1977 Western Michigan Broncos football team

The 1977 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. In their third season under head coach Elliot Uzelac, the Broncos compiled a 4–7 record (3–5 against MAC opponents), finished in seventh place in the MAC, and outscored their opponents, 261 to 231.^[1][2][3] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.^[4]

1977 Western Michigan Broncos football
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Record	4–7 (3–5 MAC)
Head coach	Elliot Uzelac (3rd season)
MVP	Jerome Persell
Captain	Howard Nevins, Keith Rogien
Home stadium	Waldo Stadium
Seasons ← 1976 1978 →

1977 Mid-American Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Miami (OH) $	5	–	0	–	0			10	–	1	–	0
Central Michigan	7	–	1	–	0			10	–	1	–	0
Ball State	5	–	1	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
Bowling Green	4	–	3	–	0			5	–	7	–	0
Eastern Michigan	4	–	3	–	0			8	–	3	–	0
Kent State	5	–	4	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Western Michigan	3	–	5	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Northern Illinois	2	–	5	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
Toledo	2	–	7	–	0			2	–	9	–	0
Ohio	0	–	8	–	0			1	–	10	–	0
$ – Conference champion

The team's statistical leaders included Albert Little with 802 passing yards, Jerome Persell with 1,339 rushing yards, and Craig Frazier with 319 receiving yards.^[5] Linebacker Howard Nevins and fullback Keith Rogien were the team captains.^[6] Tailback Jerome Persell received the team's most outstanding player award.^[7] Persell was also named MAC offensive player of the year for the second of what would be three consecutive years.^[8]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 10	at Minnesota*	Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN	L 7–10	29,619
September 17	Texas–Arlington*	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	L 10–17	16,900	[9]
September 24	Northern Illinois	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	W 37–6
October 1	at Bowling Green	Doyt Perry Stadium Bowling Green, OH	L 28–31
October 8	Kent State	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	L 16–20
October 15	at Toledo	Glass Bowl Toledo, OH	W 34–21
October 22	Marshall*	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	W 53–29	22,600	[10]
October 29	at Ohio	Peden Stadium Athens, OH	W 28–22
November 5	Miami (OH)	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	L 8–14	21,800	[11]
November 12	Ball State	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	L 25–29
November 19	at Central Michigan	Perry Shorts Stadium Mount Pleasant, MI (rivalry)	L 23–28
*Non-conference game

References

1. "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
2. "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1970 - 79". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
3. "1977 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
4. "Waldo Stadium". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
5. "1977 Western Michigan Broncos Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
6. "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
7. "Football History: Team Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
8. "Western's Persell, NIU's Petzke share MAC honors". Detroit Free Press. December 14, 1978. p. 2D.
9. "UTA win sparked by Jensen, defense". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 18, 1977. p. 4E. Retrieved January 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Western Michigan routs Marshall". Beckley Post-Herald & Register. October 23, 1977. Retrieved January 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
11. Jeff McElwee (November 6, 1977). "Miami knocks out Broncos 14-8". Battle Creek Enquirer. p. C2 – via Newspapers.com.