1976 Montana State Bobcats football team: Difference between revisions

1976 Montana State Bobcats football
1976 Montana State Bobcats football
NCAA Division II champion; Big Sky champion
NCAA Division II Championship—Pioneer Bowl, W 23–13 vs. Akron
Conference	Big Sky Conference
Record	12–1 (6–0 Big Sky)
Head coach	Sonny Holland (6th season);
Offensive coordinator	Don Christensen (6th season)
Defensive coordinator	Sonny Lubick (6th season)
Home stadium	Reno H. Sales Stadium
	Seasons ← 1975 1977 →

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1976 Big Sky Conference
football standings
	Conf					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 1 Montana State $^	6	–	0	–	0	12	–	1	–	0
Idaho	5	–	1	–	0	7	–	4	–	0
Northern Arizona	4	–	2	–	0	8	–	3	–	0
Montana	3	–	3	–	0	4	–	6	–	0
Boise State	2	–	4	–	0	5	–	5	–	1
Weber State	1	–	5	–	0	2	–	9	–	0
Idaho State	0	–	6	–	0	1	–	9	–	0

$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant Rankings from NCAA Division II AP Poll

The 1976 Montana State Bobcats football team represented the Montana State University in the 1976 NCAA Division II football season. The team was led by sixth-year head coach Sonny Holland and won the Division II national championship.^[1] The Bobcats played their home games on campus in Bozeman at Reno H. Sales Stadium.

Entering August practices, the Bobcats were expected to finish in the middle of the conference standings.^[2] Led on the field by southpaw sophomore quarterback Paul Dennehy,^[3]^[4] Montana State went undefeated in the Big Sky and against all Division II opponents, falling only to Fresno State of Division I. Montana State finished their schedule with a 28–7 victory at Hawaii to end the regular season at 9–1.^[5]

Division II playoffs

In the Division II playoffs, the Bobcats hosted New Hampshire in Bozeman in the quarterfinals and won by a point, 17–16.^[6] In the semifinals at Fargo, MSU defeated North Dakota State for a second time in 1976, by a much closer 10–3 score in the Grantland Rice Bowl.^[7]^[8]

In the Pioneer Bowl for the Division II title in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Bobcats defeated Akron 24–13 and became the first Big Sky team to win a national title in football.^[9] the Bobcats went undefeated in the Big Sky and won the Division II national championship.^[9]

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 11	at North Dakota*		Memorial Stadium Grand Forks, ND	W 18–14	12,800	^[10]
September 18	North Dakota State*		Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT	W 34–7	2,300	^[11]
September 25	at Fresno State*	No. 3	Ratcliffe Stadium Fresno, CA	L 10–24	11,500	^[12]
October 2	Boise State		Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT	W 24–20	7,800	^[13]^[14]
October 9	at Weber State		Wildcat Stadium Ogden, UT	W 44–0	7,422	^[15]^[16]
October 16	Idaho State	No. 8	Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT	W 28–7	9,600	^[17]
October 23	Idaho	No. 7	Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT	W 29–14	5,400	^[3]^[4]^[18]
October 30	at Montana	No. 4	Dornblaser Field Missoula, MT (rivalry)	W 21–12	12,500	^[19]
November 6	No. 6 Northern Arizona	No. 3	Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT	W 33–0	9,400	^[20]
November 13	at Hawaii*	No. 3	Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI	W 28–7	20,515	^[21]
November 27	No. T–8 New Hampshire*	No. 1	Reno H. Sales Stadium Bozeman, MT (NCAA Division II Quarterfinal)	W 17–16	6,900	^[22]
December 4	at No. T–8 North Dakota State*	No. 1	Dacotah Field Fargo, ND (NCAA Division II Semifinal—Grantland Rice Bowl)	W 10–3	6,100	^[23]^[24]
December 11	vs. No. 3 Akron*	No. 1	Memorial Stadium Wichita Falls, TX (NCAA Division II Championship—Pioneer Bowl)	W 24–13	13,200	^[9]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[25]^[26]

