The 1971 Tangerine Bowl was held on December 28, 1971, at the Tangerine Bowl stadium in Orlando, Florida. The Toledo Rockets of the Mid-American Conference defeated the Richmond Spiders of the Southern Conference by a score of 28–3. The Tangerine Bowl is a former name of what is now called the Citrus Bowl.

1971 Tangerine Bowl
1234 Total
Richmond 3000 3
Toledo 014014 28
DateDecember 28, 1971
Season1971
StadiumTangerine Bowl
LocationOrlando, Florida
MVPChuck Ealey, Toledo (back)[1]
Mel Long, Toledo (lineman)[1]
FavoriteToledo
Attendance16,750[1]
Tangerine Bowl
 < 1970  1972

Heading into the game, Toledo had an unblemished 11–0 record. They were MAC champions and were ranked #14 in the AP Poll. The Toledo Rockets were heavy favorites; they were riding a 34-game winning streak and attempting to finish their third consecutive undefeated and untied season. Their nationally ranked defense, led by All-American Mel Long, helped the Rockets outgain the Spiders 395–138 in total yards.[2] Toledo finished #14 in the season's final AP Poll.

Richmond entered with a 5–5 record. They were Southern Conference champions after they defeated William & Mary, 21–19, in the regular season finale to clinch the conference title. The Spiders were appearing in their second-ever postseason bowl game; their first had been the 1968 Tangerine Bowl.

Scoring summary

edit
Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP UR TOL
1 6:50 UR 27-yard field goal by Keith Clark 3 0
2 TOL Fumble recovery in the end zone by Mel Long, George Keim kick good 3 7
2 9:07 7 80 TOL Joe Schwartz 1-yard touchdown run, George Keim kick good 3 14
4 TOL Chuck Ealey 1-yard touchdown run, George Keim kick good 3 21
4 TOL Joe Schwartz 3-yard touchdown run, George Keim kick good 3 28
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 3 28

[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Clark, Bill (December 29, 1971). "Tangerine King Toledo: 35 And Counting". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 11, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "History & Records" (PDF). University of Richmond. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2009.