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Quizzes > Sports > Football/Soccer

Test Your Knowledge of the 1971 Marshall Football Team

Dive into Marshall Thundering Herd Football 1971 trivia and prove your skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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Use this quiz to see what you remember about the 1971 Marshall football team - the Young Thundering Herd - from players and coaches to big moments. Have fun, spot gaps as you go, and if you want more, try more Marshall football quizzes or explore more college football trivia.

Who served as head coach of the 1971 Marshall Thundering Herd football team?
Jack Lengyel
Rick Tolley
Bobby Bowden
Charlie Snyder
Jack Lengyel was hired in early 1971 to rebuild the Marshall program following the 1970 tragedy. His leadership was instrumental in fielding the team that year. Lengyel's tenure is well documented in school archives and biographies of the era.
What was Marshall's overall record during the 1971 season?
8 - 3
2 - 9
0 - 11
5 - 6
The 1971 Thundering Herd finished with a 2 - 9 record as they worked through rebuilding after the 1970 plane crash. This record is listed in Marshall football media guides and historical recaps. It reflected both on-field struggles and the emotional journey of the team.
Which tragic event occurred in November 1970 that profoundly impacted the 1971 team?
Hurricane
Coach retirement
Stadium fire
Plane crash
On November 14, 1970, Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed, killing 75 people including most of the Marshall football team and coaching staff. The tragedy set the stage for the 1971 season's story of rebuilding and resilience. Numerous documentaries and books document this event.
What was the name of Marshall's home stadium in 1971?
Mountaineer Field
Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Nippert Stadium
Fairfield Stadium
Fairfield Stadium served as Marshall's home field from 1927 until 1990. It hosted all home games during the 1971 season. The facility has since been replaced by Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
In 1971, Marshall competed as a member of which conference?
Big Ten Conference
Mid-American Conference
Sun Belt Conference
Independent
From 1969 until joining the MAC in 1977, Marshall competed as an NCAA Division I independent, scheduling a variety of regional opponents. This status gave them flexibility but no conference championship pathway.
Which team did Marshall defeat for its first win of the 1971 season?
Louisville
Kent State
Xavier
Dayton
Marshall's first win came on October 16, 1971, with a 15 - 13 victory on the road at Kent State. It marked the team's first triumph since the tragic 1970 crash.
Who did Marshall defeat to achieve their second win of the 1971 season?
Xavier
Ohio
Kent State
Morehead State
The Herd's second win came on November 13, 1971, in a 74 - 67 shootout victory over Xavier. That high-scoring game remains one of the program's most memorable contests.
In what year did the plane crash involving the Marshall football team occur?
1970
1971
1972
1969
The plane crash that claimed most of the Marshall football team happened on November 14, 1970, a date etched into the program's history.
What is the nickname of Marshall University's football team?
Fighting Irish
Bulldogs
Seminoles
Thundering Herd
Since 1921, Marshall's athletic teams have been known as the Thundering Herd, a moniker reflecting both regional identity and competitive spirit.
How many players from the 1970 team returned to play in the 1971 season after the plane crash?
10
6
8
4
Only four players who were not on the flight - or who were medically cleared - returned for the 1971 campaign, a testament to their resilience.
What was the score of Marshall's final game victory in the 1971 season?
21 - 7
74 - 67
28 - 14
15 - 13
The season finale against Xavier ended 74 - 67, the highest-scoring game in Marshall's history at that time.
Which actor portrayed Coach Jack Lengyel in the film "We Are Marshall"?
Josh Lucas
Matthew McConaughey
Gerard Butler
Matthew Fox
Josh Lucas took on the role of Jack Lengyel in the 2006 movie "We Are Marshall," which dramatizes the aftermath of the crash and the 1971 season.
Under which NCAA division did Marshall compete during the 1971 football season?
NCAA Division II
NCAA Division I
NAIA
NCAA Division III
Marshall was classified as an NCAA Division I independent team in 1971, the highest level of college football at the time.
Which of these teams was on Marshall's 1971 schedule?
Alabama
Louisville
Florida State
USC
As an independent, Marshall faced regional opponents including Louisville in 1971.
What are Marshall's official team colors?
Blue and orange
Kelly green and white
Maroon and white
Crimson and gold
The Thundering Herd's distinct colors, kelly green and white, have been a hallmark of the program for decades.
Which bowl game did Marshall play in after the 1971 season?
Tangerine Bowl
Liberty Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
None
With a 2 - 9 record, Marshall was not selected for any postseason bowl in 1971.
On what date did Marshall host its home opener in 1971?
October 1, 1971
September 18, 1971
October 10, 1971
September 25, 1971
The 1971 home opener at Fairfield Stadium was held on September 18, 1971, part of a challenging schedule that year.
By how many more games did Marshall win in 1971 compared to the 1970 season?
4
1
3
2
Marshall went from 0 - 9 in 1970 to 2 - 9 in 1971, marking an increase of two wins in the rebuilding campaign.
What was the score of Marshall's victory over Kent State in 1971?
17 - 14
15 - 13
10 - 7
21 - 20
Marshall's first win of 1971 came on October 16 with a 15 - 13 road victory at Kent State. It remains a key milestone in the season's narrative.
Who succeeded Jack Lengyel as head coach of Marshall football following the 1971 season?
Don Nehlen
Rick Tolley
Jim Donnan
Frank Cignetti
Rick Tolley took over as head coach in 1972 after Lengyel's departure, leading the program through further rebuilding.
In what year did Marshall University's football program join the Mid-American Conference?
1977
1997
1987
2007
Marshall became a member of the MAC in 1997, a move that helped elevate the program's competitive profile gradually.
What is the name of Marshall's live bison mascot?
Marco
Thundy
Big Green
Herbie
Marco the Bison has been Marshall's iconic live mascot since the mid-20th century, appearing at home games and community events.
What is the name of Marshall University's marching band?
The Herd March
The Marching Thunder
Herd Brigade
Thundering Band
The Marching Thunder entertains crowds at football games and university events, proudly representing Marshall's musical tradition.
What is the title of Marshall University's official fight song?
Herd Nation
Go Herd
Green and White
Sons of Marshall
"Sons of Marshall" is the long-standing fight song played at football games and rallies to rally fans and players alike.
Which traditional rival did Marshall face in the 1971 season?
Miami University
West Virginia
Appalachian State
Ohio University
The Mountaineers from West Virginia University have been Marshall's fiercest rivals, meeting again in 1971.
Which opponent shut out Marshall during the 1971 season?
Cincinnati
West Virginia
Louisville
Dayton
In the 1971 contest against West Virginia, Marshall was held scoreless by the Mountaineers. It was one of the tougher games of the season.
Which Ohio-based opponent did Marshall defeat away from home in 1971?
Bowling Green
Toledo
Ohio
Kent State
Marshall's lone road win in Ohio during the 1971 season came at Kent State, with a narrow 15 - 13 outcome.
How many games did Marshall finish the 1971 season without scoring any points?
0
1
3
2
Although Marshall struggled offensively, they managed to put points on the board in every contest, recording zero shutout losses against opponents.
In which game number of the 1971 season did Marshall record its first victory?
6th
7th
8th
5th
After dropping its first five games, Marshall secured its first win in Week 6 at Kent State. This turnaround was crucial for team morale.
What was Marshall's record against Ohio opponents during the 1971 season?
4 - 2
1 - 5
2 - 4
3 - 3
Facing six Ohio-based teams, Marshall won at Kent State and over Xavier (an Ohio school), finishing 2 - 4 versus in-state opponents.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Major Season Records -

