1971 Northern Iowa Panthers football team

The 1971 Northern Iowa Panthers football team represented the University of Northern Iowa as a member of the North Central Conference (NCC) during the 1971 NCAA College Division football season. Led by 12th-year head coach Stan Sheriff, the Panthers compiled an overall record of 4–5 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the NCC. Northern Iowa played home games at O. R. Latham Stadium in Cedar Falls, Iowa.