The Vandals won their first outright conference title in 1971, which included an eight-game winning streak after opening with two losses.
A third consecutive season opened without a home field, as the new Idaho Stadium was not quite finished and there was no suitable venue available on the Palouse.
[3] The primary (south) grandstand of Rogers burned in April 1970,[4] and was razed in 1971; in its footprint Martin Stadium was constructed and opened in September 1972.
[5][6] The Vandals' season opener was a stunning 14–42 upset loss at Boise State in the first meeting between the two teams, creating an instant rivalry game.
[7][8] This was actually an Idaho "home game" moved south to Boise,[9] because the new stadium in Moscow was behind schedule and not completed.
[32] Six Vandals were named to the all-Big Sky team, two on offense and four on defense: halfback Fred Riley, guard Andy Kupp, defensive end Rick Simmons, noseguard Steve Barker, and linebackers Ron Linehan and Rand Marquess.
[36] Three weeks after the season ended, he received a gunshot wound to his left side;[37] he spent less than two days at Gritman hospital and was released.