1977 Lowell Chiefs football team explained

Year:1977
Team:Lowell Chiefs
Sport:football
Conference:New England Colonial Football Conference
Short Conf:NECFC
Record:10–0
Conf Record:8–0
Head Coach:John Perreault
Hc Year:3rd
Captain:Ken Gauthier, Tipper Durkin, Bill Florence, Mike McKeon
Stadium:Cawley Stadium
Champion:NCFA champion
NECFC champion
Bowl:NCFA Championship Game
Bowl Result:W 41–6 vs.

The 1977 Lowell Chiefs football team was an American football team that represented the University of Lowell (later renamed University of Massachusetts Lowell) as a member of the New England Colonial Football Conference (NECFC) during the 1977 National Collegiate Football Association (NCFA) season. In their third year under head coach John Perreault,[1] the Chiefs compiled a perfect 10–0 record (8–0 in conference games), won the NECFC championship, defeated in the NCFA Championship Game, held seven opponents to seven or fewer points, and outscored all opponents by a total of 380 to 56.

The NECC coaches selected Lowell's junior fullback Ken Gauthier as the conference's most valuable player and Perreault as the coach of the year. Gauthier totaled 494 rushing yards with an average of 6.3 yards per carry.[2] Another Lowell back, Terry Coleman, led the conference with 1,322 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.[3]

Nine Lowell players selected for the all-conference team were: Gauthier at fullback; Coleman at running back; Tipper Durkin at quarterback; Mike McKeon at offensive tackle; Marty McLain at center; Bill Kulis at defensive end; Russ Calla at middle guard; Bill Florence at linebacker; and Steve Pepe at cornerback.[2]

Perreault also led the 1979 Lowell team to a second national championship in three years and led the team to varsity status in 1980.[4]

The team played its home games at Cawley Stadium in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Notes and References

  1. News: Perreault hopes to make "Major" changes at ULowell. The Lowell Sun. September 23, 1977. 56. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Taconic's Gauthier named Colonial MVP. The Berkshire Eagle. November 16, 1977. 39. Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Lowell takes NCAA club championship. The Boston Globe. November 20, 1977. 90. Newspapers.com.
  4. News: Sports Notebook. The Boston Globe. September 27, 1992. 55. Newspapers.com.