1971 San Francisco 49ers season
Head Coach
Dick Nolan
Home Field
Candlestick Park
Results
Record
9–5
Place
1st NFC West
Playoff Finish
Lost NFC Championship Game
Uniform
Timeline
Previous Season
Next Season
1970
1972
The 1971 San Francisco 49ers season was the team's 22nd year with the National Football League , and 26th overall. The Niners won the Western Division, and appeared in the NFC Championship Game , both for the second consecutive year. The team moved into a new home, Candlestick Park . However the stadium was still undergoing expansion during the season, and capacity was about 16,000 less than it would be when completed.
Top Players [ ]
John Brodie led the team to another division title, but was not as effective as in his MVP year of 1970. Ken Willard and rookie Vic Washington made an effective 1-2 rushing attack, and Gene Washington and Ted Kwalick led the receivers. Placekicker Bruce Gossett led the team in scoring.
Offseason [ ]
NFL Draft [ ]
Preseason [ ]
Schedule [ ]
Regular season [ ]
Schedule [ ]
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Score
Record
Att.
Location
1
September 19
at Atlanta
L
20-17
0-1
56,990
Atlanta Stadium
2
September 26
at New Orleans
W
38-20
1-1
81,595
Tulane Stadium
3
October 3
at Philadelphia
W
31-3
2-1
65,358
Veterans Stadium
4
October 10
Los Angeles
L
20-13
2-2
44,000
Candlestick Park
5
October 17
Chicago
W
13-0
3-2
44,133
Candlestick Park
6
October 24
at St. Louis
W
26-14
4-2
50,419
Busch Memorial Stadium
7
October 31
New England
W
27-10
5-2
45,092
Candlestick Park
8
November 7
at Minnesota
W
13-9
6-2
49,784
Metropolitan Stadium
9
November 14
New Orleans
L
26-20
6-3
45,138
Candlestick Park
10
November 21
at Los Angeles
L
17-6
6-4
80,050
LA Coliseum
11
November 28
at NY Jets
W
24-21
7-4
62,936
Shea Stadium
12
December 6 (Mon)
Kansas City
L
26-17
7-5
45,306
Candlestick Park
13
December 12
Atlanta
W
24-3
8-5
44,584
Candlestick Park
14
December 19
Detroit
W
31-27
9-5
45,580
Candlestick Park
Game summaries [ ]
Week 1: at Atlanta Falcons [ ]
Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons;– Game summary
Game information
ATL - Bill Bell 23 yard field goal, Falcons 3-0.
Second quarter
SF - Jimmy Thomas 25 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 7-3.
ATL - Ken Burrow 10 yard pass from Bob Berry , (Bill Bell kick). Falcons 10-7.
Third quarter
ATL - Bill Bell 23 yard field goal, Falcons 13-7.
ATL - Ken Burrow 35 yard pass from Bob Berry, (Bill Bell kick). Falcons 20-7.
Fourth quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 28 yard field goal, Falcons 20-10.
SF - Ted Kwalick 22 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick). Falcons 20-17.
Top passers
SF – John Brodie – 17/34, 225 yards, TD, 4 INTs
ATL – Bob Berry – 16/21, 185 yards, 2 TDs
Top rushers
SF - Ken Willard - 17 rushes, 79 yards
ATL – Art Malone – 13 rushes, 40 yards
Top receivers
SF - Ted Kwalick - 6 receptions, 97 yards, TD
ATL – Ken Burrow – 3 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TDs
Week 2: at New Orleans Saints [ ]
Week 2: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
7
7
10
14
38
Saints
0
7
0
13
20
at Tulane Stadium , New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
Second quarter
SF - Ken Willard 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 14-0.
NO - Danny Abramowicz 25 yard pass from Edd Hargett , (Skip Butler kick). 49ers 14-7.
Third quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 42 yard field goal, 49ers 17-7.
SF - Vic Washington 34 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 24-7.
Fourth quarter
SF - Doug Cunningham 7 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 31-7.
NO - Danny Abramowicz 40 yard pass from Archie Manning , (Skip Butler kick). 49ers 31-14.
SF - Dick Witcher 11 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 38-14.
NO - Danny Abramowicz 10 yard pass from Archie Manning, (kick failed). 49ers 38-20.
Top passers
Top rushers
SF - Vic Washington - 7 rushes, 82 yards, TD
NO – James Ford – 13 rushes, 54 yards
Top receivers
SF - Gene Washington - 3 receptions, 43 yards
NO – Danny Abramowicz – 5 receptions, 110 yards, 3 TDs
Week 3: at Philadelphia Eagles [ ]
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
3
14
7
7
31
Eagles
0
0
3
0
3
at Veterans Stadium , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Game information
Second quarter
SF - Ted Kwalick 3 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 10-0.
SF - Ted Kwalick 42 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 17-0.
Third quarter
SF - Vic Washington 15 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 24-0.
PHI - Happy Feller 50 yard field goal. 49ers 24-3.
Fourth quarter
SF - Ken Willard 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 31-3.
Top passers
SF – John Brodie – 14/28, 262 yards, 3 TDs
PHI – Pete Liske – 12/24, 162 yards
Top rushers
Top receivers
SF - Gene Washington - 3 receptions, 112 yards
PHI – Lee Bouggess – 5 receptions, 64 yards
Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams [ ]
Week 4: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Rams
0
3
7
10
20
49ers
0
3
10
0
13
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
No Scoring
Second quarter
SF – Bruce Gossett 24 yard field goal, 49ers 3-0.
LA – David Ray 12 yard field goal, Tied 3-3.
Third quarter
LA – Gene Howard 4 yard fumble return, (David Ray kick), Rams 10-3.
SF – Ted Kwalick 9 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick), Tied 10-10.
SF – Bruce Gossett 33 yard field goal, 49ers 13-10.
Fourth quarter
LA – Larry Smith 64 yard rush, (David Ray kick), Rams 17-13.
LA – David Ray 14 yard field goal, Rams 20-13.
Top passers
LA – Jerry Rhome – 2/11, 13 yards, INT
SF – John Brodie – 17/34, 153 yards, TD, 2 INTs
Top rushers
LA – Les Josephson - 14 rushes, 94 yards
SF – Ken Willard – 18 rushes, 63 yards
Top receivers
LA – Larry Smith - 1 receptions, 7 yards
SF – Ted Kwalick - 5 receptions, 81 yards, TD
Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears [ ]
Week 5: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Bears
0
0
0
0
0
49ers
3
3
0
7
13
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 15 yard field goal, 49ers 6-0.
Third quarter
No Scoring
Fourth quarter
Top passers
CHI – Kent Nix – 13/38, 148 yards, 3 INTs
SF – John Brodie – 20/35, 213 yards, TD, 2 INTs
Top rushers
CHI – Don Shy - 4 rushes, 36 yards
SF – Ken Willard – 19 rushes, 83 yards
Top receivers
Week 6: at St. Louis Cardinals [ ]
Week 6: San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Cardinals;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 12 yard field goal. 49ers 3-0.
SF - Tommy Hart 63 yard fumble return, (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 10-0.
STL - Jackie Smith 61 yard pass from Pete Beathard , (Jim Bakken kick). 49ers 10-7.
Third quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 19 yard field goal. 49ers 13-7.
Fourth quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 34 yard field goal. 49ers 16-7.
STL - John Gilliam 49 yard pass from Pete Beathard, (Jim Bakken kick). 49ers 16-14.
SF - Dick Witcher 50 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 23-14.
SF - Bruce Gossett 40 yard field goal. 49ers 26-14.
Top passers
SF – John Brodie – 16/32, 226 yards, TD
STL – Pete Beathard – 11/25, 212 yards, 2 TDs , INT
Top rushers
SF - Vic Washington - 16 rushes, 62 yards
STL – MacArthur Lane – 13 rushes, 67 yards
Top receivers
SF - Ted Kwalick - 3 receptions, 65 yards
STL – Jackie Smith – 3 receptions, 103 yards, TD
Week 7: vs. New England Patriots [ ]
Week 7: New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Patriots
0
0
7
3
10
49ers
7
6
0
14
27
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 35 yard field goal, 49ers 10-0.
