1971 Pasadena Bowl

1971 Pasadena Bowl
Memphis State Tigers San Jose State Spartans
(4-6) (5-5-1)
28 9
Head coach: 
Billy J. Murphy		 Head coach: 
Dewey King
1 2 3 4 Total
Memphis State 7 7 0 14 28
San Jose State 3 0 0 6 9
Date December 18, 1971
Season 1971
Stadium Rose Bowl
Location Pasadena, California
Attendance 15,244
Pasadena Bowl
 < 1970  1972 > 

The 1971 Pasadena Bowl was the last held at the Rose Bowl until 1976. The Pasadena Bowl matched up San Jose State, who played in the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, and Memphis State from the Missouri Valley Conference. This was the first bowl game for each team.

Game summary

Trailing 3-0 late in the first quarter, Memphis State Tom Carlsen blocked a Spartan punt and recovered it in the endzone, giving them the lead 7-3. Dornell Harris scored in the second quarter to make it 14-3. Tailback Gowen added on to the score with his own touchdown run and Clifton Taylor sealed the game for the Tigers as the Spartans could only muster a late touchdown when the game was already over, with their five turnovers hurting them despite outyarding them 350-290. Memphis State coach Billy J. Murphy retired after the bowl win.

References