1971 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team

1971 Virginia Tech Gobblers football
Conference	Independent
Record	4–7
Head coach	Charlie Coffey (1st season)
Offensive coordinator	Dan Henning (1st season)
Home stadium	Lane Stadium

1971 NCAA University Division independents football records

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 5 Penn State			–					11	–	1	–	0
Boston College			–					9	–	2	–	0
No. 17 Houston			–					9	–	3	–	0
No. 13 Notre Dame			–					8	–	2	–	0
Utah State			–					8	–	3	–	0
Florida State			–					8	–	4	–	0
Cincinnati			–					7	–	4	–	0
West Virginia			–					7	–	4	–	0
Temple			–					6	–	2	–	1
Air Force			–					6	–	4	–	0
Army			–					6	–	4	–	0
Colgate			–					6	–	4	–	0
Villanova			–					6	–	4	–	1
South Carolina			–					6	–	5	–	0
Southern Miss			–					6	–	5	–	0
Georgia Tech			–					6	–	6	–	0
New Mexico State			–					5	–	5	–	1
Northern Illinois			–					5	–	5	–	1
Syracuse			–					5	–	5	–	1
Dayton			–					5	–	6	–	0
Holy Cross			–					4	–	6	–	0
Miami (FL)			–					4	–	7	–	0
Rutgers			–					4	–	7	–	0
Virginia Tech			–					4	–	7	–	0
Navy			–					3	–	8	–	0
Pittsburgh			–					3	–	8	–	0
Tulane			–					3	–	8	–	0
Marshall			–					2	–	8	–	0
Xavier			–					1	–	9	–	0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1971 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team was an American football team that represented Virginia Tech as an independent during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. In their first year under head coach Charlie Coffey, the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 4–7.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 18	Wake Forest	Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA	L 9–20	28,000
September 25	at Oklahoma State	Lewis Field Stillwater, OK	L 16–24	23,500
October 2	Florida State	Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA	L 3–17	30,001
October 9	at Tulsa	Skelly Field Tulsa, OK	L 39–46	21,500
October 16	William & Mary	Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA	W 41–30	20,000
October 23	Ohio	Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA	W 37–29	30,000
October 30	at Kentucky	McLean Stadium Lexington, KY	L 27–33	37,000
November 6	at Virginia	Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA (rivalry)	W 6–0	30,100
November 13	at No. 18 Houston	Houston Astrodome Houston, TX	L 29–56	28,105
November 20	Southern Miss	Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA	L 8–17	22,000
November 27	vs. VMI	Victory Stadium Roanoke, VA (rivalry)	W 34–0	5,500
Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Roster

The following players were members of the 1971 football team according to the roster published in the 1972 edition of The Bugle, the Virginia Tech yearbook.

1971 Virginia Tech roster
	John Harwood "Jack" Abraham Rich Amsden Bruce Arians James William "J.B." Barber Jr. Tony Bertovich Howy Beverly Robin Blair Robert Clinton Bond Jack Booth Tim Bosiack Sammy Bria Glenn Brown Mike Burnop Kurt Burwinkle Tom Carpenito Dennis Cogan Nick Colobro Jon Conlin Doug Coyner Curt Cretti Mike Cunningham Bobby Dabbs Barry DeMarr Buddy DeMarr John Dobbins Dennis Dodson Hal Durham Rusty Eddins Bill Ellenbogen Jerry Gaines Bob German		Bruce Glatthorn Tom Grys Larry Hartman Kent Henry Steve Herl Ronnie Holsinger Peter Michael Horoszko Bill House Andy Hromyak Rick Huebner Jeff Hunsucker Eddie Johns Bob Karlsen Lou Lagana Jim Lawlor Chip Lawson Bruce Arthur Lemmert Dick Maksanty Steve Maguigan Rich Matijevich Randy McCann John McDermott Ray McGinley Kevin Meehan Tom Mikus Steve Pasi Vic Perez Jim Polito Jimmy Quinn Barney Ratliff		Phil Reddick Don Reel Tom Reynolds Tom Rother Bruce Runyan Vince Russo Jerry Scharnus John William Schneider Rodney Schnurr Chuck Schoenadel Rod M. Sedwick Chuck Shorter Larry Smith Dale Soncini Bob Sporio John Sprenkle Don Sprouse Terry Stewart Wayne Stinnette Peter Christian Striffler Dave Strock Don Strock Ed Tennis Mike Thomas Joe Thompson Kit Utz Craig Valentine Joe Winfree Chris Woody Steve Zeigler