References

^ "Dennehy leads Montana State's bowl win". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 12, 1976. p. D1.
^ Emerson, Paul (August 1, 1976). "ISU picked as Big Sky grid favorite". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
^ ^a ^b "Idaho, Montana (State) fight for lead". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). October 22, 1976. p. 16.
^ ^a ^b Payne, Bob (October 24, 1976). "Dennehy inspires Bobcats". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.
^ Clemens, Dave (November 15, 1976). "Montana State looks for postseason berth". Prescott Courier. (Arizona). Associated Press. p. 7.
^ "Bobcats survive UNH aerials". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 28, 1976. p. D1.
^ "Bobcat defense keys victory". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 5, 1976. p. 4B.
^ "Montana St., 10-3". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire services. December 5, 1976. p. 9E.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Montana State wins title". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 12, 1976. p. 4B.
^ "Montana State nips Sioux 18–14". The Forum. September 12, 1976. Retrieved December 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "MSU's Dennehy no robot". The Billings Gazette. September 19, 1976. Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Bobcats fall to Fresno". The Billings Gazette. September 26, 1976. Retrieved December 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Bobcats hold off Broncos". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 3, 1976. p. D3.
^ English, Sue (October 4, 1976). "Big Sky race has surprise". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 17.
^ Ewer, Bill (October 11, 1976). "No hope for Weber". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). p. B6.
^ English, Sue (October 11, 1976). "Big Sky test due for Idaho". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 19.
^ English, Sue (October 18, 1976). "No surprises likely in next Vandal game". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 15.
^ English, Sue (October 25, 1976). "Vandals play Bengals next". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 13.
^ "Idaho on road again after slim triumph". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 1, 1976. p. 27.
^ "Idaho goes up despite loss". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 8, 1976. p. 15.
^ English, Sue (November 15, 1976). "Undisputed 2nd goal for Idaho". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 19.
^ "Bobcats survive UNH aerials". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 28, 1976. p. D1.
^ "Bobcats advance to title game". The Independent-Record. December 5, 1976. Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Bobcat defense keys victory". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 5, 1976. p. 4B.
^ "Final 1976 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Montana State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
^ "2015 football media guide" (PDF). Montana State University Athletics. 2015.

[dlmsbw-1] "Dennehy leads Montana State's bowl win". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 12, 1976. p. D1.

[isufav-2] Emerson, Paul (August 1, 1976). "ISU picked as Big Sky grid favorite". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.

[idmtfl-3] "Idaho, Montana (State) fight for lead". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). October 22, 1976. p. 16.

[dibcts-4] Payne, Bob (October 24, 1976). "Dennehy inspires Bobcats". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.

[mslfpsb-5] Clemens, Dave (November 15, 1976). "Montana State looks for postseason berth". Prescott Courier. (Arizona). Associated Press. p. 7.

[unhaer-6] "Bobcats survive UNH aerials". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 28, 1976. p. D1.

[bcdfkv-7] "Bobcat defense keys victory". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 5, 1976. p. 4B.

[msswerg-8] "Montana St., 10-3". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire services. December 5, 1976. p. 9E.

[mswti-9] "Montana State wins title". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 12, 1976. p. 4B.

[10] "Montana State nips Sioux 18–14". The Forum. September 12, 1976. Retrieved December 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[11] "MSU's Dennehy no robot". The Billings Gazette. September 19, 1976. Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.

[12] "Bobcats fall to Fresno". The Billings Gazette. September 26, 1976. Retrieved December 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[bhofbr-13] "Bobcats hold off Broncos". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 3, 1976. p. D3.

[bsrhas-14] English, Sue (October 4, 1976). "Big Sky race has surprise". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 17.

[nhfwb-15] Ewer, Bill (October 11, 1976). "No hope for Weber". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). p. B6.

[duefro-16] English, Sue (October 11, 1976). "Big Sky test due for Idaho". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 19.

[nvg-17] English, Sue (October 18, 1976). "No surprises likely in next Vandal game". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 15.

[vbenc-18] English, Sue (October 25, 1976). "Vandals play Bengals next". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 13.

[slmtri-19] "Idaho on road again after slim triumph". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 1, 1976. p. 27.

[updespl-20] "Idaho goes up despite loss". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). November 8, 1976. p. 15.

[yndis-21] English, Sue (November 15, 1976). "Undisputed 2nd goal for Idaho". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 19.

[bsunha-22] "Bobcats survive UNH aerials". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. November 28, 1976. p. D1.

