1976 Montana State Bobcats football team

Last updated

1976 Montana State Bobcats football
NCAA Division II champion
Big Sky champion
Conference Big Sky Conference
Record12–1 (6–0 Big Sky)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDon Christensen (6th season)
Defensive coordinator Sonny Lubick (6th season)
Home stadium Reno H. Sales Stadium
Seasons
←  1975
1977  →
1976 Big Sky Conference football standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 1 Montana State $^ 6 –0 –012 –1 –0
Idaho 5 –1 –07 –4 –0
Northern Arizona 4 –2 –08 –3 –0
Montana 3 –3 –04 –6 –0
Boise State 2 –4 –05 –5 –1
Weber State 1 –5 –02 –9 –0
Idaho State 0 –6 –00 –9 –0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from NCAA Division II AP Poll

The 1976 Montana State Bobcats football team represented the Montana State University in the 1976 NCAA Division II football season. The team was led by sixth-year head coach Sonny Holland and won the Division II national championship. [1] The Bobcats played their home games on campus in Bozeman at Reno H. Sales Stadium.

Contents

Entering August practices, the Bobcats were expected to finish in the middle of the conference standings. [2] Led on the field by southpaw sophomore quarterback Paul Dennehy, [3] [4] Montana State went undefeated in the Big Sky and against all Division II opponents, falling only to Fresno State of Division I. Montana State finished their schedule with a 28–7 victory at Hawaii to end the regular season at 9–1. [5]

Division II playoffs

In the Division II playoffs, the Bobcats hosted New Hampshire in Bozeman in the quarterfinals and won by a point, 17–16. [6] In the semifinals at Fargo, MSU defeated North Dakota State for a second time in 1976, by a much closer 10–3 score in the Grantland Rice Bowl. [7] [8]

In the Pioneer Bowl for the Division II title in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Bobcats defeated Akron 24–13 and became the first Big Sky team to win a national title in football. [9] the Bobcats went undefeated in the Big Sky and won the Division II national championship. [9]

Schedule

DateOpponentRankSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 11at North Dakota *
W 18–1412,800
September 18 North Dakota State *
W 34–72,300 [10]
September 25at Fresno State *No. 3
L 10–2411,500
October 2 Boise State
  • Reno H. Sales Stadium
  • Bozeman, MT
W 24–207,800 [11] [12]
October 9at Weber State
W 44–07,422 [13] [14]
October 16 Idaho State No. 8
  • Reno H. Sales Stadium
  • Bozeman, MT
W 28–79,600 [15]
October 23 Idaho No. 7
  • Reno H. Sales Stadium
  • Bozeman, MT
W 29–145,400 [3] [4] [16]
October 30at Montana No. 4
W 21–1212,500 [17]
November 6No. 6 Northern Arizona No. 3
  • Reno H. Sales Stadium
  • Bozeman, MT
W 33–09,400 [18]
November 13at Hawaii *No. 3
W 28–720,515 [19]
November 27No. T–8 New Hampshire *No. 1
W 17–166,900 [20]
December 4at No. T–8 North Dakota State*No. 1
W 10–36,100 [21] [22]
December 11vs. No. 3 Akron *No. 1
W 24–1313,200 [9]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

[23] [24]

Related Research Articles

The 1980 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals were led by third-year head coach Jerry Davitch and were members of the Big Sky Conference. They played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho.

The 1984 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1984 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The Vandals, led by third-year head coach Dennis Erickson, were members of the Big Sky Conference and played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho.

The 1979 Montana Grizzlies football team was an American football team that represented the University of Montana in the Big Sky Conference during the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their fourth year under head coach Gene Carlson, the team compiled a 3–7 record.

The 1976 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level, began in August 1976 and concluded with the championship game on December 11 at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Montana State Bobcats defeated the Akron Zips 24–13 in the Pioneer Bowl to win their only Division II national title.

The 1976 Akron Zips football team was an American football team that represented the University of Akron during the 1976 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth season under head coach Jim Dennison, the Zips compiled a 10–3 record and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 282 to 144. In post-season play, they defeated UNLV, 27–6, in a Division II quarterfinal, and defeated Northern Michigan, 29–26, in the Knute Rockne Bowl. In the championship game in Wichita Falls, Texas, Akron lost to Montana State in the Pioneer Bowl. The 1976 season was the first and only ten-win season in Akron's program history.

The 1977 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. The Vandals were led by fourth-year head coach Ed Troxel and were members of the Big Sky Conference, then in Division II. They played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho.

The 1976 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. The Vandals were led by third-year head coach Ed Troxel and were members of the Big Sky Conference, then in Division II. They played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho.

The 1975 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1975 NCAA Division I football season. The Vandals were led by second-year head coach Ed Troxel and were members of the Big Sky Conference, then in Division II. They played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho.

