1976 National Champion Football Team (Team) (1988) - Hall of Fame

1976 National Champion Football Team (Team)

Induction:
1988
Class:
1976

1976 National Championship Football Team The second national championship for MSU in football… Beat the Akron Zips, 24-13, in the Pioneer Bowl in Wichitta Falls… Also won the Grantland Rice Bowl over North Dakota State, 10-3… Coached by MSU’s all-time “winningest” coach Sonny Holland… finished the season winning its last 10 games, including a 21-12 victory over the Grizzlies… Had two shutouts against conference foes, 44-0 over Weber State and a 33-0 win over Northern Arizona… Team averaged a287 yard rushing per game to lead Division II schools… Players Jon Borchardt, Jeff Conley, Lee Washburn, Ron McClullough, Don Ueland, Tom Kostra, Delmar Jones, Paul Dennehy, Les Leiniger, Dick Lyman, Rick Vancleeve, Tim Nixon, Mark DeVore, Vince Dodds, and Ron Muri were all named to the Big Sky all-conference teams… Borchardt is currently with the Seattle Seahawks… This team’s 12-1 mark in 1976 is the best record of any MU team since 1956.