with an average of 18.8 points a game, while Robinson also led the team in rebounds per game at 9.6. Davis averaged 18.0 points per game and Alvan Adams chipped in 14.9 for the second consecutive season. Adams, a 6'9" center/forward led the team in assists at 4.6 a game.


1980–81 Phoenix Suns season, Offseason, NBA Draft
This was the first year in franchise history that none of the team's draft picks played for the franchise. Not only did no selection play for the Suns, none ever played a game in the NBA.


1980–81 Phoenix Suns season, Player statistics, Playoffs
† – Minimum 20 field goals made. ^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.


1980–81 Phoenix Suns season, Transactions, Trades
(Sent picks to Phoenix as compensation for free agent Garfield Heard)


1980–81 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team
The 1980–81 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by first year head coach Roy Chipman, the Panthers finished with a record of 19–12. They received an automatic bid to the 1981 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament where they lost in the second round to North Carolina.


1980–81 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1980–81 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their 14th in the National Hockey League.


1980–81 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, Division standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against


1980–81 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, Division standings
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1980–81 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Playoffs
The Penguins lost in the Preliminary round (3-2) versus the St. Louis Blues.


1980–81 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Player statistics
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only. ‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.


1980–81 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Transactions
The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1980–81 season:


1980–81 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Draft picks
The 1980 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 11, 1980 in Montreal, Quebec.


1980–81 Polska Liga Hokejowa season
The 1980–81 Polska Liga Hokejowa season was the 46th season of the Polska Liga Hokejowa, the top level of ice hockey in Poland. Eight teams participated in the league, and Zaglebie Sosnowiec won the championship.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1980–81 season was Port Vale's 69th season of football in the English Football League, and their third successive season (ninth overall) in the Fourth Division. A difficult season, by February the club were bottom of the Football League. However, they rallied to finish in nineteenth place, thus avoiding a re-election campaign. Advancing to the Third Round of the FA Cup, there they were humiliated by a 3–0 defeat to non-league side Enfield in front of the TV cameras. As usual, they exited the League Cup at the First Round.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season
Despite poor crowd figures and a poor league place, John McGrath had overseen the worst of the club's dire spell, whilst new Chairman Don Ratcliffe stabilized the finances by cutting expenditure. A bleak financial picture led McGrath to focus on youth, and the Chamberlain brothers (Mark and Neville) in particular developed well to leave the club with a more optimistic future.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Fourth Division
The pre-season saw John McGrath sign two news players – Leicester City's John Allen and Stoke City's Trevor Brissett. These newcomers were all the Vale could afford, and Vale ominously failed to win any of their pre-season friendlies. The club also received a £600 fine for the disciplinary record of the previous season (by now an annual occurrence).


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Fourth Division
The season opened with a 3–0 win over Doncaster Rovers, but then Vale travelled to Roots Hall, where they were beaten 5–1 by Southend United. This defeat was the first of a run of six games in which the "Valiants" picked up just a solitary point. The Vale consistently lost away from home, but turned Vale Park into a fortress with four successive wins in Burslem. Despite this, attendances remained barely above 2,000. Injuries piled up; Gerry Keenan with ligament damage, Steve Jones with a collarbone injury, whereas Paul Bowles played on as captain despite being overweight.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Fourth Division
The club in the re-election zone, unable to attract fans, and losing £1,000 a week, Arthur MacPherson resigned as Chairman on 2 October, and was replaced by Don Ratcliffe. Mark Chamberlain was then utilized, and scored four goals in his first four games and also created goals for others. Former top-flight winger Johnny Miller then joined the club after his release from Mansfield Town. Miller's crossing ability had not diminished, and he became a key player. Young keeper Mark Harrison in good form, McGrath felt able to sell Trevor Dance to Stafford Rangers for £10,000. Their upturn in form tailed off, and their 4–0 defeat at Plainmoor on 5 November was played in front of a then Torquay United record-low crowd of 1,227 fans. A 1–0 victory over Southend United was the only win in a sequence of fourteen league games.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Fourth Division
In December, John Rudge was upgraded from coach to assistant manager. However, poor league form continued; on 27 December Vale lost 5–1 to Northampton Town at the County Ground, and Phil Sproson was sent off for swearing at teammate Russell Bromage. More away defeats came, with the Vale defence insistent on playing dangerous balls on the outside of their penalty area. On 24 January, they lost 5–0 at Field Mill to Mansfield Town, this left them at the foot of the league, four points adrift of safety.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Fourth Division
McGrath brought in two new signings: big defender Andy Higgins from Chesterfield and midfielder Terry Armstrong; Higgins was restricted mainly to away matches as there the team needed the added strength and height that he provided. He also signed keeper Brian Lloyd on loan from Chester City, and the former Wales international proved to be a revelation. McGrath then installed a five-man defence away from home, the tactic proved a success, as Vale avoided defeat in all but two of their final eight away games.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Fourth Division
McGrath later reflected that "that Mansfield match was a dreadful experience, I simply could not wait any longer before taking some action; we had to get some better players." Vale went on a streak of seven games unbeaten, recording a 4–0 win over fellow strugglers Hereford United. On 26 April, the club started a club-record run of six consecutive draws, which would end on 12 September the next season. Their goalless draw with Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road assured them of safety from re-election.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Fourth Division
They finished nineteenth place with 39 points, three points clear of the re-election places. For the third consecutive season they had conceded seventy goals, and only Tranmere Rovers and Halifax Town conceded more. The Chamberlain brothers were the top scorers in the league with nine goals, whilst Neville scored thirteen in all competitions. McGrath said "it has taken time, but the attitude [of the team] is slowly changing."


