Michigan Tech Huskies football, 1970–1979

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The Michigan Tech Huskies football program, 1970–1979 represented Michigan Technological University, known prior to 1965 as the Michigan College of Mines and Technology, as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC). Ted Kearly was the head coach from 1969 to 1972; Jim Kapp took over the post from 1973 to 1980.[1] Highlights included:

Headcoach
  • Ted Kearly (1969–1972)
  • Jim Kapp (1973–1980)
Quick facts 1970–1979, Conference ...
1970–1979 Michigan Tech Huskies football
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Head coach
  • Ted Kearly (1969–1972)
  • Jim Kapp (1973–1980)
Seasons
Close

1970

Quick facts NIC co-champion, Conference ...
1970 Michigan Tech Huskies football
NIC co-champion
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record8–1 (5–1 NIC)
Head coach
  • Ted Kearly (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorDoug Graber (2nd season)
Seasons
 1969
1971 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1970 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Michigan Tech +510810
Minnesota Morris +510720
St. Cloud State +510630
Moorhead State330441
Winona State150270
Bemidji State150180
Southwest State (MN)150180
  • + Conference co-champions
Close

The 1970 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1970 NCAA College Division football season. In their second season under head coach Ted Kearly, the Huskies compiled an 8–1 record (5–1 in conference games) and outscored opponents by a total of 221 to 63.

Michigan Tech tallied 1,668 rushing yards (185.3 per game) and 1,064 passing yards (118.2 per game). On defense, the Huskies gave up only 805 rushing yards (89.3 per game) and 702 passing yards (78.0 per game).[2] The individual statistical leaders included:

  • Junior halfback Larry Ras led the team in multiple statistical categories, including rushing (935 yards, 103.8 per game), total offense (935 yards), and scoring (66 points, 7.3 per game).[2]
  • Sophomore quarterback Ben Haller led the team in passing, completing 36 of 73 passes for 596 yards.[2]
  • Freshman split end Gene Timmer led the team with 15 receptions for 393 yards.[2]
  • Senior defensive halfback Jerry LaJeunesse led the team in punting with 39 puntss for an average of 37.0 yards per punt.[2]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 12NorthlandHoughton, MIW 27–0
September 19at AlmaAlma, MIW 17–6
September 26Southwest State (MN)Houghton, MIW 22–0
October 3Ferris StateHoughton, MIW 27–0
October 10at St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MNW 26–22
October 17Winona StateHoughton, MIW 39–0
October 24at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNW 35–8
October 31Moorhead StateHoughton, MIW 21–0
November 7at Minnesota-MorrisMorris, MNL 7–27
Close

[3]

1971

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1971 Michigan Tech Huskies football
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record8–1 (5–1 NIC)
Head coach
  • Ted Kearly (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorDoug Graber (3rd season)
Seasons
 1970
1972 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1971 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Moorhead State $600711
Michigan Tech510810
Minnesota Morris321441
Bemidji State321351
St. Cloud State240270
Winona State150190
Southwest State (MN)0600100
  • $ Conference champion
Close

The 1971 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1971 NCAA College Division football season. In their third year under head coach Ted Kearly, the Huskies compiled an 8–1 record (5–1 in conference games), finished second in the NIC, and outscored opponents by a total of 382 to 97. Michigan Tech extended its home winning streak to 13 games dating back to the 1969 season.

The team's 382 points was the most in Michigan Tech history to that point. It remained the school record until the 1992 Michigan Tech Huskies football team scored 429 points.[4] The team also set a school and NIC record with 642 yards of total offense in a 73-0 victory over Winona State on October 16, 1971. The 73 points scored against Winona was also a Michigan Tech record.[5]

Senior halfback and tri-captain Larry Ras, a mechanical engineering major and a native of Hancock, Michigan, led the team with 1,403 rushing yards and 144 points scored.[6] Ras's 144 points led the nation, and his 1,403 rushing yards ranked fifth in the NCAA College Division.[7] He also set Michigan Tech's single game rushing record with 209 yards against Bemidji State,[8] as well as the modern career rushing record for all of Michigan collegiate football with 3,761 yards.[7] Michigan Tech coach Kearly proclaimed him "the best football player in Michigan Tech's history."[7]

