The 1980 Big Ten Conference football season was the 85th season of college football played by the member schools of the Big Ten Conference and was a part of the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season.
The 1980 Big Ten champion was Michigan. The Wolverines lost two of their first three games but went undefeated thereafter, culminating in a 23–6 victory over the Washington Huskies in the 1981 Rose Bowl (the program's first bowl victory under head coach Bo Schembechler). Michigan was ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll, led the Big Ten in scoring defense (10.8 points per game), and did not allow a touchdown in the final 22 quarters of the season. Schembechler was selected as the Big Ten Coach of the Year.
The Ohio State Buckeyes started the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll, but finished the season ranked No. 15 after compiling a 9–3 record and losing to Penn State in the 1980 Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes led the conference in scoring offense with 32.3 points per game.
The Purdue Boilermakers finished the season tied with Ohio State for second place in the conference and were ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll. During the 1980 season, Purdue quarterback Mark Herrmann became the first player in college football history to compile more than 9,000 career passing yards. Hermann also won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the most valuable player in the conference.
Mark Herrmann and Purdue teammate Dave Young, a tight end, were the only two Big Ten players to be recognized as consensus first-team players on the 1980 College Football All-America Team. The conference's statistical leaders included Hermann with 3,212 passing yards, Ohio State's Calvin Murray with 1,267 rushing yards, and Ohio State placekicker Vlade Janakievski with 90 points scored. Michigan linebacker Mel Owens was the only Big Ten player selected in the first round of the 1981 NFL draft, going to the Los Angeles Rams with the ninth pick.
Season overview
Results and team statistics Conf. RankTeamHead coachAP finalAP highOverall recordConf. recordPPGPAG1MichiganBo Schembechler#4#410–28–026.810.82 (tie)Ohio StateEarle Bruce#15#19–37–132.315.12 (tie)PurdueJim Young#17#99–37–127.319.44IowaHayden FryNRNR4–74–414.021.65MinnesotaJoe SalemNRNR5–64–519.122.76 (tie)IndianaLee CorsoNRNR6–53–523.221.46 (tie)WisconsinDave McClainNRNR4–73–512.519.26 (tie)IllinoisMike WhiteNRNR3–7–13–521.929.69Michigan StateMuddy WatersNRNR3–82–620.125.410NorthwesternRick VenturiNRNR0–110–913.740.4 Key AP final = Team's rank in the final AP Poll of the 1980 season AP high = Team's highest rank in the AP Poll throughout the 1980 season PPG = Average of points scored per game PAG = Average of points allowed per game
Pre-season Led by quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Art Schlichter, Ohio State came into the 1980 season as the defending Big Ten champion, having finished the 1979 season with an 11–1 record and ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll. The 1980 season began with three Big Ten teams ranked in the pre-season AP Poll: Ohio State at No. 1; Purdue at No. 9; and Michigan at No. 12.
Two of the conference's teams hired new head coaches prior to the 1980 season. In December 1979, Illinois hired Mike White to replace Gary Moeller. Moeller's teams had gone 3–16–3 in the prior two seasons. White had been an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 1978 and 1979 and was the head coach for the California Golden Bears from 1972 to 1977. In January 1980, Michigan State hired Muddy Waters after Darryl Rogers resigned to take over as Arizona State's head coach. Waters had played for Michigan State from 1946 to 1949 and had been a head coach at Hillsdale College (1954–1973) and Saginaw Valley State (1975–1979).
Regular season
September 6 On September 6, 1980, only three Big Ten teams played games.
Illinois 35, Northwestern 9. In the first conference game of the season, Illinois defeated Northwestern, 35–9, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. It was Illinois' first game under new head coach Mike White and its first victory at Memorial Stadium since October 1977.
Notre Dame 31, Purdue 10. In non-conference play, Purdue (AP No. 9) opened its season with a 31–10 loss to Notre Dame (AP No. 11) at Notre Dame Stadium. Purdue quarterback Mark Herrmann was sidelined with a bruised thumb and did not play. Phil Carter rushed for 142 yards for Notre Dame. After the game, the Boilermakers fell to No. 11 in the AP Poll.
September 13 On September 13, 1980, eight of the 10 conference teams met in four conference games. Ohio State and Minnesota won against non-conference opponents.
Ohio State 31, Syracuse 21. Ohio State (AP No. 1) opened its season with a 31–21 victory over Syracuse at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Despite being a 27-point underdog, Syracuse led, 21–9, at halftime. Ohio State's quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate, Art Schlichter, threw two interceptions in the first half, and then led the Buckeyes to a 22-point comeback in the second half. After the close game with Syracuse, Ohio State dropped to No. 2 in the AP Poll as Alabama took over the No. 1 spot.
Michigan 17, Northwestern 10. Michigan (AP No. 11) also opened its season with an unexpectedly close game, defeating Northwestern, 17–10, at Michigan Stadium. Playing in a steady rain, the Wolverines struggled, and Michigan fans booed quarterback Rich Hewlett at the start of the second half. Anthony Carter had a 17-yard touchdown reception to give Michigan the win. After the game, Michigan dropped to No. 14 in the AP Poll.
Purdue 12, Wisconsin 6. Purdue (AP No. 20) defeated Wisconsin, 12–6. Purdue quarterback Mark Herrmann passed for 347 yards, including 200 yards to wide receiver Bart Burrell, but the Boilermakers were unable to score a touchdown, settling for four field goals. After the game, Purdue dropped out of the top 25.
Illinois 20, Michigan State 17. Illinois defeated Michigan State, 20–17, to spoil Muddy Waters debut as the Spartans' head coach. Mike Bass kicked the game-winning field goal as time ran out.
