1971 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

1971 Marshall Thundering Herd football
ConferenceIndependent
Record2–8
Head coach
Offensive schemeVeer
Defensive coordinatorWilliam "Red" Dawson (4th season)
CaptainNate Ruffin
Home stadiumFairfield Stadium
1971 NCAA University Division independents football records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW 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
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 Marshall Thundering Herd football team (sometimes referred to as the Young Thundering Herd) represented Marshall University as an independent during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. Led by first-year head coach Jack Lengyel, the Thundering Herd compiled a record of 2–8. Nate Ruffin was the team captain. Marshall played home games at Fairfield Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia.