# 1971 Florence State Lions football team

The 1971 Florence State Lions football team represented Florence State University as a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) during the 1971 NAIA Division I football season. Led by returning head coach Durell Mock, the Lions compiled an overall record of 1–10 with a mark of 0–6 in conference play, tying for sixth place in the GSC. Florence State played home game at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.

## Schedule

The 1971 schedule for the Lions featured two neutral site games. On October 2, the Lions would face off against the Samford Bulldogs in Russellville, AL at the local stadium. It is reported to be the first ever college football game to ever take place in the town. Florence State would also play its yearly game against Jacksonville State on November 20 at Legion Field in Birmingham. In an effort sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, the two teams would take the field the week before the Iron Bowl, which was played at same stadium.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Middle Tennessee* | Braly Municipal StadiumFlorence, AL | W 24–14 | 6,000–7,000 |
| September 18 | 7:30 p.m. | at State College of Arkansas* | Estes StadiumConway, AR | L 13–14 | 1,500 |
| September 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Delta State | Braly Municipal StadiumFlorence, AL | L 10–17 | 7,500 |
| October 2 | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Samford* | Russellville StadiumRussellville, AL | L 10–17 | 8,000 |
| October 9 | 2:00 p.m. | Arkansas Tech* | Braly Municipal StadiumFlorence, AL | L 30–31 | 7,000 |
| October 16 | 7:30 p.m. | at Henderson State* | Haygood StadiumArkadelphia, AR | L 7–21 | 1,500 |
| October 23 | 2:00 p.m. | at Troy State | Memorial StadiumTroy, AL | L 14–21 | 6,500 |
| October 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Livingston | Braly Municipal StadiumFlorence, AL (rivalry) | L 0-31 | 7,000 |
| November 6 | 1:30 p.m. | at Appalachian State* | Conrad StadiumBoone, NC | L 6–59 | 6,000 |
| November 13 | 2:00 p.m. | at Tennessee–Martin | College StadiumMartin, TN | L 7–20 | 6,000 |
| November 20 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. Jacksonville State | Legion FieldBirmingham, AL | L 7–60 | 12,000 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecoming |||||||

## Offseason
### Background

The offseason before the 1971 season was highlighted by conference realignment. On June 28, the members of the existing Mid-South Athletic Conference and two members of the collapsed Gulf States Conference agreed to form a new conference: the Gulf South Conference. This would have minimal impact on Florence State's football schedule as only Southeastern Louisiana joined the Gulf South Conference as a full member including football for the 1971 season.
The offseason was also marred by tragedy. On April 8, the 17-month old son of Lions star tailback Leonard "Rabbit" Thomas died in a house fire. Practices following the incident were cancelled and head coach Durell Mock was seen helping the clean up the damaged home the day following the fire. The Student Government Association also set up a clothes and furniture drive for the family. Thomas would still go on to play in the 1971 season.

### Signees

| Name | Pos. | High school |
| John Andrews | C | Columbia Military Academy |
| Henry Cooper | TB | Columbia Military Academy |
| Roger Ferrell | QB | Decatur High School |
| Clinton League | LB | Haleyville High School |
| Billy Legg | TB | Athens High School |
| William Miles | QB | Columbia Military Academy |
| Paul Parvin | C | Lee High School |
| Wilmer Ray | TB | Cherokee High School |