1976 Westminster Titans football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1976 Westminster Titans football Independent 10–1 Joe Fusco 5th Gene Nicholson 5th Memorial Field NAIA Division II national champion NAIA Division II Championship Game W 20–13 vs. 1976 Redlands Bulldogs Redlands The 1976 Westminster Titans football team was an American football team that represented Westminster College of Pennsylvania as an independent during the 1976 NAIA Division II football season. In their fifth season under head coach Joe Fusco, the Titans compiled a 10–1 record. They advanced to the NAIA Division II playoffs, defeating 1976 Texas Lutheran Bulldogs Texas Lutheran (31–0) in the semifinal and 1976 Redlands Bulldogs Redlands (20–13) in the NAIA Division II National Championship Game.1976 Football Schedule Westminster College November 26, 2021 https://athletics.westminster.edu/sports/football/schedule/1976Westminster Happy Being in Playoffs, Whoever Opposition The Daily Courier Skip Wachter November 18, 1976 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89586997/westminster-happy-being-in-playoffs/ Newspapers.com Schedule y y September 11 at 1976 Susquehanna Crusaders Susquehanna Selinsgrove, PA W 20–7 Westminster 20, Susquehanna 7 The Morning Call September 12, 1976 C9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89588619/westminster-20-susquehanna-7/ Newspapers.comTitans 'solid' in opening win: Stop Susquehanna 20–7 New Castle News Rod Platt September 13, 1976 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007830/titans-solid-in-opening-win-stop/ Newspapers.com September 18 1976 Juniata Indians Juniata Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA L 7–14 Juniata upends Titans: Rallies in final minutes New Castle News Rod Platt September 20, 1976 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007870/juniata-upends-titans-rallies-in-final/ Newspapers.com September 25 at 1976 Indiana Indians Indiana (PA) Indiana, PA W 6–2 Titans slip past Indiana: Szuba scores lone TD New Castle News September 27, 1976 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007909/titans-slip-past-indiana-szuba-scores/ Newspapers.com October 2 vs 1976 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets Waynesburg Memorial Field New Castle, PA W 33–7 Titans finally get offense in gear: Crush Waynesburg 33–7 New Castle News Rod Platt October 4, 1976 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007952/titans-finally-get-offense-in-gear/ Newspapers.com October 9 1976 Grove City Wolverines Grove City<hc> Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 27–0 Westminster Belts Grove City, 27–0 The Scrantonian October 10, 1976 48 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89588116/westminster-belts-grove-city-27-0/ Newspapers.comTitans blank Grovers 27–0: To highlight homecoming New Castle News Rod Platt October 11, 1976 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90008002/titans-blank-grovers-27-0-to-highlight/ Newspapers.com October 16 at 1976 Frostburg State Bobcats Frostburg State Frostburg, MD W 55–7 Titans Explode, 55–7 The Pittsburgh Press October 17, 1976 D13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89587846/titans-explode-55-7/ Newspapers.comTitans roll past Frostburg: Score fifth win 55–7 New Castle News October 18, 1976 24 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90008056/titans-roll-past-frostburg-score-fifth/ Newspapers.com October 23 at 1976 Bethany Bison Bethany (WV) Bethany, WV W 10–3 Westminster 10, Bethany 3 Beckley Post-Herald and Register October 24, 1976 32 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89587669/westminster-10-bethany-3/ Newspapers.comTitans' defense gains 10–3 win: Offense sputters at Bethany New Castle News Rod Platt October 25, 1976 21 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90008083/titans-defense-gains-10-3-win-offense/ Newspapers.com October 30 1976 Geneva Golden Tornadoes Geneva Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 28–6 Westminster Turns Back Geneva, 28–6 The Pittsburgh Press October 31, 1976 D9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89587455/westminster-turns-back-geneva-28-6/ Newspapers.comTitans 'rush' past Geneva: Wins seventh game 28–6 New Castle News Tom Spudic November 1, 1976 22 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90008110/titans-rush-past-geneva-wins-seventh/ Newspapers.com November 6 at 1976 Allegheny Gators Allegheny Meadville, PA W 10–7 Titans Win On 88-Yard Run The Pittsburgh Press November 7, 1976 D11 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89588845/titans-win-on-88-yard-run/ Newspapers.comTitans nip Allegheny 10–7 for eighth win: On Rimbey's 88-yard punt return New