| 1981 NCAA Division III football season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regular season | August – November 1981 | |
| Playoffs | November – December 1981 | |
| Garrett-Harrison Stadium Phenix City, AL | ||
| Champion | Widener | |
| ||
The 1981 NCAA Division III football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division III level, began in August 1981, and concluded with the NCAA Division III Football Championship in December 1981 at Garrett-Harrison Stadium in Phenix City, Alabama. The Widener Pioneers won their second Division III championship, defeating the defending national champion Dayton by a final score of 17−10.[1]