1981 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game

The culminating game of the 1981 NCAA Division I-AA football season, it was won by Idaho State, 34–23.

The participants of the Championship Game were the finalists of the 1981 I-AA Playoffs, which began with an eight-team bracket.

[5] Eastern Kentucky finished their regular season with a 10–1 record (8–0 in conference); their only loss was to Navy of Division I-A.

This was the third appearance for Eastern Kentucky in a Division I-AA championship game, having won in 1979 and having lost in 1980.

Idaho State finished their regular season with a 9–1 record (6–1 in conference); their only loss was an away game at Montana.