1977 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1977 Illinois Fighting Illini football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 3–8 2–6 Gary Moeller 1st James Coleman John Sullivan Rickie Mitchem Kurt Steger Memorial Stadium The 1977 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1977 Big Ten season. In their first year under head coach Gary Moeller, the Fighting Illini compiled a 3–8 record (2–6 in conference games), finished in ninth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 292 to 141.1977 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1977-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders include quarterback Mike McCray (418 passing yards, 60.0% completion percentage), running back James Coleman (715 rushing yards, 5.0 yards per carry), wide receiver Tom Schooley (15 receptions for 231 yards), and kicker Dave Finzer (25 points scored, 7 of 13 extra points, 6 of 11 field goals).1977 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1977.html Coleman and linebacker John Sullivan were selected as the team's most valuable players.Fighting Illini Football Record Book University of Illinois 2015 December 29, 2016 155 http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/fightingillini.com/documents/2015/8/3/3_History_7_30.pdf November 29, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201129040612/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/fightingillini.com/documents/2015/8/3/3_History_7_30.pdf dead Guard Kevin Pancratz and linebacker John Sullivan received first-team honors on the 1977 All-Big Ten Conference football team.Blue places five on AP's Big Ten squad The Michigan Daily November 29, 1977 12 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2706&dat=19771129&id=ewFKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QR4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=4302,4106663 1977 All-Big Ten Football The Times Recorder November 29, 1977 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-recorder-1977-all-big-ten-foot/41716963/OSU, Michigan Dominate Big 10 The Salem News (Salem, Ohio) November 23, 1977 9 https://www.newspapers.com/image/85973380/?terms=leach%2Bcousineau%2Bbethea%2B%22united%2Bpress%22 The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule 1977 AP September 10 l Michigan 2 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 9–37 60,477 What Big Test? It's U-M, 37-9 Curt Sylvester Detroit Free Press September 11, 1977 1E, 4E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4421363/what_big_test_its_um_379/Michigan mauls Illinois, 37-9 The Michigan Daily John Niemeyer September 11, 1977 1, 10 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754506/103 Bentley Historical Library September 17 w y Missouri Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 11–7 52,771 https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-illini-hold-on-for-1/171172745/ Southern Illinoisan Illini hold on for 11–7 victory over fumbling Missouri September 18, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 24 l y y Stanford Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA 24–37 50,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-stanford-trounces-illinois/171157779/ Minneapolis Tribune Stanford trounces Illinois September 25, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 1 l y Syracuse Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 20–30 52,015 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-syracuse-downs-illini/171127112/ The Post-Crescent Syracuse downs Illini October 2, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 8 l y Wisconsin 19 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 0–26 78,661 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-illinois-is-fifth/171211919/ The Rock Island Argus Illinois is fifth victim of Badgers October 9, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 15 w y Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN rivalry 29–22 60,242 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-straders-30-yard-td-aids-i/171212074/ The Dispatch Strader's 30-yard TD aids Illini win October 16, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 22 w Indiana Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 21–7 50,298 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-illinois-turns-back-indiana-2/171212227/ The Times Illinois turns back Indiana, 21–7 October 23, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 29 l y Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 20–49 70,589 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-michigan-state-ground-gam/171212441/ The Pantagraph Michigan State ground game destroys Illini October 30, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 5 l Ohio State 4 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL Illibuck 0–35 66,973 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-ohio-state-rolls/171212564/ The Grand Rapids Press Ohio State rolls over Illini, 35–0 November 6, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 12 l Minnesota Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 0–21 37,697 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-gopher-carries-57/171212706/ The Sioux City Journal Gopher carries 57 times in win November 13, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 19 l y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL rivalry 7–21 17,255 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-wildcats-beat-il/171211609/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Wildcats beat Illini for first victory November 20, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com Roster 1977 Illinois Fighting Illini f 81 Jr Mike Sherrod TE 10 Jr Nick Sowa QB 87 Jr Mikę Brzuszkiewicz LB 97 Sr John Sullivan John Sullivan (linebacker) LB y 67 So John Thiede LB 69 Jr Bruce Thornton Bruce Thornton (defensive lineman) DT y 14 Jr Derwin Tucker CB 96 Jr Joe Waymire DT https://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/7/18/football_alltimerosters_1975_1999.aspx?#1977 *Gary Moeller References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football