1981 Murray State Racers football team

1981 Murray State Racers football
ConferenceOhio Valley Conference
Record8–3 (5–3 OVC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorMike Mahoney (1st season)
Home stadiumRoy Stewart Stadium
1981 Ohio Valley Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 1 Eastern Kentucky $^ 8 0 012 2 0
No. 9 Murray State 5 3 08 3 0
Youngstown State 5 3 07 4 0
Tennessee Tech 4 4 06 5 0
Middle Tennessee 4 4 06 5 0
Western Kentucky 4 4 06 5 0
Akron 4 4 05 5 0
Austin Peay 3 5 05 5 0
Morehead State 0 8 01 9 0
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant
Rankings from NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee poll

The 1981 Murray State Racers football team represented Murray State University during the 1981 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by first-year head coach Frank Beamer, the Racers compiled an overall record of 8–3 with a mark of 5–3 on conference play, and finished tied for second in the OVC.