1977 Idaho Vandals football team

1977 Idaho Vandals football
Conference	Big Sky Conference
Record	3–8 (2–4 Big Sky)
Head coach	Ed Troxel (4th season)
Offensive coordinator	John McMahon (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Veer [1]
Defensive coordinator	Greg McMackin (1st season)
Base defense	4–3 [1]
Captains	Craig Juntunen (QB) Chris Tormey (LB)
Home stadium	Kibbie Dome
Seasons ←  1976 1978  →

1977 Big Sky Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. T–5 Boise State $	6	–	0	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
No. T–5 Northern Arizona ^	5	–	1	–	0			9	–	3	–	0
Montana State	3	–	3	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Weber State	2	–	4	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
Idaho State	2	–	4	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
Idaho	2	–	4	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
Montana	1	–	5	–	0			4	–	6	–	0
$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Boise State concluded its regular season after the NCAA Division II playoffs started; runner-up Northern Arizona was awarded playoff bid. Rankings from NCAA Division II AP Poll

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, ^[1] then in Division II. They played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho.

Season

With quarterbacks Craig Juntunen and Rocky Tuttle running the veer offense, the Vandals were 3–8 overall and 2–4 in the Big Sky in 1977. ^{[2] [3]} Idaho did not play runner-up Northern Arizona, but the Big Sky designated a non-conference home game for each to count as a sixth conference game in the standings, with both opponents from the PCAA. ^{[4] [5]} The Vandals lost to Pacific in September while NAU defeated Cal State Fullerton in October.

The Vandals suffered a tenth straight loss in the Battle of the Palouse with neighbor Washington State of the Pac-8, falling 45–17 at Martin Stadium in Pullman on November 12. ^{[6] [7]}

Boise State

The season concluded with a 30-point home loss to Boise State, held two days after Thanksgiving. The young rivalry took a new step in the fourth quarter, when the Broncos were up 34–14 and in control. Having thrown the ball sparingly in building its twenty-point lead, second-year head coach Jim Criner went heavily to the passing game. Boise scored a touchdown with less than two minutes left, then staged a successful onside kick and made a field goal with seconds remaining. ^{[2] [8] [9] [10]}

Boise State went undefeated in the Big Sky, but because of the late conclusion of their regular season, they had to decline a berth in the Division II playoffs, which started earlier that day. ^[11] Conference runner-up Northern Arizona took their place and was shut out at home, 35–0. ^{[9] [12]} In the previous season, underdog Idaho had won the rivalry game in the season opener before a record crowd in Boise in Criner's debut as head coach. ^{[13] [14]} At the time, the Broncos were three-time defending conference champions, all under previous head coach Tony Knap. Idaho had agreed to move that 1976 game from November 27 up to September 11, so that BSU could participate in the D-II playoffs, but the Broncos ended at 2–5 in the Big Sky (fifth) and 5–5–1 overall.

Division I

This was the last season prior to the creation of Division I-AA, ^[15] which the Big Sky joined. Through 1977, the Big Sky was a Division II conference for football, except for Division I member Idaho, which moved down to I-AA in 1978. Idaho had maintained its upper division status in the NCAA by playing Division I non-conference opponents (and was ineligible for the Division II postseason). (Idaho was involuntarily dropped to the College Division in 1967, ^[16] then returned to the University Division in 1969.) ^[17]

Troxel fired

Five weeks after the season concluded, Troxel was asked for his resignation by new university president Richard Gibb on December 30. ^{[18] [19] [20] [21]} An assistant under the preceding three head coaches and a former head coach of track and field, ^[22] he had been at UI for an over a decade. ^{[3] [23]} Very successful at Borah High School in Boise (1958–66), ^[23] Troxel returned to the high school ranks in 1978 at Kennewick High School, in the Tri-Cities of eastern Washington, ^[24] and built the Lions into winners; he coached through 1990, and died of cancer at age 75in 2001. ^{[25] [26]}

