1971 Florida Gators football team

American college football season

1971 Florida Gators football
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Record	4–7 (1–6 SEC)
Head coach	Doug Dickey (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Jimmy Dunn (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Doug Knotts (2nd season)
Captain	Harvin Clark Tommy Durrance John Reaves
Home stadium	Florida Field
Seasons ← 1970 1972 →

1971 Southeastern Conference football standings
v t e	Conf					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 4 Alabama $	7	–	0	–	0	11	–	1	–	0
No. 7 Georgia	5	–	1	–	0	11	–	1	–	0
No. 12 Auburn	5	–	1	–	0	9	–	2	–	0
No. 15 Ole Miss	4	–	2	–	0	10	–	2	–	0
No. 9 Tennessee	4	–	2	–	0	10	–	2	–	0
No. 11 LSU	3	–	2	–	0	9	–	3	–	0
Vanderbilt	1	–	5	–	0	4	–	6	–	1
Florida	1	–	6	–	0	4	–	7	–	0
Kentucky	1	–	6	–	0	3	–	8	–	0
Mississippi State	1	–	7	–	0	2	–	9	–	0

$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

The 1971 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. The season was Doug Dickey's second as the head coach of the Florida Gators football team. Dickey's 1971 Florida Gators finished with a 4–7 overall record and a 1–6 record in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), tying for eighth among ten SEC teams.^[1]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 11	vs. Duke*	Tampa Stadium Tampa, FL	L 6–12	51,477	^[2]
September 18	at Mississippi State	Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS	L 10–13	33,500	^[3]
September 25	No. 8 Alabama	Florida Field Gainesville, FL (rivalry)	L 0–38	61,832	^[4]
October 2	No. 12 Tennessee	Florida Field Gainesville, FL (rivalry)	L 13–20	61,112	^[5]
October 9	at No. 16 LSU	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)	L 7–48	67,055	^[6]
October 16	No. 19 Florida State*	Florida Field Gainesville, FL (rivalry)	W 17–15	65,109	^[7]
October 23	Maryland*	Florida Field Gainesville, FL	W 27–23	53,021	^[8]
October 30	at No. 5 Auburn	Cliff Hare Stadium Auburn, AL (rivalry)	L 7–40	63,500	^[9]
November 6	vs. No. 7 Georgia	Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL (rivalry)	L 7–49	67,383	^[10]
November 13	Kentucky	Florida Field Gainesville, FL (rivalry)	W 35–24	45,268	^[11]
November 27	at Miami (FL)*	Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL (rivalry)	W 45–16	37,710	^[12]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[1]^[13]

Personnel

1971 Florida Gators football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
G	`68`	Fred Abbott	Jr
WR		Larry Adams
WR	`45`	Carlos Alvarez	Sr
OT	`74`	Kris Anderson	So
WR	`89`	Hollis Boardman	So
G	`79`	Bill Dowdy	Sr
RB	`33`	Tommy Durrance (C)	Sr
TE	`81`	Hank Foldberg	So
QB	`10`	Chan Gailey	So
WR	`21`	Bruce Gunter	Sr
G	`69`	Dale Hutcherson	So
WR	`22`	Willie Jackson	Jr
FB	`20`	Vince Kendrick	So
C	`55`	Richard Kensler	Sr
C	`51`	Mark King	So
RB	`36`	Lenny Lucas	So
WR	`44`	Joel Parker	So
OT	`76`	David Peek	Sr
QB	`7`	John Reaves (C)	Sr
FB	`40`	Mike Rich	Sr
QB	`9`	John Schnelby	Sr
G	`62`	Joe Sheppard	So
TE	`87`	Jim Yancy	Sr

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
S	`16`	Jimmy Barr	Jr
ILB	`50`	Ricky Browne	So
DE	`88`	Richard Buchanan	Sr
CB	`38`	Harvin Clark (C)	Sr
S	`34`	John Clifford	Jr
DB	`43`	John Faix	Sr
MG	`72`	Len Fuller	Sr
CB	`23`	Leonard George	Jr
LB		Jan Gowland
DT	`77`	Robert Harrell	Sr
MG	`65`	David Hitchcock	So
DL	`75`	Eddy Moore	Jr
DE	`85`	Mike Moore	So
OLB	`57`	David Poff	Jr
DB	`35`	John Silman	Jr
CB	`28`	Doug Sorensen	Sr

