1971 Arkansas Razorbacks football team
The 1971 Arkansas Razorbacks football team represented the University of Arkansas in the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1971 college football season. In their 14th year under head coach Frank Broyles, the Razorbacks compiled an 8–3–1 record (5–1–1 against SWC opponents), finished in second place behind Texas in the SWC, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 356 to 169.[1][2] The team finished the season ranked #16 in the final AP Poll and #20 in the final UPI Coaches Poll and went on to lose the 1971 Liberty Bowl to Tennessee by a 14–13 score.
Kicker Bill McClard was an All American. McClard also averaged 6.5 points per game, the seventh best average nationally. Razorback quarterback Joe Ferguson was eighth in the nation in completions per game, with 14.5. Mike Reppond averaged 5.6 receptions per game, the fourth highest average during 1971. As an offense, Arkansas averaged 211.5 yards per game, the highest in the SWC, and eighth-highest in college football. Arkansas was seventh in total offense, with a total of 4898 yards over 11 games.
Schedule
Date |
Opponent# |
Rank# |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
September 11, 1971 |
#7 California* |
|
War Memorial Stadium • Little Rock, AR |
|
W 51–20 |
54,176 |
September 18, 1971 |
Oklahoma State* |
#6 |
War Memorial Stadium • Little Rock, AR |
|
W 31–10 |
54,176 |
September 25, 1971 |
Tulsa* |
#7 |
Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR |
|
L 20–21 |
41,742 |
October 2, 1971 |
TCU |
#18 |
Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR |
|
W 49–15 |
41,100 |
October 9, 1971 |
at Baylor |
#17 |
Baylor Stadium • Waco, TX |
|
W 35–7 |
33,000 |
October 16, 1971 |
#10 Texas |
#16 |
War Memorial Stadium • Little Rock, AR |
ABC |
W 31–7 |
54,446 |
October 23, 1971 |
North Texas* |
#9 |
Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR |
|
W 60–21 |
38,135 |
October 30, 1971 |
Texas A&M |
#8 |
Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR (Rivalry) |
|
L 9–17 |
54,446 |
November 6, 1971 |
at Rice |
#16 |
Rice Stadium • Houston, TX |
|
T 24–24 |
32,000 |
November 13, 1971 |
at SMU |
#17 |
Cotton Bowl • Dallas, TX |
ABC |
W 18–13 |
30,773 |
November 25, 1971 |
Texas Tech |
#17 |
Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR |
|
W 15-0 |
43,000 |
December 20, 1971 |
#9 Tennessee* |
#18 |
Memphis Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN (Liberty Bowl) |
ABC |
L 13–14 |
51,410 |
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. |
Liberty Bowl
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
#18 Razorbacks |
0 |
7 |
0 |
6 |
13 |
#9 Volunteers |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
14 |
The 1971 Liberty Bowl matched up Arkansas with Tennessee. The Volunteers took the lead first, with a two-yard run by Bill Rudder. The Hogs responded with a 36-yard TD strike from Joe Ferguson to Jim Hodge. Scoring wouldn't resume until the fourth quarter, when Razorback Bill McClard kicked 19- and 30-yard field goals. A third McClard kick was good, set up by Louis Campbell's third interception, but a penalty kept the Hogs off the board a fourth time. Arkansas fumbled at their own 36-yard line, and Tennessee's Curt Watson scored three plays later.
Scoring summary |
Quarter |
Time |
Drive |
Team |
Scoring information |
Score |
Plays |
Yards |
TOP |
ARK |
UT |
1 |
6:39 |
|
55 |
|
UT |
Bill Rudder 2-yard touchdown run, George Hunt kick good |
0 |
7
|
2 |
4:11 |
|
66 |
|
ARK |
Jim Hodge 36-yard touchdown reception from Joe Ferguson, Bill McClard kick good |
7 |
7
|
4 |
13:14 |
|
52 |
|
ARK |
19-yard field goal by Bill McClard |
10 |
7
|
4 |
8:51 |
|
30 |
|
ARK |
30-yard field goal by Bill McClard |
13 |
7
|
4 |
1:56 |
|
37 |
|
UT |
Curt Watson 17-yard touchdown run, George Hunt kick good |
13 |
14
|
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. |
13 |
14 |
|
Source: Razorback Bowl History – 1971 Liberty Bowl
References
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