1971 Florence State Lions football team

American college football season February 2026 June 2024 1971 Florence State Lions football Gulf South Conference GSC 1–10 0–6 Durell Mock 2nd Palmer Byrd Leonard Thomas Braly Municipal Stadium The 1971 Florence State Lions football team represented Florence State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 1971 NAIA Division I football season. Led by returning head coach Durell Mock, the Lions compiled an overall record of 1–10 with a mark of 0–6 in conference play, tying for sixth place in the GSC. Florence State played home game at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama. Schedule The 1971 schedule for the Lions featured two neutral site games. On October 2, the Lions would face off against the Samford Bulldogs in Russellville, AL at the local stadium. It is reported to be the first ever college football game to ever take place in the town. August 20, 1971 FSU, Samford Contest Shifted To Russelville https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ggEsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TsgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=924%2C3754052 Times Daily Florence 18 June 2024 Google News Archive Florence State would also play its yearly game against Jacksonville State on November 20 at Legion Field in Birmingham. In an effort sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, the two teams would take the field the week before the Iron Bowl, which was played at same stadium.Harris Jack June 30, 1971 FSU Will Meet Jacksonville In Legion Field https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7xgsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=18gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=890%2C5756091 Times Daily Florence 18 June 2024 Google News Archive September 11 7:30 p.m. w y Middle Tennessee Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL 24–14 6,000–7,000 Harris Jack September 12, 1971 FSU Shocks Blue Raiders https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lB0sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=938%2C2037449 Times Daily Florence 18 June 2024 Google News Archive September 18 7:30 p.m. l y y 1971 State College of Arkansas Bears State College of Arkansas Estes Stadium Conway, AR 13–14 1,500 September 19, 1971 Bears Nips Lions In 14-13 Contest https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lh0sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3160%2C3655651 Times Daily Florence 18 June 2024 Google News Archive September 25 7:30 p.m. l 1971 Delta State Statesmen Delta State Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL 10–17 7,500 Harris Jack September 26, 1971 FSU Falls Victim To Late Statesmen Rally https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=ie8Y0QrpMWAC&dat=19710926&printsec=frontpage&hl=en Times Daily Florence 18 June 2024 Google News Archive October 2 7:30 p.m. l y y Samford Russellville Stadium Russellville, AL 10–17 8,000 October 9 2:00 p.m. l y y 1971 Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Arkansas Tech Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL 30–31 7,000 October 10, 1971 Florence State Falls During Tech Rally https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UrgfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6441%2C1195858 Gadsden Times Gadsden 18 June 2024 Google News Archive October 16 7:30 p.m. l y y 1971 Henderson State Reddies Henderson State Haygood Stadium Arkadelphia, AR 7–21 1,500 October 23 2:00 p.m. l y Troy State Memorial Stadium Troy, AL 14–21 6,500–7,000 October 21, 1971 Lions Brace For Gulf South Tilt With Red Wave https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LCEsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2p0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2760%2C3934422 Times Daily Florence 18 June 2024 Google News Archive October 24, 1971 Troy State Rolls For Fourth Victory https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WbgfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sNcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3542%2C3403767 Gadsden Times Gadsden 18 June 2024 Google News Archive https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112862351/troy-state-drops-florence-by-2114/ The Selma Times-Journal Troy State drops Florence by 21–14 October 24, 1971 November 10, 2022 Newspapers.com Final 1971 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Troy State) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/716/stats/12713 National Collegiate Athletic Association July 16, 2025 October 30 7:30 p.m. l Livingston Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL rivalry 0-31 7,000 Trimm Mickey November 5, 1971 Title Talk At Livingston U, Too https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VQcdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GZwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7400%2C810955 The Tuscaloosa News Tuscaloosa 18 June 2024 Google News Archive November 6 1:30 p.m. l y y Appalachian State Conrad Stadium Boone, NC 6–59 6,000 Harris Jack November 7, 1971 Appalachian Mauls FSU, 59-6 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=ie8Y0QrpMWAC&dat=19711107&printsec=frontpage&hl=en Times Daily Florence 18 June 2024 Google News Archive November 13 2:00 p.m. l y 1971 Tennessee–Martin Pacers Tennessee–Martin College Stadium Martin, TN 7–20 6,000 November 14, 1971 UTM Tops Florence In Conference Play