1976 Albion Britons football team

1976 Albion Britons football
MIAA champion
Conference	Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record	9–0 (5–0 MIAA)
Head coach	Frank Joranko (4th season)
Captain	Rick Otis
Home stadium	Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium
Seasons ← 1975 1977 →

1976 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Albion $	5	–	0	–	0			9	–	0	–	0
Hope	4	–	1	–	0			6	–	3	–	0
Alma	3	–	2	–	0			5	–	4	–	0
Kalamazoo	2	–	3	–	0			3	–	4	–	1
Adrian	1	–	4	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
Olivet	0	–	5	–	0			0	–	9	–	0
$ – Conference champion

The 1976 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1976 NCAA Division III football season. In their fourth season under head coach Frank Joranko, the Britons compiled a perfect 9–0 record (5–0 against MIAA members), won the MIAA championship, shut out five of nine opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 272 to 49. ^[1] It was the fifth unbeaten season in the history of Albion's football program, with prior unbeaten seasons in 1928, 1961, 1964, and 1969. ^[2]

The Britons were ranked No. 3 in Division III at the end of the regular season. They also ranked first in Division III in rushing offense, total defense, and scoring defense, fourth in total offense, and third in rushing defense. ^[3] They were unable to participate in the NCAA Division III championship tournament due to an MIAA rule prohibiting post-season play. ^[3]

Albion players took 10 of 22 first-team spots on the 1976 MIAA All-League team. The Albion honorees were: quarterback Steve Robb (37 of 72 passes for 565 yards and seven touchdowns); fullback Kevin Nixon (596 rushing yards and nine touchdowns); offensive lineman Kevin Schaefer; center Ron Vanderlinden; defensive end and team captain Rick Otis; defensive linemen Jim Haskins and Steve Spencer; linebackers Fred Cromie and Frank Carr; and defensive back Dave Abbott. ^{[4] [1]}

The team played its home games at Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium in Albion, Michigan.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 11	Defiance *	Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI	W 38–0	2,208	[5]
September 18	at Mount Union *	Alliance, OH	W 27–0	4,500	[6] [7]
September 25	Wabash *	Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI	W 36–0	1,873–3,180	[8] [9]
October 2	at Alma	Bahlke Field Alma, MI	W 16–7	2,000–5,500	[10]
October 9	at Adrian	Adrian, MI	W 20–19	5,400	[11]
October 16	Kalamazoo	Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI	W 28–0	3,000–6,340	[12]
October 23	Olivet	Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI	W 55–6	3,190	[13]
October 30	at Hope	Holland, MI	W 14–3	6,734	[14] [15]
November 6	Lakeland *	Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI	W 49–14	3,284	[16]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

^[17]

References

1. Bob Gross (November 12, 1976). "Albion's turnaround is based on respect that coach has built". The Times Herald. Gannett News Service. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "Albion's Goal a Lofty One -- Title". The Lansing State Journal. November 7, 1969. p. C4 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Nothing left for Albion to do but to bask in glory of perfect season". Batte Creek Enquirer and News. November 14, 1976. p. C7 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Albion Dominates MIAA Star Team". The Herald-Palladium. Associated Press. November 22, 1976. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Albion overwhelms Defiance in debut". The Lima News. September 12, 1976. p. E3 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Albion 27, Mount Union 0". Lansing State Journal. September 19, 1976. p. C2 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Albion (Mich.) 27 Mount Union 0". News Journal. September 19, 1976. p. 6G – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Albion routs Wabash". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. September 26, 1976. p. C2 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Albion 36, Wabash 0". Lansing State Journal. September 26, 1976. p. C4 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Albion Outduels Alma, 16-7". Detroit Free Press. October 3, 1976. p. 5E – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Albion survives big scare 20-19". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 10, 1976. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
12. Joe Neely (October 17, 1976). "Albion blunts K-College 28-0". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
13. Joe Neely (October 24, 1976). "Albion extends streak rushes past Olivet 55-6". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. p. C2 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Albion MIAA titlist 14-3". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. October 31, 1966. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Albion Earns First MIAA Crown In Seven Years". The Herald-Palladium. Associated Press. November 1, 1976. p. 42 – via Newspapers.com.
16. Joe Neeley (November 7, 1976). "Albion gridders perfect 49-14". Battle Creek Enquirer and News. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Final 1976 Cumulative Football Statistics Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved February 4, 2024.