1977 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1977 Michigan State Spartans football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 7–3–1 6–1–1 Darryl Rogers 2nd Bob Padilla 2nd Larry Bethea Larry Bethea Al Pitts Paul Rudzinski Spartan Stadium The 1977 Michigan State Spartans football team was an American football team that represented Michigan State University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1977 Big Ten football season. In their second season under head coach Darryl Rogers, the Spartans compiled a 7–3–1 record (6–1–1 in conference games), finished third in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 258 to 162. In two games against ranked opponents, they lost to No. 14 Notre Dame and No. 3 Michigan.1977 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 21, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1977-schedule.html2025 Michigan State Football Media Guide Michigan State University 205 April 23, 2025 https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/msuspartans.com/documents/2025/8/29/2025_Michigan_State_Football_Media_Guide.pdf?timestamp=20250829045740 On offense, the Spartans gained an average of 197.1 rushing yards and 170.6 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up 165.3 rushing yards and 160.5 passing yards per game. The individual statistical leaders included quarterback Ed Smith with 1,731 passing yards, Leroy McGee with 720 rushing yards, and flanker Kirk Gibson with 531 receiving yards and 24.1 yards per reception(tops in the Big Ten).1977 Michigan State Spartans Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football April 21, 2026 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/1977.html Eight Spartans were selected by either the Associated Press (AP) or the United Press International (UPI) for the 1977 All-Big Ten Conference football teams: defensive tackle Larry Bethea (AP-1, UPI-1); punter Ray Stachowicz (AP-1, UPI-1); center Al Pitts (AP-2, UPI-1); placekicker Hans Nielsen (UPI-1); defensive back Mark Anderson (AP-2, UPI-2); wide receiver Kirk Gibson (UPI-2); tight end Mark Brammer (UPI-2); and linebacker Paul Rudzinski (UPI-2). Bethea was selected as the team's most valuable player.2025 Media Guide, p. 300.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 Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Schedule 1977 AP September 10 w Purdue Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 19–14 53,014 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-herrmann-leaves-s/171215562/ The South Bend Tribune Herrmann leaves Spartans gasping September 11, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 17 l y Washington State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 21–23 50,263 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-washington-state/171161323/ Wisconsin State Journal Washington State slips past MSU September 18, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com September 24 w y Wyoming Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 34–16 56,214 Spartans pass 'gut check,' 34–16 Lansing State Journal Fred Stabley Jr. September 25, 1977 D1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116015188/spartans-pass-gut-check/ April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 1 l y y Notre Dame 14 Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN rivalry 6–16 59,075 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-notre-dame-outlasts-ms/171133251/ The Post-Crescent Notre Dame outlasts MSU in game of turnovers October 2, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 8 l Michigan 3 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI rivalry 14–24 78,183 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-spartans-lose-mome/171218651/ Lansing State Journal Spartans lose momentum, game, 24–14 October 9, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 15 t y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN rivalry 13–13 36,892 Stultz Max I.U. Fumbles, Tumbles To 13–13 Tie With MSU https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/137575531/ The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana October 16, 1977 1, section 2 December 28, 2023 Newspapers.com October 22 w y Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI 9–7 79,203 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-michigan-state-han/171213563/ The La Crosse Tribune Michigan State hands Badgers 2nd straight loss October 23, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com October 29 w y Illinois Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 49–20 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 w y Minnesota Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 29–10 30,600 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-spartans-hit-minn/171217269/ The Sioux City Journal Spartans hit Minnesota November 6, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 11 w Northwestern Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 44–3 61,238 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-northwestern-stays-in-ru/171211487/ Chicago Tribune Northwestern stays in rut November 13, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com November 19 w y Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 22–16 43,700 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muskegon-chronicle-winds-lift-sparta/171215195/ The Muskegon Chronicle Winds lift Spartans over Hawkeyes, 22–16 November 20, 1977 April 27, 2025 Newspapers.com Game summaries Michigan Michigan 0 10 14 0 Michigan St 0 7 0 7 October 8 Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI 78,183 yes Q2 MSU Gibson 19 yard pass from Smith (Nielsen kick) MSU 7–0 Q2 MICH White 12 yard pass from Leach (Willner kick) Tie 7–7 Q2 MICH Willner 50 yard field goal MICH 10–7 Q3 MICH R. Davis 3 yard run (Willner kick) MICH 17–7 Q3 MICH Leach 3 yard run (Willner kick) MICH 24–7 Q4 MSU Earley 11 yard run (Nielsen kick) MICH 24–14 yes On October 8, 1977, Michigan State lost to Michigan, 24–14, at Spartan Stadium. Michigan State took a 7–0 lead on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Ed Smith to Kirk Gibson. Michigan responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Rick Leach to White and a 50-yard field goal to take a 10–7 lead at halftime. Michigan extended its lead to 24–7 in the third quarter on touchdown runs by Russell Davis and Ed Leach. Harlan Huckleby rushed for 146 yards, and Russell Davis added 96 yards. Ralph Clayton caught three passes for 99 yards. Michigan completed four of 10 passes in the game and threw only one pass in the second half.U-M Struggles, 24-14 Charlie Vincent Detroit Free Press October 9, 1977 1E, 4E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4425416/um_struggles_2414/ Roster 1977 Michigan State Spartans f 91 So Mark Brammer TE y Sr Jim Earley RB y 23 Jr Kirk Gibson WR y 16 So Mark Anderson DB 88 Sr Larry Bethea DT y 49 So Dan Bass LB 37 Sr Paul Rudzinski LB y 57 So Larry Savage Larry Savage (American football) LB y 3 Sr Tom Birney K y Darryl Rogers References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football