https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dLcfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n9cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3770%2C1635722 Gadsden News Gadsden 18 June 2024 Google News Archive November 20 8:00 p.m. l y Jacksonville State Legion Field Birmingham, AL 7–60 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113726632/jax-rolls-to-607-triumph/ Birmingham Post-Herald Jax rolls to 60–7 triumph November 20, 1971 November 27, 2022 Newspapers.com https://stats.ncaa.org/team/487/stats/12713 Florence State Final 1971 Cumulative Football Statistics Report 1971 stats.NCAA.org NCAA June 18, 2024 https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/una.sidearmsports.com/documents/2020/12/6/1972_Football_Guide.pdf 1972 Football Guide Thomas Ronnie 1971 RoarLions.com North Alabama Athletics June 18, 2024 Offseason Background The offseason before the 1971 season was highlighted by conference realignment. On June 28, the members of the existing Mid-South Athletic Conference and two members of the collapsed Gulf States Conference agreed to form a new conference: the Gulf South Conference. June 29, 1971 Colleges To Ratify New Gulf South Conference https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3xgsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=18gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3388%2C5502112 Times Daily Florence 18 June 2024 Google News Archive This would have minimal impact on Florence State's football schedule as only Southeastern Louisiana joined the Gulf South Conference as a full member including football for the 1971 season. The offseason was also marred by tragedy. On April 8, the 17-month old son of Lions star tailback Leonard "Rabbit" Thomas died in a house fire. Practices following the incident were cancelled and head coach Durell Mock was seen helping the clean up the damaged home the day following the fire. The Student Government Association also set up a clothes and furniture drive for the family.Newman Mel April 9, 1971 Child Is Victim Of Blaze https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZicsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q58FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2370%2C1356266 Times Daily Florence 18 June 2024 Google News Archive Thomas would still go on to play in the 1971 season.https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/una.sidearmsports.com/documents/2020/12/6/1971_Football_Guide.pdf 1971 Football Guide Thomas Ronnie 1971 RoarLions.com North Alabama Athletics June 18, 2024 Signees Name Pos. High school John Andrews C Columbia Military Academy Henry Cooper TB Columbia Military Academy Roger Ferrell QB Decatur High School Clinton League LB Haleyville High School Billy Legg TB Athens High School William Miles QB Columbia Military Academy Paul Parvin C Lee High School Wilmer Ray TB Cherokee High School Personnel Roster 1971 Florence State Lions FootballQuarterbacks Randy Elmore - Junior (6'1, 185) David Elmore - Freshman (6'1, 185) Billy Miles - Freshman (6'2, 180) Roger Ferrell - Freshman (6'2, 195) Tailbacks Leonard Thomas - Senior (5'9, 190) Bobby Joe Pride - Senior (5'8, 170) Randy Legg - Freshman (5'10, 170) Fullbacks Mike Wilburn - Sophomore (5'8, 187) Larry Brom - Sophomore (5'11, 195) Carl Ray - Freshman (5'10, 185) Flankers Jim Trimble - Junior (6'0, 175) Henry Cooper - Freshman (5'9, 175) Kickers Conor McGregory Freshman (5'10, 175) Ends Danny Kimble - Sophomore (5'10, 176) Bob Duvall - Sophomore (6'5, 230) Bobby Burcham - Sophomore (6'0, 175) George Tate - Freshman (6'1, 184) Tackles Wayne Owens - Junior (6'0, 205) Frankie Patterson - Junior (5'10, 215) Tommy Warhurst - Junior (6'0, 215) David Harbin - Freshman (6'0, 245) Mike Nave - Freshman (6'1, 225) David Corl - Freshman (5'10, 220) Dennis Buffaloe - Freshman (6'1, 208) Eddie Hill - Freshman (6'2, 220) Guards Bill Morton - Sophomore (5'10, 220) Wendell Hathorn - Sophomore (5'11, 225) Richard Jaggers - Sophomore (6'2, 250) Hezzie Morgan - Sophomore (6'0, 194) Steve Borden - Freshman (5'11, 185) Tommy Howell - Freshman (6'0, 220) John Trotter - Freshman (5'10, 210) Randall Marshall - Freshman (6'2, 192) Centers Bill Strain - Freshman (6'2, 220) Paul Parvin - Freshman (6'1, 230) Johnny Andrews - Freshman (6'1, 230) Guy Fry - Freshman (6'2, 190) Linebackers Leroy Baker - Junior (6'1, 220) William McCormmack - Junior (6'2, 210) Marvin Parks - Sophomore (5'9, 202) Van Barnes - Sophomore (5'8, 195) Bill Hargrove - Freshman (5'11, 185) David Gargis - Freshman (6'2, 185) Clinton League - Freshman (6'2, 190) Doyce Steele - Freshman (6'1, 188) Defensive backs Palmer Byrd - Senior (6'0, 185) Jim Witt - Freshman (5'11, 160) David Hines - Freshman (5'11, 185) Wayne Oldham - Freshman (5'11, 185) Larry Jefferys - Freshman (5'10, 175) Johnny Montgomery - Freshman (5'8, 160) Randy Johnson - Freshman (5'10, 165) Wayne Bailey - Freshman (6'0, 175) Steve Harrison - Freshman (6'1, 165) Mike Predmore - Freshman (5'9, 165) Coaching staff Florence State Lions coaches Head coach Durell Mock Assistant coaches Henry Pratter - Receiver Coach Larry Marshall - Interior Line Coach William Hamilton - Backfield Coach Jerry Elmore - Backfield Coach Gunam Smith - Defensive Backs Coach Dan Daughtery - Defensive Line Coach Carl McCulley - Backfield Coach Bill Pike - Head Trainer Johnny Long - Assistant Trainer References Florence State Category:North Alabama Lions football seasons Florence State Lions football