1977 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team information
American college football season
1977Abilene Christian Wildcats football
NAIA Division I national champion LSC co-champion
Champion Bowl, W 24–7 vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State
Conference
Lone Star Conference
Record
11–1–1 (5–1–1 LSC)
Head coach
DeWitt Jones (1st season)
MVP
Ray Nunez, Kelly Kent
Captains
Cleo Montgomery
John Mayes
Ray Nunez
John Usrey
Chuck Sitton
Home stadium
Shotwell Stadium
Seasons
← 1976
1978 →
1977 Lone Star Conference football standings
v
t
e
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.
^Cite error: The named reference Semi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Tacoma was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Javelinas dominate LSC team". San Antonio Express. December 1, 1977 – via Newspapers.com.
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