1971 Memphis State Tigers football team

1971 Memphis State Tigers football
MVC champion
Pasadena Bowl champion
ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
Record5–6 (4–1 MVC)
Head coach
Home stadiumMemphis Memorial Stadium
1971 Missouri Valley Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Memphis State $ 4 1 05 6 0
Louisville 3 2 06 3 1
Tulsa 3 2 04 7 0
North Texas State 3 2 03 8 0
Drake 2 3 07 4 0
West Texas State 1 4 02 9 0
Wichita State 0 5 03 8 0
New Mexico State * 0 0 05 5 1
  • $ Conference champion
  • * – New Mexico State was ineligible for conference play, but its games against Drake, North Texas State, West Texas State, and Wichita State counted in the conference standings for its opponents. Drake's game against Tampa, Memphis State's games against Cincinnati and Southern Miss, and Tulsa's games against BYU and Virginia Tech were also designated as conference games.

The 1971 Memphis State Tigers football team represented Memphis State University (now known as the University of Memphis) as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. In its 14th and final season under head coach Billy J. Murphy, the team compiled an overall record of 5–6 record with a mark of 4–1 in conference play, winning he MVC title. Memphis State defeated San Jose State in the Pasadena Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 255 to 202. The team played its home games at Memphis Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.

The team's statistical leaders included John Robison with 496 passing yards, Paul Gowen with 644 rushing yards and Paul Gowen with 42 points scored, and Stan Davis with 509 receiving yards.