1971 Florida Gators football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1971 Florida Gators football Southeastern Conference SEC 4–7 1–6 Doug Dickey 2nd Jimmy Dunn 2nd Doug Knotts 2nd Harvin Clark Tommy Durrance John Reaves Florida Field The 1971 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. The season was Doug Dickey's second as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Dickey's 1971 Florida Gators finished with a 4–7 overall record and a 1–6 record in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), tying for eighth among ten SEC teams. 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide https://web.archive.org/web/20151208143532/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2015/media_guide.pdf 2015-12-08 , University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015. Schedule 1971 AP September 11 l y y Duke Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL 6–12 51,477 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-duke-kicks-favored-f/139417452/ The Palm Beach Post Duke kicks favored Florida in face, 12–6 September 12, 1971 January 23, 2024 Newspapers.com September 18 l y Mississippi State Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS 10–13 33,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-ellis-connects-on-field-goal/133872785/ Daily Press Ellis connects on field goal to nip Gators September 19, 1971 October 22, 2023 Newspapers.com September 25 l Alabama 8 Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry 0–38 61,832 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-musso-scores-fou/139419494/ The Selma Times-Journal Musso scores four times as Tide manhandles Gators 38–0 September 26, 1971 January 23, 2024 Newspapers.com October 2 l Tennessee 12 Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry 13–20 61,112 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101325070/tennessee-sidesteps-floridas-bid-for-an/ The Palm Beach Post Tennessee sidesteps Florida's bid for an upset, 20–13 October 3, 1971 May 7, 2022 Newspapers.com October 9 l y LSU 16 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry 7–48 67,055 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-world-lsu-begins-sec-chase-with-48/133881272/ Daily World LSU begins SEC chase with 48–7 win October 10, 1971 October 22, 2023 Newspapers.com October 16 w y Florida State 19 Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry 17–15 65,109 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-lucie-news-tribune-gators-stun-semin/139419576/ St. Lucie News Tribune Gators stun Seminoles on Franco's field goal October 17, 1971 January 23, 2024 Newspapers.com October 23 w y y Maryland Florida Field Gainesville, FL 27–23 53,021 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-reaves-alvarez-lead/139419649/ The Palm Beach Post Reaves, Alvarez lead Gators over Terps October 24, 1971 January 23, 2024 Newspapers.com October 30 l y Auburn 5 Cliff Hare Stadium Auburn, AL rivalry 7–40 63,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bradenton-herald-sullivan-led-tigers/133884715/ The Bradenton Herald Sullivan-led Tigers drub Gators, 40–7 October 31, 1971 October 22, 2023 Newspapers.com November 6 l y Georgia 7 Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL rivalry 7–49 67,383 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tallahassee-democrat-dogs-bury-uf-by-49/133886006/ Tallahassee Democrat 'Dogs bury UF by 49–7 November 7, 1971 October 22, 2023 Newspapers.com November 13 w Kentucky rivalry Florida Field Gainesville, FL 35–24 45,268 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bradenton-herald-gators-skin-cats-a/133874663/ The Bradenton Herald Gators skin 'Cats as Alvarez sparkles