SF - Bruce Gossett 41 yard field goal, 49ers 13-0.
Third quarter
NE – Randy Vataha 23 yard pass from Jim Plunkett , (Charlie Gogolak kick), 49ers 13-7
Fourth quarter
NE – Charlie Gogolak 32 yard field goal, 49ers 13-10
SF – Gene Washington 7 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 20-10.
SF – Forrest Blue 25 yard fumble return, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 27-10.
Top passers
Top rushers
NE – Carl Garrett - 13 rushes, 96 yards
SF – Vic Washington – 15 rushes, 59 yards
Top receivers
NE – Hubie Bryant - 2 receptions, 44 yards
SF – Gene Washington - 5 receptions, 160 yards, TD
Week 8: at Minnesota Vikings [ ]
Week 8: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
3
3
0
7
13
Vikings
3
0
3
3
9
at Metropolitan Stadium , Bloomington, Minnesota
Date : November 7Game time : 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PSTGame weather : 20 °F (-7 °C); 13 °F (-11 °C) wind chillTV : CBS Pro Football Reference
Game information
First quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 44 yard field goal. 49ers 3-0.
MIN - Fred Cox 18 yard field goal. Tied 3-3.
Second quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 12 yard field goal. 49ers 6-3.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN - Fred Cox 27 yard field goal. 49ers 13-9.
Top passers
Top rushers
SF - Vic Washington - 12 rushes, 62 yards
MIN – Jim Lindsey – 6 rushes, 42 yards
Top receivers
SF - Gene Washington - 4 receptions, 39 yards, TD
MIN – Bob Grim – 2 receptions, 39 yards
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints [ ]
Week 9: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Saints
7
0
9
10
26
49ers
10
0
3
7
20
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
No Scoring
Third quarter
NO – Charlie Durkee 38 yard field goal, Tied 10-10
SF - Bruce Gossett 37 yard field goal, 49ers 13-10.
NO – Dave Parks 39 yard pass from Edd Hargett, (kick failed), Saints 16-13.
Fourth quarter
NO – Charlie Durkee 14 yard field goal, Saints 19-13
SF – Vic Washington 7 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 20-19.
NO – Virgil Robinson 10 yard pass from Edd Hargett, (Charlie Durkee kick), Saints 26-20.
Top passers
NO – Edd Hargett – 13/21, 225 yards, 3 TDs
SF – John Brodie – 20/28, 203 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Top rushers
NO – Jim Strong - 5 rushes, 57 yards
SF – Vic Washington – 20 rushes, 82 yards
Top receivers
Week 10: at Los Angeles Rams [ ]
Week 10: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
LA - Jack Snow 13 yard pass from Roman Gabriel , (David Ray kick). Rams 7-3.
SF - Bruce Gossett 26 yard field goal. Rams 7-6.
LA - Jim Nettles 29 yard interception return, (David Ray kick), Rams 14-6
Third quarter
LA - David Ray 49 yard field goal. Rams 17-6.
Fourth quarter
No scoring
Top passers
Top rushers
SF - Vic Washington - 19 rushes, 51 yards
LA – Willie Ellison – 16 rushes, 59 yards
Top receivers
Week 11: at New York Jets [ ]
Week 11: San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
10
7
7
24
Jets
0
0
7
14
21
at Shea Stadium , Queens, New York
Game information
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
Third quarter
SF – John Brodie 1 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 17-0.
NYJ - Rich Caster 57 yard pass from Joe Namath , (Bobby Howfield kick), 49ers 17-7.
Fourth quarter
SF – Vic Washington 22 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 24-7.
NYJ - Rich Caster 20 yard pass from Joe Namath, (Bobby Howfield kick), 49ers 24-14.
NYJ - Eddie Bell 22 yard pass from Joe Namath, (Bobby Howfield kick), 49ers 24-21.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
SF - Vic Washington - 2 receptions, 36 yards, TD
NYJ – Rich Caster – 5 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TDs
Week 12: vs. Kansas City Chiefs [ ]
Week 12: Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Chiefs
0
16
7
3
26
49ers
3
7
0
7
17
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 15 yard field goal, Tied 3-3
KC – Otis Taylor 46 yard pass from Len Dawson , (Jan Stenerud kick), Chiefs 10-3.