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
K	`8`	Richard Franco	Sr

Head coach

Doug Dickey

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

Roster

Game summaries

Duke

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Duke	6	3	0	3	12
Florida	0	0	6	0	6

Date: September 11
Location: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game attendance: 51,477

Scoring summary

1	DUKE	Wright 44 yard field goal	DUKE 3-0

1	DUKE	Wright 22 yard field goal	DUKE 6-0

2	DUKE	Wright 34 yard field goal	DUKE 9-0

3	FLA	Parker 7 yard pass from Reaves (kick blocked)	DUKE 9-6

4	DUKE	Wright 43 yard field goal	DUKE 12-6

^[14]

Mississippi State

	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida	0	10	0	0	10
• Mississippi State	3	0	7	3	13

Date: September 18
Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, Mississippi
Game attendance: 33,500

Scoring summary

1		MSU	Ellis 29 yard field goal	MSU 3-0

2		FLA	Yancey 5 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick)	FLA 7-3

2	0:00	FLA	Franco 52 yard field goal	FLA 10-3

3		MSU	Jones 21 yard run (Ellis kick)	Tied 10-10

4		MSU	Ellis 35 yard field goal	MSU 13-10

^[15]

Alabama

	1	2	3	4	Total
• #8 Alabama	10	14	7	7	38
Florida	0	0	0	0	0

Date: September 25
Location: Florida Field
Gainesville, Florida
Game attendance: 61,832

Sources:^[16]^[17]

Against the Gators, Alabama's Johnny Musso scored four rushing touchdowns en route to a 38–0 shutout at Florida Field.^[16]^[17] After Bill Davis gave the Crimson Tide a 3–0 lead with his first quarter field goal, Musso scored Alabama's next four touchdowns and extended their lead to 31–0.^[16]^[17] All four came on the ground with a pair from one-yard out, a three-yard run and a five-yard run.^[16]^[17] Alabama then closed the game with an 11-yard Billy Sexton touchdown pass to Dexter Wood that made the final score 38–0.^[16]^[17]

The four touchdowns scored by Musso on the ground set a new school record for rushing touchdowns. Additionally, the shutout was the first for the Crimson Tide defense since their 17–0 victory in 1967 over South Carolina.^[17]

Tennessee

#12 Tennessee Volunteers at Florida Gators

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Tennessee	3	10	7	0	20
Florida	0	13	0	0	13

at Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida

Date: October 2, 1971
Game attendance: 61,112
New York Times, 1971 Oct 03.

Game information

First quarter

TENN – George Hunt 33-yard field goal. Tennessee 3–0. Drive:

Second quarter

TENN – George Hunt 34-yard field goal. Tennessee 6–0. Drive:
TENN – Curt Watson 8-yard run (George Hunt kick). Tennessee 13–0. Drive: 74 yards.
FLA – Willie Jackson 23-yard pass from John Reaves (kick failed), 2:12. Tennessee 13–6. Drive:
FLA – Hank Foldberg 7-yard pass from John Reaves (Richard Franco kick). Tie 13–13. Drive:

Third quarter

TENN – Stan Trott 20-yard pass from Phil Pierce (George Hunt kick). Tennessee 20–13. Drive: 99 yards.

Top passers

TENN
FLA – John Reaves – 19/40, 213 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

TENN
FLA – Mike Rich – 9 rushes, 80 yards

Top receivers

TENN
FLA – Willie Jackson – 7 receptions, 93 yards, TD

LSU

Florida State

Florida State Seminoles at Florida Gators

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida St	0	0	0	15	15
Florida	0	14	0	3	17

at Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida

Date: October 16, 1971
Game weather: Overcast
Game attendance: 65,109
Recap/Box Score

Game information

Second quarter

FLA – Mike Rich 1-yard run (kick failed), 14:58. Florida 6–0. Drive: 75 yards.
FLA – Jimmy Barr 26-yard fumble return (pass good), 14:40. Florida 14–0.

