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.
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. 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).
The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Game summaries Michigan
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, 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.
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