1977 Western Michigan Broncos football team

The 1977 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. In their third season under head coach Elliot Uzelac, the Broncos compiled a 4–7 record (3–5 against MAC opponents), finished in seventh place in the MAC, and outscored their opponents, 261 to 231.[1][2][3] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[4]

1977 Western Michigan Broncos football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record4–7 (3–5 MAC)
Head coach
MVPJerome Persell
CaptainHoward Nevins, Keith Rogien
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
Seasons
← 1976
1978 →
1977 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Miami (OH) $ 5 0 0 10 1 0
Central Michigan 7 1 0 10 1 0
Ball State 5 1 0 9 2 0
Bowling Green 4 3 0 5 7 0
Eastern Michigan 4 3 0 8 3 0
Kent State 5 4 0 6 5 0
Western Michigan 3 5 0 4 7 0
Northern Illinois 2 5 0 3 8 0
Toledo 2 7 0 2 9 0
Ohio 0 8 0 1 10 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The team's statistical leaders included Albert Little with 802 passing yards, Jerome Persell with 1,339 rushing yards, and Craig Frazier with 319 receiving yards.[5] Linebacker Howard Nevins and fullback Keith Rogien were the team captains.[6] Tailback Jerome Persell received the team's most outstanding player award.[7] Persell was also named MAC offensive player of the year for the second of what would be three consecutive years.[8]

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 10at Minnesota*L 7–1029,619
September 17Texas–Arlington*L 10–1716,900[9]
September 24Northern Illinois
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 37–6
October 1at Bowling GreenL 28–31
October 8Kent State
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 16–20
October 15at ToledoW 34–21
October 22Marshall*
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 53–2922,600[10]
October 29at OhioW 28–22
November 5Miami (OH)
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 8–1421,800[11]
November 12Ball State
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 25–29
November 19at Central Michigan L 23–28
  • *Non-conference game

References

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  1. ^ "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1970 - 79". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "1977 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Waldo Stadium". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "1977 Western Michigan Broncos Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. ^ "Football History: Team Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  8. ^ "Western's Persell, NIU's Petzke share MAC honors". Detroit Free Press. December 14, 1978. p. 2D.
  9. ^ "UTA win sparked by Jensen, defense". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 18, 1977. p. 4E. Retrieved January 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  10. ^ "Western Michigan routs Marshall". Beckley Post-Herald & Register. October 23, 1977. Retrieved January 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Jeff McElwee (November 6, 1977). "Miami knocks out Broncos 14-8". Battle Creek Enquirer. p. C2 – via Newspapers.com.