The 1971 Michigan Tech team tallied 2,844 rushing yards and 1,138 passing yards. Junior quarterback Michael Scally tallied 916 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. Split end Gene Timmer led the team in receiving with 21 catches for 539 yards and eight touchdowns.[6]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 11at NorthlandAshland, WIW 54–01,500
September 18AlmaHoughton, MIW 28–132,500
September 25at Southwest MinnesotaMarshall, MNW 40–72,000
October 2at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIW 39–136,000
October 9St. Cloud StateHoughton, MIW 40–283,000
October 16at Winona StateWinona, MNW 73–02,500
October 23Bemidji StateHoughton, MIW 70–203,500[8]
October 30at Moorhead StateMoorhead, MNL 0–61,750
November 6Minnesota MorrisW 39–101,550
Close

[6]

1972

Quick facts NIC champion, Conference ...
1972 Michigan Tech Huskies football
NIC champion
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record8–1 (6–0 NIC)
Head coach
  • Ted Kearly (4th season)
Seasons
 1971
1973 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1972 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Michigan Tech $600810
Minnesota Morris510820
Moorhead State420730
St. Cloud State330550
Southwest State (MN)240370
Bemidji State150270
Winona State060270
  • $ Conference champion
Close

The 1972 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1972 NCAA College Division football season. In their fourth and final season under head coach Ted Kearly, the Huskies compiled an 8–1 record (6–0 in conference games) and outscored opponents by a total of 261 to 98.[9]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16at NorthwoodMidland, MIL 6–24
September 23NorthlandHoughton, MIW 24–19
September 30Ferris StateHoughton, MIW 41–20
October 7at St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MIW 33–14
October 14Winona StateHoughton, MIW 41–6
October 21at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNW 21–15
October 28Moorhead StateHoughton, MIW 7–0
November 4at Minnesota-MorrisMorris, MNW 17–0
November 11Southwest StateHoughton, MIW 71–0
Close

[3]

1973

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1973 Michigan Tech Huskies football
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record5–4–1 (4–2 NIC)
Head coach
  • Jim Kapp (1st season)
Seasons
 1972
1974 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1973 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Moorhead State $510730
Michigan Tech420541
St. Cloud State420460
Bemidji State240540
Southwest State (MN)240460
Minnesota Morris240360
Winona State240370
  • $ Conference champion
Close

The 1973 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1973 NCAA Division II football season. In their first season under head coach Jim Kapp, the Huskies compiled a 5–4–1 record (4–2 in conference games), tied for second place in the NIC, and outscored opponents by a total of 208 to 151.[10]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 8NorthwoodHoughton, MIW 17–7
September 15Minnesota-DuluthHoughton, MIL 0–7
September 22at NorthlandAshland, WIL 14–16
September 29at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIT 14–14
October 6St. Cloud StateHoughton, MIW 34–28
October 13at Winona StateWinona, MNL 21–26
October 20Bemidji StateHoughton, MIW 38–6
October 27at Moorhead StateMoorhead, MNL 10–14
November 3Minnesota-MorrisHoughton, MIW 46–20
November 10Southwest State (MN)Marshall, MNW 14–13
Close

[3]

1974

Quick facts NIC champion, Conference ...
1974 Michigan Tech Huskies football
NIC champion
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record9–0 (6–0 NIC)
Head coach
  • Jim Kapp (2nd season)
Home stadiumSherman Field
Seasons
 1973
1975 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1974 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Michigan Tech $600900
St. Cloud State510550
Winona State330540
Moorhead State330450
Southwest State (MN)240450
Minnesota Morris240370
Bemidji State060270
  • $ Conference champion
Close

The 1974 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1974 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics NAIA season. In their second year under head coach Jim Kapp, the Huskies compiled a perfect 9–0 record, won the NIC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 269 to 90.[11][12] It was Michigan Tech's first perfect season since the 1948 team went 7–0. It was also the program's first nine-win season,[13] and its fourth NIC championship in six years.[14]

The team played its home games on Sherman Field in Houghton, Michigan.

