Market1981 San Francisco 49ers season
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1981 San Francisco 49ers season

The 1981 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 32nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 36th overall and their third under head coach Bill Walsh.

Offseason
NFL draft A turning point for the franchise was the drafting of safety Ronnie Lott from the University of Southern California, later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In addition, they also drafted cornerback Eric Wright from Missouri and safety Carlton Williamson from Pittsburgh. : == Training camp ==
Training camp
The 1981 San Francisco 49ers season held training camp at Red Morten Park in Redwood City, California. == Personnel ==
Personnel
Staff Roster : == Preseason ==
Preseason
Schedule == Preseason Game summaries ==
Preseason Game summaries
=== Week P1 (Wednesday, August 5, 1981): at Seattle Seahawks === • Point spread: • Over/under: • Time of game: === Week P2 (Saturday, August 15, 1981): vs. San Diego Chargers === • Point spread: • Over/under: • Time of game: === Week P3 (Saturday, August 22, 1981) vs. Seattle Seahawks === • Point spread: • Over/under: • Time of game: === Week P4 (Saturday, August 29, 1981): at Oakland Raiders === • Point spread: • Over/under: • Time of game: == Regular season ==
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 and Hicks made the Pro Bowl. The 49ers selection of Lott in the 1981 NFL draft proved to be a seminal one. In addition to making the NFC Pro Bowl roster, Lott was voted First-Team All-Pro and received nods from all 5 newspapers that voted, a significant honor for a rookie. Giants' linebacker Lawrence Taylor was the only other rookie from the 1981 NFL draft to achieve this unanimous selection to the First Team All-Pro unit. 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). Schedule == Regular season game summaries ==
Regular season game summaries
=== Week 1 (Sunday, September 6, 1981): at Detroit Lions === • Point spread: 49ers +4 • Over/under: 40.0 (over) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 18/28, 195 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT • Rushing: Patton – 15 CAR, 72 YDS, 1 TD; Easley – 7 CAR, 23 YDS; Cooper – 9 CAR, 22 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 4 YDS • Receiving: Solomon – 8 REC, 94 YDS, 1 TD; Clark – 5 REC, 57 YDS; Cooper – 3 REC, 11 YDS; Young – 2 REC, 33 YDS • Kickoff returns: Jones – 3 KR, 43 YDS; Patton – 1 KR, 0 YDS • Punt returns: Hicks – 2 PR, 46 YDS; Solomon – 2 PR, 16 YDS • Punting: Miller – 3 PUNTS, 101 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 1/2 FG • Sacks: Pillers – 2.0; Harper – 1.0; McColl – 1.0 • Interceptions: Reynolds – 1 INT, 0 YDS • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Wersching 32 === Week 2 (Sunday, September 13, 1981): vs. Chicago Bears === • Point spread: 49ers Pick • Over/under: 41.0 (over) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 20/32, 287 YDS, 3 TDs • Rushing: Patton – 14 CAR, 67 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 14 CAR, 67 YDS; Easley – 3 CAR, 5 YDS; Solomon – 1 CAR, –3 YDS • Receiving: Clark – 6 REC, 81 YDS; Solomon – 5 REC, 113 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 4 REC, 28 YDS; Patton – 2 REC, 34 YDS, 1 TD; Young – 2 REC, 19 YDS, 1 TD; Elliott – 1 REC, 12 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lott – 3 KR, 55 YDS; Davis – 1 KR, 0 YDS • Punt returns: Solomon – 4 PR, 40 YDS; Hicks – 1 PR, 7 YDS • Punting: Miller – 5 PUNTS, 190 YDS • Kicking: Bahr – 4/4 PAT, 0/2 FG • Sacks: • Interceptions: Hicks – 1 INT, 8 YDS • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Bahr 39, 48 === Week 3 (Sunday, September 20, 1981): at Atlanta Falcons === • Point spread: 49ers +9 • Over/under: 41.0 (over) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 24/34, 274 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs • Rushing: Cooper – 9 CAR, 40 YDS; Patton – 12 CAR, 30 YDS; Easley – 4 CAR, 18 YDS; Elliott – 4 CAR, 17 YDS; Solomon – 1 CAR, 0 YDS • Receiving: Clark – 9 REC, 77 YDS; Young – 3 REC, 55 YDS, 1 TD; Solomon – 3 REC, 36 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 3 REC, 29 YDS; Wilson – 2 REC, 34 YDS; Patton – 2 REC, 16 YDS; Hofer – 1 REC, 22 YDS; Peets – 1 REC, 5 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lott – 3 KR, 56 YDS; Ring – 1 KR, 23 YDS; Wilson – 1 KR, 22 YDS • Punt returns: Solomon – 2 PR, 9 YDS • Punting: Miller – 3 PUNTS, 160 YDS • Kicking: Bahr – 2/2 PAT, 1/2 FG • Sacks: • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Bahr 24 (Blocked) Joe Montana was intercepted twice in 34 passes (24 completed) as the Niners fell to the Falcons for the eleventh time in the last eight seasons. === Week 4 (Sunday, September 27, 1981): vs. New Orleans Saints === • Point spread: 49ers –6 • Over/under: 43.0 (under) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 16/22, 175 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT • Rushing: Davis – 11 CAR, 48 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 14 CAR, 42 YDS; Hofer – 4 CAR, 19 YDS; Montana – 3 CAR, 17 YDS; Cooper – 5 CAR, 10 YDS; Easley – 1 CAR, 5 YDS; Solomon – 1 CAR, 5 YDS • Receiving: Young – 3 REC, 41 YDS; Clark – 3 REC, 30 YDS; Cooper – 3 REC, 6 YDS; Solomon – 2 REC, 80 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 2 REC, 8 YDS; Hofer – 2 REC, 7 YDS; Lawrence – 1 REC, 3 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 1 KR, 26 YDS; Lott – 1 KR, 0 YDS • Punt returns: Solomon – 3 PR, 14 YDS; Hicks – 1 PR, 10 YDS • Punting: Miller – 9 PUNTS, 406 YDS • Kicking: Bahr – 3/3 PAT • Interceptions: Lott – 1 INT, 26 YDS, 1 TD; Wright – 1 INT, 26 YDS === Week 5 (Sunday, October 4, 1981): at Washington Redskins === • Point spread: 49ers +2 • Over/under: 43.0 (over) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 15/28, 193 YDS, 1 INT • Rushing: Patton – 9 CAR, 43 YDS, 1 TD; Davis – 13 CAR, 37 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 6 CAR, 21 YDS; Lawrence – 2 CAR, 14 YDS; Elliott – 3 CAR, 12 YDS; Easley – 2 CAR, 1 YD • Receiving: Elliott – 6 REC, 69 YDS; Solomon – 5 REC, 77 YDS; Young – 2 REC, 24 YDS; Clark – 1 REC, 21 YDS; Cooper – 1 CAR, 2 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 2 KR, 41 YDS • Punt returns: Solomon – 2 PR, 9 YDS • Punting: Miller – 5 PUNTS, 200 YDS • Kicking: Bahr – 3/3 PAT, 1/2 FG • Sacks: • Interceptions: Hicks – 2 INTs, 104 YDS, 1 TD; McColl – 1 INT, 22 YDS; Lott – 1 INT, 0 YDS • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Bahr 25 === Week 6 (Sunday, October 11, 1981): vs. Dallas Cowboys === • Point spread: 49ers +5 • Over/under: 45.0 (over) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 19/29, 279 YDS, 2 TDs; Solomon – 1/1, 25 YDS; Benjamin – 0/3, 0 YDS • Rushing: Hofer – 11 CAR, 40 YDS, 1 TD; Davis – 8 CAR, 28 YDS, 1 TD; Easley – 8 CAR, 28 YDS; Lawrence – 6 CAR, 27 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 7 CAR, 16 YDS; Cooper – 5 CAR, 9 YDS; Montana – 1 CAR, 2 YDS • Receiving: Solomon – 5 REC, 74 YDS, 1 TD; Clark – 4 REC, 135 YDS, 1 TD; Young – 3 REC, 35 YDS; Hofer – 3 REC, 22 YDS; Wilson – 2 REC, 22 YDS; Cooper – 2 REC, 12 YDS; Patton – 1 REC, 4 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 2 KR, 49 YDS • Punt returns: Solomon – 2 PR, 5 YDS; Hicks – 1 PR, 3 YDS • Punting: Miller – 6 PUNTS, 277 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 6/6 PAT, 1/2 FG • Sacks: Dean – 2.0; Pillers – 1.0 • Interceptions: Lott – 2 INT, 53 YDS, 1 TD • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Wersching 40 OfficialsReferee: (#3) Jim TunneyUmpire: (#8) Pat HarderHead linesman: (#25) Sid Semon • Line judge: (#8) Dick McKenzie • Back judge: (#11) Pat Knight • Side judge: (#5) Gil Mace • Field judge: (#24) Johnny Grier === Week 7 (Sunday, October 18, 1981) at Green Bay Packers === • Point spread: 49ers –1 • Over/under: 44.0 (under) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 23/32, 220 YDS • Rushing: Davis – 16, CAR, 65 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 12 CAR, 38 YDS; Patton – 7 CAR, 15 YDS; Easley – 3 CAR, 3 YDS; Hofer – 8 CAR, 3 YDS; Montana – 1 CAR, 2 YDS • Receiving: Clark – 6 REC, 55 YDS; Hofer – 5 REC, 44 YDS; Solomon – 4 REC, 49 YDS; Patton – 3 REC, 41 YDS; Cooper – 2 REC, 19 YDS; Lawrence – 1 REC, 5 YDS; Young – 1 REC, 4 YDS; Davis – 1 REC, 3 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 2 KR, 21 YDS • Punt returns: Solomon – 3 PR, 24 YDS; Hicks – 1 PR, 14 YDS • Punting: Miller – 7 PUNTS, 251 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 1/1 PAT, 2/2 FG • Sacks: • Interceptions: Hicks – 1 INT, 26 YDS ===Week 8 (Sunday, October 25, 1981): vs. Los Angeles Rams=== • Point spread: 49ers –1 • Over/under: 46.0 (under) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 18/32, 287 YDS, 2 TDs • Rushing: Hofer – 8 CAR, 23 YDS; Davis – 6 CAR, 14 YDS; Patton – 6 CAR, 13 YDS; Cooper – 5 CAR, 7 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 3 YDS; Easley – 1 CAR, 0 YDS • Receiving: Clark – 8 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD; Solomon – 5 REC, 79 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 2 REC, 57 YDS; Young – 1 REC, 29 YDS; Patton – 1 REC, 8 YDS; Wilson – 1 REC, 5 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 2 KR, 61 YDS; Ramson – 1 KR, 12 YDS; Wilson – 1 KR,8 YDS • Punt returns: Solomon – 2 PR, 9 YDS • Punting: Miller – 10 PUNTS, 433 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 2/2 FG • Sacks: • Interceptions: Lott – 1 INT, 0 YDS ===Week 9 (Sunday, November 1, 1981): at Pittsburgh Steelers=== • Point spread: 49ers +5 • Over/under: 45.0 (under) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 22/37, 205 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs; Easley – 1/1, 5 YDS • Rushing: Easley – 14 CAR, 47 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 13 CAR, 35 YDS; Hofer – 5 CAR, 26 YDS; Montana – 4 CAR, 12 YDS; Cooper – 3 CAR, 10 YDS • Receiving: Clark – 7 REC, 80 YDS; Cooper – 5 REC, 53 YDS; Young – 3 REC, 13 YDS, 1 TD; Easley – 3 REC, 12 YDS; Solomon – 2 REC, 33 YDS; Patton – 2 REC, 17 YDS; Hofer – 1 REC,2 YDS • Kickoff returns: Wilson – 2 KR, 37 YDS; Ring – 1 KR, 21 YDS • Punting: Miller – 5 PUNTS, 229 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 1/2 FG • Interceptions: Williamson – 1 INT, 28 YDS; Hicks – 1 INT, 0 YDS; Wright – 1 INT, 0 YDS • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Wersching 37 (Blocked) === Week 10 (Sunday, November 8, 1981): vs. Atlanta Falcons === • Point spread: 49ers +2½ • Over/under: 44.0 (under) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 16/30, 223 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT • Rushing: Easley – 15 CAR, 31 YDS; Patton – 9 CAR, 26 YDS; Solomon – 3 CAR, 11 YDS; Clark – 1 CAR, 9 YDS; Cooper – 3 CAR, 4 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 1 YD; Hofer – 1 CAR, 0 YDS • Receiving: Clark – 7 REC, 128 YDS; Solomon – 3 REC, 56 YDS, 1 TD; Easley – 2 REC, 9 YDS; Young – 2 REC, 9 YDS, 1 TD; Hofer – 1 REC, 21 YDS; Cooper – 1 REC, 0 YDS • Kickoff returns: Ring – 1 KR, 29 YDS; Hicks – 1 KR, 22 YDS • Punt returns: Hicks – 4 PR, 36 YDS; Solomon – 3 PR, 15 YDS • Punting: Miller – 10 PUNTS, 420 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 1/1 FG • Sacks: • Interceptions: Hicks – 2 INT, 37 YDS; Martin – 1 INT, 0 YDS === Week 11 (Sunday, November 15, 1981): vs. Cleveland Browns === • Point spread: 49ers –3 • Over/under: 43.0 (under) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 24/42, 213 YDS, 2 INTs • Rushing: Easley – 16 CAR, 59 YDS; Hofer – 10 CAR, 33 YDS; Patton – 4 CAR, 15 YDS; Davis – 2 CAR, 6 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 5 YDS; Solomon – 1 CAR, 0 YDS • Receiving: Hofer – 7 REC, 64 YDS; Clark – 6 REC, 52 YDS; Solomon – 3 REC, 35 YDS; Cooper – 3 REC, 21 YDS; Young – 2 REC, 16 YDS; Patton – 1 REC, 11 YDS; Shumann – 1 REC, 8 YDS; Easley – 1 REC, 6 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 2 KR, 52 YDS • Punt returns: Solomon – 2 PR, 22 YDS • Punting: Jim Miller – 4 PUNTS, 144 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 4/5 FG • Sacks: • Interceptions: Hicks – 1 INT, 10 YDS • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Wersching 40 The Niners’ winning streak ended in a battle of six combined field goals. Opposing quarterbacks Brian Sipe and Montana combined for 393 yards, three interceptions, and an average passer rating of 56. ===Week 12 (Sunday, November 22, 1981): at Los Angeles Rams=== • Point spread: 49ers +3 • Over/under: 42.0 (over) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 19/30, 283 YDS, 1 INT • Rushing: Davis – 8 CAR, 23 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 8 CAR, 20 YDS; Hofer – 5 CAR, 16 YDS; Lawrence – 2 CAR, 9 YDS; Cooper – 4 CAR, 4 YDS; Montana – 1 CAR, –1 YDS • Receiving: Solomon – 5 REC, 124 YDS; Cooper – 5 REC, 55 YDS; Clark – 4 REC, 59 YDS; Hofer – 2 REC, 20 YDS; Young – 2 REC, 18 YDS; Shumann – 1 REC, 7 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 3 KR, 138 YDS, 1 TD; Ring – 2 KR, 45 YDS • Punt returns: Hicks – 2 PR, 12 YDS • Punting: Miller – 2 PUNTS, 88 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 3/3 PAT, 4/4 FG • Sacks: • Interceptions: Lott – 1 INT, 25 YDS, 1 TD The game lead tied or changed eight times as the Rams wound up using quarterbacks Dan Pastorini and Pat Haden while running back Mike Guman threw a seven-yard touchdown to Preston Dennard. Amos Lawrence opened the third quarter by scoring on the opening kickoff and Ronnie Lott scored after intercepting Pastorini. === Week 13 (Sunday, November 29, 1981): vs. New York Giants === • Point spread: 49ers –5 • Over/under: 39.0 (under) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 27/39, 234 YDS; Clark – 0/1, 0 YDS • Rushing: Hofer – 8 CAR, 33 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 24 YDS, 1 TD; Davis – 11 CAR, 21 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 7 CAR, 20 YDS; Cooper – 3 CAR, 12 YDS; Ring – 4 CAR, 9 YDS; Solomon – 1 CAR, 6 YDS; Clark – 1 CAR, 5 YDS; Lawrence – 2 CAR, –7 YDS • Receiving: Clark – 7 REC, 87 YDS; Patton – 5 REC, 