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Finances
On the financial side, a £12,496 loss was announced. Income was supplemented by an intake of £174,890 from the commercial department. An average home attendance of 2,738 was the lowest since the club regained their Football League status in 1921. Nevertheless, spending had been slashed to bring finances under control. Six players left at the end of the season on free transfers, most significantly: Neil Griffiths (Crewe Alexandra), Steve Jones, Alan Woolfall (Marine), and John Allen (Hinckley Athletic). Loanee Lloyd also returned to his club, despite the fans demands to sign him up. Kenny Beech was sold to Walsall for £10,000.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Bradford City with a 4–2 win, the Chamberlain brothers in deadly form. "Bantams" manager George Mulhall said "it could have been ten!". With Harrison injured, Vale then used Derby County loanee keeper Steve Cherry in a 'magnificent' 1–1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor. Vale then finished off the Third Division outfit at home with a 2–0 win in front of a season-high crowd of 7,722.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
Drawn against Isthmian League side Enfield in the Third Round, they drew 1–1 at Vale Park before they 'died in shame' with a 3–0 defeat in the replay. This was the first time the Vale had been knocked out of the competition by a non-league club since Gainsborough Trinity beat them 2–1 in 1937. Port Vale were Enfield's third scalp of the season after Barnsley and Hereford United. The loss came in front of the television cameras, and was particularly humiliating as Enfield's keeper had a quiet afternoon and Cherry gifted Enfield their second goal with a horrible miskick.


1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
In the League Cup, Neville Chamberlain scored after only fifty seconds in a 3–2 home defeat by Tranmere Rovers. Vale then beat 1–0 at Prenton Park to exit the competition on away goals.


1980–81 Portland Trail Blazers season
The 1980–81 season was the 11th season of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Blazers won seven more games than the previous season, ending with a record of 45–37 and making the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.


1980–81 Portland Trail Blazers season
The Blazers were eliminated from the 1981 NBA Playoffs after losing their best-of-three first-round series to the Kansas City Kings, two games to one.


1980–81 Portland Trail Blazers season, Draft picks
Note:  This is not a complete list; only the first two rounds are covered, as well as any other picks by the franchise who played at least one NBA game.


1980–81 Primeira Divisão
The 1980–81 Primeira Divisão was the 47th season of top-tier football in Portugal.


1980–81 Primeira Divisão, Overview
It was contested by 16 teams, and S.L. Benfica won the championship.


1980–81 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team
The 1980–81 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team represented Princeton University in intercollegiate college basketball during the 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Pete Carril and the team co-captains were David Blatt and Randy Melville. The team played its home games in the Jadwin Gymnasium on the University campus in Princeton, New Jersey. The team was the champion of the Ivy League, which earned them an invitation to the 48-team 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.


