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1976 Western Michigan Broncos football team

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1976 Western Michigan Broncos football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record7–4 (6–3 MAC)
Head coach
MVPJerome Persell
CaptainDave Gapinski, Pepper Powers
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
Seasons
← 1975
1977 →
1976 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Ball State $ 4 1 0 8 3 0
Kent State 6 2 0 8 4 0
Ohio 6 2 0 7 4 0
Western Michigan 6 3 0 7 4 0
Central Michigan 4 3 0 7 4 0
Bowling Green 4 3 0 6 5 0
Miami (OH) 2 4 0 3 8 0
Toledo 2 6 0 3 8 0
Eastern Michigan 1 5 0 2 9 0
Northern Illinois 0 6 0 1 10 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1976 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. In their second season under head coach Elliot Uzelac, the Broncos compiled a 7–4 record (6–3 against MAC opponents), finished in fourth place in the MAC, and outscored their opponents, 270 to 202.[1][2][3] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[4]

The team's statistical leaders included Pepper Powers with 571 passing yards, Jerome Persell with 1,505 rushing yards, and Tom Henry with 225 receiving yards.[5] Defensive back Dave Gapinski and quarterback Pepper Powers 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 first of what would be three consecutive years.[8] Elliot Uzelac was named the MAC coach of the year.[9]

Schedule

[edit]
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 11Eastern MichiganW 31–13
September 18at Northern IllinoisW 37–6
September 25at Minnesota*L 10–2133,229
October 2Bowling Green
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 0–28
October 9at Kent StateL 12–24
October 16Toledo
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 34–21
October 23Marshall*
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 31–21
October 30Ohio
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 21–20
November 6at Miami (OH)L 0–31
November 13at Ball StateW 24–10
November 20Central Michigan
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI (rivalry)
W 42–14
  • *Non-conference game

References

[edit]
  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. ^ "1976 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. ^ "1976 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. ^ "Football History: Conference Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 6, 2016.