1976 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1976 Illinois Fighting Illini football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 5–6 4–4 Bob Blackman 6th Jerry Finis Scott Studwell Marty Friel Dean March Scott Studwell Memorial Stadium The 1976 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 1976 Big Ten season. In their sixth year under head coach Bob Blackman, the Fighting Illini compiled a 5–6 record (4–4 in conference games), finished in a four-way tie for third place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 248 to 235.1976 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1976-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Kurt Steger (1,243 passing yards, 46.5% completion rate), running back James Coleman (687 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 60 points scored), and wide receiver Eric Rouse (326 receiving yards).1976 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football June 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1976.html Offensive tackle Jerry Finis and linebacker Scott Studwell 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 Studwell and kicker Dan Beaver received first-team honors on the 1976 All-Big Ten Conference football team.Michigan, Ohio State Pace All-Big Ten Team Toledo Blade (AP story) December 3, 1976 27 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19761203&id=ahBPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=agIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6803,3874955Illini place two on All-Big 10 The Pantagraph November 24, 1976 A11 https://www.newspapers.com/image/72821573/?terms=leach%2Bdierking%2Bcobb%2B%22united%2Bpress%22 The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule 1976 AP September 11 w Iowa Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 24–6 49,515 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-hawkeyes-bobble-away/181039426/ The Daily Nonpareil Hawkeyes bobble away Big Ten opener 24–6 September 12, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com September 18 w y y Missouri 6 Faurot Field Columbia, MO rivalry 31–6 63,486 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-illini-tumble-no-6-misso/181041086/ The Pantagraph Illini tumble No. 6 Missouri, 31–6 September 19, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com September 25 l y 14 Baylor Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 19–34 44,481 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-illinois-fumblitis-aids-ba/169143221/ The Dispatch Illinois' fumblitis aids Baylor 34–19 September 26, 1976 March 29, 2025 Newspapers.com October 2 l y Texas A&M Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 7–14 67,543 https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-ag-defense-hero/169142336/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Ag defense hero in win over Illini October 3, 1976 March 29, 2025 Newspapers.com October 9 l y Minnesota Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 14–29 52,606 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-minnesota-rips-illini/181041174/ The Cedar Rapids Gazette Minnesota rips Illini October 10, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 16 w y Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN rivalry 21–17 66,716 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-mail-decoy-phillips-lifts-illi/181040153/ The Times-Mail Decoy Phillips lifts Illinois October 17, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 23 l Michigan State Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 23–31 52,860 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muskegon-chronicle-big-aerial-attack/181038423/ The Muskegon Chronicle Big aerial attack wins for Spartans October 24, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 30 w Wisconsin Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 31–25 54,121 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-spree-in-3rd-keys-illini/181039066/ Quad-City Times Spree in 3rd keys Illini October 31, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 6 l y Ohio State 8 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH Illibuck 10–42 87,654 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-johnson-leads-buckeyes/181041324/ The Post-Crescent Johnson leads Buckeyes past Illini November 7, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 13 l y Michigan 4 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 7–38 104,107 Michigan Victor in 38–7 Rout The New York Times (AP story) November 14, 1976 https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/14/archives/michigan-victor-in-387-rout.htmlMichigan Win Sets Up Usual Big 10 Showdown Larry Paladino The Argus-Press November 15, 1976 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hUQiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=96sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1241,1244380 November 20 w Northwestern Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 48–6 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-illinois-rips-northwes/181038096/ Herald and Review Illinois rips Northwestern 48–6 November 21, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com Roster 1976 Illinois Fighting Illini f 67 Sr Scott Studwell LB y 97 So John Sullivan LB https://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/7/18/football_alltimerosters_1975_1999.aspx?#1976 *Bob Blackman References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football