| Year: | 1981 |
| Team: | Idaho State Bengals |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Sky Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Sky |
| Record: | 12–1 |
| Conf Record: | 6–1 |
| Head Coach: | Dave Kragthorpe |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Def Scheme: | 3–4 |
| Stadium: | ASISU Minidome |
| Champion: | NCAA Division I-AA champion Big Sky champion |
| Bowl: | Division I-AA Championship Game |
| Bowl Result: | W 34–23 vs. |
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 34–23 in the title game to finish with a 12–1 record,[4] just two years removed from a winless season.[2]
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.[9] [10] [11] Honorable mention were wide receivers Jerry Bird and Charles Ewing, tackle Steve Anderson, tailback Dwain Wilson, and linebacker Bill Snapp.[10] [11]
Two Bengal seniors were selected in the 1982 NFL draft, which lasted twelve rounds with 334 selections.[12]
| 6 | 154 | Mike Machurek | Quarterback | Detroit Lions | |
| 8 | 214 | Case deBruijn | Punter/Kicker | Kansas City Chiefs |