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1977 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1977 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1977 Big Ten season. In their first year under head coach Gary Moeller, the Fighting Illini compiled a 3–8 record (2–6 in conference games), finished in ninth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 292 to 141.[1]

ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record3–8 (2–6 Big Ten)
Headcoach
MVPs
  • James Coleman
  • John Sullivan
Quick facts Illinois Fighting Illini football, Conference ...
1977 Illinois Fighting Illini football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record3–8 (2–6 Big Ten)
Head coach
MVPs
  • James Coleman
  • John Sullivan
Captains
  • Rickie Mitchem
  • Kurt Steger
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1976
1978 →
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More information Conf., Overall ...
1977 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 9 Michigan +7–1–010–2–0
No. 11 Ohio State +7–1–09–3–0
Michigan State6–1–17–3–1
Indiana4–3–15–5–1
Minnesota4–4–07–5–0
Purdue3–5–05–6–0
Iowa3–5–05–6–0
Wisconsin3–6–05–6–0
Illinois2–6–03–8–0
Northwestern1–8–01–10–0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll
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The team's statistical leaders include quarterback Mike McCray (418 passing yards, 60.0% completion percentage), running back James Coleman (715 rushing yards, 5.0 yards per carry), wide receiver Tom Schooley (15 receptions for 231 yards), and kicker Dave Finzer (25 points scored, 7 of 13 extra points, 6 of 11 field goals).[2] Coleman and linebacker John Sullivan were selected as the team's most valuable players.[3] Guard Kevin Pancratz and linebacker John Sullivan received first-team honors on the 1977 All-Big Ten Conference football team.[4] [5][6]

The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

Schedule

More information Date, Opponent ...
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 10No. 2 Michigan
L 9–3760,477[7][8]
September 17Missouri*
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL (rivalry)
W 11–752,771[9]
September 24at Stanford*
L 24–3750,500[10]
October 1Syracuse*
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
L 20–3052,015[11]
October 8at No. 19 Wisconsin
L 0–2678,661[12]
October 15at Purdue
W 29–2260,242[13]
October 22Indiana
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL (rivalry)
W 21–750,298[14]
October 29at Michigan State
L 20–4970,589[15]
November 5No. 4 Ohio State
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL (Illibuck)
L 0–3566,973[16]
November 12Minnesota
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
L 0–2137,697[17]
November 19at Northwestern
L 7–2117,255[18]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
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Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...
1977 Illinois Fighting Illini football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
TE 81 Mike Sherrod Jr
QB 10 Nick Sowa Jr
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
LB 87 Mikę Brzuszkiewicz Jr
LB 97 John Sullivan Sr
LB 67 John Thiede So
DT 69 Bruce Thornton Jr
CB 14 Derwin Tucker Jr
DT 96 Joe Waymire Jr
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster

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References

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