Castle News Rod Platt November 8, 1976 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90008165/titans-nip-allegheny-10-7-for-eighth/ Newspapers.com November 20 at 1976 Texas Lutheran Bulldogs Texas Lutheran Matador Stadium Seguin, TX W 31–0 4,500 Tex. Lutheran falls to end trio hopes Brownwood Bulletin November 21, 1976 1B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89587211/tex-lutheran-falls-to-end-trio-hopes/ Newspapers.comTitans advance to NAIA championships New Castle News Rod Platt November 22, 1976 30 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90008193/titans-advance-to-naia-championships/ Newspapers.com December 4 at 1976 Redlands Bulldogs Redlands University of Redlands Stadium Redlands, CA W 20–13 5,278 Titans win, 20–13: Bulldogs lose close one for NAIA district title Redlands Daily Facts Russ Kishi December 6, 1976 B3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89585565/bulldogs-lose-close-one-for-naia/ Newspapers.comTitans NAIA Division II champs again New Castle News Rod Platt December 6, 1976 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90008222/titans-naia-division-ii-champs-again/ Newspapers.com Season overview Homecoming vs. Grove City On October 9, Westminster defeated 1976 Grove City Wolverines Grove City, 27–0, in the Titans' homecoming game. It was Westminster's 25th consecutive homecoming victory. Quarterback Jan Budai ran 74 yards for a touchdown after the running back missed an assignment to take the handoff from Budai. Frostburg State Westminster won its most one-sided game of the season on October 16, defeating 1976 Frostburg State Bobcats Frostburg State by a 55–7 score at Frostburg, Maryland. Westminster's defense gave up only four first downs, forced six fumbles and two interceptions, and held Frostburg to 14 passing yards and minus 16 rushing yards. Frostburg's sole touchdown came on an 88-yard kickoff return. Westminter out-gained Frostburg by 535 yards of total offense to minus two. Allegheny On November 6, Westminster concluded its regular season with a 10–7 victory over 1976 Allegheny Gators Allegheny at Robertson Field in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Sophomore Jeff Ribey returned a punt 88 yards for the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. Rimbey was a backup safety and not the team's regular punt returner until an injury earlier in the season gave him the opportunity to play.'Turtle' unlikely hero for Titans New Castle News Rod Platt November 8, 1976 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90645387/turtle/ Newspapers.com The victory qualified the Titans for a berth in the NAIA Division II playoffs. Semifinals at Texas Lutheran Westminster entered the playoffs with the top rushing defense in Division II, allowing only 57.7 points per game.Westminster In Grid Playoff York Daily Record December 4, 1976 18 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89983964/westminster/ Newspapers.com On November 20, Westminster upset the No. 1-ranked 1976 Texas Lutheran Bulldogs Texas Lutheran Bulldogs, winning by a 31–0 score on the road in Seguin, Texas. Texas Lutheran had won the Division II championship in both 1974 and 1975 and was the favorite to win again in 1976. Quarterback Jan Budai threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Dave Hasson and ran one yard for another touchdown. Dave Armahizer also scored on an 85-yard interception return in the third quarter. On defense, the Titans held Texas Lutheran to 122 rushing yards and 139 passing yards. Championship game at Redlands On December 4, Westminster, ranked No. 2, played in the Division II national championship game, defeating No. 3 1976 Redlands Bulldogs Redlands, 20–13, on the road in Redlands, California. Westminster quarterback Jan Budai threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Dave Hasson. Redlands kicked two field goals, and the Titans led, 7–6, at halftime. In the third quarter, Westminster capitalized on a Redlands fumble recovered at the six-yard line. Mike Szuba scored on a one-yard run. Redlands tied the game, 13–13, on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Steve Vento to Brian DeRoo. Redlands fumbled a punt, and Westminster recovered the ball at Redlands' 22-yard line. From there, the Titans advanced to the two-yard line, and Budai ran two yards for the game-winning touchdown with 6:56 remaining in the game.Westminster Lands 2nd NAIA Title, 20–13 The Pittsburgh Press December 5, 1976 D2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89983593/westminster-lands-2nd-naia-title-20-13/ Newspapers.com References Westminster Category:Westminster Titans football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Westminster Titans football