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 7at Northwood*Midland, MIW 15–131,500[15]
September 14at Alma*Alma, MIW 21–102,500
September 21at St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MNW 3–03,000[16][17]
September 28Winona State
W 32–212,500[18][19]
October 5at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNW 62–63,250[20]
October 12Moorhead State
  • Sherman Field
  • Houghton, MI
W 19–03,800[21]
October 19at Minnesota MorrisMorris, MNW 24–122,300[22]
October 26Southwest State (MN)
  • Sherman Field
  • Houghton, MN
W 76–282,700[14]
November 2Ferris State*
  • Sherman Field
  • Houghton, MI
W 17–02,100[23]
  • *Non-conference game
Close

[24][25]

Records and awards

In a 76–28 victory over Southwest State (MN), the Huskies set several NIC single-game records, including total offense (670 yards), rushing yards (511), touchdowns (11), and points (76). Van Wagner also established new individual single-game records against Southwest State with 286 rushing yards and six touchdowns.[14]

Jim Van Wagner, a 195-pound sophomore tailback from Novi, Michigan, led the team with 1,452 rushing yards,[23] breaking Michigan Tech's single-season record set by Larry Ras in 1971.[12] He led all Division II players with an average of 161.4 rushing yards per game.[12][26] Sports Illustrated wrote of Van Wagner:

As a soph in 1974 he led Division II in rushing with 1,453 yards. Archie Griffin and Anthony Davis made national headlines, but that November VanWagner had perhaps the most productive month a running back ever had. He gained 231 yards in just 16 carries against Bemidji, rushed a conference record 48 times for 217 yards in a win over Minnesota-Morris that clinched the Northern Intercollegiate Conference title and then rambled through Southwest State for 286 yards and six touchdowns in 30 carries.[27]

After the season, Jim Kapp was named "NIC Football Coach of the Year", and six Michigan Tech players received first-team honors on the 1974 All-NIC team selected by the conference coaches. The first-team players were: sophomore tailback Jim Van Wagner; senior fullback Keith Morrison; senior tight end Dave Sprik; senior offensive guard Dan Rhude; junior offensive guard Tom Van Wagner; and junior linebacker Kurt Anderson. Rhude also received the NIC's "Glen Galligan Award" as the NIC's outstanding senior student-athlete.[28]

1975

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1975 Michigan Tech Huskies football
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record7–2 (4–2 NIC)
Head coach
  • Jim Kapp (3rd season)
Seasons
 1974
1976 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1975 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 10 Minnesota Morris $600810
St. Cloud State510730
Michigan Tech420720
Winona State330540
Moorhead State240270
Bemidji State150270
Southwest State (MN)060170
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from NAIA Division I poll
Close

The 1975 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1975 NCAA Division II football season. In their third year under head coach Jim Kapp, the Huskies compiled a 7–2 record (4–2 in conference games), finished third in the NIC, and outscored opponents by a total of 245 to 53.[29]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 6NorthwoodHoughton, MIW 2–0
September 13AlmaHoughton, MIW 34–7
September 20St. Cloud StateHoughton, MIL 0–3
September 27at Winona StateWinona, MNW 14–7
October 4Bemidji StateHoughton, MIW 55–8
October 11at Moorhead StateMoorhead, MNW 19–3
October 18Minnesota-MorrisHoughton, MIL 15–16
October 25at Southwest State (MN)Marshall, MNW 85–0
November 1at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIW 21–9
Close

1976

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1976 Michigan Tech Huskies football
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record7–3 (5–2 NIC)
Head coach
  • Jim Kapp (4th season)
Seasons
 1975
1977 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1976 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 10 Minnesota Morris $700811
Michigan Tech520730
Minnesota Duluth520640
St. Cloud State430830
Bemidji State340640
Moorhead State340550
Winona State160190
Southwest State (MN)070090
  • $ Conference champion
  • St. Cloud State forfeited a conference win over Minnesota Duluth and three non-conference wins; NCAA, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, and St. Cloud State records do not reflect the forfeits in the team's overall record.
Rankings from NAIA Division I poll
Close

The 1976 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1976 NCAA Division II football season. In their fourth year under head coach Jim Kapp, the Huskies compiled a 7–3 record (5–2 in conference games), finished in a tie for second place in the NIC, and outscored opponents by a total of 276 to 134.[30]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 11at Northwood*Midland, MIW 31–7
September 18Grand Valley State*Houghton, MIL 8–104,000
September 25Winona StateHoughton, MIW 35–0
October 2at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNW 48–7
October 9Moorhead StateHoughton, MIW 7–3
October 16at Minnesota MorrisMorris, MNL 14–59
October 23Southwest State (MN)Houghton, MIW 64–7
October 30Ferris State*Houghton, MIW 39–7
November 6at St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MNW 16–13
November 13at Minnesota DuluthDuluth, MNL 14–21
  • *Non-conference game
Close

