The 1971 Kent State Golden Flashes football team was an American football team that represented Kent State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season . In their first season under head coach Don James , the Golden Flashes compiled a 3–8 record (0–5 against MAC opponents), finished in sixth place in the MAC, and were outscored by a total of 304 to 169.[ 1] [ 2]
The team's statistical leaders included Renard Harmon with 566 rushing yards, Larry Hayes with 848 passing yards, and Jeff Murrey with 259 receiving yards.[ 3] [ 4] Jack Lambert led the team with 155 total tackles, including 68 solo tackles.[ 5] Nick Saban and Gary Pinkel .
Don James was announced as Kent State's football coach on December 12, 1970, following the resignation of Dave Puddington . Prior to being hired by Kent State, James was a defensive coach for Colorado .[ 6]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 11 at NC State * W 23–2124,300 [ 7] [ 8] September 18 at Cincinnati * L 20–427,329 [ 9] September 25 at Ohio L 21–3716,781 [ 10] October 2 Iowa State * L 14–1713,551 [ 11] October 9 at Western Michigan L 0–3117,200 [ 12] October 16 Bowling Green L 33–4613,643 [ 13] October 23 at Xavier * W 24–133,255 [ 14] October 30 Northern Illinois * L 7–2610,545 [ 15] November 6 Marshall * W 21–06,884 [ 16] November 13 Miami (OH) L 0–307,963 [ 17] November 20 at No. 13 Toledo L 6–4120,201 [ 18] *Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
1971 Kent State Golden Flashes football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible Roster
^ "2016 Kent State Football Record Book" (PDF) . Kent State University. p. D7. Retrieved October 4, 2016 .^ "1971 Kent State Golden Flashes Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 4, 2016 .^ 2016 Record Book, p. D17-D19.
^ "1971 Kent State Golden Flashes Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 4, 2016 .^ 2016 Kent State Football Record Book, p. D20.
^ "James Selected As Kent State's New Grid Coach" . Fort Myers (Fla.) News-Press . December 13, 1970. p. 3D.^ Scott Bosley (September 12, 1971). "Kent Stuns Wolfpack!" . The Akron Beacon Journal . pp. B1, B3 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Joe Tiede (September 12, 1971). "Late Kent St. FG Stuns Wolfpack" . The News and Observer . Raleigh, North Carolina. pp. Sports 1, 4 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Bill Ford (September 19, 1971). "Bearcats Out-Flash Kent State" . The Cincinnati Enquirer . p. 28 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Bobcats Nab 37-21 Win Over KSU" . The Lima News . September 26, 1971. p. E4 – via Newspapers.com .^ Scott Bosley (October 3, 1971). "Last-Minute FG Tops Kent, 17-14" . The Akron Beacon Journal . pp. B1, B6 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Olg Olson (October 10, 1971). "Western Michigan back on beam 31-0" . Battle Creek Enquirer . p. D2 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Scott Bosley (October 17, 1971). "BG Blitz Tops Kent 46-33" . The Akron Beacon Journal . pp. B1, B6 – via Newspapers.com Ḑ. ^ Paul Ritter (October 24, 1971). "Breakdown Negates XU Effort" . The Cincinnati Ennquirer . p. 1C – via Newspapers.com . ^ "N. Illinois 26 Kent State 7" . News Journal . Mansfield, Ohio. UPI. October 31, 1971. p. 5E – via Newspapers.com .^ Scott Bosley (November 7, 1971). "Kent State Defeats Herd 21-0: First Shutout In Four Years" . The Akron Beacon Journal . pp. B1, B7 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Jim Ferguson (November 14, 1971). "Miami Smokes Kent" . Dayton Daily News . p. 2D – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Toledo 41 Kent State 6" . News Journal . Mansfield, Ohio. November 21, 1971. p. Sports 5 – via Newspapers.com .
