1976 Holy Cross Crusaders football team

The 1976 Holy Cross Crusaders football team was an American football team that represented the College of the Holy Cross as an independent during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. Neil Wheelwright joined the team for his first year as head coach. The team compiled a record of 3–8.[2]

1976 Holy Cross Crusaders football
Conference	Independent
1976 record	3–8
Head coach	Neil Wheelwright (1st season)
Captains	Bill Campbell Mark Vollman
Home stadium	Fitton Field

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

All home games were played at Fitton Field on the Holy Cross campus in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 11	New Hampshire	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 3–17		[2]
September 18	at Army	Michie Stadium West Point, NY	L 24–26	24,176	[3]
October 2	Dartmouth	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 7–45	14,416	[4]
October 9	at Colgate	Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	L 6–10	3,000	[5]
October 15	at Boston University	Nickerson Field Boston, MA	W 31–11	5,103	[6]
October 23	at Brown	Brown Stadium Providence, RI	L 18–28	11,500	[7]
October 30	Rhode Island ^	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 33–14		[2]
November 6	Massachusetts	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 14–24	10,011	[8]
November 13	at Villanova	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	L 21–56		[2]
November 20	Connecticut	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 41–40		[2]
November 27	at Boston College	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA (rivalry)	L 6–59	25,998	[9]
Homecoming ^ Family Weekend

Statistical leaders

Statistical leaders for the 1976 Crusaders included:[10]

• Rushing: Brian Doherty, 660 yards and 7 touchdowns on 106 attempts
• Passing: Bob Morton, 797 yards, 68 completions and 2 touchdowns on 161 attempts
• Receiving: Craig Cerretani, 445 yards and 1 touchdown on 39 receptions
• Scoring: Brian Doherty, 50 points from 8 touchdowns and 1 two-point conversion
• Total offense: Bob Morton, 1,256 yards (797 passing, 459 rushing)
• All-purpose yards: Brian Doherty, 796 yards (660 rushing, 102 returning, 34 receiving)
• Interceptions: Mark Cannon, 3 interceptions for 43 yards

References

1. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1976-standings.html
2. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. p. 123. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
3. McGowen, Deane (September 19, 1976). "Army's Last-Period Rally Defeats Holy Cross". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S6.
4. Roberts, Ernie (October 3, 1976). "Dartmouth Sics Case, Obert on Holy Cross, 45-7". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 86 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Mumpton, Roy (October 10, 1976). "Colgate Outlucks Holy Cross, 10-6". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 67 – via Newspapers.com.
6. McDonough, Will (October 16, 1976). "Holy Cross Wins No. 1 at BU, 31-11". The Boston Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Mumpton, Roy (October 24, 1976). "Brown Convinces HC, 28-18". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 89 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Mumpton, Roy (November 7, 1976). "Minutemen Tackle HC, 21-14". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 81 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "B.C. Puts Holy Cross To Rout, 59-6". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. Associated Press. November 28, 1976. p. S7.
10. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. pp. 68–73. Retrieved June 15, 2020.