[23] "Bobcats advance to title game". The Independent-Record. December 5, 1976. Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.

[lmtbkv-24] "Bobcat defense keys victory". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 5, 1976. p. 4B.

[25] "Final 1976 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Montana State)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 21, 2022.

[fbmedgui-26] "2015 football media guide" (PDF). Montana State University Athletics. 2015.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|American college football season}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
 {{Infobox college sports team season
 | year = 1976
@@ Line 21: / Line 22: @@
 | stadium = [[Reno H. Sales Stadium]]
 | champion = NCAA Division II champion<br />Big Sky champion
-| bowl = [[1976 NCAA Division II football season#Postseason|NCAA Division II Championship]] / [[Pioneer Bowl]]
+| bowl = [[1976 NCAA Division II football season#Postseason|NCAA Division II Championship]]—[[Pioneer Bowl (1971-82)|Pioneer Bowl]]
 | bowl_result = W 23–13 vs. [[1976 Akron Zips football team|Akron]]
 }}
@@ Line 28: / Line 29: @@
 Entering August practices, the Bobcats were expected to finish in the middle of the conference standings.<ref name=isufav>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gZVfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FjEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3312%2C109386 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |last=Emerson |first=Paul |title=ISU picked as Big Sky grid favorite
-|date=August 1, 1976 |page=1B}}</ref> Led on the field by southpaw sophomore quarterback Paul Dennehy,<ref name=dibcts>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZyFOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6099%2C3866304 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Payne |first=Bob |title=Dennehy inspires Bobcats |date=October 24, 1976 |page=D1}}</ref> Montana State went undefeated in the Big Sky and against all Division II opponents, falling only to [[Fresno State Bulldogs football|Fresno State]] of Division I. Montana State finished their schedule with a 28–7 victory at [[Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football|Hawaii]] to end the regular season at 9–1.<ref name=mslfpsb>{{cite news |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ebtaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H1ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5731%2C2042060 |newspaper=Prescott Courier |location=(Arizona) |agency=Associated Press |last=Clemens |first=Dave |title=Montana State looks for postseason berth |date=November 15, 1976 |page=7 }}</ref>
+|date=August 1, 1976 |page=1B}}</ref> Led on the field by southpaw sophomore quarterback Paul Dennehy,<ref name=idmtfl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yk9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6710%2C1490462 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |title=Idaho, Montana (State) fight for lead |date=October 22, 1976 |page=16}}</ref><ref name=dibcts>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZyFOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6099%2C3866304 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Payne |first=Bob |title=Dennehy inspires Bobcats |date=October 24, 1976 |page=D1}}</ref> Montana State went undefeated in the Big Sky and against all Division II opponents, falling only to [[Fresno State Bulldogs football|Fresno State]] of Division I. Montana State finished their schedule with a 28–7 victory at [[Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football|Hawaii]] to end the regular season at 9–1.<ref name=mslfpsb>{{cite news |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ebtaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H1ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5731%2C2042060 |newspaper=Prescott Courier |location=(Arizona) |agency=Associated Press |last=Clemens |first=Dave |title=Montana State looks for postseason berth |date=November 15, 1976 |page=7 }}</ref>
+==Division II playoffs==
-In the [[1976 NCAA Division II football season#Postseason|Division II playoffs]], the Bobcats hosted [[New Hampshire Wildcats football|New Hampshire]] in Bozeman in the quarterfinals and won by a point, 17–16.<ref name=unhaer>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RvVLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3818%2C5144194 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington)|agency=Associated Press |title=Bobcats survive UNH aerials |date=November 28, 1976|page=D1}}</ref> In the semifinals at [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]], MSU defeated [[North Dakota State Bison football|North Dakota State]] for a second time in 1976, by a much closer 10–3 score in the [[Grantland Rice Bowl]].<ref name=bcdfkv>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HahfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5345%2C1747537 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Bobcat defense keys victory |date=December 5, 1976 |page=4B}}</ref><ref name=msswerg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uu5XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1694%2C1248718|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=wire services |title=Montana St., 10-3 |date=December 5, 1976 |page=9E }}</ref> In the [[Pioneer Bowl]] for the Division II title in [[Wichita Falls, Texas]], the Bobcats defeated [[1976 Akron Zips football team|Akron]] 24–13 and became the first Big Sky team to win a national title in football.<ref name=mswti>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JKhfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2817%2C4171751 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Montana State wins title |date=December 12, 1976 |page=4B}}</ref>