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 10	5:30 pm	at Rice *	Rice Stadium Houston, TX	L 10–31	14,000	[27]
September 17	8:00 pm	Pacific (CA)	Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID	L 21–31	12,000	[28]
September 24	10:00 pm	at Hawaii *	Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI	L 26–45	25,463	[29]
October 8	8:00 pm	Idaho State	Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID	L 14–34	11,500	[30]
October 15	1:30 pm	Montana	Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID (Little Brown Stein)	W 31–20	15,200	[31]
October 22	12:30 pm	at No. 3 Montana State	Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT	W 17–6	8,750	[32]
October 29	12:30 pm	at Weber State	Wildcat Stadium Ogden, UT	L 27–30	3,000	[33]
November 5	7:30 pm	UNLV *	Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID	L 21–35	7,400	[34]
November 12	1:00 pm	at Washington State *	Martin Stadium Pullman, WA (Battle of the Palouse)	L 17–45	18,500	[6] [7]
November 19	6:00 pm	at New Mexico State *	Aggie Memorial Stadium Las Cruces, NM	W 47–44	6,438	[35]
November 26	7:30 pm	No. T–5 Boise State	Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID (rivalry)	L 14–44	12,000	[2] [8] [9]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Pacific time

Idaho did not play Northern Arizona, so a non-conference game was designated to count in the standings for each team. Both were home games against Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA) opponents. Idaho lost to Pacific, while Northern Arizona defeated Cal State Fullerton. ^{[4] [5]}

Roster

1977 Idaho Vandals football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 7 Mike McCurdy Fr SE 10 Brad Clausen SE 11 Jett Taylor Jr QB, P 12 Rocky Tuttle Jr QB 14 Craig Juntunen  (C) Sr QB 15 Jay Goodenbour Fr SE 18 Kirk Allen Jr RB 25 Robert Brooks   Sr RB 30 Tim Lappano Jr TE 33 Mike Supkis So RB 35 Glenn Ford So RB 36 Glen White Fr RB 40 Robert Taylor Sr TE 44 Dan Meyer So C 50 Joe Kramer Sr C 53 Dave Pearson Jr OL 55 David Earl OL 59 Mike Clark Jr RG 61 Dick Wilkin Jr OL 63 Bob Volke Fr OL 64 Mark Whipps Jr RG 65 Joe Dahlin Sr OL 66 Doug Gisselberg So OL 68 Brian Zimmerman Jr LT 69 Larry Coombs So OL 71 Mark McNeal So LG 74 Dave Wiggum Sr RT 77 Tom Randel Jr FL 80 Dan Davidson Sr TE 84 Rick Mayfield Jr TE 87 Jeff Eucker	Defense Pos. # Name Class DB 20 Larry Barker Fr DB 21 Mike Keogh Fr DB 22 Ray McCanna Fr DB 23 Marc Watts Fr FS 24 Rick Linehan Jr CB 26 Greg Coman Sr DB 27 Todd McKillop Jr LB 33 Kelly Grimes So LB 34 Chris Frost Sr DB 37 Dan Duncan So DB 41 Doug Moy Sr CB 42 Bill Clark Sr CB 43 Brian Charles Sr DB 45 Kevin Johnson LB 45 Monty Elder Fr LB 51 Chris Eads So LB 52 Bob Cafferty Jr LB 54 Tom Jacksha Sr LB 57 Marty Marshall So LB 58 Dan Cozzetto Jr DL 60 Mark Stennfeld Jr DT 62 Tim Sanford Sr DL 67 Scott Whipps Jr DL 70 Kyle Riddell So DT 72 Joe Pellegrini Sr DE 73 Tom Eilertson Sr DT 75 Lynn Rice Sr DL 76 Vic Lillquist So DT 78 Steve Parker So DL 79 Mark Husby LB 81 Rick Hunt So DL 82 Randy Ralph So LB 83 Phil Vance So LB 85 Chris Tormey  (C) Sr DL 86 Tom Michaud Fr DE 89 Robert Collins Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class PK, P 6 Ralph Lowe Sr	Head coach Ed Troxel Coordinators/assistant coaches John McMahon (OC) Greg McMackin (DC) Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