1977

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1977 Michigan Tech Huskies football
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record3–7 (1–6 NIC)
Head coach
  • Jim Kapp (5th season)
Seasons
 1976
1978 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1977 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Minnesota Morris $^7001020
Bemidji State520640
Moorhead State520640
Minnesota Duluth430730
St. Cloud State430560
Michigan Tech160370
Winona State160370
Southwest State (MN)160180
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division III playoff participant
Close

The 1977 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1977 NCAA Division II football season. In their fifth year under head coach Jim Kapp, the Huskies compiled a 3–7 record (1–6 in conference games), finished in a tie for last place in the NIC, and were outscored by a total of 205 to 149.[31]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 3Minnesota DuluthHoughton, MIL 6–28
September 10Northwood*Houghton, MIL 6–21
September 17at Grand Valley State*W 10–61,026
September 24at Winona StateWinona, MNW 35–0
October 1Bemidji StateHoughton, MIL 20–31
October 8at Moorhead StateMoorhead, MNL 0–24
October 15Minnesota MorrisHoughton, MIL 7–26
October 22at Southwest State (MN)Marshall, MNL 25–29
October 29at Ferris State*Big Rapids, MIW 23–17
November 5St. Cloud StateHoughton, MIL 17–23
  • *Non-conference game
Close

1978

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1978 Michigan Tech Huskies football
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record4–6 (4–4 NIC)
Head coach
  • Jim Kapp (6th season)
Seasons
 1977
1979 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1978 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Minnesota Morris $^8001110
Minnesota Duluth620730
St. Cloud State620650
Moorhead State530650
Mankato State440740
Michigan Tech440460
Winona State260290
Southwest State (MN)170280
Bemidji State080090
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division III playoff participant
Close

The 1978 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1978 NCAA Division II football season. In their sixth year under head coach Jim Kapp, the Huskies compiled a 4–6 record (4–4 in conference games), finished in a tie for fifth place in the NIC, and were outscored by a total of 203 to 172.[32]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 9at NorthwoodMidland, MIL 10–21
September 16Ferris StateHoughton, MIL 7–28
September 23at Minnesota-DuluthDuluth, MNL 19–24
September 30Southwest State (MN)Houghton, MIW 33–20
October 7St. Cloud StateHoughton, MIL 13–28
October 14at Bemidji StateBemidji, MNW 32–3
October 21Winona StateHoughton, MIW 21–12
October 28at Moorhead StateMoorhead, MNL 11–33
November 4Mankato StateHoughton, MIW 16–13
November 11at Minnesota-MorrisMorris, MNL 10–21
Close

1979

Quick facts Conference, Record ...
1979 Michigan Tech Huskies football
ConferenceNorthern Intercollegiate Conference
Record4–6 (4–4 NIC)
Head coach
  • Jim Kapp (7th season)
Seasons
 1978
1980 
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
1979 Northern Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
Minnesota Duluth +710820
Moorhead State +710830
Minnesota Morris ^620920
St. Cloud State530560
Mankato State440550
Michigan Tech440460
Southwest State (MN)260470
Bemidji State170181
Winona State0800110
  • + Conference co-champions
  • ^ NCAA Division III playoff participant
Close

The 1979 Michigan Tech Huskies football team represented Michigan Technological University as a member of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) during the 1979 NCAA Division II football season. In their seventh year under head coach Jim Kapp, the Huskies compiled a 4–6 record (4–4 in conference games), finished in a tie for fifth place in the NIC, and were outscored by a total of 200 to 125.[33]

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 8NorthwoodHoughton, MIL 14–35
September 15at Ferris StateBig Rapids, MIL 6–27
September 22Minnesota-DuluthHoughton, MIL 7–17
September 29at Southwest State (MN)Marshall, MNW 24–0
October 6at St. Cloud StateSt. Cloud, MNL 0–48
October 13Bemidji StateHoughton, MIW 26–24
October 20at Winona StateWinona, MNW 14–10
October 27Moorhead StateHoughton, MIL 3–7
November 3at Mankato StateMankato, MNL 12–15
November 10Minnesota-MorrisHoughton, MIW 19–17
Close

References

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