1977 Idaho Vandals football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1977 Idaho Vandals football Big Sky Conference Big Sky 3–8 2–4 Ed Troxel 4th John McMahon 2nd Veer Greg McMackin 1st 4–3 Craig Juntunen Chris Tormey Idaho Stadium The 1977 Idaho Vandals football team represented the University of Idaho in the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. The Vandals were led by fourth-year head coach Ed Troxel and were members of the Big Sky Conference,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-vlLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8PgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6777%2C1611066 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Associated Press Troxel claims defense key at Idaho September 7, 1977 42 then in Division II for football. They played their home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor facility on campus in Moscow, Idaho. Season With quarterbacks Craig Juntunen and Rocky Tuttle running the veer offense, the Vandals were 3–8 overall and 2–4 in the Big Sky in 1977.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NzxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6829%2C5878460 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Vandals finish 3-8 November 28, 1977 15 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ODxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6760%2C6100009 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Troxel disappointed, not leaving September 20, 1977 29 Idaho did not play runner-up Northern Arizona, but the Big Sky designated a non-conference home game for each to count as a sixth conference game in the standings, with both opponents from the PCAA.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=INURAAAAIBAJ&sjid=He4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4520%2C294030 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Non-league battle counts for Idaho September 16, 1977 27https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zb8SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9fgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2120%2C344370 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Vandals in home debut tonight September 17, 1977 9 The Vandals lost to Pacific in September while NAU defeated Cal State Fullerton in October. The Vandals suffered a tenth straight loss in the Battle of the Palouse with neighbor Washington State of the Pac-8, falling 45–17 at Martin Stadium in Pullman on November 12.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rfRLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4737%2C5463983 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Missildine Harry Cougars bury Idaho 45-17 November 13, 1977 D1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NsZVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LuADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6583%2C3329202 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon UPI Cougars get winning year with victory November 13, 1977 6C Boise State The season concluded with a 30-point home loss to Boise State, held two days after Thanksgiving. The young rivalry took a new step in the fourth quarter, when the Broncos were up 34–14 and in control. Having thrown the ball sparingly in building its twenty-point lead, second-year head coach Jim Criner went heavily to the passing game. Boise scored a touchdown with less than two minutes left, then staged a successful onside kick and made a field goal with seconds remaining.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NzxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4988%2C5954317 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Boise State burns Idaho November 28, 1977 17https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WftLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AvkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7039%2C3192678 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Vaughan Sue Idaho, Troxel in bitter loss November 28, 1977 16https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W_tLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AvkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4251%2C4041768 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Van Sickel Charlie Statesmen upset November 30, 1977 36 Boise State went undefeated in the Big Sky, but because of the late conclusion of their regular season, they had to decline a berth in the Division II playoffs, which started earlier that day.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NDxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3962%2C3677027 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob 'Potato Bowl' major game for Vandals November 24, 1977 45 Conference runner-up Northern Arizona took their place and was shut out at home, 35–0.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NzxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6572%2C5879210 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington NAU out in NCAA playoffs November 28, 1977 15 In the previous season, underdog Idaho had won the rivalry game in the season opener before a record crowd in Boise in Criner's debut as head coach.