The 1971 Valley State Matadors football team represented San Fernando Valley State College—now known as California State University, Northridge—as a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) during the 1971 NCAA College Division football season. Led by first-year head coach Rod Humenuik, Valley State compiled an overall record of 4–7 with a mark of 1–2 in conference play, placing third in the CCAA. The Matadors played home games at the new campus stadium, North Campus Stadium in Northridge, California.