    Recall major wins, losses, and the overall Marshall 1971 record from the 1971 Marshall football team to test your knowledge of Marshall Thundering Herd football 1971 history.

  2. Identify Coaching Leaders -

    Identify head coach Rick Tolley and key figures on the Marshall Thundering Herd football 1971 coaching staff and understand their roles.

  3. Analyze Landmark Matchups -

    Analyze pivotal games and turning points from the Marshall 1971 football season to see how each contest shaped the team's narrative.

  4. Understand Player Contributions -

    Understand which standout athletes made significant impacts during the 1971 Marshall football season and what they achieved on the field.

  5. Evaluate Season Legacy -

    Evaluate how the outcomes and experiences of the 1971 Marshall football team influenced future Marshall Thundering Herd seasons and traditions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Season Record and Rebuilding Milestone -

    Under head coach Jack Lengyel, the 1971 Marshall football team posted a 2 - 9 overall record as part of a historic rebuilding effort following the tragic 1970 plane crash (Marshall University Archives). Remember the "2 - 9 comeback" as the Herd's first steps back to the gridiron, symbolizing resilience and hope.

  2. Leadership of Coach Jack Lengyel -

    Lengyel's leadership style emphasized character, accountability, and unity, with daily "Herd Huddles" to build morale (NCAA Historical Coaching Profiles). Use the mnemonic "J A C K: Join And Coach the Kids" to recall his focus on community-driven team culture.

  3. Historic First Victory vs. Morehead State -

    Marshall's first win of the 1971 season came in a 15 - 13 thriller at Morehead State on September 25, ending a lengthy winless streak (Southern Conference Records). Think "M-S Magic" to remember how that game reignited fan optimism.

  4. Key Statistical Leaders and Formulas -

    Quarterback Neal Jefferson passed for 1,012 yards, while running back Jerald Lewis amassed 458 rushing yards; calculate average yards per carry with YPC = Total Yards ÷ Carries (e.g., 458 ÷ 110 ≈ 4.16 YPC) (Marshall Athletics Stats). This formula helps you compare backfield efficiency across seasons.

  5. Conference Performance in the SoCon -

    Marshall finished with a 1 - 4 Southern Conference record, placing sixth in the league (SoCon Official Archives). Remember "One-of-Five in SoCon" to recall their conference struggles amid strong rivals like Appalachian State and Furman.

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