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oLESAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1vgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3210%2C2220884 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Idaho team underdog against Boise squad September 10, 1976 23https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EiFOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4226%2C4483303 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Vandals win opener September 12, 1976 D1 At the time, the Broncos were three-time defending conference champions, all under previous head coach Tony Knap. Idaho had agreed to move that 1976 game from November 27 up to September 11, so that BSU could participate in the D-II playoffs, but the Broncos ended at 2–5 in the Big Sky (fifth) and 5–5–1 overall. Division I This was the last season prior to the creation of Division I-AA,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GGFQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=j1gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5884,2458519 St. Petersburg Independent Florida Associated Press Big schools win battle January 13, 1978 5C which the Big Sky joined. Through 1977, the Big Sky was a Division II conference for football, except for Division I member Idaho, which moved down to I-AA in 1978. Idaho had maintained its upper division status in the NCAA by playing Division I non-conference opponents (and was ineligible for the Division II postseason). (Idaho was involuntarily dropped to the College Division in 1967,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1jdWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1egDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4374,2583457 Ostyn says Pacific cost major status Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press August 9, 1967 15 then returned to the University Division in 1969.)https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=P8pRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D20DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2968,291028 NCAA ups 4 colleges Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Associated Press July 2, 1969 22 Troxel fired Five weeks after the season concluded, Troxel was asked for his resignation by new university president Richard Gibb on December 30.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fIRfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4DAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5633%2C102740 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Killen John Troxel resigns Idaho football post January 1, 1978 1B https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nvYjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3110%2C1026640 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Belknap seeking Troxel's replacement by Jan. 15 January 2, 1978 16https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dJ0SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AfkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6561%2C114559 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Vaughan Sue Vandals seeking air-minded man January 2, 1978 24 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lnBUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bI8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2898%2C205169 Ellensburg Daily Record Washington UPI Troxel bitter over Idaho job loss January 5, 1978 7 An assistant under the preceding three head coaches and a former head coach of track and field,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_KdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5404%2C1613732 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Aides for Troxel next Idaho task December 20, 1973 28 he had been at UI for an over a decade.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=baxWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4999%2C2344210 Spokesman-Review Spokesman, Washington Vandals name Ed Troxel as defensive line coach January 24, 1967 12 Very successful at Borah High School in Boise (1958–66), Troxel returned to the high school ranks in 1978 at Kennewick High School, in the Tri-Cities of eastern Washington,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZM1eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4711%2C9248431 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul Football's fun again for Ed Troxel October 26, 1978 1B and built the Lions into winners; he coached through 1990, and died of cancer at age 75 in 2001.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZKteAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mS4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5822%2C2779686 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho wire reports Former UI football coach Troxel dies January 25, 2001 2Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZscjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QNEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1294%2C2913751 Moscow-Pullman Daily News Idaho-Washington Associated Press Idaho football coaching legend Troxel dies at 75 January 25, 2001 2B Schedule 1977 NCAA Division II AP Pacific September 10 5:30 pm l y y Rice Rice Stadium Houston, TX 10–31 14,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F_VLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1e0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5097%2C4453588 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Owls rap Vandals in opener September 11, 1977 D1 September 17 8:00 pm l Pacific (CA) Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 21–31 12,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zr8SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9fgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6108%2C608609 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington English Sue Idaho falls to Pacific September 19, 1977 27 September 24 10:00 pm l y y Hawaii Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI 26–45 25,463 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5jxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=He4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3440%2C4625925 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Leaky Vandals yield again; Hawaii rolls to 46-25 win September 26, 1977 15 October 8 8:00 pm l Idaho State Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 14–34 11,500 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RPNLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0e0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2737%2C3901165 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Idaho State stuns Vandals 34-14 October 9, 1977 D1 October 15 1:30 pm w y Montana Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID Little Brown Stein 31–20 15,200 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C1ZOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9vgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2017%2C82521 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Vandals get first win October 17, 1977 17 October 22 12:30 pm w y Montana State 3 Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT 17–6 8,750 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1_VLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0O0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6104%2C3607132 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Idaho 'D' does job on MSU October 23, 1977 D1 October 29 12:30 pm l y Weber State Wildcat Stadium Ogden, UT 27–30 3,000 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3vVLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0O0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2589%2C6203855 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Idaho's comeback foiled; Weber ekes 30-27 triumph October 30, 1977 D1 November 5 7:30 pm l y UNLV Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 21–35 7,400 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pvRLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6766%2C2276283 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Payne Bob Rebels roll over Idaho November 6, 1977 D3 November 12 1:00 pm l y y Washington State Martin Stadium Pullman, WA Battle of the Palouse 17–45 18,500 November 19 6:00 pm w y y New Mexico State Memorial Stadium Las Cruces, NM 47–44 6,438 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MDxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6467%2C2431938 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Idaho bursts, then hangs on November 20, 1977 D3 November 26 7:30 pm l Boise State T–5 Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID rivalry 14–44 12,000 Idaho did not play Northern Arizona, so a non-conference game was designated to count in the standings for each team. Both were home games against Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA) opponents. Idaho lost to Pacific, while Northern Arizona defeated Cal State Fullerton. Roster 1977 Idaho Vandals f 7 Fr Mike McCurdy QB 10 Brad Clausen SE 11 Jr Jett Taylor SE 12 Jr Rocky Tuttle QB P RB 14 Sr Craig Juntunen QB C y 15 Fr Jay Goodenbour QB 18 Jr Kirk Allen SE 25 Sr Robert Brooks RB y y 30 Jr Tim Lappano RB y 33 So Mike Supkis TE 35 So Glenn Ford RB 36 Fr Glen White RB 40 Sr Robert Taylor RB 44 So Dan Meyer TE 50 Sr Joe Kramer C 53 Jr Dave Pearson C 55 David Earl OL 59 Jr Mike Clark OL 61 Jr Dick Wilkin RG 63 Fr Bob Volke OL 64 Jr Mark Whipps OL 65 Sr Joe Dahlin RG 66 So Doug Gisselberg OL 68 Jr Brian Zimmerman OL 69 So Larry Coombs LT 71 So Mark McNeal OL 74 Sr Dave Wiggum LG 77 Jr Tom Randel RT 80 Sr Dan Davidson FL 84 Jr Rick Mayfield TE 87 Jeff Eucker TE 20 Fr Larry Barker DB 21 Fr Mike Keogh DB 22 Fr Ray McCanna DB 23 Fr Marc Watts DB 24 Jr Rick Linehan FS 26 Sr Greg Coman CB 27 Jr Todd McKillop DB 33 So Kelly Grimes LB 34 Sr Chris Frost LB 37 So Dan Duncan DB 41 Sr Doug Moy DB 42 Sr Bill Clark CB 43 Sr Brian Charles CB 45 Kevin Johnson DB 45 Fr Monty Elder LB 51 So Chris Eads LB 52 Jr Bob Cafferty LB 54 Sr Tom Jacksha LB 57 So Marty Marshall LB 58 Jr Dan Cozzetto LB 60 Jr Mark Stennfeld DL 62 Sr Tim Sanford DT 67 Jr Scott Whipps DL 70 So Kyle Riddell DL 72 Sr Joe Pellegrini Joe Pellegrini (defensive tackle) DT y 73 Sr Tom Eilertson DE 75 Sr Lynn Rice DT 76 So Vic Lillquist DL 78 So Steve Parker DT 79 Mark Husby DL 81 So Rick Hunt LB 82 So Randy Ralph DL 83 So Phil Vance LB 85 Sr Chris Tormey LB C y 86 Fr Tom Michaud DL 89 Jr Robert Collins DE 6 Sr Ralph Lowe PK P *Ed Troxel John McMahon (OC) Greg McMackin (DC) Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Q_NLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0e0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3161%2C3147723 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Rosters October 8, 1977 13https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NTxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5658%2C4509197 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Rosters November 26, 1977 17https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y5ZfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4490%2C174511 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Eight Vandals honored December 1, 1977 2B All-conference Defensive tackle Tim Sanford and punter Ralph Lowe were named to the Big Sky all-conference team; Lowe was named to the second team as a placekicker. Also on the second team were tackle Larry Coombs, center Joe Kramer, running back Robert Taylor, linebacker Chris Tormey, defensive end Joe Pellegrini, and defensive back Brian Charles.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W_tLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AvkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5485%2C4044333 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Associated Press Big Sky tabs Lowe, Sanford November 30, 1977 36https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y5ZfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4490%2C174511 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Eight Vandals honored December 1, 1977 2B References External links Gem of the Mountains: 1978 University of Idaho yearbook – 1977 football season Official game program: Idaho at Washington State – November 12, 1977 Idaho Argonaut – student newspaper – 1977 editions Idaho Category:Idaho Vandals football seasons Idaho Vandals football