1980–81 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team
The team posted an 18–10 overall record and a 14–1 conference record. The team's only conference loss came on February 24, 1981, against the Penn Quakers at The Palestra in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by a 52–43 margin. The team won its March 10, 1981, one-game Ivy League playoff game against Penn at the Kirby Sports Center at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, by a 54–40 margin for the Ivy League Championship and an invitation to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. The team lost its March 12, 1981 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament East Regional first round game against the BYU Cougars 60–51 at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.


1980–81 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team
The team was led by first team All-Ivy League selection Melville. Melville tied Michael Steurer's Ivy League single-game record set on February 6, 1976, with eight steals against the Colgate Raiders on December 21, 1980, which was a record that would stand until March 5, 1983. Steurer and Melville continue to share the Princeton single game record. The team achieved a 54.9% field goal percentage in conference games, which is the current Ivy League single-season record.


1980–81 Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team
The 1980–81 Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team represented Purdue University during the 1980–81 college basketball season. The Boilermakers were led by first-year head coach Gene Keady and finished with an overall record of 21–11 (10–8 Big Ten).


1980–81 QMJHL season
The 1980–81 QMJHL season was the 12th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurated three new trophies for players. The Marcel Robert Trophy is first awarded to the "Best Scholastic Player" and the Mike Bossy Trophy is first awarded to the "Best Professional Prospect" for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. The league created a second Rookie of the Year award. The existing Michel Bergeron Trophy becomes the "Offensive" Rookie of the Year award, and the Raymond Lagacé Trophy is first awarded to the "Defensive" Rookie of the Year.


1980–81 QMJHL season
Ten teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The defending champion Cornwall Royals finished first overall in the regular season, winning the Jean Rougeau Trophy, and won their third, and second consecutive President's Cup, defeating the Trois-Rivières Draveurs in the finals. The Royals went on to win their third, and second consecutive Memorial Cup championship at the 1981 Memorial Cup tournament.


1980–81 QMJHL season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; PTS = Points; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against


1980–81 QMJHL season, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes


1980–81 QMJHL season, Playoffs
Alain Lemieux was the leading scorer of the playoffs with 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists).