23 YDS; Cooper – 4 REC, 37 YDS; Hofer – 4 REC, 31 YDS; Young – 3 REC, 33 YDS; Davis – 2 REC, –4 YDS; Solomon – 1 REC, 26 YDS; Lawrence – 1 REC, 2 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 1 KR, 25 YDS; Ring – 1 KR, 23 YDS • Punt returns: Hicks – 3 PR, 19 YDS; Solomon – 1 PR, 8 YDS • Punting: Miller – 8 PUNTS, 300 YARDS • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 1/3 FG • Sacks: Dean – 1.0; Kugler – 1.0 • Interceptions: Williamson – 2 INT, 7 YDS; Hicks – 1 INT, 54 YDS • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Wersching 36 (BL), 40 OfficialsReferee: (#9) Jerry MarkbreitUmpire: (#17) Ed Fiffick • Head linesman: (#12) Dale HamerLine judge: (#15) Bama Glass • Back judge: (#7) Tom KelleherSide judge: (#6) Willie Spencer • Field judge: (#5) Bill Stanley === Week 14 (Sunday, December 6, 1981): at Cincinnati Bengals === • Point spread: 49ers +7 • Over/under: 42.0 (under) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 23/36, 187 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT • Rushing: Cooper – 12 CAR, 62 YDS; Patton – 10 CAR, 36 YDS; Davis – 8 CAR, 21 YDS; Montana – 2 CAR, 14 YDS, 1 TD; Ring – 2 CAR, 8 YDS; Lawrence – 1 CAR, 5 YDS • Receiving: Clark – 6 REC, 78 YDS, 1 TD; Cooper – 6 REC, 34 YDS; Young – 3 REC, 22 YDS; Patton – 3 REC, 11 YDS; Wilson – 2 REC, 28 YDS; Shumann – 1 REC, 6 YDS; Ramson – 1 REC, 4 YDS; Ring – 1 REC, 4 YDS • Kickoff returns: Ring – 1 KR, 17 YDS • Punt returns: Hicks – 1 PR, 10 YDS • Punting: Miller – 6 PUNTS, 221 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 3/3 PAT • Sacks: Stuckey – 1.0; Turner – 1.0; Dean – 0.5; Leopold – 0.5 • Interceptions: Lott – 1 INT, 13 YDS; Turner – 1 INT, 0 YDS; Wright – 1 INT, 0 YDS OfficialsReferee: (#17) Jerry SeemanUmpire: (#20) Frank SinkovitzHead linesman: (#3) Leo Miles • Line judge: (#6) John Leimbach • Back judge: (#23) Paul Baetz • Side judge: (#7) Bill Quinby • Field judge: (#9) Bill O'Brien Week 15 vs. Houston Oilers === Week 16 (Sunday, December 20, 1981): at New Orleans Saints === • Point spread: 49ers –7 • Over/under: 37.0 (over) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 9/11, 106 YDS, 2 TDs; Benjamin – 8/14, 89 YDS, 1 INT • Rushing: Ring – 11 CAR, 71 TDS; Patton – 8 CAR, 36 YDS; Davis – 6 CAR, 19 YDS, 1 TD; Solomon – 1 CAR, 16 YDS; Montana – 1 CAR, 10 YDS; Easley – 2 CAR, 4 YDS; Benjamin – 1 CAR, 1 YD; Cooper – 1 CAR, –3 YDS • Receiving: Solomon – 5 REC, 38 YDS, 1 TD; Patton – 4 REC, 25 YDS; Easley – 3 REC, 35 YDS; Ramson – 2 REC, 27 YDS; Cooper – 1 REC, 36 YDS; Clark – 1 REC, 21 YDS; Young – 1 REC, 13 YDS, 1 TD • Kickoff returns: Ring – 2 KR, 41 YDS; Lawrence – 2 KR, 24 YDS • Punt returns: Solomon – 1 PR, 0 YDS • Punting: Miller – 4 PUNTS, 184 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 3/3 PAT • Sacks: • Interceptions: Williamson – 1 INT, 9 YDS == Standings ==
Regular season stats
Passing Rushing Statistical comparison Quarter-by-quarter Individual leaders 1Completions/attempts 2Carries 3Long gain 4Receptions 5Interceptions 6Punts 7Kickoff Returns 8Punt Returns == Postseason ==
Postseason