+In the [[1976 NCAA Division II football season#Postseason|Division II playoffs]], the Bobcats hosted [[New Hampshire Wildcats football|New Hampshire]] in Bozeman in the quarterfinals and won by a point, 17–16.<ref name=unhaer>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RvVLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3818%2C5144194 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington)|agency=Associated Press |title=Bobcats survive UNH aerials |date=November 28, 1976|page=D1}}</ref> In the semifinals at [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]], MSU defeated [[North Dakota State Bison football|North Dakota State]] for a second time in 1976, by a much closer 10–3 score in the [[Grantland Rice Bowl]].<ref name=bcdfkv>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HahfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5345%2C1747537 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Bobcat defense keys victory |date=December 5, 1976 |page=4B}}</ref><ref name=msswerg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uu5XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1694%2C1248718|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=wire services |title=Montana St., 10-3 |date=December 5, 1976 |page=9E }}</ref>
+In the [[Pioneer Bowl (1971-82)|Pioneer Bowl]] for the Division II title in [[Wichita Falls, Texas]], the Bobcats defeated [[1976 Akron Zips football team|Akron]] 24–13 and became the first Big Sky team to win a national title in football.<ref name=mswti>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JKhfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2817%2C4171751 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Montana State wins title |date=December 12, 1976 |page=4B}}</ref> the Bobcats went undefeated in the Big Sky and won the [[1976 NCAA Division II football season#Postseason|Division II national championship]].<ref name="mswti" />
 ==Schedule==
@@ Line 36: / Line 40: @@
 | rankyear = 1976
 | rankdivision = NCAA Division II
-| poll = Associated Press
+| poll = AP
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 47: / Line 51: @@
 | site_cityst = [[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks, ND]]
 | score = 18–14
-| attend =
+| attend = 12,800
+| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-forum-montana-state-nips-sioux-1814/161107864/|work=The Forum|title=Montana State nips Sioux 18–14|date=September 12, 1976|accessdate=December 17, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 54: / Line 59: @@
 | nonconf = y
 | opponent = [[1976 North Dakota State Bison football team|North Dakota State]]
-| site_stadium = [[Reno H. Sales Stadium]]
+| site_stadium = [[Bobcat Stadium (Montana State University)|Reno H. Sales Stadium]]
 | site_cityst = [[Bozeman, Montana|Bozeman, MT]]
 | score = 34–7
@@ Line 71: / Line 76: @@
 | score = 10–24
 | attend = 11,500
+| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-bobcats-fall-to-fre/161107937/|work=The Billings Gazette|title=Bobcats fall to Fresno|date=September 26, 1976|accessdate=December 17, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 79: / Line 85: @@
 | site_cityst = Bozeman, MT
 | score = 24–20
-| attend =
+| attend = 7,800
+| source = <ref name=bhofbr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EPQjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6677%2C1627569 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Bobcats hold off Broncos |date=October 3, 1976 |page=D3}}</ref><ref name=bsrhas>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-MESAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4fgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5349%2C492640 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |last=English |first=Sue |title=Big Sky race has surprise |date=October 4, 1976 |page=17}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 85: / Line 92: @@
 | w/l = w
 | away = y
-| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1976|team=Weber State Wildcats|title=Weber State}}
+| opponent = [[1976 Weber State Wildcats football team|Weber State]]
 | site_stadium = [[Stewart Stadium|Wildcat Stadium]]
 | site_cityst = [[Ogden, Utah|Ogden, UT]]
 | score = 44–0
-| attend =
+| attend = 7,422
+| source = <ref name=nhfwb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3s5SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZH8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7054%2C2597397 |work=Deseret News |location=(Salt Lake City, Utah) |last=Ewer |first=Bill |title=No hope for Weber |date=October 11, 1976 |page=B6}}</ref><ref name=duefro>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9lVOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4fgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6411%2C2294630 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |last=English |first=Sue |title=Big Sky test due for Idaho |date=October 11, 1976 |page=19}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 95: / Line 103: @@
 | w/l = w
 | rank = 8
-| opponent = {{cfb link|year=1976|team=Idaho State Bengals|title=Idaho State}}
+| opponent = [[1976 Idaho State Bengals football team|Idaho State]]
 | site_stadium = Reno H. Sales Stadium
 | site_cityst = Bozeman, MT
 | score = 28–7
-| attend =
+| attend = 9,600
