The1981 New Mexico Lobos football team was anAmerican football team that represented theUniversity of New Mexico in theWestern Athletic Conference (WAC) during the1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second season under head coachJoe Morrison, the Lobos compiled a 4–7–1 record (3–4–1 against WAC opponents) and were outscored by a total of 231 to 225.^[1][2]

The team's statistical leaders included Robin Gabriel with 1,783 passing yards, Mike D. Carter with 595 rushing yards, Keith Magee with 706 receiving yards, and kicker Pete Parks with 49 points scored.^[3]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 5	atHouston*	Houston Astrodome Houston, TX	L 10–21	26,435	[4]
September 12	atUNLV*	Las Vegas Silver Bowl Whitney, NV	L 42–49	25,605	[5]
September 19	atTexas Tech*	Jones Stadium Lubbock, TX	L 21–28	42,321	[6]
September 26	Air Force	University Stadium Albuquerque, NM	W 27–10	24,240	[7]
October 3	San Diego State	University Stadium Albuquerque, NM	L 15–17	18,265	[8]
October 10	UTEP	University Stadium Albuquerque, NM	W 26–3	18,367	[9]
October 17	atHawaii	Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI	L 13–23	46,692	[10]
October 24	atNew Mexico State*	Aggie Memorial Stadium Las Cruces, NM (rivalry)	W 17–13	19,253	[11]
October 31	atBYU	Cougar Stadium Provo, UT	L 7–31	36,343	[12]
November 7	Utah	University Stadium Albuquerque, NM	T 7–7	14,420	[13]
November 14	atColorado State	Hughes Stadium Fort Collins, CO	W 28–16	10,149	[14]
November 21	Wyoming	University Stadium Albuquerque, NM	L 12–13	13,868	[15]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

• 1981 Western Athletic Conference football season
• New Mexico Lobos football seasons
• 1981 in New Mexico

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