1976 Western Michigan Broncos football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1976 Western Michigan Broncos football Mid-American Conference MAC 7–4 6–3 Elliot Uzelac 2nd Jerome Persell Dave Gapinski Pepper Powers Waldo Stadium The 1976 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. In their second season under head coach Elliot Uzelac, the Broncos compiled a 7–4 record (6–3 against MAC opponents), finished in fourth place in the MAC, and outscored their opponents, 270 to 202.Football Records: Annual Results Western Michigan University July 5, 2016 http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=204948424Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1970 - 79 Western Michigan University July 5, 2016 http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=2049480851976 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 5, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/western-michigan/1976.html The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.Waldo Stadium Western Michigan University July 5, 2016 http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=120527 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165153/http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=120527 March 3, 2016 The team's statistical leaders included Pepper Powers with 571 passing yards, Jerome Persell with 1,505 rushing yards, and Tom Henry with 225 receiving yards.1976 Western Michigan Broncos Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 5, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/western-michigan/1976.html Defensive back Dave Gapinski and quarterback Pepper Powers were the team captains.Football History: All-Time Captains Western Michigan University July 5, 2016 http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=204948804 Tailback Jerome Persell received the team's most outstanding player award.Football History: Team Awards Western Michigan University July 5, 2016 http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=204950513 Persell was also named MAC offensive player of the year for the first of what would be three consecutive years.Western's Persell, NIU's Petzke share MAC honors Detroit Free Press December 14, 1978 2D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5797367/westerns_persell_nius_petzke_share/ Elliot Uzelac was named the MAC coach of the year.Football History: Conference Awards Western Michigan University July 6, 2016 http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=204950519 Schedule y y September 11 Eastern Michigan Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI W 31–13 19,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-broncs-debut-big/181066000/ Battle Creek Enquirer & News Broncs debut big, rout EMU September 12, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com September 18 @ Northern Illinois Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL W 37–6 16,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-broncos-rip-n-ill/181066143/ The Rock Island Argus Broncos rip N. Illinois September 19, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com September 25 @ Minnesota<ncg> Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN L 10–21 33,229 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-wake-up-late-to-win/181041524/ Minneapolis Tribune Gophers wake up late to win 21–10 September 26, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 2 Bowling Green Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI L 0–28 19,500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-jerome-persells-f/181066278/ The Kalamazoo Gazette Jerome Persell's four TDs not enough October 3, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 9 @ Kent State Dix Stadium Kent, OH L 12–24 5,468 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-kent-punishes-b/181064092/ The Akron Beacon Journal Kent punishes bobbling Broncos October 10, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 16 Toledo Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI W 34–21 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-defense-fires-wmu/181066443/ The Grand Rapids Press Defense fires WMU triumph October 17, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com October 23 Marshall<ncg> Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI W 31–21 https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-gazette-mail-herd-falls-broncos/180952443/ Sunday Gazette-Mail Herd falls; Broncos post 31–21 victory as Persell gains 200 yards October 24, 1976 September 12, 2025 Newspapers.com October 30 Ohio Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI W 21–20 15,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-western-gives-ohio/181065348/ The Kalamazoo Gazette Western gives Ohio the 'inside-out' treatment October 31, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 6 @ Miami (OH) Miami Field Oxford, OH L 0–31 14,644 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-miami-shuts-down/181066596/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Miami shuts down Persell, shuts out Broncos, 31–0 November 7, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com November 13 @ Ball State Ball State Stadium Muncie, IN W 24–10 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 Central Michigan (rivalry) Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI W 42–14 13,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-western-michigan-h/181066763/ Lansing State Journal Western Michigan has a ball with rival CMU November 21, 1976 September 14, 2025 Newspapers.com References Western Michigan Category:Western Michigan Broncos football seasons Western Michigan Broncos football