Conference Pacific-8 Conference Head coach Jim Sweeney (4th year) | 1971 record 4–7 (2–5 Pac-8) | |
Home stadium Joe Albi Stadium (Spokane, WA) | ||
The 1971 Washington State Cougars football team was an American football team that represented Washington State University in the Pacific-8 Conference (Pac-8) during the 1971 college football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Jim Sweeney, they compiled a 4–7 record (2–5 against Pac-8 opponents), finished seventh in the Pac-8, and were outscored by a combined total of 286 to 246.
The team's statistical leaders included junior quarterback Ty Payne with 1,206 passing yards, senior running back Bernard Jackson with 1,189 rushing yards, and wide receiver Ike Nelson with 349 receiving yards.
The Cougars defeated No.10 Stanford, the defending and future Rose Bowl champions, in Palo Alto on October 23, but lost their third straight Apple Cup. Washington State did not play the Battle of the Palouse in 1971, and neighbor Idaho had their best season to date, winning eight consecutive games.
Due to the fire damage to Rogers Field in Pullman in April 1970, the Cougars played their entire home schedule 80 miles (130 km) north of campus at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane in 1970 and 1971.
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