The 1971 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1971 Big Ten football season. In their 18th season under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 6–5 record (5-3 in conference games), tied for third place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 225 to 169. In three games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 2 Michigan and defeated No. 9 Ohio State. On offense, the Spartans gained an average of 232.6 rushing yards and 98.0 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 171.5 rushing yards and 108.1 passing yards per game. The individual statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Rasmussen with 642 passing yards, halfback Eric Allen with 1,494 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, and tight end Billy Joe DuPree with 25 receptions and 414 receiving yards. Allen also led the Big Ten in both rushing yards and touchdowns and was selected as the team's most valuable player. Four Spartans were selected by either the Associated Press (AP) or the United Press International (UPI) as first-team players on the 1971 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Eric Allen at running back (AP-1, UPI-1); offensive guard Joe DeLamielleure (AP-1, UPI-1); defensive tackle Ron Curl (AP-1, UPI-1); and defensive back Brad Van Pelt (AP-1, UPI-1). The team played its home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Wiki link