1971 Cincinnati Bengals season
Encyclopedia
The 1971
Cincinnati Bengals
season was the team's fourth year in professional football and its second with the National Football League
.
Cornerback Lemar Parrish
set a team record with seven interceptions, including one for a 65-yard score, Cincinnati's first-ever interception return for a touchdown.
The Bengals, coming off their first division winning season of 1970, drafted quarterback Ken Anderson in the third round. Anderson would go on to play 16 seasons for the club and set numerous team passing records.
While 1971 proved to be a disappointment, losing six games by four points or less, statically this was the first year the Bengals led their opponents in almost every category.
1971 NFL season
The 1971 NFL season was the 52nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl VI when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Miami Dolphins...
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
season was the team's fourth year in professional football and its second with the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
Cornerback Lemar Parrish
Lemar Parrish
Lemar R. Parrish is a former professional American football player who played defensive back in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals , Washington Redskins , and the Buffalo Bills ....
set a team record with seven interceptions, including one for a 65-yard score, Cincinnati's first-ever interception return for a touchdown.
The Bengals, coming off their first division winning season of 1970, drafted quarterback Ken Anderson in the third round. Anderson would go on to play 16 seasons for the club and set numerous team passing records.
While 1971 proved to be a disappointment, losing six games by four points or less, statically this was the first year the Bengals led their opponents in almost every category.
NFL Draft
| 1971 Cincinnati Bengals Draft | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Pick # | Overall | Name | Position | College |
| 1 | 15 | 15 | Vernon Holland Vernon Holland Vernon Edward "Vern" Holland was an American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals, the Detroit Lions, and the New York Giants... |
Offensive Tackle | Tennessee State Tennessee State University Tennessee State University is a land-grant university located in Nashville, Tennessee. TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.-History:... |
| 2 | 15 | 41 | Steve Lawson Steve Lawson (American football) Stephen "Steve" Wendell Lawson is a former professional American football guard in the National Football League. He played seven seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals , the Minnesota Vikings , and the San Francisco 49ers . Steve Lawson now teaches US/AZ history at Mountain Pointe High School in... |
Guard | Kansas University of Kansas The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The... |
| 3 | 15 | 67 | Ken Anderson | Quarterback | Augustana Augustana College (Illinois) Augustana College is a private liberal arts college located in Rock Island, Illinois, United States. The college enrolls approximately 2,500 students. Covering of hilly, wooded land, Augustana is adjacent to the Mississippi River... |
| 4 | 15 | 93 | Fred Willis Fred Willis Fred Willis is a retired football running back. While at Boston College, he was also a top 6 forward for the BC Hockey team.-External links:*... |
Running Back | Boston College Boston College Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early... |
| 5 | 6 | 110 | Arthur May | Defensive End | Tuskegee Tuskegee University Tuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund... |
| 7 | 11 | 167 | Cornelius Craig | Defensive Back | Fisk Fisk University Fisk University is an historically black university founded in 1866 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. The world-famous Fisk Jubilee Singers started as a group of students who performed to earn enough money to save the school at a critical time of financial shortages. They toured to raise funds to... |
| 8 | 15 | 197 | Fred Herring | Defensive Back | Tennessee State |
| 9 | 15 | 223 | Gary Gustafson | Linebacker | Montana State Montana State University - Bozeman Montana State University – Bozeman is a public university located in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's land-grant university and primary campus in the Montana State University System, which is part of the Montana University System... |
| 10 | 15 | 249 | Jack Stambaugh | Guard | Oregon University of Oregon -Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :... |
| 11 | 15 | 275 | Edward Marshall | Wide Receiver | Cameron State Cameron University Cameron University is a four-year, state-funded university located in Lawton, Oklahoma, that offers more than 50 degrees through two-year, four-year and graduate programs. The degree programs emphasize the liberal arts, science and technology and graduate and professional studies... |
| 12 | 15 | 301 | James Hayden | Defensive End | Memphis State University of Memphis The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system.... |
| 13 | 15 | 327 | David Knapman | Tight End | Central Washington Central Washington University Central Washington University, often abbreviated CWU, is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States.This location was selected by the state legislature as a consolation prize after Ellensburg lost its bid to be state capital... |
| 14 | 15 | 353 | Irvin Mallory | Defensive Back | Virginia Union |
| 15 | 15 | 379 | Bob Thomas | Running Back | Arizona State Arizona State University Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona... |
| 16 | 15 | 405 | Mark Debevc | Linebacker | Ohio State |
| 17 | 16 | 432 | Sam Pearson | Defensive Back | Western Kentucky Western Kentucky University Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier.... |
Schedule
| Season results | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Attendance | Location |
| September 19 | Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W | 37–14 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| September 26 | at Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
L | 10–21 | |
Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to... |
| October 3 | at Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
L | 17–20 | |
Lambeau Field Lambeau Field Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field... |
| October 10 | Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L | 13–23 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| October 17 | Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L | 24–27 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| October 24 | at Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L | 27–31 | |
