1981 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team

The 1981 Northern Michigan Wildcats football team represented Northern Michigan University as an independent during the 1981 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth year under head coach Bill Rademacher, the Wildcats compiled a record of 11–1. The team was undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the final NCAA Division II Football Committee poll at the end of the regular season. Northern Michigan advanced to the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs, where the Wildcats defeated in the quarterfinals before and losing to Southwest Texas State in the semifinals. The Wildcats outscored opponents by a total of 403 to 196 on the season.

Junior fullback George Works became the first player in Northern Michigan history to rush for 200 yards in a game (against ) and the first to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He was also the national Division II scoring champion with 21 touchdowns for 126 points in regular-season games.

The team's other statistical leaders included Tom Bertoldi with 2,454 passing yards and Scott Sible with 46 receptions for 844 yards. Middle guard Curt Wojan led the team in tackles.