KC – Jan Stenerud 54 yard field goal, Chiefs 13-3
SF – Ted Kwalick 35 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick), Chiefs 13-10.
KC – Jan Stenerud 12 yard field goal, Chiefs 16-10
Third quarter
KC – Otis Taylor 25 yard rush, (Jan Stenerud kick), Chiefs 23-10.
Fourth quarter
SF – Vic Washington 3 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), Chiefs 23-17.
KC – Jan Stenerud 8 yard field goal, Chiefs 26-17
Top passers
Top rushers
KC – Ed Podolak - 17 rushes, 75 yards
SF – Vic Washington – 12 rushes, 43 yards, TD
Top receivers
Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons [ ]
Week 13: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
0
3
0
0
3
49ers
7
14
0
3
24
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Larry Schreiber 23 yard pass from John Brodie , (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 14-0.
SF – John Brodie 5 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 21-0.
ATL – Bill Bell 18 yard field goal, 49ers 21-3
Third quarter
No Scoring
Fourth quarter
SF - Bruce Gossett 48 yard field goal. 49ers 24-3.
Top passers
ATL – Bob Berry – 9/23, 80 yards, 2 INTs
SF – John Brodie – 9/18, 126 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ATL – Harmon Wages - 2 rushes, 31 yards
SF – Ken Willard – 22 rushes, 62 yards, TD
Top receivers
ATL – Jim Mitchell - 3 receptions, 40 yards
SF – Gene Washington - 2 receptions, 45 yards
Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions [ ]
Week 14: Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Lions
3
10
14
0
27
49ers
7
10
7
7
31
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DET – Errol Mann 39 yard field goal, 49ers 7-6
SF - Bruce Gossett 39 yard field goal. 49ers 10-6.
SF – Ken Willard 10 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 17-6.
DET – Altie Taylor 14 yard rush, (Errol Mann kick), 49ers 17-13.
Third quarter
DET – Steve Owens 1 yard rush, (Errol Mann kick), Lions 20-17.
SF – Gene Washington 30 yard pass from John Brodie, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 24-20.
DET – Charlie Sanders 6 yard pass from Greg Landry , (Errol Mann kick), Lions 27-24.
Fourth quarter
SF – John Brodie 10 yard rush, (Bruce Gossett kick), 49ers 31-27.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
DET – Earl McCullouch - 2 receptions, 81 yards
SF – Gene Washington - 3 receptions, 76 yards, TD
Standings [ ]
[ 1]
Staff/Coaches [ ]
Playoffs [ ]
Divisional Playoff - December 26 [ ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Redskins
7
3
3
7
20
49ers
0
3
14
7
24
NFC Championship - January 2 [ ]
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
0
3
0
3
Cowboys
0
7
0
7
14
Awards and records [ ]
Milestones [ ]
Personnel [ ]
Staff / Coaches [ ]
1971 San Francisco 49ers final staff
Front Office
Team Owner(s) - Josephine Morabito & Jane Morabito
General manager / Team President – Louis Spadia
Personnel Scout - Dick Gallagher
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
Offensive Coordinator - Jim Shofner
Quarterbacks / Wide Receivers – Jim Shofner
Offensive Backs – Doug Scovil
Offensive Line / Blocking – Dick Stanfel
Defensive Coaches
Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line – Paul Wiggin
Linebackers – Mike Giddings
Defensive Backfield / Secondary – Don Heinrich
Special Teams Coaches
=Roster [ ]
1971 San Francisco 49ers roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
17 John Isenbarger RB
85 Preston Riley
18 Gene Washington
88 Dick Witcher
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
79 Cas Banaszek T
65 Randy Beisler G
75 Forrest Blue C
66 Elmer Collett G
69 Woody Peoples G
76 Len Rohde T
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice/Taxi Squad
Rookies in italics
References [ ]
↑ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2 , p. 297
External links [ ]