=== 1981 NFC Divisional Playoffs (Sunday, January 3, 1982): vs. (5) New York Giants === • Point spread: 49ers –6 • Over/under: 38.0 (over) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 20/31, 304 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT • Rushing: Cooper – 7 CAR, 52 YDS; Patton – 7 CAR, 32 YDS, 1 TD; Clark – 1 CAR, 6 YDS • Receiving: Solomon – 6 REC, 107 YDS, 1 TD; Clark – 5 REC, 104 YDS: Patton – 2 REC, 38 YDS, 1 TD; • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 3 KR, 88 YDS; • Punt returns: Solomon – 1 PR, 22 YDS • Punting: Miller – 5 PUNTS, 206 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 5/5 PAT; 1/2 FG • Sacks: Harper – 1.0; Turner – 1.0 • Interceptions: Lott – 2 INT, 32 YDS, 1 TD • 49ers Missed Field Goals: Wersching 50 OfficialsReferee: (#12) Ben DreithUmpire: (#12) Dave Hamilton • Head linesman: (#15) Ray Dodez • Line judge: (#9) Jack Fette • Back judge: (#9) Banks Williams • Side judge: (#4) Ed Ward • Field judge: (#14) Jack Vaughn • Alternate Official: (#16) Jack Johnson 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 debut 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. === 1981 NFC Championship Game (Sunday, January 10, 1982): vs. (2) Dallas Cowboys === • Point spread: 49ers +3 • Over/under: 42.0 (over) • Time of game: Individual statsPassing: Montana – 22/35, 286 YDS, 3 TDs, 3 INTs • Rushing: Elliott – 10 CAR, 48 YDS; Cooper – 8 REC, 35 YDS; Ring – 6 CAR, 27 YDS; Solomon – 1 CAR, 14 YDS; Easley – 2 CAR, 6 YDS; Davis – 1 CAR, 2 YDS, 1 TD; Montana – 3 CAR, –5 YDS • Receiving: Clark – 8 REC, 120 YDS, 2 TDs; Solomon – 6 REC, 75 YDS, 1 TD; Young – 4 REC, 45 YDS; Cooper – 2 REC, 11 YDS; Elliott – 1 REC, 24 YDS; Shumann – 1 REC, 11 YDS • Kickoff returns: Lawrence – 3 KR, 60 YDS; Ring – 3 KR, 47 YDS • Punt returns: Hicks – 2 PR, 21 YDS; Solomon – 1 PR, 3 YDS • Punting: Miller – 3 PUNTS, 107 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 4/4 PAT • Sacks: Pillers – 2.0; Board – 1.0; Stuckey – 1.0 • Interceptions: Leopold – 1 INT, 5 YDS OfficialsReferee: (#3) Jim TunneyUmpire: (#5) Bob Boylston • Head linesman: (#6) Ed MarionLine judge: (#16) Bob Beeks • Back judge: (#5) Ray Douglas • Side judge: (#9) Dean LookField judge: (#20) Ed Merrifield • Alternate Referee: (#20) Gordon McCarterAlternate Umpire: (#9) Dave Moss 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. Future New England Patriots/Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who grew up in the Bay Area, attended the game as a four-year-old. The 49ers were victorious despite an astonishing six turnovers, including three interceptions by Joe Montana. 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. === Super Bowl XVI (Sunday, January 24, 1982): vs. (A1) Cincinnati Bengals === • Point spread: 49ers –1 • Over/under: 48.0 (under) • Time of game: 3 hours, 21 minutes Individual statsPassing: Montana – 14/22, 157 YDS, TD • Rushing: Patton – 17 CAR, 55 YDS; Cooper – 9 REC, 34 YDS; Montana – 6 CAR, 18 YDS, 1 TD; Ring – 5 CAR, 17 YDS; Davis – 2 CAR, 5 YDS; Clark – 1 CAR, –2 YDS • Receiving: Solomon – 4 REC, 52 YDS; Clark – 4 REC, 45 YDS; Cooper – 2 REC, 15 YDS, 1 TD; Wilson – 1 REC, 22 YDS; Young – 1 REC, 14 YDS; Patton – 1 REC, 6 YDS; Ring – 1 REC, 3 YDS • Kickoff returns: Hicks – 1 KR, 23 YDS; Lawrence – 1 KR, 17 YDS\ • Punt returns: Hicks – 1 PR, 6 YDS • Punting: Miller – 4 PUNTS, 185 YDS • Kicking: Wersching – 2/2 PAT, 4/4 FG • Sacks: Dean – 1.0; Leopold – 1.0; Reynolds – 1.0; Stuckey – 1.0; Turner – 1.0 • Interceptions: Hicks – 1 INT, 27 YDS; Wright – 1 INT, 25 YDS OfficialsReferee: (#4) Pat HaggertyUmpire: (#7) Al ConwayHead linesman: (#17) Jerry Bergman • Line judge: (#16) Bob Beeks • Back judge: (#20) Bill Swanson • Side judge: (#19) Bob Rice • Field judge: (#6) Don Hakes • Alternate Referee: (#14) Gene BarthAlternate Umpire: (#8) Pat Harder == Awards and records ==
Awards and records
Media
Pre season Local TV Local Radio == References ==
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