+| source = <ref name=nvg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aakSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4991%2C223518 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |last=English |first=Sue |title=No surprises likely in next Vandal game |date=October 18, 1976 |page=15}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 110: / Line 119: @@
 | score = 29–14
 | attend = 5,400
+| source = <ref name=idmtfl/><ref name=dibcts/><ref name=vbenc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zE9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5567%2C1855456 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |last=English |first=Sue |title=Vandals play Bengals next |date=October 25, 1976 |page=13}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 122: / Line 132: @@
 | score = 21–12
 | attend = 12,500
+| source = <ref name=slmtri>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GVZOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5PgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4955%2C131457 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |title=Idaho on road again after slim triumph |date=November 1, 1976 |page=27}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 132: / Line 143: @@
 | site_cityst = Bozeman, MT
 | score = 33–0
-| attend =
+| attend = 9,400
+| source = <ref name=updespl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HlZOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5PgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6349%2C1739687 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |title=Idaho goes up despite loss |date=November 8, 1976 |page=15}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 142: / Line 154: @@
 | opponent = [[1976 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team|Hawaii]]
 | site_stadium = [[Aloha Stadium]]
-| site_cityst = [[Honolulu|Honolulu, HI]]
+| site_cityst = [[Halawa, Hawaii|Halawa, HI]]
 | score = 28–7
-| attend =
+| attend = 20,515
+|source = <ref name=yndis>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JFZOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5PgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5493%2C3677898 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |last=English |first=Sue |title=Undisputed 2nd goal for Idaho |date=November 15, 1976 |page=19}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 158: / Line 171: @@
 | score = 17–16
 | attend = 6,900
+| source = <ref name=bsunha>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RvVLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3818%2C5144194 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Bobcats survive UNH aerials |date=November 28, 1976 |page=D1}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 169: / Line 183: @@
 | site_stadium = [[Dacotah Field]]
 | site_cityst = [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo, ND]]
-| gamename = NCAA Division II Semifinal / [[Grantland Rice Bowl]]
+| gamename = NCAA Division II Semifinal—[[Grantland Rice Bowl]]
 | score = 10–3
 | attend = 6,100
-| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86533248/bobcats-advance-to-title-game/|work=The Independent-Record|title=Bobcats advance to title game|date=December 5, 1976|accessdate=October 5, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
+| source = <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86533248/bobcats-advance-to-title-game/|work=The Independent-Record|title=Bobcats advance to title game|date=December 5, 1976|accessdate=October 5, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref name=lmtbkv>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HahfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5345%2C1747537 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Bobcat defense keys victory |date=December 5, 1976 |page=4B}}</ref>
 }}
 |{{CFB schedule entry
@@ Line 184: / Line 198: @@
 | site_stadium = [[Memorial Stadium (Wichita Falls)|Memorial Stadium]]
 | site_cityst = [[Wichita Falls, Texas|Wichita Falls, TX]]
-| gamename = NCAA Division II Championship / [[Pioneer Bowl]]
+| gamename = NCAA Division II Championship—[[Pioneer Bowl (1971-82)|Pioneer Bowl]]
 | score = 24–13
 | attend = 13,200
+| source = <ref name=mswti/>
 }}
 }}
-<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_iaa/bigsky/montana_state/1975-1979_yearly_results.php |title=Montana State yearly results |work=[[College Football Data Warehouse]] |access-date=August 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727131923/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_iaa/bigsky/montana_state/1975-1979_yearly_results.php |archive-date=July 27, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=fbmedgui >{{cite web|url=http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/msubobcats.com/documents/2015/8/28/FB_Guide_2015_Records.pdf |publisher=Montana State University Athletics |title=2015 football media guide |date=2015}}</ref>
+<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Final 1976 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Montana State) |url=https://stats.ncaa.org/team/440/stats/13330 |publisher=[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] |access-date=December 21, 2022 }}</ref><ref name=fbmedgui >{{cite web|url=http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/msubobcats.com/documents/2015/8/28/FB_Guide_2015_Records.pdf |publisher=Montana State University Athletics |title=2015 football media guide |date=2015}}</ref>
 ==References==
@@ Line 203: / Line 218: @@
 [[Category:NCAA Division II Football Champions]]
 [[Category:Big Sky Conference football champion seasons]]
+[[Category:Grantland Rice Bowl champion seasons]]
 [[Category:1976 in sports in Montana|Montana State Bobcats football]]

