1976 Colgate Red Raiders football team

The 1976 Colgate Red Raiders football team was an American football team that represented Colgate University as an independent during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. In its first season under head coach Frederick Dunlap, the team compiled an 8–2 record. Mark Murphy and Keith Polito were the team captains.[2]

1976 Colgate Red Raiders football
Conference	Independent
1976 record	8–2
Head coach	Frederick Dunlap (1st season)
Captains	Mark Murphy Keith Polito
Home stadium	Andy Kerr Stadium

1976 NCAA Division I independents football records
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 1 Pittsburgh			–					12	–	0	–	0
No. 17 Rutgers			–					11	–	0	–	0
San Diego State			–					10	–	1	–	0
No. 12 Notre Dame			–					9	–	3	–	0
Colgate			–					8	–	2	–	0
Boston College			–					8	–	3	–	0
Cincinnati			–					8	–	3	–	0
Memphis State			–					7	–	4	–	0
North Texas State *			–					7	–	4	–	0
Southern Illinois			–					7	–	4	–	0
Penn State			–					7	–	5	–	0
Villanova			–					6	–	4	–	1
South Carolina			–					6	–	5	–	0
Virginia Tech			–					6	–	5	–	0
Army			–					5	–	6	–	0
Florida State			–					5	–	6	–	0
Illinois State			–					5	–	6	–	0
Richmond			–					5	–	6	–	0
West Virginia			–					5	–	6	–	0
Georgia Tech			–					4	–	6	–	1
Temple			–					4	–	6	–	0
Air Force			–					4	–	7	–	0
Dayton			–					4	–	7	–	0
Louisville			–					4	–	7	–	0
Navy			–					4	–	7	–	0
Indiana State			–					3	–	7	–	0
Hawaii			–					3	–	8	–	0
Holy Cross			–					3	–	8	–	0
Miami (FL)			–					3	–	8	–	0
Syracuse			–					3	–	8	–	0
Utah State			–					3	–	8	–	0
Northeast Louisiana			–					2	–	9	–	0
Southern Miss			–					2	–	9	–	0
Tulane			–					2	–	9	–	0
North Texas State (originally 6–5–0) was awarded a forfeit win after Mississippi State was found to be using an ineligible player.[1] Rankings from AP Poll

The team played its home games at Andy Kerr Stadium in Hamilton, New York.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 11	Connecticut	Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	W 13–7		[3][4]
September 18	at Davidson	Richardson Stadium Davidson, NC	W 17–7		[3][4]
September 25	at Cornell	Schoellkopf Field Ithaca, NY (rivalry)	W 25–20	10,000	[5]
October 9	Holy Cross	Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	W 10–6	3,000	[6]
October 16	at Princeton	Palmer Stadium Princeton, NJ	W 17–7	18,000	[7]
October 23	at Lafayette	Fisher Field Easton, PA	W 24–14		[3][4]
October 30	Boston University	Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	W 21–14		[3][4]
November 6	at Bucknell	Memorial Stadium Lewisburg, PA	W 24–13		[8]
November 13	at Army	Michie Stadium West Point, NY	L 13–29	29,637	[9]
November 25	at No. 19 Rutgers	Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ	L 9–17	33,405	[10]
Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Leading players

Two trophies were awarded to the Red Raiders' most valuable players in 1976:[11]

• Keith Polito, wide receiver, received the Andy Kerr Trophy, awarded to the most valuable offensive player.
• Doug Curtis, linebacker, received the Hal W. Lahar Trophy, awarded to the most valuable defensive player.

Statistical leaders for the 1976 Red Raiders included:[12]

• Rushing: Pat Healy, 557 yards and 3 touchdowns on 141 attempts
• Passing: Bob Relph, 1,353 yards, 95 completions and 10 touchdowns on 201 attempts
• Receiving: Keith Polito, 555 yards and 6 touchdowns on 30 receptions
• Total offense: Bob Relph, 1,530 yards (1,353 passing, 177 rushing)
• Scoring: Jerry Andrewlavage, 51 points from 15 PATs and 12 field goals
• All-purpose yards: Bruce Malverty, 859 yards (418 rushing, 281 kickoff returning, 160 receiving)
• Tackles: Doug Curtis, 145 total tackles
• Sacks: Sid Harris, 6 quarterback sacks

References

1. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1976-standings.html
2. "Colgate Athletic History: Football" (PDF). Hamilton, N.Y.: Colgate University. p. 13. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
3. "Schedules of College and Professional Football Teams for the 1976 Season". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. August 29, 1976. p. S8.
4. "Colgate Athletic History: Football" (PDF). Hamilton, N.Y.: Colgate University. p. 25. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
5. Jaworski, Charlie (September 26, 1976). "Relph Flings Cornell Loss". The Press & Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton, N.Y. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
6. Mumpton, Roy (October 10, 1976). "Colgate Outlucks Holy Cross, 10-6". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 67 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Bruns, John (October 17, 1976). "Tiger Defense Crumbles". The Sunday Home News. New Brunswick, N.J. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Colgate Stays Unbeaten, Tops Bucknell, 24-13". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. November 7, 1976. p. S8.
9. "Colgate Loses First, 29-13, at Hands of Army and Hall". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. November 14, 1976. p. S8.
10. White, Gordon S., Jr. (November 26, 1976). "Unbeaten Rutgers Wins, 17-9". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. D7.
11. "Colgate Athletic History: Football" (PDF). Hamilton, N.Y.: Colgate University. p. 19. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
12. "Colgate Athletic History: Football" (PDF). Hamilton, N.Y.: Colgate University. pp. 43–55. Retrieved June 15, 2020.