1977 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

American college football season August 2023 December 2025 1977 Abilene Christian Wildcats football Lone Star Conference LSC 11–1–1 5–1–1 DeWitt Jones 1st Ray Nunez Kelly Kent Cleo Montgomery John Mayes Ray Nunez John Usrey Chuck Sitton Shotwell Stadium NAIA Division I national championLSC co-champion Champion Bowl W 24–7 vs. 1977 Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs Southwestern Oklahoma State 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 1977 Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs Southwestern Oklahoma State (24–7) in the Champion Bowl to win the 1977 NAIA Division I football national championship. 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.Javelinas dominate LSC team San Antonio Express December 1, 1977 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89041773/all-lsc-team/ Newspapers.com 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 y y September 3 1977 Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers Northwestern Oklahoma State <ncg> Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX W 34-14 7,000 ACU Awakening Whips Okies Abilene Reporter-News Mark McDonald September 4, 1977 1C, 4C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89071945/acu-awakening-whips-okies/ September 10 at 1977 Northern Colorado Bears Northern Colorado<ncg> Greeley, CO W 24-3 ACU Explodes Late in 2nd Victory Abilene Reporter-News September 11, 1977 1C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89072096/acu-explodes-late-in-2nd-victory/ Newspapers.com September 17 1977 Western New Mexico Mustangs Western New Mexico<ncg> Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX W 46-13 7,000 Tongue Lashing Spurs ACU Abilene Reporter-News Mark McDonald September 18, 1977 1C, 7C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89072260/tongue-lashing-spurs-acu/ Newspapers.com September 24 1977 Cameron Aggies Cameron<ncg> Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX W 21-14 No Name Play Works for ACU Abilene Reporter-News Mark McDonald September 25, 1977 1C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89072572/no-name-play-works-for-acu/ Newspapers.com October 8 at 1977 Texas A&I Javelinas Texas A&I Javelina Stadium Kingsville, TX T 25-25 October 15 1977 Angelo State Rams Angelo State Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX L 14-21 October 22 at 1977 East Texas State Lions East Texas State Commerce, TX W 28-13 October 29 1977 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks Stephen F. Austin Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX W 35-21 7,500 November 5 at Sam Houston State Pritchett Field Huntsville, TX W 41-18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118504576/davis-leads-acu-win/ Abilene Reporter-News Davis leads ACU win November 6, 1977 February 12, 2023 Newspapers.com November 12 Southwest Texas State Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX W 36-30 7,000 Wildcats Thrill Fans with Late Victory Abilene Reporter-News Art Lawler November 13, 1977 1C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89040889/wildcats-thrill-fans-with-late-victory/ Newspapers.com November 19 at 1977 Howard Payne Yellow Jackets Howard Payne Brownwood, TX W 42-24 ACU Awakens in Time to Share Title Abilene Reporter-News Mark McDonald November 20, 1977 1C, 3C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89040575/acu-awakens-in-time-to-share-title/ Newspapers.com December 3 Wisconsin–Stevens Point<ncg> Shotwell Stadium Abilene, TX (NAIA Division I semifinal) W 35-7 8,500 ACU's Power Too Much for Pointers Abilene Reporter-News Mark McDonald December 4, 1977 C1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89039820/acus-power-too-much/ Newspapers.com December 10 vs 1977 Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs Southwestern Oklahoma State<ncg> Kingdome Seattle, WA (Champion Bowl) W 24-7 12,940 It's Abilene Christian: Texans rule NAIA The News Tribune Stan Farber December 11, 1977 F2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89039596/texans-rule-naia/ Newspapers.com References Abilene Christian Category:Abilene Christian Wildcats football seasons Category:Lone Star Conference football champion seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Abilene Christian Wildcats football