1976 Western Michigan Broncos football team

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]

1976 Western Michigan Broncos football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
1976 record7–4 (6–3 MAC)
Head coach
MVPJerome Persell
CaptainDave Gapinski, Pepper Powers
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
1976 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW 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 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 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

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 11Eastern MichiganW 31–13
September 18at Northern IllinoisW 37–6
September 25at MinnesotaL 10–21
October 2Bowling GreenL 0–28
October 9at Kent StateL 12–24
October 16ToledoW 34–21
October 23MarshallW 31–21
October 30OhioW 21–20
November 6at MiamiL 0–31
November 13at Ball StateW 24–10
November 20Central MichiganW 42–14

References

  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.
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