1977 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

1977 Abilene Christian Wildcats football
NAIA Division I national champion
LSC co-champion
ConferenceLone Star Conference
Record11–1–1 (5–1–1 LSC)
Head coach
MVPRay Nunez, Kelly Kent
Captains
Home stadiumShotwell Stadium
Seasons
← 1976
1978 →
1977 Lone Star Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 2 Abilene Christian +^ 5 – 1 – 1 11 – 1 – 1
No. 3 Texas A&I + 5 – 1 – 1 8 – 1 – 1
No. 11 Angelo State 5 – 2 – 0 8 – 2 – 0
No. 15 Southwest Texas State 5 – 2 – 0 5 – 4 – 0
No. 13 East Texas State 4 – 3 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Stephen F. Austin 2 – 5 – 0 2 – 8 – 0
Sam Houston State 1 – 6 – 0 1 – 10 – 0
Howard Payne 0 – 7 – 0 2 – 8 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NAIA Division I playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA Division I poll

The 1977 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team was an American football team that represented Abilene Christian University (ACU) as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 1977 NAIA Division I football season. In their first season under head coach DeWitt Jones, the Wildcats compiled an 11–1–1 record (5–1–1 against conference opponents) and tied for the LSC championship. They advanced to the NAIA playoff, defeating Wisconsin–Stevens Point (35–7) in the seminfinals and Southwestern Oklahoma State (24–7) in the Champion Bowl to win the 1977 NAIA Division I football national championship.[1][2]

Wide receiver Cleotha Montgomery and tight end Kirby Jones received first-team honors on the 1977 All-Lone Star Conference football team. Quarterback John Mayes and four defensive players were chosen for the second team.[3] Other key players included Kelly Kent who rushed for over 1,000 yards.

The team played its home games at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene, Texas.

Schedule[edit]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 3Northwestern Oklahoma State*
W 34–147,000[4]
September 10at Northern Colorado*Greeley, COW 24–3[5]
September 17Western New Mexico*
  • Shotwell Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 46–137,000[6]
September 24Cameron*
  • Shotwell Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 21–14[7]
October 8at Texas A&I
T 25–25
October 15Angelo State
  • Shotwell Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
L 14–21
October 22at East Texas StateCommerce, TXW 28–13
October 29Stephen F. Austin
  • Shotwell Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 35–217,500
November 5at Sam Houston State
W 41–18[8]
November 12Southwest Texas State
  • Shotwell Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 36–307,000[9]
November 19at Howard PayneBrownwood, TXW 42–24[10]
December 3Wisconsin–Stevens Point*
W 35–78,500[1]
December 10vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State*
W 24–712,940[2]
  • *Non-conference game

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Mark McDonald (December 4, 1977). "ACU's Power Too Much for Pointers". Abilene Reporter-News. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Stan Farber (December 11, 1977). "It's Abilene Christian: Texans rule NAIA". The News Tribune. p. F2 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Javelinas dominate LSC team". San Antonio Express. December 1, 1977 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Mark McDonald (September 4, 1977). "ACU Awakening Whips Okies". Abilene Reporter-News. pp. 1C, 4C.
  5. ^ "ACU Explodes Late in 2nd Victory". Abilene Reporter-News. September 11, 1977. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Mark McDonald (September 18, 1977). "Tongue Lashing Spurs ACU". Abilene Reporter-News. pp. 1C, 7C – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Mark McDonald (September 25, 1977). "No Name Play Works for ACU". Abilene Reporter-News. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Davis leads ACU win". Abilene Reporter-News. November 6, 1977. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Art Lawler (November 13, 1977). "Wildcats Thrill Fans with Late Victory". Abilene Reporter-News. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Mark McDonald (November 20, 1977). "ACU Awakens in Time to Share Title". Abilene Reporter-News. pp. 1C, 3C – via Newspapers.com.
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