1971 Kent State Golden Flashes football team
American college football season
The 1971 Kent State Golden Flashes football team was an American football team that represented Kent State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season . In their first season under head coach Don James , the Golden Flashes compiled a 3–8 record (0–5 against MAC opponents), finished in sixth place in the MAC, and were outscored by a total of 304 to 169.[ 1] [ 2]
The team's statistical leaders included Renard Harmon with 566 rushing yards, Larry Hayes with 848 passing yards, and Jeff Murrey with 259 receiving yards.[ 3] [ 4] On defense, Jack Lambert led the team with 155 total tackles, including 68 solo tackles.[ 5] Other notable players on the team included Nick Saban and Gary Pinkel .
Don James was announced as Kent State's football coach on December 12, 1970, following the resignation of Dave Puddington . Prior to being hired by Kent State, James was a defensive coach for Colorado .[ 6]
Schedule
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 11 at NC State * W 23–2124,300 [ 7] [ 8]
September 18 at Cincinnati * L 20–427,329 [ 9]
September 25 at Ohio L 21–3716,781 [ 10]
October 2 Iowa State * L 14–1713,551 [ 11]
October 9 at Western Michigan L 0–3117,200 [ 12]
October 16 Bowling Green L 33–4613,643 [ 13]
October 23 at Xavier * W 24–133,255 [ 14]
October 30 Northern Illinois * L 7–2610,545 [ 15]
November 6 Marshall * W 21–06,884 [ 16]
November 13 Miami (OH) L 0–307,963 [ 17]
November 20 at No. 13 Toledo L 6–4120,201 [ 18]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Roster
1971 Kent State Golden Flashes football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Roster
References
^ "2016 Kent State Football Record Book" (PDF) . Kent State University. p. D7. Retrieved October 4, 2016 .
^ "1971 Kent State Golden Flashes Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 4, 2016 .
^ 2016 Record Book, p. D17-D19.
^ "1971 Kent State Golden Flashes Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 4, 2016 .
^ 2016 Kent State Football Record Book, p. D20.
^ "James Selected As Kent State's New Grid Coach" . Fort Myers (Fla.) News-Press . December 13, 1970. p. 3D.
^ Scott Bosley (September 12, 1971). "Kent Stuns Wolfpack!" . The Akron Beacon Journal . pp. B1, B3 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Joe Tiede (September 12, 1971). "Late Kent St. FG Stuns Wolfpack" . The News and Observer . Raleigh, North Carolina. pp. Sports 1, 4 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Bill Ford (September 19, 1971). "Bearcats Out-Flash Kent State" . The Cincinnati Enquirer . p. 28 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Bobcats Nab 37-21 Win Over KSU" . The Lima News . September 26, 1971. p. E4 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Scott Bosley (October 3, 1971). "Last-Minute FG Tops Kent, 17-14" . The Akron Beacon Journal . pp. B1, B6 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Olg Olson (October 10, 1971). "Western Michigan back on beam 31-0" . Battle Creek Enquirer . p. D2 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Scott Bosley (October 17, 1971). "BG Blitz Tops Kent 46-33" . The Akron Beacon Journal . pp. B1, B6 – via Newspapers.com Ḑ.
^ Paul Ritter (October 24, 1971). "Breakdown Negates XU Effort" . The Cincinnati Ennquirer . p. 1C – via Newspapers.com .
^ "N. Illinois 26 Kent State 7" . News Journal . Mansfield, Ohio. UPI. October 31, 1971. p. 5E – via Newspapers.com .
^ Scott Bosley (November 7, 1971). "Kent State Defeats Herd 21-0: First Shutout In Four Years" . The Akron Beacon Journal . pp. B1, B7 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Jim Ferguson (November 14, 1971). "Miami Smokes Kent" . Dayton Daily News . p. 2D – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Toledo 41 Kent State 6" . News Journal . Mansfield, Ohio. November 21, 1971. p. Sports 5 – via Newspapers.com .
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