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season
The 1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques second season in the National Hockey League. Quebec improved on their inaugural NHL season, making the playoffs, only to lose in the first round.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Off-season
During the off-season, the Nordiques fired head coach Jacques Demers, and general manager Maurice Filion would begin the season as the head coach. This would mark Filion's third time behind the Nordiques bench, as he was the head coach of the club in the 1972–73 WHA season, and he served as an interim head coach at the end of the 1977-78 season. Quebec was able to sign brothers Peter Stastny and Anton Stastny, who both defected from Czechoslovakia.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Off-season
The brothers would have a huge impact in the league, as Peter would win the Calder Memorial Trophy awarded to the NHL's Rookie of the Year, and both Peter and Anton would set rookie records, each earning eight points in a game on February 22, 1981, leading Quebec to an 11-7 win over the Washington Capitals.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Regular season
The Nordiques season began with a nine-game road trip, and head coach Maurice Filion would replace himself with Michel Bergeron after the club had a 1-3-2 record in their opening six games. Quebec continued to struggle, and fifteen games into the season, they had a 1-9-5 record. The Nordiques would continue to struggle, and found themselves a season high fourteen games under .500 with an 11-26-12 record after 49 games. Quebec would then get red hot, posting a record of 19-6-6 in their remaining 31 games to finish the season at 30-32-18, earning 78 points, and their first ever berth into the NHL playoffs.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Regular season
Offensively, the Nordiques were led by rookie Peter Stastny, who set a team record with 109 points, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy. Jacques Richard became the first Nordique to score over 50 goals in a season, as he scored 52, and registered 103 points. Anton Stastny also had a great rookie season, earning 85 points, while Robbie Ftorek and Michel Goulet had 75 and 73 points respectively. Pierre Lacroix led the Nordiques blueline, earning 39 points, while Dale Hunter had a team high 226 penalty minutes.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Regular season
In goal, Dan Bouchard emerged as the number one goalie late in the season, winning a team record 19 games, while posting a team best 3.17 GAA, along with two shutouts. Michel Plasse had the most playing time, and he won 10 games with a 3.66 GAA in 33 games.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Regular season, Season standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
The Nordiques opened the 1981 Stanley Cup playoffs with a best of five preliminary round against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers finished the season with a 41-24-15 record, earning 97 points, and second place in the Patrick Division. The series opened up with two games at the Philadelphia Spectrum, and in the series opener, the Flyers took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Brian Propp early in the game.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
The Nordiques Anton Stastny tied the game, however, the Flyers Bill Barber made it 2-1, and then Brian Propp added a second goal before the first period was over to give the Flyers a 3-1 lead. In the second period, Quebec fought back on goals by Michel Goulet and Dale Hunter to tie the game at 3-3. Philadelphia took control of the game in the third period, as Paul Holmgren and Al Hill made it 5-3 for the Flyers before Anton Stastny scored his second of the game for Quebec, making it 5-4 Flyers. Bill Barber scored an empty net goal in the last minute, as the Flyers took the series opener 6-4.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
In the second game, the Flyers took an early 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Bill Barber and Mel Bridgman before Peter Stastny responded for the Nordiques, cutting the Flyers lead to 2-1. Bill Barber added a second goal late in the first period, giving the Flyers a 3-1 lead. Anton Stastny cut the Flyers lead to 3-2 with a goal early in the second, however, Bill Barber completed the hat trick 5:55 into the period, giving Philadelphia a 4-2 lead.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
The Flyers Tom Gorence made it 5-2 Philadelphia before Jacques Richard responded for the Nordiques, making it 5-3 after two periods. In the third period, Ken Linseman made it 6-3 for Philadelphia before the Nordiques fought back with two quick goals, one by Dale Hunter and another by Marc Tardif, putting the Nordiques within a goal at 6-5. Philadelphia's Mel Bridgman scored, followed by an empty net goal by Bobby Clarke, as the Flyers took a 2-0 series lead with an 8-5 victory.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
The series shifted to Le Colisée for the next two games, and after two scoreless periods, the Nordiques Michel Goulet scored midway through the third to give the Nordiques a 1-0 lead. Peter Stastny scored late in the game, as Quebec shutout the Flyers 2-0, with Dan Bouchard made 32 saves, earning the victory and shutout.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
In the fourth game, the Flyers Terry Murray scored seven seconds into the game, as Philadelphia took an early 1-0 lead. Robbie Ftorek responded for the Nordiques, however, the Flyers Behn Wilson and Tom Gorence added goals in the opening period, as the Flyers took a 3-1 lead. After a scoreless second period, and with the Nordiques facing elimination, Dale Hunter cut into the Flyers lead with a goal with less than five minutes remaining in the third period, making the score 3-2 for Philadelphia. Less than two minutes later, Jacques Richard completed the comeback, as the Nordiques scored to make it 3-3, heading into overtime. In overtime, Dale Hunter scored a quick goal 37 seconds into the extra period, as Quebec stunned the Flyers with a 4-3 win, and tied the series.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
The fifth game was played in Philadelphia, and the Flyers opened the scoring on a goal by Rick MacLeish late in the first period. The Nordiques Michel Goulet quickly responded before the period was over, tying the game. In the second period, the Flyers re-took the lead, when Al Hill scored ten minutes into the period, making it 2-1 Philadelphia. In the third period, the Flyers took control of the game, scoring three quick goals to make it 5-1. Quebec's Anton Stastny scored to make it 5-2, however, that would be as close of the Nordiques got, as the Flyers won the game and took the series.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Draft picks
Quebec's draft picks from the 1980 NHL Entry Draft which was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec.


1980–81 Quebec Nordiques season, Transactions
The Nordiques were involved in the following transactions during the 1980–81 season.


1980–81 Rangers F.C. season
The 1980–81 season was the 101st season of competitive football by Rangers.


1980–81 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
Rangers played a total of 47 competitive matches during the 1980–81 season. The summer of 1980 saw Greig bring in Jim Bett from Lokeren for £150,000. Bett was joined by Colin McAdam a £165,000 signing from Partick Thistle. The side got off to a good start in the league, going on a fifteen match unbeaten run, including two Old Firm wins, was to end in November. A disastrous run in November and December all but ended the title challenge as the team finished third, twelve points behind champions Celtic.


