1978 Western Michigan Broncos football team

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1978 Western Michigan Broncos football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record7–4 (5–4 MAC)
Head coach
MVPJerome Persell
CaptainJerome Persell, Keith Rogien, Greg Williams
Home stadiumWaldo Stadium
Seasons
← 1977
1979 →
1978 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Ball State $ 8 0 0 10 1 0
Central Michigan 8 1 0 9 2 0
Miami (OH) 5 2 0 8 2 1
Western Michigan 5 4 0 7 4 0
Bowling Green 3 5 0 4 7 0
Ohio 3 5 0 3 8 0
Northern Illinois 2 4 0 5 6 0
Kent State 2 6 0 4 7 0
Toledo 2 7 0 2 9 0
Eastern Michigan 1 5 0 3 7 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1978 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fourth season under head coach Elliot Uzelac, the Broncos compiled a 7–4 record (5–4 against MAC opponents), finished in fourth place in the MAC, and outscored their opponents, 220 to 152.[1][2][3] The team played its home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[4]

The team's statistical leaders included Albert Little with 828 passing yards, Jerome Persell with 1,346 rushing yards, and Tim Clysdale with 213 receiving yards.[5] Tailback Jerome Persell, fullback Keith Rogien, and safety Greg Williams were the team captains.[6] For the third consecutive year, tailback Jerome Persell received the team's most outstanding player award.[7] Persell was also named MAC offensive player of the year for the third consecutive year.[8]

Schedule[edit]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 9Illinois State*W 27–17
September 16at Northern IllinoisW 44–30
September 23at Miami OH)L 3–7
September 30Bowling Green
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 24–20
October 7at Kent StateW 14–0
October 14Toledo
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 17–7
October 21Eastern Michigan
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 32–0
October 28Ohio
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 7–10
November 4at Marshall*W 24–610,000[9]
November 11at Ball StateL 14–20
November 18Central Michigan
  • Waldo Stadium
  • Kalamazoo, MI (rivalry)
L 14–35
  • *Non-conference game

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Football Records: Annual Results". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1970 - 79". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "1978 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ^ "Waldo Stadium". Western Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  5. ^ "1978 Western Michigan Broncos Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "Football History: All-Time Captains". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. ^ "Football History: Team Awards". Western Michigan University. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  8. ^ "Western's Persell, NIU's Petzke share MAC honors". Detroit Free Press. December 14, 1978. p. 2D.
  9. ^ "Persell tops 4,000 yards as Western rips Marshall". Battle Creek Enquirer. November 5, 1978. Retrieved January 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.