1981 San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers 1981 season was their 32nd season in the National Football League. The season was highlighted by their first Super Bowl victory. A big turning point for the franchise was the drafting of Ronnie Lott from the University of Southern California. Quarterback Joe Montana began the season as San Francisco's starting quarterback. The season would be one of the franchise's most successful seasons to that point. Montana was influential as he helped San Francisco win two of those games with fourth-quarter comebacks. One of the most famous moments of his career was part of the winning drive in the NFC Championship Game. Under the tutelage of Bill Walsh, the team finished the regular season with a 13–3 record.

Regular season
With the offense in good shape, Walsh and the 49ers focused on overhauling the defense in 1981. Walsh took the highly unusual step of overhauling his entire secondary with rookies and untested players, bringing on board Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright and Carlton Williamson and giving Dwight Hicks a prominent role. He also acquired veteran linebacker Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds and veteran defensive lineman and sack specialist Fred Dean.

These new additions, when added to existing defensive mainstays like Keena Turner, turned the 49ers into a dominant team. After a 1-2 start, the 49ers won all but one of their final games to finish with a 13-3 record, easily the best record in the team's history. Additionally, the 49ers defense yielded more than 20 points in only three games. Dean made the Pro Bowl, as did Lott, in his rookie season, and Hicks.

Led by Montana, the unusual offense was centered around the short passing game, which Walsh used as ball control. Both Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon had excellent years receiving; Clark as the possession receiver, and Solomon as more of a deep threat. The 49ers running game, however, was among the weakest for any champion in NFL history. Ricky Patton led the 49ers with only 543 yards rushing. The 49ers' most valuable running back, however, might have been Earl Cooper, whose strength was as a pass-catching back (he had 51 catches during the season).

Week 1: at Detroit
Scoring
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Ray Wersching 25 yard field goal
 * DET - Billy Sims 39 yard pass from Gary Danielson (Eddie Murray kick)
 * DET - Eddie Murray 29 yard field goal
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Ricky Patton 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
 * DET - Horace King 17 yard pass from Gary Danielson (Eddie Murray kick)
 * SF - Freddie Solomon 21 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * DET - Billy Sims 1 yard rush (Eddie Murray kick)

Week 2: vs Chicago
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * SF - Ricky Patton 31 yard pass from Joe Montana (Matt Bahr kick)
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Freddie Solomon 46 yard pass from Joe Montana (Matt Bahr kick)
 * CHI - Walter Payton 2 yard rush (Bob Thomas kick)
 * CHI - Bob Thomas 37 yard field goal
 * Third Quarter
 * CHI - Robin Earl 12 yard pass from Vince Evans (Bob Thomas kick)
 * SF - Charle Young 5 yard pass from Joe Montana (Matt Bahr kick)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Ricky Patton 12 yard rush (Matt Bahr kick)

Week 3: at Atlanta
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * ATL - Alfred Jackson 29 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Mick Luckhurst kick)
 * ATL - Mick Luckhurst 47 yard field goal
 * ATL - Lynn Cain 18 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Mick Luckhurst kick)
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Charle Young 11 yard pass from Joe Montana (Matt Bahr kick)
 * SF - Matt Bahr 47 yard field goal
 * ATL - Alfred Jenkins 15 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Mick Luckhurst kick)
 * Third Quarter
 * ATL - Tom Pridemore 101 yard interception return (Mick Luckhurst kick)
 * ATL - Mick Luckhurst 18 yard field goal
 * Fourth Quarter
 * ATL - Freddie Solomon 12 yard pass from Joe Montana (Matt Bahr kick)

Week 4: vs New Orleans
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * NO - Jeff Groth 24 yard pass from Dave Wilson (Benny Ricardo kick)
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Johnny Davis 6 yard rush (Matt Bahr kick)
 * Third Quarter
 * SF - Freddie Solomon 60 yard pass from Joe Montana (Matt Bahr kick)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Ronnie Lott 26 yard interception return (Matt Bahr kick)
 * NO - Wayne Wilson 9 yard pass from Archie Manning (Benny Ricardo kick)

Week 5: at Washington
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * SF - Ricky Patton 16 yard rush (Matt Bahr kick)
 * SF - Dwight Hicks 80 yard fumble return (Matt Bahr kick)
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Matt Bahr 43 yard field goal
 * WAS - Mark Moseley 34 yard field goal
 * SF - Johnny Davis 1 yard rush (Matt Bahr kick)
 * Third Quarter
 * SF - Dwight Hicks 32 yard interception return (kick failed)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * WAS - Mike Nelms 58 yard punt return (Mark Moseley kick)
 * WAS - Joe Washington 5 yard rush (Mark Moseley kick)

