1976 Albion Britons football team

American college football season March 2026 July 2024 1976 Albion Britons football Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association MIAA 9–0 5–0 Frank Joranko 4th Rick Otis Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium MIAA champion The 1976 Albion Britons football team was an American football team that represented Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 1976 NCAA Division III football season. In their fourth season under head coach Frank Joranko, the Britons compiled a perfect 9–0 record (5–0 against MIAA members), won the MIAA championship, shut out five of nine opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 272 to 49.Albion's turnaround is based on respect that coach has built The Times Herald Bob Gross Gannett News Service November 12, 1976 19 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-herald-albions-turnaround-is/140194092/ Newspapers.com It was the fifth unbeaten season in the history of Albion's football program, with prior unbeaten seasons in 1928, 1961, 1964, and 1969.Albion's Goal a Lofty One -- Title The Lansing State Journal November 7, 1969 C4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-albions-goal-a-lo/140224496/ Newspapers.com The Britons were ranked No. 3 in Division III at the end of the regular season. They also ranked first in Division III in rushing offense, total defense, and scoring defense, fourth in total offense, and third in rushing defense. They were unable to participate in the NCAA Division III championship tournament due to an MIAA rule prohibiting post-season play.Nothing left for Albion to do but to bask in glory of perfect season Battle Creek Enquirer and News November 14, 1976 C7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-nothing-left-for-a/140153456/ Newspapers.com Albion players took 10 of 22 first-team spots on the 1976 MIAA All-League team. The Albion honorees were: quarterback Steve Robb (37 of 72 passes for 565 yards and seven touchdowns); fullback Kevin Nixon (596 rushing yards and nine touchdowns); offensive lineman Kevin Schaefer; center Ron Vanderlinden; defensive end and team captain Rick Otis; defensive linemen Jim Haskins and Steve Spencer; linebackers Fred Cromie and Frank Carr; and defensive back Dave Abbott.Albion Dominates MIAA Star Team The Herald-Palladium Associated Press November 22, 1976 31 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-palladium-albion-dominates-mi/140192983/ Newspapers.com The team played its home games at Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium in Albion, Michigan. Schedule y y September 11 1976 Defiance Yellow Jackets Defiance<ncg> Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI W 38-0 2,208 Albion overwhelms Defiance in debut The Lima News September 12, 1976 E3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lima-news-albion-overwhelms-defiance/140170415/ Newspapers.com September 18 at 1976 Mount Union Purple Raiders Mount Union<ncg> Alliance, OH W 27-0 4,500 Albion 27, Mount Union 0 Lansing State Journal September 19, 1976 C2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-albion-27-mount-u/140170973/ Newspapers.comAlbion (Mich.) 27 Mount Union 0 News Journal September 19, 1976 6G https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-albion-mich-27-mount-uni/140171304/ Newspapers.com September 25 1976 Wabash Little Giants Wabash<ncg> Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI W 36-0 1,873–3,180 Albion routs Wabash Battle Creek Enquirer and News September 26, 1976 C2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-albion-routs-wabas/140153846/ Newspapers.comAlbion 36, Wabash 0 Lansing State Journal September 26, 1976 C4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-albion-36-wabash/140171774/ Newspapers.com October 2 at 1976 Alma Scots Alma Bahlke Field Alma, MI W 16-7 2,000–5,500 Albion Outduels Alma, 16-7 Detroit Free Press October 3, 1976 5E https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-albion-outduels-alma/140173471/ Newspapers.com October 9 at 1976 Adrian Bulldogs Adrian Adrian, MI W 20-19 5,400 Albion survives big scare 20-19 Battle Creek Enquirer and News October 10, 1976 C1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-albion-survives-bi/140173718/ Newspapers.com October 16 1976 Kalamazoo Hornets Kalamazoo<hc> Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI W 28-0 3,000–6,340 Albion blunts K-College 28-0 Battle Creek Enquirer and News Joe Neely October 17, 1976 C1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-albion-blunts-k-co/140176367/ Newspapers.com October 23 1976 Olivet Comets Olivet Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI W 55-6 3,190 Albion extends streak rushes past Olivet 55-6 Battle Creek Enquirer and News Joe Neely October 24, 1976 C2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-albion-extends-str/140176633/ Newspapers.com October 30 at Hope Holland, MI W 14-3 6,734 Albion MIAA titlist 14-3 Battle Creek Enquirer and News October 31, 1966 C1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-albion-miaa-titlis/140194533/ Newspapers.comAlbion Earns First MIAA Crown In Seven Years The Herald-Palladium Associated Press November 1, 1976 42 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-palladium-albion-earns-first/140153651/ Newspapers.com November 6 1976 Lakeland Muskies Lakeland<ncg> Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium Albion, MI W 49-14 3,284 Albion gridders perfect 49-14 Battle Creek Enquirer and News Joe Neeley November 7, 1976 C1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-albion-gridders-pe/140153578/ Newspapers.com Final 1976 Cumulative Football Statistics Report https://stats.ncaa.org/team/15/stats/13330 National Collegiate Athletic Association February 4, 2024 References Albion Category:Albion Britons football seasons Category:Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Albion Britons football