1977 Colgate Red Raiders football team

The 1977 Colgate Red Raiders football team was an American football team that represented Colgate University as an independent during the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. In its second season under head coach Frederick Dunlap, the team compiled a 10–1 record. Mike Foley and Gary Hartwig were the team captains.[2]

1977 Colgate Red Raiders football
Conference	Independent
1977 record	10–1
Head coach	Frederick Dunlap (2nd season)
Captains	Mike Foley Gary Hartwig
Home stadium	Andy Kerr Stadium

1977 NCAA Division I independents football records
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 1 Notre Dame		–		–				11	–	1	–	0
No. 5 Penn State		–		–				11	–	1	–	0
Colgate		–		–				10	–	1	–	0
North Texas State *		–		–				10	–	1	–	0
No. 16 San Diego State		–		–				10	–	1	–	0
Tennessee State		–		–				8	–	1	–	1
No. 14 Florida State		–		–				10	–	2	–	0
No. 8 Pittsburgh		–		–				9	–	2	–	1
East Carolina		–		–				8	–	3	–	0
Rutgers		–		–				8	–	3	–	0
Army		–		–				7	–	4	–	0
Louisville		–		–				7	–	4	–	1
Boston College		–		–				6	–	5	–	0
Cincinnati		–		–				5	–	4	–	2
Georgia Tech		–		–				6	–	5	–	0
Memphis State		–		–				6	–	5	–	0
Northwestern State		–		–				6	–	5	–	0
Syracuse		–		–				6	–	5	–	0
William & Mary		–		–				6	–	5	–	0
Southern Miss		–		–				6	–	5	–	0
Temple		–		–				5	–	5	–	1
Hawaii		–		–				5	–	6	–	0
Navy		–		–				5	–	6	–	0
West Virginia		–		–				5	–	6	–	0
South Carolina		–		–				5	–	7	–	0
Utah State		–		–				4	–	7	–	0
Villanova		–		–				4	–	7	–	0
Illinois State		–		–				3	–	7	–	1
Virginia Tech		–		–				3	–	7	–	1
Indiana State		–		–				3	–	7	–	0
Miami (FL)		–		–				3	–	8	–	0
Richmond		–		–				3	–	8	–	0
Tulane		–		–				3	–	8	–	0
Air Force		–		–				2	–	8	–	1
Holy Cross		–		–				2	–	8	–	0
Northeast Louisiana		–		–				2	–	9	–	0
North Texas State (originally 9–2) 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	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 10	Rutgers		Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	W 23–0	12,000	[3]
September 17	Lafayette		Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	W 38–12		[4][5]
September 24	at Cornell		Schoellkopf Field Ithaca, NY (rivalry)	W 28–22	6,500	[6]
October 1	at Harvard		Harvard Stadium Boston, MA	W 38–21	25,000	[7]
October 8	at Holy Cross		Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 31–14	10,132	[8]
October 15	at Princeton		Palmer Stadium Princeton, NJ	W 31–13	14,940	[9]
October 22	at Columbia		Baker Field New York, NY	W 48–36	6,710	[10]
October 29	at Boston University		Nickerson Field Boston, MA	W 43–22	6,100	[11]
November 5	Bucknell		Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	W 49–17	6,500	[12]
November 12	Northeastern	No. 20	Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	W 48–39	6,500	[13]
November 19	at Delaware		Delaware Stadium Newark, DE	L 3–21		[14]
Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Leading players

Three trophies were awarded to the Red Raiders' most valuable players in 1977:[15]

• Two players received the Andy Kerr Trophy, awarded to the most valuable offensive player: Bob Relph, quarterback, and Henry White, running back.
• Gary Hartwig, defensive end, received the Hal W. Lahar Trophy, awarded to the most valuable defensive player.

Statistical leaders for the 1977 Red Raiders included:[16]

• Rushing: Henry White, 1,032 yards and 5 touchdowns on 131 attempts
• Passing: Bob Relph, 2,178 yards, 142 completions and 20 touchdowns on 241 attempts
• Receiving: Dick Slenker, 782 yards and 7 touchdowns on 44 receptions
• Total offense: Bob Relph, 2,405 yards (2,178 passing, 227 rushing)
• Scoring: Pat Healy, 74 points from 11 touchdowns and 4 two-point conversions
• All-purpose yards: Henry White, 1,877 yards (1,056 rushing, 448 kickoff returning, 306 receiving, 67 punt returning)
• Tackles: Doug Curtis, 116 total tackles
• Sacks: Gary Hartwig, 6 quarterback sacks

References

1. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1977-standings.html
2. "Colgate Athletic History: Football" (PDF). Hamilton, N.Y.: Colgate University. p. 13. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
3. Harvin, Al (September 11, 1977). "Colgate Blanks Rutgers". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S10.
4. "Schedules of the Leading College Football Teams for the 1977 Season". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. September 4, 1977. p. S9.
5. "Colgate Athletic History: Football" (PDF). Hamilton, N.Y.: Colgate University. p. 25. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
6. "Colgate Outlasts Cornell, 28-22, in Air Duel". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. September 25, 1977. p. 70 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Eisenberg, Harry (October 2, 1977). "Colgate Clips Crimson, 38-21". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 79 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Mumpton, Roy (October 9, 1977). "Colgate Untracks, Snuffs Holy Cross Threat, 31-14". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 79 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Harvin, Al (October 16, 1977). "Unbeaten Colgate Wins Sixth in Rout of Princeton". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S10.
10. Montgomery, Paul L. (October 23, 1977). "Colgate Rolls Up 7th in Row—White Star". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
11. Morganti, Al (October 30, 1977). "Relph's Passing Keeps Colgate Undefeated, 43-22". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 75 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Colgate 49, Bucknell 17". Sunday News Journal. Wilmington, Del. November 6, 1977. p. 70 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Colgate Brushes Off NU, 48-39". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. November 13, 1977. p. 81 – via Newspapers.com.
14. Harvin, Al (November 20, 1977). "Delaware Pins First Loss on Colgate". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S8.
15. "Colgate Athletic History: Football" (PDF). Hamilton, N.Y.: Colgate University. p. 19. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
16. "Colgate Athletic History: Football" (PDF). Hamilton, N.Y.: Colgate University. pp. 43–55. Retrieved June 15, 2020.