Week 6: vs Dallas
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * SF - Freddie Solomon 1 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Paul Hofer 4 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Johnny Davis 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Ray Wersching 18 yard field goal
 * DAL - Tony Hill 22 yard pass from Drew Pearson (Rafael Septien kick)
 * Third Quarter
 * SF - Dwight Clark 78 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Ronnie Lott 41 yard interception return (Ray Wersching kick)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Amos Lawrence 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
 * DAL - Benny Barnes 72 yard fumble return (Rafael Septien kick)

Week 7: vs Green Bay at Milwaukee
Scoring
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Jan Stenerud 26 yard field goal
 * SF - Ray Wersching 26 yard field goal
 * Third Quarter
 * SF - Johnny Davis 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Ray Wersching 32 yard field goal

Week 8: vs Los Angeles Rams
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * SF - Freddie Solomon 14 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Dwight Clark 41 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * Second Quarter
 * LA - Frank Corral 25 yard field goal
 * LA - Mike Guman 2 yard rush (Frank Corral kick)
 * SF - Ray Wersching 42 yard field goal
 * Third Quarter
 * SF - Ray Wersching 18 yard field goal
 * LA - Wendell Tyler 16 pass from Pat Haden (Frank Corral kick)

Week 9: at Pittsburgh
Scoring
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Charle Young 5 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Ray Wersching 45 yard field goal
 * Third Quarter
 * PIT - Mel Blount 50 yard interception return (David Trout kick)
 * PIT - Jim Smith 22 yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (David Trout kick)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Walt Easley 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)

Week 10: vs Atlanta
Scoring
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Freddie Solomon 14 pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Ray Wersching 48 yard field goal
 * Third Quarter
 * ATL - William Andrews 1 yard rush (Mick Luckhurst kick)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Charle Young 3 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * ATL - Alfred Jackson 25 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Mick Luckhurst kick)

Week 11: vs Cleveland
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * CLE - Safety, Joe Montana called for intentional grounding in end zone
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Ray Wersching 28 yard field goal
 * CLE - Matt Bahr 28 yard field goal
 * SF - Ray Wersching 29 yard field goal
 * Third Quarter
 * SF - Ray Wersching 28 yard field goal
 * SF - Ray Wersching 28 yard field goal
 * Fourth Quarter
 * CLE - Reggie Rucker 21 yard pass from Brian Sipe (Matt Bahr kick)
 * CLE - Matt Bahr 24 yard field goal

Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * SF - Ray Wersching 47 yard field goal
 * Second Quarter
 * LA - Frank Corral 44 yard field goal
 * LA - Wendell Tyler 22 yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Frank Corral)
 * SF - Johnny Davis 1 yard run (Ray Wersching kick)
 * LA - Preston Dennard 7 yard pass from Mike Guman (Frank Corral kick)
 * Third Quarter
 * SF - Amos Lawrence 92 yard kickoff return (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Ray Wersching 34 yard field goal
 * SF - Ronnie Lott 25 yard interception return (Ray Wersching kick)
 * LA - Walt Arnold 2 yard pass from Pat Haden] ([[Frank Corral kick)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Ray Wersching 32 yard field goal
 * LA - Wendell Tyler 1 yard rush (Frank Corral kick)
 * SF - Ray Wersching 37 yard field goal

Week 13: vs New York Giants
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * SF - Johnny Davis 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Joe Montana 20 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
 * Second Quarter
 * NYG - Joe Danelo 52 yard field goal
 * Fourth Quarter
 * NYG - Rob Carpenter 3 yard rush (Joe Danelo kick)
 * SF - Ray Wersching 23 yard field goal

Week 14: at Cincinnati
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * SF - Bill Ring 4 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * Second Quarter
 * CIN - Jim Breech 30 yard field goal
 * SF - Dwight Clark 15 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Joe Montana 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)

Week 15: vs Houston
Scoring
 * Third Quarter
 * SF - Ricky Patton 3 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Earl Cooper 3 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)
 * SF - Dwight Clark 2 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Mike Wilson 27 yard pass from Guy Benjamin (Ray Wersching kick)
 * HOU - Earl Campbell 1 yard rush (kick failed)

Week 16: at New Orleans
Scoring
 * First Quarter
 * SF - Charle Young 13 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * NO - George Rogers 6 yard rush (Benny Ricardo kick)
 * NO - George Rogers 5 yard rush (Benny Ricardo kick)
 * Second Quarter
 * SF - Freddie Solomon 2 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)
 * Third Quarter
 * NO - Benny Ricardo 27 yard field goal
 * Fourth Quarter
 * SF - Johnny Davis 3 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)

