Illinois State was admitted to the MVC in June, 1980; ineligible for championship
The 1980 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team represented the University of Tulsa during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fourth year under head coach John Cooper, the Golden Hurricane compiled an 8–3 record (4-1 against conference opponents) and won the Missouri Valley Conference championship.[1][2]
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Kenny Jackson with 1,208 passing yards, Kenneth Session with 662 rushing yards, and Paul Johns with 420 receiving yards.[3] Head coach John Cooper was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.