 After losing to #12 Arizona State and New Mexico, Dobbs led his team to three wins in the season's final three games; defeating Wyoming by a score of 42–7, Arizona by a score of 33-17 and mid-major Trinity by a score of 37–16.The Miners finished 5–6 in 1971.They began the season with a 38–9 win over Texas–Arlington and a 21–3 win over Pacific.