NFC Divisional Playoff
San Francisco 49ers 38, New York Giants 24


 * stadium= Candlestick Park
 * time= 2:00 p.m. PST
 * weather= 47 °F, cloudy
 * TV=CBS
 * TV Announcers= Pat Summerall and John Madden

The Giants were making their first appearance in the postseason since 1963. First year starting quarterback Joe Montana led the 49ers to victory in his first ever playoff game, completing 20 of 31 passes for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception. His top target in the game was receiver Dwight Clark, who caught 5 passes for 104 yards.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

SF- Charle Young 8 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) SF 7-0

NYG- Earnest Gray 72 yard pass from Scott Brunner (Joe Danelo kick) TIED 7-7

2nd Quarter

SF- Ray Wersching 22 yard field goal SF 10-7

SF- Freddie Solomon 58 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) SF 17-7

SF- Ricky Patton 25 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) SF 24-7

NYG- Joe Danelo 48 yard field goal SF 24-10

3rd Quarter

NYG- Johnny Perkins 59 yard pass from Scott Brunner (Joe Danelo kick) SF 24-17

4th Quarter

SF- Bill Ring 3 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) SF 31-17

SF- Ronnie Lott 20 yard interception return (Ray Wersching kick) SF 38-17

NYG- Johnny Perkins 17 yard pass from Scott Brunner (Joe Danelo kick)SF 38-24

NFC Championship Game
San Francisco 49ers 28, Dallas Cowboys 27


 * stadium= Candlestick Park
 * time= 5:00 p.m. EST
 * weather= 52 °F, sunny
 * TV=CBS
 * TV Announcers=Vin Scully and Hank Stram
 * referee= Jim Tunney

The 49ers were making their third appearance in the NFC Championship Game. Their opponent was their opponent for the two previous NFC Championship Games-the Dallas Cowboys. In both previous matches, the 49ers had lost the game. The game is remembered for "The Catch". The play, remembered in 49er lore as "Red Right Tight--Sprint Right Option" had called for both the primary receiver, Solomon, and Dwight Clark to line up on the right. Montana was supposed to roll to his right and find Solomon. Clark's pattern called for him to cut left across the end zone, stop, and immediately reverse his path to the right. If Solomon were covered, it would be up to Montana to find Clark. Due to the pressure, Montana's pass was high, but Clark was in position to make his memorable grab.

A photograph of the catch, with Clark at the height of his leap and Everson Walls reaching out to try to block the ball, was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated the following week.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

SF- Freddie Solomon 8 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) SF 7-0

DAL- Rafael Septien 44 yard field goal SF 7-3

DAL- Tony Hill 26 yard pass from Danny White (Rafael Septien kick)DAL 10-7

2nd Quarter

SF- Dwight Clark 20 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)SF 14-10

DAL- Tony Dorsett 5 yard rush (Rafael Septien kick)DAL 17-14

3rd Quarter

SF- Johnny Davis 2 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick)SF 21-17

4th Quarter

DAL- Rafael Septien 22 yard field goal SF 21-20

DAL- Doug Cosbie 21 yard pass from Danny White (Rafael Septien kick) DAL 27-21

SF- Dwight Clark 6 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) SF 28-27

Super Bowl XVI
San Francisco 49ers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 21


 * date=January 24, 1982
 * stadium=Pontiac Silverdome
 * TV=CBS
 * TV Announcers=Pat Summerall and John Madden
 * referee=Pat Haggerty

Scoring summary:

1st Quarter

SF - Joe Montana 1 yard run (Ray Wersching kick) 7-0 SF

2nd Quarter

SF - Earl Cooper 11 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) 14-0 SF

SF - Ray Wersching 22 yard field goal 17-0 SF

SF - Ray Wersching 26 yard field goal 20-0 SF

3rd Quarter

CIN - Ken Anderson 5 yard run (Jim Breech kick) 20-7 SF

4th Quarter

CIN - Dan Ross 4 yard pass from Ken Anderson (Jim Breech kick) 20-14 SF

SF - Ray Wersching 40 yard field goal 23-14 SF

SF - Ray Wersching 23 yard field goal 26-14 SF

CIN - Dan Ross 3 yard pass from Ken Anderson (Jim Breech kick) 26-21 SF

Awards and records

 * Joe Montana, Super Bowl Most Valuable Player
 * Bill Walsh, National Football League Coach of the Year Award