1971 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1971 Michigan State Spartans football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 6–5 3–4 Duffy Daugherty 18th Denny Stolz 1st Eric Allen Eric Allen Ron Curl Spartan Stadium The 1971 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1971 Big Ten football season. In their 18th season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 6–5 record (5-3 in conference games), tied for third place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 225 to 169. In three games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 2 Michigan and defeated No. 9 Ohio State.1971 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 21, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1971-schedule.html2025 Michigan State Football Media Guide Michigan State University 204 April 23, 2025 https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/msuspartans.com/documents/2025/8/29/2025_Michigan_State_Football_Media_Guide.pdf?timestamp=20250829045740 On offense, the Spartans gained an average of 232.6 rushing yards and 98.0 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 171.5 rushing yards and 108.1 passing yards per game. The individual statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Rasmussen with 642 passing yards, halfback Eric Allen with 1,494 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, and tight end Billy Joe DuPree with 25 receptions and 414 receiving yards.1971 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 21, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1971.html Allen also led the Big Ten in both rushing yards and touchdowns and was selected as the team's most valuable player.2025 Media Guide, p. 300. Four Spartans were selected by either the Associated Press (AP) or the United Press International (UPI) as first-team players on the 1971 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Eric Allen at running back (AP-1, UPI-1); offensive guard Joe DeLamielleure (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive tackle Ron Curl (AP-1, UPI-1); and defensive back Brad Van Pelt (AP-1, UPI-1).All Big Ten Selected Daily Illini November 24, 1971 http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/cgi-bin/illinois?a=d&d=DIL19711124.1.16&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------#Unbeaten Michigan Dominate UPI Team Picked by Coaches: Ohio State Places 7 On All-Big Ten Teams The Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH November 25, 1971 9D https://www.newspapers.com/image/79039790/?terms=Daigneau%2Bferguson%2Bkingsriter%2B%22united%2Bpress%22 The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Schedule 1971 AP September 11 w Illinois Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 10–0 42,083 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-blade-msu-holds-off-illini/182544889/ The Blade MSU holds off Illini September 12, 1971 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com September 18 l y y 18 Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA 0–10 50,646 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-late-tech-ramble-stuns-m/151968788/ Chicago Tribune Late Tech ramble stuns MSU September 19, 1971 July 24, 2024 Newspapers.com September 25 w y Oregon State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 31–14 62,184 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-frank-kolch-lifts/182103045/ Battle Creek Enquirer & News Frank Kolch lifts MSU past Oregon State 31–14 September 26, 1971 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com October 2 l y y Notre Dame 4 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 2–14 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-blade-notre-dame-squeaks-past-msu-1/182030368/ The Blade Notre Dame squeaks past MSU, 14–2 October 3, 1971 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com October 9 l Michigan 2 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 13–24 80,093 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-late-spartans-fu/182545030/ The Des Moines Register Late Spartans fumbles build Michigan victory October 10, 1971 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com October 16 l y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 28–31 74,847 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-duluth-news-tribune-wisconsin-nips-m/182545158/ The Duluth News Tribune Wisconsin nips Michigan State 31–28 October 17, 1971 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com October 23 w y Iowa Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 34–3 60,383 https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-michigan-state-record/182545355/ Dayton Daily News Michigan State record for Allen in victory October 24, 1971 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com October 30 w y Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 43–10 66,339 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-herald-the-flea-runs-wild/182545501/ The Times Herald 'The Flea' runs wild October 31, 1971 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com November 6 w y Ohio State 9 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 17–10 86,616 Spartans jolt Bucks The Plain Dealer Ed Chay November 7, 1971 1C, 7C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-spartans-jolt-bucks/178707732/ October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com November 13 w Minnesota Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 40–25 61,419 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-michigan-state-win/182545678/ The Indianapolis Star Michigan State wins as 'Flea' bites again November 14, 1971 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com November 20 l y 19 Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL 7–28 30,012 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-wildcats-belt-msu/182544502/ The Sioux City Journal Wildcats belt MSU, finish 2nd November 21, 1971 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1971 Michigan State) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/130804 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics October 7, 2025 Game summaries Michigan Michigan 7 3 0 14 Michigan State 0 7 0 6 October 9 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI 80,093 yes Q1 12:17 MICH Taylor 38 yard run (Coin kick) MICH 7–0 Q2 MICH Coin 27 yard field goal MICH 10–0 Q3 MSU Kolch 1 yard run (Shlapak kick) MICH 10–7 Q4 MICH Taylor 2 yard run (Coin kick) MICH 17–7 Q4 MICH Slade 7 yard run (Coin kick) MICH 24–7 Q4 MSU Allen 1 yard run (run failed) MICH 24–13 yes On October 9, 1971, Michigan State lost Michigan, 24–13, in front of 80,093 spectators, the largest crowd to that time in the history of Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Billy Taylor rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Tom Slade started his first game at quarterback, completed three of nine passes for 45 yards, and rushed for 48 yards and a touchdown. With Michigan State athletic director Biggie Munn in critical condition following a stroke,Munn Shows Improvement Detroit Free Press October 10, 1971 4C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5238611/munn_shows_improvement/ Newspapers.com the Spartans kept the game close. Michigan State trailed 10–7 late in the third quarter and had the ball at Michigan's 14-yard line. At that point, Michigan's Butch Carpenter forced a fumble that was recovered by Mike Keller. The Wolverines then sealed the game with a two-yard touchdown run by Taylor and a seven-yard touchdown run by Slade. Michigan kicker Dana Coin converted three point after touchdown attempts and kicked a 27-yard field goal.It's U-M, 24–13 Detroit Free Press Charlie Vincent October 10, 1971 1C, 4C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5235766/its_um_2413/ Newspapers.com References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football