Fourth quarter

FSU – Paul Magalski 3-yard run (Frank Fontes kick), 13:57. Florida 14–7. Drive: 73 yards.
FLA – Richard Franco 42-yard field goal, 9:19. Florida 17–7. Drive:
FSU – Rhett Dawson 6-yard pass from Gary Huff (pass good), 3:02. Florida 17–15. Drive:

Top passers

FSU – Gary Huff – 22/40, 198 yards, TD
FLA – John Reaves – 4/11, 44 yards

Top rushers

FSU – Art Munroe – 17 rushes, 79 yards
FLA – Tommy Durrance – 15 rushes, 60 yards

Top receivers

FSU – Rhett Dawson – 7 receptions, 90 yards, TD
FLA – Willie Jackson – 1 reception, 28 yards

Maryland

	1	2	3	4	Total
Maryland	0	13	10	0	23
• Florida	7	6	7	7	27

Date: October 23
Location: Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida
Game attendance: 53,021

Scoring summary

1	FLA	Durrance 7 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick)	FLA 7-0

2	MD	Behbahani 23 yard field goal	FLA 7-3

2	FLA	Boardman 24 yard pass from Reaves (kick failed)	FLA 13-3

2	MD	Behbahani 36 yard field goal	FLA 13-6

2	MD	Bungori 4 yard pass from Neville (Behbahani kick)	Tied 13-13

3	MD	Behbahani 31 yard field goal	MD 16-13

3	FLA	Alvarez 16 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick)	FLA 20-16

3	MD	Bungori 10 yard pass from Neville (Behbahani kick)	MD 23-20

4	FLA	Durrance 10 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick)	FLA 27-23

^[18]

Auburn

	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida	0	7	0	0	7
• Auburn	12	0	7	21	40

Date: October 30
Location: Cliff Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama
Game attendance: 63,500

Scoring summary

1	AUB	Sullivan 8 yard run (run failed)	AUB 6-0

1	AUB	Sullivan 1 yard run (run failed)	AUB 12-0

2	FLA	Jackson 10 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick)	AUB 12-7

3	AUB	Beasley 19 yard pass from Sullivan (Jett kick)	AUB 19-7

4	AUB	Unger 4 yard run (Jett kick)	AUB 26-7

4	AUB	Henley 1 yard run (Jett kick)	AUB 33-7

4	AUB	Beasley 14 yard pass from Sullivan (Jett kick)	AUB 40-7

^[19]

Georgia

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Georgia	7	13	22	7	49
Florida	0	7	0	0	7

Date: November 6
Location: Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Florida
Game attendance: 67,383

Scoring summary

1	UGA	Poulos 1 yard run (Braswell kick)	UGA 7-0

2	UGA	Lake 2 yard run (Braswell kick)	UGA 14-0

2	UGA	Robinson 38 yard interception return (kick failed)	UGA 20-0

2	FLA	Yancey 9 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick)	UGA 20-7

3	UGA	Ray 5 yard run (Ray to Shirer pass)	UGA 28-7

3	UGA	Shirer 38 yard pass from Ray (Braswell kick)	UGA 35-7

3	UGA	Lake 2 yard run (Braswell kick)	UGA 42-7

4	UGA	Burns 25 yard pass from Watson (Braswell kick)	UGA 49-7

^[20]

Kentucky

	1	2	3	4	Total
Kentucky	0	3	7	14	24
• Florida	0	7	7	21	35

Date: November 13
Location: Florida Field, Gainesville, Florida
Game attendance: 45,268

Scoring summary

2	FLA	Lucas 1 yard run (Franco kick)	FLA 7-0

2	KY	Kirk 21 yard field goal	FLA 7-3

3	KY	Clymer 11 yard run (Kirk kick)	KY 10-7

3	FLA	Reaves 1 yard run (Franco kick)	FLA 14-10

4	FLA	Yancey 10 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick)	FLA 21-10

4	FLA	Alvarez 56 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick)	FLA 28-10

4	KY	Fanuzzi 3 yard run (pass failed)	FLA 28-16

4	FLA	Durrance 19 yard pass from Reaves (Franco kick)	FLA 35-16

4	KY	Stephans 47 yard pass from Fanuzzi (Fanuzzi run)	FLA 35-24

^[21]

