The 1971 Alfred Saxons football team was an American football team that represented Alfred University as a member of the Independent College Athletic Conference (ICAC) during the 1971 NCAA College Division football season. In their 31st season under head coach Alex Yunevich, the Saxons compiled a perfect 8–0 record, won the ICAC championship, and outscored all opponents by a total of 236 to 91.[1] The team was the second of three consecutive Alfred teams to win ICAC championships from 1970 to 1972.[2]
| 1971 Alfred Saxons football | |
|---|---|
ICAC champion Lambert Bowl champion | |
| Conference | Independent College Athletic Conference |
| Record | 8–0 (3–0 ICAC) |
| Head coach |
|
| Home stadium | Merrill Field |
The team was led by quarterback Jim Moretti. He broke all Alfred passing records, completing 259 of 604 passes for 4,085 yards and 36 touchdowns in 24 games from 1969 to 1971.[3] He was selected as the third-team quarterback on the 1971 Little All-America college football team.[4]
The team was inducted as a "team of distinction" into the Alfred University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020.[2] Nine players and staff from the 1971 team have also been inducted individually into the Hall of Fame: Alex Yunevich (head coach); Gene Castrovillo (trainer, athletic director); Henry Bzdak; Gary Eggler; John Henderson; Jim Moretti; Nick Teta; Tom Vredenburgh; and Charles Young.[2]
The team played its home games at Merrill Field in Alfred, New York.
Schedule
edit| Date | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 18 | at Brockport State* | Brockport, NY | W 27–7 | [5][6] | |||
| September 25 | RPI |
| W 34–12 | [7] | |||
| October 2 | Union (NY)* |
| W 35–0 | [8] | |||
| October 9 | St. Lawrence |
| W 21–8 | ||||
| October 16 | at Hobart | Geneva, NY | W 28–21 | 6,250 | [9][10] | ||
| October 23 | at Fordham* | W 42–33 | [11] | ||||
| October 30 | at Cortland State* | Cortland, NY | W 17–10 | 2,300 | [12] | ||
| November 6 | at Hamilton* | Clinton, NY | W 32–0 | [13][14] | |||
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References
edit- ^ "Alfred University Football Year-by-Year Results". Alfred University. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c "1971 Football Team Joins 48th Hall of Fame Class". Alfred University. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "Moretti-Young: Record Alfred Act". Sunday Telegram. Elmira, New York. December 5, 1971. p. 3D.
- ^ "Who's Tops ... Gary or Pat?". Press. Binghamton, NY. December 9, 1971. p. 9C – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Alfred Mauls Eagles, 27-7". Rochester Democrat and chronicle. September 19, 1971. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Alfred Captures Opener". Sunday Telegram. September 19, 1971. p. 1D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jim Moretti Stands Out For Alfred In 34-12 RPI Victory". Wellsville Daily Reporter. September 27, 1971. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Alfred Smashes Union, 35-0". Sunday Telegram. October 3, 1971. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Late Alfred Surge Stuns Statesmen". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. October 17, 1971. p. 7D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Three Touchdowns In Last 6 Minutes Gives Saxons Win Over Hobart". Wellsville Daily Reporter. October 18, 1971. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hockenberry Ties Record; Alfred Wins". Sunday Telegram. October 24, 1971. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Another Cliffhanger As Saxons Shade Cortland". Wellsville Daily Reporter. November 1, 1971. p. 8 – via Newspaper.com.
- ^ "Unbeaten Alfred Romps, 32 to 0". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. November 7, 1971. p. 6D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Saxons Go Unbeaten, Await Bid From Rockne Bowl". Wellsville Daily Reporter. November 8, 1971. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.