Iowa 16, Indiana 7. Iowa defeated Indiana, 16–7, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. Jeff Brown rushed for 176 yards and caught five passes in his first start as Iowa's tailback.
Minnesota 38, Ohio 14. Minnesota defeated the Ohio Bobcats, 38–14, at Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis. Freshman quarterback Tim Salem, the son of Minnesota head coach Joe Salem, passed for 162 yards in his college debut. Marion Barber, Jr. also rushed for 127 yards, and Garry White scored three touchdowns to lead the Golden Gophers.
September 20 On September 20, Minnesota and Ohio State met in conference play. In other games, Big Ten teams went 1–7 against non-conference opponents.
Ohio State 47, Minnesota 0. In its first game against a Big Ten opponent, Ohio State (AP No. 2) easily defeated Minnesota, 47–0, before the largest crowd (87,916) in Ohio Stadium history. Ohio State led, 33–0, at halftime in the one-sided contest. Minnesota running back Garry White fumbled twice, and quarterback Tim Salem threw three interceptions to help the Buckeyes' cause. After the game, Ohio State remained ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll.
Notre Dame 29, Michigan 27. Michigan (AP No. 14) lost to Notre Dame (AP No. 8), 29–27, in South Bend. With one minute left in the game, Notre Dame led, 26–21. Michigan's Craig Dunaway caught a deflected pass for a touchdown with 41 seconds remaining to put Michigan ahead. Michigan unsuccessfully tried for a two-point conversion, and Notre Dame took over on its 20-yard line. The Irish quickly drove into Michigan territory, and Notre Dame placekicker Harry Oliver then kicked a 51-yard field into a strong wind on the last play of the game. After the game, Michigan dropped to No. 17 in the AP Poll.
UCLA 23, Purdue 14. Purdue lost to UCLA, 23–14, in West Lafayette. Mark Herrmann passed for 282 yards, and his two touchdown passes gave him the Big Ten career record with 50 touchdown passes. Hermann also threw two interceptions in the defeat. The loss broke a 12-game winning streak for Purdue at Ross–Ade Stadium.
Indiana 36, Kentucky 30. In the annual Bourbon Barrel rivalry game, Indiana defeated Kentucky, 36–30, at Lexington, Kentucky. The game was tied at 30–30 when Indiana intercepted a Kentucky pass at midfield with 1:01 remaining in the game. Indiana took the lead on a touchdown pass to Steve Corso (the son of Indiana head coach Lee Corso); Corso called the play the "old pine tree slant".
Missouri 52, Illinois 7. In the Illinois–Missouri football rivalry, Illinois lost to Missouri (AP No. 15), 52–7, in Columbia, Missouri. The lopsided game was Illinois' first loss under new head coach Mike White. Missouri totaled 486 yards of total offense, including 105 rushing yards by running back James Wilder Sr.
Nebraska 57, Iowa 0. In the Iowa–Nebraska football rivalry, Iowa was "humiliated" by Nebraska (AP No. 6) by a 57–0 score in front of a crowd of 76,029 in Lincoln, Nebraska. The 57-point loss was the worst football defeat for Iowa in 30 years. Nebraska's Jarvis Redwine rushed for 153 yards on 12 carries.
Oregon 35, Michigan State 7. Michigan State lost to Oregon, 35–7, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. After the game, Michigan State coach Muddy Waters said, "They just beat our face off."
BYU 28, Wisconsin 7. Wisconsin lost to BYU, 28–3, in Madison. BYU's Jim McMahon, winner of the 1981 Davey O'Brien Award and Sammy Baugh Trophy, passed for 337 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a fourth touchdown.
Washington 45, Northwestern 7. Northwestern lost to Washington (AP No. 16), 45–7, in Seattle. Washington's Toussaint Tyler rushed for 83 yards and scored three touchdowns.
September 27 Nine Big Ten teams played non-conference games on September 27, 1980, compiling a 3–5–1 on the day. Purdue had a bye week.
Ohio State 38, Arizona State 21. Ohio State (AP No. 2) defeated Arizona State (AP No. 20), 38–21, before a crowd of 88,097 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Art Schlichter accounted for 310 yards of total offense, including 271 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Doug Donley caught six passes for 133 yard and two touchdowns. Ohio State totaled 591 yards of total offense, and Arizona State had 440 yards.
South Carolina 17, Michigan 14. Michigan lost it second consecutive game, falling to South Carolina, 17–14, at Michigan Stadium. 1980 Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers rushed for 142 yards. After the game, Michigan dropped out of the AP Poll's top 25.
Indiana 49, Colorado 7. Indiana defeated Colorado, 49–7, before a crowd of 40,219 at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. Flanker Nate Lundy shattered Indiana's single game receiving record (previously 178 yards) with five catches for 256 yards and three touchdowns. After the game, coach Lee Corso said: "Nate Lundy had a great game. 'Doctor Deep' can run on anyone." Quarterback Tim Clifford also tied the school's single game passing yardage record (set in 1943 by Robert Hoernschemeyer), completing 11 of 14 passes for 345 yards and five touchdowns. Clifford also broke the school's career record with 262 completions. Mike Harkrader also became the school's career rushing leader with 2,791 yards.
USC 24, Minnesota 7. Minnesota lost to USC (AP No. 5), 24–7, in Minneapolis. The game drew a crowd of 55,115, the largest to attend a Minnesota football game in seven years. 1981 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen rushed for 216 yards on 42 carries and scored two touchdowns for USC.
UCLA 35, Wisconsin 7. Wisconsin lost to UCLA (AP No. 16), 35–7, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. UCLA's freshman running back Kevin Nelson rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and also caught three passes for 36 yards. John Williams rushed for 101 yards for Wisconsin, but the Badgers were unable to score.