1981 Idaho State Bengals football team

American college football season

1981 Idaho State Bengals football

NCAA Division I-AA champion
Big Sky champion

Division I-AA Championship Game,
W 34–23 vs. Eastern Kentucky

Conference| Big Sky Conference
Record| 12–1 (6–1 Big Sky)
Head coach|

* Dave Kragthorpe (2nd season)

Base defense| 3–4
Home stadium| ASISU Minidome

Seasons

<- 1980

1982 ->

1981 Big Sky Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

|
|
|
|

Team | W |  | L |  | T |  |  | W |  | L |  | T
No. 2 Idaho State $^  | 6  | - | 1  | - | 0 |  |  | 12  | - | 1  | - | 0
No. 5 Boise State ^  | 6  | - | 1  | - | 0 |  |  | 10  | - | 3  | - | 0
Montana | 5  | - | 2  | - | 0 |  |  | 7  | - | 3  | - | 0
Nevada | 4  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 7  | - | 4  | - | 0
Weber State | 4  | - | 3  | - | 0 |  |  | 7  | - | 4  | - | 0
Northern Arizona | 2  | - | 5  | - | 0 |  |  | 4  | - | 7  | - | 0
Montana State | 1  | - | 6  | - | 0 |  |  | 3  | - | 7  | - | 0
Idaho | 0  | - | 7  | - | 0 |  |  | 3  | - | 8  | - | 0

* $ - Conference champion
* ^ - NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant

Rankings from NCAA Division I-AA Committee poll

The 1981 Idaho State Bengals football team represented Idaho State University in the Big Sky Conference during the 1981 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Bengals were led by second-year head coach Dave Kragthorpe and played their home games at the ASISU Minidome (now Holt Arena), an indoor venue on campus in Pocatello, Idaho.

Quarterbacked by senior Mike Machurek, the Bengals won the Big Sky championship with a 6–1 record and were 9–1 overall in the regular season. The sole loss was at Montana, when Machurek remained in Pocatello with mononucleosis, and backup Dirk Koetter filled in;[1][2] the Griz kicked a late field goal to win by three points in Missoula.[3]

In the eight-team Division I-AA playoffs, Idaho State easily won two home playoff games, then secured their only national championship in the Pioneer Bowl at Wichita Falls, Texas. The Bengals defeated Eastern Kentucky 34–23 in the title game to finish with a 12–1 record,[4] just two years removed from a winless season.[2]

## Schedule

[edit]

Date| Opponent| Rank| Site| TV| Result| Attendance| Source

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

September 12| Eastern Washington*| |

* ASISU Minidome
* Pocatello, ID

| | W 34–10| 8,005| [5]
September 19| at Boise State| |

* Bronco Stadium
* Boise, ID

| | W 21–10| 20,486| [6]
September 26| Nevada| No. 3|

* ASISU Minidome
* Pocatello, ID

| | W 23–7| 9,883| [7]
October 3| Northern Arizona| No. 3|

* ASISU Minidome
* Pocatello, ID

| | W 31–6| 11,284| [8]
October 10| at Portland State*| No. 2|

* Civic Stadium
* Portland, OR

| | W 28–9| 2,757| [9]
October 17| at Montana| No. 2|

* Dornblaser Field
* Missoula, MT

| | L 21–24| 9,190| [1][3]
October 31| at Idaho| No. 3|

* Kibbie Dome
* Moscow, ID

| | W 24–14| 10,500| [10]
November 7| Montana State| No. 2|

* ASISU Minidome
* Pocatello, ID

| | W 31–3| 10,468| [11]
November 14| Utah State*| No. 2|

* ASISU Minidome
* Pocatello, ID

| | W 50–24| 12,008| [12]
November 21| Weber State| No. 2|

* ASISU Minidome
* Pocatello, ID

| | W 33–30 3OT| 13,444| [13]
December 5| Rhode Island*| No. 2|

* ASISU Minidome
* Pocatello, ID (NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal)

| | W 51–0| 12,153| [14]
December 12| No. 3 South Carolina State*| No. 2|

* ASISU Minidome
* Pocatello, ID (NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal)

| | W 41–12| 12,300| [15]
December 19| vs. No. 1 Eastern Kentucky*| No. 2|

* Memorial Stadium
* Wichita Falls, TX (NCAA Division I-AA Championship Game—Pioneer Bowl)

| ABC| W 34–23| 11,002| [16]

* *Non-conference game
* Homecoming
* Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[17][18]

* The regular season finale against Weber State went to triple overtime;[13] the Big Sky introduced overtime for conference games the previous season, and this was its first-ever usage.[19]

## Roster

[edit]