November 14, 1971 October 22, 2023 Newspapers.com November 27 w y y Miami (FL) Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL rivalry 45–16 37,710 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-reaves-wow/139419739/ St. Petersburg Times Reaves: Wow! November 28, 1971 January 23, 2024 Newspapers.com Sports Publicity Department 1972 University of Florida Football Brochure https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gatorzone.com/documents/2016/8/19/1972_fb_media_guide.pdf floridagators.com University Athletic Association, Inc. 15 March 2018 Personnel 1971 Florida Gators y 68 Jr Fred Abbott OG Larry Adams WR 45 Sr Carlos Alvarez WR y Carlos Alvarez (American football) 74 So Kris Anderson OT 89 So Hollis Boardman WR 79 Sr Bill Dowdy OG 33 Sr Tommy Durrance RB y C 81 So Hank Foldberg TE 10 So Chan Gailey QB y 21 Sr Bruce Gunter WR 69 So Dale Hutcherson OG 22 Jr Willie Jackson WR 20 So Vince Kendrick FB 55 Sr Richard Kensler C 51 So Mark King C 36 So Lenny Lucas RB 44 So Joel Parker WR 76 Sr David Peek OT 7 Sr John Reaves QB y C 40 Sr Mike Rich FB 9 Sr John Schnelby QB 62 So Joe Sheppard OG 87 Sr Jim Yancy TE 16 Jr Jimmy Barr S 50 So Ricky Browne ILB 88 Sr Richard Buchanan DE 38 Sr Harvin Clark CB C 34 Jr John Clifford S 43 Sr John Faix DB 72 Sr Len Fuller MG 23 Jr Leonard George CB Jan Gowland LB 77 Sr Robert Harrell DT 65 So David Hitchcock MG 75 Jr Eddy Moore DL 85 So Mike Moore DE 57 Jr David Poff OLB 35 Jr John Silman DB 28 Sr Doug Sorensen CB 8 Sr Richard Franco K https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gatorzone.com/documents/2016/8/19/1971_fb_media_guide.pdf Doug Dickey Game summaries Duke Duke 6 3 0 3 Florida 0 0 6 0 September 11 Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida 51,477 yes 1 DUKE Wright 44 yard field goal DUKE 3-0 1 DUKE Wright 22 yard field goal DUKE 6-0 2 DUKE Wright 34 yard field goal DUKE 9-0 3 FLA Parker 7 yard pass from Reaves (kick blocked) DUKE 9-6 4 DUKE Wright 43 yard field goal DUKE 12-6 yes "Duke Boots Top Gators." Ocala Star-Banner. 1971 Sept 12. Mississippi State Florida 0 10 0 0 Mississippi State 3 0 7 3 September 18 Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, Mississippi 33,500 yes 1 MSU Ellis 29 yard field goal MSU 3-0 2 FLA Yancey 5 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick) FLA 7-3 2 0:00 FLA Franco 52 yard field goal FLA 10-3 3 MSU Jones 21 yard run (Ellis kick) Tied 10-10 4 MSU Ellis 35 yard field goal MSU 13-10 yes Ocala Star-Banner. 1971 September 19. Alabama #8 Alabama 10 14 7 7 Florida 0 0 0 0 September 25 Florida FieldGainesville, Florida 61,832 Sources:Delbert Reed High Tide in Florida 1B https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kg0dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IpwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6852%2C5015443 Google News Archives The Tuscaloosa News September 26, 1971 January 30, 2014Tommy Tucker Musso leads Alabama romp by hapless Florida, 38–0 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H2UpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q8kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3453%2C6692583 Google News Archives Daytona Beach Morning Journal September 26, 1971 1C January 30, 2014 Against the Gators, Alabama's Johnny Musso scored four rushing touchdowns en route to a 38–0 shutout at Florida Field. After Bill Davis gave the Crimson Tide a 3–0 lead with his first quarter field goal, Musso scored Alabama's next four touchdowns and extended their lead to 31–0. All four came on the ground with a pair from one-yard out, a three-yard run and a five-yard run. Alabama then closed the game with an 11-yard Billy Sexton touchdown pass to Dexter Wood that made the