1971 Grantland Rice Bowl
Tennessee State Tigers McNeese State Cowboys
(8–1) (9–0–1)
Independent Independent
26 23
Head coach: 
John Merritt		 Head coach: 
Jack Doland
1234 Total
Tennessee State 06137 26
McNeese State 01670 23
DateDecember 11, 1971
Season1971
StadiumBREC Memorial Stadium
LocationBaton Rouge, Louisiana
Attendance15,271[1]

The 1971 Grantland Rice Bowl was an NCAA College Division game following the 1971 season, between the Tennessee State Tigers and the McNeese State Cowboys.[2]

Notable participants

From Tennessee State, three players were selected in the 1972 NFL Draft – defensive back Clifford Brooks, linebacker Robert Stevenson, and quarterback Joe Gilliam. Players later selected in the 1973 NFL Draft include tackle Robert Woods, tight end Jim Thaxton, wide receiver Ollie Smith, defensive end Will Wynn, and wide receiver Charlie Wade. Sophomore defensive end Ed "Too Tall" Jones would be the number one pick in the 1974 NFL Draft.

From McNeese State, guard Mike O'Quinn was selected in the 1972 NFL Draft. Running back Larry Grissom was inducted to his university's hall of fame in 1985,[3] as was safety Billy Blakeman in 2009.[4] Quarterback Greg Davis went on to be the head coach at Tulane, and offensive coordinator for several college teams.

Tennessee State head coach John Merritt was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994. McNeese State head coach Jack Doland was inducted to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.[5]

Scoring summary

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP TSU MSU
2 12:30 8 67 MSU Spencer Thomas recovered offensive fumble in the TSU end zone, Larry Grissom kick good 0 7
2 6:21 TSU Clifford Brooks recovered fumbled punt attempt in the MSU end zone, Alfred Reese kick failed 6 7
2 2:40 3 25 MSU Robert Rowe 20-yard touchdown reception from Greg Davis, Larry Grissom kick failed (blocked) 6 13
2 0:06 8 42 MSU 40-yard field goal by Larry Grissom 6 16
3 12:20 6 78 TSU John Holland 8-yard touchdown reception from Joe Gilliam, Alfred Reese kick good 13 16
3 3 14 TSU John Holland 17-yard touchdown reception from Joe Gilliam, Alfred Reese kick failed 19 16
3 7:45 9 71 MSU James Moore 5-yard touchdown reception from Allen Dennis, Larry Grissom kick good 19 23
4 14:54 5 66 TSU Ollie Smith 45-yard touchdown reception from Joe Gilliam, Alfred Reese kick good 26 23
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 26 23

[6][7] †Grissom's field goal was the first in Grantland Rice Bowl history.

References

  1. ↑ Brandt, Roger (December 12, 1971). "INSTANT REPLAY". Daily World. Opelousas, Louisiana. Retrieved February 12, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "BOWLS AT A GLANCE". The Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. Associated Press. December 4, 1971. Retrieved February 12, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Larry Grissom". mcneesesports.com. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Billy Blakeman". mcneesesports.com. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Dr. Jack Doland". lasportshall.com. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  6. ↑ Estill, Jerry (December 12, 1971). "Tenn. St. By 3". The Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. AP. Retrieved February 4, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Brandt, Roger (December 12, 1971). "TSU Denies McNeese An Undefeated Season". Daily World. Opelousas, Louisiana. Retrieved February 12, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
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