1981 Idaho State Bengals football team roster

Players  | Coaches
Offense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

LT | `` | Dan Taylor | Jr
LG | `` | Ken Noel | Sr
C | `` | Jim Lane | Jr
RG | `` | Ken Bacon | Jr
RT | `` | Steve Anderson | Sr
TE | `` | Rod Childs | Sr
QB | `19` | Mike Machurek | Sr
QB | `12` | Dirk Koetter | Sr
FB | `` | Rick Ambrosi | Sr
TB | `` | Dwaine Wilson | Sr
FL | `` | Charles Ewing | Sr
SE | `` | Jerry Bird | Sr
Defense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

LDT | `` | Chuck Wiefels | Jr
NG | `` | George Semons | Sr
RDT | `` | John Naut | Sr
SOLB | `` | John Olivia | Jr
SILB | `` | Lem Galeai | Sr
WILB | `` | Bill Snapp | Jr
WOLB | `` | Dave Walser | Sr
LCB | `` | Matt Courtney | So
SS | `` | John Berry | So
FS | `` | Reggie Chapman | Jr
RCB | `` | Willie Allen | Jr
Special teams | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

PK, P | `3` | Case deBruijn | Sr

Head coach

* Dave Kragthorpe (2nd year)

Coordinators/assistant coaches

* Jim Koetter – (QB, WR)
* Marvin Lewis – (LB)
* Mike Sheppard – (assistant)

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (S) Suspended
* (I) Ineligible

* Injured
* Redshirt

Source:[20]

## All-conference

[edit]

Five Bengals were named to the all-conference team: quarterback Mike Machurek (unanimous), tight end Rod Childs, linebacker Dave Walser, defensive back Matt Courtney (sophomore), and punter Case de Bruijn. The second team included linebacker Lem Galei (sophomore) and de Bruijn at placekicker.[21][22][23] Honorable mention were wide receivers Jerry Bird and Charles Ewing, tackle Steve Anderson, tailback Dwain Wilson, and linebacker Bill Snapp.[22][23]

## NFL draft

[edit]

Two Bengal seniors were selected in the 1982 NFL draft, which lasted 12 rounds with 334 selections.[24]

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | NFL club

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6 | 154 | Mike Machurek | Quarterback | Detroit Lions
8 | 214 | Case deBruijn | Punter/Kicker | Kansas City Chiefs

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "ISU's Machurek to miss today's game". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. October 17, 1981. p. 3C.
2. ^ a b Emerson, Paul (October 29, 1981). "Kragthorpe's turned Bengals into title contenders in two years". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
3. ^ a b "Montana knocks off Idaho State". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. October 18, 1981. p. 7C.
4. ^ "Bengals ride like the wind". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 20, 1981. p. 2D.
5. ^ "Machurek boosts ISU past Eagles". The Spokesman-Review. September 13, 1981. Retrieved October 30, 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
6. ^ "Idaho St. 21, BSU 10". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. September 20, 1981. p. 6C.
7. ^ "ISU topples Nevada–Reno in Big Sky play". The Idaho Statesman. September 27, 1981. Retrieved October 30, 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
8. ^ "Bengals crush NAU, 31–6". The Missoulian. October 4, 1981. Retrieved October 30, 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
9. ^ "Bengals blitz Viks 28–9". The Sunday Oregonian. October 11, 1981. Retrieved October 30, 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
10. ^ Emerson, Paul (November 1, 1981). "Machurek guides ISU past Idaho". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1C.
11. ^ "Idaho State mauls MSU to move into tie for lead". The Idaho Statesman. November 8, 1981. Retrieved October 30, 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
12. ^ "Bengals blast Aggies in Utah State's finale". The Salt Lake Tribune. November 15, 1981. Retrieved October 30, 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
13. ^ a b "ISU clinches title, Boise wants berth". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 23, 1981. p. C4.
14. ^ "Bengals belt Rhode Island". The Idaho Statesman. December 6, 1981. Retrieved October 30, 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
15. ^ "Bengals bury South Carolina State 41–12". The Idaho Statesman. December 13, 1981. Retrieved October 30, 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
16. ^ "Eastern's dpwnfall is its ownn mistakes". The Courier-Journal. December 20, 1981. Retrieved March 23, 2024 - via Newspapers.com.
17. ^ "Division I Championship" (PDF). NCAA. 2013. p. 14. Retrieved May 11, 2019 - via ncaa.org.
18. ^ "Idaho State Bengals 1981 Schedule". cfbinfo.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
19. ^ Kasper, John (September 25, 2013). "No. 48 Big Sky Innovation". Big Sky Conference. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
20. ^ "Probable starters". Lewiston Morning Tribune. October 31, 1981. p. 3C.
21. ^ "Former I.E. stars on Big Sky team". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). December 1, 1981. p. 18.
22. ^ a b "Idaho's Davis overlooked". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). staff and wire reports. December 2, 1981. p. 1B.
23. ^ a b "Idaho not ignored on defense". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 3, 1981. p. 3B.
24. ^ "1982 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 7, 2024.

* v
* t
* e

1981 Idaho State Bengals football—NCAA Division I-AA national champions

* Tom Coombs
* Matt Courtney
* Case deBruijn
* Dirk Koetter
* Mike Machurek
* Dwaine Wilson

* Head coach: Dave Kragthorpe

* Assistant coaches: Jim Koetter
* Marvin Lewis
* Mike Sheppard

* v
* t
* e

Idaho State Bengals football

Venues|

* Hutchinson Field (1922–1936)
* Spud Bowl (1936–1969)
* ICCU Dome (1970–present)

Bowls & rivalries|

* Idaho

People|

* Head coaches
* NFL draftees

Seasons|

* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

National championship seasons in bold

* v
* t
* e

Big Sky Conference football champions

College Division / Division II|

* Idaho State (1963)
* Montana State (1964)
* Weber State & Idaho (1965)
* Montana State (1966)
* Montana State (1967)
* Idaho, Montana State, & Weber State (1968)
* Montana (1969)
* Montana (1970)
* Idaho (1971)
* Montana State (1972)
* Boise State (1973)
* Boise State (1974)
* Boise State (1975)
* Montana State (1976)
* Boise State (1977)

I-AA/FCS|

* Northern Arizona (1978)
* Montana State (1979)
* Boise State (1980)
* Idaho State (1981)
* Montana, Idaho, & Montana State (1982)
* Nevada (1983)
* Montana State (1984)
* Idaho (1985)
* Nevada (1986)
* Idaho (1987)
* Idaho (1988)
* Idaho (1989)
* Nevada (1990)
* Nevada (1991)
* Idaho & Eastern Washington (1992)
* Montana (1993)
* Boise State (1994)
* Montana (1995)
* Montana (1996)
* Eastern Washington (1997)
* Montana (1998)
* Montana (1999)
* Montana (2000)
* Montana (2001)
* Montana, Montana State, & Idaho State (2002)
* Montana State, Montana, & Northern Arizona (2003)
* Montana & Eastern Washington (2004)
* Eastern Washington, Montana State, & Montana (2005)
* Montana (2006)
* Montana (2007)
* Weber State & Montana (2008)
* Montana (2009)
* Montana State & Eastern Washington (2010)
* Montana State & Montana (2011)
* Eastern Washington, Montana State, & Cal Poly (2012)
* Eastern Washington (2013)
* Eastern Washington (2014)
* Southern Utah (2015)
* Eastern Washington & North Dakota (2016)
* Southern Utah & Weber State (2017)
* Eastern Washington, UC Davis, & Weber State (2018)
* Sacramento State & Weber State (2019)
* Weber State (2020)
* Sacramento State (2021)
* Montana State & Sacramento State (2022)
* Montana (2023)
* Montana State (2024)

National championships in bold

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NCAA Division I-AA/FCS football champions

1970s|

* 1978: Florida A&M
* 1979: Eastern Kentucky

1980s|

* 1980: Boise State
* 1981: Idaho State
* 1982: Eastern Kentucky
* 1983: Southern Illinois
* 1984: Montana State
* 1985: Georgia Southern
* 1986: Georgia Southern
* 1987: Northeast Louisiana
* 1988: Furman
* 1989: Georgia Southern

1990s|

* 1990: Georgia Southern
* 1991: Youngstown State
* 1992: Marshall
* 1993: Youngstown State
* 1994: Youngstown State
* 1995: Montana
* 1996: Marshall
* 1997: Youngstown State
* 1998: UMass
* 1999: Georgia Southern

2000s|

* 2000: Georgia Southern
* 2001: Montana
* 2002: Western Kentucky
* 2003: Delaware
* 2004: James Madison
* 2005: Appalachian State
* 2006: Appalachian State
* 2007: Appalachian State
* 2008: Richmond
* 2009: Villanova

2010s|

* 2010: Eastern Washington
* 2011: North Dakota State
* 2012: North Dakota State
* 2013: North Dakota State
* 2014: North Dakota State
* 2015: North Dakota State
* 2016: James Madison
* 2017: North Dakota State
* 2018: North Dakota State
* 2019: North Dakota State

2020s|

* 2020: Sam Houston State
* 2021: North Dakota State
* 2022: South Dakota State
* 2023: South Dakota State
* 2024: North Dakota State

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Conf.]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[T]: Ties
*[No.]: Number