final score 38–0. The four touchdowns scored by Musso on the ground set a new school record for rushing touchdowns. Additionally, the shutout was the first for the Crimson Tide defense since their 17–0 victory in 1967 over South Carolina. Tennessee 1971 Tennessee Volunteers football team Florida–Tennessee football rivalry Florida Gators 2; text-align:center collapsed #12 Tennessee Volunteers at Florida Gators October 2, 1971 Tennessee 3 10 7 0 Florida 0 13 0 0 Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida 61,112 New York Times, 1971 Oct 03. First quarter TENN – George Hunt 33-yard field goal. Tennessee 3–0. Drive: Second quarter TENN – George Hunt 34-yard field goal. Tennessee 6–0. Drive: TENN – Curt Watson 8-yard run (George Hunt kick). Tennessee 13–0. Drive: 74 yards. FLA – Willie Jackson 23-yard pass from John Reaves (kick failed), 2:12. Tennessee 13–6. Drive: FLA – Hank Foldberg 7-yard pass from John Reaves (Richard Franco kick). Tie 13–13. Drive: Third quarter TENN – Stan Trott 20-yard pass from Phil Pierce (George Hunt kick). Tennessee 20–13. Drive: 99 yards. Top passers TENN FLA – John Reaves – 19/40, 213 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers TENN FLA – Mike Rich – 9 rushes, 80 yards Top receivers TENN FLA – Willie Jackson – 7 receptions, 93 yards, TD LSU December 2016 Florida State 1971 Florida State Seminoles football team Florida–Florida State football rivalry Florida Gators 2; text-align:center collapsed Florida State Seminoles at Florida Gators October 16, 1971 Florida St 0 0 0 15 Florida 0 14 0 3 Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida 65,109 Overcast Recap/Box Score Second quarter FLA – Mike Rich 1-yard run (kick failed), 14:58. Florida 6–0. Drive: 75 yards. FLA – Jimmy Barr 26-yard fumble return (pass good), 14:40. Florida 14–0. Fourth quarter FSU – Paul Magalski 3-yard run (Frank Fontes kick), 13:57. Florida 14–7. Drive: 73 yards. FLA – Richard Franco 42-yard field goal, 9:19. Florida 17–7. Drive: FSU – Rhett Dawson 6-yard pass from Gary Huff (pass good), 3:02. Florida 17–15. Drive: Top passers FSU – Gary Huff – 22/40, 198 yards, TD FLA – John Reaves – 4/11, 44 yards Top rushers FSU – Art Munroe – 17 rushes, 79 yards FLA – Tommy Durrance – 15 rushes, 60 yards Top receivers FSU – Rhett Dawson – 7 receptions, 90 yards, TD FLA – Willie Jackson – 1 reception, 28 yards Maryland Maryland 0 13 10 0 Florida 7 6 7 7 October 23 Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida 53,021 yes 1 FLA Durrance 7 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick) FLA 7-0 2 MD Behbahani 23 yard field goal FLA 7-3 2 FLA Boardman 24 yard pass from Reaves (kick failed) FLA 13-3 2 MD Behbahani 36 yard field goal FLA 13-6 2 MD Bungori 4 yard pass from Neville (Behbahani kick) Tied 13-13 3 MD Behbahani 31 yard field goal MD 16-13 3 FLA Alvarez 16 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick) FLA 20-16 3 MD Bungori 10 yard pass from Neville (Behbahani kick) MD 23-20 4 FLA Durrance 10 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick) FLA 27-23 yes Palm Beach Post. 1971 Oct. 24. Auburn Florida 0 7 0 0 Auburn 12 0 7 21 October 30 Cliff Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama 63,500 yes 1 AUB Sullivan 8 yard run (run failed) AUB 6-0 1 AUB Sullivan 1 yard run (run failed) AUB 12-0 2 FLA Jackson 10 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick) AUB 12-7 3 AUB Beasley 19 yard pass from Sullivan (Jett kick) AUB 19-7 4 AUB Unger 4 yard run (Jett kick) AUB 26-7 4 AUB Henley 1 yard run (Jett kick) AUB 33-7 4 AUB Beasley 14 yard pass from Sullivan (Jett kick) AUB 40-7 yes Palm Beach Post. 1971 Oct 31. Georgia Georgia 7 13 22 7 Florida 0 7 0 0 November 6 Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida 67,383 yes 1 UGA Poulos 1 yard run (Braswell kick) UGA 7-0 2 UGA Lake 2 yard run (Braswell kick) UGA 14-0 2 UGA Robinson 38 yard interception return (kick failed) UGA 20-0 2 FLA Yancey 9 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick) UGA 20-7 3 UGA Ray 5 yard run (Ray to Shirer pass) UGA 28-7 3 UGA Shirer 38 yard pass from Ray (Braswell kick) UGA 35-7 3 UGA Lake 2 yard run (Braswell kick) UGA 42-7 4 UGA Burns 25 yard pass from Watson (Braswell kick) UGA 49-7 yes Ocala Star-Banner. 