1976 Ball State Cardinals football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1976 Ball State Cardinals football Mid-American Conference MAC 8–3 4–1 Dave McClain 6th Art Yaroch Mike Lecklider Ball State Stadium MAC champion The 1976 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. In its sixth season under head coach Dave McClain, the team compiled an 8–3 record (4–1 against conference opponents) and won the school's first MAC championship.2007 Ball State Football Media Guide Ball State University 2007 98 http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/bitstream/handle/123456789/194436/2007Football.pdf;jsessionid=0B37326FBDE020AA536399711948B1E4?sequence=1 July 10, 20201976 Ball State Cardinals Schedule and Results Sport Reference LLC SR/College Football July 10, 2020 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ball-state/1976-schedule.html The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. The team set a school record with 2,704 rushing yards, a total that was later eclipsed by the 1987 team.Media Guide, p. 72. Running back Earl Taylor set the school's single-game record with 260 rushing yards against Eastern Michigan.Media Guide, p. 74. He led the team with 1,017 rushing yards for the season.Media Guide, pp. 74, 79. Other statistical leaders included Mike Andress with 551 receiving yards and quarterback Art Yaroch with 1,088 passing yards.1976 Ball State Cardinals Statistics Sport Reference LLC SR/College Football July 10, 2020 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ball-state/1976.html Yaroch received the John Magnabosco Award as the team's most valuable player.Media Guide, p. 86. Five players received first-team honors on the 1976 All-MAC team: quarterback Art Yaroch; offensive guard Mitch Hoban; split end Rick Morrison; defensive back Maurice Harvey; and punter Mark O'Connell.Media Guide, p. 88. Art Yaroch and Mike Lecklider were the team captains.Media Guide, p. 89. Schedule y y September 11 Louisiana Tech<ncg> Ball State Stadium Muncie, IN W 41–28 16,172 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80535912/yaroch-pilots-cardinals-by-tech/ The Star Press Yaroch pilots Cardinals by Tech September 12, 1976 June 30, 2021 Newspapers.com September 18 at Miami (OH) Miami Field Oxford, OH W 23–6 16,151 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anderson-herald-cards-extend-nation/181062516/ The Anderson Herald Cards extend nation's longest streak September 19, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com September 25 at Toledo Glass Bowl Toledo, OH W 27–14 15,235 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-cards-d-fuse-roc/181062686/ The Indianapolis Star Cards 'D'-fuse Rockets for 10th straight win September 26, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 2 at Dayton<ncg> Welcome Stadium Dayton, OH W 20–13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/palladium-item-fake-punt-boosts-bsu/181062814/ Palladium-Item Fake punt boosts BSU October 3, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 9 at Illinois State<ncg> Hancock Stadium Normal, IL L 7–10 12,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-upset-spinks-illin/181062935/ The Courier-Journal Upset; Spinks, Illinois State halt Ball State streak at 11 October 10, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 16 Akron<ncg> Ball State Stadium Muncie, IN L 0–3 18,323 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-akron-u-maintai/181063082/ The Akron Beacon Journal Akron U maintains visiting team advantage October 17, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 23 Appalachian State<ncg> Ball State Stadium Muncie, IN W 20–7 3,325 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89989375/cardinals-recover-missing-offense/ Anderson Herald Cardinals recover missing offense October 24, 1976 December 3, 2021 Newspapers.com October 30 at Northern Illinois Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL (rivalry) W 33–7 15,126 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-yaroch-guides-ball/181063249/ The Indianapolis Star Yaroch guides Ball State rout of N. Illinois, 33–7 October 31, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 6 Indiana State<ncg> Ball State Stadium Muncie, IN (Blue Key Victory Bell) W 24–9 12,103 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press-ball-state-thumps-isu-as/181063340/ The Muncie Star Ball State thumps ISU as Yaroch nears record November 7, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 13 Western Michigan Ball State Stadium Muncie, IN L 10–24 10,257 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-blade-lincolns-scores-beat-ball-sta/181063472/ The Blade Lincoln's scores beat Ball State November 14, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 20 at Eastern Michigan Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI W 52–3 2,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-ball-st-clinches/181063612/ The Indianapolis Star Ball St. clinches MAC title, routs E. Michigan, 52–3 November 21, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com References Ball State Category:Ball State Cardinals football seasons Category:Mid-American Conference football champion seasons Ball State Cardinals football