American Football Wiki
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
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Timeline
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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[]

Round Pick Player Position School
1 23 Tim Anderson Cornerback Ohio State
2 37 Ernie Janet Guard Washington
2 49 Joe Orduna Running Back Nebraska
3 55 Sam Dickerson Wide Receiver USC
3 75 Willie Parker Center North Texas State
4 101 Tony Harris Running Back Toledo
5 114 Dean Shaternick Tackle Kansas State
5 122 George Wells Linebacker New Mexico State
5 127 Marty Huff Linebacker Michigan
6 153 Al Bresler Wide Receiver Auburn
7 179 John Watson Tackle Oklahoma
8 205 Jim McCann Punter Arizona State
9 231 Therman Couch Linebacker Iowa State
10 236 Ron Cardo Running Back Wisconson-Oshkosh
10 257 Ernie Jennings Wide Receiver Air Force
11 283 Joe Reed Quarterback Mississippi State
12 309 Jim Bunch Defensive Back Wisconsin-Platteville
13 335 John Bullock Running Back Purdue
14 361 Bill Dunstan Defensive End Utah State
15 387 John Lennon Tackle Colgate
16 414 Greg Purcell Defensive Tackle Kentucky
17 438 Leroy Charlton Defensive Back Florida A&M

Preseason[]

Schedule[]

Date Opponent Result Score Record Att. Location
August 8 Cleveland W 38-24 1-0 44,000 Candlestick Park
August 13 at Miami T 17-17 1-0-1 57,008 Miami Orange Bowl
August 22 San Diego W 28-17 2-0-1 44,000 Candlestick Park
August 28 Denver W 33-17 3-0-1 33,184 Spokane WA
September 4 at Oakland L 34-28 3-1-1 53,696 Oakland Coliseum
September 9 at Los Angeles L 23-20 3-2-1 55,607 LA Coliseum

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
1 2 3 4 Total
49ers 0 7 0 10 17
Falcons 3 7 10 0 20

at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

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
1 2 3 4 Total
49ers 0 10 3 13 26
Cardinals 0 7 0 7 14

at Busch Memorial Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

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 7
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 20 °F (-7 °C); 13 °F (-11 °C) wind chill
  • TV: 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
1 2 3 4 Total
49ers 3 3 0 0 6
Rams 0 14 3 0 17

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

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[]

NFC West
Team W L T PCT PF PA
San Francisco 49ers 9 5 0 .643 300 216
Los Angeles Rams 8 5 1 .615 313 260
Atlanta Falcons 7 6 1 .538 274 277
New Orleans Saints 4 8 2 .333 266 347

[1]

Staff/Coaches[]

Playoffs[]

Week Date Opponent Result Score Att. Location
Divisional Playoff December 26 Washington W 24-20 45,327 Candlestick Park
NFC Championship January 2 at Dallas L 14-3 63,409 Texas Stadium

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

  • Chet Franklin


=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[]

  1. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 297

External links[]