1971 Nov 7. Kentucky Kentucky 0 3 7 14 Florida 0 7 7 21 November 13 Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida 45,268 yes 2 FLA Lucas 1 yard run (Franco kick) FLA 7-0 2 KY Kirk 21 yard field goal FLA 7-3 3 KY Clymer 11 yard run (Kirk kick) KY 10-7 3 FLA Reaves 1 yard run (Franco kick) FLA 14-10 4 FLA Yancey 10 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick) FLA 21-10 4 FLA Alvarez 56 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick) FLA 28-10 4 KY Fanuzzi 3 yard run (pass failed) FLA 28-16 4 FLA Durrance 19 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick) FLA 35-16 4 KY Stephans 47 yard pass from Fanuzzi (Fanuzzi run) FLA 35-24 yes Ocala Star-Banner. 1971 Nov 14. Miami (FL) 1971 Miami Hurricanes football team Florida–Miami football rivalry Florida Gators 2; text-align:center collapsed Florida Gators at Miami (FL) Hurricanes November 27, 1971 Florida 7 10 14 14 Miami (FL) 0 0 8 8 Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 37,710 Box Score Top passers FLA – John Reaves – 33/50, 348 yards MIA – Top rushers FLA – Tommy Durrance – 9 rushes, 29 yards MIA – Top receivers FLA – Tommy Durrance – 9 receptions, 106 yards MIA – The disappointing season ended on a controversial note. With the Gators leading the Miami Hurricanes 45–8 late in the fourth quarter of the last game of the season, senior quarterback John Reaves was just 14 yards short of the NCAA career record for passing yardage, but Miami had the ball and seemed destined to run out the clock. At the urging of Florida defensive captain Harvin Clark, Dickey agreed to permit the Gators defense to allow the Hurricanes to score, thus returning the ball to the Gators offense and giving Reaves a chance to break the record. Dubbed the "Florida Flop" or "Gator Flop", the move worked. When Miami snapped the ball from the Florida 8-yard line, the Gators instantly flopped to the turf, allowing Miami quarterback John Hornibrook to walk uncontested into the endzone. Florida's offense got one more possession, and Reeves promptly broke the record with a pass to favorite target Carlos Alvarez. After the game, many Gator players celebrated by jumping into the pool at the Orange Bowl's east end zone used by the Miami Dolphins' live mascot, Flipper. Miami coach Fran Curci was so angered by the turn of events that he refused to shake Dickey's hand. In a post-game interview, he called the actions "bush league" and declared that "what Doug Dickey did shows absolutely no class."Paul Lukas, " The stories behind the 1971 Gator Flop", ESPN.com (September 16, 2010). Retrieved March 9, 2012.Randall Mell, "It was humiliating https://web.archive.org/web/20140330220847/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2000-12-20/sports/0012191024_1_gators-florida-s-8-yard-line-john-reaves 2014-03-30 ", Orlando Sun-Sentinel (December 20, 2000). Retrieved March 30, 2014.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Uzu-wPFmc&feature=player_embedded https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/9_Uzu-wPFmc 2021-12-21 live Contemporary TV coverage of Florida Flop (youtube) March 30, 2014 References Florida Category:Florida Gators football seasons Florida Gators football