1970 Tampa Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1970 Tampa Spartans football Independent 10–1 Fran Curci 3rd Tampa Stadium The 1970 Tampa Spartans football team represented the University of Tampa in the 1970 NCAA College Division football season. It was the Spartans' 34th season and competed as a College Division Independent. The team was led by head coach Fran Curci, in his third year, and played their home games at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. They finished with a record of ten wins and one loss (10–1). Three Tampa players were recognized on the 1970 Little All-America college football team. Running back Leon McQuay received first-team honors, tackle John Morring received second-team honors, and defensive tackle Sammy Gellerstedt received third-team honors.A.P.'s Little All-American The Morning News December 10, 1970 42 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88983288/aps-little-all-american/ Newspapers.com The Spartans opened the season with a 45–12 victory 1970 Delta State Statesmen Delta State, and in the win Leon McQuay ran for 177 yards for Tampa in the win.Curci pleased, partly, over 45–12 victory Tom Duffy https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PSVSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sXUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6942%2C3489342 Google News Archives St. Petersburg Times September 14, 1970 3C October 5, 2012 In their second game, Tampa shutout 1970 New Mexico Highlands Cowboys New Mexico Highlands 20–0 in what was the Cowboys' first loss since 1966.Levra: Tampa good as the best Bill Robinson https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SVRQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hFcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7251%2C6434922 Google News Archives Evening Independent September 28, 1970 2C October 5, 2012 After victories at 1970 Youngstown State Penguins Youngstown State and against 1970 North Texas State Eagles North Texas State, the Spartans traveled to play at Miami on a Friday evening in their fifth game of the season. Against the Hurricanes, Tampa had one of the bigger upsets of the season with their 31–14 win.Incredible: Tampa 31, Miami 14 Tom Duffy https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OplSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qHUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6730%2C5182323 Google News Archives St. Petersburg Times October 17, 1970 1C October 5, 2012 Former Miami quarterback Lew Pytel started for the Spartans, and the upset was considered unlikely to happen as Miami played in the University Division and the Spartans played in the lower College Division. After their upset at Miami, Tampa was ranked as the No. 1 team in the College Division, returned home and defeated Xavier 33–10 to remain undefeated.Tampa half safe Bill Robinson https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ukRQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gVcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5790%2C6229752 Google News Archives Evening Independent September 26, 1970 1C October 5, 2012 The Spartans then won a pair of games in Louisiana against Louisiana Tech and 1970 Southwestern Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Southwestern Louisiana before they returned home for the final three games of the season.Carter saves Tampa, 14–10 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0eUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TWYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4535%2C168651 Google News Archives Sarasota Herald-Tribune November 1, 1970 1C October 5, 2012Tampa: 8 down, 3 left Tom Duffy https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2_FRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yXUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2987%2C3779401 Google News Archives St. Petersburg Times November 9, 1970 3C October 5, 2012 In their 68–7 blowout victory over Idaho State, McQuay was the star as he rushed for 213 yards and had three touchdowns.Point hungry Spartans rewrite stadium, school record books https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2ytSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qnUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7199%2C5185140 Google News Archives St. Petersburg Times November 16, 1970 2C October 5, 2012 Against Vanderbilt, Tampa was required to suspend five players, that included three starters on the defense, to comply with Southeastern Conference rules for transfer players as the Spartans played as an Independent.SEC rules bench 5 Spartans https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0N0pAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mtEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1738%2C4688745 Associated Press Google News Archives Daytona Beach Morning Journal November 18, 1970 18 October 5, 2012 Without several of their defensive starters, Tampa lost their lone game of the season against the Commodores 28–36 before 35,893 fans.Curci: We didn't lose face Bill Robinson https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a1VQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kVcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4904%2C5720264 Google News Archives Evening Independent November 23, 1970 2C October 5, 2012 The Spartans then closed the season with a 49–7 win over Florida A&M and claimed the final No. 2 ranking.Spartans claim state college title Bill Robinson https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cVVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kVcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6950%2C7452609 Google News Archives Evening Independent November 30, 1970 1C October 5, 2012 After the end of the season, on December 19, Curci was hired by Miami to serve as their new head coach.Curci takes Miami job https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r00fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mNEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1208%2C5539100 Associated Press Google News Archives Daytona Beach Morning Journal December 20, 1970 13 October 5, 2012 Schedule 1970 small college AP Eastern September 12 w 1970 Delta State Statesmen Delta State Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL 45–12 13,352 https://www.newspapers.com/article/sarasota-herald-tribune-tampa-wins-in-ro/194955406/ Sarasota Herald-Tribune Tampa wins in rout; DuBose scores two September 13, 1970 April 5, 2026 Newspapers.com September 26 w T–16 1970 New Mexico Highlands Cowboys New Mexico Highlands Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL 20–0 14,243 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today-spartans-startle-highlands/194955556/ Florida Today Spartans startle Highlands September 27, 1970 April 5, 2026 Newspapers.com October 3 w y 9 1970 Youngstown State Penguins Youngstown State Rayen Stadium Youngstown, OH 35–13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-unbeaten-spartans-battle/194955746/ St. Petersburg Times Unbeaten Spartans battle past Youngstown 35–13 October 4, 1970 April 5, 2026 Newspapers.com October 10 8:00 p.m. w 8 North Texas State Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL 18–7 15,200 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88114031/defense-breaks-keep-tampa-unbeaten/ Tampa Bay Times Defense, breaks keep Tampa unbeaten October 11, 1970 October 31, 2021 Newspapers.com October 16 8:15 p.m. w y 5 Miami (FL) Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL 31–14 30,190 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-tiny-tampa-throttles/182556222/ The Palm Beach Post-Times Tiny Tampa throttles Hurricanes, 31–14 October 17, 1970 October 7, 2025 Newspapers.com October 24 8:00 p.m. w 3 Xavier Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL 33–10 19,123–19,132 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-tampa-rambles-by-xavier/124013896/ The Miami Herald Tampa rambles by Xavier, 33–10 October 25, 1970 May 3, 2023 Newspapers.com Summary Of Football Game Statistics – Visiting Team (Xavier vs. Tampa) https://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/statsPDFArchive/MFB1/1970/812.00_V_689.00_19701024_10_33.pdf National Collegiate Athletic Association May 11, 2025 October 31 w y 3 Louisiana Tech Louisiana Tech Stadium Ruston, LA 14–10 10,000 Carter saves Tampa, 14–10 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0eUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TWYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4535%2C168651 Google News Archives Sarasota Herald-Tribune November 1, 1970 1C March 23, 2021 November 7 w y 4 Southwestern Louisiana 7 McNaspy Stadium Lafayette, LA 50–38 15,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-picayune-mcquay-paces-tampa-ov/187018097/ The Times-Picayune McQuay paces Tampa over USL, 50–38 November 8, 1970 April 5, 2026 Newspapers.com November 14 w 3 Idaho State Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL 68–7 20,238 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-tampa-soars-to-grand-68/160872738/ St. Petersburg Times Tampa soars to grand 68 November 15, 1970 December 13, 2024 Newspapers.com November 21 l 4 Vanderbilt Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL 28–36 35,897 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-vandy-clips/133867402/ The Knoxville News-Sentinel Vandy clips stubborn Tamps, 36–28 November 22, 1970 October 22, 2023 Newspapers.com November 28 w 5 Florida A&M Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL 49–7 45,253 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-believe-rattlers-belie/194859544/ St. Petersburg Times Believe, Rattlers, Believe! November 29, 1970 April 5, 2026 Newspapers.com References Tampa Category:Tampa Spartans football seasons Tampa Spartans football