1976 Fresno State Bulldogs football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1976 Fresno State Bulldogs football Pacific Coast Athletic Association PCAA 5–6 3–1 Jim Sweeney 1st Dennis Erickson 1st Ratcliffe Stadium The 1976 Fresno State Bulldogs football team represented California State University, Fresno as a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA) during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. Led by first-year head coach Jim Sweeney, Fresno State compiled an overall record of 5–6 with a mark of 3–1 in conference play, placing second in the PCAA. The Bulldogs played their home games at Ratcliffe Stadium on the campus of Fresno City College in Fresno, California. While Fresno State lost its opener on the road to Southwestern Louisiana, the game was subsequently forfeited due to the use of ineligible players. The won-loss record is not adjusted.http://www.ragincajuns.com/documents/2014/7/24/UL_History.pdf?id=214#page=17 Louisiana-Lafayette 2014 Football Media Guide December 14, 2016 An experienced head coach, Sweeney was hired in December 1975, shortly after his resignation from Washington State University.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xDYwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6757%2C2690911 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Derrick Merle Sweeney takes Fresno post December 9, 1975 31https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZS9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7246%2C3951733 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Sweeney to Fresno December 10, 1975 25https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Vq5VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=POADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5336%2C2965997 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Sweeney goes south December 10, 1975 2Dhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JpBYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HPgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6586%2C1069847 The Bulletin Bend, Oregon Associated Press Jim Sweeney named Fresno State coach December 10, 1975 12https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ta5VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=POADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6062%2C37008 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon wire services Sweeney uses option, quits as WSU boss December 1, 1975 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XC9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7267%2C119321 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Cougar coach Jim Sweeney resigns Missildine Harry December 1, 1975 14https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HpBYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HPgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6549%2C81283 The Bulletin Bend, Oregon Associated Press Cougar coach Jim Sweeney calls it quits December 1, 1975 10 He had led the Cougars of the Pac-8 Conference for eight seasons, preceded by five at Montana State in the Big Sky Conference. Schedule 1976 NCAA Division II AP September 11 l y y Southwestern Louisiana Cajun Field Lafayette, LA 14–41 22,890 https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-cajuns-overpower-bulldog/180973367/ Oakland Tribune Cajuns overpower Bulldogs September 12, 1976 September 13, 2025 Newspapers.com September 18 l y y San Diego State San Diego Stadium San Diego, CA rivalry 3–7 40,768 Long Beach State Wins Again, 32-10 The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California September 19, 1976 III-16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9950856/long_beach_state_wins_again/ Newspapers.com February 23, 2017 September 25 w y Montana State 3 Ratcliffe Stadium Fresno, CA 24–10 11,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-bobcats-fall-to-fre/161107937/ The Billings Gazette Bobcats fall to Fresno September 26, 1976 December 17, 2024 Newspapers.com October 2 w Cal State Fullerton Ratcliffe Stadium Fresno, CA 31–12 11,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-fresno-state-rips-fu/180975120/ Santa Cruz Sentinel Fresno State rips Fullerton, 31–12 October 3, 1976 September 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 9 l y y Wichita State Cessna Stadium Wichita, KS 24–30 12,609 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-wichita-eagle-ground-game-revives-ws/180975192/ The Wichita Eagle & Beacon Ground game revives WSU October 10, 1976 September 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 16 l y Cal Poly Ratcliffe Stadium Fresno, CA 15–17 12,650 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-bulldogs-cant-shake-cal/180975254/ The Fresno Bee Bulldogs can't shake Cal Poly jinx, fall 17–15 before Ratcliffe crowd October 17, 1976 September 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 23 l y San Jose State Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA rivalry 7–21 16,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-cruz-sentinel-penalty-prone-sj-s/180973828/ Santa Cruz Sentinel Penalty-prone S.J. Spartans outlast Fresno State, 21–7 October 24, 1976 September 13, 2025 Newspapers.com October 30 w Pacific (CA) Ratcliffe Stadium Fresno, CA 35–7 10,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-fresno-state-thumps-pacif/180975322/ The Fresno Bee Fresno State thumps Pacific 35–7 October 31, 1976 September 13, 2025 Newspapers.com November 6 w Long Beach State Ratcliffe Stadium Fresno, CA 23–0 11,100 Long Beach State Shut Out by Fresno The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California November 7, 1976 III-16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9133458/long_beach_state_shut_out_by_fresno/ Newspapers.com February 23, 2017 November 13 w y New Mexico State Ratcliffe Stadium Fresno, CA 44–0 8,279 https://www.newspapers.com/article/las-cruces-sun-news-11141976-las-cru/99842935/ Las Cruces Sun-News Fresno St. ends Aggies hopes 44–0 November 14, 1976 September 13, 2025 Newspapers.com November 20 l y y 1976 Santa Clara Broncos Santa Clara Stevens Stadium Santa Clara, CA 17–20 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-broncos-write-shocking-en/180975412/ The Fresno Bee Broncos write shocking end to Bulldog season November 21, 1976 September 13, 2025 Newspapers.com 1976 Fresno State Bulldogs Schedule and Results https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/fresno-state/1976-schedule.html College Football at Sports-Reference.com Sports Reference January 29, 2025 1976 Football Schedule https://gobulldogs.com/sports/football/schedule/1976 Fresno State Athletics January 29, 2025 Fresno State Football Media Guide https://gobulldogs.com/documents/2024/8/21/5._2024_Record_Book.pdf Fresno State Athletics 121 January 29, 2025 References Fresno State Category:Fresno State Bulldogs football seasons Fresno State Bulldogs football