1980–81 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
The League Cup campaign was halted after a controversial defeat to Aberdeen in a match where the Dons were awarded two contentious penalties. Due to having no European participation, Rangers entered the Anglo-Scottish Cup which led to a defeat at the hands of English minnows, Chesterfield. The Third Division side held Rangers to a 1–1 draw at Ibrox before defeating Rangers 3–0 in the away leg at Saltergate. Rangers did win the 1981 Scottish Cup Final after beating Dundee United 4–1 in a final replay. After a tedious 0–0 draw where Ian Redford missed a last minute penalty, Rangers won the replay with goals from Davie Cooper, a John MacDonald double and Bobby Russell.


1980–81 Ranji Trophy
The 1980–81 Ranji Trophy was the 47th season of the Ranji Trophy. Bombay won the title defeating Delhi in the final.


1980–81 Real Madrid CF season
The 1980–81 season is Real Madrid Club de Fútbol's 79th season in existence and the club's 50th consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football.


1980–81 Real Madrid CF season, Summary
Financial worries did hit Luis de Carlos Presidency during summer as a result there had not high-profile transfers in, so, the new arrivals midfielder Ricardo Gallego (replacing forward Laurie Cunningham injured since November and with physical issues until season finale) goalkeeper Agustín come from its Youth team Castilla and ended loans like Rafael García Cortés.


1980–81 Real Madrid CF season, Summary
In League the squad was struggling in the middle of the table almost the entire campaign behind local rivals Atlético Madrid until colchoneros collapsed in the final rounds of the tournament and Real Sociedad grabbed the first spot tied in points with Real Madrid but the head-to head matches was in favor of basque side winning its first title ever. In Copa del Rey the club was eliminated in Quarterfinals by Sporting Gijón with an 3–4 aggregate score.


1980–81 Real Madrid CF season, Summary
The season is best remembered due to the club's journey around the European Cup defeating Irish side Limerick in First Round, in Eightfinals won 3–0 against Budapest Honved, advancing 2–0 against Soviet side Spartak Moscow in Quarterfinals and won the series 2–1 in semi-finals against Italian Champion F.C. Internazionale Milano reaching its first Final of the tournament after 15 years. Before the final, President Luis de Carlos reached an agreement with a German supplier being the first time ever the club play with a branded shirt openly. However, with Stielike and Cunningham having physical issues the squad lost 0–1 the Final against then-heavily favourites English side Liverpool F.C. recent back-to-back champions in 1977 and 1978.


1980–81 Real Madrid CF season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1980–81 Rochdale A.F.C. season
The 1980–81 season saw Rochdale compete in their 7th consecutive season in the Football League Fourth Division.


1980–81 Roller Hockey Champions Cup
The 1980–81 Roller Hockey Champions Cup was the 16th edition of the Roller Hockey Champions Cup organized by CERH.


1980–81 Roller Hockey Champions Cup, Teams
The champions of the main European leagues, and Barcelona as title holders, played this competition, consisting in a double-legged knockout tournament. As Barcelona qualified also as Spanish champion, Tordera joined also the competition.


1980–81 Romanian Hockey League season
The 1980–81 Romanian Hockey League season was the 51st season of the Romanian Hockey League. Six teams participated in the league, and Dinamo Bucuresti won the championship.


1980–81 Rugby Football League season
The 1980–81 Rugby Football League season was the 86th season of professional rugby league football in Britain. Sixteen teams competed from August 1980 until May 1981 for the Slalom Lager Championship.


1980–81 Rugby Football League season, Season summary
For the only time in their history, Wigan competed outside the top flight of Rugby League in this season. Fulham RLFC joined the competition in Division Two, later becoming the London Crusaders, London Broncos (twice), and Harlequins Rugby League.


1980–81 Rugby Football League season, Season summary
Bradford Northern finished on top of the First Division table to claim their second championship, and Hull Kingston Rovers won the Rugby League Premiership competition.


1980–81 Rugby Football League season, Season summary
Warrington beat Wigan 26–10 to win the Lancashire County Cup, and Leeds beat Hull Kingston Rovers 8–7 to win the Yorkshire County Cup.


