The 1981 Iowa State Cyclones football team represented Iowa State University as a member of the Big Eight Conference during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by third-year head coach Donnie Duncan, the Cyclones compiled an overall record of 5âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 with a mark of 2âÂÂ4âÂÂ1 in conference play, placing sixth in the Big 8. Iowa State played home games at Cylcone Stadium in Ames, Iowa.