1971 Tangerine Bowl

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
Richmond Spiders Toledo Rockets (5–6) (11–0) Southern Conference MAC 3 28 Head coach:  Frank Jones Head coach:  Jack Murphy AP Coaches 14 13
1 2 3 4 Total Richmond 3 0 0 0 3 Toledo 0 14 0 14 28
Date	December 28, 1971
Season	1971
Stadium	Tangerine Bowl
Location	Orlando, Florida
MVP	Chuck Ealey, Toledo (back) Mel Long, Toledo (lineman)
Favorite	Toledo
Attendance	16,750

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 straight undefeated and untied season in a row. Their nationally ranked defense, led by All-American Mel Long, helped the Rockets outgain the Spiders 395–138 in total yards. Toledo finished #14 in the season's final AP Poll.

Richmond entered with a 5–6 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

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