Livingston posted an 11-1 record and claimed the national title in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics by defeating top-ranked Arkansas Tech, 14-12, in the national championship game at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
Livingston beat West Liberty 25-2 in a semifinal game in Steubenville, Ohio.
Head Coach Micky Andrews’ staff included Buddy Nix, the defensive coordinator; Jim King, the offensive line coach; and Mike Dean, who arrived from Alabama to coach the defensive backs. Paul Lombardo and Chester Skates served as graduate assistants. Waldon Tucker, a record-setting receiver at Livingston, was a student assistant along with Larry Massey, Alfredo Lugo and Bobby Fairley.
Coach Andrews was named Gulf South Conference coach of the year and NAIA District 27 Coach of the Year.
As a senior quarterback in 1971, Clemit Spruiell was named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year and was a second-team NAIA All-American. He passed for 1,281 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 228 and five scores. He led the team with 1,509 yards of total offense.
Middle linebacker Nels Strickland was a first-team All-American and was named most valuable defensive player in the title game for his 15 tackles, seven assists and one interception. Strickland was the first West Alabama athlete to be named First Team All-American. Strickland was named first-team All-Gulf South Conference his senior year and went on to play in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts.
Ken Hutcherson was a starting outside linebacker for the Tiger’s 1971 NAIA National Championship team and a two-time All-American. He was the NAIA National Player of the Week in 1972 when he made 21 tackles against Southern State. Hutcherson went on to play in the NFL with Dallas, San Diego and Seattle.
Spruiell, Adrian Gant, Larry Lightfoot, Herbie Malone and Strickland were first-team All-GSC selections. Lightfoot set a school record with 74 points scored.
Tommy Hoffman, Malone and Jim Berryman were honorable mention All-American.
Andy Coats was named GSC player of the week for his efforts against Jacksonville State on Sept. 11, while Spruiell earned the same honor for his play against Florence State (UNA) on Oct. 31. Malone was GSC player of the week for his efforts against Delta State on Dec. 6.
Spruiell and Lightfoot earned first team All-Alabama Small College offensive honors, while Gant, Malone and Strickland were first team defensive choices. Leo Wright Eddie Blake, Berryman and Sam McCorkle were named to the All-Alabama Small College second-team offense, along with Barry Bledsoe and Hoffman, whose six interceptions led the team, on the defensive side of the ball. Jimmy Duncan, Hutcherson, Tommy Cartwright and Coats were honorable mention choices.
Lightfoot, who would eventually be drafted by the New York Jets, led the team in rushing with 458 yards and 10 touchdowns despite not being a starter at running back until the fourth game. Cartwright was the teams’ leading receiver with 30 catches for 374 yards and two TDs. Wright averaged 21.9 yards on 14 kickoff returns.
