1977 Widener Pioneers football team explained

The 1977 Widener Pioneers football team represented Widener University as a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) during the 1977 NCAA Division III football season. The team won the 1977 NCAA Division III national championship.

Season overview

In their ninth season under head coach Bill Manlove, the Pride compiled an 11–1 record and won the NCAA Division III championship.^{[1] [2] [3]}

The team lost to in the second game of the season – Widener's first home defeat since 1970. The Fordham loss was followed by a 10-game winning streak. In the NCAA Division III playoffs, the Pioneers shut out (17–0) on the road. In the semifinals, the Pioneers defeated as Chip Zawoiski carried a record 31 times for 171 rushing yards.^[4]

In the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, Widener faced . The Pioneers won, 39–36, in a game that featured five lead changes. Widener ultimately pulled ahead with two fourth-quarter touchdowns on passes of 25 and 70 yards from Mark Walter to Walker Carter.

The team played its home games in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Statistical leaders and awards

The team's statistical leaders included senior tailback Chip Zawoiski with 1,576 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns and quarterback Mark Walter with 1,312 passing yards and 15 touchdowns.^[5]

Zawoiski was named the MAC most valuable player (tying with John Green of Franklin Y Marshall), and coach Manlove received MAC Coach of the Year honors for the fourth consecutive year. A total of ten Widener players received first-team All-MAC honors: Zawoiski; split end Walker Carter; offensive tackle Bob Brewster; offensive guard Andy Martin; kicker John Ferko; defensive end Tim Erlacher; defensive tackle Jim "Bubba" Carter; linebackers Eddie Fulmer and Wayne Pierce; and defensive back Ted Kukawaski.^[6]

The 1977 team was inducted as a group into the Widener Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 1977 Football Schedule - NCAA Division III Champions. Widener Athletics. October 24, 2021.
2. News: Widener Close To Title Shot. Philadelphia Daily News. Phil Jasner. November 25, 1977. 132. Newspapers.com.
3. News: A tale of two schools -- small powers seek national titles: Widener after Division III crown. The Danville News. Joe Juliano. December 1, 1977. 13. Newspapers.com.
4. News: Widener blanks Dutchmen 19-0. The Waterloo Courier. Don Kruse. November 20, 1977. 57–58. Newspapers.com.
5. Web site: 1977 Widener Football Team. Widener Athletics. October 26, 2021.
6. News: Widener puts 10 on MAC team; Manlove shares loop's Coach-of-Year honors. Courier-Post. Camden, New Jersey. December 1, 1977. 52. Newspapers.com.