It was the first perfect season in the history of the UMD football program[1] and its first outright conference championship since 1938.
[2] UMD led Division II in both scoring offense and scoring defense and was one of only two undefeated and untied teams in Division II at the end of the 1980 season.
Despite their accomplishments, the Bulldogs' strength of schedule was considered weak, and they were ranked No.
He was inducted into the University of Minnesota Duluth Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.
[1][4] Offensive tackle Mike Thomas won the Glen Johnson Lineman Award and was selected as a third-team player on the Associated Press 1980 Little All-America team.