The 1974 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1974 NCAA Division I football season. The Vandals were led by first-year head coach Ed Troxel and were members of the Big Sky Conference, then in Division II. They played their home games at new Idaho Stadium, an unlit outdoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995 Boise State Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 1995 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 1995 NCAA Division I-AA football season, their last season in Division I-AA. The Broncos competed in the Big Sky Conference and played their home games on campus at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Led by third-year head coach Pokey Allen, Boise State finished the season 7–4 overall and 4–3 in conference, ranked 21st in the final regular season poll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Boise State Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 1977 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 1977 NCAA Division II football season. The Broncos competed in the Big Sky Conference and played their home games on campus at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Led by second-year head coach Jim Criner, the Broncos were 9–2 overall and 6–0 in conference to win the Big Sky title, their fourth in five years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 Boise State Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 1976 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 1976 NCAA Division II football season. The Broncos competed in the Big Sky Conference and played their home games on campus at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Led by first-year head coach Jim Criner, the Broncos were 5–5–1 overall and 2–4 in conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 Boise State Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 1975 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University during the 1975 NCAA Division II football season, the eighth season of Bronco football and the third in the newly reorganized Division II. The Broncos were in their sixth year as members of the Big Sky Conference and played their home games on campus at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho.

The 1969 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1969 NCAA University Division football season. The Vandals were led by second-year head coach Y C McNease and played in the Big Sky Conference. After two seasons in the College Division, Idaho returned to the University Division this year.

The 1962 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. The Vandals were led by first-year head coach Dee Andros and were an independent in the NCAA's University Division. Home games were played on campus at Neale Stadium in Moscow, with one in Boise at old Bronco Stadium at Boise Junior College.

The 1980–81 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team represented the University of Idaho during the 1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Vandals were led by third-year head coach Don Monson and played their home games on campus at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979–80 Boise State Broncos men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 1979–80 Boise State Broncos men's basketball team represented Boise State University during the 1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Broncos were led by seventh-year head coach Bus Connor and played their home games on campus at Bronco Gymnasium in Boise, Idaho.

The 1977 Montana State Bobcats football team was an American football team that represented Montana State University in the Big Sky Conference during the 1977 NCAA Division II football season. In their seventh and final season under head coach Sonny Holland, the Bobcats compiled a 6–4 record and finished third in the Big Sky.

The 1982 Montana State Bobcats football team was an American football team that represented Montana State University in the Big Sky Conference during the 1982 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their only season under head coach Doug Graber, the Bobcats compiled a 6–5 record.

The 1983 Montana State Bobcats football team was an American football team that represented Montana State University in the Big Sky Conference during the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their first season under head coach Dave Arnold, the Bobcats compiled a 1–10 record and finished last in the Big Sky.

References

  1. ↑ "Dennehy leads Montana State's bowl win". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 12, 1976. p. D1.
  2. ↑ Emerson, Paul (August 1, 1976). "ISU picked as Big Sky grid favorite". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
  3. 1 2 "Idaho, Montana (State) fight for lead". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). October 22, 1976. p. 16.
  4. 1 2 Payne, Bob (October 24, 1976). "Dennehy inspires Bobcats". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.
  5. ↑ Clemens, Dave (November 15, 1976). "Montana State looks for postseason berth". Prescott Courier. (Arizona). Associated Press. p. 7.
  6. ↑ "Bobcats survive UNH aerials". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 28, 1976. p. D1.
  7. ↑ "Bobcat defense keys victory". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 5, 1976. p. 4B.
  8. ↑ "Montana St., 10-3". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire services. December 5, 1976. p. 9E.
  9. 1 2 3 "Montana State wins title". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 12, 1976. p. 4B.
  10. ↑ "MSU's Dennehy no robot". The Billings Gazette. September 19, 1976. Retrieved October 5, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Bobcats hold off Broncos". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 3, 1976. p. D3.
  12. ↑ English, Sue (October 4, 1976). "Big Sky race has surprise". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 17.
  13. ↑ Ewer, Bill (October 11, 1976). "No hope for Weber". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). p. B6.
  14. ↑ English, Sue (October 11, 1976). "Big Sky test due for Idaho". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 19.
  15. ↑ English, Sue (October 18, 1976). "No surprises likely in next Vandal game". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 15.
  16. ↑ English, Sue (October 25, 1976). "Vandals play Bengals next". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 13.
  17. ↑ "Idaho on road again after slim triumph". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 1, 1976. p. 27.
  18. ↑ "Idaho goes up despite loss". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 8, 1976. p. 15.
  19. ↑ English, Sue (November 15, 1976). "Undisputed 2nd goal for Idaho". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 19.
  20. ↑ "Bobcats survive UNH aerials". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 28, 1976. p. D1.
  21. ↑ "Bobcats advance to title game". The Independent-Record. December 5, 1976. Retrieved October 5, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Bobcat defense keys victory". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 5, 1976. p. 4B.
  23. ↑ "Final 1976 Cumulative Football Statistics Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association . Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  24. ↑ "2015 football media guide" (PDF). Montana State University Athletics. 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.