Miami (FL)

Florida Gators at Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Florida	7	10	14	14	45
Miami (FL)	0	0	8	8	16

at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

Date: November 27, 1971
Game attendance: 37,710
Box Score

The disappointing season ended on a controversial note. With the Gators leading the Miami Hurricanes 45–8 late in the fourth quarter of the last game of the season, senior quarterback John Reaves was just 14 yards short of the NCAA career record for passing yardage, but Miami had the ball and seemed destined to run out the clock. At the urging of Florida defensive captain Harvin Clark, Dickey agreed to permit the Gators defense to allow the Hurricanes to score, thus returning the ball to the Gators offense and giving Reaves a chance to break the record. Dubbed the "Florida Flop" or "Gator Flop", the move worked. When Miami snapped the ball from the Florida 8-yard line, the Gators instantly flopped to the turf, allowing Miami quarterback John Hornibrook to walk uncontested into the endzone. Florida's offense got one more possession, and Reeves promptly broke the record with a pass to favorite target Carlos Alvarez. After the game, many Gator players celebrated by jumping into the pool at the Orange Bowl's east end zone used by the Miami Dolphins' live mascot, Flipper.

Miami coach Fran Curci was so angered by the turn of events that he refused to shake Dickey's hand. In a post-game interview, he called the actions "bush league" and declared that "what Doug Dickey did shows absolutely no class."^[22]^[23]^[24]

References

^ ^a ^b 2015 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 107 (2015). Retrieved August 16, 2015.
^ "Duke kicks favored Florida in face, 12–6". The Palm Beach Post. September 12, 1971. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Ellis connects on field goal to nip Gators". Daily Press. September 19, 1971. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Musso scores four times as Tide manhandles Gators 38–0". The Selma Times-Journal. September 26, 1971. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Tennessee sidesteps Florida's bid for an upset, 20–13". The Palm Beach Post. October 3, 1971. Retrieved May 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "LSU begins SEC chase with 48–7 win". Daily World. October 10, 1971. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Gators stun Seminoles on Franco's field goal". St. Lucie News Tribune. October 17, 1971. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Reaves, Alvarez lead Gators over Terps". The Palm Beach Post. October 24, 1971. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Sullivan-led Tigers drub Gators, 40–7". The Bradenton Herald. October 31, 1971. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "'Dogs bury UF by 49–7". Tallahassee Democrat. November 7, 1971. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Gators skin 'Cats as Alvarez sparkles". The Bradenton Herald. November 14, 1971. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Reaves: Wow!". St. Petersburg Times. November 28, 1971. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Sports Publicity Department. "1972 University of Florida Football Brochure" (PDF). floridagators.com. University Athletic Association, Inc. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
^ "Duke Boots Top Gators." Ocala Star-Banner. 1971 Sept 12.
^ Ocala Star-Banner. 1971 September 19.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Reed, Delbert (September 26, 1971). "High Tide in Florida". The Tuscaloosa News. Google News Archives. p. 1B. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Tucker, Tommy (September 26, 1971). "Musso leads Alabama romp by hapless Florida, 38–0". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Google News Archives. p. 1C. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
^ Palm Beach Post. 1971 Oct. 24.
^ Palm Beach Post. 1971 Oct 31.
^ Ocala Star-Banner. 1971 Nov 7.
^ Ocala Star-Banner. 1971 Nov 14.
^ Paul Lukas, "The stories behind the 1971 Gator Flop", ESPN.com (September 16, 2010). Retrieved March 9, 2012.
^ Randall Mell, "It was humiliating Archived 2014-03-30 at the Wayback Machine", Orlando Sun-Sentinel (December 20, 2000). Retrieved March 30, 2014.
^ "Contemporary TV coverage of Florida Flop (youtube)". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2014.

v t e Florida Gators football
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