1977 Westminster Titans football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1977 Westminster Titans football Independent 11–0 Joe Fusco 6th Gene Nicholson 6th Paul O'Neill Paul Rice Scott McLuckey Memorial Field NAIA Division II national champion NAIA Division II Championship Game W 17–9 vs. 1977 Cal Lutheran Kingsmen Cal Lutheran The 1977 Westminster Titans football team was an American football team that represented Westminster College of Pennsylvania as an independent during the 1977 NAIA Division II football season. In their sixth season under head coach Joe Fusco, the Titans compiled an 11–0 record. They advanced to the NAIA Division II playoffs, defeating 1977 Concord Mountain Lions Concord (WV) (14–13) in the semifinal and 1977 Cal Lutheran Kingsmen Cal Lutheran (17–9) in the NAIA Division II National Championship Game.1977 Football Schedule Westminster College November 26, 2021 https://athletics.westminster.edu/sports/football/schedule/1977 With its victory in the championship game, the Titans extended their winning streak to 20 games, the longest streak in the nation.Westminster's latest achievement just adds to lengthy tradition New Castle News December 6, 1977 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90013824/westminsters-latest-achievement-just/ Newspapers.com The Titans returned 31 lettermen from the 1976 national championship team. Paul O'Neil, Paul Rice, and Scott McLuckey were the team co-captains.Westminster seeks return to playoffs New Castle News September 1, 1977 22 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90013664/westminster-seeks-return-to-playoffs/ Newspapers.com Offensive tackle Paul O'Neil was selected as a second-team player on the 1977 College Division All-America college football team.IUP's Schmidt Earns College Division Nod The Indiana Gazette December 8, 1977 24 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90015678/iups-schmidt-earns-college-division-nod/ Newspapers.com Eight Westminster players were selected as first-team players on the Pittsburgh Press' Small College All-District football team: O'Neil; quarterback Steve Kraus; split end Dave Hasson; offensive tackle Paul O'Neil, offensive guard Mark Humphrey; defensive end Dale Hoffman; defensive tackle Mark Claire; linebacker Frank Emanuele; and cornerback Steve Nelson.Titans top all-star selections New Castle News December 5, 1977 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90013395/titans-top-all-star-selections/ Newspapers.com Schedule y y September 10 1977 Millersville Marauders Millersville Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 28–7 Titans defense 'keys' opening 28–7 victory: Stops Millersville cold New Castle News Larry Kelly September 12, 1977 27 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90012940/titans-defense-keys-opening-28-7/ Newspapers.com September 17 at 1977 Juniata Eagles Juniata Huntingdon, PA W 30–0 Juniata Is Blanked 30–0 The Daily News (Huntingdon, Pennsylvania) September 19, 1977 4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89592276/juniata-is-blanked-30-0/ Newspapers.comTitans blank Juniata 30–0: Avenge last year's loss New Castle News September 19, 1977 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90013049/titans-blank-juniata-30-0-avenge-last/ Newspapers.com September 24 1977 IUP Crimson Hawks Indiana (PA) Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 21–6 Titans manhandle Indians New Castle News Larry Kelly September 26, 1977 22 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89591985/titans-manhandle-indians/ Newspapers.com October 1 1977 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets Waynesburg Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 17–15 Late Surge Fails As Waynesburg Loses The Morning Herald October 3, 1977 25 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90014158/late-surge-fails-as-waynesburg-loses/ Newspapers.com October 8 at 1977 Grove City Wolverines Grove City Grove City, PA W 28–0 Westminster Stays Unbeaten, 28–0 Scrantonian Tribune October 9, 1977 55 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90014480/westminster-stays-unbeaten-28-0/ Newspapers.com October 15 1977 Frostburg State Bobcats Frostburg State Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 38–0 Perfection Reigns: Titans, 6–0; Frostburg, 0–7; Geneva, 0–6 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette October 17, 1977 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90014585/perfection-reigns-titans-6-0/ Newspapers.com October 22 1977 Bethany Bison Bethany (WV) Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 45–7 Top=Ranked Titans Batter Bethany, 45–7 The Pittsburgh Press October 23, 1977 D10 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90014682/top-ranked-titans-batter-bethany-45-7/ Newspapers.com October 29 at 1977 Geneva Golden Tornadoes Geneva Beaver Falls, PA W 30–0 Westminster Wins 17th In Row, 30–0 The Pittsburgh Press October 30, 1977 D15 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90014816/westminster-wins-17th-in-row-30-0/ Newspapers.com November 5 1977 Allegheny Gators Allegheny Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 20–6 Westminster Bags 18th Straight, 20–6 The Pittsburgh Press November 6, 1977 D13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89591144/westminster-bags-18th-straight-20-6/ Newspapers.com November 26 1977 Concord Mountain Lions Concord (WV) Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA (NAIA Division II semifinal) W 14–13 Westminster Wins NAIA Division 2 Semifinals The Kane Republican November 26, 1977 5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89590754/westminster-wins-naia-division-2/ Newspapers.com December 3 at 1977 Cal Lutheran Kingsmen Cal Lutheran Thousand Oaks, CA (NAIA Division II Championship Game) W 17–9 Cal Lutheran Lets a National Title Get Away Los Angeles Times Scott Ostler December 4, 1977 III-3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89590483/cal-lutheran-lets-a-national-title-get/ Newspapers.comTitans eye NAIA foe, then deliver KO punch New Castle News Larry Kelly December 5, 1977 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90013245/titans-eye-naia-foe-then-deliver-ko/ Newspapers.com NAIA playoffs Semifinal vs. Concord On November 26, Westminster defeated 1977 Concord Mountain Lions Concord (West Virginia) in the NAIA Division II semifinals by a 14–13 score at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Concord scored first when Lawrence Hamilton recovered a blocked punt and ran it back 40 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Concord missed the extra point and led, 6–0. In the second quarter, Westminster tied the game at 6–6 when defensive back Steve Nelson intercepted a pass and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Westminster also missed its extra point attempt. With 9:40 remaining in the game, Concord retook the lead on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Broyles to Tony Lipscomb. The extra point was good, and Concord let, 13–6. With 5:05 remaining in the game, Westminster quarterback Steve Kraus threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Wilkie. Rather than kick for the one-point conversion, Westminster coach Joe Fusco called for a two-point conversion. Kraus completed a pass to Dave Hassen for the victory. Championship game at Cal Lutheran On December 3, Westminster prevailed against undefeated 1977 Cal Lutheran Kingsmen Cal Lutheran, 17–9, before a crowd of 4,000 in the national championship game at Thousand Oaks, California. Cal Lutheran took a 9–0 lead in the third quarter on a pass from John Kindred to Harry Hedrick. The Titans lost their starting quarterback, Steve Kraus, to a separated shoulder in the third quarter and were also playing without its two top running backs and its top wide receiver. Sophomore halfback Frank Rondinelli led Westminster's comeback.. As he was being hit by a defender, he threw a 59-yard, wobbly touchdown pass to Bill Stiger. Minutes later, Rondinelli ran 37 yards up the middle for the game-winning touchdown. Westminster also intercepted three passes off Cal Lutheran quarterback Kindred. References Westminster Category:Westminster Titans football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Category:College football undefeated seasons Westminster Titans football