The 1977 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois during the 1977 Big Ten Conference football season . In their first year under head coach Gary Moeller , the Illini compiled a 3–8 record and finished in ninth place in the Big Ten Conference .[ 1]
The team's offensive leaders were quarterback Mike McCray with 418 passing yards, running back James Coleman with 715 rushing yards, and wide receiver Tom Schooley with 231 receiving yards.[ 2] Coleman and linebacker John Sullivan were selected as the team's most valuable players.[ 3]
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 10 No. 2 Michigan L 9–3760,477 [ 4] [ 5]
September 17 Missouri * Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL (rivalry ) W 11–752,771
September 24 at Stanford * L 24–3750,500
October 1 Syracuse * Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL L 20–3052,015
October 8 at No. 19 Wisconsin L 0–2678,661
October 15 at Purdue W 29–2260,242
October 22 Indiana Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL (rivalry ) W 21–750,298
October 29 at Michigan State L 20–4970,589
November 5 No. 4 Ohio State L 0–3566,973
November 12 Minnesota Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL L 0–2137,697
November 19 at Northwestern L 7–2117,255
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
1977 Illinois Fighting Illini football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
TE
81
Mike Sherrod
Jr
QB
10
Nick Sowa
Jr
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
LB
97
John Sullivan
Sr
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Roster