1971 Memphis State Tigers football
MVC champion
Pasadena Bowl champion
ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
Record5–6 (4–1 MVC)
Head coach
Home stadiumMemphis Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1970
1972 →
1971 Missouri Valley Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Memphis State $ 4 – 1 – 0 5 – 6 – 0
Louisville 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 1
Tulsa 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
North Texas State 3 – 2 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
Drake 2 – 3 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
West Texas State 1 – 4 – 0 2 – 9 – 0
Wichita State 0 – 5 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1971 Memphis State Tigers football team represented Memphis State University (now known as the University of Memphis) as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. In its 13th and final season under head coach Billy J. Murphy, the team compiled an overall record of 5–6 record with a mark of 4–1 in conference play, winning he MVC title.[1] Memphis State defeated San Jose State in the Pasadena Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 255 to 202.[2][3] The team played its home games at Memphis Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.

The team's statistical leaders included John Robison with 496 passing yards, Paul Gowen with 644 rushing yards and Paul Gowen with 42 points scored, and Stan Davis with 509 receiving yards.[4]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 11West Texas State
W 30–021,412[5]
September 18Ole Miss*
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN (rivalry)
L 21–4950,164[6]
October 2South Carolina*
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
L 3–720,666[7]
October 9Louisville
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN (rivalry)
L 20–26
October 16at Utah State*
L 6–75,041
October 23Southern Miss[n 1]
W 27–1219,484[9]
October 30at Cincinnati[n 1]
W 45–21
November 6 No. 19 Houston*dagger
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
L 7–3510,132
November 13North Texas State
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
W 47–8[10]
November 20Kansas State*
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
L 21–2817,234
December 18vs. San Jose State*
W 28–915,244[11]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Notes

  1. ^ a b Designated conference game[8]

References

  1. ^ "Truthful Tulsa 2nd in MVC". The Austin American. Austin, Texas. Associated Press. November 29, 1971. p. 25. Retrieved January 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. ^ "1971 Memphis Tigers Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  3. ^ "Memphis Football 2019 Media Guide" (PDF). University of Memphis. p. 270. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  4. ^ "1971 Memphis Tigers Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  5. ^ "Memphis State cruises 30–0". The Tennessean. September 12, 1971. Retrieved March 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Ole Miss waltzes across Tiger rug". The Commercial Appeal. September 19, 1971. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Gamecocks' defense proves frustrating". The Lynchburg News. October 3, 1971. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Valley Has 'New Look'". Denton Record-Chronicle. Denton, Texas. Associated Press. September 16, 1971. p. 14C. Retrieved January 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  9. ^ "USM has bad night as Tigers roll 27–12". The Clarion-Ledger. October 24, 1971. Retrieved March 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Tigers cap MVC title; Head for Pasadena Bowl". The Jackson Sun. November 14, 1971. Retrieved October 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Memphis State takes 28-9 win over San Jose State". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 19, 1971. p. 17.
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