| Year: | 1981 |
| Team: | UNLV Rebels |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 6–6 |
| Head Coach: | Tony Knap |
| Hc Year: | 6th |
| Stadium: | Las Vegas Silver Bowl |
The 1981 UNLV Rebels football team was an American football team that represented the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as an independent during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their sixth and final year under head coach Tony Knap, the team compiled a 6–6 record.[1] [2]
A notable win was the road victory over eighth-ranked BYU in October, who were without starting quarterback Jim McMahon, replaced by sophomore Steve Young.[3]
Approaching age 67, Knap retired after the season,[4] and was succeeded by Harvey Hyde, the head coach at Pasadena City College.[5] [6]