v t e Montana State Bobcats football
Venues	Gatton Field (1930–1971) Van Winkle Stadium (1972) Bobcat Stadium (1973–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Montana
Culture & lore	Spirit of the West Marching Band
People	Head coaches NFL draftees
Seasons	1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906–1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942–1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
National championship seasons in bold

v t e Big Sky Conference football champions
College Division / Division II	Idaho State (1963) Montana State (1964) Weber State & Idaho (1965) Montana State (1966) Montana State (1967) Idaho, Montana State, & Weber State (1968) Montana (1969) Montana (1970) Idaho (1971) Montana State (1972) Boise State (1973) Boise State (1974) Boise State (1975) Montana State (1976) Boise State (1977)
I-AA/FCS	Northern Arizona (1978) Montana State (1979) Boise State (1980) Idaho State (1981) Montana, Idaho, & Montana State (1982) Nevada (1983) Montana State (1984) Idaho (1985) Nevada (1986) Idaho (1987) Idaho (1988) Idaho (1989) Nevada (1990) Nevada (1991) Idaho & Eastern Washington (1992) Montana (1993) Boise State (1994) Montana (1995) Montana (1996) Eastern Washington (1997) Montana (1998) Montana (1999) Montana (2000) Montana (2001) Montana, Montana State, & Idaho State (2002) Montana State, Montana, & Northern Arizona (2003) Montana & Eastern Washington (2004) Eastern Washington, Montana State, & Montana (2005) Montana (2006) Montana (2007) Weber State & Montana (2008) Montana (2009) Montana State & Eastern Washington (2010) Montana State & Montana (2011) Eastern Washington, Montana State, & Cal Poly (2012) Eastern Washington (2013) Eastern Washington (2014) Southern Utah (2015) Eastern Washington & North Dakota (2016) Southern Utah & Weber State (2017) Eastern Washington, UC Davis, & Weber State (2018) Sacramento State & Weber State (2019) Weber State (2020) Sacramento State (2021) Montana State & Sacramento State (2022) Montana (2023) Montana State (2024)
National championships in bold

v t e NCAA Division II football champions
1970s	1973: Louisiana Tech 1974: Central Michigan 1975: Northern Michigan 1976: Montana State 1977: Lehigh 1978: Eastern Illinois 1979: Delaware
1980s	1980: Cal Poly 1981: Southwest Texas State 1982: Southwest Texas State 1983: North Dakota State 1984: Troy State 1985: North Dakota State 1986: North Dakota State 1987: Troy State 1988: North Dakota State 1989: Mississippi College (vacated)
1990s	1990: North Dakota State 1991: Pittsburg State 1992: Jacksonville State 1993: North Alabama 1994: North Alabama 1995: North Alabama 1996: Northern Colorado 1997: Northern Colorado 1998: Northwest Missouri State 1999: Northwest Missouri State
2000s	2000: Delta State 2001: North Dakota 2002: Grand Valley State 2003: Grand Valley State 2004: Valdosta State 2005: Grand Valley State 2006: Grand Valley State 2007: Valdosta State 2008: Minnesota–Duluth 2009: Northwest Missouri State
2010s	2010: Minnesota–Duluth 2011: Pittsburg State 2012: Valdosta State 2013: Northwest Missouri State 2014: CSU Pueblo 2015: Northwest Missouri State 2016: Northwest Missouri State 2017: Texas A&M–Commerce 2018: Valdosta State 2019: West Florida
2020s	2020: No champion 2021: Ferris State 2022: Ferris State 2023: Harding 2024: Ferris State