1971 Wisconsin Badgers football team

1971 Wisconsin Badgers football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record4–6–1 (3–5 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorPaul Roach (2nd season)
Offensive schemeOption
Defensive coordinatorLew Stueck (2nd season)
Base defense4–3
MVPNeil Graff
Captains
  • Roger Jaeger
  • Bill Poindexter
Home stadiumCamp Randall Stadium
1971 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 6 Michigan $ 8 0 0 11 1 0
Northwestern 6 3 0 7 4 0
Ohio State 5 3 0 6 4 0
Michigan State 5 3 0 6 5 0
Illinois 5 3 0 5 6 0
Wisconsin 3 5 0 4 6 1
Minnesota 3 5 0 4 7 0
Purdue 3 5 0 3 7 0
Indiana 2 6 0 3 8 0
Iowa 1 8 0 1 10 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1971 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1971 Big Ten season. In their second year under head coach John Jardine, the Badgers compiled a 4–6–1 record (3–5 in conference games), tied for sixth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 258 to 240.

The Badgers gained an average of 161.1 passing yards and 213.5 rushing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 137.6 passing yards and 240.5 rushing yards per game. The team's individual statistical leaders included: quarterback Neil Graff (1,300 passing yards); running back Rufus Ferguson (1,222 rushing yards); and wide receiver Albert Hannah (39 receptions for 608 yards).

Dave Lokanc and Keith Nosbusch were the team captains. Quarterback Neil Graff was selected as the team's most valuable player. Three Wisconsin players received first- or second-team All-Big Ten honors from the Associated Press (AP) or United Press International (UPI): Ferguson at running back (AP-1, UPI-1); Lokanc at linebacker (AP-2); and Neovia Greyer at defensive back (AP-2).

The Badgers played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.