Source: ^{[11] [36] [37] [38]}

All-conference

Defensive tackle Tim Sanford and punter Ralph Lowe were named to the Big Sky all-conference team; Lowe was named to the second team as a placekicker. Also on the second team were tackle Larry Coombs, center Joe Kramer, running back Robert Taylor, linebacker Chris Tormey, defensive end Joe Pellegrini, and defensive back Brian Charles. ^{[39] [40]}

References

1. "Troxel claims defense key at Idaho". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. September 7, 1977. p. 42.
2. "Vandals finish 3-8". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 28, 1977. p. 15.
3. Payne, Bob (September 20, 1977). "Troxel disappointed, not leaving". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 29.
4. Payne, Bob (September 16, 1977). "Non-league battle counts for Idaho". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 27.
5. "Vandals in home debut tonight". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). September 17, 1977. p. 9.
6. Missildine, Harry (November 13, 1977). "Cougars bury Idaho 45-17". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.
7. "Cougars get winning year with victory". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). UPI. November 13, 1977. p. 6C.
8. Payne, Bob (November 28, 1977). "Boise State burns Idaho". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 17.
9. Vaughan, Sue (November 28, 1977). "Idaho, Troxel in bitter loss". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 16.
10. Van Sickel, Charlie (November 30, 1977). "Statesmen upset". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 36.
11. Payne, Bob (November 24, 1977). "'Potato Bowl' major game for Vandals". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. 45.
12. "NAU out in NCAA playoffs". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 28, 1977. p. 15.
13. "Idaho team underdog against Boise squad". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). September 10, 1976. p. 23.
14. Payne, Bob (September 12, 1976). "Vandals win opener". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.
15. "Big schools win battle". St. Petersburg Independent. Florida. Associated Press. January 13, 1978. p. 5C.
16. "Ostyn says Pacific cost major status". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. August 9, 1967. p. 15.
17. "NCAA ups 4 colleges". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. July 2, 1969. p. 22.
18. Killen, John (January 1, 1978). "Troxel resigns Idaho football post". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
19. "Belknap seeking Troxel's replacement by Jan. 15". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). January 2, 1978. p. 16.
20. Vaughan, Sue (January 2, 1978). "Vandals seeking air-minded man". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. p. 24.
21. "Troxel bitter over Idaho job loss". Ellensburg Daily Record. (Washington). UPI. January 5, 1978. p. 7.
22. "Aides for Troxel next Idaho task". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). December 20, 1973. p. 28.
23. "Vandals name Ed Troxel as defensive line coach". Spokesman-Review. (Spokesman, Washington). January 24, 1967. p. 12.
24. Emerson, Paul (October 26, 1978). "Football's fun again for Ed Troxel". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
25. "Former UI football coach Troxel dies". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). wire reports. January 25, 2001. p. 2B.
26. "Idaho football coaching legend Troxel dies at 75". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). Associated Press. January 25, 2001. p. 2B.
27. Payne, Bob (September 11, 1977). "Owls rap Vandals in opener". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.
28. English, Sue (September 19, 1977). "Idaho falls to Pacific". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 27.
29. "Leaky Vandals yield again; Hawaii rolls to 46-25 win". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). September 26, 1977. p. 15.
30. Payne, Bob (October 9, 1977). "Idaho State stuns Vandals 34-14". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.
31. "Vandals get first win". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). October 17, 1977. p. 17.
32. "Idaho 'D' does job on MSU". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). October 23, 1977. p. D1.
33. Payne, Bob (October 30, 1977). "Idaho's comeback foiled; Weber ekes 30-27 triumph". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.
34. Payne, Bob (November 6, 1977). "Rebels roll over Idaho". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D3.
35. "Idaho bursts, then hangs on". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 20, 1977. p. D3.
36. "Rosters". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). October 8, 1977. p. 13.
37. "Rosters". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). November 26, 1977. p. 17.
38. "Eight Vandals honored". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). December 1, 1977. p. 2B.
39. "Big Sky tabs Lowe, Sanford". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. November 30, 1977. p. 36.
40. "Eight Vandals honored". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). December 1, 1977. p. 2B.

External links

• Gem of the Mountains: 1978 University of Idaho yearbook – 1977 football season
• Official game program: Idaho at Washington State – November 12, 1977
• Idaho Argonaut – student newspaper – 1977 editions