1981 Orange Bowl

1981 Orange Bowl
Oklahoma Sooners Florida State Seminoles (9–2) (10–1) 18 17 Head coach:  Barry Switzer Head coach:  Bobby Bowden AP Coaches 4 4 AP Coaches 2 2
1 2 3 4 Total Oklahoma 0 3 7 8 18 Florida State 0 7 3 7 17
Date	January 1, 1981
Season	1980
Stadium	Miami Orange Bowl
Location	Miami, Florida
MVP	QB J. C. Watts Oklahoma DE Jarvis Coursey (Florida State)
Referee	Gene Calhoun (Big Ten)
Attendance	71,043
United States TV coverage
Network	NBC
Announcers	Don Criqui and John Brodie
Orange Bowl  < 1980  1982 >

The 1981 Orange Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida State Seminoles.

Oklahoma was champion of the Big Eight Conference for the eighth consecutive year, and this was their fifth Orange Bowl appearance in six seasons. Florida State was in the Orange Bowl for the second straight year.

Ricky Williams scored first for the Seminoles on a touchdown run in the second half, and Oklahoma countered with a field goal by Mike Keeling before halftime. David Overstreet capitalized on a 78-yard kickoff return with his four-yard run to give the Sooners a 10–7 lead. A field goal by Bill Capece tied the game as the third quarter ended. Bobby Butler recovered a botched punt and recovered in the end zone to give the Seminoles a 17–10 lead. With 3:19 remaining, Oklahoma's fate lied in the hands of J. C. Watts, who had turned the ball over three times previously. He led the team on a 78-yard drive, culminating with a touchdown pass to Steve Rhodes with 1:33 remaining. Oklahoma decided to risk it all, and Watts threw a pass to Forrest Valora in the end zone for the two point conversion to give them the lead. Florida State tried to counter back, but Capece's 62 yard field goal fell short, and the Sooners were victorious.

Florida State did not return to the Orange Bowl until 1993. Oklahoma returned in 1985.

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