1980–81 Rugby Football League season, Challenge Cup
The 1980-81 State Express Challenge Cup was won by Widnes after defeating Hull Kingston Rovers 18-9 in the final.


1980–81 Rugby Football League season, Challenge Cup
The Final was played at Wembley before a crowd of 92,496.


1980–81 Rugby Football League season, New Zealand Kiwis Tour
September until November also saw the appearance of the New Zealand team in England on their 1980 tour. Other than the three test series against Great Britain, The Kiwis played matches club and county sides.


1980–81 Rugby Football League season, New Zealand Kiwis Tour
The 1980 Kiwis were coached by Ces Mountford and were captained by Mark Graham.


1980–81 Rugby Football League season, New Zealand Kiwis Tour
Dane O'Hara, who would join Hull F.C. following the tour was the leading try scorer with 6. Scrum half Gordon Smith (who would join Hull Kingston Rovers in 1982) was the tours leading point scorer with 33 from 1 try and 15 goals.


1980–81 Rugby League Premiership
This is the current revision of this page, as edited by DynamoDegsy (talk | contribs) at 15:18, 29 January 2020 (→Final). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this version.


1980–81 Rugby League Premiership
The 1980–81 Rugby League Premiership was the seventh end of season Rugby League Premiership competition.


1980–81 Rugby Union County Championship
The 1980–81 Thorn EMI Rugby Union County Championship was the 81st edition of England's County Championship rugby union club competition.


1980–81 Rugby Union County Championship
Northumberland won their second title (but first since 1898) after defeating Gloucestershire in the final.


1980–81 S.L. Benfica season
The 1980–81 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 77th season in existence and the club's 47th consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football, covering the period from 1 July 1980 to 30 June 1981. Benfica competed domestically in the Primeira Divisão, Taça de Portugal and the Supertaça de Portugal, and participated in the Cup Winners' Cup after winning the Taça de Portugal in the previous season.


1980–81 S.L. Benfica season
In the new season, Mário Wilson was replaced by Lajos Baróti. In the transfer season, major signings included António Veloso, Francisco Vital and João Alves, who returned to the club. Benfica's league campaign started with seven consecutive wins, before a first loss with Porto in the Clássico. A few days later, Benfica wins their first Supertaça de Portugal. In the Cup Winners' Cup, Benfica eliminated Altay, Dinamo Zagreb and Malmö in the first three rounds.


1980–81 S.L. Benfica season
In late November, Benfica draws with Sporting and three weeks later, with Vitória de Setúbal, lapping the first half in first place with a three-point lead. In the following weeks, Benfica won three more matches before losing another point in a draw with Penafiel, which cut his lead to two points. They reacted with four more wins, including a home win against Porto, which widened their difference to four points. Meanwhile, in Europe, Benfica defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf in quarter-finals but was knocked-out by Carl Zeiss Jena in the semis.


1980–81 S.L. Benfica season
The final two months of the Primeira Divisão saw Benfica drop points with Académico de Viseu, Vitória de Guimarães and Sporting, reducing their lead to two points. On match-day 29, a home win against Setúbal secured their 24th league title. They concluded the season by winning their 17th Taça de Portugal in a 3–1 win against Porto.


1980–81 S.L. Benfica season, Season summary
In the previous season, Mário Wilson failed to regain the title, prolonging the drought to three years. It was the first time since 1954 that Benfica went so long without a league title. Despite winning the Taça de Portugal, he did not continue for a second year. As replacement, Benfica contacted Raymond Goethals, but he declined, so the club turned to 66-year old Hungarian Lajos Baróti. After negotiations, on 9 June, he agreed to replace Wilson. In the transfer season, Benfica signed players like António Veloso and Francisco Vital, who were regularly used by Baroti.


1980–81 S.L. Benfica season, Season summary
However the transfer of Summer was the return of João Alves from France, with Benfica making a last minute offer and signing him, before Sporting, who was also interested, could. The pre-season began on 21 July, with Benfica travelling to Canada on the 28 to play the Toronto Tournament. After winning the tournament in Canada, Benfica made their presentation game on 13 August with Paris Saint-Germain, and finished the pre-season by competing in the Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu with Real Madrid and Dinamo Kyiv from 29 to 31 August. The match with Varzim scheduled for that weekend was postponed to 4 October.