Oakland Coliseum |
| October 31 | at Houston Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
L | 6–10 | |
Astrodome Reliant Astrodome Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome, is the world's first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, located in Houston, Texas, USA. The stadium is part of the Reliant Park complex... |
| November 7 | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L | 6–9 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| November 14 | at Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W | 24–10 | |
Mile High Stadium Mile High Stadium Mile High Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that stood in Denver, Colorado, from 1948 until 2001.It hosted the Denver Broncos, of the AFL and the NFL, from 1960-2000, the Colorado Rockies, of the National League, of the MLB, from 1993-1994, the Colorado Rapids, of MLS, from 1996-2001, the... |
| November 21 | Houston Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
W | 28–13 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| November 28 | San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W | 31–0 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| December 5 | at Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L | 27–31 | |
Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football... |
| December 12 | Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
L | 13–21 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| December 19 | at New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L | 21–35 | |
Shea Stadium Shea Stadium William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008... |
Standings
| AFC Central | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| Cleveland Browns 1971 Cleveland Browns season The 1971 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 22nd season with the National Football League.After missing the playoffs the previous year, the Browns got off to a good start at 4–1 only to stumble losing 4 straight to fall to 4–5. However, the Browns would rebound to win the final 4 games of the... |
9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | 285 | 273 | W-5 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers 1971 Pittsburgh Steelers season -Schedule:- Week 1 : Chicago Bears :at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois* Game time:* Game weather:* Game attendance: 55,049* Referee: Bernie Ulman* TV announcers:Scoring Drives:... |
6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 246 | 292 | L-1 |
| Houston Oilers 1971 Houston Oilers season The 1971 Houston Oilers season was the 12th season the team was with the league. The team improved on their previous season's output of 3–10–1, winning four games. They missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.-Schedule:-Standings:... |
4 | 9 | 1 | .308 | 251 | 330 | W-3 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 4 | 10 | 0 | .286 | 284 | 265 | L-3 |
Team stats
| 1971 Cincinnati Bengals Team Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| TEAM STATS | Bengals | Opponents |
| TOTAL FIRST DOWNS | 236 | 213 |
| Rushing | 109 | 93 |
| Passing | 115 | 102 |
| Penalty | 12 | 18 |
| TOTAL NET YARDS | 4266 | 3906 |
| Avg Per Game | 304.7 | 279.0 |
| Total Plays | 867 | 811 |
| Avg. Per Play | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| NET YARDS RUSHING | 2142 | 1778 |
| Avg. Per Game | 153.0 | 127.0 |
| Total Rushes | 462 | 446 |
| NET YARDS PASSING | 2124 | 2128 |
| Avg. Per Game | 151.7 | 152.0 |
| Sacked Yards Lost | 40–303 | 30–254 |
| Gross Yards | 2427 | 2382 |
| Att. Completions | 365–214 | 335–157 |
| Completion Pct. | 58.6 | 46.9 |
| Intercepted | 11 | 27 |
| PUNTS-AVERAGE | 73–44.7 | 73–40.9 |
| PENALTIES-YARDS | 82-921 | 72–722 |
| FUMBLES-BALL LOST | 29–12 | 21–12 |
| TOUCHDOWNS | 32 | 32 |
| Rushing | 14 | 11 |
| Passing | 15 | 19 |
| Returns | 3 | 2 |
| Score by Periods | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 58 | 64 | 91 | 71 | 284 |
| Opponents | 44 | 71 | 48 | 102 | 265 |
Team leaders
- Passing: Virgil CarterVirgil CarterVirgil R. Carter is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League and the World Football League from 1967 through 1976. He was the first great quarterback from Brigham Young University.While at BYU Carter set six national, 19 conference, and 24...
(222 Att, 138 Comp, 1624 Yds, 62.2 Pct, 10 TD, 7 Int, 86.2 Rating) - Rushing: Fred WillisFred WillisFred Willis is a retired football running back. While at Boston College, he was also a top 6 forward for the BC Hockey team.-External links:*...
(135 Att, 590 Yds, 4.4 Avg, 36 Long, 7 TD) - Receiving: Bob TrumpyBob TrumpyBob Trumpy is a former professional American Football tight end who played for the American Football League's Cincinnati Bengals from 1968 to 1969, and for the NFL Bengals from 1970 through 1977...
(40 Rec, 531 Yds, 13.3 Avg, 44 Long, 3 TD) - Scoring: Horst MuhlmannHorst MuhlmannHorst Herbert Erich Muhlmann was a former professional American football player. He was a placekicker in the American Football League and the National Football League for nine seasons...
, 91 points (20 FG; 31 PAT)
Roster
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
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Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
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Linebackers
Ken Avery Kenneth William Avery is a former college and professional American football player. He played college football at University of Southern Mississippi, where he was a linebacker... LB Bill Peterson William E. "Bill" Peterson was an American football coach. His career included head coaching stops at Florida State, Rice University and with the Houston Oilers. Considered one of the unique characters in college sports, Peterson is credited with bringing the pro passing game to college football... LB Al Beauchamp Alfred Beauchamp is a former American football linebacker. he played college football at Southern University, and played professionally in the American Football League in 1968 and 1969 for the Cincinnati Bengals, and for the National Football League's Bengals from 1970 through 1975 and the... LB Bill Bergey William Earl Bergey is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He played collegiately for Arkansas State University and for the American Football League's Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL Philadelphia Eagles.... LB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
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